Each year, thousands of legislative proposals are introduced on subjects that affect you, such as increased taxes, workers’ compensation rates, labor law requirements or regulations on how you operate your business. Your input on these issues is critical. Understanding the process and holding your legislators accountable for their actions will help you affect the outcome. As a business or member of the California Chamber of Commerce, you have access to all the resources we have, but ultimately you need to be involved personally for the best results. Offered below are tips on how to involve yourself in the legislative process and steps you can take to make sure your voice is heard.

Contents:

General Guidelines
District Office Visits
Telephone Calls
Letter Writing Guide (View with Adobe Acrobat)

 

General Guidelines
Here are some guidelines for you to follow in contacting your legislators:

· Be thoughtful. Commend the right things your legislator does. That’s the way you’d like to be treated.

· Be reasonable. Recognize that there are legitimate differences of opinion. Never indulge in threats or recriminations.

· Be realistic. Remember that most controversial legislation is the result of compromise. Don’t expect that everything will go your way, and don’t be too critical when it doesn’t.

· Be accurate and factual. The mere fact that you want or do not want a piece of legislation isn’t enough. If an issue goes against you, don’t rush to blame the legislator for “failing to do what you wanted.” Make certain you have the necessary information and do a good job of presenting your case.

· Be understanding. Put yourself in a legislator’s place. Try to understand his/her problems, outlook and aims.

· Be friendly. Don’t contact your legislator only when you want his/her vote. Invite him/her to your place of business or your group meetings. Take pains to keep in touch with him/her throughout the year.

· Give credit where it is due. If an issue goes the way you wanted, remember that your legislator deserves first credit. He/she has the vote, not you. And, remember also that many organizations and individuals participated on your side.

· Learn to evaluate issues. The introduction of a legislative bill doesn’t mean that it will become law. Whether you’re for it or against it, don’t get excited about it until you learn the who, what and why of it.

· Support your legislator. If he/she is running for re-election and if you believe he/she deserves it, give him/her your support. He/she needs workers and financial supporters. Don’t become aloof at the time when your legislator needs your help.

· Don’t, don’t, don’t even hint that you think certain bills, campaigns or politics in general are not worthwhile or may be dishonest.

· Don’t demand anything. And don’t be rude or threatening. There is always “the future” and in many cases a legislator may disagree with you on one issue and be supportive on another.

· Don’t be vague or deceptive, righteous or long-winded and please don’t remind the legislator that you are a taxpayer and voter in his/her district. (He/she knows it!)

· Don’t be an extremist. Remember, your legislator represents all his/her constituents — those you consider liberal and those you consider conservative. Don’t condemn a legislator just because he/she supports a piece of legislation that you think is too liberal or too conservative.

· Don’t be a busybody. Legislators don’t like to be pestered, scolded or preached to. Neither do you.

District Office Visits
The following guidelines may be helpful when you visit the legislator’s district office:

· Members of the state Legislature rely heavily on their staffs for a major portion of their responsibilities, i.e., scheduling, advice on specific legislation, constituent problems, etc. This is why it is important to maintain some familiarity with the district office staff. However, you do want to become acquainted and develop a working relationship directly with the legislators in your district.

· Generally, the legislative schedule permits each legislator to visit the district office on Fridays and holidays.

· Always call in advance for an appointment and briefly explain the purpose of the meeting. As a business person, you are an important constituent and your legislator and staff are eager to get acquainted.

· If meeting with your Senate or Assembly representative to discuss specific legislation, review the background information and position statements available from your association and use the bill numbers when possible.

· Ask the legislator for his/her position on issues and how he/she will vote. Consider other activities as ways of effectively maintaining liaison with your district legislators:

· Invite other members of your profession to join you and your legislator for lunch.

· Invite your legislator to visit your company before opening. You may want to have a short meeting between your employees and the legislator. The legislator could make brief remarks, followed by a question-and-answer period.

Telephone Calls

· When the Legislature is in session, call the Capitol office; during recess and on Fridays, call the district office.

· Ask to speak directly to the legislator. If he/she is not available, ask to speak to the administrative assistant or legislative aide.

· When the legislator or his/her assistant is on the line, identify yourself and mention the name of your company and that you are from the legislator’s district.

· State the reason for the call. Use bill numbers whenever possible.

· Explain how the proposed legislation affects your business and why you support or oppose.

· Discuss only one issue per telephone call.

· Ask the legislator’s position.

• If the legislator’s position is the same as yours, then express agreement and thanks.
• If your position differs from the legislator’s, then politely express disappointment and offer factual information supporting your views.

· Don’t attempt to give “expert” opinions. Tell how legislation would affect your business, based on your experience and knowledge.

· Request that your legislator take a specific action by telling him/her what you desire. State the facts as you see them. Avoid emotional arguments. If you use dollar figures, be realistic.

· Keep all communication friendly and respectful.