The Legislative Process

1. The Legislative Process New Superintendent Orientation November 16-17, 2011 Montgomery, AL

2. It all begins with an idea…

3. That idea can come from… • A friend • Something someone read • A topic at a conference • An advocacy group • A personal experience • A Lobbyist • A Think Tank • A Dream • A classroom

4. The idea is turned into a bill.

5. The bill then begins its journey. • It is introduced (1st read). • It may or may not be assigned to committee. • In committee it may be amended, substituted or killed. If a majority of the committee members agree with the bill… • It comes back to the chamber where it was introduced, and gets a 2nd read (simply placed on the desk and noted) • The rules committee then reviews these bills and determines if and when a bill will come before the full chamber for a vote. • It can be changed or killed. If it is approved….

6. The bill moves through the 2nd chamber. • It is introduced (1st read). • It may or may not be assigned to committee. • In committee it may be amended, substituted or killed. If a majority of the committee members agree with the bill… • It comes back to the chamber where it was introduced, and gets a 2nd read (simply placed on the desk and noted) • The rules committee then reviews these bills and determines if and when a bill will come before the full chamber for a vote. • It can be changed or killed. • If it is amended, it goes back to the 1st chamber for concurrence. • If it is killed, it probably won’t come back before the Legislature this session • If it passes the 2nd chamber, it goes to….

7. The Governor • It can be sent back with an Executive Amendment. • Legislature can agree or reject. • It can be vetoed by the Governor • It can be signed and become law. • Sent to the Secretary of State for an Act Number. • This is when it becomes law.

8. Advocacy: The Role of the Superintendent

9. Advocacy is Influencing Public Policy • Elected officials make different decisions when watched by the affected constituency • Get the right information to the right person at the right time.

10. Effective Advocacy Requires building trust over time Is personalized Employs collaboration Involves meeting decision makers where they are Requires carefully devised influence activities Requires solid planning Builds in periodic assessment

11. Guiding Principles of Advocacy • Underdogs do win. • The "Experts" can be wrong. • Team Building. • Getting hot at the right time. • Advocates need to understand that effective advocacy is a long-term effort - even when you're not "hot". • Arrogance will bring you down in the end. • Taking too much credit for the wins or assuming that you are somehow invulnerable will eventually catch up with you • Arrogance is really irritating.

12. Relationships should be established • Start early • 70% of winning legislators over takes place prior to meeting them in the state capital • Meet with elected officials in the district • Talk with them about what you are doing in your district in your schools before you ask them for anything • Develop trust • Doesn’t happen overnight • Built on honesty and accuracy • Establish yourself as credible • Knowing influences on legislators • Familiarity with formal processes • Abiding by the rules

13. Guiding Principles You are the message Likeability is first Empathize with your audience. Tell a story people can relate to. Offer to be a useful resource. Facts don’t vote Favorable material facts are basic. Material facts alone seldom get votes. Political facts are essential.

14. Why would a lawmaker give you his/her vote? To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful.--Edward R. Murrow

15. 30- minute talk • Pre- and early session • Should occur in the district • Schedule an appointment • Speak at a moderate pace • Use a convenient location • How about lunch? • Provide supporting information

16. Elevator speech 2-3 minutes Basic information that can be shared quickly and comfortably Must relate to elected official’s constituency

17. Activity 1: • Look at your SSA 2012 Legislative Platform, page 1. • Look at the OCE statement. • Role play a meeting with a Legislator where you must make your case for OCE funding in 90 seconds or less.

18. SSA Toolbox

19. SSA Legislative Platform • Provides a united voice • Identifies funding priorities • Identifies policy positions FUND THE FOUNDATION FIRST!

20. SSA Website: www.ssaonline.org

21. SSA Weekly Communications Comes to your email address every Friday. Subject line reads “Friday Update, <date>” Sender appears as “School Superintendents of Alabama”

22. SSA Advocacy Calendar

23. Potential Legislative Meeting Scenarios

24. Activity 2: • Look at your SSA 2012 Legislative Platform • Under SSA Policy Positions, read our position on Home School Participation in Public School Activities • Review the Talking Points on Home School Participation in Public School Activities • Use this information in a discussion with a legislator whose position is described on the next page.

25. Scenario #1: Polite, Non-Committal The legislator or staff member listens to what you have to say, and may ask a few questions but for the most part does not give a clear indication of where he or she stands on the issue and does not commit to taking any particular action. What do you do?

26. Did you... Ask if there are questions you can answer or if additional information is needed? Try to get a sense of concerns? Ask if they have been contacted by anyone opposed to your position? Establish your reputation? Tell them you will follow up with them in the near future to find out their position?

27. Activity 3: • Read the SSA Policy Position on School Calendar • Read the Talking Points on School Calendar. • Use this information in a discussion with a legislator whose position is described on the next page.

28. Scenario #2: “I agree completely” Either before the meeting is arranged, or during the meeting itself, you learn that the member strongly supports your position. If fact, although you have come prepared with materials, you learn that they aren’t needed. What do you do?

29. Did you…. Thank them for meeting with you and respect their time? Ask them what they are hearing about your issue? Ask them what else they think should be done to broaden support for your issue?

30. Activity 4: • Read the SSA Policy Position on the Child Nutrition Program. • Read the Talking Points on CNP. • Use this information in a discussion with a legislator whose position is described on the next page.

31. Scenario #3: “I disagree” In many cases, members who disagree with you will remain non-committal for as long as possible, but in some cases, they will tell you directly that they are opposed. What do you do?

32. Did you…. • Listen to their comments or ask questions to determine why they are opposed? • Respond to their concerns? • Ask if they will “stay neutral”? • Ask if there is specific information that would lead the member to change his position? • Remain professional even though the situation became hostile? • Answer questions, and try to end the meeting as quickly as possible?

33. Grassroots Lobbying • More necessary now than ever. • If you want to win, you must have a network of real live people passionate enough about the issue to communicate with the people that represent them. • Organizations, businesses and interests that can demonstrate deep and true connections back to a particular district or state will hold sway in this environment.

34. How the Legislature Really Works In politics, there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies.

35. Reality Factors for Success Coalitions Consensus Philosophies Friendships Money Fear

36. Coalitions • It takes coalitions to get any controversial bill passed. • Any education bill will be influenced by • Alabama Education Association • Alabama Association of School boards • School Superintendents of Alabama • Library Media Specialists • State Department of Education • Children’s Policy Council • Contract lobbyists • Etc. • Identify your friends. There is strength in numbers!

37. Consensus • Build consensus through open discussion. • Just as you identify your friends, you must know your enemies. • You are about to engage in gentleman's warfare. • Be willing to compromise. • Identify a single spokesman. • Everyone has a different interpretation.

38. Philosophies • Need to know these in order to build consensus. • Identify legislators who will support your bill based on their past voting records and alliances. • Meet with supportive lawmakers in small groups or one-on-one. • Identify floor leaders. • If the House and Senate leadership support your bill, let them know what you are doing. • Meet with opposition legislators in an effort to change their position. • Do NOT twist the truth.

39. Philosophical similarities can be based on…. Occupations Regions of residence Religious affiliations Political party affiliations Similarities in hobbies (i.e., golfing, fishing, etc.) All this leads up to the importance of …..

40. Friendships • As in any business, friendship is a strong motivator. • Many legislators will vote for a bill based on the recommendation of : • Their seat-mate • A friend back home • A family member • But they will also vote based on the recommendation of a lobbyists who they consider a trusted friend. • Get to know as many legislators as possible • And their clerks and secretaries

41. Money • Never forget its influence. • Legislators remember where their campaign contributions come from. • Doesn’t mean they always vote based on this • Most votes are cast with the beliefs of constituents in mind • Campaign contributions translate into access.

42. Fear Probably the strongest factor in determining how to vote is the concern…or fear…of how a legislator will be perceived back home. Goes hand-in-hand with the fear of defeat at election time and perception by the news media. When pushing legislation, fear is a crucial element.

43. In conclusion… The legislative process is a system that works in theory (the textbook version) but that system operates within the constraints of reality. People often express disgust with the system but despite all of its faults, it works pretty well. Some want more production from the system but remember that production from the legislative system might not always be favorable.

44. The legislature will convene on February 7, 2012 The big issues will be the ETF budget; Charter Schools; and restructuring the TRS board People think it is easy for legislators to go into session and “just do what is right” BUT You must remember that a battle was fought…and political blood was shed by someone…for every line of law in most statutes.

45. Questions? Lisa A. Woodard lisa@ssaonline.org 334-262-0014 work 334-235-3553 Cell