1. How To Effectively Educate Florida’s Legislators And Policymakers
Making Your Case
How To Effectively Educate Florida’s Legislators And Policymakers

2. One of two most effective ways to get attention of policy makers
Before We Begin …
Vote – whatever, whoever you vote for. Get registered, get your friends and family registered, get out and vote.
One of two most effective ways to get attention of policy makers

3. “The world is run by those who show up.” – Anonymous
Remember:
“The world is run by those who show up.” – Anonymous

4. These folks we’re talking about work for you – it’s called democracy.
Remember:
These folks we’re talking about work for you – it’s called democracy.
That having been said, you need to know the process and how to effectively work within it.

5. Why? Vitally important to do this – look at the current situation
Making Your Case
Partners in Policymaking Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities
Why? Vitally important to do this – look at the current situation

6. You can make a difference.
Aide to member of Congress – if they hear from 5 – 10 people about a particular issue or piece of legislation, that’s a lot. On most issues/legislation, they hear NOTHING from constituents.

7. You can make a difference.
“Telling Your Story” App –
You have to get this. Available for Apple and Android platforms.
Great way to organize your
thoughts effectively.

8. EVERYTHING is secondary to making sure the cause succeeds.
The Most Important Thing
It’s the cause, not you. Never, ever lose sight of this. It doesn’t matter how far you’ve traveled or how long you’ve prepared or how hard you’ve worked or how strongly you feel about something.
EVERYTHING is secondary to making sure the cause succeeds.
Don’t get your feelings hurt. Don’t get offended. Strategy can change in an instant.

9. Honesty – Handout, page 3 Credibility
Get it out of your head that you can do anything else, even a little. Keep your eye on the ball.

10. The Rules - page 5
Remember that civics class in high school? This is the real life, high stakes version.
It’s very important to understand the rules of each body you’re approaching. Find someone, usually another advocate, to give you a run down. You can pick up a lot quickly. This is the ocean the policy makers and staff swim in – you have to get to know it.

11. You need to be familiar with both.
The Rules – Written and Unwritten
There’s the official version of the rules and then there’s the way things actually get done.
You need to be familiar with both.

12. The Rules - Examples
Committees – they do most of the hard work in the Legislature. Easy way to kill a bill is to refer it to too many committees.
Sponsors and companion bills in both House and Senate – absolutely essential.
Leadership – Speaker of House and President of Senate – they control everything (if they want to).

13. The Rules - Examples
Fiscal Impact statements – attached to every bill. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to these.
Try to make sure they are as low as possible. If a bill has a large fiscal impact, unless it is sponsored by a member of leadership, it’s not going anywhere.

14. The Rules - page 5 The Network Manners / be polite Gossip/Threats
Keep in mind – you’re trying to get them to do something for you. Act accordingly, no matter how passionately you may feel. If you can’t do this, find someone else to take the point and wait until you’re ready. If you don’t, you can kill your cause.

15. Legislative Visits - page 7
Schedule in advance – call the appropriate office. Be aware of the calendar.
Take what you can get.
Staff – key to the process
Research – know your stuff cold
Offer to be a resource for the policy maker and their staff
Gifts – don’t. Probably can’t take it.
Close the deal – ask for their support
If there’s time, take a photo. Nice way to end.
Always remember to say “Thank you.”

16. Legislative Visits - page 7
Prepare - find out about the legislator/staff member beforehand. Try to find common ground, even if it’s not this issue. For instance, where did they go to college? Find out past positions on this issue.
If you don’t know an answer, say that you don’t know, but that you’ll find out, and get back to them. Don’t try to cover by making something up.

17. Legislative Visits - page 7
One pagers
Logo and contact info at top
Bill number next
No more than five bullet points
Contact info at bottom
Staple business card to it

18. The importance of getting to “No.”
Legislative Visits - page 7
The importance of getting to “No.”
Practice how you’ll respond if a legislator doesn’t agree with your position. Role play. Work it out ahead of time.

19. Legislative Visits - page 7
Hone your message so that you can deliver it in 30 seconds in a hallway walking to an elevator, if you have to – because you will probably have to at some point.

20. Committee Testimony - page 13
Preparation is important.
Watch committee hearings online before you speak – learn something about the members.
Telling Your Story app is helpful for organizing and practicing your testimony.
Sign in – forms available online or in committee room.
Formality in presentation – know the drill – “Mr. Chairman, members of the committee . .”
Answering questions
Written testimony

21. Committee Testimony - page 13
Reality of a committee hearing
Members not listening or paying attention – don’t worry about it. Get your comments on the record. Everything you say into the microphone is recorded and transcribed.
Kids are great – Governors (and others) pay attention
Make issues real – don’t let people be turned into numbers
Don’t push it – “waive in support” can sometimes help more than 10 minutes of testimony. Again, doesn’t matter how far you’ve traveled, prepared, worked, etc.

22. Letters - page 17 Personal, personal, personal Handwritten
Never form letters
Always note bill / statute citation
Give the policy maker something he/she can use – seen them waved on the floor.
s are easy – too easy. Faxes are better.

23. Letters – page 18
Everything can and should be organized or formatted in this style
“Telling Your Story” app also very useful here

24. Vital when used properly.
Phone calls – page 19
Vital when used properly.
Timing is crucial.
Be aware of the infrastructure. You can have a great impact when you act at the right time.

25. Day at the Capitol - page 21
Meet as group prior to seeing legislators to get run down/status
Appointments in advance
Prepare applicable materials
Staff / aides
Cookies
Have a business card and leave it
Thank you
Debrief as group at end of day – schedule it and commit to it. Very important.

26. Staff - page 25 Frontline They do ALL the work
Friend or foe – act accordingly
Help them help their boss
Florida House – 1 aide, who also acts as assistant, etc., during session
Florida Senate – 2 aides. Maybe assistant if they’re chair of a committee.

27. In the District - page 31 Meetings more informal
More time with the legislator
When you go to Tallahassee, you won’t be just another face
Congressman’s cell phone numbers – meeting lasted maybe 5 minutes

28. More helpful tips and tools:

29. Thank you ! Rich La Belle Executive Director
Family Network on Disabilities
2196 Main St, Suite K, Dunedin, FL 34698