1. Demonstrating Economic Benefit or Harm

2. What do we mean by economic benefit and harm?
Other factors that might be considered in determining economic benefit or harm:
Job opportunities
Health issues
Quality of life
Opportunities for children
Cultural life
Expenses
The civic climate

3. What do we mean by economic benefit and harm? (cont.)
Other factors that might be considered in determining commercial benefit or harm:
Good schools
Job training or skills training programs
Environmental preservation
Pollution 3

4. Why should you demonstrate economic benefit or harm?
Economic consequences are often the easiest for people to understand
At least a sizeable minority of the public doesn't understand the point of taxation
Economic arguments are powerful because they touch everyone in a community 4

5. When should you demonstrate economic benefit or harm?
When you're trying to get legislation passed or policies changed.
When you're opposing legislation or policy change.
When you're supporting an action or policy that will have clear economic benefits.
When you're opposing an action or policy that will have clear economic drawbacks. 5

6. Why should you demonstrate economic benefit or harm? (cont.)
When your advocacy involves a controversial issue.
When you're alerting the public to the importance of an issue.
When you're engaged in a community planning process. 6

7. How do you demonstrate economic benefit or harm?
Do the research.
Determine the possible short- and long-term consequences of the actions or policies in question.
Analyze the short- and long-term consequences of the actions or policies in question.
Make the economic connections.
Determine your target audience.
Frame and deliver your message with your audience in mind. 7