(This question was asked on our Livestream video on July 17, 2023. We've copied a condensed answer here, but you can hear Brenda's full response in that video, starting at timestamp 30:25.)
BRENDA'S ANSWER:
It would be very helpful if you let us know if you know legislators personally or have good contacts with them.
One of the successful things Brenda has been able to use over the years is grassroots lobbying. Brenda does not know every legislator, and now that we have two year limits on their term--they run every two years, and if they get knocked out, we've got a new person to educate. So if you can do that at the local level and send them to Tallahasse--knowledge about home education, knowledgeable about PEP and the difference between the two--that's helpful.
Also, if YOU are available and willing to come to Tallahassee, Brenda often needs parents to testify. She has to start calling around when those situations happen, to try to find parents willing to show up and speak on behalf of themselves and other home educating families, but we're trying to compile a list of home educating parents who we could reach out to when those things happen.
If you're willing to be put on a list for Brenda to call when she needs parents to testify at the capitol, reach out through our Contact form and let us know! You can find the contact form in the footer of every page on our website.
And lastly, Brenda encourages everyone to make sure your LOCAL representatives are contacted whenever there's a concern or Brenda alerts you to a need. Contacting Washington doesn't do much when the situation is in Florida, so having families willing to reach out to their local representatives is important.
What does it look like when a military member who isn't a state voter reaches out to a representative. Will they look me up and sayd "Bah... you dont vote here?" How does that work since my legal residence is still in Tennessee.