Tools for Effective Lobbying

You Are An Important Part Of The Legislative Process Every day we are confronted with issues that affect our industry. When an issue is important to you, you can make a difference when you get involved. Just follow the right steps, talk to the right people in the right ways and you can impact public policy. The government relations staff at the Wisconsin Agribusiness Council is committed to representing the Council’s positions and insuring that our voice is heard in the halls of government. But we also need your help to be effective.

Legislators need to hear from those they represent. They want to know how different issues affect the voters that put them in office. That is their top priority - To represent their constituency.

How to be effective

1. Get to know your legislators - Attend their town hall meetings, talk to them when you see them around town or when they are on the campaign trail. Try to understand their background and their motivation. It is always easier to communicate with someone you know, and it is a legislator’s job to get to know you too.
2. Call to express your concerns - Nothing can better express your concerns than your own voice. A personal call to your legislator carries a lot of weight. Almost every office has a toll free number, and most senators and representatives publish their home phone numbers.
3. Send a personal letter - Form letters are not very effective. A personal letter is much better. When writing about a legislative proposal, your message carries more weight if you can explain how this measure would affect you and your business (see “How to Write an Effective Letter” article).
4. Attend public hearings - When an issue you are interested in comes up for a public hearing it is very important that you try to attend the meeting to tell the committee reviewing the bill why it should be passed, modified or defeated. Your personal insights will help them in making an informed decision on the legislation (see “How to Testify at a Public Hearing” article).
5. Any contact is better than none - As a last resort, you can send form letters, faxes or email. This is not as effective as a phone call or personal letter, but it will still get the legislators attention.