Legislative & Hatch Act Training

1. Legislative & Hatch Act Training

2. Introduction • Who I am: Adair Gregory, NAGE Federal • Legislative & Communications Specialist • Work History • Campaigns & Federal Employee • My job at NAGE • What a lobbyist does • Channels of communication

3. Purpose of this Webinar • The Hatch Act • A brief history • Do’s and Don’ts • The Legislative Process Refresh • The many ways a bill becomes a law • The Power of Communication (internal v. external) • Effective lobbying ideas • Using the Legislative process to your members’ advantage

4. The Hatch Act of 1939 • Implemented as a result of 1938 Congressional elections • Most recently amended in 2012 • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatch_Act_of_1939 • “An Act to prevent pernicious political activities” • Why is this legislation needed? • Gives an unfair advantage to incumbents • Obama and Administration • Employees shouldn’t campaign in order to protect jobs • Creates incentives for politicians to reward government employees • Hatch Act violations in the News: • http://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/6537827-74/irs-lerner-emails#axzz3AmRxlovohttp://www.trivalleycentral.com/casa_grande_dispatch/area_news/pinal-county-feds-close-probe-of-sheriff-deputy/article_b1784cec-1d80-11e4-8317-0019bb2963f4.html

5. Why is this relevant now? • We are entering election season • Cracking down on Federal employees who benefit from elections • Violations go against mission of agencies • Can foster corruption • Goes against reasons why many chose to work

6. Hatch Act Do’s & Don’ts • My Experience • Always know where the line is • Better safe then sorry • DO: • Support local candidates • Make your voice heard • Stay involved and volunteer free time • Keep NAGE informed on candidates YOU support • Organize • Help and encourage people to register

7. Hatch Act Don’ts • What can happen if I violate the Hatch Act? • Lose your job • Spend time in court • Excessive fines • DON’T: • If you are on the clock simply do NOT engage in any political activity. • Use any government issued equipment for political activity • Send emails during work hours or use government issued email for political purposes • Advertize political affiliation while on the job • Shirts, pins, lawn signs ect. • http://www.archives.gov/legal/ethics/hatch-act.html

8. Legislative Process Refresh • How a bill becomes a law run-through. • Introduced in either House or Senate • Referred to subcommittee, hearings • Referred to Committee • Voted on before the whole body, House or Senate • Bill moves to other body • Same process • Bill moves to conference committee • Signed by POTUS

9. Legislative Refresh Pt. 2 • There is more than one way to get something changed in Congress • Parliamentarian / Rules Committee • Annually reoccurring legislation • Appropriations • The Budget • Defense Authorization • Amendments and Open/Closed rules • Examples, Union Busting and funding levels

10. How does communication help in our efforts? • YOU ARE THE MOST INFORMED PERSON IN YOUR WORKPLACE! • What would you like to see changed through legislative action? • Talk to the employees you represent, see if they are experiencing the same problems. What are their interests? • Contact NAGE • Identify the problem • Potential solutions • Use NAGE as a way to focus intensity & craft a unified message

11. Communication Blueprint • Ideas come from the locals • Locals identify big picture changes (not ULPs) • Get an idea of how many members are effected • Bring up the issue on Presidents calls • Request updates • Set up meeting with Congressperson through NAGE

12. Pending Legislation & Goals • Elections this November, Congress votes until January 2015 • Short time for this Congress • Lame duck session post elections • 3.3% Raise for all Federal employees • National Defense Authorization • Appropriations

13. Bills that HELP Federal Employees • Pay Raise for all Federal Employees • Furlough Protection WCF Employees • Public Employee Pension Transparency • Withdrawal from Thrift Savings Plans in the Event of a Gov. Shutdown • Military & Civilian Pay Protection • Social Security Fairness • Security Clearance Oversight • Law Enforcement Officers Equality • HR 4306 • HR 4435 • S.779 • HR 1643 • HR 3187 • S.896 • S.1276 • HR 1362

14. Bills that HARM Federal Employees • Restricts Funds for Official Time • Restricts Tax Delinquent Individuals from Becoming Federal Employees • Federal Employee Accountability (Official Time) • Extend Pay Freezes • 1% Reduction in Discretionary Spending • Reduce the Size of Federal Workforce • HR 122 • HR 828 • S. 1312 • HR 273 • HR 56 • HR 593

15. The Sequester • Where are we now? • http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/sequester • No changes in 2014 or 2015 • $2.5 Trillion in cuts • Could extend to 2021 and beyond • Defense and non-defense cuts • Likely pension reform for new Federal employees

16. Army, Navy & AF • Non-Appropriated Funds • Pay parity issues on joint bases • BRAC as early as 2017

17. IBPO & Firefighters • Retirement benefits • Increased training • Parity • LEOSA

18. Department of Veterans Affairs • VA reform legislation • What’s included? • $17B increase in funding • More positions available • 27 new clinics • Faster firing of senior executives • RTLS • Defund? • Amend Policy?

19. Contact your Congressperson • How to / Best Practices • Run the idea past NAGE, might have more support than you think • Insist on receiving a statement on their position • Encourage others / strength in numbers • Ask NAGE to track legislation or idea

20. Contact your Congressperson Pt. 2 • Look them up • http://www.house.gov/representatives/find • Call or write • http://www.nagefederal.org/filelist/Connolly bill support.doc • Run by NAGE to get support

21. Review • The Hatch Act • What you can & can’t do • The Legislative Process • Effective Communication • Pending Legislation • Contacting Congress

22. Questions? • agregory@nage.org • 703 519 0300