how to advocate effectively 19 th annual transportation disadvantaged best practices and training...
TRANSCRIPT
How to Advocate Effectively
19th 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• Effective Communication
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!)
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.
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.
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.
The “Analyze the Power” Quiz
Can you tell the players without a scorecard?
Key Congressional Leaders
House• Speaker – • Majority Leader – • Minority Leader –
Senate• President – • President Pro Tempore – • Majority Leader – • Minority Leader –
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)
Florida Senate Leadership Offices
SenatePresident
Mike HaridopolosRepublicanMelbourne
PresidentPro TemporeMike BennettRepublicanBradenton
MajorityLeader
Andy GardinerRepublican
Orlando
Minority Leader
Nan RichDemocratSunrise
Congress at Your Fingertips
Congressional Yellow Book
www.flsenate.gov
How a bill becomes a law:
Who is my State Senator?
The Power Structurein a Federal Legislator’s Office
Staff Assistants or Legislative Correspondents
Legislative Assistants or Schedulers
Legislative or District Office Director
Chief of Staff
Member of Legislature
What a Congressional Office Does
• Sizes of staffHouse average: 17
Senate average: 40
• Capitol Hill staffLegislative issues
• District or state staffLocal projects and constituent concerns
• Congressional CommitteesExpert staff
Power Structure in State Legislator’s Office
Staff Assistants or Legislative Correspondents
Legislative Assistants or Schedulers
Legislative or District Office Director
Chief of Staff
Member of Legislature
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
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
U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
Majority Members
Mica, John (R-FL), ChairYoung, Don (R-AK)Petri, Tom (R-WI)Coble, Howard (R-NC)Duncan, John (R-TN)LoBiondo, Frank (R-NJ)Miller, Gary (R-CA)Johnson, Timothy (R-IL)Graves, Sam (R-MO)Shuster, Bill (R-PA)Shelley Moore Capito (WV)Jean Schmidt (OH)Candice Miller (MI)Duncan Hunter (CA)Andy Harris (MD)Rick Crawford (AR)Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA)
Frank Guinta (NH)Randy Hultgren (IL)Lou Barletta (PA)Chip Cravaack (MN)Blake Farenthold (TX)Larry Bucshon (IN)Billy Long (MO)Bob Gibbs (OH)Patrick Meehan (PA)Richard Hanna (NY)Jeff Landry (LA)Steve Southerland (FL)Jeff Denham (CA)James Lankford (OK)Reid Ribble (WI)Chuck Fleischmann (TN)
Minority Members
Rahall, Nick (D-WV), RMDeFazio, Peter (D-OR)Costello, Jerry (D-IL)Holmes-Norton, E. (D-DC)Nadler, Jerrold (D-NY)Brown, Corrine (D-FL)Filner, Bob (D-CA)Johnson, E. Bernice (D-TX)Cummings, Elijah (D-MD)Boswell, Leonard L.(D-IA)Holden, Tim (D-PA)Larsen, Rick (D-WA)Capuano, Michael (D-MA)Bishop, Timothy (D-NY)Michaud, Michael (D-ME)Carnahan, Russ (D-MO)Grace Napolitano (CA)
Daniel Lipinski (IL)Mazie Hirono (HI)Jason Altmire (PA) Timothy Walz (MN)Heath Shuler (NC)Steve Cohen (TN)Laura Richardson (CA)Albio Sires (NJ)Donna Edwards (MD)
U.S. House Ways & Means Committee
Majority Members
Camp, Dave (MI), ChairHerger, Wally (CA)Johnson, Sam (TX)Brady, Kevin (TX)Ryan, Paul (WI)Nunes, Devin (CA)Tiberi, Pat (OH)Davis, Geoff (KY)Reichert, Dave (WA)Boustany, Charles (LA)Roskam, Peter (IL)
Gerlach, Jim (PA)Price, Tom (GA)Buchanan, Vern (FL)Smith, Adrian (NE)Schock, Aaron (IL)Jenkins, Lynn (KS)Paulsen, Erik (MN)Marchant, Kenny (TX)Berg, Rick (ND)Black, Diane (TN)Reed, Tom (NY)
Minority Members
Levin, Sander (MI), RMRangel, Charles (NY)Stark, Pete (CA)McDermott, Jim (WA)Lewis, John (GA)Neal, Richard (MA)Becerra, Xavier (CA)Doggett, Lloyd (TX)Thompson, Mike (CA)Larson, John (CT)Blumenauer,,Earl (OR)
Kind, Ron (WI)Pascrell , Bill (NJ)Berkley, Shelly (NV)Crowley, Joseph (NY)
U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee
Majority Members
Barbara Boxer, CA (Chair)Max Baucus, MT Thomas Carper, DE Frank Lautenberg, NJBenjamin Cardin, MDBernard Sanders, VTSheldon Whitehouse, RITom Udall, NMJeff Merkley, ORKirsten Gillibrand, NY
Minority Members
James Inhofe, OK (RM)David Vitter, LA John Barasso, WYJeff Sessions, ALMichael Crapo, IDLamar Alexander, TNMike Johanns, NEJohn Boozman, AR
U.S. Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee
Majority Members
Tim Johnson, SD (Chair)Jack Reed, RI Charles Schumer, NY Robert Menendez, NJDaniel Akaka, HISherrod Brown, OHJon Tester, MTHerb Kohl, WIMark Warner, VAJeff Merkley, ORMichael Bennett, COKay Hagan, NC
Minority Members
Richard Shelby, AL (RM)Michael Crapo, ID Bob Corker, TNJim DeMint, SCDavid Vitter, LAMike Johanns, NEPatrick Toomey, PAMark Kirk, ILJerry Moran, KSRoger Wicker, MS
U.S. Senate Finance Committee
Majority Members
Max Baucus, MT (Chair)Jay Rockefeller, WV Kent Conrad, ND Jeff Bingaman, NM John Kerry, MARon Wyden, ORCharles Schumer, NYDebbie Stabenow, MIMaria Cantwell, WABill Nelson, FLRobert Menendez, NJThomas Carper, DEBenjamin Cardin, MD
Minority Members
Orrin Hatch, UT (Ranking Member)Charles Grassley, IAOlympia Snowe, ME Jon Kyl, AZ Mike Crapo, IDPat Roberts, KSJohn Ensign, NVJohn Cornyn, TXTom Coburn, OKJohn Thune, SC
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
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
Florida Senate Transportation Committee
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)
StaffMarc Slager, Policy AdvisorRiver Buford, Staff Director
Florida House Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee
Republicans (10)Brad Drake (Chair), DeFuniak SpringsDennis Baxley (Vice Chair), OcalaJanet Adkins, Fernandina BeachLarry Ahern, St. PetersburgBen Albritton, BartowFrank Artiles, MiamiDouglas Broxson, MiltonMike Horner, KissimmeePeter Nehr, Tarpon SpringsMichael Weinstein, Orange Park
Democrats (5)Irv Slosberg (Ranking Member), Boca RatonLori Berman, Delray BeachJeff Clemens, Lake WorthDarryl Rouson, St. PetersburgRichard Steinberg, Miami Beach
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)
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?
Highest-Ranked Sources of Communication
1. Spontaneous letters from constituents2. Office visits from constituents3. Articles in state/district newspapers4. Telephone calls from opinion leaders in the state/district5. Congressional Research Service6. Telephone calls from constituents7. Office visits from CEOs of businesses in state/district8. Editorials in state/district newspapers9. Office visits from delegations from interest groups, incl.
constituents10. Telephone calls from state-elected or party officials
Highest-Ranked Sources of Communication: Letters
1. Spontaneous, from constituents2. Spontaneous, from state-elected or party
officials3. Orchestrated, from constituents 4. Spontaneous, from interest groups5. Orchestrated, from interest groups
Highest-Ranked Sources of Communication: Office Visits
1. Constituents
2. CEOs of businesses in state/district
3. Delegations from interest groups, incl. constituents
4. Long-standing friends or contacts with an interest
5. Company’s Washington representatives
6. Lobbyists
7. Representatives of trade associations
8. Well-known personalities with an interest
9. Delegations from interest groups, not incl. constituents
Highest-Ranked Sources of Communication: Telephone Calls
1. Opinion leaders in the state/district
2. Constituents
3. State-elected or party officials
4. Friends or contacts with an interest
5. The executive branch
6. Well-known personalities with an interest
7. Members of interest groups
Highest-Ranked Sources of Communication: Media
1. Articles in state/district newspapers
2. Editorials in state/district newspapers
3. Opinion or op-ed pieces in state/district newspapers
4. News programs on TV stations in the state/district
5. Articles in major daily newspapers
6. National TV news
7. News programs on radio stations in the state/district
8. Editorials in major daily newspapers
9. Radio talk shows in the state/district
10. Letters to the editor in major daily newspapers
11. Articles in national news magazines
12. Opinion or op-ed columns in national news magazines
Highest-Ranked Sources of Communication: Other
1. Congressional Research Services
2. Media-sponsored public opinion polls
3. Privately-sponsored public opinion polls
4. Petition papers from interest groups
5. Position papers from regulatory and executive agencies
6. Communication with think tanks
7. Economic studies conducted by independent consultants
Basic Rules for Success
• Keep it local• Keep it personal• Keep it concise• Put it in writing
“All politics are local.”Tip O’Neillll
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Letters:Proper Forms of Address
• President of the United States
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Salutation: Dear Mr. President:
Complimentary close: Sincerely yours,
Letters:Proper Forms of Address
• United States Senator
The Honorable ________
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Salutation: Dear Senator _________:
Complimentary close: Sincerely yours,
Letters:Proper Forms of Address
• United States Representative
The Honorable __________
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Salutation: Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. _____:
Complimentary close: Sincerely yours,
Letters:Proper Forms of Address
• Chair of a House Committee
The Honorable ____________
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Salutation: Dear Mr. Chairman or Madam Chairwoman:
Complimentary close: Sincerely yours,
Letters:Proper Forms of Address
• Speaker of the House
The Honorable ____________
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Salutation: Dear Mr. Speaker or Madam Speaker:
Complimentary close: Sincerely yours,
Letters:Proper Forms of Address
• Governor of the State of Florida
The Honorable _____________
Office of the GovernorThe Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001
Salutation: Dear Governor _____:
Complimentary close: Sincerely yours,
Letters:Proper Forms of Address
• Florida State Senator
Senator __________
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
Salutation: Dear Senator __________:
Complimentary close: Sincerely yours,
Letters:Proper Forms of Address
• Florida State Representative
The Honorable __________Florida House of RepresentativesThe CapitolTallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Salutation: Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. __________:
Complimentary close: Sincerely yours,
Telephone Calls• You can reach the office of any member of
Congress by dialing…
• You can reach the Administration, call the White House comment line…
1 (202) 224-3121
1 (202) 456-7639
Tips for Calling
1. Use the telephone for less complicated subjects
2. Be prepared to talk to professional staff
3. Before calling, prepare a brief outline of what you want to say
Reminder: Tips for Writing
1. Identify yourself as a constituent2. Identify the issue (and the bill number)3. Personalize your letter 4. Make it short and to the point 5. Support your position with local examples6. Ask for support or action7. Say “Thank You”
Reminder: Tips for Meetings
1. Preparation• Make an appointment• Be brief and to the point• Be flexible• Learn about the legislator• Know the pros and cons of the issue• Prepare a one-page brief on the topic• Designate a spokesperson in a group
Reminder: Tips for Meetings
2. The Actual Meeting• Be punctual and patient
• Keep your message simple and brief
• Avoid using technical jargon
• Be prepared to answer questions
• Ask the lawmaker for his/her position
• Thank for his/her time
• Write thank you letter
No Timing Like the Present
• Know Before You Go• Follow Your Knows• The Congressional Staycation• A Staff Affection• What a Face
Timing is everything!
How to work the legislative process…
• Get to know your legislators and their staff• Use the committee process• Do your homework• Build a coalition• Know the opposition• Be prepared to negotiate• Communicate, communicate, communicate!
Focusing Questions
• What is your position on the legislation and the rationale behind it?
• Who are the targets for your message? Who are the influentials?
• What is your message for each of your target audiences? Who will carry or convey that message? Who will be your champion?
• Who are your opponents and what are their messages? How will you counter their efforts?
Fill-in-the-facts• Name of my organization• My organization’s mission is (1 sentence)• My organization’s services are (2 sentences)• We serve # of persons from the ___ congressional or state district.• We urge Rep. ____ or Senator ___ to: • This legislation is important to us because:
1. Reason #12. Reason #23. Reason #3
• We hope that you will support our goal to:• For more information about or organization contact:
Contact Information:
Jon W. MartzVice President, Government RelationsVPSI Inc.1220 Rankin DriveTroy, MichiganTel: (248) 597-3500