From State To Local To State

Only local involvement can create policies that insulate your community from really bad policies and outside forces. However, every community within a state is affected by legislation and policies set at the state level. 

This is why it is critical to keep an eye on current legislation in your state senate and assembly. Support good legislation and protest the bad. Pay close attention to who sponsors and co-sponsors bills and when a deciding vote is finally cast, note who voted for or against. 

Remember, it is your First Amendment right to "petition the government for a redress of grievances."

What is happening at the state level must be discussed at the local level because it will affect you directly. Cities and counties can often take preemptive steps to reject or nullify damaging state actions, but the longer you wait the harder it becomes. 

State legislators often listen to city and county officials, whether elected or not. When you have a "seat at the table" in your local community, you will find that your influence can make a difference in what happens at the state level. 

In other words, there is potential for a positive or negative loop working from state to local to state, but it is up to local citizens to determine the outcome.