1. Protecting the Public’s Health: Tips for Advocates
Presentation to the
New York State Public Health Association
Blair Horner
May 30, 2014
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2. Agenda Defining advocacy Background on government Lobbying in New York
Components of successful advocacy
Basics on lobbying
Do’s and Don’ts
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3. What Is Advocacy?
Informing decision makers about risks/benefits of policy change.
Building a persuasive case for a particular change.
Engaging the community to advance or promote social, environmental or public policy issues.
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4. Example: NYC Smoking Rate Down Nearly 30%
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5. The Powers of the Executive
Governor is one of most powerful executives in nation.
Controls budget process.
Governor Andrew Cuomo
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman
Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli
Elected to four year terms
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6. The Legislature
Senate controlled by Republicans/Independent Democratic coalition with 35 members (29 – R; IDC – 5; D/R -1) of 63 seats (two open).
Assembly controlled by Democrats: 100 D members of 150 seats (ten open).
2 year terms, elections are in even numbered years
Extremely powerful leadership.
Chooses: chairs, staffing, office and parking locations.
Also controls leadership PACs.
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7. What is NYS’s definition of lobbying?
New York State law applies to lobbyists and public corporations, and to clients or employers of lobbyists, who in any year either reasonably anticipate expending, incurring, or receiving, or who actually expend, incur, or receive, more than $5,000 of combined reportable compensation and expenses for lobbying activities at either the state and/or local government level.
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8. What is not lobbying?
Educating students or others about issues, how state government works and politics.
Training folks on how to lobby or providing information on lobby-day activities.
Asking a public official to speak at an event on an issue they have a position on.
Planning or discussing strategy and tactics among those who already have a position on the issue.
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9. New York State Commission on Public Ethics www. jcope. ny
New York State Commission on Public Ethics New York City Clerk’s office
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10. Lobbying Spending Over Time
The only real growth – and recession-proof – industry in NYS. (in millions of dollars)
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11. Top Lobby Groups, 2013 Organization Money Spent
Altria (parent of Philip Morris)
$3,001,247
United Federation of Teachers
$2,552,379
NYS United Teachers
$2,213,444
Greater NY Hospital Assoc
$2,173,536
Public Employees Federation
$1,442,741
Goddard Global, LLC
$1,384,307
Genting NY, LLC
$1,368,500
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12. Additional lobbying facts
6,742 individual lobbyists
4,202 clients
New York State leads the nation in its ratio of lobbyists to lawmakers – 31 to 1.
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13. “But the public is with us!”
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14. Political scientist Jonathan Bernstein has observed:
One of the big mistakes of the latest gun control debate was equating public support for reform with public demand for reform:
“Those people who have been pushing for marriage equality? They were calling for change. And marching for it, demanding it, donating money to get it, running for office to achieve it, and supporting candidates who would vote for it, filing lawsuits to make it legal. In many cases, they based their entire political identity around it.
Action works. "Public opinion" is barely real; most of the time, on most issues, change the wording of the question and you'll get entirely different answers. At best, "public opinion" as such is passive. And in politics, passive doesn't get results.”
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15. Ingredients of Success
Strategy
Lobbying
Coalitions
Media
Grassroots, constituent pressure
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16. Advocating/Lobbying
The practice of influencing votes of elected officials
Whatever the issue, we can “lobby” our elected officials so that beneficial action can be taken.
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17. Lobbying What do you want? Why can it be done?
Who has lobbyists that can help?
Who are the relevant committees/leadership?
Systematically and consistently advocate.
Who are your champions?
Materials needed.
Know the law: New York State, New York City and the IRS.
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18. When To Lobby When recruiting prime sponsors
When recruiting co-sponsors
When asking for support for a specific bill
When new developments give rise to media coverage.
Before the issue gets to the Legislature (state) or Congress (federal) and a policy decision is made.
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19. Who To Contact
To schedule a meeting: scheduler, often based in the district office, call Albany office first.
To contact your state legislators, use , letters and/or leave phone messages.
Albany switchboards: Assembly , Senate: Ask for your member’s office.
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20. Know your legislator
Research his/her record on related legislation and/or voting record
General predisposition
Constituent pressures he/she faces
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21. Know your issue
Research issue thoroughly before meeting with your legislator
If you are asked about something you are not sure of or do not know the answer, admit to it and let him/her know that you will get back to his legislative aide as soon as possible (try to provide answer within 24 hours).
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22. The Personal Visit The most effective way of transmitting your message
If the legislator is not available, ask to meet with a legislative aide
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23. Know your opposition
Inform legislators of opponents and their positions
Identify other groups that support your position (coalition members)
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24. How to Lobby Your Legislator
Be a credible representative
Be fully aware of your organization’s position/s
State your name & town where you reside
Be as specific as possible & keep it brief
Give name and bill number
Be reasonable, be clear about the “ask” (vote for bill, sponsor bill, etc.)
Ask legislator to state his/her position on the issue
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25. Do’s and Don’ts:
DO:
Address Senator, Representative or Assembly member properly
Identify yourself (by name and town)
Be brief and explicit, courteous and reasonable
Know the status of the legislation (refer to a bill by number)
Establish your own credentials or expertise on the subject
Respect legislator’s time
When presenting several “ASKS” keep all information to one page (materials matter!)
Pay attention to staff
Ask for specific action
Win/lose graciously
Keep door open for further discussion
Follow up
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26. Don’t: Assume the legislator is familiar with your issue
Underestimate your opponent
Flood the office with paper
Mislead or lie
Be arrogant, condescending or threatening
Apologize for taking his/her time
Argue or back legislators into a corner
Make notes of a conversation while talking to a legislator
Underestimate the influence of a chief of staff or legislative aide
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27. Post Visit Send a thank you note (not an email)
Send follow up to legislative chief of staff or legislative aide with additional information
Make follow up call to inquire about legislator’s position (will he/she support legislation?)
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