Page 27 - The Edge - Back to School 2017

LOBBYISTS RECOMMEND Instead of complaining, she said, the message should have been to
thank lawmakers and that you’re looking forward to working with
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At those meetings, the advice of Meghaen and Marcus is: Have Meghaen predicted that a bill will be introduced next year that
a realistic expectation of what you can accomplish in that meeting. would take the money for a raise from Proposition 123 funds –
e entire nance formula doesn’t need to be covered in one the 2016 ballot measure voters narrowly approved allocating $3.5
meeting; know your audience and what is important to them and billion to education mostly from the state land trust over 10 years.
speak their language. Occasionally stop talking and listen. You’ll On the contention that education would never support a
probably learn something about where they’re leaning. Republican no matter how much they support you, Meghaen
If a member of the Legislature has never supported your pointed out that a Democrat is running against Sen. Kate Brophy
position, Meghaen said, you are not going to turn them around McGee, a Phoenix Republican who has voted for every education
100 percent of the time overnight. “You need incremental steps,” bill and against every anti-bill. “Other Republicans see that and
she said. “If they vote for one of your bills, praise them, don’t bash wonder why they should support education,” Meghaen said.
them for the nine times they opposed you.” If the Democrat wins, nothing will change. Votes on education
Meghaen said she always tells a lawmaker the other side of an bills will be the same, coming from a Democrat instead of a
issue. “I’d rather have it coming from me than the other lobbyist,” Republican, Meghaen said.
she said. Marcus added: “We’ve got to stop picking on our friends.
One of the most important parts of meeting with a legislator: Support those who support your cause. You don’t have to write a
“Stay on message,” Marcus said. “Have a concise message that is check to their campaign. If they ask, you could gather petitions or
easily understandable and explainable. e education community put a sign in your yard. ey are many ways to help friends.”
is so big and so vast with many subjects. Stay focused.” Charter schools are doing an amazing job of marketing themselves.
Meghaen noted that some lawmakers believe that the education at’s what policymakers see, Meghaen said. If district schools don’t do
community “is a bunch of whiners that will never be happy with a better job of marketing themselves, enrollment will continue to drop
anything.” As an example, she pointed out that some education and it will become more di cult to maintain funding.
advocates were openly critical of the Legislature a er a raise for Marcus added, “Stop talking to yourselves and start talking to
teachers was increased, but not as much as the teachers wanted. Arizona.”

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