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Protecting the Public’s Health:Tips for Advocates

Presentation to the

New York State Public Health Association

Blair Horner

May 30, 2014

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Agenda

Defining advocacy Background on government Lobbying in New York Components of successful advocacy Basics on lobbying Do’s and Don’ts

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What Is Advocacy?

Informing decision makers about risks/benefits of policy change.

Building a persuasive case for a particular change.

Engaging the community to advance or promote social, environmental or public policy issues.

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Example: NYC Smoking Rate Down Nearly 30%

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The Powers of the Executive Governor is one of most powerful

executives in nation. Controls budget process. Governor Andrew Cuomo Attorney General Eric

Schneiderman Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli Elected to four year terms

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The Legislature Senate controlled by Republicans/Independent

Democratic coalition with 35 members (29 – R; IDC – 5; D/R -1) of 63 seats (two open).

Assembly controlled by Democrats: 100 D members of 150 seats (ten open).

2 year terms, elections are in even numbered years

Extremely powerful leadership. Chooses: chairs, staffing, office and parking

locations. Also controls leadership PACs.

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What is NYS’s definition of lobbying? New York State law applies to lobbyists and

public corporations, and to clients or employers of lobbyists, who in any year either reasonably anticipate expending, incurring, or receiving, or who actually expend, incur, or receive, more than $5,000 of combined reportable compensation and expenses for lobbying activities at either the state and/or local government level.

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What is not lobbying?

Educating students or others about issues, how state government works and politics.

Training folks on how to lobby or providing information on lobby-day activities.

Asking a public official to speak at an event on an issue they have a position on.

Planning or discussing strategy and tactics among those who already have a position on the issue.

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New York State Commission on Public Ethicswww.jcope.ny.gov

New York City Clerk’s officehttp://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/html/lobbying/law.shtml

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Lobbying Spending Over TimeLobbying Spending Over Time

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Top Lobby Groups, 2013Organization Money Spent

Altria (parent of Philip Morris) $3,001,247

United Federation of Teachers $2,552,379

NYS United Teachers $2,213,444

Greater NY Hospital Assoc $2,173,536

Public Employees Federation $1,442,741

Goddard Global, LLC $1,384,307

Genting NY, LLC $1,368,500

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Additional lobbying facts

6,742 individual lobbyists 4,202 clients New York State leads the nation in its ratio of

lobbyists to lawmakers – 31 to 1.

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“But the public is with us!”

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Political scientist Jonathan Bernstein has observed:One of the big mistakes of the latest gun control debate was equating public support for reform with public demand for reform:

“Those people who have been pushing for marriage equality? They were calling for change. And marching for it, demanding it, donating money to get it, running for office to achieve it, and supporting candidates who would vote for it, filing lawsuits to make it legal. In many cases, they based their entire political identity around it.

Action works. "Public opinion" is barely real; most of the time, on most issues, change the wording of the question and you'll get entirely different answers. At best, "public opinion" as such is passive. And in politics, passive doesn't get results.”

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Ingredients of Success Strategy Lobbying Coalitions Media Grassroots, constituent pressure

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Advocating/Lobbying

The practice of influencing votes of elected officials

Whatever the issue, we can “lobby” our elected officials so that beneficial action can be taken.

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Lobbying What do you want? Why can it be done? Who has lobbyists that can help? Who are the relevant committees/leadership? Systematically and consistently advocate. Who are your champions? Materials needed. Know the law: New York State, New York City and

the IRS.

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When To Lobby When recruiting prime sponsors When recruiting co-sponsors When asking for support for a specific bill When new developments give rise to media

coverage. Before the issue gets to the Legislature

(state) or Congress (federal) and a policy decision is made.

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Who To Contact

To schedule a meeting: scheduler, often based in the district office, call Albany office first.

To contact your state legislators, use email, letters and/or leave phone messages.

Albany switchboards: Assembly 518 455-4100, Senate: 518 455-2800. Ask for your member’s office.

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Know your legislator

Research his/her record on related legislation and/or voting record

General predisposition Constituent pressures he/she faces

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Know your issue

Research issue thoroughly before meeting with your legislator

If you are asked about something you are not sure of or do not know the answer, admit to it and let him/her know that you will get back to his legislative aide as soon as possible (try to provide answer within 24 hours).

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The Personal Visit

The most effective way of transmitting your message

If the legislator is not available, ask to meet with a legislative aide

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Know your opposition

Inform legislators of opponents and their positions

Identify other groups that support your position (coalition members)

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How to Lobby Your Legislator Be a credible representative Be fully aware of your organization’s position/s State your name & town where you reside Be as specific as possible & keep it brief Give name and bill number Be reasonable, be clear about the “ask” (vote for

bill, sponsor bill, etc.) Ask legislator to state his/her position on the

issue

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Do’s and Don’ts:DO:DO:Address Senator, Representative or Assembly member properlyIdentify yourself (by name and town)Be brief and explicit, courteous and reasonableKnow the status of the legislation (refer to a bill by number)Establish your own credentials or expertise on the subjectRespect legislator’s timeWhen presenting several “ASKS” keep all information to one page (materials matter!)Pay attention to staffAsk for specific actionWin/lose graciouslyKeep door open for further discussionFollow up

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Don’t: Assume the legislator is familiar with your issue Underestimate your opponent Flood the office with paper Mislead or lie Be arrogant, condescending or threatening Apologize for taking his/her time Argue or back legislators into a corner Make notes of a conversation while talking to a

legislator Underestimate the influence of a chief of staff or

legislative aide

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Post Visit

Send a thank you note (not an email) Send follow up email to legislative chief of

staff or legislative aide with additional information

Make follow up call to inquire about legislator’s position (will he/she support legislation?)

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