To Our FPIW Defenders:
Today begins Week Five of the Legislative Session in Olympia, and ten key bills are now ready for you to register PRO or CON. To do so, you can visit our website by clicking here, if you prefer this format:
Or you can use our app, if you prefer this format:
Either way works! Thank you for standing strong for biblical values. Friendly reminder: New bills will certainly emerge this week, and our voice is needed – so please check the website and the app EVERY SINGLE DAY! 👍🏻
Our Strategy
I’m often asked: “Brad, why should I register PRO or CON on a bill? Why not just email, or call, or write a letter?” Let me share with you our strategy.
In short, here’s the answer:
Registering is a better strategy because it becomes part of the official bill record, and therefore it is announced to the committee members formally, so they will actually hear it. The other methods of communication are good, but not guaranteed to reach the legislators.
Here is a longer, but more complete answer:
• Why not email or write a letter? The likelihood that the email or letter will be read before the committee hearing is not good. Even if it is read, the email or letter does not become part of the official bill record. But registering does.
• Why not call? Phone calls must also be made to every member of a given committee. The vast majority of calls will go to voicemail or a message will be taken by a legislative assistant. In the rare chance you’re able to talk directly to a committee member, your call does not become a part of the official bill record. But, again, registering does.
The number of people who have registered PRO or CON is announced to the committee members and is often noted during the actual public hearing. Furthermore, the legislator is not required to call you or read your letter, which saves them time and lets them know your position without personally interacting with every person wanting to support or oppose a specific piece of legislation.
We will never discourage someone from writing or calling a legislator; however, most people think about calling their own representative or senator, not the legislators on a given committee. If your legislator does not serve on the committee hearing the bill, your call or letter or email has no impact on the bill whatsoever.
Finally, consider the time factor. Making phone calls to multiple legislators or writing even a short letter takes time. But registering takes a few seconds, and you can impact seven or eight bills in five minutes verses perhaps 20-30 minutes to impact one bill.
We are grateful for your faithful influence to defend and advance biblical values in the public square. Your voice matters, and together we are shaping the story of Washington State.
Defending the family,
Brad Payne, President
FPIW Action
