Often, it is very easy to focus on national politics solely. There is a wealth of accessible and entertaining information on the Federal government and national politics. The focus of our site is mostly focused on national politics? Why? We want to have as broad of an audience as we can so we can educate as many people as possible about a libertarian point of view on the issues.
The problem is that we as Libertarians can exercise real power. Over the last eight years, I have seen countless groups of people pass or kill bills and ordinances by protesting, blogging, online organizing, letter writing, phone banking, and in some cases, just SHOWING UP to a meeting. So few people pay attention to state and local governments that libertarians have a great opportunity to explain and influence policy if they’d just show up. It would mean better government, better press and better candidates for libertarians.
Two years ago, I launched the Libertarian Legislative Think Tank on facebook. I figured if we had 10 people join and help me find some good or bad legislation for blog content on LPIN.org and press releases, it would be a success. It’s now going in to its third session with over 200 Hoosier libertarians that have supported and killed bad legislation. Several State House and Senate lawmakers are in the group and appreciate the feedback. I believe it has moved those legislators in a libertarian direction based on their proposed bills in 2013.
If you are in a state other than Indiana, STEAL THIS IDEA. PLEASE.
Evan McMahon, the Executive Director of the LNCC, shared this in there tonight. (He also recently launched a new page, Indiana Drone Watch):
“Here are 11 Senate bills that have been introduced in the General Assembly that I thought the group would like to keep up on. These are bills that we may want to focus on.”
SB 0037 — Precinct Committeemen
Author — Sen. Banks
Bill Status – bit.ly/VlzL3c
Full Text – bit.ly/Wh0Ym0
SB 0020 — Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Author — Sen. Tomes
Bill Status – bit.ly/XnY19O
Full Text – bit.ly/VyltP3
Facebook Page – on.fb.me/Xoof8D
SB 0035 — Recording Law Enforcement Officer Activities
Author — Sen. Banks
Bill Status – bit.ly/10VuDsv
Full Text – bit.ly/VymLJF
SB 0051 — Straight Ticket Voting
Author — Sen. Delph
Bill Status – bit.ly/Un0mMb
Full Text – bit.ly/RvnZVJ
SB 0156 — Downloading of Cell Phone Information by Police
Author — Sen. Waltz
Bill Status – bit.ly/VFH0lH
Full Text – bit.ly/YZJUD7
SB 0054 – Redistricting
Author — Sen. Delph
Bill Status – bit.ly/131Wd6R
Full Text – bit.ly/WopguU
SB 0097 — Possession of Firearms on State Property
Author — Sen. Banks and Tomes
Bill Status – bit.ly/YZLZ26
Full Text – bit.ly/136Pibs
SB 0130 — Indiana Firearms Freedom Act
Author — Sen. Kruse
Bill Status – bit.ly/Rvqibf
Full Text – bit.ly/ZhxIT6
Bills to oppose?
SB 0151– Passenger restraint systems for children
Author – Sen. Skinner
Bill Status – bit.ly/ZhzuDJ
Full Text – bit.ly/ZhzDXG
SB 0137 — Independent sales representative commissions
Author — Sen. Hume
Bill Status – bit.ly/TzFrIr
Full Text – bit.ly/131ZZNE
SB 0023 — School prayer
Author — Sen. Kruse
Bill Status – bit.ly/TLu7rE
Full Text – bit.ly/Ur6nJl
