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Faith in Texas

“Someday my citizenship will be in Heaven…but right now I’m registered to vote in Cook County, Illinois.” —Dwight L. Moody. Faith in Texas. An Advocacy Primer. Helping YOU Impact Texas by…. Describing the public policy landscape Explaining the issues Providing the tools Issuing the calls

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Faith in Texas

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  1. “Someday my citizenship will be in Heaven…but right now I’m registered to vote in Cook County, Illinois.” —Dwight L. Moody Faith in Texas An Advocacy Primer

  2. Helping YOU Impact Texas by… • Describing the public policy landscape • Explaining the issues • Providing the tools • Issuing the calls • Clarifying the Texas focus

  3. Texas Impact—your membership organization • Judicatories • Congregations and Clubs • Individuals Your membership is what makes it work!

  4. Lobby Skills Made in Heaven God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

  5. Getting to Know The Lege • Regular session: 140 consecutive days every 2 years • All the time not in Session is “interim” • Bi-cameral • 150 House members, 31 Senate members • 33 House committees, 15 Senate committees • House elections every 2 years • Senate elections every 6 years (staggered) • Lt. Governor (statewide election) • Speaker (internal election)

  6. Like a Whole Nuther Country… Only 9 states have a biennial budget • Indiana • Minnesota • N Hampshire • N. Carolina • N. Dakota • Oregon • Texas • Wash state • Wyoming

  7. …and… Only 6 states have a biennial legislature • Arkansas • Montana • Nevada • N. Dakota • Oregon • Texas

  8. “GAA”—The Must-Pass Bill“BRE”—The Must-Use Bottom Line

  9. BIG NUMBERS When the Legislature meets, only required to pass the budget BUT… • During 80th session (2007), introduced 10,990 bills, passed 5,900, vetoed 54 • Already 1,510 introduced in 2009 • 6,000 phone calls during Session, 1,500 letters, 10-15 visitors per day—more for committee chairs

  10. Getting a Word in Edgewise Who, What, When, Where, Why?

  11. WHO(m) do you need to influence? • Your member directly • Legislative staff • Legislative leadership • Someone you know with more influence in the Lege than you have • The position of some group, so they will try to influence the Lege the way you want

  12. WHAT do you want from them? • Promise to do something? • Vote on specific bill? • Talk to someone for you? • Pass a resolution, send a letter, sign a postcard, come to an event?

  13. WHEN do you need to get your message out? • Do you want them to file a bill? • Do you want them to support a bill or concept? • Do you want them to support or oppose specific amendments? • Do you want them to try to “kill a bill”?

  14. WHERE is the best place to communicate with them? • In their district office? • At the Capitol? • In public? • In private?

  15. WHY should they listen to YOU?ConstituentUMWExpertStakeholderTaxpayer

  16. First Level Engagement • Emails • Petitions • Demonstrations/vigils Impersonal, little effort

  17. Second Level Engagement • Letters • Phone calls Personal, little effort

  18. Third Level Engagement • “LTEs” • Testimony • Press conferences Impersonal, big effort

  19. Fourth Level Engagement Personal Meetings Personal, big effort

  20. The Magic Formula(works with non-legislators, too!) WE’RE ALL BUSY, SO…. No creative writing No mystery stories Think “elevator speech”

  21. 1-2-3 (4) • Who you are, and why they should care what you think • What you’re concerned about, and maybe a little background on the issue—bullets if more than two sentences • The legislative outcome you want, and the specific steps needed to accomplish it • The consequences if things don’t go your way (no threats please!)

  22. Inside “The Pink Building” Have a successful meeting: • Make an appointment, even at the last minute • Take one or two “leave-behinds” • Practice your talking points • Set your priorities • Know your time constraints • Know what you want to achieve • Love the staff • Thank everyone Have Fun!

  23. Strength in Numbers Groups Serve People, People Own Groups Groups and Coalitions: • Give you information • Amplify your voice • Deliver your message • Provide processes Lawmakers care about constituents…Groups don’t vote!

  24. 21st Century Advocacy www.capitol.state.tx.us www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/ www.opencongress.org/

  25. Good Updates • Don’t assume you agree with the author • Pros and cons • Authority sources • Faith foundation • Links to learn more

  26. Good Action Alerts • Include enough background • Have a clear position • Offer an opportunity • Give clear instructions • Don’t yell “fire” (unless there’s really smoke)

  27. It’s Your Texas Impact! • Call for updates • Websites for more info • Order materials • Request presentations • Become a leader www.texasimpact.org

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