Beyond the Beltway: Influencing Federal Policy through Grassroots Engagement GMA Annual Convention 2018 Welcome and Goals for Today Learn about importance of federal issues and how city officials can influence federal policy Overview of Georgia s delegation Facts about Congress and the legislative process GMA Federal Advocacy Apply concepts to practical situations Empower you to talk to federal leaders Group feedback: What are the top two things you would like to learn today? 1
Federal Advocacy: Why is it important? Federal issues impact cities Break through Beltway thinking put a local face on issues Continuous exchange of ideas and local examples Strengthen relationships to guide decision making Trust in Government Pew Research Center, November 2015 Poll Gallup, September 2016 Trust & confidence in: Congress: 35% State government: 62% Local government: 71% Congress: An Overview 115 th Congress 435 House; 50 Senate Republicans have 51-seat majority in Senate; 241-seat majority in House Average age of House member is 57.8 years; Senate is 61.8 years 89 women in House; 22 in Senate 48 African-American in House; 3 in Senate 41 Hispanic in the House; 5 in Senate 2
Congress: An Overview Occupation law, public service, business 43 former mayors (35 in the House, 8 in the Senate); at least 96 former congressional staffers (18 in the Senate, 78 in the House;) 6 congressional pages (3 in the House and 3 in the Senate) Salary Personnel allowance Legislative Process How Congress works Regular order Budget reconciliation process Committees Georgia s Senators Senator Johnny Isakson 1 st Republican to be sworn in to a third term in the U.S. Senate representing Georgia. He also holds the distinction as the first Georgian to be elected to the state House, state Senate, U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (known as HELP); Finance, Foreign Relations, Veterans Affairs (Chair) and Ethics (Chair) Senator David Perdue Elected in 2014 to his 1 st term Armed Services Committee; Banking Committee; Agriculture Committee; and Budget Committee 3
Georgia s Representatives GA-01 Hon. Buddy Carter GA-02 Hon. Sanford Bishop GA-03 Hon. Drew Ferguson GA-04 Hon. Hank Johnson GA-05 Hon. John Lewis GA-06 Hon. Karen Handel GA-07 Hon. Rob Woodall GA-08 Hon. Austin Scott GA-09 Hon. Doug Collins GA-10 Hon. Jody Hice GA-11 Hon. Barry Loudermilk GA-12 Hon. Rick Allen GA-13 Hon. David Scott GA-14 Hon. Tom Graves Feedback: Who has met with your Congressman? What was the issue? What was the outcome? What worked or didn t work? 4
NLC and GMA: Partners in Federal Advocacy Tips for Messaging and Communicating with Federal Leaders Ashley Smith, NLC Senior Associate, Grassroots Advocacy Messaging and Communicating with Federal Leaders Overview Tips for Messaging and Communicating with Federal Leaders Why is Effective Communication Important? Building a Strong Message & Communicating It Effectively Advocacy Resources for Cities Q&A 5
Why it Matters By the Numbers 200-1,000% increase in mail/email volume to most congressional offices over past decade 0% increase in congressional staffing levels 12,063 measures introduced by 114th Congress only 329 signed into law Fewer legislative days in 2018 Senate: 175 legislative days House: 121 legislative days You Are Influential! Source: Citizen-Centric Advocacy, Congressional Management Foundation, 2015 NLC University https://learning.govloop.com/nlcuniversity/ 6
Know What You Want SMART Goals Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely Know What You Want SPIT Technique Specific Personal Informative Timely Know Who to Talk To Member of Congress Chief of Staff Legislative Director Legislative Assistant Legislative Correspondent 7
Elevator Pitch Steps The Three W s WHO are you? Introduce yourself what are your credentials? WHAT do you want? Make your ask use your SPIT message and keep it simple! WHY does it matter to your legislator? Exchange contact information and keep the door open REMEMBER: Always be courteous, no matter what happens Advocacy Resources for Cities Join Us to Fight for America s Infrastructure NLC is launching a new advocacy initiative focused on rebuilding America s broken infrastructure www.nlc.org/takeactio n 8
Resources for You Q&A National League of Cities RESOURCES FOR CITY OFFICIALS 9
GMA Federal Priorities Infrastructure Telecom/ broadband E-Fairness Group Activity Practice Your Elevator Speech 10
GMA Policy Process Spring Listening Sessions Approval by GMA Membership/ Annual Convention Legislative Policy Council Spring Meeting Legislative Policy Council/Annual Convention Policy Area Meetings/Annual Convention GMA Federal Policy Council Builds on existing relationships Part of GMA mission to expand advocacy to all levels Delivers GMA priorities in DC and in the District GMA Federal Policy Council Chair is GMA 2 nd VP Dublin Mayor Phil Best 11
Building Relationships with Staff Staff are the experts Link between you and their boss Offer to be their resource Stop by to check in Get to know schedulers Building Relationships with Staff Be candid with your request Become their reliable resource Be brief Be prepared to answer questions Provide facts, be honest Address their concerns Connect with committee staffers Planning for DC Congressional Visits Check House and Senate Calendars Votes, hearings may impact scheduled appointments Find out if they have a position on your issue yet (e.g., co-sponsors) Be organized, bring local examples Consider including GMA issues and ask GMA for help and talking points 12
Other Ways to Get Involved Get to know district staff Meet members in their district office Invite members to local meetings & events, highlight their attendance Email, social media Become a member of the FPC Join NLC and become an active member Group Activity Awkward Situations! 13
Group feedback: What have you heard today that you will incorporate into your role in your city? Questions? Becky Taylor btaylor@gmanet.com 678-686-6276 14