Legislative Advocacy 101

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Legislative Advocacy 101

• Presented by
• LuAnn Madsen
• Madsen Wright, Inc.

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Madsen Wright, Inc.

• The team consists of professionals and political
  operatives that have represented clients
  interests before the
• General Assembly and Executive Branch since 1986.
• 107A E. High St., Suite 201
• Jefferson City, Missouri
• [phone]
• www.mwimo.com

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Madsen Wright, Inc.
LuAnn Madsen Is an attorney and has been a
contract lobbyist for over 25 years. She has also
served as a local assistant prosecutor, on the
legal staff in multiple capacities for the
Missouri Bar, and as an adjunct instructor at UCM
(Warrensburg), and State Fair Community College.
She is a Past President of the Missouri Society
of Association Executives, and currently serves
on the Board of Directors of the Missouri Society
of Governmental Consultants. In her spare time
she teaches tap dancing and choreographs shows
for community theater.
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Advocacy vs. Lobbying

• How is advocacy different from lobbying?
• Lobbying is only one kind of advocacy.
• Not all advocacy is lobbying but all lobbying is
  advocacy.

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What is Advocacy?

• The Latin roots of the verb advocate include
  vocare, to call, and vox, voice. Advocacy
  means speaking out, answering a call.
• Advocacy encompasses a broad range of
  activities that can influence public debate and
  policy decisions.
• Through advocacy, people and organizations seek
  to influence the laws, policies, and systems that
  affect entire communities.

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What is Advocacy? (cont.)

• Effective advocacy can include
• Educating the public and policy makers about
  issues of concern.
• Attempting to influence legislation.
• Working to shape the development of governmental
  agency rules and regulations.
• Litigating on public policy issues.
• Educating voters and candidates about policy
  issues.
• Ensuring that underrepresented communities have a
  voice in the policy process.

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Why Advocate?

• Effective advocacy enables a nonprofit to shape
  the public debate on important social issues and
  ensure that underserved communities have a voice
  in the policies that impact their lives.
• Advocacy is the number one way nonprofits can
  advance the issues they care about and help bring
  about systemic, lasting change for the people
  they serve.

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Types of Advocacy?

• Organizing Build power at the base.
• Educate Legislators Provide information on
  issues.
• Educating the Public about the Legislative
  Process Introduce communities and constituencies
  to the legislators whose represent them.
• Research Produce relevant resources that reflect
  the real story of your community.
• Organizing a rally Mobilize for your cause.
• Regulatory efforts Take action at the agencies.

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Types of Advocacy? (cont.)

• Public education Educate the community on the
  issues.
• Nonpartisan voter education Inform the
  electorate on the issues.
• Nonpartisan voter mobilization Encourage
  citizens to vote.
• Educational conferences Gather, network, share
  information, and plan for the future.
• Training.
• Litigation Win in court for your cause or your
  community.
• Lobbying Advocate for or against specific
  legislation.

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What/Who is an Advocate?

• Generic term for a person who represents a
  clients interest before federal, state and/or
  local government.
• Similar to how an attorney represents a clients
  interests in a court of law.
• Can be a volunteer or employee of any company,
  association, government agency or like-minded
  group.
• Most commonly think of a hired-gun or lobbyist
  who can be a person or firm, acting as an
  independent contractor on behalf of a special
  interest that hires them to represent their
  interests.

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What/Who is a Advocate (cont.)

• Almost anyone can be a Advocate or Lobbyist
• Any profession (or non-profession)
• Dont have to be an attorney, but it is often an
  advantage.
• Ability to meet people, develop relationships,
  and process lots of information happening at once
  is also helpful.
• Every state is different
• There are virtually no two states alike when it
  comes to lobbying. Each has a unique set of
  rules and laws governing how lobbying may be
  conducted.
• Lobbying on the Federal level is also very
  different.
• Discussion can be its own presentation.

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Missouri General Assembly

• Bicameral State Legislature (two chambers House
  Senate)
• 34 State Senators
• Must be 30 years old
• Limited to serving two four-year terms for a
  total of eight years.
• Each represents approximately 176,145 people
• 163 State Representatives
• Must be 24 years old
• Limited to serving four two-year terms for a
  total of eight years.
• Each represents approximately 36,742 people
• Federal (Congress or The Hill)
• 2 - U.S. Senators six-year terms
• Each state has two representing the entire state.
• 2012 Missouri has eight (8) U.S. Representatives
  two-year terms
• Each represents approximately 621,690 people
• NOTE The Missouri General Assembly/State
  Legislature is not referred to as Congress or
  The Hill.

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Missouri General Assembly (cont.)

• Each General Assembly convenes for two
  consecutive, one-year sessions.
• 2011 was the 1st Regular Session of the 96th
  General Assembly. 2012 was the 2nd Regular
  Session.
• 2013 was the 1st Regular Session of the 97th
  General Assembly. 2014 is the 2nd Regular
  Session.
• An Extraordinary Session, commonly called
  special sessions, may be convened when it is
  called by the governor for special purposes.
• December 1st is the first day bills may be filed
  for the upcoming session.
• The State Constitution says each Legislative
  Session begins on the first Wednesday, after the
  first Monday in January and ends on the second
  Friday, after the first Monday in May
  (approximately 80 legislative days).
• The State Constitution requires that the state
  budget be passed by the first Friday after the
  first Monday in May.

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Missouri General Assembly (cont.)

• Results of November 2012 Elections
• 67 Total New Legislators (34)
• 54 (33) new House members
• 13 (38) new Senate members (10 were former House
  members)
• General Assembly make up as of January 2014
• House -108 Republicans / 52 Democrats / 3
  Vacancies
• Senate - 24 Republicans / 9 Democrats / 1 Vacancy

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Missouri General Assembly (cont.)

• Important Websites
• Missouri Senate http//www.senate.mo.gov/
• Missouri House http//www.house.mo.gov/
• Governor Jay Nixon http//governor.mo.gov/
• House/Senate Bills Tracking -
• http//www.house.mo.gov/billcentral.aspx?pid26

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Missouri General Assembly (cont.)

• Missouri General Assembly Website
• http//www.moga.mo.gov/
• Links to House, Senate and Statewide Officials
  Websites
• Bill Search
• Fiscal Notes
• Legislator Contact Info, Bios and Votes
• Missouri Statutes
• Code of State Regulations
• Frequently Asked for Resources
• http//www.moga.mo.gov/question.htm

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Frequently Asked for Resources
How to Address Government OfficialsMissouri
Representatives E-mail AddressesContacting the
Governor's OfficeState of Missouri Home PageWho
is my Representative and/or Senator?Who are my
County officials?Who are my US
Representatives?Missouri Senate E-mail
AddressesMissouri State StatutesMissouri
ConstitutionDriver and Automobile
LicensingState SymbolsBirth Death
RecordsTerm LimitsCandidate Filing
InformationGlossary of Terms
House and Senate Joint Bill SearchTax Forms,
Tables and ChartsProfessional LicensingStarting
a New BusinessUtilities RegulationCode of State
Regulation (CSRs)Administrative RulesMissouri
JudiciaryVoting ElectionsBallot IssuesJob
Opportunities in State GovernmentBid
OpportunitiesState Boards CommissionsStatutes
Popular Name TableMissouri Ethics Commission
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Im Just a Bill!

• How a bill becomes a law? (see House website)
• How are bills created?
• Legislative sponsor(s) and champions
• Bill drafting/writing language
• Proponents, Opponents, Coalitions, Allies,
  Colleagues, Mutual Interests, Amendments, and
  Substitutes
• sausage and laws
• How does a bill become a law?
• 2000 introduced vs. 200 passed

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Im Just a Bill! (cont.)

• HBs/SBs versus
• Bills with referendum clause
• Joint Resolutions
• Requires public vote
• Concurrent Resolutions
• Message to Federal Government
• Courtesy Resolutions
• Certificate Suitable for Framing
• Which Version?
• Printed, Online, Substitute, LR

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Tracking Legislation Reports

• How Legislation is Tracked?
• Read Physical Bills
• Mark Them as Potential Interest
• Follow on our Tracking Report
• GovWatch Reports
• Frequent Communication, Legislative Committee,
  and other appropriate coalition members.
• Reports sent for distribution.

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Legislative Advocacy

• Establish and build personal relationships
• Legislators and their staffs
• Executive Branch, including governors office,
  department division decision makers, and
  regulatory agencies
• Educate about current policy status
• Whats good or bad?
• How Missouris policy(s) compare to other states,
  and how the policy(s) impacts Missouris
  competitive position?
• Educate about desired policy changes
• Why change is better than status quo?
• Who is impacted (positively or negatively)
• Who will or will not benefit?
• Additional positive or negative impacts?
• What is/are the cost(s) of desired changes?

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Legislative Advocacy (cont.)

• Scheduling an appointment Communication
  Courtesies
• When making an appointment, state the subject to
  be discussed and identify persons who will
  attend, noting whether they are constituents.
• In-District or Capitol? In the office or in the
  hallway?
• Time Expectations? How long will you need?
• Will there be media coverage?
• Use of Titles
• First Name
• Representative or Senator (name)

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Legislative Advocacy (cont.)

• Select a spokesperson if others are going with
  you, and agree on your presentation in advance of
  your meeting.
• Know the facts, both legislatively and related to
  your position. If discussing a bill, know the
  number and title.
• Present the facts in an orderly, concise,
  positive manner. Stay on the issue. Don't try to
  talk about too many different topics or your
  position may become confused.

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Legislative Advocacy (cont.)

• Relate the positive impact of legislation you
  support and the problem(s) it corrects. If you
  are affected personally, tell them your story,
  and how an issue will impact you or your
  profession.
• Relate the negative impact of legislation you
  oppose and the problem(s) it would create.
• Leave fact sheets if possible.
• Encourage questions. Be prepared to discuss.

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Legislative Advocacy (cont.)

• Ask for favorable consideration, thank the
  legislator for his/her time and courtesy, and
  leave promptly.
• Be sure to get the name of staff members in the
  legislators office, especially those in charge
  of setting appointments and covering your issue.

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Legislative Advocacy (cont.)

• Follow up with a note of thanks. Sometimes, its
  good to carry some cards with you, so you can
  write notes immediately after your meeting, and
  mail them on your way out of town (there is a
  USPS with drop boxes on the street across the
  street from the Capitol).
• You may end up meeting with a staff member
  instead of the Legislator if he/she is called
  away for votes or committee business. The staffer
  will convey your message to the Legislator.

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Initiative Petitions

• Statutory
• Need signatures equal to 5 of the vote for
  governor in last general election in six of the
  nine congressional districts.
• Constitutional
• Need signatures equal to 8 of the vote for
  governor in last general election in six of the
  nine congressional districts.
• NOTE Both petitions must be turned in by first
  part of May.
• A new political tactic is to file joint
  resolutions in the legislature to flush out
  supporters, opponents and campaign messages.

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Missouri General Assembly (cont.)

• Education Specific Policy Issues
• Teacher Performance and Evaluation
• Amendment 3
• Common Core Standards
• Missouri Specific Implementation
• Fully Funding the Foundation Formula
• Impacts of Tax Cuts, Tax Credits, and
  Withholdings
• Protecting the Religious Liberties of Students
  and Parents.
• Vouchers
• Public Money for Private Education
• Public School Retirement System
• Defined Contribution vs Defined Benefit

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Missouri General Assembly (cont.)

• Overarching State Policy Issues
• Economic Development Job Creation
• Tax Reforms
• Fair Tax (replace income and property taxes
  with one state sales tax)
• Redesign to Eliminate all State Tax Credits
• TABOR (Constitutional State Government Spending
  Reduction)
• Redesign of Missouris Court Plan and Civil Court
  Laws
• Budget
• Spending Reductions
• Structural Changes (tax credit reforms, program
  cuts, fees for service, privatization, etc.)
• Transparency at All Levels (State, County, City,
  Schools, Public Higher Ed)
• Right to Work laws (attacking Organized Labor)
• Change Missouris Minimum Wage Law
• Medicaid Reforms
• Health Insurance, TANF Time-Limits,

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Madsen Wright, Inc.

• Thank You for the Work You Do and Your Attention
  Today!