1. Scott Peterson, Director Erik Rudeen, Legislative Manager
Government Affairs
Scott Peterson, Director Erik Rudeen, Legislative Manager

2. Government Organization
The Department of Transportation was created to deliver transportation services
The department is part of the executive branch delivering services directed by legislative bodies
The department can only do things that are specified in law

3. Constitutional Funding
Trunk Highway
County State Aid Highway
Municipal State Aid Street
Flexible Fund
Transit Assistance Fund

4. Government Organization
Article 14 of the Minnesota Constitution specifies the creation of a trunk highway system and dedicated funding sources
Sec. 2. Trunk highway system
There is hereby created a trunk highway system which shall be constructed, improved and maintained as public highways by the state.
Sec. 6. Trunk highway system
There is hereby created a trunk highway fund which shall be used solely for the purposes specified in section 2 of this article and the payment of principal and interest of any bonds issued under the authority of section 11.

5. EXECUTIVE BRANCH ROLE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
Policy changes or new programs
Operating budget (salaries, materials, supplies, routine maintenance, etc.)
Capital budget (physical infrastructure)
Can only spend money specifically appropriated by the Legislature
Must be spent for the identified purpose
MnDOT develops (subject to Governor’s approval):

6. WHAT THE LEGISLATURE DOES
Make laws (policy)
Enact budgets (authorize spending)
Raise revenue (impose taxes)

7. DEMOGRAPHICS (As of January 2015)
134 House of Representatives members
72 Republican
62 DFL
67 Senate members
38 DFL
29 Republican
House 90 men, 44 women
Senate 44 men, 23 women

8. Legislative Strategic Plan
Identify goals
Organize facts—Identify department experts
Identify the playing field
Who will support or oppose?
What effect will other issues and political climate have?
What can be combined into one bill?
What is legislative path?
Who would be a good author?
Limit committee stops

9. Legislative Strategic Plan
Develop strategy
Recruit supporters
Lobby opposition legislators and stakeholders
Identify alternate language and acceptable compromises
Develop key messages

10. STATE LEGISLATIVE CYCLE
July–August - solicit and develop legislative proposals
September-January – governor/MMB approval
October-December – draft bills
November-March – talk to legislators and stakeholders
January – legislature convenes
Committee action
Floor passage
Conference committee
May – legislature adjourns
Biennial session - 2 years
First year is budget
Second year is bonding

11. Committee Process Bill Introduction Referral to Committee
Committee Hearing – Bill Passes
Bill sent to the floor for final action
Conference Committee
Governor’s Action
Bill sent to the floor and referred to another committee
Amendments, Engrossments
No Committee Hearing
Bill remains alive until the end of the biennium

12. Deadlines
1st Deadline All policy committees in one body must act favorably
2nd Deadline All policy committees in the second body must act favorably
3rd Deadline Favorable action must be taken by all committees on finance bills
Bills that don’t meet deadlines must go through Rules Committee
It ain’t over ‘til it’s over
9/20/2018

13. LEGISLATIVE DEFINITIONS
permanent laws of the state
Statutes
amend statute, or temporary law such as biennial budget
Session Law
more specific, govern procedures
Rules
large bills that include many different issues
Omnibus bills
money allocated by the legislature for a particular purpose
Appropriation
authorize the state to sell bonds for buildings, roads or other infrastructure (3/5 majority)
Bonding bills

14. LEGISLATIVE PLAYERS Non-Partisan Staff Partisan Staff
Committee Chairs, Legislators
Partisan Staff
Committee Administrator
Legislative Assistant
Majority and Minority Caucus Researchers
Committee Page
Non-Partisan Staff
House Research & Senate Counsel
Fiscal Analyst
Governor’s Office, MMB, other agencies
Stakeholders/ Lobbyists
Media

15. Key Committees Senate House
Transportation & Public Safety Policy/Finance
Sen. Scott Dibble
Capital Investment
Sen. LeRoy Stumpf
Finance
Sen. Richard Cohen
Transportation Policy & Finance
Rep. Tim Kelly
Capital Investment
Rep. Paul Torkelson
Ways & Means
Rep. Jim Knoblach

16. THE POLITICAL PROCESS POLITICS COMPROMISE
A settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions
POLITICS
The influences that citizens attempt to exert on their government
The orderly conduct of government as opposed to revolution by force

17. Preparing for the Hearing
Goal is to ensure legislators and others clearly understand department’s position
Identify key messages
Use short, basic points
Be prepared and know the materials (bill language, fiscal notes, handouts, etc.)
Identify possible questions, develop answers that circle back to key messages
Goal is to ensure legislators and audience clearly understand our position
Rationale behind our position, including persuasion
Identify areas legislators and/or stakeholder can improve on
Create a message folks can walk away with easily (short and plain speak)
Focus on a few key points, not a laundry list of issues
Avoid technical jargon and explain complex concepts
Use real life examples
Work in responses to expected critiques of position

18. General Rules and Reminders
Arrive 5-10 minutes early, agenda can change
Mind your body language
Sign in to the committee log
Usually, wait to be excused from the table

19. Testifying and Responding to Questions
Never start testimony or response until acknowledged by the Chair
State your name and the organization you represent
Address the Chair and committee member at the beginning of each response
Always work through the Chair by addressing the Chair and committee members at the beginning of each response
Each new time you sit down at the testifying table, identify yourself (name, agency and position)
When using specific names, keep it formal (e.g. Chair Smith, Senator Jones) even for committee staff, testifiers and others
When answering questions stay brief, rely on your prepared responses and work back to your key message points
Long answers risk you losing your audience, confusing them, and/or inviting additional or unwanted questions

20. Testifying and Responding to Questions
Stay brief, limit your response to the question, rely on prepared responses and work back to key messages
Never make assumptions about a question, if unclear ask for clarification
If you do not know the answer, do not speculate. Indicate you do not know, but will provide the information later (if possible)
Always work through the Chair by addressing the Chair and committee members at the beginning of each response
Each new time you sit down at the testifying table, identify yourself (name, agency and position)
When using specific names, keep it formal (e.g. Chair Smith, Senator Jones) even for committee staff, testifiers and others
When answering questions stay brief, rely on your prepared responses and work back to your key message points
Long answers risk you losing your audience, confusing them, and/or inviting additional or unwanted questions

21. Responding to Difficult Questions
Even if the question is hostile, be respectful. Don’t argue with legislators
If you have to give an answer that is not helpful, try to briefly condition it or provide other helpful information for context
Generally, do not say the department “opposes.” Say the department “has concerns,” offer to work with parties
Let legislator know about concerns prior to hearing
Not all questions need to be answered (e.g. rhetorical or highly political questions)
Don’t get in the middle of a political debate

22. After the Hearing
Do not be frustrated if your position does not prevail
Compare notes with other MnDOT staff, and other interested groups
If legislative liaison is not there, debrief them later including any follow-up that is needed
Follow-up on information requests as soon as possible

23. CHALLENGES Lobbyists, other agencies Lack of time
Assumptions/myths/ uncertainty of effects
Suspicion/fear of large agency
Political climate

24. 2013-2014 LEGISLATIVE SESSION FACTS
3,396 House Files introduced
2,992 Senate Files introduced
352 bills passed by the House
334 bills passed by the Senate
313 Chapters of law enacted

25. HOW YOU CAN HELP MnDOT
Alert us to requests and contacts from legislators or staff
Respond only to questions for which you are the department expert
Do not advocate for a policy position unless you are confident it is the official Administration position
Notify Government Affairs and provide a summary of the conversation
Submit legislative proposals and bill review forms
Respond quickly if we ask for information

26. Everything You Want to Know
Legislative Home Page
Legislative Schedules
Bill Introductions and Status
Follow live Committee or Floor Session
Sign up for notices, publications, Journal and news