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Tips
for the Citizen Lobbyist
Reprinted with permission from A Citizen's Guide
to the 120th Maine Legislature published by the
Maine People's Resource Center.
The material reprinted here represents only a small
portion of the indispensable information on the Maine
legislature contained in the Citizen's Guide. Find
out more about the Citizen's Guide, including
how to order a copy.
WE
ARE FORTUNATE to have a citizen legislature in
Maine, made up mostly of people who truly want to
do what will be best for the state. Certain legislators
are motivated by strong, partisan ideology, some by
personal philosophy, others by a desire to advocate
for the needs of their district. All legislators,
however, are forced to make hard decisions about a
wide spectrum of issues, and none are experts on all
the issues that they must address. That is why your
participation in the legislative process is so vital.
Your legislators can only represent you and your community
as well as they understand your interests and the
effect their decisions will have on your life. If
you think they should vote a certain way on a certain
issue, it is your responsibility to let them know.
Often, professional lobbyists are the only source
of information a state legislator has on issues about
which (s)he must make a decision. Some lobbyists are
not always looking out for the best interests of a
specific community or the state as a whole, but they
do understand how to influence lawmakers.
The following pages intend to level the playing field
and help you communicate effectively with lawmakers.
This information was gathered from the Maine Women's
Lobby, Enough Is Enough by Diane McEachern, and the
staff of MPRC. Tools that you can use to directly
influence your state representative or senator range
from calling him/her on the phone at home, to testifying
at a public hearing, to writing a letter to the editor.
None of these tools are hard to use, and when used
in combination, they will maximize your effectiveness
and make sure your voice is heard. Remember, yours
is the most important voice.
Lobbying
your Legislator
The most effective means of communicating with your
representatives is through direct contact either at
their home, at a public meeting, in the state house
or on the phone. In a small state like Maine, legislators
are generally very willing to meet or speak with constituents.
When speaking directly with a legislator, however,
it is important to keep the following basic rules
in mind: The
Ten Informal Rules of Lobbying
1.
Consider Yourself an Information Source. Legislators
have limited time, staff and interest on any one issue.
They can't be as informed as they might like to be
on all the issues, including the issues that concern
you. Your job is to provide them with information.
2. Tell the Truth.
There is no faster way to lose credibility than to
give false or misleading information to a legislator.
3.
Know Who Else Is On Your Side. It is helpful
for a legislator to know what other groups, individuals,
state agencies and/or legislators support your cause.
4.
Know the Opposition. Anticipate who the
opposition will be. Provide legislators with information
to counter your opposition's arguments.
5.
Make the Legislator Aware of Any Personal Connection
You May Have. Maine's legislative process
is very accessible, and a personal connection is often
helpful. No matter how insignificant you may feel
it is, if you have friends, relatives or colleagues
in common, LET THEM KNOW.
6. Don't Be Afraid to Admit
You Don't Know Something. If a legislator
wants information you don't have or asks something
you don't know, tell them and then offer to get the
information for them.
7.
Be Specific. If you want a vote, information,
answers to a question? whatever it is, make sure you
ask for it directly and get an answer.
8.
Follow Up. It is important to find out
if your legislator did what he/she said they would.
It is also important that you thank them if they voted
for your position.
9.
Don't "Burn Any Bridges." It is easy to
get emotional over issues. That's fine, but be sure
that no matter what happens you don't permanently
alienate a legislator. Your strongest opponent on
one issue may be an ally on another.
10.
Remember - You Are The Boss!! Your tax
money pays legislators' salaries, pays for the paper
they write on, and the phone they use to call you.
They are responsible to you and nine times out of
ten are grateful for your input.
Adapted from a Maine Women's Lobby publication for
use in A Citizen's Guide to the 120th Maine Legislature.
Public hearings are held on most legislative and public
policy issues, and provide a number of opportunities
for citizen activists. By encouraging other people
who share your views on the issue in question to attend
and testify, you can demonstrate broad support for
your position to the body convening the hearing. Since
the media often cover public hearings, you can display
that same support in newspapers and on television.
Statements and written material submitted during a
public hearing become part of the public record which
must be considered by the decision-making body. Hearings
also allow you to hear and study the arguments of
those who disagree with you on a specific topic. Public
hearings can be intense and sometimes intimidating,
but they are a vital part of the legislative process
and should not be ignored. Remember, the legislators
who convene public hearings are concerned citizens
like you. They need the information you can provide.
Following are tips to help you make your participation
in hearings as effective as possible.
Use Your Time Efficiently
There is often a time limit for speakers at public
hearings ? especially hearings on high profile issues.
Make your point direct. Be concise. If possible, talk
with others who share your view and divide the topics
that need to be addressed among several speakers so
all of your issues are discussed.
Submit Supporting Materials
Though your speaking time may be limited, you will
be allowed to submit written material which can include
additional personal comments, charts, maps or materials
prepared by other experts on the topic. You can also
make these materials, as well as news releases, available
to members of the media who may be covering the hearing.
Take Notes
During the hearing, try to take notes on the testimony
submitted by others to track points that need clarification
or reiteration, and arguments that need rebuttal.
You can address these issues during your oral statement,
or through additional written comments submitted after
the hearing.
Be Polite
Public hearings can be very emotionally charged. You
may hear accusations or assertions which you vehemently
oppose, but it is important to keep your emotions
under control and your statement focused on points
that will advance your position. Venting your anger
or frustration will only cut into the time you have
to make your case and distract from more important
arguments.
Writing letters is one of the most effective methods
of communicating with elected officials. Writing a
letter allows you to carefully form your words and
arguments without the pressure of a face-to-face meeting.
It also allows the elected official to read and consider
your points away from the distractions of the state
house or a formal meeting, and shows that you feel
strongly enough about an issue to actually sit down
and compose your thoughts. Letters also allow you
to provide your representative with other written
material which supports your point of view. Writing
Your Legislator
Clearly Identify Yourself
Make sure you identify yourself as a constituent or
otherwise concerned citizen, and whether you are writing
in a private or professional capacity. Also include
your name and address on the letter itself since the
envelope may get lost.
Keep It Brief
If possible keep your letter to one page or less and
focus on a single subject.
Get to the Point
Summarize your position or request in the first paragraph,
using the rest of the letter for explanation and supporting
information.
Be Specific
Ask for specific action -- either to support or oppose
a specific bill, amendment or other action. If possible
refer to legislation by name and number, stating who
introduced it, and summarizing what it will do.
Be Factual
Don't dilute your credibility with arguments that
cannot be substantiated.
Personalize Your Message
Explain how the proposal in question will affect you,
your family, business or community.
Thank Your Legislator
Thank your legislator for his or her time and attention.
Ask for a Reply
Ask for a reply to ensure that your letter is not
ignored.
Elected officials tend to be very sensitive to public
opinion, and the "Letters to the Editor" section of
the newspaper provides an excellent forum for publicizing
a representative's position or actions in support
or opposition of an important issue. It also allows
you to directly encourage other members of your community
to take action on an issue. Many of the tips listed
previously apply equally to letters to the editor
but there are other points to keep in mind:
Address Your Letter Properly
Be sure to include your name, address and daytime
phone number. Many editors like to call and confirm
that a letter they plan to publish was actually written
by the person whose name is attached.
Reference a Previous Article
If your letter responds to a specific article or statement
reported in an article, reference the title and date
of the article in your first sentence.
Make Your Point Immediately
Your most important point or message should be expressed
in your first paragraph. If you are writing as part
of an organized campaign, be sure the campaign message
is contained early in the letter.
Be Brief
Your letter should be between 100 and 300 words long.
The shorter it is, the greater the chance it will
be printed. Call your local paper for specific guidelines.
Time Your Letter Appropriately
If you are responding to a previously published article
or editorial, try to submit your letter within a week
of the story's appearance. If you are writing in reference
to specific legislative action, try to time your letter
so it can be printed within a few days of an expected
vote.
Avoid Threats or Personal Attacks
Using threats or personal attacks are not effective
ways to generate understanding and support. Such tactics
often distract from a more important message.
Follow Up With the Editor
After submitting your letter, contact the editorial
page editor to make sure they received the letter,
and to ask directly if and when they plan to print
it.
Don't Be Disappointed
Newspapers simply cannot publish all the letters they
receive. Many are also reluctant to print letters
from a single writer over and over. If you have recently
had a letter published and feel that another issue
or article needs to be addressed, try to get a friend
to write one.
A Citizen's Guide to the 120th Legislature,
published by the Maine People's Resource Center, is
the indispensable book for anyone interacting with
the Legislature. The Guide is especially designed
for the citizen activist who may be working with the
Legislature for the first time. But whether you are
a veteran lobbyist or a political novice, the Guide
provides critical information to make your interactions
with the Legislature more effective. The Maine People's
Resource Center has biennially published this highly
regarded publication since 1985.
The Citizen's Guide features detailed,
informative profiles of Maine's governor, state senators,
representatives and constitutional officers. These
profiles provide employment and educational background,
past political experience and accomplishments, policy
priorities and general political values. Also featured
are endorsements, ratings from diverse national and
state organizations, and campaign expenditures. The
Guide also includes extensive information about the
structure and workings of the state legislature itself.
To order a copy of A Citizen's Guide to the 120th
Maine Legislature, write to:
Maine People's Resource Center
68 Bishop Street, Suite 1
Portland, ME 04103
Please include your shipping address, phone number
and a check made out to Maine People's Resource
Center. Cost of the guide is $14.00 each plus
$3.00 for shipping and handling and 5% Maine State
Sales Tax (if tax exempt, enclose number). Add $1.00
shipping and handling for each additional copy ordered.
