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How to Advocate Effectively

How to Advocate Effectively. 19 th Annual Transportation Disadvantaged Best Practices and Training Workshop August 9-11 2011 ● Daytona Beach, Florida. How to Advocate Effectively. What is Lobbying? Analyze the Power A “Look” at Washington A “Look” at Tallahassee

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How to Advocate Effectively

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  1. How to Advocate Effectively 19th Annual Transportation Disadvantaged Best Practices and Training Workshop August 9-11 2011 ● Daytona Beach, Florida

  2. How to Advocate Effectively • What is Lobbying? • Analyze the Power • A “Look” at Washington • A “Look” at Tallahassee • Effective Communication

  3. Why is advocacy important? If YOU don’t educate elected officials about the benefits of your efforts… Who will? “Les absents ont toujours tort!” (The absent are always wrong!)

  4. What is lobbying? Attempting to influence, either directly or indirectly, specific legislative action in Congress or state legislatures. The IRS Test • The communication must deal with specific legislation (e.g. Bill No. “X”) • The communication must reflect a view on such legislation. • The communication must ask the recipient to take action on such legislation.

  5. Lobbying is NOT… • Advocating for general policy goals. • Educating legislators about the pros and cons of various policy options. • Gathering legislative information and analyzing bills. • Attending committee hearings or legislative sessions. • Reporting on legislative developments. • Providing technical advice and assistance to legislators.

  6. Lobbying is also NOT… • Responding to written requests for information from legislators. • Testifying before a committee in response to a written invitation. • Identifying unmet transportation needs. • Advocating general support for a particular program, such as expanding the CMAQ program. • Documenting deficiencies in existing programs and/or funding levels, such as the CMAQ program.

  7. The “Analyze the Power” Quiz Can you tell the players without a scorecard?

  8. Key Congressional Leaders • House • Speaker – • Majority Leader – • Minority Leader – • Senate • President – • President Pro Tempore – • Majority Leader – • Minority Leader –

  9. Key Congressional Leaders • House • Speaker – John Boehner (R-OH) • Majority Leader – Eric Cantor (D-VA) • Minority Leader – Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) • Senate • President – Joe Biden (US Vice President) • President Pro Tempore – Daniel Inouye (D-HI) • Majority Leader – Harry Reid (D-NV) • Minority Leader – Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

  10. Florida Senate Leadership Offices Senate President Mike Haridopolos Republican Melbourne President Pro Tempore Mike Bennett Republican Bradenton Majority Leader Andy Gardiner Republican Orlando Minority Leader Nan Rich Democrat Sunrise

  11. Congress at Your Fingertips

  12. Congressional Yellow Book

  13. www.flsenate.gov

  14. How a bill becomes a law:

  15. Who is my State Senator?

  16. The Power Structurein a Federal Legislator’s Office

  17. What a Congressional Office Does • Sizes of staff House average: 17 Senate average: 40 • Capitol Hill staff Legislative issues • District or state staff Local projects and constituent concerns • Congressional Committees Expert staff

  18. Power Structure in State Legislator’s Office

  19. The Federal Players • Be mindful of what committee the Congressman you are working with is on • Committee structure is key • Work with the legislators that represent your district as well as those in your area that sit on committees that effect your issue

  20. The Federal Players Committee Staff • Committee Staff are responsible for drafting legislation proposed by a committee • 95% of all major legislation is drafted by committee staff • Committee staff are referred to as key holders or gate keepers

  21. U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee

  22. U.S. House Ways & Means Committee

  23. U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee

  24. U.S. Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee

  25. U.S. Senate Finance Committee

  26. The State Players • Be mindful of what committee the legislator you are working with is on • Committee structure is key • Work with the legislators that represent your district as well as those in your area that sit on committees that effect your issue

  27. The State Players Committee Staff • Committee staff are responsible for drafting legislation proposed by a committee • Major legislation is drafted by committee staff (typically with help from DOT policy staff) • Committee staff are referred to as key holders or gate keepers

  28. Jack Latvala, Chair (R-St. Petersburg) Greg Evers, Vice Chair (R-Pensacola) Lizbeth Benacquisto, (R-Fort Myers) Larcenia Bullard, (D-Miami) Rene Garcia, (R-Hialeah) Arthenia Joyner, (D-Tampa) Ronda Storms, (R-Brandon) Staff Marc Slager, Policy Advisor River Buford, Staff Director Florida Senate Transportation Committee

  29. Florida House Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee Democrats (5) Irv Slosberg (Ranking Member), Boca Raton Lori Berman, Delray Beach Jeff Clemens, Lake Worth Darryl Rouson, St. Petersburg Richard Steinberg, Miami Beach Republicans (10) Brad Drake (Chair), DeFuniak Springs Dennis Baxley (Vice Chair), Ocala Janet Adkins, Fernandina Beach Larry Ahern, St. Petersburg Ben Albritton, Bartow Frank Artiles, Miami Douglas Broxson, Milton Mike Horner, Kissimmee Peter Nehr, Tarpon Springs Michael Weinstein, Orange Park

  30. Analyze YOUR Power It is important to know what YOUR assets are… • Supportive CEO’s/Public Officials • Supportive local associations and organizations • General Public • Funding to hire professional consultants (lobbyist)

  31. Effective Communication What did the 170 offices contacted by Burson-Marsteller (1992) rate as the most effective means of communication with congressional staff? Letters? Office Visits? Telephone Calls? Media? Other?

  32. Highest-Ranked Sources of Communication • Spontaneous letters from constituents • Office visits from constituents • Articles in state/district newspapers • Telephone calls from opinion leaders in the state/district • Congressional Research Service • Telephone calls from constituents • Office visits from CEOs of businesses in state/district • Editorials in state/district newspapers • Office visits from delegations from interest groups, incl. constituents • Telephone calls from state-elected or party officials

  33. Highest-Ranked Sources of Communication: Letters • Spontaneous, from constituents • Spontaneous, from state-elected or party officials • Orchestrated, from constituents • Spontaneous, from interest groups • Orchestrated, from interest groups

  34. Highest-Ranked Sources of Communication: Office Visits • Constituents • CEOs of businesses in state/district • Delegations from interest groups, incl. constituents • Long-standing friends or contacts with an interest • Company’s Washington representatives • Lobbyists • Representatives of trade associations • Well-known personalities with an interest • Delegations from interest groups, not incl. constituents

  35. Highest-Ranked Sources of Communication: Telephone Calls • Opinion leaders in the state/district • Constituents • State-elected or party officials • Friends or contacts with an interest • The executive branch • Well-known personalities with an interest • Members of interest groups

  36. Highest-Ranked Sources of Communication: Media • Articles in state/district newspapers • Editorials in state/district newspapers • Opinion or op-ed pieces in state/district newspapers • News programs on TV stations in the state/district • Articles in major daily newspapers • National TV news • News programs on radio stations in the state/district • Editorials in major daily newspapers • Radio talk shows in the state/district • Letters to the editor in major daily newspapers • Articles in national news magazines • Opinion or op-ed columns in national news magazines

  37. Highest-Ranked Sources of Communication: Other • Congressional Research Services • Media-sponsored public opinion polls • Privately-sponsored public opinion polls • Petition papers from interest groups • Position papers from regulatory and executive agencies • Communication with think tanks • Economic studies conducted by independent consultants

  38. Basic Rules for Success • Keep it local • Keep it personal • Keep it concise • Put it in writing “All politics are local.” Tip O’Neillll

  39. Who should I be talking with? • For policy issues you should be in constant contact with the LA or LD that handles transportation • When you need definite action schedule a meeting with the legislator face-to-face • District office managers should be invited/included in all local events • Keep your member informed at all times, as well as those members in your area sitting on committees involved with your issues

  40. What should I communicate? • Invite your legislators and their staff to all public events/workshops/meetings. Be sure to follow up with them to try and get some attendance. • Meet individually with your legislators and other members in your area at least once or twice a year • Meet with legislative staff either in the Capital or in the district at least once every other month.

  41. How often should I communicate? • Make it a point to touch base with your legislator in some way once or twice a month via email, phone call or personal meeting

  42. Requests for Personal Visits • Fax Requests • Make sure legislature is in session • Tuesday-Thursdays are best days to meet • Make sure the meeting requires the legislator’s attendance • CC: meeting request to staff you are working with

  43. Sessions Regular • Meets 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in March • May last 60 days (incl. Saturdays & Sundays) • May be extended by 60% vote of both houses Special • Governor may convene by proclamation • Senate President and House Speaker, acting jointly, may convene • May not exceed 20 days, unless extended by 60% vote of both houses

  44. Personal Visits • Be prepared and on time for all meetings • Have handouts readily available for staff and members. • Make sure the information is concise as legislators receive an abundant amount of information • Offer a brief introduction of who you are, who you represent, and any common connections

  45. Personal Visits • Don’t turn down the opportunity to meet with staff, if the legislator cannot meet your schedule. • Always have a specific request • Ask how the legislator wants to follow up… What are the next steps? • Be gracious and relaxed… Remember, YOU are the expert on the subject, and YOU have the info the legislator needs.

  46. Effectively communicate your message • Always address all written communication to the Legislator and put it to the attention of the appropriate staff • Never use Snail Mail… Use FedEx or UPS to send urgent information • Fax/Email/Phone Calls/Personal Meetings are best techniques

  47. Letters Know your subject • What is the substance of the legislation? • Why is it important? • What will happen if it passes? • What will be the consequences if it fails? • How much will it cost? WHAT WILL BE THE IMPACT OF THE LEGISLATION ON THE LEGISLATOR’S CONSTITUENTS? Give an illustration or two of how the problem will affect the legislator’s district.

  48. Letters • If you know the legislator, make that clear in the first paragraph. • In the first paragraph, ask for the action you want the legislator to take. • Use personal or business letterhead with return address. • Handwritten letters are fine, if legible. • Put it in your own words. Avoid bold words and jargon. • Keep letter to one page. Send enclosures, if you think more info is needed.

  49. Letters (continued) • Relevant editorials and news stories from local papers will get his or her attention. • Cover only one issue per letter. • Identify the legislation clearly, with the bill number if you know it. • Ask the legislator to reply, and ask very directly (while still being courteous) whether he or she will support your position.

  50. Letters (continued) • Don’t overstate your influence. Just give the facts. • Send letters only to your legislator, unless you are president of a group with members from other legislative districts. • If you are part of a coalition, consider sending a sign-on letter and send to all members of the legislative body addressing the issue. Have each coalition member send a “Dear Legislator” support letter to the coalition leader, who will in turn send all letters in one packet to the legislative body. • Thank the legislator, and sign over your typed or printed name.

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