Legislative Advocacy 101
Presented by:
LuAnn Madsen
Madsen & Wright, Inc.
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Madsen & Wright, Inc. - Legislative Advocacy
3/21/2016
Madsen & Wright, Inc.
The team consists of professionals and political operatives
that have represented clients’ interests before the
General Assembly and Executive Branch since 1986.
107A E. High St., Suite 201
Jefferson City, Missouri
(573) 635-4694
www.mwimo.com
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Madsen & Wright, Inc. - Legislative Advocacy
3/21/2016
Madsen & Wright, Inc.
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 of
Association Executives, and currently serves on
the Board of Directors of the Missouri Society of
Governmental Consultants.
In her spare time she teaches tap dancing and
choreographs shows for community theater.
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Madsen & Wright, Inc. - Legislative Advocacy
Advocacy 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.
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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.)
• 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?
• 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”?
• 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.)
• 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?
• 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.)
• 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 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 (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 (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 (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 (cont.)
• Missouri General Assembly Website
▫ http://www.moga.mo.gov/

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

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 Resources
How to Address Government Officials
Missouri Representatives E-mail Addresses
Contacting the Governor's Office
State of Missouri Home Page
Who is my Representative and/or Senator?
Who are my County officials?
Who are my US Representatives?
Missouri Senate E-mail Addresses
Missouri State Statutes
Missouri Constitution
Driver and Automobile Licensing
State Symbols
Birth & Death Records
Term Limits
Candidate Filing Information
Glossary of Terms
House and Senate Joint Bill Search
Tax Forms, Tables and Charts
Professional Licensing
Starting a New Business
Utilities Regulation
Code of State Regulation (CSRs)
Administrative Rules
Missouri Judiciary
Voting & Elections
Ballot Issues
Job Opportunities in State Government
Bid Opportunities
State Boards & Commissions
Statutes Popular Name Table
Missouri Ethics Commission
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“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.)
• 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 & 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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• 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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Legislative Advocacy (cont.)
• 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.)
• 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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Legislative Advocacy (cont.)
• 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.)
• 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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Legislative Advocacy (cont.)
• 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 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 (cont.)
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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 (cont.)
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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,
Madsen & Wright, Inc.
Thank You for the Work You
Do and Your Attention Today!