NMDA Journal Spring 2020

16 New Mexico Dental Journal, Spring 2020 As prominent figures and leaders in our community, we should all take the time to properly understand what issues may be coming up this and every year so that we can properly discuss and speak up when need be. Every couple of years we get to cast our votes as citizens to choose the leaders that we see best fit to represent us and lead our govern- ment. But let us not forget that these leaders are all still elected to represent us, not to act on our behalf without our input. So yes, be an informed voter and when election years come around get out and vote. But more so, you can act and influence policy each and every year at your state legislative session in a few different ways. https://www.nmlegis.gov/ As this is an election year, I urge all of you to stay in the know of what is going on in our government both at our state and national levels. This does not mean stay informed on the "politics" of the moment; in fact, I would urge everyone to stay as far away from the "politics" as possible and focus on the facts of the issues. Because at the end of the day, it is the passed or not passed legislation that will govern our day-to-day lives. With that being said, here are some things to do that will keep you more active in a process that most of us feel never actually is there for us, the people. 1. Know you legislators. I would knowwho your representative and senator are for both your home and office address since you most likely treat many patients from that district so when legislation may affect how you can treat those patients you will want to know. https://www.nmlegis.gov/Members/Find_My_Legislator 2. Follow important bills. You can go online and see what bills are being voted on and what progress they are making. You can also use this to see what other bills are being introduced each year to see if there are ones that may also be important to you. https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Bill_Finder https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation_List 3. Contact your legislator. I wouldn’t recommend trying to get a hold of your representative or senator during the time of the annual session, but throughout the year, by all means, contact them. Invite them to your office. Go get coffee with them just to meet each other, you can ask and understand why it is that they are volunteering to be an elected official, and they can ask and understand why you want to be involved. They should hear from the people in their district and know that they have prominent leaders that want to be heard, want to be represented well, and want the best for their families and patients. For any other information this year and every year leading up to the annual state legislative session, use the following website to learn about our governing process, but also be a part of it: https://www.nmlegis.gov/ If you have any questions or comments on this topic, feel free to contact Joe at jgherard7217@gmail.com Represent and Be Represented By Joe Gherardi, DDS