Want to learn more about the legislative process and how California decides policy?
Bring Your Voice: A Comprehensive Guide to Grassroots Lobbying and the California Legislature - published by the FCL Education Fund and available on-line and as hard copy by request. Contains worksheets and guides to grassroots lobbying; how to follow a bill through the process; organizing a successful meeting with your legislator and much more!
A basic overview of the legislative process
The California Budget and Policy Center at calbudgetcenter.org is a great resource for information on the state budget process and in-depth analysis on our state's issues. A sample of their wonderful resources:
Interested in learning how to lobby?
Find your legislators - Go to Look Up Your Elected officials; enter your address and see information about your Senator and Assemblymember. Click on their website to send them a message through their webform.
Bring Your Voice: A Comprehensive Guide to Grassroots Lobbying and the California Legislature
Websites like leginfo.legislature.ca.gov and legiscan.com provide free information on bills, and ways to track their progress through the legislative process. Leginfo.legislature.ca.gov has links to the Senate and Assembly Daily File and lists of bills that are being considered that day, as well as the text, votes and analysis pertinent to each bill. With legiscan.com, you can set up your own list of bills to monitor and produce reports that can be shared with others.
One-page guide to setting up a lobbying visit with your legislator or their staff: Lobbying Begins at Home
Bolder Advocacy: excellent resources on lobbying and advocacy by nonprofits. Explore their website for lots of information.
CA Secretary of State website - Lobbying Disclosure Requirements
CA Fair Political Practices Commission - Advice
California Assembly website
California Senate website
FCL Education Fund 2020 Form 990
FCL Education Fund Board of Directors
Vicki Carroll, Clerk, Central Coast Friends Meeting
James Alexander, Associate Clerk, Redwood Forest Friends Meeting
Ellen Eggers, Recording Clerk
Steve Birdlebough, Treasurer, Redwood Forest Friends Meeting
Peggy Craik, Orange Grove Friends Meeting
Shannon Frediani, Santa Cruz Friends Meeting
George Gastil, San Diego Friends Meeting