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Lobbying 101. Why Don’t They Just Get It? . What Do Legislators Consider When Deciding Their Position on an Issue. What do I personally believe about this issue? Do I already have a position on this? How will this impact my district? What do my constituents think?.
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What Do Legislators Consider When Deciding Their Position on an Issue • What do I personally believe about this issue? • Do I already have a position on this? • How will this impact my district? • What do my constituents think?
What Do Legislators Consider . . . Cont’d. • How are other legislators “like me” voting on this? (E.g, party, state, etc.) • What are the media and other “opinion leaders” saying about this and/or me? • What is the political/electoral impact of this for me? For my party? For my opponents?
Do Your Homework • What related past positions and votes has the legislator taken? • How were they received in her district? What is the district like? • Do they have other legislative responsibilities that might affect their position (chair a committee or a caucus?) • Who do they listen to? • Know the context.
Make sure they hear from the right people: • Constituents; • Issue experts; • Constituents; • Opinion leaders; • Constituents; • Political organizations; • Constituents; • Other legislators; • Constituents
Talking to A Legislator And Their Staff • Frame the message • Keep it short and to the point • One page rule • Be accurate • All politics is local • Flies and honey • What is the “ask”