growing your public policy toolbox by larry dowell
TRANSCRIPT
Facilitated by Larry Dowell, Dowell Management
Growing Your Public Policy Toolbox
Background• Survey conducted for U.S. Chamber Government
Affairs Conference last October• Over 50 responses nation wide• All chambers with government affairs programs• Our professional observations & examples
1. Check all of the following your chamber does involving candidates or other
campaigns
•
Ballot proposal positions
Candidate debates
Candidate questionnaires
PAC's0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
1. Check all of the following your chamber does involving candidates or
other campaigns
Candid
ate en
dorse
ment (
PAC)
Candid
ate re
cruit
ment
Candid
ate sc
hool
Indep
ende
nt ex
pend
iture
Campa
ign fu
ndra
ising
Candid
ate en
dorse
d by c
hambe
r05
1015202530354045
Candidate Questionnaire
• Example: WI- 7, MN-1, IA-3
IA-3 Chamber Candidate Questionnaire
Candidate Questionnaire Sample Questions
• Please describe your views of the Free Enterprise system and your thoughts on if it is threatened today or in the future.
• Do you think the growth of government at all levels, and the deficits that follow, negatively impact job creation?
• Would you deal with the debt and deficit issues through increasing government revenue, decreasing government spending, or both?
Candidate School Example: Charleston (SC) Chamber of
Commerce
2. Check all of the following your chamber does to educate members on
policy and politics.•
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Lubbock City Council Vote Record Detailed Tabulation
Chamber Mayor DeLeon Price Klein Beane Leonard Gilbreath
Selection of Downtown Master Developer Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support
LP&L Ordinance Amendment Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support
Zoning Code Amendment for Off-premises Alcoholic Beverage Sales Support Support Support Support Support Support Support Support
Contractural Agreement with Downtown Master Developer Support Support Support Support Oppose Oppose Support Support
Voting with the Chamber position 4 4 4 3 3 4 4
Voting against the Chamber position 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
Not Voting
Voting Records Example: Lubbock Chamber of Commerce
SOUTH DAKOTA
State District 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 % Lifetime
%
Johnson Tim P.
D SD 1 + - - - - - + + 38 50
Thune John
R SD 2 + + ? ? + + + + 100
90
NEBRASKA State
District 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 % Lifetime
%
Nelson E. Benjamin
D NE
1 + - + - - + + + 63 77
Johanns Mike R NE
2 + + + + + + + + 100
96
U.S. Chamber Voting Tracker
Public Policy Guide Example: Salt Lake Chamber
3. Check all of the following your chamber utilizes on key issues
Take official positions on public policy issues
93
93.5
94
94.5
95
95.5
96
96.5
Meet with state officials and testify when needed
Ask members to speak with their elected officials
3. Check all of the following your chamber utilizes on key issues
• 82.6%- Meet with local officials and testify when needed
• 76.9%- Meet and testify with federal officials• 75%- Policy research and development
3. Check all of the following your chamber utilizes on key issues
• 69.2%- Use an online grassroots system• 65.3%- Use polling as a tool for advocacy• 44.2%- Organize using a grass tops approach• 28.8%- Litigation or legal advocacy
4. Check all the following your chamber does to advance your
advocacy and policy agenda Top answers:• Public policy committee• Use social media• Coalition and network
building• Staff devoted to public
policy
• 70%- Appointment recommendations• 68%- Earned media• 45%- Media partnerships• 32%- Paid media• 18%- Demonstration projects and pilots
4. Check all the following your chamber does to advance your
advocacy and policy agenda
Ballot Initiative Example: North Dakota
Chamber
5. Check all of the following issues that your chamber has advocated on
in the past year• Top Three:• Taxes• Education/Workforce Prep• Transportation/• transit funding
5. Check all of the following issues that your chamber has advocated on
in the past year
• 82%- Budget• 82%- Regulatory reform• 76%- Local project funding• 70%- Energy/environmental• 64%- Health Care• 50%- Trade expansion
6. What currently prevents your chamber from growing your advocacy
programs?
#1 answer: Lack of resources and
time
DiscussionHow does your chamber
advocate and ensure a strong business voice is heard?