Budget Advocacy 101

1
Budget Advocacy 101
2
Federal Sources Provided More Than One-Third of
Ohios Total Revenues in 2007
State Sources 27.7 billion
Federal Sources 15.7 billion
Source OBM
3
Government Provides More Than 96 of Cuyahoga
Countys Major Health and Social Service Spending
(three year average)
Gund Fdn 3 million
Cleveland Foundation 31 million
United Way 33 million
County General Fund 209 million
10
86
State Human Service Subsidies 1.7 billion
4
What is a Public Budget?

• A series of goals with price tags attached
• A political document
• An instrument of planning
• A means of balancing revenues and expenditures
• A semi-judicial process where agencies come to
  the legislature to plead their case
• An instrument of gubernatorial or presidential
  policy
• A system of control without which agencies would
  bankrupt states in two years
• Public relations

5
The Budget Cycle
Preparation Submission
Legislative Review Appropriations
Oversight
Execution
6
The Federal Budget Calendar
7
The State Budget Calendar
8
The budget process at the state and federal
levels are similar

• Begins with the introduction of executive budget
  in February
• Departments testify near the beginning of the
  process
• Committee activity is important
• There are multiple bills that comprise the budget
• The budgets are evaluated by a non-partisan
  legislative body (CRS for Fed, LSC for Ohio)
• Have a statutory deadline

9
The budget process at the state and federal
levels are different

• Ohio must balance its budget, the feds can run a
  deficit
• Ohio budgets for two years, the feds budget every
  year
• Ohios fiscal year runs July 1 June 30, the
  federal fiscal year runs Oct 1 Sept 30
• Ohios budget and appropriations are in one bill,
  the feds do them separately
• Ohio must meet its deadline, the feds can pass
  continuing resolutions

10
Key Budget Players

• Legislators Caucus Staff
• Administration Officials
• Governors Staff
• Agency Directors
• Legislative Leadership
• Department Staff
• Legislative Staff
• Committee Members

11
Why Advocate?

• Policymakers need your expertise
• Advocacy helps people
• The views of local organizations are important
• Advocacy advances your cause and builds public
  trust

12
How can I advocate effectively?

• Work with other agencies
• Stay informed about issues and legislation
• Engage the community
• Use the media
• Communicate with legislators
• Relationships Information

13
Strategies and Tactics
14
Strategies and Tactics

• Develop concrete proposals early
• Maintain a continuous presence in the policy
  arena
• Cultivate credibility
• Invite lawmakers to meet and observe
• Use every opportunity to testify
• Enlist known community leaders
• Maintain focus on objectives

15
Basics of Budget Advocacy Common Pitfalls

• Day late, dollar short
• Engaging only at budget time
• Soft Ask
• Authorization vs. Appropriation
• Simply filling out the form

16
Additional Resources

• Coalitions Human Service Advocates Network,
  Have a Heart Ohio, Campaign to Protect Ohios
  Future, Ohio Federal Budget Coalition
• Websites Tools for the Budget Advocate
• Books Follow the Money, The Nonprofit Lobbying
  Guide
• Trainings General advocacy, budget training
  academies

17
Budget Advocacy 101Emily Campbellecampbell_at_Com
munitySolutions.com