Mock-political “Lobbying Plan” for Special Interest Groups and Issues Advocates

[Frank Bellamy, MAP Masters of Applied Politics]

Mock-political "Lobbying Plan" for Special Interest Groups and Issues Advocates

Written by B E L L A M Y '2008



Executive Summary for
American Lung Association
Ohio Chapter


"Since 1901, the American Lung Association of Ohio has been helping Ohioans breathe easier." Says, the ALA-Ohio Chapter


   The Clean Air Acts Amendments of the 1970's; Congress enacted a comprehensive set of amendments which lead to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA].  Establish by the authority of the E.P.A. the "National Ambient Air Quality Standards" [NAAQS] which defines the levels of air quality to protect public health and welfare.  Congress also directed E.P.A. to develop regulatory guidelines for the states to use in implementing plans referred to as "State Implementation Plans [S.I.P.'s] to achieve the health and welfare based air quality levels imposed by NAAQS.

   Our lobbying approach will be to persuade every sphere of political influence and policy making relative to the petition signing and election passage of the "No Smoking Ban" across the entire state of Ohio.  Our lobbying primary targets will be the state level officials and their operatives who are directly involved with S.I.P's and their related areas. 

   This approach will lessen the possibility of governmental opponents who might challenge our No Smoking Ban based on the enormous task of implementing this policy on a statewide measure.  The danger of individual smoking and second hand smoke is well documented and Ohio voters are poised to pass this public health initiative. 


Introduction of Strategy

The overall strategy of this lobbying plan is to focus lobbying efforts in on two specific areas being;

1). We will be rallying of volunteers by circulating soundly constructed petitions to our supporters' throughout the entire state to insure our place on the election ballot. 

2). Generate a high level of issue passionate energy among the voters directed towards the protection of public health against the deadly deceases from smoking and indirect second hand smoke. 



Assessments


1. People: Our national volunteer roster is over 200,000.  We want our staff to simulate and direct our entire volunteer force on this Smoking Ban issue.  Using our organizing tools on the Internet, Direct mailing and Telephone bank phone calls will be very effective in this cause. Identify those persons that can impact your effort as you design the lobby plan. 

Group management questions and discussions; "These will include prospective sponsors and co-sponsors, members of committees of referral, and your bill's likely supporters and opponents inside and outside the legislature.  As you identify each one, consider why each might support or oppose you based on your relationships and the language and ideas in your bill. A). Identify executive agencies that might be lobbied to gain political support for your bill.  The legislature will give considerable attention to the recommendations from experts within these agencies. B). Special interest groups may be found as corporations, associations, and local governments.  It is suggested that you predict which special interest groups may oppose your bill for substantive or political reasons.  Locate potential supporters and find ways to actively involve them in supporting your bill.  Look for nontraditional allies for your issue; think broadly and creatively when considering alliances with others. C). Constituents' are critical to the success of this effort.  In each district, identify those who can be mobilized to visit a lawmaker, organize a letter writing campaign, develop a phone tree, or use other methods to generate contacts with their lawmaker."

2. Costs and Benefits: The costs of this initiative will be driven by the strategy itself and not by the cost of this campaign.  The benefits of preserving the public health clearly outweigh the cost of this effort. We will establish an ongoing posture of fundraising and solicitation for needed funds to support this initiative.   

Group management questions and discussions; "Assess the financial, political, social, and personal costs to your organization, the supporters and opponents of your goals, legislators, and others.   Identify the amount of lobbying needed to maintain support and estimate the cost and benefit associated with each new alliance.  You will want to draft your bill to minimize costs and maximize benefits for all that will be affected should your bill become law.  Most bills benefit one group more than others."

3. Timing: Other statewide ballot issues will be well funded and to not have our No Smoking Ban issue overshadowed, our campaign should start within the next 3 months.  "Often the success of a legislative effort is dependent upon timing.  An ill-timed legislative effort may fail despite a meritorious concept." 

Group management questions and discussions;" Consider the following questions:  A). Can this legislation wait until next year? B). Would this legislation advance more readily in another year? C). Will this year's allies still be in office or otherwise able to support you next year? D). When should lobbying begin? E). Is there adequate time to meet critical dates, procedural milestones, and political timelines? F). Are the other time-related conditions, such as deadlines for making campaign contributions that must be considered?"

4. Place: Our Campaign Headquarters should be located in Columbus with smaller satellite offices located in each major city in Ohio.  Group management questions and discussions; "Before taking your bill to the state or federal legislature consider where the best or easiest place might be to obtain precedent-setting legislation."

5. Campaign contributions: We should direct our political contributions to the incumbent candidates running for reelection who have shown a history of supporting health related issues.
Group management questions and discussions; "Will campaign contributions be part of your lobbying plan?  On a member-by-member basis determine how your support of a legislator's re-election campaign will garner goodwill. If you need support of legislators with whom your organization has no constituent interests, campaign contributions may improve access.  However legislators have the greatest interest in constituents, especially those who make campaign contributions.  Contributions whether in cash or labor show a lawmaker that you are a member of his team."

6. Avoiding unnecessary conflicts: We should reach out [first] to all other health related special interest groups and citizen groups.  This should guard against the duplication and conflicts of our efforts with their efforts.

Group management questions and discussions; "It is suggested that associations ensure that its legislative goals and activities do not unnecessarily conflict with those of its members or allied organizations.  Your members or allied organizations often have legislative agendas unrelated to the issue advocated by the association.  Lobbying efforts need to be coordinated to avoid sending conflicting messages to the legislature."

7. Maintaining confidentiality: In order to maintain the strictest level of confidentiality our group we will maintain one central location for processing accounts receivables and payables.  This rule should also apply to media communications, mailings, telephone and Internet contact information.



Conclusion

   We can boldly state that our timing for passing this issue is excellent because in part, of the national advertising campaigns targeting the younger generations of smokers.  It is not uncommon for the average Ohioan to have friends or family members that have experienced health problems from smoking.

   Our timing is right, our cause is right and the Ohio voters are educated and ready to act on combating this looming threat to the public health of our families.   



References



Save Darfur, In-District Lobby Meeting Planning Guide
http://darfur.3cdn.net/95695ca4168b4d789b_jkm6bxego.pdf


Organizing Effective Lobbying Teams Workshop
http://www.fastfreds.com/workshops/scc2005/lobbyteams.htm


The American Lund Association-Ohio Chapter
http://www.ohiolung.org/


Belden, Roy S. 2001, The Clean Air Act, Book, p. 5


Associated Press. (2007, October 23). Calif. AG to sue EPA to force emissions decision. Retrieved October 23, 2007 , from www.msnbc.msn.com: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21428148


Legislative Service Commission. (2007). Bill Analysis of S.B. 221. Columbus: Legislative Service Commission.


Ohio Air Quality Development Authority. (2007). Links. Retrieved October 20, 2007, from The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority: Clean Air & Clean Energy are Good Business: www.ohioairquality.org/links/default.asp