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January 4, 2012

EDITORIAL: Let voices be heard

Don’t be intimidated from contacting your lawmakers

The Tribune-Star

Each year, as Hoosier lawmakers converge on Indianapolis to begin their legislative work, we urge the public to engage in the policy debate and share their views on issues of the day.

More than ever in 2012, that message must be reaffirmed.

The second, short session of the 117th General Assembly begins today. While the primary business of the legislature — adopting a biennial budget — was completed last year, this session promises to be one of the most consequential and controversial in decades. That’s because the state’s Republican governor and hefty GOP majorities in the House and Senate have decided to use their current powers to make Indiana the 23rd state in the nation to pass a right-to-work law.

While the volatile labor issue will attract most of the media attention, there are other important policy matters to be considered as well. Where you stand on these issues can only be gauged if you speak out and let your lawmakers know your opinions.

Unfortunately, it may be more difficult for you to state your case this year. Last week, the state announced restrictions on citizens’ access to the Statehouse. Officials say it’s because of safety concerns, but we all know the real reason — to stifle protests against right-to-work legislation. (More on the restrictions issue later as backlash against them plays out this week.)

While we expect all sectors of the political spectrum to remain aggressive, we also expect them to remain cooperative and civil as lawmakers try to craft legislative strategies that best serve the entire state.

While the state is constructing barriers to Statehouse access, public input remains an important ingredient for the Legislature. Special interests continue to spend mountains of money to influence lawmakers on pet issues. You can bet their Statehouse access won’t be curtailed. Still, individual citizens need not be intimidated. It’s easy to contact legislators and state your opinions, and we encourage you to do so. Here’s how:

• Members of the Indiana House of Representatives can be reached by phone at 1-800-382-9842.

• Members of the Indiana Senate can be reached at 1-800-382-9467.

• The mailing address for representatives and senators is 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.

• If you have online access, there is a wealth of information, including email addresses, about the General Assembly and related services at www.IN.gov/legislative.

Lawmakers work for you. Don’t be shy about letting them know you opinions.

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