how to advocate effectively 19 th annual transportation disadvantaged best practices and training...

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,


• United States Senator

The Honorable ________

United States Senate


Salutation: Dear Senator _________:



• United States Representative

The Honorable __________

United States House of Representatives


Salutation: Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. _____:



• Chair of a House Committee

The Honorable ____________



Salutation: Dear Mr. Chairman or Madam Chairwoman:



• Speaker of the House

The Honorable ____________



Salutation: Dear Mr. Speaker or Madam Speaker:



• Governor of the State of Florida

The Honorable _____________

Office of the GovernorThe Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001

Salutation: Dear Governor _____:



• Florida State Senator

Senator __________

The Capitol

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

Salutation: Dear Senator __________:



• Florida State Representative

The Honorable __________Florida House of RepresentativesThe CapitolTallahassee, FL 32399-1300

Salutation: Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. __________:


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

how to advocate effectively 19 th annual transportation disadvantaged best practices and training...

Documents

florida slide

issue slide

peter d

bob dca johnson

state legislators office

nick dwv

ddc nadler

dia holden