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More Ways To Make A Difference North Dakota Action Coalition: Health Policy & Advocacy Group

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More Ways To Make A Difference. North Dakota Action Coalition: Health Policy & Advocacy Group. Learning Objectives. Why should nurses be engaged/involved in the policy process? How can nurses influence the process? How can nurses make sure that their voices are heard?. What is “government”?. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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More Ways To Make A Difference

More Ways To Make A DifferenceNorth Dakota Action Coalition: Health Policy & Advocacy GroupLearning ObjectivesWhy should nurses be engaged/involved in the policy process?How can nurses influence the process?How can nurses make sure that their voices are heard?What is government?Government defined:Merriam Webster defines government as the group of people who control and make decisions for a country, state, etc. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/governmentIn the United States, we have a representative democracyCitizens elect leaders to represent their interests in the lawmaking processThe people that an elected official (i.e. Senator, Representative, etc.) represent are known as their constituentsOnce an individual is elected to public office, nothing legally binds them to vote in a certain wayOne of the inherent risks of this type of government candidates can make certain promises to voters while campaigning, but then behave in a different manner once elected

Three Branches of GovernmentThe system of government used in the United States is characterized by a separation of powersOur government is divided into three branches, the:Legislative branchExecutive branchJudicial branchCertain powers are reserved to each branch, creating a system of checks and balancesThis was designed to prevent any branch of government from obtaining too much powerLegislative BranchThe legislative branch is the branch of government tasked with the responsibility of passing lawsAt the federal level, the legislative branch is generally referred to as CongressAt the state level, the legislative branch is usually referred to as simply the state legislatureFor both the federal and state government, the legislative branch is bicameralBicameral means that the branch is divided into two separate chambers, the house and the senateLegislative BranchApportionment & TermsFederal level outlined in the U.S. ConstitutionSenateEach state has two U.S. senators, regardless of populationSenators represent their entire state and they are selected through a statewide electionSenators are elected to terms of 6 yearsElections are staggered, meaning that terms of the 100 American senators concluded at different stagesEvery 2 years, approximately 1/3 of the countrys senate seats are up for electionThe U.S. Senate was designed to be the more deliberative, slower-moving chamber of Congress

Legislative BranchApportionment & TermsFederal level outlined in the U.S. ConstitutionHouseThe number of house seats allocated to each state is done proportionately, based on populationThe larger a states population, the more house seats they are allottedRegardless of population, each state is guaranteed at least one seat in the U.S. House of RepresentativesReapportionment is done every 10 years if the census shows a state has grown or shrunk in population, relative to other states, the number of house seats allotted to them may increase or decrease

Legislative BranchApportionment & TermsFederal level outlined in the U.S. ConstitutionHouseIn states with a single house seat, like North Dakota, representatives are elected by a statewide vote, and they represent the entire stateMost states, however, have multiple seats in the U.S. HouseThe respective state legislatures divide their state into a number of congressional districts (each district is required to be approximately equal in population) based on how many seats they were allottedThese representatives are chosen by elections held within each district, not by a statewide voteIn Congress, they are tasked with representing the constituents of their particular district, not the entire stateLegislative BranchApportionment & TermsFederal level outlined in the U.S. ConstitutionHouseMembers of the House of Representatives are elected to serve terms of two years in lengthIn contrast with the U.S. Senate, all members of the U.S. House of Representatives face election at the same time (elections are not staggered) The Peoples HouseThis chamber was designed to be faster moving than the U.S. Senate and more reflective of the citizenrys changing viewpoints, which is why its members face reelection every two years (as opposed to the U.S. Senates six-year term lengthLegislative BranchApportionment & TermsState level outlined in the North Dakota ConstitutionMembers of both the North Dakota Senate and the North Dakota House of Representatives are elected to serve 4-year termsThe state is divided into 47 districts, approximately equal in populationEach legislative district is represented in Bismarck by 1 state senator and 2 state representativesElections are staggered, so that approximately half of the states legislative districts hold elections every two years

Legislative BranchThe two chambers, the Senate and the House, vote on laws separatelyIf a law passes one chamber, it is sent to the other for considerationIf a law is passed by both the Senate and the House, it is sent to the executive branch to be signedAt the federal level, the law is sent to the President of the United StatesAt the state level, it is sent to the GovernorA law cannot be sent to the executive branch to be signed unless it passes both chambers of the legislative branchExecutive BranchThe executive branch is the branch of government tasked with executing the laws passed by the legislative branchAt the federal level, the executive branch is led by the President of the United StatesAt the state level, the executive branch is led by the GovernorBoth the President and the Governor are elected to serve terms that are four years in lengthExecutive BranchAt the federal level, Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates run together as a ticketThey are elected by a vote of the electoral college, not by a popular majority-rule voteEach state has a designated number of votes in the electoral college, equal to the sum of their numbers of U.S. Senators and U.S. RepresentativesFor example, North Dakota (which has 1 representative and 2 senators [like all states]) has 3 votes in the electoral college, the minimum a state may haveMinnesota (which has 8 representatives and 2 senators) has 10 votes in the electoral collegeIf a presidential ticket wins the popular vote within a state, they win the whole of that states electoral votes (ignoring a few exceptions)If Presidential Candidate A wins 53% of the vote in Minnesota and Presidential Candidate B receives 47% of the vote, Presidential Candidate A wins all 10 of Minnesotas electoral votes while Presidential Candidate B receives zeroExecutive BranchElectoral College ContinuedCurrently, there are 538 votes in the electoral collegeBecause a candidate must receive a simple majority of votes in the electoral college to win, 270 votes are requiredThis system can allow for a Presidential ticket receiving fewer votes nationwide than another ticket (that is, losing the popular vote) to still win the presidencyThis occurred when George W. Bush was elected in 2000Small states like North Dakota have greater influence under this system because they are guaranteed 3 votes in the electoral college

Executive BranchElectoral College ContinuedElectoral College system results in voters from certain states receiving more attention than othersIt doesnt matter how many of a states votes a candidate receives if another candidate receives moreExamples:Democratic presidential candidates put little effort campaigning in Texas, which they know is likely to vote RepublicanRepublican presidential candidates put little effort campaigning in California, which they know is likely to vote DemocraticIf presidential candidates were elected through a nationwide popular vote, Republicans would likely put more effort courting voters in California, as would Democrats in Texas, because even if they do not win in the state, they still benefit from earning some votes

Executive BranchState levelIn North Dakota, candidates for the positions of Governor and Lieutenant Governor run together as a unified ticketThey are elected to serve 4-year termsIn contrast to the use of the electoral college at the federal level, a simple statewide election is used to determine North Dakotas Governor and Lietenant GovernorExecutive BranchThe head of the executive branch has the power to sign into effect laws passed by the legislative branchThe President (or Governor) also has the power to veto legislation sent to them by the legislative branchIf this occurs, the law does not go into effect; rather, it sent back to the legislature for reconsiderationThe legislature can override the executives veto with the vote of a supermajority, 2/3 of each chamberThe legislature can modify (make amendments to) the vetoed legislation, repass it, and send it back to the executive branchThe veto may also kill the legislationExecutive BranchThe Vice President (federal) and Lieutenant Governor (state) are also members of the executive branchThe Vice President serves as the President of the U.S. Senate and the Lieutenant Governor serves as President of the N.D. SenateThe Vice President/Lieutenant Governor only have the ability to cast votes on legislation in the event of a tieExecutive BranchAll of the various governmental departments, charged with implementing and enforcing laws passed by the legislative branch, are a part of the executive branchExamples at the federal levelDepartment of AgricultureDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDepartment of the TreasuryExamples at the state levelDepartment of HealthDepartment of TransportationDepartment of CommerceHeads of these departments are appointed by the Executive BranchJudicial BranchThe courts systemThe judicial branch is about much more than just trying individuals for crimesFrom whitehouse.gov:Federal courts enjoy the sole power to interpret the law, determine the constitutionality of the law, and apply it to individual cases. The courts, like Congress, can compel the production of evidence and testimony through the use of a subpoena. The inferior courts are constrained by the decisions of the Supreme Court once the Supreme Court interprets a law, inferior courts must apply the Supreme Courts interpretation to the facts of a particular case. http://www.whitehouse.gov/our-government/judicial-branchJudicial BranchThe judicial branch provides a crucial check on the legislative and executive branchThe judicial branchCan strike down any law passed by Congress on the grounds of constitutionalityMay also rule actions of the President (executive branch) to be unconstitutionalExecutive ordersActions of executive agencies, such as the EPA

Judicial BranchWeaknesses of the judicial branchThe courts cannot act aloneA case must be brought to themIn order for someone to bring a case to them, they must have been wrongedThe courts have no enforcement mechanismThey may strike down a law on constitutional grounds, but they have no way of enforcing their decisionThe courts need the support of the executive branch in order for their decisions to be implemented/enforcedJudicial BranchAt higher levels of government, the judicial branch is insulated from the peopleJustices of the Supreme Court/Judges of Federal Courts are appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. SenateIn contrast with the legislative/executive branches, they are not elected by the peopleThis means that they dont have any voters to appeaseTheoretically, this allows justices to vote their conscience, whether or not it will be politically popularDivision of GovernmentHow is government power divided at the various levels? FederalNational levelPresident, Congress, Supreme Court, etc.Powers are both originated and limited by the United States Constitution10th Amendment: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.StateLaws apply only to the individual statesGovernors, state legislatures, state supreme courts, etc.Division of GovernmentHow is government power divided at the various levels? City (Municipal)Mayor, City Council, Municipal CourtSchool Board, Park Board, etc.Policies apply only to cities themselvesCalled ordinances, not lawsCountyCounty commissions, sheriffs, etc.Why do I need to know about government?Why is it important to be informed/engaged in the process?Everything that government does affects usRecent historical example of issue that had an effect on nursing industry (this issue will be referenced throughout module as well)Government by the people, for the peopleIf you dont stay informed and take advantage of your right to make a difference, then you are, in effect, surrendering your voiceWithout your involvement in the process, laws will still be made but will they be the laws that are best for you, your family, your organization, your business, your career, or any other area of personal interest?Engagement and involvement allows you to influence the outcome of the policymaking processHow are laws made?Laws can be made a couple of different waysLaws can be made by elected officials (through the legislative branch)Laws can also be made by a vote of the people (through referendums, initiatives, etc.)The first way is far more commonHow does this work?How are laws made?A very brief overviewFirst, a bill must be passed by the legislature, which is divided into 2 different chambersBoth chambers (the house and senate) must pass the billNext, the bill must be signed by the Governors office (executive branch)Without his signature, the bill doesnt become lawThe governor may veto the law and send it back to the legislature unsignedEven if the governor vetoes a bill passed by the legislature, the bill can still be made into law if both chambers of the legislature vote (with a 2/3 supermajority) to override the governors vetoThe power to sign/veto legislation is one of the most significant tools at the disposal of the governor in promoting their legislative agendaLegislators want their legislation to be signed into law, enabling the governor to shape legislation by threatening a veto if changes are not madeHow are laws made?A very brief overview (continued)Finally, the bill becomes law and is implemented according to the textSome laws go into effect immediately, while others have a specified date at which they go into effectThe executive branch is charged with executing/implementing the laws passed by the legislature and signed by the governorVarious executive agencies may be assigned various responsibilities in implementing/enforcing the lawThey may also develop additional procedures/regulations to fill in the blanks of the legislationIs it really this simple?Yes and noThis is how the system works, but theres a lot that goes on behind the scenesMore about the legislatureHow many members are in the House & Senate?Federal levelSenate: 100 membersHouse: 435 members, plus 5 nonvoting members that represent the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands http://www.house.gov/content/learn/North DakotaSenate: 47 membersHouse: 94 membersMore about the legislatureWhy the difference in size between the chambers?At both the state and federal level, the House of Representatives is larger than the SenateThe House is supposed to be the chamber that is more connected to the peopleBy having more members, the viewpoint of more constituents will be representedIt is more likely that a diverse range of ideas will be considered in discussionsThe Senate is designed to be the more deliberative, slower-moving bodyIt was envisioned as the more experienced chamber at the federal level, Senators must be a minimum 30 years of age, while Representatives need only be 25Because the chamber is smaller, it should be easier for negotiations to take place and for consenus to formCampaigns & ElectionsHow do citizens get chosen to serve in the House & Senate?Quick overview of the campaign process2-Party SystemThe American political process is characterized by some as a 2-party systemThis is in reference to the two major political parties in the United StatesThe Republican PartyThe Democratic PartyBut arent there more than two political parties?Yes! In fact, there are dozensTwo of the more well-known third-parties include the Libertarian Party and the Green PartySome candidates run as independentsCampaigns & ElectionsSo, why do people say we have a 2-party system?Its hard to win unless youre a Republican or a DemocratAdvantages possessed by candidates belonging to either the Republican or Democratic parties can include:Electoral CollegeIn order to win any votes in the electoral college, a candidate has to win the popular vote in a stateIn the 1990s, Ross Perot ran for President twice as a 3rd party candidate and gained a sizeable amount of the vote (18.9% in 1992 under the United We Stand party and 8.4% under the Reform Party in 1996) http://thecontenders.c-span.org/Contender/15/Ross-Perot.aspxPerot earned a sizeable amount of the popular vote, but didnt receive a majority of the popular vote in any state this means that he didnt earn a single electoral vote either yearEasier process to get on the BallotParty Infrastructure (fundraising, advertising, etc.)Voter familiarity with the brands of political parties

Campaigns & ElectionsPrimary ElectionWhen most people think of political elections, they think of the general election in NovemberThe candidates that voters get to choose from in November are usually determined through a primary election held sometime priorPer North Dakota Century Code, primary elections are held On the second Tuesday in June of every general election yearPrimary systems differ by state, so well focus on North DakotaOpen Primary styleVoters can only vote for candidates of one political party on election day, i.e. only Republicans or only DemocratsAll candidates are on the same ballotThere are not separate ballots for Republicans and Democrats, just different sections on the ballots for candidates of the different partiesCampaigns & ElectionsVoters in a primary election may choose to vote for either Republican or Democratic candidates once they are in the ballot box, but they cannot vote for bothThis means that a voter who considers themselves to be a Democrat could choose to vote for Republican candidates in the primary (or vice versa) and vote for the candidates that they think their partys candidate would be able to easily defeat in the general election more easilyMost of the time in North Dakota, primary elections are a formality (That is, the majority of the races are not contested by multiple candidates)Campaigns & ElectionsHow do candidates get their names placed on the ballot?Most common way: Party endorsement conventionsThe Republican and Democratic parties in North Dakota conduct endorsement conventions at both the district and state levelsDistrict levelConventions held to endorse candidates for the state legislature (generally one senate candidate, two house candidates)Voters attending the convention must be residents of the districtCandidates deliver speeches to attendees, who then vote on their favoritesThe candidates that are selected at the district convention are then submitted for inclusion on the primary ballotThese conventions are very grassroots and easy to get involved withGenerally, there are relatively few people in attendance, so each persons vote can carry significant influenceCampaigns & ElectionsState-level ConventionsAttendees at the state endorsing conventions are known as delegatesEach district is represented at the state endorsing convention by their delegatesThe number of delegates allotted to each district is determined b y party rules and are not equalDelegates for each district are elected to serve in the role at their district conventionsCandidates are endorsed for partisan offices to be voted on statewide, including U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Governor/Lieutenant Governor, Agricultural Commissioner, Attorney General, Public Service Commissioner, Secretary of State, State Auditor, Tax Commissioner, and TreasurerMost of the time, the candidates selected at endorsement conventions go into the primary uncontested, but sometimes they face challengers who have their name placed on the ballot through a different routeCampaigns & ElectionsAlternative method for candidates to have their names placed on the ballot: petitionsCandidates can have their name placed on the primary election ballot by submitting a petition signed by a sufficient number of qualified electorsNumber of signatures required varies by circumstanceFor legislative offices, the signatures of at least one percent of the total resident population of the legislative district as determined by the most recent federal decennial censusRequired number of signatures for other circumstances can be viewed here: Legislative DistrictsNorth Dakota is divided into 47 legislative districtsEach district is represented in the legislature by 1 senator and 2 representativesEvery 10 years, after the census, the legislature goes through a redistricting process where district lines are reevaluated based on changes in populationEach district is supposed to be roughly the same size in populationSection 2 of the North Dakota Constitution states that the legislature shall guarantee, as nearly as practicable, that every elector is equal to every other elector in the state in the power to cast ballots for legislative candidates.The last time redistricting happened in ND was in 2011Each district was designed to include approximately 13,664 residentsThe largest district was 14,249The smallest district was 13,053http://www.legis.nd.gov/files/resource/62-2011/legislative-management-final-reports/2011ssfinalreports.pdf?20140214165316

The North Dakota LegislatureHow often does the legislature meet?The legislature meets for its regular session once every two yearsThe maximum length of the regular session is 80 days. The North Dakota Constitution states that No regular session of the legislative assembly may exceed eighty natural days during the biennium. http://www.legis.nd.gov/constit/a04.pdf?20140214171800These days do not need to be consecutiveNorth Dakota legislative sessions generally begin in January and end sometime in late April or early May of odd-numbered yearsIn 2013, the Legislative Assembly convened on January 8th and adjourned on May 4th http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/63-2013/regularThe Governor may call special sessions of the legislature which do not count toward the 80-day maximumThe LegislatureWhere does the legislature meet?The legislature meets for its general session at the state capital building in Bismarck, NDInterim legislative committees, which meet between legislative sessions, may meet elsewhere in the state

The LegislatureWhat does the legislature do? What powers do they have?The Legislative Assembly passes the laws which govern the stateThey appropriate funds for the operation of state governmentAdvise and ConsentApplies only to the senate, not the houseThe Governor has the power to make appointments to a variety of positionsAs a check on the power of the executive branch, the North Dakota Senate has the power to advise and consent the governor on some of these appointments they must vote to confirm the governors appointeesOffices that this applies to include:Members of the State Board of Higher EducationCommissioner of Financial InstitutionsSecurities Commissionerhttp://www.legis.nd.gov/research-center/library/legislative-branch-function-and-processThe LegislatureWhat does the legislature do? What powers do they have?OversightIt is the duty of the legislature to maintain proper oversight over executive agencies, government subdivisions, and other organizations receiving support from the legislatureThey must unsure that these groups are respecting the intent of the legislation they enactThey must ensure that the taxpayer-funds they have allocated are being spent appropriatelyThe LegislatureWhats a bill? Whats a resolution?A bill, as defined on the website of the North Dakota legislature:Bills create, amend, or repeal law. To become law, a bill must pass the House of Representatives and the Senate by a majority vote of the members-elect in each house. Bills may be introduced by members of the Legislative Assembly, standing committees, or the Legislative Management. A state executive agency or the North Dakota Supreme Court can have bills automatically introduced in the name of the standing committee to which the bill will be referred. House bills begin with the number 1001, and Senate bills begin with the number 2001. The Constitution of North Dakota (Article IV, Section 13) provides that bills adopted by the Legislative Assembly generally take effect August 1 after filing with the Secretary of State. However, certain appropriations and tax measures become effective July 1. The effective date may be later if specifically written into a bill. The effective date may be earlier if the Legislative Assembly declares an emergency and the measure receives a two-thirds vote of the members-elect in each house.http://www.legis.nd.gov/general-information

The LegislatureA resolution, as defined on the website of the North Dakota legislature:Resolutions propose constitutional amendments, express opinions, request actions, congratulate, or console. Resolutions do not have the effect of law. Resolutions are the vehicles used to propose constitutional amendments for voter consideration. Resolutions are used to request an interim study by the Legislative Management on a specific subject. Resolutions frequently express legislative opinion to Congress or other federal offices with regard to federal programs or policies. House concurrent resolutions begin with the number 3001, and Senate concurrent resolutions begin with the number 4001. Concurrent means that a particular resolution must be approved by both the House and Senate. The House or Senate may use resolutions for their own separate business such as memorial resolutions for deceased members, e.g., House Memorial Resolution 7001 and Senate Memorial Resolution 8001.http://www.legis.nd.gov/general-information

The LegislatureWhat is a Session Law?From the website of the North Dakota State Legislature:Session Laws contain the text of all measures enacted (bills) or adopted (resolutions) by a particular Legislative Assembly. Session Laws also include:Constitutional amendments proposed by the Legislative Assembly. Vote totals are provided for those approved or disapproved since publication of the preceding Session Laws.Initiated laws or constitutional amendments and referred bills submitted to voters since publication of the preceding Session Laws (includes vote totals).Governors veto messages.Lists of House and Senate members.A statewide legislative district map.Recent Session Laws are online at http://www.legis.nd.gov. http://www.legis.nd.gov/general-information

The LegislatureWho are my legislators? Where do I go to find out? Is it okay to contact them?Every district in North Dakota contains one seat in the Senate and one seat in the House of RepresentativesThis means that every North Dakotan is represented in the Legislative Assembly by one state senator and two state representatives (except in rare circumstances where a seat is vacant for whatever reason)To find out who your legislators are, you must first know what legislative district you are inYour legislative district is determined based on your residency in the state

The LegislatureHow is my residency determined?Section 54-01-26 of the North Dakota Century Code Residence Rules for determining lays out some basic rules, several of which are displayed belowEvery person has in law a residence. In determining the place of residence, the following rules must be observed:It is the place where one remains when not called elsewhere for labor or other special or temporary purpose and to which the person returns in seasons of repose.There can only be one residence.A residence cannot be lost until another is gained.The residence can be changed only by the union of act and intenthttp://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t54c01.pdf?20140221202219 Article II of the North Dakota Constitution emphasizes that No elector shall lose his residency for voting eligibility solely by reason of his absence from the state.http://www.legis.nd.gov/constit/a02.pdf?20140221203528

The LegislatureHow is my residency determined?Section 16.1-01-14 of the North Dakota Century Code establishes that, to be a qualified elector for a given precinct or district, an individual must have resided there for at least 30 days prior to the electionIf you have lived in the same location for more than 30 days, that location is your residencyIf you have not yet lived in a location for 30 days, your previous address is still used to determine your residencyBiggest takeaway: you establish residency by living in a location for 30 days. If you move, you do not forfeit your previous residency status until you reestablish yourself somewhere else

The LegislatureThis is a map of the state divided by legislative districts

http://www.legis.nd.gov/files/district-maps/2013-2022/population.pdf?20140221194112 The LegislatureIf you live in one of the geographically-larger districts, it should be easy to tell what district you reside in. If you live in one of the states larger cities or near the border of two districts, it might be tough to tell what district you are a resident of.The state of North Dakotas website provides maps provides maps of smaller geographic areas for the bigger communities in the state, as well as an interactive statewide map. If you live in an urban area, these options may be useful for you. Links to the various maps can be accessed through this site: http://www.legis.nd.gov/districts/2013-2022 Once you have found out which legislative district you are in, you are just a few steps away from knowing who your legislators are!

The LegislatureFirst, open up your internet browser and visit the website www.legis.nd.gov

The LegislatureOn the left side of the page, click the link referencing the current legislative assembly. You will then be brought to this page:

http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/63-2013 The LegislatureOn the right side of the page, under the heading Membership Information, click the link which reads Members by District--- http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/63-2013 You will now be viewing a page which lists all members of the current Legislative Assembly, divided by their districts. Simply scroll down until you find your district and your legislators!To find out more about an individual legislator, and to see their contact information, simply click on their name

The LegislatureAs an example, here is the state webpage for Representative Thomas Beadle. Each legislators page lists their district, political party, chamber, committee membership, contact information, and a brief biography.

http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/63-2013/members/house/representative-thomas-beadle The LegislatureSpeaking with your legislatorA lot of people are intimidated about giving their legislator a call or sending them an emailthey shouldnt be!Things to remember:North Dakota has a Citizen legislaturethat means that, other than a period of about 80 days every two years, your legislators live perfectly normal lives. They probably have another other jobs and likely live in a home not so far from yours! If the idea of talking to a legislator makes you nervous, try and think of it as speaking with a coworker or neighbor: it probably isnt too far from the truth!Legislators want to hear from you. Whether or not you voted for them, they know that their purpose is to represent you and your interests. The more informed they are, the more-able they are to do their job. They want to learn more about the issues being discussed, and have a better idea of how their constituents feel Be respectful and professional. This will help you build credibility with the legislator and maximize the impact you can have.

The LegislatureDont be surprised if you dont hear back from your legislator right awayLegislators are busy people. In addition to their public service, many of them have other full-time jobs. Your feedback is important to them and you should expect them to get back to you, but dont be surprised if it takes them a little bit of timeEspecially if you are trying to get in touch with them during the legislative session or close to an election. These are extraordinarily busy times for legislators, where they are balancing a lot of duties and obligations--responding to your feedback is certainly one, but be understanding if it takes a little while.

The LegislatureLeadership in the legislatureBoth chambers of the legislature have leaders elected by the two partiesThe party with more members is known as the majority party, while the party with fewer members is known as the minority partyEach party elects leadership within the chamberMajority party elects majority leadershipMinority party elects minority leadership

The LegislatureSenate LeadershipPresident: Lieutenant Governor Drew Wrigley (Republican)This position is not elected by the Senate, but through a statewide election as was previously coveredPresident Pro Tempore: Senator Terry M. Wanzek (Republican)Majority Leader: Senator Rich Wardner (Republican)Assistant Majority Leader: Senator Jerry Klien (Jerry Klein)Minority Leader: Senator Mac Schneider (Democrat)Assistant Minority Leader: Senator Joan Heckaman (Democrat)Majority Caucus Leader: Senator David Hogue (Republican)Minority Caucus Leader: Senator John M. Warner

The LegislatureHouse LeadershipSpeaker of the House: Rep. Bill Devlin (Republican)Majority Leader: Rep. Al Carlson (Republican)Assistant Majority Leader: Rep. Don Vigesaa (Republican)Minority Leader: Rep. Kenton Onstad (Democrat)Assistant Minority Leader: Corey Mock (Democrat)Majority Caucus Leader: Rep. Joe Heilman (Republican)Minority Caucus Leader: Rep. Ed Gruchalla (Democrat)

The Lawmaking ProcessSo, we know that the legislature votes on bills, and if there are enough votes (and the governor signs it), the bill becomes law. But where do these laws come from?The Lawmaking ProcessBills & ResolutionsWho writes them?Bills and resolutions can be written by legislators, interest groups, and even individualsWhy do they write them? What are they ultimately trying to accomplish?Prior to writing any legislation, the author should establish a clear purpose and ask themselves a few questions:What are my specific objectives?What is the overall goal that I want this legislation to accomplish?What are the common themes of my objectives?Has anybody else tried doing this?In North Dakota?In the region?In the country?

The Lawmaking ProcessWho would make good partners in this effort?Are there any interest groups that have a similar goal?Individual Legislators?Political Parties?

The Lawmaking ProcessWhat does the author include in the bill?Writing law is very complexCommon for authors to have legal counsel assist them in crafting legislationThis helps to ensure that the authors intent is consistent with the text of the lawThe bill must include the appropriate language so that it accomplishes the authors objectivesThe bill must take the status quo into accountIs the bill a new addition to law?Is the bill amending existing law?Is the bill repealing existing law?

The Lawmaking ProcessPolitics matters in bill writingBills go through many changes from the time they are first introduced to when they are signed into law by the GovernorThis means that if a groups ideal legislation is introduced, it probably will not look the same by the time it is passed (if it is passed at all)This means that there are some important considerations that authors of legislation must take into account. Some of them include:What is the likelihood of the legislation getting passed?Is there room for compromise?What elements of the bill are absolutely essential in order for the bills overall goal to be accomplished?

The Lawmaking ProcessSometimes, a group must accomplish their goals incrementallyChange is controversialThings which are controversial are more difficult to pass in the legislatureThe bigger the change in policy a piece of legislation represents, the more difficult it may be to passThis presents more questions for groups and individuals drafting legislation to consider:Do we think we can get all of what we want in this legislation passed?Is our effort worthwhile if we can get some of what we want, but not all of it?

The Lawmaking ProcessWhat parts of our legislation would we feel comfortable droppingAre there elements of the legislation that will create unnecessary controversy? (i.e. the risk to the legislation posed by the added controversy is greater than the benefit added by the controversial element)Do we deliberately include portions that can be dropped later? (i.e. do we include content that goes above and beyond our goal)Benefits:If the entire legislation makes it through, you accomplish more than your goalThere is more room for compromising, while still accomplishing your objectivesDrawbacks:Could create unnecessary controversyThis controversy could threaten the entire legislation and your overall objectives, not just the extra parts

The Lawmaking ProcessWhen do bills get written?Bills are usually written between legislative sessionsDeadline for bill submission is early in the legislative sessionWhat if multiple people have similar bills?Sometimes multiple legislators author bills that have similar contentMay be designed to address the same problem or centered on the same ideaMinor differences between similar bills may exist in the style (use of language) usedMore significant differences may be the magnitude of the legislationVersions may differ in how extreme an approach they takeSize of appropriations in bills may vary

The Lawmaking ProcessSelecting sponsorsA sponsor is the legislator that introduces a bill or resolution for consideration by the legislative assemblyMultiple legislators can sponsor the same piece of legislationIn these cases, they are known as co-sponsorsThe bill or resolution is branded with the name of the sponsorsWhile individuals and interest groups can write pieces of legislation, they cannot present it for consideration by the legislature This is why a sponsor is needed

The Lawmaking ProcessSelecting the right sponsor(s) is very important to the success of a billWhat things does an organization need to consider in selecting the right sponsor(s)?Which legislators will support this policy?Obviously, a legislator will not sponsor legislation that they do not support. This is the most basic thing to consider when narrowing down the list of legislators you can ask to sponsor a bill.PartisanshipOn some issues, Republican and Democratic legislators may be sharply dividedPolitical parties are often hesitant to allow the other side to score political victoriesThe majority party may block legislation proposed by the minority, even if they agree with it. Why?If the legislation passes, it strengthens the minority party at the expense of the majority partyIf they really do like the idea, members of the majority party can author similar legislation and propose it themselves, allowing them to take credit

The Lawmaking ProcessHow can having the right sponsor(s) mitigate the threat that political division poses to your legislation?In a polarized political environment, having cosponsors from both the Republican and Democratic parties sends a strong message to the public. Legislation labeled as bipartisan may be received more favorably by the public. If both parties can share credit for legislation they agree on, they dont need to be as afraid of the other side scoring points.If securing sponsors from both sides of the aisle isnt possible, or is impracticable for the given circumstances, it may be most desirable to have a sponsor from the majority partyThis is particularly true if the same political party controls both chambers of the legislature (even more so if the Governor is a part of the same party)While legislators do not vote with their party 100% of the time, as a general rule, legislators of the same party vote together.If a member of the majority party is sponsoring a piece of legislation, they will generally have an easier time securing votes

The Lawmaking ProcessCommittee membershipA legislator who is a member of the committee that the legislation will likely be considered by could make for a strong sponsorThey may be respected on the subject matterThey are likely to be well-informed and knowledgeable of the history applicable to the issueThey will be in a strong position to defend the legislation during committee discussionsLife ExperienceA legislator with personal or professional experience related to the legislations subject matter may be better prepared to make a strong case for itA legislator personally affected by the problem the legislation was designed to combat may be a more passionate advocate

The Lawmaking ProcessPersonal ReputationA legislator that is not well respected by the public may not make for a good sponsor, even if they are a strong advocate for the legislationYou do not want the spirit of the legislation to be tarnished by a legislator with a poor reputationIf a legislator is going to vote against your bill, you do not want it to be because of the person sponsoring the billTrustWhenever possible, you should select a sponsor that you trust to accomplish the goals of your legislationPrior to asking a legislator to sponsor your bill, you should be confident that their goals for the legislation are aligned with the goals of your organization

The Lawmaking ProcessLegislative CommitteesWhats the point of committees?Its tough to work through a brand new piece of legislation in a body composed of dozens of membersBills often go through many changesEverything from typos to simple changes in languagethings that do not affect the overall intent of the bill, but need to be changed nonethelessCommittees allow for more negotiationThere is more time for intense deliberationMembers have more time to express their concerns and elaborate on themProponents can make concessions to garner more support and secure votes

The Lawmaking ProcessWhats the point of committees? (continued)Tough to be experts on every issueLegislature is filled with many incredibly bright and experienced individualsNo matter how hard they may try, its difficult to be an expert on every issue the legislature considersIndividuals serving on legislative committees listen to testimony from people ranging from everyday citizens to national expertsThrough testimony and lengthy discussion, committee members are able to become particularly knowledgeable in the committees subject matterOther members of the general assembly can utilize the expertise of committee members to assist them in making their decision, notably through the various committees pass or do not pass recommendations

The Lawmaking ProcessWhat Committees are there?A wide variety

HouseSenateStanding CommitteesStanding CommitteesAgricultureAgricultureAppropriationsAppropriationsAppropriations- Education and Environmental DivisionEducationAppropriations- Government Operations DivisionFinance and TaxationAppropriations- Human Resources DivisionGovernment and Veterans AffairsEducationHuman ServicesEnergy and Natural ResourcesIndustry, Business, and LaborFinance and TaxationJudiciaryGovernment and Veterans AffairsNatural ResourcesHuman ServicesPolitical SubdivisionsIndustry, Business and LaborTransportationJudiciaryPolitical SubdivisionsThe Lawmaking ProcessWhat committees are there? (continued)

House Procedural CommitteesSenate Procedural CommitteesArrangements for House Committee RoomsArrangement for Senate Committee RoomsCommitteesCommitteesCorrection and Revision of the JournalCorrection and Revision of the JournalDelayed BillsDelayed BillsEmploymentEmploymentInaugural PlanningInaugural PlanningRulesRulesThe Lawmaking ProcessWhat committees are there? (continued)

Interim CommitteesAdministrative Rules CommitteeAdvisory Commission on Intergovernmental RelationsAgriculture CommitteeBudget SectionCommission on Alternatives to IncarcerationEconomic Impact CommitteeEducation Funding CommitteeEmployee Benefits Programs CommitteeEnergy Development and Transmission CommitteeGovernment Finance CommitteeGovernment Services CommitteeHealth Care Reform Review CommitteeHealth Services CommitteeHigher Education Funding CommitteeHuman Services CommitteeInformation Technology CommitteeJudiciary CommitteeLegacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory BoardLegislative Audit and Fiscal Review CommitteeLegislative ManagementLegislative Procedure and Arrangements CommitteeTaxation CommitteeTribal and State Relations CommitteeWater Topics Overview CommitteeWorkers Compensation Review CommitteeThe Lawmaking ProcessWhat committees are there? (continued)

North Dakota Statutory CommitteesAdvisory Committee on Sustainable AgricultureAirplane Replacement Advisory CommitteeCapitol Grounds Planning CommissionChild Support Guidelines Drafting Advisory CommitteeCommission on Legal Counsel for IndigentsCommission on Uniform State LawsCommittee on Protection and AdvocacyComprehensive Health Association of North Dakota BoardCourt Facilities Improvement Advisory CommitteeCrop Protection Product Harmonization and Registration BoardDevils Lake Outlet Management Advisory CommitteeEducation Commission of the StatesEmergency CommissionHealth Information Technology Advisory CommitteeHigher Education Grant Review CommitteeLegacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory BoardMidwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact CommissionMidwestern Higher Education CommissionMultistate Highway Transportation Agreement Cooperating CommitteeNational Conference of Insurance LegislatorsNorth Dakota Early Childhood Education CouncilNorth Dakota Lottery Advisory CommissionSchool of Medicine and Health Sciences Advisory CouncilSpecial Road CommitteeState Board of Agricultural Research and EducationState Council for Interstate Adult Offender SupervisionState Council for Interstate Juvenile SupervisionState Council on Educational Opportunity for Military ChildrenState Employees Compensation CommissionState Hospital Governing BodyState Information Technology Advisory CommitteeStatewide Longitudinal Data System CommitteeStreamlined Sales Tax Governing BoardStreamlined Sales Tax State and Local Advisory CouncilVeterinary Medical Education Program Admissions CommitteeYellowstone-Missouri Rivers Confluence CommissionSource: http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/63-2013/committeesThe Lawmaking ProcessAre there different committees for the House & Senate? Yes!There are separate standing committees and procedural committees for both the House and the SenateThe committees are separate because the work they are conducting pertains to legislation under consideration by one of the specific housesInterim CommitteesInterim committees meet in between the general legislative sessionsThey are composed of members of both the House and the SenateTheir purpose is largely educadtionalThe Lawmaking ProcessInterim Committees (continued)Interim CommitteesDiscuss ideas for legislation to present in the next legislative sessionAre given updates from individuals involved in programs supported b y (or otherwise of interest to) the legislatureHear testimony from experts on topics of interest to the committeeProvide an opportunity for everyday individuals to give comments to members of the committeeBetween sessions, interim committees hold hearings, take testimony, and review information provided by the Legislative Council, state agencies, and interested parties as they consider alternative approaches to issues raised by studies. http://www.legis.nd.gov/legislative-management

The Lawmaking ProcessWhat do the various committees do? Is there overlap?The committees hold hearings, consider proposed legislation, and make recommendations on legislation to their chamberEach committee handles a limited range of subject matter (which can generally be gleaned from the committees name)Bills and resolutions are referred to a particular committee by the leader of the chamberThe Speaker of the House assigns legislation to the Houses committeesThe President of the Senate (Lieutenant Governor) assigns legislation to the Senates committees

The Lawmaking ProcessWho serves on the committees? How is this decided?Legislators are appointed to serve on the various committeesLegislators serving on the Appropriations Committee do not serve on any other standing committee (as this committee meets every day of the week during the general session)All other legislators (besides the Speaker of the House and majority/minority leaders) serve on two standing committeesMajority of the legislatures work is completed within the various standing committeesAppointments to standing committees are made by the Committee on Committees (separate committees exist for the House and Senate, each dealing with appointments to the committees of their respective chambers)http://www.legis.nd.gov/research-center/library/legislative-branch-function-and-process

The Lawmaking ProcessWhat is the role of committees in screening bills and coming out with a DO pass or DO NOT pass recommendation?The committees hold public hearingsIndividuals are invited to provide testimonyCommittee members discuss the merits of proposed legislation, potential problems, the overall impact of the legislations passage/not passage, etc.Potential amendments to the bill or resolution are discussed and consideredAfter all of this is concluded, committees vote on a recommended course of action that they present to their chamber (i.e. House committees make a report to the House, Senate committees make a report to the Senate)

The Lawmaking ProcessCommittee reports on proposed legislation are summarized as either:1) Do pass2) Do not pass3) Amend and do pass4) Amend and do not pass5) Without recommendationOnce the committee process is completed, the legislation is reported back to the committees respective chamberCommittees cannot kill bills or resolutionsThis isnt the case in CongressAll legislation considered by committees will have a vote on the floor of the respective chamber

The Lawmaking ProcessOften, both chambers of the legislature will pass similar, but not identical legislationIntent may be mostly the same, but wording differentSometimes, legislation passed by the two houses may be virtually opposites of one anotherThis is more likely if different parties constitute majorities in the two houses (i.e. Republicans control the House, Democrats control the Senate)

The Lawmaking ProcessIn order for legislation to be sent to the Governors office to be signed into law, both chambers of the legislature must pass identical pieces of legislationWhen similar, but different, laws have been passed by both chambers, the bills or resolutions will be discussed in a conference committeeThe conference committee is composed of six membersThree members appointed by members of the HouseThree members appointed by members of the SenateMembers of the conference committee are charged with merging common elements of the different pieces of legislation previously passed by each of the two chambers and reaching an agreement for language to be used in sections of the legislation that differhttp://www.legis.nd.gov/research-center/library/legislative-branch-function-and-processThe Lawmaking ProcessWhen do committees meet? Do they meet outside of the normal legislative session?During the legislative session, committees meet at a regularly scheduled time and place at the state capital building in BismarckInterim committees meet in between legislative sessions, and their location may vary for each meetingThe Lawmaking ProcessLegislative ManagementWas originally established in 1945 as the Legislative Research CommitteeComposed of 17 legislators, including:Majority and Minority Leader of the Senate and the HouseSpeaker of the HouseSix Senators (4 appointed by majority leader, 2 by minority leader)Six Representatives (4 appointed by majority leader, 2 by minority leaderLegislative Management meets after each session to determine what studies will be conducted during the interim session, which interim committees will be in charge of each study, and which interim committees legislators will serve on (each legislator serves on at least one)

The Lawmaking ProcessSome interim committees are created by statuteExamples:Higher Education Funding CommitteeEmployee Benefits Programs CommitteeLegislative Ethics CommitteeOther committees may be created by Legislative Managementhttp://www.legis.nd.gov/legislative-management

The Lawmaking ProcessWhat role can you play in the committees processes?TestifyingWhat does it mean to testify?Whats the purpose of testifying?How do you testify?What do you say?What do you do?What kind of information are legislators looking for?How to Testify Before a North Dakota Legislative CommitteeProvided by the North Dakota Legislature; accessible at: http://www.legis.nd.gov/general-information:You have the rightYou have the right, as do all citizens, to testify before the North Dakota Legislative Assembly on any bill or resolution.North Dakota has one of the most open legislatures in the nation. Every bill must have a public hearing before a legislative committee, must be publicly voted upon by the committee, and then must come before the full House or Senate for still another public vote.Your opportunity to testify on a bill comes at the committee hearingLegislative committees meet in rooms on the ground floor or in the legislative wing of the State Capitol. You can come into a committee meeting at any time, even if the door is closed or a hearing is in progress.

How to Testify Before a North Dakota Legislative CommitteeContinued (Source: http://www.legis.nd.gov/general-information ):Lists of the legislative committees, committee members, and the days and places committees meet are available on this website and at legislative information kiosk in the hall between the Senate and House chambers. Committee hearing schedules are available on this website and at the legislative information can be viewed on the monitors by the information kiosk and in the hall of the ground floor at the Capitol.Most current versions of bills and amendments are available on this website. You can also get copies of bills from the Bill and Journal Room. However, if the bill has been amended, the printed bill may not include the amendments.Hearings Before North Dakota Legislative Committees Are Generally Informal and Few Rules Need Be Observed!

How to Testify Before a North Dakota Legislative CommitteeContinued (Source: http://www.legis.nd.gov/general-information ):Before the Hearing You ShouldFind out when and where your bill will be heard. Be on time for the hearing. Usually, once a hearing is closed on a particular bill, no further testimony is heard.Plan your testimony. It is not necessary, but it is helpful, to have written copies of your comments available.See if other persons will be testifying on your bill. If so, try to coordinate your testimony before the hearing to avoid duplication.Contact the Secretary of States office if you are going to testify on behalf of anyone but yourself to see if you must register as a lobbyist.How to Testify Before a North Dakota Legislative CommitteeContinued (Source: http://www.legis.nd.gov/general-information ):At the Hearing You ShouldBe present at the start of the hearing. All persons present usually get a chance to speak, but sometimes because of large turnouts it is not possible to give everyone a chance to speak. If you do not get a chance to testify, your presence may be acknowledged and you might be asked if you favor or oppose the bill. Also, you can always submit written testimony.Sign the witness sheet at the lectern. Give the bill number, whether you favor or oppose the bill, your name, your lobbyist registration number if you have one, and who you represent if other than yourself.Wait your turn. The chairman announces the beginning of the hearing on a particular bill. The clerk will read the bill. The first speaker is usually the bills sponsor. The chairman then asks for testimony first from proponents and then opponentsPlan on following the custom (although it is not absolutely necessary) of beginning your remarks by addressing the chairman and committee members, giving your name and address, and why you are there. For example: Mr. or Madam Chairman and members of the committee, my name is John Q. Public from Edwinton. Im in favor of this bill because, etc.How to Testify Before a North Dakota Legislative CommitteeContinued (Source: http://www.legis.nd.gov/general-information ):Be brief. Do not repeat what others have said. The hearings are informal so be conversational. Avoid being too technical. Avoid using acronyms or technical references unless you first explain what they mean.Do not be nervous or worried about doing something wrong. There are no rights and wrongs about testifying. Legislators are just your friends and neighbors who want to hear what you have to say.Expect some questions and comments from committee members. These questions are not designed to embarrass you but merely to provide additional information.Avoid any clapping, cheering, booing, or other demonstrations.How to Testify Before a North Dakota Legislative CommitteeContinued (Source: http://www.legis.nd.gov/general-information ):After the HearingSome committees vote right after a hearing. Others wait until the end of the meeting. Some postpone voting until another meeting.All committee action is public so you can stay to listen to committee debate and its vote even though public comment portion of the hearing is over.One or two days later you can check with the committee clerk, your legislator, or the legislative information kiosk to find out how the committee voted on your bill.Review: How bills become law (example slide)Writing the billWho was involved in writing the example bill?Selecting sponsorsWho did they choose to sponsor the bill? Why? What steps were involved in the process?IntroductionWhich chamber was it introducedCommittee hearingsWhat committee did it go to? Why?Who testified? What information did they provide to the legislators?

Review: How bills become law (example slide)Votes in the House & SenateWas this the margin what had been expected?What happened once the bill was passed?Signed by the governorExplain: did the sponsors have the governors support prior? What role did the governors office play?When did the bill go into effect?StrategyA lot happens between the time an organization decides they would like to author a piece of legislation and the time that the legislation is signed into lawOrganizations should develop an overall strategy to increase the likelihood that they are successful in accomplishing their goalsIn developing a strategy, there are a few areas that organizations may benefit from consideringVolumeCompromiseMessageCarriersStrategy Determining Your VolumeWhen your group is attempting to change policy, what do you want the volume of your message to be?What sort of presence would you like to establish?Loud and public?Quiet, behind-the-scenes?The public doesnt hear about the vast majority of legislation that is passed every sessionWhy?Strategy Determining Your VolumeThe media can only share a limited amount of informationNewspapers have a finite amount of spaceTV news stations have a finite amount of timeThe media needs to make a determination of what is newsworthyWhat stories do they have an ethical obligation to tell?What stories will interest people?Which stories will be beneficial to their ratings/readership?Items determined newsworthy become a part of the newsOther items remain hidden from the public eyeDo you want your legislation to be newsworthy?Strategy Determining Your VolumeSituations when you would want your legislation to be newsworthy:When political pressure is necessaryThe legislature is not, nor can it ever be, a body perfectly representative of the citizenryThere may be a discrepancy between the publics opinion on proposed legislation and the view of legislatorsSometimes, this means that, while a strong majority of the public may be supportive of a piece of legislation, there exists only a minority of legislators in supportIn cases such as this, legislators may need pressure from their constituents and other citizens in order to be swayedThe more newsworthy the legislation becomes, the more engaged the public will be and the easier it will be for your organization to mobilize supporters to contact their legislatorsStrategy Determining Your VolumeWhen awareness of the laws existence is important in it of itselfIf legislation isnt newsworthy, most people wont know that a given law has changedExample: law mandating use of seat beltsWhat was the purpose of the law?To minimize the amount of injuries and fatalities caused by automobile accidents by mandating the use of seatbeltsHow is the law enforced?Police officers on traffic patrolIs the law enforced well?Its impossible to catch most individuals violating the lawIf an individual chooses not to wear their seatbelt, there is onl a small chance that they will be spotted by an officer and cited for the violation.Similar to other traffic violations, such as rolling through a stop sign in a residential community, most of the time, violators will not be citedIf the law isnt enforced well, how can you improve the likelihood of the legislations purpose being accomplished?Strategy Determining Your VolumeWhen awareness of the laws existence is important in it of itself (continued)By making legislation newsworthy, you can increase awareness of the underlying issue that the legislation is designed to addressUsing the seatbelt example, when the law was being discussed in the news, the public became:More aware that the law was going to be passed and the penalties associated with violating itFamiliarized with statistics related to the number of fatalities that could have been prevented had seatbelts been wornExposed to several tragedies that could have been prevented by the use of seatbeltsEach of the above points increase the likelihood that individuals will change their behaviorThe PR opportunity that can come with the passage of legislation can be very important to advancing an organizations causeStrategy Determining Your VolumeWhen strengthening the brand of an organization is importantHaving a piece of legislation passed is a major accomplishment that could boost the credibility/level of public knowledge of your organizationStrategy Determining Your VolumeWhen may you wish to avoid making your legislation newsworthy?When the bill is making minor changes to existing legislationSometimes, problems with a piece of legislation will only be revealed after it has been passed and its implementation has begunLegislation which changes aspects of existing policy that relate to basic procedural or implementation issues may be able to garner a sufficient level of support from legislators relatively easilyThis is especially true if the legislations sponsor ensures the focus remains on the procedural or implementation issues, and not the question of whether or not the previously-passed legislation should existMaking this type of legislation newsworthy may threaten the likelihood of the legislation being passedSince this legislation is designed just to address minor issues with the original policy, you may want to avoid rehashing the issue of the original policy especially if it was controversialSignificant media attention is likely to do this, particularly if opposing politicians view it as a way to score easy political points (think of the example of Obamacare in Congress)Strategy Determining Your VolumeWhen may you wish to avoid making your legislation newsworthy?When the purpose of the bill could be easily spunIf the purpose of the legislation could be easily spun by political opposition hoping to score a victory, a quieter approach may be preferred to avoid the threat posed by political gamesmanshipThis is especially true if you are confident that you already have the support of legislators that you need to pass the legislationStrategy: CompromiseYou should be prepared to give on portions of your bill, especially if it is controversialIf your bill has more room for compromise, it may be easier to garner support from legislators looking for give and takeIf your bill has too much room for compromise, it may be viewed from the start as too extreme and not given the consideration you are hoping forStrategy: MessageWhat kind of public dialogue are you hoping to encourage?Once you have answered this question, a simple way to develop your basic message is to create an elevator pitchIf you meet somebody in an elevator that asks you about your legislation, you might have about 30 seconds to describe it to themWhat would you say in those 30 seconds?What are the most important elements of the legislation?What is the goal of the legislation?What do you want the takeaway of the 30-second conversation to be?The legislation should be written to match the message you are trying to send to the publicStrategy: MessageTalking points should be established that are consistent with the legislationWhy is this important?Remember: if you do not set the tone for the public dialogue on your legislation, somebody else willIf you dont frame the message, it may be your opposition that doesSince the framing of the message can greatly impact the outcome of your efforts, this must be a priority Strategy: CarriersWho do you want to be the carrier of your message?Legislators?Interest Groups?Concerned citizens?Lobbyists?Whats the difference?Strategy: CarriersQuestions to ask:Who are the people best positioned to make the case for your legislation?Is the issue political in a way that would position a political party (and legislators belonging to that party) to present the legislation?Are there interest groups, well-known to the public, who would make strong partners on the legislation?Have you identified any citizens whose personal background (their story) would make them a strong advocate for your legislation?Does your organization know any lobbyists whose professional experience, and political networks, would enable them to be a particularly effective message carrier?Strategy: CarriersThe individuals and groups that you select to carry your legislations message are criticalThey will become the face of your legislationYou want to ensure that the face of your legislation is consistent its spiritThe face of your legislation should be a person that will be received favorably by the publicAdvocacyHow does a normal citizen influence policymakers?Many different techniquesExamples:Emails/letters to policymakerMeeting with legislatorsPetitionsLetters to the editor

Advocacy: Emails/letters to policymakersInterest groups have, for a long time, used letter-writing campaigns to exert pressure on elected officialsHow it works:Interest groups have certain goals that they are trying to accomplishInterest groups have lists of members/other individuals whose goals may align with the groupsWhen an opportunity for the group to advance its goals presents itself say, a piece of legislation related to the goal is under consideration by the Legislative Assembly the interest group may mobilize its members by organizing a letter-writing campaignAdvocacy: Emails/letters to policymakersHow it works (continued):They begin by notifying their members/supporters of the issue at hand, and why they should care about itNext, they ask the supporter to contact their elected official and urge them to take a certain stance on the issueAdvocacy: Emails/letters to policymakersStrategyThe group could provide the supporter with a prewritten letter (a letter template) that only requires a signatureThis is less genuineElected officials (or, more likely, their staff) may be less swayed by a flurry of identical, professionally written letters than they would be by personally written onesProviding supporters with pre-written letters may result in a larger volume of letters being submitted, but the value of each will be less than if they were personally written letters

Advocacy: Emails/letters to policymakersStrategyPersonally-Written LettersWhile more genuine than templates, there are significant disadvantages of this approach as wellBecause it takes more time to draft a letter than to merely write your signature on one, the volume of personally-written letters submitted will be smaller than if prewritten letters were providedAn organizations communications staff is likely able to compose a stronger letter than t he average citizenThey will know exactly what to include in the letter (applicable facts, history of the issue, etc.)They will know how to style the letterAdvocacy: Emails/letters to policymakersStrategyPersonally-Written LettersIf an organization chooses not to provide prewritten letters to its members, they should take steps to mitigate these disadvantagesOptions can include providing supporters with:A list of key talking points, including basic arguments along with any particularly compelling dataThe name and contact information for the office of the supporters elected officialAn example of a letter used for another issue so that the supporter has something to go off of when drafting their ownSupplies, such as a stamp and envelope

Advocacy: Emails/letters to policymakersModern technology has simplified this process quite a bitEmails can now be used for citizens to contact elected officials in a manner similar to lettersMuch easier for groups to mobilize supportersRather than contacting them via phone calls or snail-mail, they can send out an email blast in an instantThey can also utilize social media to create a buzz around a topic of interest, and spread their message beyond their core group of supportersAdvocacy: Emails/letters to policymakersSimilarly, interest groups can organize a phone-call campaign to accomplish similar goalsPhone calls are another methods groups can use to gain the attention of policymakersRather than organizing supporters to write/send letters to elected officials, groups push them to make phone callsThis method may be harder for elected officials (particularly their staff) to ignoreIts easy to ignore a barrage of emails, but harder to ignore persistent phone ringingSome supporters may see this as a quicker opportunity to advocate for an issue than drafting a letterOther supporters may be intimidated by the ideaAdvocacy: Emails/letters to policymakersWhat should you include in a letter?A brief description of the issue you are concerned aboutAn explanation of why this issue represents a problem (tell the elected official specifically why this issue matters to them, that is, why they should be concerned about it too)A statement of what you would like the elected official to doWhy are you sending them this letter?Is it for them to take a certain stance on an upcoming vote?Are you asking for them to introduce new legislation?Lay out what you envision to be the solution to the problem you previously described, and explain what role you would like to see the elected official play in making that solution a realityAdvocacy: Emails/letters to policymakersOther comments about drafting letters to elected officials:Be respectful and courteous, even if you disagree with the policymaker or are upset with them for previous actionsBehaving in any other manner will accomplish little beyond diminishing your credibility and damaging your capability to influence themUse professional language make sure you use proper grammar, correct spelling, etc.Make sure to include your name, title (if applicable), and contact informationNote: during this section, the phrase interest groups was used to reference the group organizing the letter-writing campaign. Remember that it doesnt necessarily take a formal interest group, or even an organized group at all, to conduct a letter-writing campaign. A group o concerned citizens can be just as capable at organizing the effort as a formal interest group.Advocacy: Meeting with legislatorsPotentially the most effective way to get your message across is through a physical, face-to-face meeting with your legislatorWhy is this effective?You can communicate a lot of information in a 30-minute meetingAny questions that your legislator may have can be answered by you right awayTaking the time to set up a meeting with your legislators shows him/her that you truly care about the issue

Advocacy: Meeting with legislatorsHow do you set up a meeting with your legislator?The best way to do it is probably to call or email themIntroduce any topics to them that you are interested in discussingProvide them with context for the discussion in advanceExplain exactly why you would like to meet, and propose possible timesRemember that during the legislative session, your legislator has a busy schedule meeting with constituents should be an important component of that schedule, but it isnt the only one and you may have to be flexible on timeDuring session, your legislator will also be spending most of his or her time in Bismarck, so this may be where you will have to meet with themOutside of legislative sessions, remember that your legislator may also have a full-time job and many other obligations, so be understanding if they arent able to meet with you right awayAdvocacy: Meeting with your legislatorAdditional notes about meeting with your legislatorDress professionally this will boost your credibilityBring printouts with any information that you want your legislator to take away from their meetingPrintout may include key figures, historical context of the issue, etc.Plan out, in advance, the points you would like to discuss this will maximize the value of the meeting for both you and the legislatorAdvocacy: PetitionsPetitions are a great way to capture the opinions of citizens in a tangible formHow it works:Organizers draft a petition explaining the issue of concern (theh problem) and a proposed course of action (the solution) that signers of the petition are expressing support forNext, organizers should set a goal for how many signatures they would like to collectThe collection of signatures can take place through a variety of methodsExamples may include tabling at high-traffic areas (such as on college campuses), having a booth at the state fair, or having volunteers walking around at a tailgateAdvocacy: PetitionsThe collection of signatures can take place through a variety of methods (continued)Circulating online petitionsThis has been a very popular method for groups to utilize since the birth of the internetEven the White House has a platform for citizens to create petitions and collect signaturesIf a petition reaches an established number of signatures, the White House says they will issue a responseMany free websites exist for citizens to circulate online petitionsExamples include iPetitions (http://www.ipetitions.com/) and Change.org (http://www.change.org/petition)Online petitions may be easier to organize than print petitionsEasier to reach a large population virtually than in personAn email sent to an organizations list of supporters, or a link shared on Facebook may amount in the petition receiving a large amount of signatures more quickly than if the petition was circulated in person

Advocacy: PetitionsOnce the group has reached their signature goal (or the end of their timeline), they can present the petition to the applicable policymakersGroups can also share the petition with media outlets to obtain free publicity for their cause, and to boost public awarenessThis is an important aspect of the petition processThese type of petitions are not just about collecting signaturesThey are also about giving groups an opportunity to talk to citizens about a certain issue and bringing attention to that issueAdvocacy: Letters to the EditorFlip through your local newspaper until you reach the opinion section and youre sure to find several letters to the editor covering a variety of topicsUsually, they have to do with some sort of political issueSome are in regard to an article published by that newspaperOthers may come in response to another letter to the editor that had been previously published in the newspaperLetters to the editor (LTEs) are a medium for everyday citizens to have their voice heardWhat many people do not realize, however, is that plenty of the LTEs appearing on the opinion page of your newspaper may not have been written by the person whose name appears at the bottom Advocacy: Letters to the EditorPolitical parties, candidates, and interest groups all can benefit if they are able to influence the public dialogueTo help steer the conversation, they strive to fill the opinion pages with as much content favorable to their cause as possibleOften, staff members for these groups will draft letters to the editor in various styles and including different content, and then find others to sign the letter and submit it to the newspaper in their nameWhy is this beneficial to the group?They can control the content appearing in the letterThe content is favorableThe message comes through a medium that appears to be grassroots, which may have more sway with the general public

Advocacy: Letters to the EditorWhat do you include in a Letter to the Editor?LTEs are short most newspapers set a limit for submissions in the neighborhood of 250 words so you need to be very concise with your messageBegin by opening the letter with a basic salutation; if you are referencing an article or letter that ran in a previous issue, be sure to cite it here (title of article, page number, and date)Get your readers attentionIf a reader is trying ton flip through the entire newspaper in their 5-minute breakfast before they leave for work, they scan (or entirely skip) most articlesInclude something at the beginning of your letter that captures the readers attention Describe what the subject of the letter is (and why its important!) and provide any necessary background/content:What topic are you writing this letter in regard to?Why is this topic relevant now as opposed to last month?Has something happened recently that the reader needs to be made aware of?What information do you have to share on the subject?Advocacy: Letters to the EditorWhat do you include in a Letter to the Editor?Take a stance on the issueYou arent just writing to inform the readerYou are writing in the hopes that you can influence the way they think about a certain issueBefore you can do that, you need to tell the reader how you feel about the issue!If you are writing to praise or express support for someone/something, do it nowIf you are writing to criticize or express opposition to someone/something, do it now!Remember: whenever you express an opinion, make to explain why your stance is justifiedPropose a solutionIf you arent satisfied with the status quo, then what do you think should be done to improve it?

Advocacy: Letters to the EditorWhat do you include in a Letter to the Editor?If you have a professional or general life experience which lends you particular credibility on the issue you are writing about, be sure to mention it!This will enhance your ability to share your messageBe sure to add a title to your letterIf you do not add one, they will create one for you! The more control you can have over your piece, the betterEmphasize: Letters to the Editor are short!If you go beyond the newspapers word limit, they may still run the piece in its entirety. However, its also very likely that they will take one of two other routes, neither of which are favorable1) Not run your piece at all2) Run your piece, but cut parts of it to make it fit the word limitThey wont spend time identifying the best place in the piece to make cuts, so this process could damage your piece (it may hurt the flow of the piece, it could remove a critical part of your argument, etc.)Neither of these options is idealTakeaway: stay within the word limitAdvocacy: Letters to the EditorWhat do you include in a Letter to the Editor?Letters to the editor must have your name on themMost newspapers will not run anonymous letters to the editor in order to promote the spirit of public debateIf you are going to be provided a platform to make your arguments or attacks, you need to associate your name with themWhere do you send them?The easiest way to submit a letter to the editor is online, though you can also physically mail in a letter to the editorMailing address, applicable email address, or page for online submission can be easily found on the website of most newspapers, or on the opinion pageWhen do you send them?If a newspaper decides to run a letter, it will usually appear in the paper within a few days of your submissionSend in your letter while the issue you are writing about is still relevant (if in regard to an article run by the newspaper, submit your letter within just a couple of days)Advocacy: SummaryMethods covered:Emails/Letters to policymakersMeeting with your legislatorPetitionsLetters to the editorThese are NOT the only ways that an individual or group can advocate for an issue they care aboutMany other methods of communicating your message and having influence on the policymaking process existFind the methods that work for your organization and take advantage of them

Bringing it back into focusNot every leader in the nursing community is going to be engaged in the legislative processThats okThe legislature is not the only group tasked with developing the policies that have an impact on our livesOther examples can range from your local school board to a community foundationWorking through these organizations may allow a leader to make a significant impactHow does this apply to the other content that has been covered in this presentation?

Bringing it back into focusIf you have an understanding of how you can make an impact in the legislative process, then you can also make an impact in other areas of policymakingAll of the tools and processes that have been covered can be applied outside of the legislative processIdentifying problemsCrafting solutionsMarketingGathering supportAdvocacyBringing it back into focusAs individuals, nurses have the potential to be incredibly influentialNursing is the most trusted industry in the countryWith that trust comes an ability to influence othersIf there is an issue that you care about, you have a unique ability to help others understand why they should care about it as wellHow do I get involved?Bringing it back into focusFirst, what issues are you particularly passionate about?Examples:HealthcareChild safetyEducationConservationBringing it back into focusNext, what kind of groups/government organizations are working the issues that are important to you?This list may include: NonprofitsCommunity foundationsPTASchool BoardCity CouncilLabor unionBringing it back into focusHow can I get involved with these groups/local government organizations?Many organizations, particularly local groups, are always looking for volunteersIf you know somebody in an organization or community group that you are interested in becoming a part of, talk to them about how you can get involvedIf you dont know anybody, ask around!Find a friend that might know one of the membersLook on their website for a contact-person and make a call!Bringing it back into focusEverybody has issues that they care aboutEverybody has opportunities through which they can make a differencesEvery citizen, especially those in the nursing profession, have an obligation to do what they can to make a positive differenceBy finding which organizations best align with the issues you care about, you can make that differenceReview: Learning ObjectivesAt the beginning of the presentation, there were three key learning objectives. They were:Why should nurses be engaged/involved in the policy process?How can nurses influence the process?How can nurses make sure that their voices are heard?Review: Learning ObjectivesObjective #1: Why should nurses be informed/engaged in the policymaking process?There are issues that you care about, and that you can have an impact on by getting involved in the processNursing is the most trusted profession, and with that trust comes an obligation to bring attention to important issues of concern to the general publicJust because you are not staying informed/engaged in the process, DOES NOT mean that others are not. Another way to put it: if you arent trying to make a difference (at any level, ranging from your neighborhood association to the state legislature), somebody else is, but it may not be the difference that you want to see.The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.Review: Learning ObjectivesObjective #2: How can nurses influence the process?Raising awareness of important issuesTalk to your friends, family, and peers about the issuesShare news stories on social mediaWrite letters to the editor about things you care aboutGetting involvedJoin organizations, volunteer to serve on the boards of organizations you care about, get active with the PTA or your neighborhood association do something!Write letters, send emails, or make calls to your legislator when relevant issues come upMeet with your legislator and lobby them on the issues you care aboutVOTE!Review: Learning ObjectivesObjective #3: How can nurses make sure that their voices are heard?If you speak, your voice will be heard!Remember all of the different ways you can communicate your messageLetters & emailsPhone callsSocial mediaLetters to the editorNewslettersGet other people involved!Your friends and family probably have similar values to you that means that they likely care about the same issues you care aboutShare information with them, and get them engaged too!Two voices is louder than one (the more voices, the stronger the message)