Legislative Advocacy: Engaging with State Legislators Scott Maltzie, PhD October 2018

Full Disclosure Foster Parent for about 9 years. Education 7 Children Education BS in Business Admin. w/minors in Political Science and Pre-Law MBA & MS in Business Education PhD in Business Administration 10 years in Governor’s Office (Energy) Currently Chairman of Merrimack County Republican Committee

Foster Care is a BIPARTISAN ISSUE

Democracy is not a Spectator Sport It is a “Contact” Sport Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.

Legislative Advocacy— Why be Involved? If you don’t advocate for your children, foster parents, and your family, who will? You can be sure someone will speak up—and they may not have the same information, experience or position as you.

“The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men (or Women) Do Nothing” -Charles F. Aked (1864-1941)

Engaging with State Legislators Effective Advocacy How to be Heard in Concord Advocacy Tips & Tricks Resources

Effective Advocacy Be informed: about the PLAYERS about the PROCESS about the ISSUES

The Big Picture: The Players Governor Chris Sununu House of Representatives Senate Bureaucracy (HHS/DCYF) Executive Council

Executive Council Works with the Governor over the administration of the state. The Executive Council approves the spending of a major portion of the approximately 5.2 billion dollars that is appropriated annually by the legislature. Including all personal service contracts with a value of $10,000 and all contracts with a value of $25,000. The Executive Council approves the appointments of Judges, Commissioners, Notary Public, Justice of Peace, Commissioners of Deeds and hears Pardon Requests. All major executive branch business is conducted in public with the press present. Elected every two years

Executive Council Districts Joseph D. Kenney District 1 Andru Volinsky District 2 Christopher C. Pappas District 4 David K. Wheeler District 5 Russell E. Prescott District 3

New Hampshire General Court The General Court is the third-largest legislature in the English speaking world, behind only the British Parliament and the United States Congress, respectively. State legislators are paid $200 for their two-year term, plus mileage, effectively making them volunteers. The State House is the oldest state capitol in which both houses of the legislature meet in their original chambers.

New Hampshire General Court The very first NH Legislature, the Assembly of 1680, spent time coming up with the definition of a drunkard (“staggers in his going” was one part of it). In 1722 the House required all members to wear a sword during sessions or be fined 1 shilling. The ever-frugal Legislature didn’t install electricity in the Statehouse until 1910, long after many homes had it.

NH House of Representatives Lower house in the New Hampshire General Court 400 members coming from 204 legislative districts across the state, created from divisions of the state's counties. On average, each legislator represents about 3,300 residents. http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/ House Speaker Gene G. Chandler

House Committees Children and Family Law Commerce and Consumer Affairs http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/standingcommittees.aspx Children and Family Law Commerce and Consumer Affairs Criminal Justice and Public Safety Education Election Law Environment and Agriculture Executive Departments and Administration Finance Div. I, II, III Fish and Game and Marine Resources Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Judiciary Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Legislative Administration Municipal and County Government Public Works and Highways Resources, Recreation and Development Rules Science, Technology and Energy State-Federal Regulations and Veterans Affairs Transportation Ways and Means

NH Senate The New Hampshire Senate has been meeting since 1784. It is the upper house of the New Hampshire General Court. It consists of 24 members representing Senate districts based on population http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/ Senate President Chuck Morse

Senate Committees Capital Budget Commerce Education http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/committees/senate_committees.aspx Capital Budget Commerce Education Election Law and Internal Affairs Energy and Natural Resources Executive Departments and Administration Finance Health and Human Services Judiciary Public and Municipal Affairs Rules and Enrolled Bills Transportation Ways and Means

HHS Subcommittee on Foster Care The legislative HHS sub-committee on foster care was appointed in the fall of 2017 to examine foster care issues in New Hampshire and looks at the foster care system through the lens of foster parents and with the best interest of the child as a priority.  Your voice and input is welcome. Chairperson Mariellen MacKay mariellen.mackay@leg.state.nh.us Foster parents are welcome to attend meetings.  

Be Informed about the Players Legislators: What District? What Committee assignments? Leadership position? Issues of interest/expertise? Personal information: occupation, social/civic memberships, schools attended, church affiliation, hobbies

Be Informed about the Players Additional Players in the process: Legislator’s personal staff Committee staff Caucus staff Agency liaisons Lobbyists

Federal Elected Officials http://sos.nh.gov/NHCongress.aspx CURRENT DELEGATION Senator Maggie Hassan (D) Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D) Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (D, 2nd district) Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D, 1st district) District 1 Dan Belforti Libertarian Eddie Edwards Republican Christopher Pappas Democratic District 2 Steven Negron Justin O'Donnell

Congressional Map

Be Informed about the Process How a Bill Becomes Law: aka “Structured Chaos”

Getting Involved Citizens have many opportunities to impact this process, including testifying at hearings, writing letters or making phone calls to your representatives, and working with organizations to create awareness of the possible impact of a piece of legislation. A private citizen, interest group or other who wishes to propose legislation must find a sponsor in the legislative body to submit their suggestion for drafting. All drafted bills must be approved and signed by the sponsoring legislator.

How a Bill Becomes a Law https://www.nh.gov/almanac/bills.htm

How to be Heard in Concord Contacting your legislators Personal letters Phone calls E-mail Face-to-face meetings Public testimony

Writing to Your Legislator(s) Tips: Think about your timing Stick to one subject Be brief Be positive; be polite Ask for action – and a response Avoid form letters Say “thank you”

Phoning Your Legislator(s) Tips: Ask for legislator or specific assistant (know the players) Name, title, Focus on one issue/bill State your position—be prepared to provide rationale for position Ask for your legislator’s position BE POLITE

E-mailing Your Legislator(s) Tips: See tips for “writing to your legislator(s)” (slide 27) AND - Limit e-mail to very short messages or if timing is crucial Provide your full postal address (address of voter registration)

Meeting with Your Legislator(s) Tips: Schedule meeting well in advance Note subject matter and attendees Do your homework (know the process; issues; and players) Prepare presentation; select spokesperson Introduce yourself and/or team

Meeting with Your Legislator(s) Tips, cont’d: Briefly present your case “just the facts” – avoid emotion note the impacts use visuals Leave one-page summary Follow up with written “thank you” re-state your position provide answers to questions

Public Testimony Prior to testifying: Prepare your remarks in writing if possible—provide to Committee staff Be punctual to hearing Locate sign-in sheet Sign in with full name and address Note support or opposition to bill Be mindful of amendments or substitutes to the bill

Public Testimony Making your remarks: Introduce yourself; clearly indicate who you’re representing, if anyone Be brief and be clear about your position Avoid technical jargon, acronyms Be prepared for questions—but don’t answer if you don’t know (“I’ll get back to you”—AND then follow through)

Get Involved! Get to know your legislators Build credibility Become a resource of information Attend meetings and events Know the institutional elements Majority/minority Leadership Legislative process

Get Involved! Assess the political climate Respect Your Opponents What is the mood of session? What are the salient issues? How legitimate are your goals? Respect Your Opponents There are more than simply your interests being presented Stick to issues and facts Stay away from “he said/she said” traps

Get Involved! Be on the offensive Make sure your legislative platform is clearly defined and supported by the county/organization Make sure appropriate legislators are fully informed Circulate accurate but brief information Be sure your organization and supporters are ready to respond to legislators’ concerns and questions

Get Involved! Important Axioms Honesty is not the best policy. . .it’s the only policy! Remember, today’s opponent may be tomorrow’s ally Be patient, courteous Legislative staff are important

Advocacy “Tips and Tricks” Establish an ongoing, personal relationship with your legislators Know your legislator’s staff Collaborate with community groups Attempt to personalize issues Maintain confidentiality with children

Constitutional Amendments https://ballotpedia.org/New_Hampshire_201 8_ballot_measures

November 6, 2018

Websites NH FAPA – www.nhfapa.org Fostering Change - https://www.fosteringchangenh.org/ NH Governor’s Office - https://www.governor.nh.gov/contact/index.htm NH House - http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/ NH Senate - http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/