A Guide to Becoming a Citizen Lobbyist

You can impact the legislation in your state that will impact you.

By Dave Schulenberg

An informed and active citizenry is the lifeblood of local government,” said Clark E. Crouch, former councilmember of Richland, Washington.

Too often, as citizens and professionals within an industry, we fail to maintain active and open lines of communication with the individuals who have been elected to represent us at the local level.

These are individuals whom we have elected to vote on topics that may decide the price we pay for something, the increase or decrease of regulations, and other changes to our standards of living. It is imperative, in a democracy, that citizens keep their elected officials informed.

As a “citizen lobbyist,” you can help facilitate good legislation by keeping these lines of communication open. The question is then: “How do I participate as a citizen lobbyist?”

Let me provide you with a few necessary tools to begin your journey on becoming a citizen lobbyist and help you not only maintain proper communication with the elected officials in your state but also facilitate the necessary legislative changes you may be hoping for.

From Idea to Law: The Basics

The legislative process begins with someone making a statement such as “There ought to be a law . . .” Anyone can do this, and sometimes it’s the legislators themselves making such statements.

It can also come from constituents, individuals, organizations, and state agencies. This idea is then drafted into the form of a bill and reviewed by attorneys who specialize in areas such as state law.

Once a bill is printed, it then begins its long journey through the legislative process, being introduced, and gaining coauthors along the way. The bill may be heard during the legislative session in the committee it has been assigned to, where the chief author will present it and discuss it openly with the committee. This is when individuals from outside the legislature may offer testimony.

The bill can then be passed from one committee to another, but once debate is over, recommendations are made to pass it as is, pass it in an amended form, or even include it in an omnibus bill (a larger bill encompassing many changes to a state statute).

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate will hear the bill on their respective floors, and the bill may end up with each side having different language in it. These differences are worked out in conference committees, and when both versions are identical once again, it is then passed to the governor’s office for review, signing, or veto.

Becoming a Citizen Lobbyist

Let’s say there is a bill that is in the process of moving through your state legislature that you or an organization you belong to feel should be commented on. Your first step must be to ensure you are prepared in advance of meeting with a member of the legislature or one of their staff members.

To do this, gather your thoughts (if you are trying to do this alone), or gather the members of your legislative team that will be attending the meeting and discussing your plan of action. Go over the information you plan to present and who will speak.

Even consider practicing with a mock meeting with members of your team playing the role of the senator or representative. Being prepared is critical as legislators do not like surprises, nor do they like to have their time wasted.

Points to Review Before You Meet 

–Be prepared! Before you reach out to the legislator’s office, take the time to review the information available about the bill or issue you wish to discuss.

While you don’t need to know everything about the bill, it is a good idea to be well versed in its background, and especially how your concerns relay back to it.

–Determine the time that you will meet with the representative or senator. Many individuals have established a relationship with the legislator outside the confines of the capital, and often the legislators welcome walk-in visits. But calling ahead and scheduling a meeting will ensure a greater chance of meeting with the legislator.

Remember that when the session is in progress, they are often out of their office in committee meetings or on the floor of their respective houses.

–If you have genuine expertise on the subject, let the legislator know. They will welcome it. While all views are important, no legislator can be an expert on everything, and the most useful role a lobbyist can be for a legislator is as a source of information.

By being an expert and having personal knowledge of the subject, you will be a tremendous resource to a legislator.

–Be constructive and courteous in the meeting. Be sure to introduce yourself and the reason for your visit. Remember that these are busy individuals and there are many requests for their time. Do not overkill the situation with a sales pitch or stories that do not have an end point.

Having a message that can be delivered in a straightforward manner is essential and well appreciated.

–Thank them for their time and be sure to leave a way for the legislator to contact you if they have any further questions. It is also okay not to have all the answers to their questions during a meeting.

Let them know that you will get that information to them or a member of their staff as fast as possible.

–Leave behind some material on the issue and your group. This will serve as a physical reminder later to
the representative or senator of your visit and may help prompt further contact from their office.

–Finally, recap the meeting with your group. Spend some time discussing the reaction or reception you received and any further action that you feel you and your group may need to take.

What a Legislator Wants to Know

• What is the specific need?
• What if anything has been done in other states and what were the results?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks?
• Are there other groups or individuals that support the position?
• Is there any expected opposition and from whom?
• What is the cost?
• What is the effect on the public and how will it affect jobs and employment?

What a Legislator Wants to Hear

• There is little to no opposition to this issue.
• We have done thorough research on this issue.
• Our proposal will save the state “X” dollars.
• Our bill will create “X” new jobs.
• This bill is revenue-neutral; it won’t require a tax increase or spending cut elsewhere.
• Similar bills have been enacted in other states with positive results.

What Legislators Do Not Like to Hear

• We don’t know how much this will cost.
• One way to pay for this is to cut spending in another area.
• We are divided on this issue. If this is true, be upfront with the legislator. They would rather hear it from you than someone else.

Remember that you are a professional and an expert in your field. This will go a long way in helping you become a citizen lobbyist. Take the opportunity to meet with the legislators outside of the capital when they are back in their home districts.

Citizens from their home districts who participate in these situations carry much greater weight with the legislators. So why not you?

Make sure you are prepared before your meeting, do your follow-up afterwards, and enjoy participating in this process.

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Dave Schulenberg is the director of partner states for the National Ground Water Association. He can be reached at dschulenberg@ngwa.org.