Post on 19-Dec-2015
CAROLL MORTENSENINTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT
BOARDSUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM
Legislation: A Former Committee Consultant’s Perspective
Confessions of a Policy Wonk in a Political World
A BRAVE NEW WORLD EVERY SESSION!
TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR MISSION YOU MUST BE EDUCATORS AS WELL AS
ADVOCATES.
KEEP AND DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS.
LOOK FOR NEW ALLIES.
Term Limits
MANY HAVE SAID THAT THIS IS THE MOST CHALLENGING LEGISLATIVE CLIMATE
EVER!
FOCUS ON SOUND FIRST STEPS AND REMOVING ROADBLOCKS.
Be realistic about the problem you are trying to
solve.
A S K Y O U R S E L F T H E T O U G H Q U E S T I O N F R O M T H E B E G I N N I N G A N D D E V E L O P A N S W E R S.
E S P E C I A L LY H O W A R E Y O U G O I N G T O PAY F O R T H E P R O G R A M
T H E S E W I L L G E T A S K E D A N D Y O U N E E D T O B E P R E PA R E D.
Have “all” the questions answered
THIS CAN BE VERY HELPFUL.
LEARN FROM OTHERS EXPERIENCE.
CHANGE IN NATIONAL POLITICAL DYNAMIC IS AN OPTION NOW.
What are others doing?Cities/States/Federal/Globa
l
AN ESSENTIAL AND SOMETIMES SURPRISING FIRST STEP.
PROVIDES INSIGHT AND VALUABLE INFORMATION.
Reach out to the opposition first!
TRY TO ‘SHAKE UP’ THE SUPPORT LIST FOR YOUR BILL .
LABOR, PUBLIC HEALTH, CULTURAL AND OTHER GROUPS.
Find Unlikely Supporters
INCLUDE ALL MEMBERS AND STAFF.
BOTH PARTIES NEED EDUCATION.
Two Party System!
MUCH MORE THAN THE DEADLINES FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET.
POLICY ANALYSES, MEETINGS, AMENDMENTS, TESTIMONY.
VERY FEW COMMITTEES ARE ALIKE!
Know The Committee Process
LEARN THE ART OF BREVITY!
MOST LETTERS LONGER THAN A PAGE ARE NOT EFFECTIVE!
UP-TO -DATE FACT SHEETS ARE VERY IMPORTANT!
TWO MINUTE L IMITS ON PRESENTATIONS ARE COMMON.
Brief Letters / Brief Presentations
KNOW THE PROCESS! SENATE AND ASSEMBLY ARE DIFFERENT!
BE PREPARED!GO EARLY!
The Floor!
SOME T I ME S I T S BE TT E R T O L E T A BI L L T O S I T OR DI E .
WH AT OT H E R I SSUE S AR E PE NDI NG?
T H I S I S AN E VE N BI GGE R C H AL L E NGE I N A T E R M- L I MI T E D L E GI SL AT UR E .
Know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em!
B E T R U E T O T H E M I SS I O N / V I S I O N O F Y O U R P O L I C I E S A N D P R O G R A M S.
B E “ G E N T L E ” I F O P P O S I T I O N I S WA R R A N T E D.
B E C L E A R R E G A R D I N G D I F F E R E N C E S I F Y O U H AV E A D I F F E R E N T P O S I T I O N F R O M T H E T R A D I T I O N A L
A D V O C A C Y G R O U P S.
Playing Nicely with Others
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS!
COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH.
MANY CONTACTS AND INSIGHT AS TO THE PROCESS.
Work with League of CA Cities and CA State
Association of Counties
C OMMON MI STAKE !
KE E P A POT E NT I AL OVE R SI GH T OR I MPL E ME NT I NG AGE NC Y I N T H E L OOP.
WH E N YOU H AVE T R AC T I ON, D E VE L OP C ONTAC T S I N T H E GOVE R NOR’ S OF F I C E .
Don’t forget the Agency and the Governor’s office!
OFTEN OVERLOOKED, BUT POWERFUL, POLICY TOOL.
SUPPLEMENTAL REPORTS.
OVERSIGHT AND SPECIAL HEARINGS.
EFFECTIVE WAY TO LAY OUT ‘NEXT STEPS’ .
Don’t forget the budget process!
YOU ARE ALL EXPERTS!
SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE!
Get Involved!
IF YOU THINK OF SOMETHING LATER!
CALL OR EMAIL ME!CMORTENSEN@CIWMB.CA.GOV
916 341 6456
THANKS!
Questions!