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