Getting to YES:Connecting Legislative Policy Leadership

to Community Goals

June 5, 2014

Michael A. Houlemard, Jr.

Executive Officer, Fort Ord Reuse Authority

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Panelists

Rochelle Dornatt, Chief of Staff, Rep. Farr (D-CA)

Bill Cork, Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer TexAmericas Center

Dave Hanke, General Counsel to Sen. Cornyn (R-TX)

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Assumptions

1. Federal/State legislators are educated and clearly understand your mission.

2. Your policy goals/objectives are definitive and discernible to others.

3. You regularly monitor legislative actions for implications to your mission.

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Where to Start?

1. Establish a Comprehensive Legislative Agenda.

2. Clarify Policy/Legislative Priorities.

3. Identify Roles of Legislators/Appointed Reps.

4. Define Policy Issues/Outcomes (White Papers).

5. Set Federal/State Legislative (Annual) Missions.

Developing a Policy/Legislative Program:

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Legislative “Agenda”

2014 FORA Legislative Agenda

Project/Programi. Issueii. Benefitsiii. Challengesiv. Proposed Position

A. Create Veterans CemeteryB. Support National MonumentC. Augment Water SupplyD. Support Water BondE. Advocate for Transportation/

Transit Improvement FundingF. Fund Basewide Mitigations and

Building RemovalG. Adopt Habitat Cons. PlanH. Add Financing Support

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Educating Legislators

• Send Legislative Agenda on “schedule.”• Set pre-meeting with key staff.• Translate “technical” to “understandable.”• Brief policymakers/local leaders.• Recognize/address political realities.• Focus on the “realm of the possible.”

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The Legislative Mission

• Set appropriate dates with legislative staff.• Define Mission goals/link to Leg. Agenda.• Focus on priority issues/be prepared to

address peripheral issues.• Be prepared: secure advance questions

from legislators.• Pre-brief participants on issues/questions.

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Interface with Elected Representatives

• What are their priorities? • How is your issue/program crucial to their

success/representation/priorities?• Brief participants in their policy role.• Follow-up!