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Convention of States California visits 117 state legislator offices

Published in Blog on February 04, 2018 by Kimberly Hogan

California volunteers for the Convention of States gathered in Sacramento on January 29 for a Lobby Day at the capitol.

Volunteers representing 13 state assembly districts met on the West Side Capitol steps for a short rally prior to visiting the offices of legislators to spread the word about Article V and the Convention of States to legislators and staff in 117 offices.

“The legislators and their assistants were very receptive, so I’m encouraged that California will come on board with the Convention of States,” stated Dee Noel of Assembly District 55.

Noel and her husband, Ralph Curatola, drove more than seven hours to Sacramento, combining Lobby Day with a visit to family members in nearby Benicia. Ralph said that members he spoke with were “very interested in our information. I think it went very well.”

Roberta Burgh of District 35 said she was surprised by the welcoming atmosphere.

“In most of the offices we were invited to sit down and talk," she said. "Many of the offices, they didn’t know what Convention of States is,” Burgh said, “but updating them on it, I found they were very open to our views.”

For Californians, a big concern is, “Who Decides?” in matters of state and local governance. State legislators can take back decision-making power that belongs to the states by supporting the Convention of States resolution.

“The Convention of States project addresses the concern I have about the government’s fiscal responsibility as well as seeking term limits,” said Rick Heiler, COS District Captain in the 6th Assembly District.

“This is our chance to elevate the voices of Californians who want limited federal government and more local control," said California State Director Kimberly Hogan. "Everybody was very friendly in their offices and happy to hear the specifics of our project,” Heiler emphasized.

Fred Yerrick, COS District Captain in Assembly District 77, who also serves COS as a leader in outreach to new COS supporters, explained, “This is my second Lobby Day; we were here in 2016. Today we gave a handout and a CD that (legislators) can listen to and get briefed in their cars on the way home, which is important because their time is very much in demand.”

"Our California legislators might not have seen much of us last year, but that doesn't mean they forgot who we are," Hogan said. "We let them know we haven't gone anywhere. Our day at the capitol was inspiring, educational, and was one hurdle cleared for our team.”

The non-partisan Convention of States resolution aims to rein in the scope and jurisdiction of the federal government and is limited to proposals that would do that. Any amendments proposed would require ratification in 38 states to become effective.

“I want something legal to do to rein in the power of the federal government,” said Bill Wiltschko, System Information Analyst in Assembly District 29. "And proposing amendments to the Constitution is a legal way to do that, in the fine tradition of many Convention of States that were held many years ago.”

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