Menu

Government Relations

Secrets for Citizen Lobbyists: How to Testify at the Minnesota Legislature

A Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting and Delivering Effective Legislative Testimony

, , , , , 0

Introduction

Testifying before a legislative committee is a powerful way to influence policy and ensure your voice is heard. However, the process can seem intimidating, especially if you’re new to it. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps of preparing and delivering effective testimony, helping you make a meaningful impact. For a deeper dive into the process, be sure to watch our video on testifying before the Minnesota legislature, where we provide real-life examples and additional tips.

Understanding the Legislative Process

Before diving into the specifics of testimony, it’s important to understand the legislative process. Bills are introduced and assigned to committees, where they are debated, amended and voted on. Public testimony is often a critical part of these committee hearings, allowing citizens to present their views directly to lawmakers.

Step 1: Tracking the Bill

The first step in preparing to testify is to be aware there is legislation that could impact your area of interest. The news media covers some of the high-profile bills that are introduced at the legislature, but because thousands of bills are introduced every year, not all of them get media attention. Ewald’s Government Relations team can do that monitoring for you. Contact us for details. Once you know there is a bill, you will want to stay informed about when and where the bill you care about will be heard. You can set up an alert to track your bill on the Minnesota Legislature website. Committees typically post their schedules online a few days in advance, but sometimes they don’t post their schedules until the day before the hearing. Regularly check these schedules to ensure you don’t miss the opportunity to speak on the issues that matter to you.

Step 2: Signing Up to Testify

Once you’ve identified a bill you want to speak on, it’s time to sign up to testify. Here’s how:

  • Contact the Committee Administrator: Email or call the committee administrator to get on the testifier list. Provide your name, the bill you’re addressing, and whether you support or oppose it.
  • Confirm the Details: Ask how long you’ll have to speak, whether testimony is in-person or virtual, and if there are any specific procedures you need to follow.

Step 3: Crafting Your Testimony

Crafting your testimony is crucial to ensuring your message is clear, concise and impactful. Here’s how to do it:

  • Understand Your Audience: Legislators may not be experts on every issue. Your goal is to educate and persuade them by presenting clear, factual arguments. Our video showcases effective testimonies that you can use as inspiration.
  • Structure Your Testimony: A typical testimony should follow this structure:
    • Introduction: Address the chair and committee members, state your name, any organization you represent, and the bill number with your position on the bill.
    • Body: Explain the issue, provide supporting data and share personal stories that illustrate the bill’s impact.
    • Conclusion: Summarize your key points, restate your position and thank the committee for their time.
  • Be Concise: Legislators often have limited time, so it’s essential to make your points quickly and avoid unnecessary details. Aim to be clear and to the point.
  • Use Personal Stories: Personal experiences resonate more than abstract arguments. Explain how the bill affects you or your community to make your testimony more compelling.
  • Support with Facts: Bolster your arguments with data and evidence. This adds credibility and can help persuade undecided legislators.

Step 4: Practicing Your Testimony

Preparation is key to delivering effective testimony. But remember, you do not have to memorize your testimony — reading it from a script is a great way to ensure you stay on task, on time, and get your message across. Follow these additional tips to ensure you’re ready:

  • Practice Aloud: Reading your testimony aloud will help you get comfortable with the material and identify any awkward phrasing.
  • Simulate the Environment: Practice in a setting with background noise to mimic the hearing environment. This helps you stay focused and clear during distractions.
  • Time Yourself: Ensure your testimony fits within the allotted time. It’s better to finish slightly early than to run over.
  • Seek Feedback: Practice in front of friends or family and ask for their input. Adjust based on their suggestions.

Step 5: Delivering Your Testimony

When the day arrives, remember these key points to make your testimony as effective as possible:

  • Arrive Early: Give yourself plenty of time to find the room, check in with the committee staff, and get settled.
  • Stay Calm and Clear: Speak slowly, enunciate clearly, and project your voice. Confidence and clarity are crucial in making a strong impression.
  • Maintain Eye Contact: Try to engage with the committee members by maintaining eye contact. This helps convey sincerity and confidence.
  • Be Prepared for Questions: Legislators may ask follow-up questions for clarification. If you don’t know an answer, it’s okay to say so and offer to follow up later.

Step 6: Following Up

After your testimony, follow up with committee members if you promised additional information. This helps reinforce your commitment and keeps the conversation going. It’s also a good opportunity to build relationships with legislators who may become key allies.

Conclusion

Testifying before the Minnesota legislature is a powerful way to contribute to the democratic process. By following these steps, you can craft and deliver effective testimony that resonates with lawmakers and helps shape policy. For a more detailed exploration of this process, including real-life examples, watch our video on how to testify. Remember, your voice matters — make it count by being prepared, confident, and clear in your message.

Secrets for Citizen Lobbyists: How to Testify at the Minnesota Legislature

The Power of Your Voice in the Minnesota Legislature

, , , , 0

Introduction

The common misconception about participating in the legislative process is that it is difficult, cumbersome, hard to follow, and often unavailable for members of the public. In fact, that couldn’t be further from the truth! Minnesotans are lucky in that they have the power and responsibility to engage directly with their state elected officials, and one of the most impactful ways to do this is by testifying before legislative committees. To see this process in action and gain practical tips, watch our video on testifying before the Minnesota Legislature.

Why Your Testimony Matters

Speaking before a legislative committee might seem scary, especially if you’ve never done it before. However, personal testimonies can significantly influence the actions legislators take. Here’s why:

  1. Highlighting Unheard Issues: Legislators cannot be experts on every issue. Your testimony can bring new perspectives and information that may not have been considered.
  2. Providing Real-Life Impact: Elected officials want to hear from their constituents. Your direct experiences and expertise provide invaluable context to the bills they are debating.
  3. Educating Legislators: While lobbyists provide important information, legislators rely on the insights of people directly impacted by proposed legislation. Your voice can shape their understanding and decisions.

Preparing to Testify

Preparation is key to delivering effective testimony. Our video covers this in detail, but here’s a preview of some of those steps:

  1. Track the Bill: Monitor the committee schedule to know when the bill you’re interested in will be discussed.
  2. Get on the Testifier List: Contact the committee administrator to sign up. Provide your name, the bill you’re speaking about, and whether you support or oppose it.
  3. Craft Your Message: Focus your remarks on the specific bill, supported by facts and your personal experience. Be concise, as you’ll likely have less than three minutes to speak.
  4. Practice: Rehearse your testimony multiple times. Reading aloud with background noise can help you prepare for potential distractions.

Delivering Your Testimony

When the day comes, keep these tips in mind:

  1. Stay Calm and Clear: Begin by addressing the chair and committee members. State your name and the organization you represent, if applicable.
  2. Be Concise: Stick to the time limit and avoid being repetitive. Keep your message clear and straightforward.
  3. Be Prepared for Questions: Legislators may ask questions for clarification. It’s okay to admit if you don’t know an answer and offer to follow up later. But this is not the time to debate.

Follow Up

Your responsibility doesn’t end when you leave the testifier table. Follow up with committee members if you promised additional information. This shows your commitment and helps build a rapport with legislators.

Conclusion

Testifying before the Minnesota legislature is a powerful way to influence public policy and ensure that your voice is heard. To learn more and see real-life examples, watch our video on testifying before legislative committees. It demystifies the legislative process and showcases that our democracy thrives on active citizen participation. Your experiences and insights are invaluable—so step up, prepare, and make an impact.

Legislative & Budget Update

, , ,

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

While the legislature adjourned one month ago, interim committees, councils, and task forces are meeting. The Senate Ethics Committee, which has been called to address a complaint against Sen. Nicole Mitchell (Woodbury) met briefly on June 12 and took no action against the complaint — they will meet July 25 after Sen. Mitchell has had her first appearance in court on first-degree burglary charges.

 

BUDGET UPDATES

A revenue update from Minnesota Management and Budget found that net general fund revenues in May totaled 16.7% more than forecast. Net general fund revenues totaled $2.1 billion in May, $304 million more than previously expected. Net receipts from all major tax types were above what state economic officials predicted. A more complete report covering April, May and June receipts will be issued in July.

See the report here.

 

LEGISLATIVE AUDIT REPORTS

Over the last week, the Office of the Legislative Auditor released two reports: a performance audit on the Minnesota Frontline Worker Pay Program and a special review on the Minnesota Department of Education’s Oversight of Feeding Our Future.

The 120-page audit report on the Minnesota Department of Education’s (MDE) management of the Feeding Our Future child nutrition program found there was inadequate oversight of the program by MDE, which “created opportunities for fraud.” The report detailed that the department inadequately validated its food program and did not follow up on complaints against it — such as operating sites without property owners’ permissions, running messy and unorganized food-distribution processes, and the lack of organizational structure in the nonprofit. The report also included a list of recommendations which included but were not limited to:

  • The establishment of criteria in statute or giving MDE the authority to conduct rulemaking to establish criteria that the department must consider when determining whether to approve organizations for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) or Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

  • The need for MDE take additional steps to verify information provided in support of sponsorship applications submitted by high-risk applicants.

  • The need for MDE to conduct follow-up reviews, as needed, to ensure sponsors fully implement corrective action plans that result from administrative reviews.

  • The need for MDE to place a greater emphasis on program integrity and risk-based monitoring if oversight requirements are waived again in the future.

  • Prioritizing independent fact-finding in response to complaints.

Read the full report here.

The report on the Minnesota Frontline Worker Pay Program concluded that the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), did not comply with requirements for the program regarding payments to ineligible individuals and the Department of Revenue did not verify adjusted gross income for all applicants. The $487.45 payout was distributed to about 1 million Minnesotans — 40% of whom did not have their eligibility confirmed (note: according to the State Auditor, this does not mean that 40% were ineligible; the audit just could not confirm their eligibility). The report made a recommendation for the legislature to consider the amount of risk the state is willing to accept when establishing programs quickly and with eligibility conditions that rely on self-attestation. The office also made recommendations for the state to recoup any funds given to people who were not eligible, and/or used the identity of others to apply for funds.

Read the full report here.

 

ELECTION UPDATES

This year, voters will head to the polls to vote for several races, including President, U.S. Senator for Minnesota, all 8 members of Minnesota’s U.S. House of Representatives delegation, and all 134 Minnesota House of Representatives districts. The Minnesota state senate is not up for election this year, but there will be a special election held for senate district 45, with the departure of Senator Kelly Morrison who is running for U.S Congress in the third congressional district and has resigned from the state senate.

Some important election dates to remember:

  • May 15: Applications for absentee ballots opened

  • June 28: Vote by mail or in person begins for the August 13 primary elections

  • August 13: Primary Election Day

  • September 20 through November 5: Vote by mail or in person

  • October 15: Deadline for advanced voter registration

  • November 5: Election Day

For more voting information (such as how to vote, where to vote, and other questions you may have), visit the Secretary of State’s website.

The Ewald Consulting Government Relations team has compiled a list of state representative races, but to find more detailed information in the races up for election you can visit candidate filings list. 

 

HELPFUL RESOURCES

A few helpful links to follow the action at the State Capitol:

To find your legislators, visit Who Represents Me

For updates on activities at the House of Representatives,
visit the House Session Daily website.

For updates on activities at the Senate, visit Senate Media Services.

For House Committee and Floor Session Video,
visit the House of Representatives YouTube Channel.

For Senate Committee and Floor Session Video, visit the Senate YouTube Channel.

CONNECT WITH US

Minnesota House of Representatives in action

Making It Easier for Volunteers to Engage in Grassroots Advocacy

, , , ,

The Ewald Consulting Government Relations team provides various services to help associations achieve their legislative aims. Government Affairs Director Valerie Dosland says the team is well-equipped for success. “Each member of our team has previous experience working as legislative staff inside the Minnesota capitol and provides a broad range of skills to our lobbying team. Each of us specializes in specific issue areas — ranging from early childhood and K-12 education to health and human services, local government, elections, taxes, and transportation.”  

As government relations continue to evolve, the Ewald Consulting team remains vigilant to adapt and support its clients from a position of strength. “We have greatly expanded our capabilities to provide effective grassroots engagement strategies for our clients,” Valerie continues. “This includes bringing on grassroots advocacy software to make it easier for our clients to engage in the legislative process.” In the most recent legislative session, associations that leveraged grassroots advocacy tools to augment their impact saw engagement from members at higher levels than ever before.

Ewald Consulting Welcomes Josh Ney as Senior Government Relations Manager 

, , ,

October 2023 – Leading AMC and government relations firm Ewald Consulting is happy to announce the addition of Josh Ney to our Government Relations team as a Senior Government Relations Manager.  

Josh joins Ewald Consulting with over 12 years of experience in public service representing elected officials at the state and federal levels. He most recently was the human services, homelessness and housing, and addiction policy advisor for Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, where he led budget and policy strategy development and shepherded historic investments for Minnesota’s children, families, and seniors through the legislative process. This includes the passage of the largest HHS and housing budget bills in state history.  

Before joining the Governor’s office, Josh was manager of state affairs at the Alzheimer’s Association. He previously was committee legislative assistant to the Minnesota Senate Finance Committee and a legislative aide to two state senators. Prior to his state public service, Josh was Deputy Legislative Assistant for appropriations and budget for a United States Senator in Washington, DC.   

“We are thrilled to add Josh to our Government Relations team, “said Valerie Dosland, Director of Government Relations at Ewald Consulting. “His legislative experience, knowledge of the legislative process, and his strong bipartisan relationships will be a great asset for our clients.”  

Josh has a MS degree in Public Affairs from the University of Massachusetts, Boston and a BA in Political Science and French Linguistics from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He served as a 2017-2018 Humphrey School Policy Fellow and was on its board from 2018-2022. Josh also participated in the Minneapolis Regional Chamber’s Leadership Twin Cities program from 2021-2022. In 2019, Governor Walz appointed Josh to the Board of Directors at the Minnesota Humanities Center, where he is currently Board Chair.  

DSC00292

Associations Next: A Wild Ride

,

In this episode we are joined by Government Affairs Director Valerie Dosland, and Government Relations Specialist Alana Martinson, who take us through the wild ride of the 2023 Minnesota legislative session. They remind us of the importance of having a government relations strategy for your association.

  1. Despite the partisan dynamics, the legislative session saw instances of collaboration and bipartisanship. Some bills and initiatives received support from both Democrats and Republicans, highlighting the potential for finding common ground on certain issues. This collaborative approach among the House, Senate and Governor’s office resulted in the successful passage of several bills, demonstrating that bipartisan cooperation can lead to effective governance and the achievement of shared objectives. 
  2. The session discussed had a historic budget surplus of over $17 billion, which provided opportunities advance priorities and accomplish goals for our association clients and for other lobbyists. 
  3. The session saw a DFL trifecta, with the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party controlling the governor’s office, the House, and surprisingly, the Senate. This contributed to the passage of many bills and the implementation of priorities such as paid family leave, labor provisions, tax changes, and investments in areas like education. 
  4. The session highlighted a surge of retirements among legislators before the 2022 elections, and an influx of new legislators with ambitions and high levels of activity. The increased number of bill introductions posed challenges in tracking and managing the legislative process. Furthermore, the session witnessed a diversification of representation in the legislature, with more legislators of color, the first African-American president of the Senate, and vocal caucuses advocating for specific priorities, such as the queer caucus. These factors demonstrated a generational change and its impact on legislative outcomes.  
  5. It’s extremely important for people from all parts of Minnesota (and from all walks of life) to provide information to legislators. Associations are a key resource to educate legislators and state agencies about positive and negative impacts of proposed legislation. 

Announcing: 2022 Minnesota Election Outlook Presented by Ewald Consulting on Oct. 6

Please join us on October 6 for an event with Walker Orenstein and Todd Rapp! We look forward to their election prognostications for the 2022 Minnesota legislative and statewide races and their implications for the 2023 legislative session. Get expert analysis from our speakers on the current political landscape, trends, polling and other factors that will come into play for the November election.

Learn more and register here

Business Meeting

Influencing State Agencies: An Essential Component of Government Relations

0

In previous blog posts, we discussed how to communicate with lawmakers. It is just as important to understand the ins and outs of state agencies.

State agencies are part of the executive branch and have tremendous power in the lawmaking process. These groups develop policy and help the governor make budget decisions and recommendations. Because these agencies are so specialized, they offer detailed information on legislation.

According to California Globe, “administrative agencies of state government are often important players in public policy development both as it relates to pending legislation being considered by the Legislature and, ultimately, to a determination by the Governor. For example, by influencing pending legislation that impacts their jurisdiction (such as air quality by the California Air Resources Board), interest groups, the Legislature, and the Governor are influenced by the views of these state agencies on bills.”

From the Minnesota Board on Aging to the Minnesota Zoo, there is an agency, board or commission for a plethora of interests in Minnesota. Understanding which groups your cause may fit into is a crucial part of your government relations work.

Tips on how to work with state agencies:

  1. Identify agencies and individuals within them that could help your organization. This will help you continue your reach into the legislature.
  2. Use these agencies to help support your organization by gathering information and data from them.
  3. Attempt to get your proposal included in the governor’s budget recommendations.
  4. If there is legislation that harms your organization, talk to agencies to see what they may be able to do to help and show them how it harms you.
  5. Know the governor’s view on issues relating to that agency so you can adjust your approach when representing your organization.

It is essential for lobbyists and citizens to understand the important role that state agencies play in the executive branch and in the legislature as a whole. By knowing the ins and outs of state agencies, you are setting up your organization for a successful government relations strategy.

Capitol Building

How to Communicate with Lawmakers

0

Government is not always easy to navigate, so learning how to connect and communicate with lawmakers is crucial. Ewald Consulting’s Government Relations team has represented a multitude of clients at the state and federal levels. Here are some of their top tips for communicating with lawmakers:

  1. Know your audience. This goes for just about any presentation, but make sure you have a thorough understanding of who you are speaking to. Our lobbyists recommend doing research beforehand to figure out the legislator’s party affiliation, the geographic area they represent, and issues they are passionate about. Even if this information does not directly relate to your initiative, you may be able to tailor your language to better appeal to your audience. Further, keep in mind that you or your organization may not always align with legislators politically. Be thoughtful about how you communicate and try your best to get your message across.
  2. Be succinct and clear. Legislators are busy people who are required to give their attention to a wide variety of topics and issues. Our staff recommends avoiding acronyms, jargon or any other details that legislators do not need to know to understand the issue at hand. Additionally, be sure to keep it short and simple. Do not get bogged down with unnecessary information. Give them what they need to know. A one-sheet document that highlights your key points can provide just a bit more background.
  3. Plan well. If you are able to choose who presents, think about who will be the most articulate and confident in front of lawmakers. This person is representing the people you serve, and they need to get your organization’s message across clearly and passionately. Further, you need to keep your message at the heart of your presentation. Make your audience understand why your issue is important.
  4. Take advantage of every channel you have. It is now easier than ever to follow what is going on with legislators and their staff. Many are on various forms of social media like Twitter and Facebook. Traditional methods like phone calls and scheduled in-person visits are also essential. Keep up to date with all information related to your initiative and the audience you are bringing it to.

Communicating with lawmakers may seem like an intimidating feat, but with the right approach, you and your organization can make a major impact on the legislative process.

For more about government relations, check out our newest episode from our podcast, Associations Next.

Government

Associations Next: The World of Government Relations

, , 0

In this episode, we got to sit down and discuss setting professional development goals with our Vice President of Human Resources and Staff Development, Becca Pryse.

Takeaways:

  1. Everyone has a lobbyist. From the Boy Scouts to golf courses, Phil explained that just about every area of your life has someone who represents you. It is easy to hear “lobbyist” and think of corrupt politicians, but the reality is many are out there to help everyday people and organizations.
  2. It is crucial to maintain relationships in the legislature. Allie conducts check-up meetings to make sure that everything is in order with each client.
  3. Call your representatives. Allie explained that many politicians, especially on the state level are everyday people. They are not experts on everything, so using your experiences and stories to help them understand their constituents helps them while also helping you.

Listen to the episode: The World of Government Relations

Load More

Let's Get Started!
Loading...