building relationships with your legislators estie harris meagan frazier, esq
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How do you talk to state legislators?TRANSCRIPT
Building Relationships with Your Legislators
Estie HarrisMeagan Frazier, Esq.
Smith Harris & Carr
How do you talk to state legislators?
Know your issues
Know your legislator
You + Them=
A Good Relationship
How to Build a Relationship?
They serve as “citizen legislators”
Research them prior to meeting them-What organizations are they a member of? What church? Family? Profession?
www.capitol.tn.gov
Create an Opportunity
Invite into your facility or to view a programInvite to coffee at a place that provides supportive employmentInvite to a holiday party with your staff and service recipients
How to Communicate with your Legislators
Be courteous, Be prepared, Be personal, Be honest
Do not use too many acronyms Start with the basics- MH vs. IDGoal- Your legislator thinks of you first when an disability bill is being considered
Be familiar with the legislative environment and process
109th General Assembly
Senate– Lt. Gov. Ron
Ramsey– 33 Members
28 Republicans5 Democrats
House– Speaker Beth
Harwell– 99 Members
73 Republicans26 Democrats
109th General AssemblyRepublican Governor Bill Haslam with 21
state departments
How does a bill become law?
Introduced in both the Senate & HouseReferred to appropriate House/Senate CommitteeMust pass out of its assigned committee and a subcommittee in the House. Must pass through Finance if it costs $
How does a bill become law?
Pass the Senate by 17 votesSigned by Lt. Governor
Pass the House by 50 votesSigned by House Speaker
Most Important Committees to TNCO
Senate Health & Welfare
Senator Rusty Crowe, ChairSenator Bo Watson, 1st Vice ChairSenator Joey Hensley, 2nd Vice ChairSenator Richard BriggsSenator Ed JacksonSenator Becky MasseySenator Randy McNallySenator Doug OverbeySenator Jeff Yarbro
Most Important Committees to TNCO
House Health Rep. Cameron Sexton, ChairRep. Barry Doss, Vice ChairRep. Ryan Williams, Sub-committee ChairRep. John Ray ClemmonsRep. John DeberryRep. Jeremy FaisonRep. Joanne FavorsRep. Mike Harrison (not for long)Rep. Matthew HillRep. John HolsclawRep. Sherry JonesRep. Darren JerniganRep. Sabi Kumar, M.D.Rep. Mary LittletonRep. Judd MathenyRep. Bob RamseyRep. Bryan TerryRep. Leigh Wilburn
Other Committees of Importance
House Government OperationsSenate Government OperationsSenate FinanceHouse FinanceJoint Fiscal Review
TNCO Day on the Hill
Attend every yearMake your appointment in advanceLeave your business cardBe on timeBe kind to the staffBe flexible
Maintaining a Relationship
Communicate consistently, not occasionally.– Add to newsletter lists.– Calls or emails to their offices are most
effective if they know who you are already.– Plan at least one communication a quarter
and put a reminder in your calendar
“Its all about who you know”– Build your relationship at home before you
need something.– Communicate when things are good and not
just when they are rough – CONSTITUENTS COUNT!
Questions???