LOBBYING DOS AND DON’TS (OR CANS AND CAN’TS) Genesee Adkins UW Director of State Relations January 6, 2016

Yes, you can:  Engage in the political process as a private individual using private resources  Educate elected officials and state government leaders on a policy issue or serve as an “expert” on a policy  Respond to direct legislative requests for information  Directly lobby a legislator (or executive) as a UW employee using UW resources as long as you report it. Direct lobbying typically means asking for something (bill, money, etc.) or asking them not to specifically do something (vote no on bill xx, don’t sunset yy fee)  Lobby a legislator on a personal topic using your UW affiliation as long as you lobby on your own time and state you are speaking for yourself and not the University

No, you can’t:  Engage in grassroots lobbying as a UW employee using UW resources. Grassroots lobbying is typically includes a “call to action”  Participate in political campaigns during work hours or donate to campaigns using public funds  Work to pass or defeat a ballot initiative using UW time or resources

SOME GOOD ADVICE  Use common sense  When in doubt, ask  Don’t panic

2016 UW State Legislative Agenda Genesee Adkins UW Director of State Relations January 6, 2016

2016 Session At a Glance  60-day session, with minor changes to the adopted 2-year budget  Session begins January 11 th and concludes March 10 th  Next state revenue forecast expected around February 20 th  Stronger Senate Majority: now (or 26-23)  Narrower Democratic House majority: now –One seat changed hands in the 30 th District in November 2015

Current Outlook: Opportunities, Challenges  Very serious financial challenges: –McCleary ruling, Legislature held in contempt, now being sanctioned –Outstanding rulings on mental health inadequacies at state hospitals –Passage of Initiative 1366 by voters with significant implications –Largest wildfire season on record with more than 1 million acres burned  Economy recovering but not enough to fund all issues  Major re-election year: Governor, all House, half Senate up

UW 2016 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA  Make the UW Whole – Implementing the tuition policy UW requesting additional tuition backfill for  Expanding our Rural Dentistry Program in Spokane Simulation lab in Spokane, bigger network in E. and W. WA  Fairness for Agencies Paying Leasehold Excise Tax Allowing UW to again pay same tax –not more- on property  Computer Science & Engineering capital request Correcting the 2015 state investment with more state bond $

Please and Thank you:  Fill out the bill tracker  Get your fiscal notes in on time  Be a problem solver – Understand we’re all on one team  If you are lead on a major bill or issue, provide day and evening contact information so we can get a hold of you  If you need me and can’t get me, don’t panic – call Charlie or Marissa!

QUESTIONS? Contact info: