You and Your State Budget
5 WEEK TRAINING SERIES
The UTST 5 Week Training Series is designed for folks who’ve never been involved in their state budget processes but are interested in learning more. The series will begin with a discussion of the ins and outs of state government, breaking down the decision making processes that affect all of us. The first training will be followed by topics that include how you can impact or influence the decision making process, how to engage with local political officials, and why we need to bring working class people together across partisan lines to make local government work for everyone.
These trainings are specifically designed for working class people who are often ignored by state officials but who are ready to make their voices heard. If you attend all 5 training sessions, you will receive a certificate of completion.
Click the titles for details & registration
If you ask yourself any of the following questions, this session is for you
- “How do they decide to spend my state taxes and create our state budget?”
- “What can I do about my state government other than voting?”
- Who makes decisions in the state government about your taxes, state budget, program funding, and more!
- No previous knowledge or experience needed.
Oct. 25 | 7pm CST / 6pm MT
If you ask yourself any of the following questions, this session is for you
- I know how the state government works, but I wonder how I can impact it?
- How can we find out more information about the decision-makers and proposed bills?
- How can we figure out if community members are able to stop and/or push for legislation?
- This session will focus on how you and your community can work together to build power – and by “build power,” we mean gather support and create energy that can influence legislation. We will also discuss how to conduct frequently difficult legislative research.
Nov. 1 | 7pm CST / 6pm MT
- So you want your state government to actually do something that impacts you and improves your community? That means you need to make demands and get them on the state agenda – this training will show you how!
- This evening includes the most exciting parts of being engaged in state government, because it’s all about fighting for and winning something tangible and real. We will train you on how to bring your community together to figure out what demands you have and how to meet them, how to plan and execute meetings, and ultimately how to get your demands on the legislative agenda.
Nov. 15 | 7pm CST / 6pm MT
- This training covers everything you need in order to hit the ground running when the legislative session starts (which is typically in January for many states).
- Includes: building and engaging a list of supporters, strategies and tactics to advance your demands in the legislature, and setting up legislative/district meetings. This may sound intimidating, but it’s easy once you have a community fighting alongside you and UTST training under your belt!
Nov. 29 | 7pm CST / 6pm MT
- You don’t have to be a wealthy corporation or high level politico to lobby – anyone can do it. This training explains what lobbying is, how to lobby, and how to host a legislative education day to get other community members in on the action.
Dec. 13 | 7pm CST / 6pm MT