Don’t read your testimony.
Know what you’re talking about (Why we need this bill) and don’t worry if you pause or stumble occasionally.
That’s better than not making eye contact with the committee members because you’re reading what’s below you on the witness table.
I preach that to my law students and follow that rule myself.
Except when I get an email that my bill on the allocation of slots revenues among the neighborhoods near Pimlico Race Track is about to be heard in 10 minutes in the Budget and Taxation Committee and we’re nowhere near the end of the floor debate on the gun bill.
“You’re going to testify for the bill,” I told my staffer, “and you can read the testimony.”
An hour later, he responded, “I didn’t read it verbatim. I had enough time to prepare oral remarks. No question. A few nods.”
“I will talk to committee members when I can,” I responded.
There was no need to do so, he informed me. “Senator Jones asked for them to move it quickly after the hearing.” It got a favorable report.
Before the hearing, I had met with the senator, who represents Baltimore City, and gained her support.
—-
My floor speech about the 2nd Amendment on Tuesday is discussed in The Free State Press, with a link to my remarks.
