MACo has worked through the 2012 interim period to develop new and innovative tools to better connect county officials with the legislative process, enabling timely and specific feedback on issues affecting county governments. The MACo Legislative Action Network will expand MACo’s ability to reach Senators and Delegates at the critical points during the legislative process — public bill hearings, committee decision meetings, and floor deliberations.

The centerpiece of the Network will be dispatches sent by email to county elected officials, highlighting an upcoming vote or decision point. Members will get easy instructions to learn more about the relevant bill or issue, and the ability to respond almost immediately with an email or phone call directly to the legislator(s) representing their county.

In the days ahead, county elected officials and their staff will receive information about the Network, and its overall setup. MACo expects to use the development of its top priorities for the 2013 legislative session as a foundation for early work on the Network, with its more complete rollout as the session begins in January.

Stay tuned to the MACo website, or contact MACo Legislative Director Andrea Mansfield, for more information about this new element of MACo’s strategy to ensure that the county voice is heard on statewide policy issues.