Takin It Up

1
Takin It Up!
Im just a kid BUT I have passion!
by Amy Litzinger
2
Who is a legislator?

• A person elected to make laws.
• Attends a legislative session (over several
  months) helping to create bills and pass them.
• Gives input to the budget.

3


4
There are 435 Representatives in the House (in
D.C.) and mine is...
U.S. Representative Lamar Smith
5
What happens after our Congress writes and passes
bills? Answer Presidents sign them!
President George HW Bush
Senator Tom Harkin
Rep. Steny Hoyer
Me!
Lex Friedan former NCD chair
6
Now for our legislators within Texas
In Texas, Kirk Watson is my state senator.
Me!
7
Representative Mark Strama is my state
representative, here in Austin!
8
Here we are at Strama-rama,
a campaign party,
I interned for him last summer.
9
Gov. Rick Perry is our Texas
Governor. He signs bills that our
state legislature passes!
10
Why do we need to know these guys?

• They control funding for the services that we
  might need in our lifetime!
• Question If we have a Federal Congress
  and a State Congress, then who does what? i.e.
• (Who are ya gonna call?????)

11
It depends on the issueFederal
State

• Public Education
• Early Childhood programs special services.
• Waiting lists for supports such as HCS, CLASS,
  MDCP, etc.
• Funding for attendant care, therapy, equipment,
  home mods.
• Job training from DARS.

• IDEA special education law.
• ADA accessibility in public places.
• Section 504 accessibility in college and work
  places.
• Airline accessibility.
• FCC federal communications commission (TDD, TTY,
  internet and television).

12
Get to know your elected officials.

• Visit them!
• Write letters/call!
• Get on listservs!
• Speak with others!
• Attend bill hearings!
• Get on state committees!

• Get on federal committees!
• Become an officer!
• Take on a project!
• Start your own group!
• Make some noise!!

13
How to be heard

• E-mail
• Telephone calls to legislative offices,
  committee staff
• Letter writing
• Personal testimony in public hearings

14
When to Use Letter Writing

• When you have lots of time.
• To talk about something complicated.
• To educate someone.
• To thank a legislator for supporting your
  issue.
• As a follow-up to a visit with the legislator.

15
When to Use Phone Calls or Emails

• When time is running out!
• When you want to say Thank you to a legislator
  or aide.

16
When to Use Personal Visits

• The legislator is in their district office and
  they have time to see you.
• When you are at the Capitol and a visit can be
  arranged.
• To take your legislator on a tour of a program
  you are involved with.
• To give your issue a face and a name.

17
Texas Legislative Emails

• House of Representatives
• Firstname.lastname_at_house.state.tx.us
• Ex mark.strama_at_house.state.tx.us
• Senate
• firstname.lastname_at_senate.state.tx.us
• Ex scott.caffey_at_senate.state.tx.us

18
During Personal Visits

• Do
• Treat your legislator as a friend and an
  intelligent citizen.
• Know your facts and leave behind a one-page
  summary of your position. (Include your name
  contact information).
• Be honest, accurate, direct, positive, and brief.
• Establish an on-going relationship and a
  reputation for reliability.

• Dont
• Dont be argumentative or abrasive.
• Dont cover more than one subject in one contact.
• Dont threaten a legislator with votes or in any
  other way.
• Dont hesitate to admit you do not know all the
  facts, but indicate you will find out.

19
HOW ELSE MAY I HAVE AN EFFECT?

• Answer Tell your story in a bill hearing (i.e.
  give testimony).

20
Whats a hearing?

• First, here is a hearing committee!
• They consider specific bills on behalf of their
  senate or house.

21
Go tell them your testimony..

• Say where youre from
• Say something special about yourself
• Ask for what you need
• Give a suggestion
• Have they helped you before?
• Dont forget to say Thank you

22
Make sure you include

• What it is you want your legislator to do?
• How do you want them to do it?
• How does this issue relate to you? How is it
  important to others?

23
Get Ready

• Write and re-write it!
• Write down your thoughts
• Start over and make it easier to read, hear and
  say.
• Have a buddy read it and say what they think

• Rehearse it!
• Rehearse for a buddy
• Read your story to me
• See if you need to make it shorter or take out
  tongue-twisters

24
What should I do as I arrive?

• Sign in on a card they will provide.
• Give it to a person at the desk.
• Sit and relax.
• When called up, sit close to the microphone.
• Read or say your testimony (facing the
  committee, not the audience!)
• Say thanks and ask if anyone has questions!

25
Sample Testimonies

• Holton recent testimony
• Amy Litzinger recent testimony
• Good story to use, easy to turn into a testimony.

26
Relax!

• Its okay to be nervous your 1st time.
• They are people, too!
• They want to help us!
• Tomorrow is just a drill!
• We practiced first, you did well.
• Were here to HAVE FUN!!!!

27
Youre a winner!