CAROLL MORTENSEN INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT BOARD SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM Legislation: A Former Committee Consultant’s Perspective

Confessions of a Policy Wonk in a Political World

A BRAVE NEW WORLD EVERY SESSION! TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR MISSION YOU MUST BE EDUCATORS AS WELL AS ADVOCATES. KEEP AND DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS. LOOK FOR NEW ALLIES. Term Limits

MANY HAVE SAID THAT THIS IS THE MOST CHALLENGING LEGISLATIVE CLIMATE EVER! FOCUS ON SOUND FIRST STEPS AND REMOVING ROADBLOCKS. Be realistic about the problem you are trying to solve.

ASK YOURSELF THE TOUGH QUESTION FROM THE BEGINNING AND DEVELOP ANSWERS. ESPECIALLY HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PAY FOR THE PROGRAM THESE WILL GET ASKED AND YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED. Have “all” the questions answered

THIS CAN BE VERY HELPFUL. LEARN FROM OTHERS EXPERIENCE. CHANGE IN NATIONAL POLITICAL DYNAMIC IS AN OPTION NOW. What are others doing? Cities/States/Federal/Global

AN ESSENTIAL AND SOMETIMES SURPRISING FIRST STEP. PROVIDES INSIGHT AND VALUABLE INFORMATION. Reach out to the opposition first!

TRY TO ‘SHAKE UP’ THE SUPPORT LIST FOR YOUR BILL. LABOR, PUBLIC HEALTH, CULTURAL AND OTHER GROUPS. Find Unlikely Supporters

INCLUDE ALL MEMBERS AND STAFF. BOTH PARTIES NEED EDUCATION. Two Party System!

MUCH MORE THAN THE DEADLINES FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET. POLICY ANALYSES, MEETINGS, AMENDMENTS, TESTIMONY. VERY FEW COMMITTEES ARE ALIKE! Know The Committee Process

LEARN THE ART OF BREVITY! MOST LETTERS LONGER THAN A PAGE ARE NOT EFFECTIVE! UP-TO-DATE FACT SHEETS ARE VERY IMPORTANT! TWO MINUTE LIMITS ON PRESENTATIONS ARE COMMON. Brief Letters / Brief Presentations

KNOW THE PROCESS! SENATE AND ASSEMBLY ARE DIFFERENT! BE PREPARED! GO EARLY! The Floor!

SOMETIMES ITS BETTER TO LET A BILL TO SIT OR DIE. WHAT OTHER ISSUES ARE PENDING? THIS IS AN EVEN BIGGER CHALLENGE IN A TERM-LIMITED LEGISLATURE. Know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em!

BE TRUE TO THE MISSION / VISION OF YOUR POLICIES AND PROGRAMS. BE “GENTLE” IF OPPOSITION IS WARRANTED. BE CLEAR REGARDING DIFFERENCES IF YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT POSITION FROM THE TRADITIONAL ADVOCACY GROUPS. Playing Nicely with Others

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS! COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH. MANY CONTACTS AND INSIGHT AS TO THE PROCESS. Work with League of CA Cities and CA State Association of Counties

COMMON MISTAKE! KEEP A POTENTIAL OVERSIGHT OR IMPLEMENTING AGENCY IN THE LOOP. WHEN YOU HAVE TRACTION, DEVELOP CONTACTS IN THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE. Don’t forget the Agency and the Governor’s office!

OFTEN OVERLOOKED, BUT POWERFUL, POLICY TOOL. SUPPLEMENTAL REPORTS. OVERSIGHT AND SPECIAL HEARINGS. EFFECTIVE WAY TO LAY OUT ‘NEXT STEPS’. Don’t forget the budget process!

YOU ARE ALL EXPERTS! SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE! Get Involved!

IF YOU THINK OF SOMETHING LATER! CALL OR ME! THANKS! Questions!