Al Cross | Clear-eyed look at law-making

FRANKFORT, Ky. — On the Kentucky General Assembly's website are pages for children, including the familiar “How a Bill Becomes Law,” but it only gives the bare procedural steps, such as introduction, referral, committees and so on.

The “Legislative Facts” page for kids is a little more useful: “Only a state senator or representative can vote on a new idea for a law, but anyone can get involved. … Join forces and work with other people or groups that have the same ideas that you have and tell them all to contact their legislators.”

But that still leaves out some very useful advice, such as:
Make lots of contributions to lawmakers' campaigns, and get your votes secured out of public view, before the legislative session begins.
Work with House and Senate leaders to get your bill referred to friendly committees, and move it quickly.
Hire plenty of lobbyists, overseen by an experienced executive of your trade association.
Sell your bill as a service to the public, not a private benefit for your members.

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