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Policy Advocacy 101

DLC's Vision

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Policy Advocacy 101

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    1. Andrew Riggle 800-662-9080 ariggle@disabilitylawcenter.org Policy Advocacy 101

    2. DLC’s Vision & Mission Vision: We envision a just society where all people are treated with equity, dignity, and respect. Mission: To enforce and strengthen laws that protect the opportunities, choices and legal rights of people with disabilities in Utah.

    3. DLC’s Goals People with disabilities will be free from abuse and neglect. People with disabilities will receive appropriate services. People with disabilities will be free from discrimination. People with disabilities will have equal employment opportunities.

    4. DLC’s Services Information and Referral Abuse & neglect investigation & monitoring Mediation and negotiation Presentations, outreach & community education Legal advocacy Self-advocacy support and training Legislative and public policy advocacy

    5. What is Advocacy? A process Speaking up for yourself Knowing your rights Taking action

    6. Why Advocate? YOU are the expert YOU can influence policy YOU can improve services YOU can help increase funding for needed programs YOU can educate policymakers If policymakers don’t hear from YOU, they assume everything is OK

    8. Step 1: Choose Your Issue Federal ADA restoration www.house.gov or www.senate.gov State Dental & Vision www.le.utah.gov Rules Medically necessary equipment or services www.rules.utah.gov Programs & Policies Mental health or long-term care

    9. Step 2: What Can You Do?

    10. Step 3: Who Do You Talk To? To find out… 1) Call your local county clerk elections.utah.gov/countyclerks.html OR 2) Visit www.votesmart.org

    11. Step 4: Build Relationships Senator and Representative Committee members Legislative & Agency Staff

    12. Phone Email Visit Testify Letters / Opinion pieces Step 4: Types of Advocacy

    13. Golden Rules of Advocacy Be fair and respectful Be understanding Be constructive Be realistic and persistent Be a good opponent Be informed Be loyal and trustworthy Be generous

    14. Talk to Your Legislator Be brief and friendly Identify the issue, bill, or budget item Ask them to support your position Always thank them for their time

    15. Call or E-mail Your Legislator

    16. Write Your Legislator

    17. Meet Your Legislator at the Capitol Write a note including: your contact info, a short description of your concern, and what you would like them to do

    18. TESTIFY

    19. Get Involved Sign up for the DLC’s e-mail list at www.disabilitylawcenter.org Share your story Talk to your family, friends, & neighbors

    20. Beyond The Basics… Legislative Process Congressional Contacts

    21. The Legislature Makes and changes state law Sets the state budget

    22. Learn the Lingo

    23. Committees Rules If and where a bill is heard Standing Hears testimony, votes on bills Appropriations Subcommittees Prioritizes funding requests Executive Appropriations Leadership; determines state budget Interim Meets between sessions to study issues

    24. Interim Session: Where the Conversation Starts! 3rd Wednesday: regular committees 3rd Tuesday: Legislative Management & Executive Appropriations Agendas & minutes: www.le.utah.gov Testing ground for legislationTesting ground for legislation

    25. Passing a bill…… ** = Advocacy Opportunity Find a….. **Sponsor Introduced in… House or Senate Sent to…. **Rules Committee Assigns to… Standing Committee ** = public input** = public input

    26. Standing Committee Passes (P) Fails (try again next year) ** = public input** = public input

    27. Tools for Tracking Bills, etc. Visit www.le.utah.gov (enter bill # or sponsor in search box) or Read the DLC’s legislative update at www.disabilitylawcenter.org

    28. The Real Appropriations Process Starts in June (if not sooner) June: Advisory committee discussions & recommendations July/August: Departmental hearings & recommendations September: Depts forward budget requests to Governor December (1st Fri): Gov’s budget recommendations released…

    29. Getting $$$ (Appropriations) DEPARTMENT **Advisory Committee Department Governor’s Budget LEGISLATURE Fiscal Analyst **Appropriations Committee **Exec Approp (LEADERSHIP) State Budget ** = opportunity for public influence** = opportunity for public influence

    30. Congressional Contacts Washington, DC Offices: Hatch: (202) 224-5251 Bennett: (202) 224-5244 Bishop: (202) 225-0453 Cannon: (202) 225-7751 Matheson: (202) 225-3011 US Capitol Switchboard: 202.224.3121

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