How and What to Communicate with Your Congressional Leaders

1
How and What to Communicate with Your
Congressional Leaders

• A Presentation to NATOA by TeleCommUnity
• Michael Bracy Gerry Lederer
• September 21, 2005
• Washington,DC

2
Presenters

• Gerry Lederer

• Mike Bracy

3
Program Outline

• Effective Advocacy Basic Steps Michael Bracy
• Effective Advocacy The State of Play and
  Messages
• Gerry Lederer

4
Understanding Washington

• Power Comes From Three Sources
• Money
• Information
• Ability to Reach an Audience
• Every Policy Decision is a
• Risk/Reward Calculation

5
Communicating with Elected Leaders

• Identifying the Members role
• Scheduling the Meeting
• Meeting Preparation
• The Meeting
• Follow-Up

6
Identifying the Members Role

• On what committees does the member serve?
• How involved is the member in this issue?
• What position has the member taken on the issue
  in the past?
• Is the member a friend or foe? A champion?

7
Scheduling the Meeting

• Identify existing relationships with staff
• Note any previous interaction with staff
• Identify points of mutual interest (upcoming
  events, specific actions being taken, etc.)
• Assess how much time
• to ask for

8
Meeting Preparation

• Research past legislation on the issue that the
  member has introduced, co-sponsored, supported,
  or discussed.
• Identify the members position on any related
  issues.
• Limit the number of people attending the meeting.
• Assign talking points.

9
The Meeting

• Maintain a friendly demeanor - avoid
  confrontation
• Remind the staffer of past support and success
• Ask questions to determine the members current
  position on the issue

10
Follow Up

• Thank the member or staffer for meeting with you
• Promptly send any materials were requested during
  the meeting
• Schedule the next meeting or follow up call with
  staff

11
The State of Play

• Applying Advocacy Tools and Shared Messages

12
Brand X Fallout

• FCC Affirmed Emboldened?
• Bells pushing for the perceived advantages of
  interstate information services and national
  franchise.
• Threat does not reside only in Congress.

13
Commerce Committees - Parallel Processes

• The Fundamental Issue Facing Policy Makers -
  Managing Transition from Analog to Digital
  Telecommunications Framework

• Closed-door leadership negotiations.
• Attempts at consensus building.
• Timeline is unclear, but nearing.
• Katrina slowed but did not derail effort.

14
Marker Legislation

• National Franchise
• House Staff Draft
• Ensign Bill (S. 1504)
• Smith/Rockefeller (S. 1349) Blackburn/Wynn
  Bills (H.R. 3146)
• Muni-Provisioning
• House Staff Draft
• McCain/Lautenberg (S. 1294)
• Sessions Bill (H.R. 2726)

15
Marker Legislation

• DTV Transition
• Slaughter - Low-Power Radio Expansion/Protection
• Hinchey - Media Ownership Rollback

16
Talking Points -- Vision

• Preserve local authority to manage public rights
  of way for the benefit of everyone.
• Protect local authority to establish taxes that
  are consistent with local needs and maintain
  adequate revenue.

17
Talking Points -- Vision

• Protect and enhance local ability to provide for
  homeland and hometown security.
• Recognize local roles in promoting
  nondiscriminatory access to the full range of
  communications services.

18
The Asks -- Please

• National Franchise
• Do not nationalize franchising.
• Do not co-sponsor any bill without checking at
  home.

19
The Asks -- Please

• Muni-Provisioning
• Protect local governments ability to facilitate
  or offer advanced communications services to
  their citizens.
• Co-sponsor S.1294 to protect local governments
  authority to offer these services.
• Oppose H.R.2726.

20
The Asks -- Please

• Public Safety Spectrum
• Move quickly to adopt a firm date for
  broadcasters to return digital television
  spectrum for use by local first responders.

21
The Asks --Please

• Any reform of the collection and administration
  of communications taxes must preserve local
  authority to collect revenue consistent with
  local needs and treat like services alike.

22
Be Wary of the Deal

• Congress wants to please everyone
• Outline of a proposed deal include
• 5 Franchise Fee
• Right of Way Management
• PEG Capacity
• Must articulate why this
• deal is unacceptable.

23
Models of Successful Engagement

• Invite Members to tour facilities
• Town Hall Meetings
• Press Events
• Introductions to Compelling Community Leaders
• Build Alliances with like-minded advocates (Free
  Press, Common Cause, Alliance for Community
  Media, National Hispanic Media Coalition, etc.)

24
Q A
25
Please Join Us

• Miller Van Eaton is having a reception this
  evening.
• Please join us.
• 1155 Connecticut Ave
• Suite 100
• (Corner of M Connecticut) 700 to ????