Andrew Riggle

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Policy Advocacy 101

• Andrew Riggle
• 800-662-9080
• ariggle_at_disabilitylawcenter.org

2
DLCs Vision Mission

• Vision We envision a just society where all
  people are treated with equity, dignity, and
  respect.
• Mission To enforce and strengthen laws that
  protect the opportunities, choices and legal
  rights of people with disabilities in Utah.

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DLCs Goals

• People with disabilities will be free from abuse
  and neglect.
• People with disabilities will receive appropriate
  services.
• People with disabilities will be free from
  discrimination.
• People with disabilities will have equal
  employment opportunities.

4
DLCs Services

• Information and Referral
• Abuse neglect investigation monitoring
• Mediation and negotiation
• Presentations, outreach community education
• Legal advocacy
• Self-advocacy support and training
• Legislative and public policy advocacy

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What is Advocacy?

• A process
• Speaking up for yourself
• Knowing your rights
• Taking action

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Why Advocate?

• YOU are the expert
• YOU can influence policy
• YOU can improve services
• YOU can help increase funding for needed programs
• YOU can educate policymakers
• If policymakers dont hear from YOU, they assume
  everything is OK

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4 Basic Steps of Advocacy

• Choose your issue
• Find out what you can do
• 3) Find out who you can talk to
• 4) Communicate your views follow up

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Step 1 Choose Your Issue

• Federal
• ADA restoration
• www.house.gov or www.senate.gov
• State
• Dental Vision
• www.le.utah.gov
• Rules
• Medically necessary equipment or services
• www.rules.utah.gov
• Programs Policies
• Mental health or long-term care

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Step 2 What Can You Do?
YOU Join Create Talk
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Step 3 Who Do You Talk To?

• To find out
• 1) Call your local county clerk
• elections.utah.gov/countyclerks.html
• OR
• 2) Visit www.votesmart.org

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Step 4 Build Relationships

• Senator and Representative
• Committee members
• Legislative Agency Staff

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Step 4 Types of Advocacy
It only takes 10 minutes!!!

• Testify
• Letters / Opinion pieces

• Phone
• Email
• Visit

I am a voter in your district
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Golden Rules of Advocacy

• Be fair and respectful
• Be understanding
• Be constructive
• Be realistic and persistent
• Be a good opponent
• Be informed
• Be loyal and trustworthy
• Be generous

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Talk to Your Legislator

• Be brief and friendly
• Identify the issue, bill, or budget item
• Ask them to support your position
• Always thank them for their time

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Call or E-mail Your Legislator
House [phone] (800)
908-4261 http//www.le.state.ut.us/house/members20
05/membertable1add.asp Senate (801)
538-1035 [phone] http//www.utahsenate.or
g/perl/spage/roster2007.pl
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Write Your Legislator
Senator ________ __________ 319 State
Capitol Salt Lake City, UT 84114-0116
Representative _____ __________ 318 State
Capitol Salt Lake City, UT 84114-0116 After
the session write to their home addresses at
www.le.utah.gov

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Meet Your Legislator at the Capitol

• Write a note includingyour contact info, a
  short description of your concern, and what you
  would like them to do

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TESTIFY

• Plan on arriving early
• Prepare practice your statement
• Try not to read it
• Keep it short
• Be objective/speak from your experience
• Be prepared to answer questions
• If more than one person is testifying, coordinate
  testimony prior to the hearing to avoid
  duplication

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Get Involved

• Sign up for the DLCs e-mail list at
  www.disabilitylawcenter.org
• Share your story
• Talk to your family, friends, neighbors

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Beyond The Basics

• Legislative Process
• Congressional Contacts

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The Legislature

• Makes and changes state law
• Sets the state budget

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Learn the Lingo
Bill A proposed law or new program Appropriation
The budget for existing state programs
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Committees

• Rules
• If and where a bill is heard
• Standing
• Hears testimony, votes on bills
• Appropriations Subcommittees
• Prioritizes funding requests
• Executive Appropriations
• Leadership determines state budget
• Interim
• Meets between sessions to study issues

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Interim Session Where the Conversation Starts!

• 3rd Wednesday regular committees
• 3rd Tuesday Legislative Management Executive
  Appropriations
• Agendas minutes
• www.le.utah.gov

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Passing a bill Advocacy Opportunity

• Find a.. Sponsor
• Introduced in House or Senate
• Sent to. Rules Committee
• Assigns to Standing Committee

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Standing Committee
Passing a Bill (Cont....)

• Passes (P)

• Fails (try again next year)

Floor 1st Vote
Fails
(P)
Floor Final Vote
Fails
(P)
Veto
Governor
Sign
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Tools for Tracking Bills, etc.

• Visit www.le.utah.gov
• (enter bill or sponsor in search box)
• or
• Read the DLCs legislative update at
  www.disabilitylawcenter.org

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The Real Appropriations Process Starts in June
(if not sooner)

• June Advisory committee discussions
  recommendations
• July/August Departmental hearings
  recommendations
• September Depts forward budget requests to
  Governor
• December (1st Fri) Govs budget recommendations
  released

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Getting (Appropriations)

• DEPARTMENT
• Advisory Committee
• Department
• Governors Budget

• LEGISLATURE
• Fiscal Analyst
• Appropriations Committee
• Exec Approp
• (LEADERSHIP)
• State Budget

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Congressional Contacts

• Washington, DC Offices
• Hatch [phone]
• Bennett [phone]
• Bishop [phone]
• Cannon [phone]
• Matheson [phone]
• US Capitol Switchboard
• 202.224.3121