It's that time of the year again! SOCM's Lobby Day is just weeks away and we want YOU to join us! 

This year, your help is needed more than ever. SOCM members are working to pass two of our own bills: the first to prevent coal mining on the toxic Sewanee coal seam and the second works to hold coal operators accountable for numerous permit violations. We are also taking action on several other important legislative initiatives this session such as the Scenic Vistas Protection Act and the English-Only Driver License Bill. See below for more information on our work this legislative session.

SOCM's annual Lobby Day serves many purposes, but mainly it is a great time for members to learn how to lobby and apply that knowledge in meetings with state legislators. We start the day with a brief lesson in lobbying then head out to our meetings. We will be pushing our two bills, but also talking about the other bills we are supporting this year.

If you are interested in attending Lobby Day, please RSVP to Organizing Director Kazi Wilkins at kazi@socm.org or 865-249-7488 by Monday, February 27th. Carpooling is available.

We hope that you can join us in Nashville on Wednesday, March 7th to help pass our two pieces of legislation and advocate for the legislation that incorporates SOCM's mission to protect, defend and improve the quality of life for residents of and visitors to Tennessee.

As previously mentioned, SOCM has a heavy legislative agenda this year. In addition to working on two of our own bills, we have signed on in support of partner bills that cover issues ranging from mountaintop removal mining to discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or language.  See our website for more information on the legislation we are pushing this session. 

We need your support this legislative session. If you would like to join us for Lobby Day, please contact Organizing Director Kazi Wilkins at kazi@socm.org or 865-249-7488 by Monday, February 27th. We will need a strong presence to get our bills passed. 

If you can't make it to Lobby Day on March 7th, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to SOCM. Your support will help our lobbying efforts during this extremely important legislative session.

You can also help by keeping your eyes on your email throughout the session. Our E-Newsletters will be full of legislative updates and Action Alerts will go out when it's time to call and email your elected officials. Check out the Legislative Section of our website for other ways to support SOCM's legislative efforts.