blake
01-28-2009, 12:15 PM
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Iowabowhunters.org (http://www.iowabowhunters.org)
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Effective Lobbying
Here are some top lobbyists' tips on how to have a postive effect on what lawmakers do:
Contact your legislator:
Use the legislature's list legislators (http://www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/) to find your legislator or call the Statehouse switchboards for
senators: (515) 281-3371 or representatives: (515) 281-3221.
Generally, when you call the Statehouse, operators will take a message and ask the lawmaker to return your call. It's best to make an appointment to see a lawmaker at the Capitol. They're busy, and just dropping by can be a waste of time.
Contact them at home:
Be reasonable about this. On weekends, they're usually busy with meetings, jobs or families. So don't call during odd hours, and thank them for their time. Many lawmakers hold town meetings or listening posts. Keep an eye on your local paper for opportunities to meet face to face with lawmakers. Listen to them on local radio talk shows.
Get Informed:
Before contacting your lawmaker, make sure you understand the issue. Lawmakers want to know how a bill will affect their constituents. They'll want to know the arguments for the other side, even if you don't agree with it.
Follow the Media:
Iowa's largest daily newspapers have reporters at the Statehouse. So do WOI and KUNI public radio stations. Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Press" program each Sunday is a source of information. So is the Legislature's Web site -http://www.legis.state.ia.us.It has links that can take you to a lot of detail about bills.
Keep all communications simple:
Lawmakers are inundated with paper and phone calls. When talking with them, leave them with one or two sheets summarizing your position.
Register to Lobby:
If you're going to be at the Statehouse regularly arguing your case, or doing it for pay, you've got to register.
Contact the chief clerk of the House - (515) 281-5403. Information and lobbyists registration forms can also be found at http://www.legis.state.ia.us. Click on "Lobbyist Information"
on the left side of the page.
Get Active:
You can become involved in a political party and work for candidates. You can contribute money to candidates.
Find Allies:
You can join or become active in a business trade association or labor union that represents your interests before lawmakers. Contribute to political action committees and attend meetings. The newsletters published by these groups are also a good source of information about issues, although they can be one-sided.
Chances are good that there's a group already working for your side of an issue. You can add your voice and avoid being counterproductive. At home, you can hold a neighborhood or community coffee or forum for local legislators to discuss issues important to you and your neighbors. Write letters to the editor, issue press releases and call radio talk shows to generate support for your cause.
Don’t forget to say Thank You:
Lawmakers don't often get that and, like all of us, they appreciate a thank you for a job well done.
Above all, Don't Threaten:
The quickest way to lose a vote is to make threats. Lawmakers may not agree with you on this issue, but you might want their support on another issue sometime.
You can even run for the Legislature Yourself:
The filing deadline is typically in March at the secretary of state's office. For information about the requirements and how to file, contact:
Secretary of State
Elections Division
Lucas Building, 1st floor
Des Moines IA 50319
The phone number is (515) 281-0145.
Republicans should contact their state party at (515) 282-8105.
Democrats can contact their state party at (515) 244-7292.
Iowabowhunters.org (http://www.iowabowhunters.org)
http://parsonsoutdoors.com///hoofline.gif
Effective Lobbying
Here are some top lobbyists' tips on how to have a postive effect on what lawmakers do:
Contact your legislator:
Use the legislature's list legislators (http://www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/) to find your legislator or call the Statehouse switchboards for
senators: (515) 281-3371 or representatives: (515) 281-3221.
Generally, when you call the Statehouse, operators will take a message and ask the lawmaker to return your call. It's best to make an appointment to see a lawmaker at the Capitol. They're busy, and just dropping by can be a waste of time.
Contact them at home:
Be reasonable about this. On weekends, they're usually busy with meetings, jobs or families. So don't call during odd hours, and thank them for their time. Many lawmakers hold town meetings or listening posts. Keep an eye on your local paper for opportunities to meet face to face with lawmakers. Listen to them on local radio talk shows.
Get Informed:
Before contacting your lawmaker, make sure you understand the issue. Lawmakers want to know how a bill will affect their constituents. They'll want to know the arguments for the other side, even if you don't agree with it.
Follow the Media:
Iowa's largest daily newspapers have reporters at the Statehouse. So do WOI and KUNI public radio stations. Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Press" program each Sunday is a source of information. So is the Legislature's Web site -http://www.legis.state.ia.us.It has links that can take you to a lot of detail about bills.
Keep all communications simple:
Lawmakers are inundated with paper and phone calls. When talking with them, leave them with one or two sheets summarizing your position.
Register to Lobby:
If you're going to be at the Statehouse regularly arguing your case, or doing it for pay, you've got to register.
Contact the chief clerk of the House - (515) 281-5403. Information and lobbyists registration forms can also be found at http://www.legis.state.ia.us. Click on "Lobbyist Information"
on the left side of the page.
Get Active:
You can become involved in a political party and work for candidates. You can contribute money to candidates.
Find Allies:
You can join or become active in a business trade association or labor union that represents your interests before lawmakers. Contribute to political action committees and attend meetings. The newsletters published by these groups are also a good source of information about issues, although they can be one-sided.
Chances are good that there's a group already working for your side of an issue. You can add your voice and avoid being counterproductive. At home, you can hold a neighborhood or community coffee or forum for local legislators to discuss issues important to you and your neighbors. Write letters to the editor, issue press releases and call radio talk shows to generate support for your cause.
Don’t forget to say Thank You:
Lawmakers don't often get that and, like all of us, they appreciate a thank you for a job well done.
Above all, Don't Threaten:
The quickest way to lose a vote is to make threats. Lawmakers may not agree with you on this issue, but you might want their support on another issue sometime.
You can even run for the Legislature Yourself:
The filing deadline is typically in March at the secretary of state's office. For information about the requirements and how to file, contact:
Secretary of State
Elections Division
Lucas Building, 1st floor
Des Moines IA 50319
The phone number is (515) 281-0145.
Republicans should contact their state party at (515) 282-8105.
Democrats can contact their state party at (515) 244-7292.