Climate and energy

As CEP’s readers know, when the legislature reconvenes on Wednesday, April 30, our worthy representatives will be considering important, weighty issues – like overriding Governor Sebelius’s veto on the coal bills.

That same morning is scheduled for PACK THE CAPITOL, an event where concerned citizens can come support the veto, and a clean energy future for Kansas.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but until all this energy stuff got started, the last time I had been to the Capitol building in Topeka was during grade school.

I’ll admit it, when I showed up on February 5 to cover the Holcomb hearings, I was very very very nervous. Impressive building. Important people. Eek.

This state of awe and terror lasted for a bit. Then I realized – my childhood, spent showing horses on the 4-H and Quarter Horse circuits in Kansas, had in fact perfectly prepared me to hang around the Capitol. In particular, watching legislators was much like hanging out at the American Royal, which I can only describe as a livestock extravaganza.

I realize that half my readers know exactly what I am talking about. The other half are thinking oh dear, they just wandered into a digital stockyard, and are now checking the bottom of their shoe.

If you’ll allow me, I’ll explain.

First off. Whether it’s the American Royal, the KS State Fair, Denver Stock Show, the legislature – get there early. Not much will be actually happening in the arena, but back in the stalls and out by the trailers, things are really hopping.

Wander. Observe. Smile nicely, find some coffee, steer (ha!) clear of single cowboys – and watch where you step.

Second. Grab a program. In the Capitol, this means that you go by the Documents room – enter at the visitors entrance on the building’s east side, Documents is on the right just before you get to the rotunda – and pick up a copy of the House and Senate calendars. They’re just laying on the shelf out front. Grab one. Say hi to the very nice people who run Documents.

If you know the bill number you are interested in – probably SB 327 or SB 148 – just ask for a copy.

Third. Be prepared for the program to bear no relationship to what actually happens in the main arena. Show organizers – and legislative leaders – have the power to switch classes and bills around pretty much at will. Show organizers actually get a lot of grief when they do this. If legislative leaders do, that I haven’t noticed.

Fourth. There’s no shame in asking. If you’re new to any of this, horse shows, stock shows, the Capitol – remember, it’s all still Kansas. People are basically nice. If you need someone to hold your horse, or watch your stuff while you run off to grab a candy bar or take a bathroom break, or just to tell you what the heck is going on – ask. It’s no big deal.

Last. When it comes to the Capitol, remember – you’re the judge. Seriously. All those people parading around down there and performing on the floors of the House and the Senate – they had better impress YOU. You – the voter, the constituent, the citizen – are the ultimate judge.

See? American Royal, Capitol, whatever. No problem. If you’ve been to a lot more stock shows lately than you have been to the Capitol, you might think about coming to Topeka to observe your state government in action.

It’s not all that different than what you’re used to.

— Maril Hazlett, www.climateandenergy.org