1. Legislative Advocacy: Engaging with State Legislators
Scott Maltzie, PhD
October 2018

2. Full Disclosure Foster Parent for about 9 years. Education
7 Children
Education
BS in Business Admin. w/minors in Political Science and Pre-Law
MBA & MS in Business Education
PhD in Business Administration
10 years in Governor’s Office (Energy)
Currently Chairman of Merrimack County Republican Committee

3. Foster Care is a BIPARTISAN ISSUE

4. Democracy is not a Spectator Sport It is a “Contact” Sport
Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.

5. Legislative Advocacy—
Why be Involved?
If you don’t advocate for your children, foster parents, and your family, who will?
You can be sure someone will speak up—and they may not have the same information, experience or position as you.

6. “The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men (or Women) Do Nothing”
-Charles F. Aked ( )

7. Engaging with State Legislators
Effective Advocacy
How to be Heard in Concord
Advocacy Tips & Tricks
Resources

8. Effective Advocacy Be informed: about the PLAYERS about the PROCESS
about the ISSUES

9. The Big Picture: The Players
Governor
Chris Sununu
House of Representatives
Senate
Bureaucracy
(HHS/DCYF)
Executive Council

10. Executive Council
Works with the Governor over the administration of the state.
The Executive Council approves the spending of a major portion of the approximately 5.2 billion dollars that is appropriated annually by the legislature. Including all personal service contracts with a value of $10,000 and all contracts with a value of $25,000.
The Executive Council approves the appointments of Judges, Commissioners, Notary Public, Justice of Peace, Commissioners of Deeds and hears Pardon Requests.
All major executive branch business is conducted in public with the press present.
Elected every two years

11. Executive Council Districts
Joseph D. Kenney District 1
Andru Volinsky District 2
Christopher C. Pappas District 4
David K. Wheeler District 5
Russell E. Prescott District 3

12. New Hampshire General Court
The General Court is the third-largest legislature in the English speaking world, behind only the British Parliament and the United States Congress, respectively.
State legislators are paid $200 for their two-year term, plus mileage, effectively making them volunteers.
The State House is the oldest state capitol in which both houses of the legislature meet in their original chambers.

13. New Hampshire General Court
The very first NH Legislature, the Assembly of 1680, spent time coming up with the definition of a drunkard (“staggers in his going” was one part of it).
In 1722 the House required all members to wear a sword during sessions or be fined 1 shilling.
The ever-frugal Legislature didn’t install electricity in the Statehouse until 1910, long after many homes had it.

14. NH House of Representatives
Lower house in the New Hampshire General Court
400 members coming from 204 legislative districts across the state, created from divisions of the state's counties.
On average, each legislator represents about 3,300 residents.
House Speaker Gene G. Chandler

15. House Committees Children and Family Law Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Children and Family Law
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Education
Election Law
Environment and Agriculture
Executive Departments and Administration
Finance Div. I, II, III
Fish and Game and Marine Resources
Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs
Judiciary
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
Legislative Administration
Municipal and County Government
Public Works and Highways
Resources, Recreation and Development
Rules
Science, Technology and Energy
State-Federal Regulations and Veterans Affairs
Transportation
Ways and Means

16. NH Senate The New Hampshire Senate has been meeting since 1784.
It is the upper house of the New Hampshire General Court.
It consists of 24 members representing Senate districts based on population
Senate President
Chuck Morse

17. Senate Committees Capital Budget Commerce Education
Capital Budget
Commerce
Education
Election Law and Internal Affairs
Energy and Natural Resources
Executive Departments and Administration
Finance
Health and Human Services
Judiciary
Public and Municipal Affairs
Rules and Enrolled Bills
Transportation
Ways and Means

18. HHS Subcommittee on Foster Care
The legislative HHS sub-committee on foster care was appointed in the fall of 2017 to examine foster care issues in New Hampshire and looks at the foster care system through the lens of foster parents and with the best interest of the child as a priority.  Your voice and input is welcome.
Chairperson Mariellen MacKay
Foster parents are welcome to attend meetings.  

19. Be Informed about the Players
Legislators:
What District?
What Committee assignments?
Leadership position?
Issues of interest/expertise?
Personal information: occupation, social/civic memberships, schools attended, church affiliation, hobbies

20. Be Informed about the Players
Additional Players in the process:
Legislator’s personal staff
Committee staff
Caucus staff
Agency liaisons
Lobbyists

21. Federal Elected Officials
CURRENT DELEGATION
Senator Maggie Hassan (D)
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D)
Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (D, 2nd district)
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D, 1st district)
District 1 Dan Belforti
Libertarian
Eddie Edwards
Republican
Christopher Pappas
Democratic
District 2 Steven Negron
Justin O'Donnell

22. Congressional Map

23. Be Informed about the Process
How a Bill Becomes Law:
aka
“Structured Chaos”

24. Getting Involved
Citizens have many opportunities to impact this process, including testifying at hearings, writing letters or making phone calls to your representatives, and working with organizations to create awareness of the possible impact of a piece of legislation.
A private citizen, interest group or other who wishes to propose legislation must find a sponsor in the legislative body to submit their suggestion for drafting. All drafted bills must be approved and signed by the sponsoring legislator.

25. How a Bill Becomes a Law

26. How to be Heard in Concord
Contacting your legislators
Personal letters
Phone calls
Face-to-face meetings
Public testimony

27. Writing to Your Legislator(s)
Tips:
Think about your timing
Stick to one subject
Be brief
Be positive; be polite
Ask for action – and a response
Avoid form letters
Say “thank you”

28. Phoning Your Legislator(s)
Tips:
Ask for legislator or specific assistant (know the players)
Name, title, Focus on one issue/bill
State your position—be prepared to provide rationale for position
Ask for your legislator’s position
BE POLITE

29. E-mailing Your Legislator(s)
Tips:
See tips for “writing to your legislator(s)” (slide 27)
AND -
Limit to very short messages or if timing is crucial
Provide your full postal address (address of voter registration)

30. Meeting with Your Legislator(s)
Tips:
Schedule meeting well in advance
Note subject matter and attendees
Do your homework (know the process; issues; and players)
Prepare presentation; select spokesperson
Introduce yourself and/or team

31. Meeting with Your Legislator(s)
Tips, cont’d:
Briefly present your case
“just the facts” – avoid emotion
note the impacts
use visuals
Leave one-page summary
Follow up with written “thank you”
re-state your position
provide answers to questions

32. Public Testimony Prior to testifying:
Prepare your remarks in writing if possible—provide to Committee staff
Be punctual to hearing
Locate sign-in sheet
Sign in with full name and address
Note support or opposition to bill
Be mindful of amendments or substitutes to the bill

33. Public Testimony Making your remarks:
Introduce yourself; clearly indicate who you’re representing, if anyone
Be brief and be clear about your position
Avoid technical jargon, acronyms
Be prepared for questions—but don’t answer if you don’t know (“I’ll get back to you”—AND then follow through)

34. Get Involved! Get to know your legislators
Build credibility
Become a resource of information
Attend meetings and events
Know the institutional elements
Majority/minority
Leadership
Legislative process

35. Get Involved! Assess the political climate Respect Your Opponents
What is the mood of session?
What are the salient issues?
How legitimate are your goals?
Respect Your Opponents
There are more than simply your interests being presented
Stick to issues and facts
Stay away from “he said/she said” traps

36. Get Involved! Be on the offensive
Make sure your legislative platform is clearly defined and supported by the county/organization
Make sure appropriate legislators are fully informed
Circulate accurate but brief information
Be sure your organization and supporters are ready to respond to legislators’ concerns and questions

37. Get Involved! Important Axioms
Honesty is not the best policy. . .it’s the only policy!
Remember, today’s opponent may be tomorrow’s ally
Be patient, courteous
Legislative staff are important

38. Advocacy “Tips and Tricks”
Establish an ongoing, personal relationship with your legislators
Know your legislator’s staff
Collaborate with community groups
Attempt to personalize issues
Maintain confidentiality with children

39. Constitutional Amendments
8_ballot_measures

40. November 6, 2018

41. Websites NH FAPA – www.nhfapa.org
Fostering Change -
NH Governor’s Office -
NH House -
NH Senate -