Russell Harrison Senior Legislative Representative Grassroots Activities

IEEE-USA Government Affairs Representing IEEE members in the United States to Congress, the media, state and local governments. Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI)

IEEE-USA GR Highlights Legislation: ERISA Enactment and Strengthening (1974 & 2001) Energy Policy Act passed (2005) Supreme Court Briefs: Grokster and Festo Amicus Briefs (2002 & 2005) Legislative Education: Symposium on Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (2007)

2009: A Tale of Two Trends The Good: Congress is focused on our issues. The Bad: Unemployment is at record highs.

Key Issues Budget & Stimulus Intellectual Property Reform Small Business K – 12 Education Immigration Reform

What do Lobbyists Do? Advocate Positions Bridge between voters and politicians Research Problems & Solutions

What do Lobbyists Do? Advocate Positions Bridge between voters and politicians Research Problems & Solutions

This is not bad. It is exactly how the system is supposed to work. _________________

What do politicians want? A chance to impress you. A chance to help you Anecdotes. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Senator Chuck Schumer

Taking the Initiative Percent saying the following had “some” or “a lot” of influence over their boss. Visit from constituent – 99% Letter from constituent – 96% Lobbyist – 93% Form Letter – 65% Congressional Management Foundation

Taking the Initiative Percent saying the following had “some” or “a lot” of influence over their boss. Visit from constituent – 60% Letter from constituent – 44% Lobbyist – 15% Form Letter – 3% Congressional Management Foundation

Life of a Grassroots Message Sent by a voter. Read / listened to by a kid. Sorted by issue into a folder. Response sent. Read by a senior staffer when:  A decision needs to be made on how to vote, and they can’t decide or  The folder reaches a specific size.

Stories Rock River – Cheap entertainment Seattle – Engaging politicians California – Students efforts Pittsburgh – Embarrassing the Powerful IEEE-USA in SLC – Powerful Speakers

IEEE-USA Grassroots Legislative Action Center: Washington Fly-Ins  Immigration: February, 2010  R&D Funding: April 28 – 29  Energy: May, 2010 Washington Fellows Policy Committees

Immigration Reform U.S. Citizenship Temporary Workers Permanent Legal Residents H-1B Visas EB Visas Theory

Immigration Reform U.S. Citizenship 500,000 Temporary Workers 60,000 EB Visas Practice Don’t Move!

“In order to manage increased constituent communications, our office has shifted resources away from other priorities.” Source: Congressional Management Foundation 50%

Money $4 Billion in Why ? Because they have no choice.

Tools of the Political Trade TV / Radio Ads Mailings Hand-Delivered Lit Phone Calls Personal Canvassing $1,000 per vote $320 per vote $29 per vote $24 per vote $13 per vote

Cap and Trade Tons of money Smart Grid Standards Renewable Energy Incentives Energy Efficiency No Nuclear

SBIR / STTR Reauthorization Programs expired July 31 st Bills passed House and Senate, but not the same bills Programs extended to September 30 th Issues of contention  Duration of reauthorization  Venture Capital  Size of the awards  Size of the program

K-12 Education Adding engineering to K-12 curriculums Expose students to technology and engineering concepts Focus on middle schools