Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 17, 1993 TAG: 9301170043
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: E-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BONNIE V. WINSTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
LOBBYISTS SAY ONE CAN BE ENOUGH
Karen A. Raschke still remembers how intimidated she felt the first time she set foot in Capitol Square to lobby Virginia's legislators."I was an average Josephine, a professional lawyer for a large corporation, and yet it was daunting to me," Raschke recalled in a recent interview.
"I am a fairly loud person, but I was hushed by it, silenced, intimidated by all the lawmakers and lobbyists scurrying around with that look of `I know what I'm doing - I know where I'm going' in their eyes."
While Raschke, a lobbyist for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, now stalks the Capitol with the same confidence she was awed by a few years ago, she says other "average Joes and average Josephines" need not be overwhelmed by their government.
"If more people knew that one citizen can - not always will, but can - make a tremendous difference, more people would come down here," Raschke said.
"Delegates and senators don't necessarily see the light until they feel the heat," said Anne B. Kincaid, lobbyist for The Family Foundation, which opposes abortion. "The heat is put on by lobbying - in-person visits, personal letters and phone calls."
While Kincaid and Raschke are ideological opposites on the abortion issue, they agree on one thing: If you've got a point of view to push, you should have started some time ago. By the time the assembly starts in January, a lawmaker's legislative agenda - and often his or her mind - already is made up.
To be most effective, Raschke and Kincaid suggest the following:
Be a registered voter.
Know who your delegate and senator are and target them first. Lawmakers sometimes respond quicker or with more vigor if they know you have the power to keep them in office or vote them out.
Visit the lawmaker personally. Personal contact is more persuasive, both women say. "They have a harder time telling you no, they can't support your position, to your face," Kincaid said.
Raschke said visiting a lawmaker before the session "makes an impression" because so few people do it. It also gives a lawmaker more time to consider the request.
Write or type a personal letter. Form letters and post cards are no-nos, both said.
Call your delegate or senator. Both say that while this holds some weight, it is less effective than writing or visiting.
Get involved in a group dedicated to your pet issue. The group will keep you informed about the issue and adds the strength of numbers to your arguments. It may also bring the expertise of professional lobbyists.
Follow the bills related to your interest. Find out through which legislative committees the bills will be routed, and the names of committee members, and lobby them. They are fair game even if you don't live in the members' districts, Raschke and Kincaid said.
Go to the Capitol and just watch for one day, Raschke suggested. "See how the process flows while there's no pressure, before you start lobbying," she said. "It will help your comfort level."
For basic information, a directory of senators and delegates - including their names, district addresses and phone numbers at home and in Richmond - is published by David Bailey Associates, a Richmond-based lobbying firm. The booklet is available by calling the firm at (804) 643-5554.
C&P Telephone publishes a similar book, which includes a photo of each member. Those booklets usually are available during the first week of the session at the legislative information desks in the General Assembly Building and on the first floor of the Capitol. A warning: Because of the photos, they go quickly.
Staffers at the legislative information desks have a virtual gold mine of material for the uninitiated. By the second week of the session, they have lists of all members' committee assignments, as well as daily and weekly lists of committee meetings.
Additionally, anyone interested in checking on legislation dealing with a general issue or a specific bill will find at the information desks a computer printout listing each bill to be considered and its status in the process.
Staffers at the desks also answer questions by phone at (804) 786-7281.
For those who like to see and learn, David Bailey Associates, in conjunction with Market Square Teleproductions, has produced a 30-minute videocassette tape that is a basic but handy primer for the citizen who wants to influence the legislature. The tape is called "A Citizen's Tour Through the Legislative Process."
A second 30-minute tape, "The Winds of Change," focuses on who the key players are. Lawmakers in leadership positions are featured.
The tapes are $29.95 each and are available from David Bailey Associates, 1001 E. Broad St., Suite LL10, Richmond 23219, or by calling (804) 643-5554.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1993