Page 26 - The Edge - Back to School 2017
P. 26
SUMMER CONFERENCE & EXPO
BY DON HARRIS
Lobbyists Recommend –
When Speaking to a Legislator,
Keep it Simple and Support Friends
Meghaen Dell’ Artino Marcus Dell’Artino
Two Capitol lobbyists
provided AASBO members
with insider tips on how
to deal with lawmakers –
even unfriendly ones – and
possibly win a vote or two.
Meghaen Dell’ Artino
of Public Policy Partners
and her husband Marcus
Dell’Artino of First Strategic
conducted a lively breakout
session at the AASBO
Summer Conference,
suggesting some do’s and
don’ts when trying to pass or
defeat a bill.
Meghaen listed three
reasons education advocates
give for how legislators
receive their message:
The Legislature just
doesn’t care to know the
truth.
I’ve explained it over and
over again and they just don’t What makes it more di cult is that every two years roughly one-
understand. third of the members of the Legislature are new, Meghaen said. She
ey are on a mission to destroy district education. emphasized the importance of keeping your message concise and
Virtually everyone in the room agreed with at least one simple.
statement. Marcus said discussing education funding formulas with some
Marcus suggested how to deal with legislators: “What we need lawmakers is “like hitting them upside head with baseball bat – it’s
to do is step out of our comfort zone. Talk to these people like they a lot of information.” And not everything needs to be said in one
don’t know anything. e tendency is to have high level discussions meeting. “Keep the conversation to three clear points,” he said.
where nobody knows what you’re talking about. Education has a Establishing a personal connection with a legislator is important.
lot of acronyms. Education nance is the most complicated thing. Meghaen suggested inviting your legislator to your school to read to
Don’t expect them to know every acronym or how every funding the kindergarten class. “ ey will post it and tweet about how great
formula works.” it was,” she said. “You’ve made a connection, a personal connection
Meghaen said most legislators, policymakers, sta and people with your school. You’re not asking for anything. When you do
in the Governor’s O ce are not con dent enough to ask you need to ask for something, you already have that foundation.”
questions about what you mean. “You keep talking and they just When meeting with a legislator in their o ce, you may have
nod,” she said. “You think by nodding they’re getting it. e more ve minutes for pleasantries and 15 for your issue. And Marcus
di cult you make your message, the easier it is for them to grab recommended: “Do a little research before you go in. Read their
onto (someone else’s) sound bite. If you talk with jargon, they don’t bio. Don’t go in cold to meet for rst time.”
understand. ey don’t know what weighting means. e biggest
mistake education makes is speaking over your audience.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 27
THE EDGE
26 THE EDGE | BACK TO SCHOOL 2017
