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APA Legislative Advocacy Briefing
Preparing Your 2013 State Legislative Strategy
December 13, 2012
www.planning.org/policy
Source: National Journal, 2012.
2012 Electoral College Results
ObamaRomney
270 votes needed to win
332Obama
206Romney
ObamaRomneyBarack Obama (D)Mitt Romney (R)Unknown
12
7
556
6
4
10 5
9
3
3
3
3
3
5
7
6
HI 4
38 8
6
10
6
1010
20 11
16
18
8
9
NH 4MA 11
CT 7RI 4
NJ 14
DE 3MD 10
DC 3
VT 3
29
16
4
6
15
29
20
911
135
ID
AZ
UT
MT
WY
NM
CO
AL
FL
SC
TN
KY
INOH
NC
SD
KS
NE
MN
WI
IA
IL
MO
AR
MS
OK
ND
OR
CA NV
WA
AK
PA
ME
VA
NY
CT
WV
MDNJ
VT
NHMA
DE
RI
LEGEND
GOP 2012
DEM 2012
GOP
DEM
Party Control of State LegislaturesGOP:26 DEM: 19 SPLIT: 4
HI
LA
MI
GA
TX
ID
AZ
UT
MT
WY
NM
CO
AL
FL
SC
TN
KY
INOH
NC
SD
KS
NE
MN
WI
IA
IL
MO
AR
MS
OK
ND
OR
CA NV
WA
AK
PA
ME
VA
NY
CT
WV
MDNJ
VT
NHMA
DE
RI
LEGEND
GOP
DEM
SPLIT
Party Control of State GovernmentGOP:24 DEM: 14 SPLIT: 12
HI
LA
MI
GA
TX
Agenda 21 Attacks Continue
• Legislation, Resolutions Introduced in 2012; Bill Passes in Alabama
• At least 15 State GOP Platforms Include Agenda 21 Language
• Heightened Partisan Polarization in States • High Potential for Template Legislation in 2013;
Potential for Critics Targeting Planning Enabling Statutes, Key Programs
• But, There is “Push Back” and New Tools
ID
AZ
UT
MT
WY
NM
CO
AL
FL
SC
TN
KY
INOH
NC
SD
KS
NE
MN
WI
IA
IL
MO
AR
MS
OK
ND
OR
CA NV
WA
AK
PA
ME
VA
NY
CT
WV
MDNJ
VT
NHMA
DE
RI
LEGEND
Adopted Statute
Platform;Resolution & GOPControlPlatform;Resolution & SplitControlPlatform;Resolution & DEMControl
Agenda 21 State Legislative Attacks2013 Preliminary Risk Map
HI
LA
MI
GA
TX
The Alabama Language
“The State of Alabama and all political subdivisions may not adopt or implement policy recommendations that deliberately or inadvertently infringe or restrict private property rights without due process, as may be required by policy recommendations originating in, or traceable to "Agenda 21," adopted by the United Nations in 1992 at its Conference on Environment and Development or any other international law or ancillary plan of action that contravenes the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the State of Alabama.” - AL SB 477
LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGN OVERVIEW
Preparing Your 2013 State Legislative Strategy
“You may be out gunned, but you have to bring a gun.”
- Maine State Legislator to Public Health Advocates
Realties of the State HouseShort SessionsFew StaffPowerful Committee & Leadership StructuresStrong Executive RoleEntrenched Lobbies
Recent Trends
Electoral volatilityIncreased partisanshipEconomic challenges and focusPlanning and local gov’t on the defensive
Your Campaign Plan▪ Situation Analysis▪ Specific Goals & Objectives▪ Targeting▪ Strategies to Reach Target Audiences ▪ Timeline and Tactics▪ Structure & Operations▪ Resource Needs▪ Measurement, Evaluation & Course Corrections
Early Strategic Decisions▪ Offense or Defense?▪ Inside Game or Outside Game (or both)?▪ Lead or Follow or Facilitate?
▪ Agency? Chapter? Allies?
Keep in Mind …
You don’t need to convince everyoneGeography mattersKnow …
what you want what you can live withwho’s with you and who’s not
Coordinated Campaign
CAMPAIGN KEYS: INFORMATION, RELATIONSHIPS & LEVERAGE
Preparing Your 2013 State Legislative Strategy
Information: WHAT?Target Issue … The Ask ReportsContext & Environment CommissionsCommittee ChampionsHistory of Last Session Coalitions Pre-Filed Bills Budget ImpactGovernor’s Agenda Past VotesTimetable EventsHearings Related Issues
Information: WHO?Your LegislatorLocal DelegationCommittee AssignmentsTargeted ChampionLocal Electeds & InfluentialsAlliesIssue LeadersOpponents
Information: WHERE?
Legislative vs. ExecutiveWhich ChamberWhich CommitteeAuthorization vs. AppropriationPublic IssueLocal … Regional … Statewide
Information: HOW?Legislative ProcessAccess TargetsInfluence TargetsRegular OutreachCoordinate w/ Messaging and GrassrootsSpread the Word
RelationshipsLocal Representative & DelegationIssue ChampionKey Committee & LeadershipAdministration OfficialsAlliesLocal InfluentialsConstituents
Relationships with LegislatorsConstituency is ParamountRegular ContactInvolve Them in PlanningSpecific RequestsUnderstand the DistrictUse Local Electeds
& Civic Leaders
Cultivating Influentials &Linking to Electeds
Find partners who can reach decision makers
Involve champions who can move public opinion
Finding & Creating ChampionsFinding CreatingHistory Build RelationshipIssue Interest Show District ImpactDistrict Connection Involve ‘Influencers’Key Constituent ID Opportunity Connection Show ValueCommittee RoleExpertise & Past Experience
Relationship Building Activities
Meetings District DataBriefings Trend AnalysisSite Visits ‘Low Impact’ AsksPlanning EventsAgency RequestsVisibility Opportunities
Leveraging: Data & ImpactUse Planning Data to Highlight Trends, Show Impacts and Tell a Story
Relate Information Specifically to the District
Show the Economics
Use Data Tools to “Paint a Picture”
Document Uncertainty, Unintended Consequence
Find Local Stories to Make it Real
Leveraging: Local LeadersEvaluate the relationships and connections … and networks of influence
Keep leaders, esp Electeds, briefed and engaged
Involve diverse (but targeted) messengers
Make it about the district, not the government and not just planning
Leveraging: Allies & Existing Power BrokersID the most influential groups involved in the issue
ID groups or individuals likely to influence a targeted legislator
Lobby the lobbies, not just the legislators
Look for opportunities to use partners as messengers
Leveraging: Legislative ProcessSometimes inertia (or dysfunction) can be your friend
If playing defense … consider delaying tactics, ‘poison pills’, bad committee referrals, weak vehicles, study / review for future consideration, design an acceptable loss
If playing offense … look for large, ‘must pass’ opportunities to insert language; report language; budget bills; referral to executive (if friendly)
GRASSROOTSPreparing Your 2013 State Legislative Strategy
Keys to GrassrootsMember Data … Build the ListLayer the Political GeographyID and Engage “GrassTops”InformTrainEngageCelebrateCultivate On-going Relationships
MESSAGING & COMMUNICATIONS
Preparing Your 2013 State Legislative Strategy
Messages that Move Legislators
What’s the impact in the district?What’s happening in the district?How can economic conditions be improved for constituents?How does a policy / program affect key constituents?Real world stories highlighting policies
Working with ‘Hostile’ LegislatorsConsider the district and legislator’s primary interests in crafting a message
Recruit new messengers
Find legislative champions or supporters who can influence a hostile target
Use your region’s delegation
Look for potential trade-offs
Build working relationship over time and appeal beyond ideology
Not necessary to convince if you can neutralize
Reframing Planning
Use APA’s 2012 Polling
Tell Positive Local StoriesConsider State-Level GPinA model
APA Messages and New Messengers
A CAMPAIGN TEMPLATEPreparing Your 2013 State Legislative Strategy
Basic Questions
Campaign Objective ____________Key Session “ASK” _____________Environmental Scan
History ____________________________Election Impact _____________________Budget, Agenda Cues _________________Timing ____________________________
Basic Questions Con’t.Jurisdiction ___________________Key Champions _______________Key Opponents ________________Role of Administration __________Initial Strategic Considerations
Offense or Defense _________________Inside, Outside or Both ______________Lead, Follow or Facilitate _____________
Basic Questions Con’t.
Top Legislative TargetsPower Mapping _____________________Who, How, Timeline _________________
Outreach TargetsWho, How, Timeline _________________
Key Advocacy Tactics & Timing ___Budget ______________________
Basic Questions Con’t.Data Needs ___________________Response Plan
Who tracks ________________________How to inform and update ____________Who makes decisions ________________What’s the bottom line _______________
Grassroots PlanCommunications Plan
How do we engage key participants?
So, we have a lobbyist …
What a lobbyist can’t do for you …Define Success
Engage Members, Partners
Get Data & Stories
Getting the most from your lobbyist …Issue Focus
Have Goals and a Plan
Add Supportive Grassroots, Outreach & Communications Campaign Elements
Stay Connected
New Online Forum for Legislative LiaisonsAPA Policy Blog:http://blogs.planning.org/policyOnline Action Center
http://capwiz.com/amplan Twitter
@APA_Planning @jasonljordan
