Philadelphia Medicine Summer 2020 - 22

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advocacy

Pull Back the Curtain on
the Legislative Process
By: Larry Light

Advocacy Success Equates to Common Sense
It takes more than a strong, winning argument to succeed in
advocacy. Common sense things like sending a brief thank you
note, engagement in the political process, researching both sides of
the issue and most importantly, asking for help instead of "telling"
others what action to take will also make a difference.

Advocacy Tip - Before your advocacy meeting, know both
sides of the issue and confirm the time, date and place. Write a
thank you note after the meeting.
Bills, Bills, Bills.....Where Do They All Come From?
Legislators' most visible duty is introducing and voting on
legislation. In 2017-18 there were 2,752 bills introduced in the Pa.
House and 1,280 bills introduced in the Senate. Many were bills that
had been introduced before without gaining any traction, but the
remainder were new proposals supported by the legislative sponsor.
Legislators in the Governor's party are often asked to introduce
bills for the Administration. The various departments of state
government are usually developing useful changes in state laws.
Some ideas for bills emerge as legislators hear news reports about
problems that have surfaced in their district or from across the state.
Instinctively, they consider introducing a bill to change existing law
and solve the problem.
A reliable source for new legislation is special interests. Trade
associations, unions, corporations and others in the lobbying community advocate for legislation that will help their members. They can't
sponsor the bills themselves, so they work with a friendly legislator.

22 Philadelphia Medicine : Summer 2020

Bills are introduced and then routinely sent to a standing committee. The committee chair then holds the fate of the legislation in
his/her hands. Committee chairs schedule meetings, set the meeting
agenda and guide the development of amendments.

Advocacy Tip - The two-year long legislative sessions start
slowly as the Farm Show, January holidays, Governor's Budget address
and other institutional priorities are the focus. That's a great time
to build relationships with new legislators and strengthen existing
relationships. Have your agenda ready because it's also the optimal
time to shape the dialogue around your issues.

More Than Voting For or Against Bills
Legislators are usually constituent-focused and work hard to
have district offices with responsive staff. A good district office
and staff are the equivalent of a great public relations campaign for
someone whose job retention depends on voter approval. While
legislators may also have other jobs when they are back home, which
is certainly permitted, they also use their time in their home districts
to meet with constituents and local officials. And when they are
in Harrisburg, their district staffers are kept busy attending local
meetings in their place.

Advocacy Tip - You don't have to drive to Harrisburg to meet
with your legislator, the district office may only be a few miles away.
Session days in Harrisburg are routinely busy with the schedule of
committee meetings, caucus and voting sessions set by leadership
and shoehorned into days with staff, lobbyists, media and others all
seeking the legislator's attention. A district meeting, on a non-session
day, is easier to schedule and often more productive.

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Philadelphia Medicine Summer 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Philadelphia Medicine Summer 2020