Some of my bills get killed.

          What do I do next?

           Plan for next year.

            I just learned that one bill died in subcommittee yesterday despite the fact that we proposed amendments to meet the objections raised by our opponents at the bill hearing.

           I promptly wrote the people I worked with on the legislation:

          My suggestion for next year: Have the bill drafted this summer with these amendments. Ask the Attorney General if the revised version meets the objections of the bill’s opponents. Share that response with the organizations and lobbyists who opposed the bill prior to the bill hearing. Then provide the committee with their responses – or lack thereof.

            Another school of thought says you should outorganize the other side between now and next session. Flood members with emails and phone calls.

            Granted, you need to demonstrate that voters care about your bill. But you can’t do it by numbers alone. Most of the time, you also have to modify your bill to meet the legitimate objections to it or to pick up the needed votes.

            And remember, most bills don’t pass the first year they’re introduced.

March 17