Literally. March 2005 I sent an email. This year a law passed the legislature and was signed into state law. Had I not sent the email, this might never have been the case.
For the full story, you'll have to read on...
In march 2005, I was researching some child support issues for a relative. I come across something that didn't sit well. Me being the curious sort I decide to contact my state house rep:
HOUSE INTERNET E-MAIL DELIVERY SERVICE
TO: Representative Jim Moeller
FROM:
*****
*****
*****
E-MAIL: *****
PHONE: *****
SUBJECT: RCW 26.19.025
MESSAGE:
Hello-
I was recently reviewing the Washington state child support schedules and noticed they were from September 2000. It seems the values might be too low, given the rising costs of living. I checked the RCW thinking there might be some indication of whether that was accounted for and came across RCW 26.19.025.
According to that statute, the state legislature would have reviewed the schedules in 2004. Is that handled by a certain committee? Was that done? I just wasn't sure where to turn and thought you might be able to help answer the question.
Thanks,
*****
NOTE: ***** has requested a response to this message.
NOTE: We are 99% sure that this constituent is in your district
I just used the form off the government run website. Simple as that. The same day I received a reply. Now THATS representation.
From: Moeller, Rep. Jim
Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 11:42 AM
To: Gallegos, Maureen
Subject: FW: RCW 26.19.025
Maureen:
Please forward this request for information to children and Family Services Committee and see what they can tell us.
-jm
Now... I will spare you all the back and forth that happened after that. The answer was no, the legislature had not reviewed the schedules as prescribed and a work group was formed to study the issue and make recommendations.
Fast forward to this year.
House Bill 1794, which involves the calculation of child-support payments, also won House approval.
Moeller’s bill keeps the current schedule of payments, with the exception that the child-support table instead starts at $1,000 of combined monthly net income with a $50 presumptive minimum amount of basic support.
The measure also expands the table to $12,000 of combined monthly net income, and allows income from overtime and second jobs to be excluded from calculating the gross monthly income (if certain conditions are met). Further, the legislation allows a parent to deduct up to $5,000 of voluntary retirement contributions (under certain circumstances).
The Clark County lawmaker explained that a parent’s child-support schedule includes standards, work sheets, and an economic table that establishes a presumptive amount of child support based on the combined monthly net income of both parents.
"In calculating net income," he said, "parents must complete work sheets that identify their sources of income and deductions from the income. Once the combined monthly income is determined, the total monthly support obligation is established."
Ordinary health-care costs that were included in the basic support amount would be removed, according to other terms of the measure.
He said a child-support work group has been meeting and studying the matter for several years.
"No, this bill isn’t perfect. But it’s an attempt to implement consensus items reached by the work group."
source
The bill was signed by Gov. Gregoire on 10/1/2009. Because I sent an email.
I'm not saying this wouldn't have happened at some point without my action. Someone would have noticed. I know others were aware of the issue and had discussed addressing it at some point. But I know for certain the one driving the bill was my rep (who is awesome). And that would not have happened if I had not spoken.
I noticed some people feeling down about the recent election outcomes - with good reason. But I also saw the threat to retreat from the whole political process more than once. To me, that's the opposite of what is needed.
So I will say to you... the opportunity to be involved is everywhere. Do not doubt your ability to have an impact. Maybe you won't single handedly make national single payer healthcare or universal marriage equality come to pass. That doesn't mean there are a whole host of worthy issues in your own backyard where you might have a very large impact. Maybe it's a school board or a city council or a state legislature that could use your input.
Get involved. That's one of the themes from the Obama campaign I wish would grow. He promised hope and change, but made it clear he could not do it alone. Each and every one of us has a part - will we choose to retreat or to become more involved?
Channel your anger. Our country is not a despotism. There is a lot of anger directed at single individuals in elected offices. They are not all-powerful beings - they are human like you and I. So don't leave everything up to them. Take the fact that you are pissed off and put it into something that makes a difference. It doesn't have to be a national issue to be important.
Organize. Find others in your local area who believe what you believe on a particular issue. Then work together to bring about positive changes. The effect of a group of voices can be extremely powerful, as the teabaggers are realizing. And non-violent protests can be very effective in some cases. Again... it doesn't have to be a national issue. A couple of years ago it was very popular to litter the streets of Portland, OR with duct tape during the rose parade in a sort of squatters rights "tradition". A small non-violent protest ended the practice, making the streets cleaner and making access to the parade more fair for everyone. (You are welcome.)
Our democracy works so much better when citizens choose to interact - and it goes beyond blogging. I will leave you with a quote.
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
-Mahatma Gandhi