blake
Life Member
Here are some top lobbyists' tips on how to communicate with you legislators:
Contact your legislator
Use the legislature's list legislators 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 Thanks 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.
<span style="color: #CC0000">For more information about becoming an IBA member>>>>></span>Details<span style="color: #CC0000"><<<<<</span>
Contact your legislator
Use the legislature's list legislators 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 Thanks 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.
<span style="color: #CC0000">For more information about becoming an IBA member>>>>></span>Details<span style="color: #CC0000"><<<<<</span>
