By Susan Fleming, Advocacy Lobby Team Portfolio Director, LWVWA

Sad to say, the holidays will soon be behind us. But the exciting work of moving our wonderful state of Washington forward will be commencing when the 2022 legislature begins on Monday, Jan. 10. There is so much on the table for this short, 60-day session, which has already started in many ways. Bills are being proposed, committees are forming and meeting, and the legislative chambers and legislators’ offices in Olympia are being prepared—even if some things will be remote this session.

Lobby Week is also one of those things that will be remote again this year. We need to remember that while conducting business remotely has its challenges, it also has benefits, such as the ability to meet and testify from home! So many more of us have been able to participate because of this—it is perhaps a step forward for democracy.

Lobby Week begins on Monday, Jan. 24 and concludes on Thursday, Jan. 27. The first evening will be a jam-packed, information-filled program, followed by two and a half days of district-level meetings with legislators, and a concluding program on the final evening. The Monday evening program, which begins at 5 p.m., will include:

• Democracy topics, including elections, voting, and money in politics
• Redistricting status and ongoing work
• Climate, land use, and housing
• A moderated panel discussion with legislative leaders
• A How-to-Lobby session, including questions and answers

For more information and to register, visit the Lobby Week page on the League website. A $5 donation is requested to help cover expenses; this will be shared with our co-sponsor, Fix Democracy First. An additional donation to either Fix Democracy First or the League of Women Voters of Washington is welcome and appreciated.

Please join us for this event. It’s a great way to both learn about the upcoming session and get real experience lobbying along with folks in your district.