Introduction to How An Idea Becomes Law and Political Advocacy

Training provided by:

B. Teri Burns, Director of Legislative AdvocacySchool Innovations & Advocacy

February 2008

The purpose of today’s training is to:

Educate you on the legislative process.

Explain how to appropriately contact legislators.

Teach you how to effectively advocate.

Instruct how to skillfully influence policy decisions.

Organization of theState Legislature

There are two chambers of the State Legislature: Assembly and Senate. (US Congress is also a two chamber system made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate.)

Leadership Responsibilities Senate President pro Tempore Assembly Speaker Senate & Assembly Committee

Chairs

Other Education Players

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Office of the Secretary of Education

State Board of Education

California Department of Education

Department of Finance

Legislative Rules and Processes

Two-year sessions: January-September (odd years; first year of session) January-August (even years; second year of session)

Late January: Deadline for bills to Legislative Counsel Late February: Deadline to introduce bills Policy and fiscal committee deadlines Majority and 2/3rds vote Effective date of new laws Single subject Amendment rules Hearings in both houses Governor’s Veto and Veto Override

Bill Enactment ProcessBill Introduced

Policy Committee

Fiscal Committee

Floor

Repeat in Second House

Governor

Terminology

Across the Desk Appropriation Caucus Coauthor Concurrence / Unfinished

Business Daily File First, Second &Third Reading Reconsideration Spot Bill Suspense File

Reading Legislative Documents

Bills: Summary/Digest

Sections

Amendments

Committee/Floor Analyses

Bill Information: www.leginfo.ca.gov

Dates Amended

House and Bill Number

Author and Coauthor(s)

Date Introduced

Section(s) of Code(s) Affected

&Subject of Bill

(“relating clause”)

Digest / Summary

Language amended out

Language amended in

Anatomy of a Bill

Build a Relationship with Your Legislators

Know your legislators and staff. Subscribe to the legislators’ newsletters. Understand the issues important to your

legislators. Know what your legislators are looking for. Recognize them for efforts to help.

Effective Letter Writing(Sample Letter)

Date

The Honorable __________________, Chair_____________________ CommitteeState Capitol, Room #Sacramento, CA 95814

Support (or Oppose): Bill Number and Author

Dear Senator / Assembly Member__________:

On behalf of the _______________ School District, I urge your support of bill number and author when it is heard in the __________________ Committee.

This bill would…provide brief summary of the bill.

Provide information on the effect this bill would have on your district program. Summarize your point and urge the legislator to support or oppose the bill.

Please feel free to contact me at phone # if I can provide any additional assistance in this matter.

Sincerely,

cc: Members, _____________ CommitteeAuthor of the BillOther Interested Parties

*Be sure to check with your district administration before sending letters*

Meeting A Legislator Create a one-page executive summary

(a “leave-with” document) Start with conclusion Use easy-to-read charts Do your homework Understand opposing position Ask for advice

Meeting A Legislator Strategize with your group about who will start

the conversation. Introduce yourselves. Mention something that you have learned

about the legislator’s background. Be as gracious to a legislative aide as you

would be to a legislator. In light of term limits, the aide’s role is

significant.

Meeting A Legislator

Be aware of all sides of the issue and look at the total educational picture when proposing action(s). Be prepared to respond to potential criticism and prepared to explain why your issue should be a high priority.

Offer to be available to answer questions in the future. Invite them to your program anytime they are in the district. Be alert to cues regarding timing, apparent interest, level of

understanding, etc. Thank them and offer to be a resource.

Post-Meeting Follow-Up

Communicate Share information with the your group

Evaluate What was gained? What could have been improved? Plan your strategy for the next meeting.

Send a thank you note to legislator/staff.

What makes an effective advocate?

Effective Advocates Are: Well informed regarding the subject and armed

with information supporting their goals. Knowledgeable about the legislator’s

constituency. Resourceful Quietly persistent Sincere

What makes aneffective advocate?

Respectful of others’ points of view Politically aware Tactful Enthusiastic Timely Focused

Helpful Legislative Links:

Bill language and analyses: www.leginfo.ca.gov

Information on Senate members and committee hearings: www.sen.ca.gov

Information on Assembly members and committee hearings: www.assembly.ca.gov

Thank you!

The next step is up to YOU!

Don’t be afraid to go talk to your elected representatives. They work for you.