Learn the Legislature
COMMON LANGUAGE IN LEGISLATIVE CHANGE WORK
At She Leads Justice, we know that language is often used to exclude people from political spaces and to discourage them from participating. Here is a list of words we commonly use and their definitions:
ADVOCATE
to publicly recommend or support
ANTI-RACISM
actively opposing racism by pushing for changes in political, economic, and social life
CIVIL-LEGAL JUSTICE GAP
the difference between the civil legal needs and the resources available to meet those needs
COMMUNITY
a group whose members have something in common
COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
The practice of using our community’s assets to create systems that help your community stand in their power
INTERSECTIONAL FEMINISM
a movement that challenges oppression specifically
impacting women of color
LEADERSHIP
process of social influence towards the achievement of a goal
MOVEMENT
a group of people working together to advance shared ideas
POLICY CHANGE
process of advocating and organizing to change laws
POWER
the capacity or ability to direct or influence decisions
SYSTEM
an organized framework or method
ACTIVIST
works to bring about political or social change
ADVOCATE
influences policy decisions on behalf of individuals and organizations
CGA
Short for the CT General Assembly, which is what we call the legislature
COALITION
a group of people organized around a specific action or goal
CONSTITUENT
a person who is represented politically by an elected official
LEGISLATIVE AIDE
staff person who provides support to a legislator
LEGISLATOR
a person who is elected to represent an area of the state in order to make laws
LOBBYIST
participates in organized attempts to influence elected officials
ORGANIZATION
an organized body of people with a particular purpose
ORGANIZER
brings together community power by operationalizing theory and turning it into a community practice
STATE SENATOR
1 of 36 elected members of the State Senate
STATE REP.
1 of 151 elected members of the State House of Representatives
AMENDMENT
a change or addition to a proposed bill
BILL
a draft of a proposed law
BULLETIN
a document on the CGA website that provides info on upcoming meetings, public hearings, etc.
CAUCUS
informal group meeting of legislators, often based on political party
COMMITTEE
the first step for a bill: group where legislation is crafted and public hearings are held
COSPONSOR
when a legislator signs on to publicly support a bill
DISTRICT
a region or area of the state where you live
FISCAL NOTE
a bill’s “price tag” or estimate of how much it will cost the state
LAW
a set of rules that regulates the actions of people
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
time when the government meets to create laws
PUBLIC HEARING
meeting held by CGA to receive testimony from the public on a proposed bill
STATE BUDGET
a bill that lists revenue and expenditure of the state in a year
VETO
to reject a bill by refusing to sign it into law
VOTE
a formal expression of opinion used to stop or advance bills
COMMUNITY FORUM
An event where people exchange ideas and discuss issues
FACT SHEET
a document or paper giving information about an issue/bill
LOBBY DAY
an event where people talk to legislators about an issue
PHONE BANK
make calls asking for support
PRESS CONFERENCE
Event that communicates news
PROTEST
an action expressing disapproval
RALLY
a larger meeting showing support for a cause
SURVEY
a way to collect data or information or stories
TESTIMONY
The written statement that explains where your story meets the proposed bill.
This gets filed and becomes history! This is the main line of communication from the community about bills.