Learn how the Wyoming Legislature works Sign up for Equality State Policy Center’s 2014 citizen lobbyist training

Learn how the Wyoming Legislature works Sign up for Equality State Policy Center’s 2014 citizen lobbyist training

2014 training will include ‘Budget 101′ workshop

CHEYENNE – The Equality State Policy Center’s next Citizen Lobbyist Training will be conducted Feb. 12 starting at 8 a.m. at the Plains Hotel in Cheyenne.

Participants in the training learn how a bill becomes law. Experienced lobbyists who work for ESPC member organizations outline the attributes of an effective lobbyist and teach attendees how to testify before a legislative committee. Other presentations outline how citizens can get the attention of legislators and affect their policy deliberations from home. Sitting legislators offer their perspectives on lobbying and discuss approaches that work – and that don’t work – with them.

We’ll offer a virtual tour of the Legislature’s website, which has become a key resource for tracking developments during and following each session. The training also will include a real tour of the Wyoming Capitol and the opportunity to practice new lobbying skills on legislators.

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We will again offer workshops on three issues that will be discussed during the coming legislative session. These include a basic “Wyoming Budget 101″ workshop led by Ken Decaria, a former state senator and now the government relations director for the Wyoming Education Association. Rebekah Smith of the Wyoming Women’s Foundation will lead a workshop on the minimum wage and how it affects the gender pay gap. And Marguerite Herman of the League of Women Voters will conduct  a third workshop to discuss options to extend Medicaid to Wyoming’s low-income, adults without children. Attendees will choose their workshop on the day of the training.

The training attracts citizens from all walks of life, including students, representatives of nonprofit groups and people who simply want to learn more about lawmaking in Wyoming.

The cost of the training is $50 per person. The fee helps us defray the cost of materials, lunch and refreshments. We offer a discounted rate of $25 for attendees affiliated with ESPC groups.

The registration fee is not meant to be prohibitive, however, and we offer scholarships to participants who need assistance.

Register online here.

If you have other questions or do not wish to register online, please email Dan Neal at dneal@equalitystate.org or call 307-472-5939 to make arrangements

WyoFile coverage in 2011

The 2011 workshop was staged Jan. 12, the second day of the general session. Veteran Wyoming reporter Ruffin Prevost attended the 2011 training. You can read the report he posted for WyoFile, one of the best sources of in-depth reporting on Wyoming people, issues and events,here.