Partnership Between Legislators, Advocates Key to Sound Policy, Says Georgia Lawmaker

SOUTHEAST

State Representative Nan Grogan Orrock of Georgia takes advantage of the organizing power of the advocacy community to help her pass legislation. "I wouldn’t want to tackle some issues without the help of advocacy groups," Orrock says.

At CPA’s 1998 Summit on the States she met the Maryland legislator who sponsored the first contraceptive equity bill in the U.S. Orrock successfully carried Georgia’s bill this year, requiring health insurers to provide coverage for any prescription contraceptive drug or device.

Orrock also guides Georgia’s funding priorities. She secured funding for a state law regulating casual day labor pools, allowing employees to go to court if their labor pool violates a law, such as conditions of pay, and brings the casual day labor industry under the supervision of Georgia’s labor department.

Orrock is president of the Women Legislators’ Lobby (WiLL), a national non-partisan network that works to bring more women to the policy table. "Women have had little voice on policy issues, like social security and Medicare, that have the most impact on them," she says.

Orrock believes nonprofits like WiLL play and important role as devolution proceeds, leaving states responsible for more human services. "We must grapple on the state level with how to address the needs of our constituents," Orrock observes. Nonprofits, she believes, can play a key role in educating policymakers and constituents about programs that meet the needs of families and communities.