Growing Your Public Policy Toolbox by Larry Dowell

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

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ment (

PAC)

Candid

ate re

cruit

ment

Candid

ate sc

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Indep

ende

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pend

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Campa

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ising

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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?