Lobbying Tips from MACo

1.  Prepare.

Know what you are planning to say and prepare for possible questions.

2.  Presenting Your Testimony.

• Introduce yourself through the Chair – Name, Title, County.
  – Example:  Mister/Madame Chair, Members of the Committee, my name is [First and Last Name], Commissioner, [County] (Or [County] Commissioner]
• Be formal.  Address the chair and members of the committee.
  – Example when addressing the Chair: Mister/Madam Chair or Chair [Last Name]…
  – Example when addressing a member of the committee: Senator or Senator [Last Name] and Representative or Representative [Last Name]…
• Keep it short and to the point.  Members resent long rambling testimony.
• Have your testimony in writing and hand it to the clerk of the committee after you speak.  If you hand it to them before you speak, they will read it and not look at you while you talk.  Having your testimony in writing also provides that if they run out of time and cut off testimony, you can turn in written testimony.
• After your testimony, a legislator may ask you questions. If you do not know the answers, do not bluff. Tell him/her that you do not know and will get that information to the committee–then be sure to follow-up.

3.  Be Honest and Accurate

If you ever provide a legislator with inaccurate information, they will never rely on you again for information. If you mistakenly provide inaccurate information, as soon as you discover your mistake, inform the legislator.  Trust is paramount in the legislative process.

4.  Develop Personal Relationships

One of the most important lobbying techniques is to develop personal relationships with individual legislators.  Such relationships develop in many ways.  Attending social events, or meeting with them periodically to discuss your issues.  Working closely with certain legislators on particular issues and seeing them through to a successful conclusion always works to establish relationships.  Assisting legislators to work out problems with local officials is another good starting point.

It is also important to establish personal relationships with members of the legislative staff.  It is important to know key members of the legislative fiscal information staff and bill writing staff.

5.  Give Legislators Credit

Thank legislators for their work on your bills, even if they were not successful.  Write them thank you notes and acknowledge their help in public.  Appear to testify and support the legislator when your bill is being heard.  Be flexible if amendments need to be added.  Do not adopt the “If I can’t have it all I don’t want any” attitude.

6.  Do Not Burn Bridges

There are many issues that come up during legislative sessions.  A particular legislator may be on the county side on one issue and against it on another.  Be careful not to scold a legislator too much if s/he is against you on a particular issue.  S/he may support you on the next issue – but not if s/he has suffered much of your wrath.

7.  Establish Good Communication with MACo Staff

Effective communication with association staff is a must.  Let them know if and when you will be available to testify.  Ask questions if you are uncertain about a bill.

If you have communication with a legislator about a bill, inform MACo staff.  If you send correspondence to legislators, please provide MACo with a copy.

Our primary method to keep you informed during the legislature is via our Legislative Update and email alerts.  The Update is emailed weekly, and alerts will be sent on an “as needed” basis.  We encourage you to read our updates to stay informed and act quickly when we blast alerts—things change rapidly during the session.

8.  Involve Other County Officials

Coordinate your legislative efforts with your other county elected officials.  Stand up and support their bills and ask them to return the favor.

9.  Develop Media Relationships

The importance of developing good personal and professional relationships with members of the media who cover the legislature cannot be overstated.  It is very important to be accessible to reporters covering the legislature and even more important to know how to respond to their questions.  How you respond to questions from representatives of the media can have a tremendous impact on how your position is related to the public.  Like relationships with members of the legislature, relationships with members of the media are based on trust and respect and are developed over long periods of time.

10.  Stick with MACo Policy

Once the membership of the association has adopted a legislative agenda/package, respect it.  Do not sabotage the association if you do not like a bill.  When commissioners oppose a bill passed by the membership, legislators become confused and then disregard the importance of MACo as your representative.