1. Legislative Advocacy 101 Robert L. Palmer Iowa League of Cities
General Counsel & Dir of Gov Affairs
Daniel Stalder
Iowa League of Cities
Gov Affairs Outreach Coordinator
Matt McKinney
BrownWinick Law Firm

2. League Legislative Team: Who
Robert Palmer, Director of Government Affairs & Legislative Counsel
Daniel Stalder, Government Affairs Outreach Coordinator
Matt McKinney, BrownWinick Law Firm
Alan Kemp, Executive Director
Erin Mullenix, Research Director

3. We want legislators to get to know our Values and to remember them.
2019 Legislative Values
Now called Legislative Values
League Values are our Brand – like a logo 
One of our main goals is to Educate legislators
What cities need does not significantly change from year to year. Therefore, consistency is a good thing
We want legislators to get to know our Values and to remember them.

4. Local Control (Home Rule) Financial Stability Economic Development
2019 Legislative Values
Consistent with over a decade of priority language.
You can probably guess them – they will seem common sense to city officials.
Not officially adopted until the Annual Business meeting Tomorrow Morning.
Four Value Areas:
Local Control (Home Rule)
Financial Stability
Economic Development
Public Safety

5. 2019 Legislative Values
Local Control
Advocate for and sustain Home Rule and its flexibility to make decisions at the local level – where decisions are made closest to the people they impact and can be tailored to fit local conditions, needs, and concerns.

6. 2019 Legislative Values
Financial Stability
Ensure the continuation of the commercial and industrial property tax backfill to prevent an increased burden on property taxpayers or a reduction in city services. Oppose and eliminate unfunded mandates. Protect and diversify revenue options available to local governments.

7. 2019 Legislative Values Financial Stability: Breakdown
Ensure the continuation of the commercial and industrial property tax backfill to prevent an increased burden on property taxpayers or a reduction in city services.
Oppose and eliminate unfunded mandates.
Protect and diversify revenue options available to local governments.

8. 2019 Legislative Values
Economic Development
Preserve economic development tools, such as tax increment finance, as flexible tools for economic growth in cities of all sizes. Increase funding levels and tools to promote quality of life, community vitality, and economic development. Ensure that cities have the resources to meet the infrastructure and technological needs of their communities.

9. 2019 Legislative Values Economic Development: Breakdown
Preserve economic development tools, such as tax increment finance, as flexible tools for economic growth in cities of all sizes.
Increase funding levels and tools to promote quality of life, community vitality, and economic development.
Ensure that cities have the resources to meet the infrastructure and technological needs of their communities.

10. 2019 Legislative Values
Public Safety
Ensure cities have the adequate resources, tools, and technology to provide and fund public safety services for their communities and citizens.

11. Lobbyist Declarations: For / Against / Undecided
Why do we register?
Shows legislators how registered lobbyist clients feel about a particular piece of legislation.
Expected to register is you are going to speak at a subcommittee.
What do the registrations mean?
For
Against
Undecided

12. How you can be involved: Grassroots
Enhanced Grassroots
Began initiative to specifically focus on Grassroots 2 years ago
More engagement with members
Member-Legislator meetings
Group-Legislator meetings
Legislative Forums will be included in Legislative Link
Encourage membership attendance at local forums
Individual calls to encourage forum attendance at key times

13. How you can be involved: Grassroots
What can you do?
Start today, not when you need something!
Invite legislators to City meetings.
Add Legislators to your newsletters and subscribe to theirs.
Tell your story! To the press. To legislators. Tell the positive things to anyone who will listen!
Have regular meetings with legislators and invite them to your meetings such as coffee with the council.
Invite legislators to ribbon cuttings.

14. Questions?

15. Thank you!