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. Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ-12)

The Stimulus Bill $1.6 billion, DOE Office of Science $400 million, ARPA-E $2 billion, NSF research $100 million, NSF scholarships $220 million, NIST research $400 million, NASA science $22.5 Billion Direct $240 Billion Indirect

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

Immigration Reform Permanent residents are better than temporary workers. Increase EB Visa program  Expand country caps  Dependent exemption  Graduate student exemption Reform H-1B program Congress is just now drafting comprehensive immigration reform

Small Business Administration Strategic Alliance Memorandum Improve communication between SBA and technology engineers Give engineers better access to SBA personnel Give SBA better access to engineers

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

Other issues Pension reform Intellectual property reform Health IT Open Access Green Jobs

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. _________________

Democracy’s Secret Strength

A Politician’s World YOU

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, or  The folder reaches a specific size. Impact:  Bring attention  Decide as vote

What’s His Point? Personal Contact Matters

How do you get Congress to give you $240 Billion? Ask Ask Again

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

IEEE-USA Grassroots Legislative Action Center: Washington Fly-Ins  Education: Feb  R&D Funding: April 28 – 29  Energy: May Washington Fellows Campaign Workshops Policy Committees

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

How helpful is it for messages from constituents to include the following? Source: Congressional Management Foundation

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