The POCKET LOBBYIST
A Guide to State Legislatures
Mindi D. Haddad, M. Ed.

FOREWORD

The Pocket Lobbyist addresses state legislative assemblies and serves as a guide for citizens who want to become a part of the legislative process. I was inspired to write this guide after attending an educational conference where the discussions about state lawmaking identified a need for a better understanding of those processes. All citizens should understand the reasonable expectations they can have of state government officials, as well as how to contact and influence them.

After discussing state government with several conference participants, I discovered how difficult it was for most citizens to make contact with appropriate government officials and resolve legislative situations. As a lobbyist, I was trained to find legislative information and influence the process. State legislative information is often not easily accessible for most citizens. I set out to gather information regarding state legislatures and the state lawmaking process. I scoured every state web site and personally called every state legislature in order to uncover the information most citizens have trouble finding. I had a difficult time obtaining information from some states, while other states had clear, organized web sites and knowledgeable, helpful staff members (such as Myles Kappelman from Iowa). I could relate to the frustration citizens feel when trying to contact their legislators for assistance. The phone numbers, if listed at all, were often incorrect, and the web sites were typically convoluted and difficult to navigate (with the exception of a few sites such as Hawaii and Indiana). I saw a need to utilize my government training to bridge the gap between citizens and state legislature.
As a new lobbyist, my eyes were opened by the actual occurrences during the legislative process. What I learned in school about the lawmaking process wasn’t even remotely related to what really happens. Technically speaking, the process of a bill becoming a law was just what I had learned. The difference was that the legislative process can be manipulated, and the actual process may vary from the technical explanation. I learned how truly difficult it is to pass a new law, obtain state funding, or simply get a wording change to an existing law. I felt compelled to explain the actual process, decipher the confusing language, and guide citizens to their legislators.

There are four different levels of government: federal, state, county and municipal. This guide deals specifically with state government, but it is necessary to understand the different levels to have your issue resolved by the most appropriate agency. The Federal government handles issues that affect every citizen, regardless of where in the U.S. they reside. The U.S. Congress is composed of representatives and senators elected from each state. Federal issues can range from immigration to Social Security, welfare to foreign affairs. Many situations citizens encounter involve the state level of government. Just as the U.S. Congress has representatives and senators, so does each state legislature. State legislatures write and amend laws concerning only the citizens of their particular state. These issues can range from corrections to utilities, economic development to the environment. County and municipal governments administer programs and aid citizens with municipal issues such as public schools, snow plowing, zoning, and solid waste management (garbage). Municipal government organizes issues such as mill rates for taxes on property.

It is important that your issue is brought to the attention of the correct level of government, as they are completely independent of one another. Although, there are times when government collaboration is necessary. Federal education laws and public safety, for example, are mandated by the Federal government, yet must be enforced by state and county governments, by school boards and local police. There may be a local problem that you are experiencing and may not be receiving adequate assistance to reach a resolution from your local government officials. In a situation such as this, you may want to contact your state representative for assistance. That office will be able to help in most situations, or direct you to where you can find resolution.

While reading this guide, remember that all states are different, and may have different legislative rules. What typically applies to most states may not be true in your state. I tried to formulate the entire guide in such a manner as to include the majority of legislatures. So, if you find an issue that is untrue for your state, realize this was meant to provide a general overview and is not specific to any one state or legislature. Utilize Section Three to reach someone in your state to verify any specific information.