EMPLOYING

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EMPLOYING MANAGING CONTRACT LOBBYISTSThe
Association Perspective

• Suzanne Madden
• Director, State Government Affairs
• American Forest Paper Assn.
• November 17, 2003

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Objective

• To Gain Tools To
• Identify states where lobbyists are necessary
• Employ a lobbyist whos right for you
• Most effectively manage them

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Programs Founding Principle

• PRIOR TO HIRING CONTRACT LOBBYISTS, EXHAUST ALL
  EXISTING RESOURCES!
• In State Member Company Representatives
• Member Company Lobbyists
• State Industry Associations

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Value of Contract Lobbyists

• Industry Visibility in the Capital
• Access to Policymakers
• Watchdog Role
• Top Flight Political Intelligence
• Ability to Act Quickly
• Proactive Efforts
• Local Monitoring/Lobbying
• Avoid Crisis Hiring

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Lobbyist State Criteria

• Bad Actor States
• States With/Without Strong Industry Advocacy
  Presence
• Trend Setting States
• Specific Legislative Challenge/Opportunity
• Market Implications

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Where to Find a Lobbyist?

• Lobbyist Brokers Multistate Associates,
  Stateside Associates, etc.
• Other Related Trade Associations - National -
  State
• State Register of Lobbyists

• Word of Mouth
• - Fellow coalition members
• - Member companies
• - Public Affairs Council/State Government
  Affairs Council

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Hiring Questions To Ask Lobbyist

• Other Clients - i.e., conflict of interest?
• Previous Knowledge of Your Issues/Industry?
• Background i.e., former occupation, etc.?
• Relationships with Legislators on Your Primary
  Committees of Concern?
• Partisan Affiliation, if any?
• Contacts with Governors Office?

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Hiring Questions to Ask Others

• Reputation among
• clients
• legislators
• member companies
• Results for
• clients
• legislators
• member companies

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Hiring Other Things to Consider

• Chemistry
• Communication Style
• Firm Size
• Client List Size
• Fees
• Scope of Contract

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Hiring Other Things to Consider

• Length of Contract
• Philosophical Problems with Your Issues
• Value of Your Organization
• Limitations

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Managing The Basics

• EDUCATE!! extra time up front pays off
• Send on Facility Tours
• Give Written Materials on Industry, Association
  and Issues
• Do Not Assume Any Prior Issue Knowledge
• Provide List of In-State Members
• Introduce to Members

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Managing Communication

• Agree On
• Preferred Method of Communication
• voice (office and/or cell), e-mail, formal
  report, etc.
• Frequency
• once a week, only when issues arise, etc.
• Fair Feedback on Likes and Dislikes About
  Relationship

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• AFPA LOBBYISTS'
• WEEKLY FORECAST AND PROGRESS REPORT
• ON STATE LEGISLATION/REGULATIONS
• STATE DATE
• PREPARED BY TELEPHONE
• Please call the above party for information
  concerning activities reported.
• For AFPA policies, contact State Affairs at
  [phone].
• UPDATED INFORMATION
• I. LIST AND DESCRIBE ANY PERTINENT NEWLY
  INTRODUCED OR RECENTLY ACTED UPON LEGISLATION.
• II. DESCRIBE ANY RECENT PERTINENT POLITICAL
  DEVELOPMENTS.

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Managing Expectations

• Agree On Expectations For
• Communicating with Your Members
• Loyalty to National vs. State/Local Issues
• Interaction with State Associations
• Visits to State Capital
• Campaign Contributions
• Municipality Activity
• Your Most Important Issues

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Keep in Mind

• EACH STATE and EVERY LOBBYIST IS UNIQUE!
• LEARN AS YOU GO