Constituents across Kentucky should expect an easier time getting their concerns to lawmakers beginning next year when a new messaging system is implemented.
The chances are pretty good that, when you call your state senator to complain about paving that road to your house, a dutiful employee of the Legislative Research Commission writes down your message onto a green piece of paper and sends it to the lawmaker.
The LRC goes through tens of thousands of such “green slips” each legislative session.
Marcia Seiler, acting director of the LRC, is replacing that system with an instant electronic messaging service that will connect constituents and legislators immediately.
“I had heard from various staff and legislators, and in viewing the process, seen that we needed to modernize and make this mode of communication between citizens and legislators more modern, more efficient," said Seiler.
However, critics say what the new system promises in efficiency will leave plenty to be desired in transparency. The messages are considered private legislative communications, so there’s still no way to see just how responsive the General Assembly is to Kentuckians’ concerns. The new system is supposed to take effect by January of next year.