NY DREAM ACTNY DREAM ACT

LOBBYING TRAINING GUIDE FOR LOBBYING TRAINING GUIDE FOR DREAMERSDREAMERS

PART I: The Nature of LobbyingPART I: The Nature of Lobbying• Definition: Lobbying means to conduct activities aimed at influencing public officials and specially members of a legislative body.

• Lobbyists help the legislative process work more effectively by providing lawmakers with reliable data and accurate assessments of a bill's effect.

• Constitutional basis• “Congress shall make no law...or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition

the government for redress of grievances.”

• Special Interest• The founders of this country understood human nature. They recognized that it leads individuals to represent their own interest or special interest, rather than the greater public interest.

They also understood that factions were inevitable, so they viewed factions as a necessary part of a competitive system of checks and balances.

• History • Two major accounts have been circulated in discussions on the origin of the term lobbying

• Willard Hotel

• Lobby of the NY State Capitol waiting to address legislators.

PART II: Understanding Forces PART II: Understanding Forces that Shape Legislationthat Shape Legislation

7 P’s7 P’s

7 Ps7 PsProfileProfile

Previous ExperiencePrevious Experience

PositionsPositions

Press/Public OpinionPress/Public Opinion

PromotersPromoters

PrioritiesPriorities

Personal Experience. Personal Experience.

PROFILE of Constituents: PROFILE of Constituents:

What are the demographics of the constituency? For example, What are the demographics of the constituency? For example, urban or rural, traditional or progressive, level of prosperity, urban or rural, traditional or progressive, level of prosperity, ethnicity.ethnicity.

How much of the economy is agriculture, service, technology, or How much of the economy is agriculture, service, technology, or manufacturing?manufacturing?

For what products, attractions, annual events such as traditional For what products, attractions, annual events such as traditional festivals, or services is the area known?festivals, or services is the area known?

What is the history of the area? How did the area develop? Has What is the history of the area? How did the area develop? Has there been natural disasters recently?there been natural disasters recently?

How significant is your issue in the district or state?How significant is your issue in the district or state?

PREVIOUS PREVIOUS Experience. Experience.

Where did the policymaker grow up and attend Where did the policymaker grow up and attend school?school?

What career path did the policymaker pursue What career path did the policymaker pursue before entering politics?before entering politics?

What political or policy making positions did the What political or policy making positions did the official hold previously?official hold previously?

How might these positions shape the official’s How might these positions shape the official’s current views?current views?

POSITIONSPOSITIONS

How does the member typically respond to your How does the member typically respond to your type of issue?type of issue?

How familiar is the policymaker with your issue or How familiar is the policymaker with your issue or concern?concern?

What is the legislator’s voting record on your issue What is the legislator’s voting record on your issue or on similar issues?or on similar issues?

What private or public statements has the member What private or public statements has the member made regarding your issue or organization?made regarding your issue or organization?

PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINIONPRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION

What is the current and anticipated public opinion regarding your What is the current and anticipated public opinion regarding your issue?issue?

What has been the extent of press coverage in the state or district on What has been the extent of press coverage in the state or district on the issue?the issue?

What type of press coverage will the legislator likely receive upon What type of press coverage will the legislator likely receive upon publicly supporting your position?publicly supporting your position?

Would the policymaker be criticized in the media for changing a Would the policymaker be criticized in the media for changing a previously established position?previously established position?

Look at the Legislator’s press release section of his or her website and Look at the Legislator’s press release section of his or her website and find the accomplishments for which the legislator is specially proud.find the accomplishments for which the legislator is specially proud.

PROMOTERSPROMOTERS

Which groups or individuals actively Which groups or individuals actively helped the policymaker get elected?helped the policymaker get elected?

Who has supported the policymaker Who has supported the policymaker financially?financially?

Who are the current supporters or Who are the current supporters or legislative allies?legislative allies?

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Has the policymaker had a personal Has the policymaker had a personal experience on the issue?experience on the issue?

PART IIIPART III

Understanding Government Understanding Government Institutions and ProcessesInstitutions and Processes

NY STATE NY STATE GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT

The 3 men in a room The 3 men in a room

THE SHORT LEGISLATIVE THE SHORT LEGISLATIVE PROCESSPROCESS

Ideas for BillsIdeas for Bills

Idea into BillIdea into Bill

Bill IntroducedBill Introduced

Bill sent to CommitteeBill sent to Committee

Committee AgendaCommittee Agenda

Public Support or Attack on a BillPublic Support or Attack on a Bill

After CommitteeAfter Committee

NY STATE BUDGET NY STATE BUDGET PROCESS PROCESS

Agency Budget Preparation Agency Budget Preparation (June–September/October)(June–September/October)

Division Of The Budget Review Division Of The Budget Review (September/October–December)(September/October–December)

The Governor’s Decisions (November - January)The Governor’s Decisions (November - January)

Legislative Action (January–March)Legislative Action (January–March)

Budget Execution (March–April): Budget Execution (March–April):

PART IVPART IV

Know your IssueKnow your Issue

DREAM ACT LEGISLATIONDREAM ACT LEGISLATION

PUBLIC FUNDING FOR DREAM STUDENTS

TAP/PUBLIC SCHOLARSHIPSTAP/PUBLIC SCHOLARSHIPS

• http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A06829&term=2011&Summary=Y&Text=Y

• http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=S04179&term=2011

PRIVATE FUNDING FOR DREAM STUDENTSPRIVATE FUNDING FOR DREAM STUDENTS

PRIVATE FUNDPRIVATE FUND

• http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A08689&term=2011&Summary=Y&Text=Y

COLLEGE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (529s): COLLEGE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (529s):

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A08690&term=&Summary=Y&Text=Y

PART VPART V

Communicating Effectively Communicating Effectively with Policy Makerswith Policy Makers

Lobbying is NOT about status and Lobbying is NOT about status and influence. It is about changing the influence. It is about changing the

hearts and minds of government and hearts and minds of government and legislators. legislators.

An effective lobbyist uses information, communication, An effective lobbyist uses information, communication, public pressure and engagement to bring policy public pressure and engagement to bring policy change. change.

Educate Members of the NY LegislatureEducate Members of the NY Legislature

Give them the tools to make your caseGive them the tools to make your case

Makes them passionate about your issueMakes them passionate about your issue

Keep them updated on your issues--especially when Keep them updated on your issues--especially when you aren’t asking for somethingyou aren’t asking for something

Face to FaceFace to Face1) Keep it short; 1) Keep it short;

2) A concise presentation is most effective; 2) A concise presentation is most effective;

3) Members and their staff have 15 to 30 minutes per visit 3) Members and their staff have 15 to 30 minutes per visit depending on the standing of the member; 4) You may be depending on the standing of the member; 4) You may be interrupted at anytime by votes, schedules, etc.interrupted at anytime by votes, schedules, etc.

Be Focus: Be Focus: Talk about your goals in numbers where possible: 1) JOBS; 2) $Talk about your goals in numbers where possible: 1) JOBS; 2) $$$$; 3) Constituents that benefit. Know your Issue: 1) Have a one pager; $$$; 3) Constituents that benefit. Know your Issue: 1) Have a one pager; 2) Know how the issue effects you; 3) Be knowledgeable about the 2) Know how the issue effects you; 3) Be knowledgeable about the details; 4) Be persuasive-use personal stories.details; 4) Be persuasive-use personal stories.

Be assertive but not offensive. Overall, remember they are there Be assertive but not offensive. Overall, remember they are there to listen to you and they are regular people.to listen to you and they are regular people.