Legislative Advocacy 101

Legislative Advocacy Legislative Advocacy 101101

Presented by:Presented by:LuAnn MadsenLuAnn MadsenMadsen & Wright, Inc.Madsen & Wright, Inc.

Madsen & Wright, Inc.Madsen & Wright, Inc.The team consists of professionals and political operatives

that have represented clients’ interests before theGeneral Assembly and Executive Branch since 1986.

107A E. High St., Suite 201Jefferson City, Missouri

(573) 635-4694www.mwimo.com

Madsen & Wright, Inc. - Legislative Advocacy 04/19/23

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Madsen & Wright, Inc.Madsen & Wright, Inc.Madsen & Wright, Inc. - Legislative Advocacy 04/19/23

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LuAnn Madsen – Is an attorney and has been a contract lobbyist for over 25 years. She has also served as a local assistant prosecutor, on the legal staff in multiple capacities for the Missouri Bar, and as an adjunct instructor at UCM (Warrensburg), and State Fair Community College.

She is a Past President of the Missouri Society ofAssociation Executives, and currently serves onthe Board of Directors of the Missouri Society of Governmental Consultants.

In her spare time she teaches tap dancing andchoreographs shows for community theater.

Advocacy vs. LobbyingAdvocacy vs. Lobbying•How is advocacy different from lobbying?

▫Lobbying is only one kind of advocacy.

▫Not all advocacy is lobbying but all lobbying is advocacy.

04/19/23Madsen & Wright, Inc. - Legislative Advocacy

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What is “Advocacy”?What is “Advocacy”?• The Latin roots of the verb “advocate” include vocare, “to

call,” and vox, “voice.” Advocacy means speaking out, answering a call.

• “Advocacy” encompasses a broad range of activities that can influence public debate and policy decisions.

• Through advocacy, people and organizations seek to influence the laws, policies, and systems that affect entire communities.


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What is “Advocacy”? (cont.)What is “Advocacy”? (cont.)• Effective advocacy can include:▫ Educating the public and policy makers about issues of

concern.▫ Attempting to influence legislation.▫Working to shape the development of governmental agency

rules and regulations.▫ Litigating on public policy issues.▫ Educating voters and candidates about policy issues.▫ Ensuring that underrepresented communities have a voice in

the policy process.


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Why Advocate?Why Advocate?• Effective advocacy enables a nonprofit to shape the public

debate on important social issues and ensure that underserved communities have a voice in the policies that impact their lives.

• Advocacy is the number one way nonprofits can advance the issues they care about and help bring about systemic, lasting change for the people they serve.


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Types of “Advocacy”?Types of “Advocacy”?• Organizing: Build power at the base.

• Educate Legislators: Provide information on issues.

• Educating the Public about the Legislative Process: Introduce communities and constituencies to the legislators whose represent them.

• Research: Produce relevant resources that reflect the real story of your community.

• Organizing a rally: Mobilize for your cause.

• Regulatory efforts: Take action at the agencies.


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Types of “Advocacy”? (cont.)Types of “Advocacy”? (cont.)• Public education: Educate the community on the issues.

• Nonpartisan voter education: Inform the electorate on the issues.

• Nonpartisan voter mobilization: Encourage citizens to vote.

• Educational conferences: Gather, network, share information, and plan for the future.

• Training.

• Litigation: Win in court for your cause or your community.

• Lobbying: Advocate for or against specific legislation.


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What/Who is an Advocate?What/Who is an Advocate?• Generic term for a person who represents a client’s

interest before federal, state and/or local government.

• Similar to how an attorney represents a client’s interests in a court of law.

• Can be a volunteer or employee of any: company, association, government agency or like-minded group.

• Most commonly think of a “hired-gun” or lobbyist; who can be a person or firm, acting as an independent contractor on behalf of a “special interest” that hires them to represent their interests.


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What/Who is a Advocate (cont.)What/Who is a Advocate (cont.)•Almost anyone can be a Advocate or Lobbyist:▫Any profession (or non-profession)▫Don’t have to be an attorney, but it is often an

advantage.▫Ability to meet people, develop relationships, and

process lots of information happening at once is also helpful.

•Every state is different▫There are virtually no two states alike when it comes to

lobbying. Each has a unique set of rules and laws governing how lobbying may be conducted.

• Lobbying on the Federal level is also very different.▫Discussion can be its own presentation.


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Missouri General AssemblyMissouri General Assembly• Bicameral State Legislature (two chambers: House & Senate)▫ 34 State Senators

Must be 30 years old Limited to serving two four-year terms for a total of eight years. Each represents approximately 176,145 people

▫ 163 State Representatives Must be 24 years old Limited to serving four two-year terms for a total of eight years. Each represents approximately 36,742 people

• Federal (Congress or “The Hill”)▫ 2 - U.S. Senators – six-year terms

Each state has two representing the entire state.▫ 2012 Missouri has eight (8) U.S. Representatives – two-year terms

Each represents approximately 621,690 people

NOTE: The Missouri General Assembly/State Legislature is not referred to as “Congress” or “The Hill.”


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Missouri General Assembly Missouri General Assembly (cont.)(cont.)• Each “General Assembly” convenes for two consecutive, one-year

sessions.▫ 2011 was the 1st Regular Session of the 96th General Assembly. 2012 was

the 2nd Regular Session.▫ 2013 was the 1st Regular Session of the 97th General Assembly. 2014 is the

2nd Regular Session.▫ An “Extraordinary Session,” commonly called “special sessions,” may be

convened when it is called by the governor for special purposes.

• December 1st is the first day bills may be filed for the upcoming session.

• The State Constitution says each Legislative Session “begins on the first Wednesday, after the first Monday in January and ends on the second Friday, after the first Monday in May” (approximately 80 legislative days).

• The State Constitution requires that the state budget be passed by the “first Friday after the first Monday in May.”


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Missouri General Assembly Missouri General Assembly (cont.)(cont.)

Results of November 2012 Elections•67 Total New Legislators (34+%):▫54 (33%) new House members▫13 (38%) new Senate members (10 were former House

members)

•General Assembly make up as of January 2014:▫House -108 Republicans / 52 Democrats / 3 Vacancies▫Senate - 24 Republicans / 9 Democrats / 1 Vacancy


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Missouri General Assembly Missouri General Assembly (cont.)(cont.)• Important Websites:▫Missouri Senate – http://www.senate.mo.gov/

▫Missouri House – http://www.house.mo.gov/

▫Governor Jay Nixon – http://governor.mo.gov/

▫House/Senate Bills Tracking -http://www.house.mo.gov/billcentral.aspx?pid=26


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Missouri General Assembly Missouri General Assembly (cont.)(cont.)•Missouri General Assembly Website▫http://www.moga.mo.gov/

Links to House, Senate and Statewide Official’s Websites Bill Search Fiscal Notes Legislator Contact Info, Bios and Votes

•Missouri Statutes•Code of State Regulations•Frequently Asked for Resources▫http://www.moga.mo.gov/question.htm


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Frequently Asked for ResourcesFrequently Asked for Resources


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How to Address Government OfficialsMissouri Representatives E-mail AddressesContacting the Governor's OfficeState of Missouri Home PageWho is my Representative and/or Senator?Who are my County officials?Who are my US Representatives?Missouri Senate E-mail AddressesMissouri State StatutesMissouri ConstitutionDriver and Automobile LicensingState SymbolsBirth & Death RecordsTerm LimitsCandidate Filing InformationGlossary of Terms

House and Senate Joint Bill SearchTax Forms, Tables and ChartsProfessional LicensingStarting a New BusinessUtilities RegulationCode of State Regulation (CSRs)Administrative RulesMissouri JudiciaryVoting & ElectionsBallot IssuesJob Opportunities in State GovernmentBid OpportunitiesState Boards & CommissionsStatutes Popular Name TableMissouri Ethics Commission

““I’m Just a Bill…!”I’m Just a Bill…!”•How a bill becomes a law…? (see House website)

•How are bills created?▫Legislative sponsor(s) and champions▫Bill drafting/writing language▫Proponents, Opponents, Coalitions, Allies,

Colleagues, Mutual Interests, Amendments, and Substitutes

▫“…sausage and laws”

•How does a bill become a law?▫2000 introduced vs. 200 passed


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““I’m Just a Bill…! (cont.)I’m Just a Bill…! (cont.)•HBs/SBs versus:▫Bills with referendum clause▫Joint Resolutions

Requires public vote▫Concurrent Resolutions

Message to Federal Government▫Courtesy Resolutions

“Certificate Suitable for Framing”▫Which Version?

Printed, Online, Substitute, LR #


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Tracking Legislation & ReportsTracking Legislation & Reports•How Legislation is Tracked?▫Read Physical Bills▫Mark Them as Potential Interest▫Follow on our Tracking Report

GovWatch Reports

•Frequent Communication, Legislative Committee, and other appropriate coalition members.

•Reports sent for distribution.


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Legislative Advocacy Legislative Advocacy • Establish and build “personal” relationships▫ Legislators and their staffs▫ Executive Branch, including: governor’s office, department &

division decision makers, and regulatory agencies• Educate about current policy status▫What’s good or bad?▫How Missouri’s policy(s) compare to other states, and how the

policy(s) impacts Missouri’s competitive position?• Educate about desired policy changes▫Why change is better than status quo?▫Who is impacted (positively or negatively)▫Who will or will not benefit?▫ Additional positive or negative impacts?▫What is/are the cost(s) of desired changes?


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• Scheduling an appointment & Communication Courtesies▫When making an appointment, state the subject to be discussed

and identify persons who will attend, noting whether they are constituents.

▫ In-District or Capitol? In the office or in the hallway?▫ Time Expectations? How long will you need?▫Will there be media coverage?▫Use of Titles…

First Name Representative or Senator (name)


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Legislative Advocacy (cont.)Legislative Advocacy (cont.)

Legislative Advocacy (cont.)Legislative Advocacy (cont.)• Select a spokesperson if others are going with you, and

agree on your presentation in advance of your meeting.

• Know the facts, both legislatively and related to your position. If discussing a bill, know the number and title.

• Present the facts in an orderly, concise, positive manner. Stay on the issue. Don't try to talk about too many different topics or your position may become confused.


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• Relate the positive impact of legislation you support and the problem(s) it corrects. If you are affected personally, tell them your story, and how an issue will impact you or your profession.

• Relate the negative impact of legislation you oppose and the problem(s) it would create.

• Leave fact sheets if possible.

• Encourage questions. Be prepared to discuss.


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Legislative Advocacy (cont.)Legislative Advocacy (cont.)•Ask for favorable consideration, thank the

legislator for his/her time and courtesy, and leave promptly.

•Be sure to get the name of staff members in the legislator’s office, especially those in charge of setting appointments and covering your issue.


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• Follow up with a note of thanks. Sometimes, it’s good to carry some cards with you, so you can write notes immediately after your meeting, and mail them on your way out of town (there is a USPS with drop boxes on the street across the street from the Capitol).

• You may end up meeting with a staff member instead of the Legislator if he/she is called away for votes or committee business. The staffer will convey your message to the Legislator.


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Initiative PetitionsInitiative Petitions•Statutory▫Need signatures equal to 5% of the vote for governor in

last general election in six of the nine congressional districts.

•Constitutional▫Need signatures equal to 8% of the vote for governor in

last general election in six of the nine congressional districts.

NOTE: Both petitions must be turned in by first part of May.

▫A new political tactic is to file joint resolutions in the legislature to flush out supporters, opponents and campaign messages.


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Missouri General Assembly Missouri General Assembly (cont.)(cont.) Education Specific Policy Issues

•Teacher Performance and Evaluation▫Amendment 3

•Common Core Standards▫Missouri Specific Implementation

•Fully Funding the Foundation Formula:▫ Impacts of Tax Cuts, Tax Credits, and Withholdings

•Protecting the Religious Liberties of Students and Parents.

•Vouchers:▫Public Money for Private Education

•Public School Retirement System:▫Defined Contribution vs Defined Benefit


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Missouri General Assembly Missouri General Assembly (cont.)(cont.) Overarching State Policy Issues

•Economic Development & Job Creation•Tax Reforms▫ “Fair Tax” (replace income and property taxes with one state sales tax)▫ Redesign to Eliminate all State Tax Credits▫ TABOR (Constitutional State Government Spending Reduction)

•Redesign of Missouri’s Court Plan and Civil Court Laws•Budget:▫ Spending Reductions▫ Structural Changes (tax credit reforms, program cuts, fees for service,

privatization, etc.)▫ Transparency at All Levels (State, County, City, Schools, Public Higher

Ed)•“Right to Work” laws (attacking Organized Labor)•Change Missouri’s Minimum Wage Law•Medicaid Reforms:▫ Health Insurance, TANF Time-Limits,


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Madsen & Wright, Inc.Madsen & Wright, Inc.Thank You for the Work Thank You for the Work You Do and Your Attention You Do and Your Attention Today!Today!

Legislative Advocacy 101

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