A skill I have developed at CPR is reading & writing legislation and 2 reflections:

1) it doesn’t take a law degree

2) more organizers should be supported in learning how to because organizers bring a different analysis/expertise than folks generally labeled ‘policy makers’

It’s a skill that requires development & I’m not an expert or anything like that

I’ve had to learn so I can explain legislation to others. I’ve had to learn so I can draft on short timelines. I’m lucky because I’ve been taught & people have been generous with feedback/advice.

To be clear: legislative language is often convuluted/inaccessible. So many bills/laws are actually poorly written so this is not me saying “it’s your fault if you don’t get it.”

I am saying it’s a teachable skill and should be treated as such in organizing spaces.