Sixty attend Citizen Lobbyist Training

Mock committee highlights workshop

CHEYENNE - The ESPC's annual Citizen Lobbyist Training Feb. 10 attracted 60 attendees to learn about the basic structures of the Wyoming Legislature and how they can affect public policy-making.

The training this year attracted many younger budding advocates including students from the Sage Trio program at Laramie County Community College, from Eastern Wyoming College, and from Casper College. A number of Americorps volunteers also attended including volunteers for the Wyoming Conservation Corps and United Way of Sweetwater County.

Five sitting legislators, including Sens. Cale Case, John Hastert, and Bill Landen and Reps. Keith Gingery and Deb Hammons, conducted a mock committee hearing. Seneca Riggins and Rachel Martinez of LCCC advocated for a proposal to extend Wyoming's Hathaway scholarship program to students who do not go to college directly from high school. (That's Seneca Riggins answering questions in the photograph above.)

The workshop also taught attendees how a bill becomes law, the attributes of a good lobbyist, how to use the Legislative Service Office website. Tours of the Capitol including opportunities to send messages into legislators in-session followed the workshop at The Plains Hotel.