Lobbying 101 How To Become Effective Advocates Tom Bulger Government Relations Inc. (202)

Agenda  Why It Is Important to be involved  How a Bill Becomes a Law  Keys to A Successful Lobby  Authorizer vs. Appropriator  Meeting Requests/Meetings  Effective Correspondence

Stay informed, active and engaged WHY??? $2.5 Billion of ITS $$ Depends on it

Stay informed, active and engaged  Staying active in policy issues at both the federal level and local level yields opportunity and defends attacks on program funding  Use ITSA to stay informed regarding issues in the State and Federal Government  The Transportation planning process is an open process, utilize it to secure funds for your programs and to shed light on issues that concern your agency/business

Stay informed, active and engaged  Keep your local elected officials at all levels aware of your progress and results  Let them know how they can help you  Inundate them with information  Without you telling them, they will never know how they can help you!!!!!

How a Bill Becomes Law Completed Bill House Bill Presidential Proposal* Senate Bill Presidential Proposal* Conference Committee

The Process & The Players  Transportation Reauthorization in the House House Passed Bill Rules Transportation & Infrastructure Science Energy and Commerce Ways & Means Budget

The Process & The Players  Transportation Reauthorization in the Senate Senate Passed Bill Finance Environment & Public Works Commerce Banking Budget

The Process & The Players  Be mindful of what committee the Congressman you are working with is on  Committee structure is key  Work with the Congressman that represent you district as well as those in your area that sit on committees that effect your issue

The Process & The Players  Committee Staff  Committee Staff are responsible for drafting legislation proposed by a committee  95% of all major legislation is drafted by committee staff  Committee staff are referred to as key holders or gate keepers

Authorizer vs. Appropriator  Authorizer  Committee/Legislation that sets policy  Generally Programs are authorized every 2-6 years  TEA-21 is an authorizing bill  Sometimes earmarked  Appropriator  10 House Appropriation Committees  12 Senate Appropriation Committees  Funds programs set up by authorizing legislation  Must be completed every year  Almost always earmarked

Appropriation Project Requests  All but one appropriation committees include member projects called ‘earmarks’  Chairmen of the appropriation committees are known as cardinals  ITS projects are eligible for a number of earmarks

Appropriation Timeline Sample for FY 2007 Request  Summer of CY 2005—Formulate and prepare request  Fall of CY 2005 introduce concept and project to potential supporters on and off the Hill  Winter of CY 2005 Finalize request & support letters  January CY 2006 Visit Cap. Hill and meet with Staff to request project  Late Feb/early March CY 2006 Visit Cap. Hill and meet with Members of Congress  Spring/Summer CY 2006 Continue to lobbying effort

Appropriation Timeline Sample for FY 2007 Request  Important Dates  Internal Office Request Deadlines  Generally March 1 st  Subcommittee Deadlines  Generally between March 15 th —April 15 th  Subcommittee Markups  Generally between June-September  Pill passes into law  Anytime September-January

Meeting Requests  Fax Requests  Make Sure Congress is in Session  Tuesday-Thursdays are best days to meet  Make sure the meeting requires the Congressman’s attendance  CC: request to staff you are working with

Meetings  Be prepared and on time for all meetings  Have handouts readily available for staff and members.  Make sure the information is concise as Congressman receive an abundant amount of information  Offer a brief introduction of who you are, who you represent, and any common connections

Meetings  Always have a specific request  Ask how the Congressman wants to follow up/next steps  Be Gracious/Relaxed

Effectively communicate your message  The Basics  Always address all written communication to the Member of Congress and put it to the attention of the appropriate staff  Never use Snail Mail/FED-EX/or UPS to send urgent information  Fax/ /Phone Calls/Personal Meetings are best techniques

Effectively communicate your message  Who should I be talking with?  For policy issues you should be in constant contact with the LA or LD that handles transportation  When you need definite action schedule a meeting with the Member of Congress  District office managers should be invited/included in all local events  Keep your member informed at all times, as well as those members in your area sitting on committees involved with reauthorization

Effectively communicate your message  What should I communicate?  Send all updates/newsletters/reports to the district staff and LA via  Make it a point to touch base with your member of Congress in some way once or twice a month via /phone call/personal meeting

Effectively communicate your message  Other tricks of the trade  Present your Member(s) of Congress with an award for dedication*  Find out what issues your member is working on and see if there is a way that you can help him achieve one of his goals  Focus your message to your member’s goals  DO NOT BECOME PARTISAN

Never take ‘No’ for an answer  Only those who ask will receive  If you follow these simple rules you and your agency will grow as a political force at both the local and federal level