By:  Doug Busselman, Executive Vice President

As the clock of 2008 ticks to a close and you consider looking ahead with resolutions for ways to make things better in the coming year – we suggest a pledge to yourself to be involved in the 75th Nevada Legislative session.  You can make a difference by being engaged in the process and keeping in touch with your elected representatives.

Step Number 1: (if you haven’t already got it bookmarked) use http://www.leg.state.nv.us/ to keep on top of the 2009 Nevada Legislative process.  This website is an extremely useful tool.  You can stay on top of the details of bill drafts that have been introduced and follow the proposals through the course.  Hearing schedules for each of the committee’s are detailed on the web site and if you’ve got the internet connection that can keep up, you can even watch hearings as if you were sitting in the legislative building.

The Nevada Legislature’s website also provides e-mail links to click your way to e-mails to your elected representative.  All 63 members of the Nevada Legislature have their own lap-top and use them to receive constituent contacts as well as to keep in touch with those who contact them.

We’re very aware that the 2009 Nevada Legislature, which kicks off on February 2nd, 2009, will be a critical session in Nevada’s history.  Even though the state budget and decisions related to taxes will hold center stage, other important bills (and some that might not be very important) will also be weighed, deliberated and decided during the 120-day gathering.

It goes without saying that those who are involved have a decided advantage over those who aren’t in influencing outcomes.  Nevada farmers and ranchers can and need to be part of that input. 

Deciding to not participate is a decision to accept whatever others have in store for you. 

Respectful and timely connection with legislators can be valuable contributions in the decision process.  Even if they don’t decide in line of the input you offer, they will be aware of the ramifications of their decision.

We also believe that your contacts, which come in the form of questions, can be important policy-shaping interactions.  Through these relationship-building exchanges, legislators can explain the merits and insights they have in respect to specific proposals.  This information can be useful for citizens to have in helping to understand where things might be going – and why.

Reaction and feedback to these viewpoints can help legislators see how the outside world (and “yes” the legislative building does become something of a world unto itself as the session progresses) perceives the thinking entering into pending decisions.

We will be working to use the various methods (including this blog) available to help you to be aware of developments taking shape.  We look forward to working with you in representing the interests spelled out in Farm Bureau’s, member-adopted policy.