Think you're an expert at talking to legislators? Or are you brand new to the advocacy game? Put your skills to the test during the LeadMN legislative training game! Participants will be out in teams and attend mock legislative meetings using key higher education issues/talking points.

1. Legislative Training
Game & 2019 Session
Preview

2. What we will cover
www.yourwebsite.com
 Legislative environment
 Major issues this year (higher ed and non-higher ed)
 Legislative training game etiquette and tips
 Timeline for tomorrow

3. 2019 Minnesota Legislative Session
www.yourwebsite.com
 Session is adjourned until January 8, 2019.
 The 2018 mid term elections have changed the
legislative landscape significantly from 2017.
 Minnesotans still seem to love having a divided
government. Only state with it in 2019.

4. 2018 Minnesota Legislative Session
www.yourwebsite.com

5. 2019 Minnesota Legislative Session
www.yourwebsite.com
Legislative landscape:
 We have a new Governor, Tim Walz (DFL) elected in
2018
 The House of Representatives is now controlled by
the DFL. The Senate is controlled by the GOP
 New chairs for both the House and Senate Higher
Ed. committees
 House Chair: Connie Bernardy (DFL)
 Senate Chair: Paul Anderson (GOP)

6. 2019 Minnesota Legislative Session
www.yourwebsite.com
Legislative landscape:
 Every year session alternates between a budget
year and a policy year. The upcoming session will
be a budget year (aka lots of money).
 $1.5 billion surplus from last session and this
session
 Everyone will be competing for funding
(government agencies, nonprofits, etc.)

7. www.yourwebsite.com
Major issues this session:
 Funding for roads and bridges (Surplus vs gas
tax)
 Healthcare (surplus eater)
 Federal tax conformity
 Opioid epidemic
 Elderly Care reform
 Recreational Marijuana
 Everything from last session
2019 Minnesota Legislative Session

8. 2018 Minnesota Legislative Session
www.yourwebsite.com
 Major higher education issues:
• Funding Minnesota State and U of M budgets
for the next two years
• Funding Office of Higher Education budget,
including State Grant program
• Tuition free college and Tuition Freeze
• Textbook reform

9. LeadMN at the Capitol
www.yourwebsite.com
Our 2019 Legislative Agenda will focus on:
 Z-Degrees & OER
 College Promise
 Food insecurity
 Transfer pathways

10. www.yourwebsite.com

11. Legislative Training Game-
What to Expect Tomorrow
www.yourwebsite.com
Tomorrow morning you will:
• Get into your teams.
• Plan out your strategy for the mock meetings.
• Take part in two mock legislative meetings.
• Ask lots of questions
• Have fun (disclaimer: you may learn something during this
exercise, so be careful.) 

12. Legislative Training Game-
What to Expect Tomorrow
www.yourwebsite.com
8:30-9:20: Introduction and prep time
9:20-9:30: Break (Go to meeting rooms)
Round 1
9:30-9:45: Group 1
9:45-10:00: Group 2
10:00-10:15: Group 3
10:15-10:35 Break (Go to new meeting rooms)
Round 2
10:35-10:50: Group 1
10:50-11:05: Group 2
11:05-11:20: Group 3
11:20-11:30: Break (Go to Grand Hall)
11:30-12:00: Group debrief

13. Legislative Training Game-
Details
www.yourwebsite.com
 Mock meeting structure
•10 minutes of meeting time
•5 minutes to debrief
 There will be three teams in each room. The two
teams not conducting a meeting should
observe.(Do not interrupt, you will lose points)
 Be aware: Your legislator may change their
personality for each team

14. Legislative Training Game-
Tips for Success
www.yourwebsite.com
Tips for effective meetings:
• Introduce yourself
• Stay on our issues (don’t bring your axe to our meeting)!
• Focus on the talking points combined with personal stories
(how do these issues impact you)!
• Have a leader who sets the table, but everyone should
participate.
• Prepare for questions ahead of time.
• Smile and be polite.
• Don’t make up information.
• If you don’t know the answer to a question, admit that
and commit to following up.

15. Legislative Training Game-
Details
www.yourwebsite.com
Each team will
be scored and
winner will be
crowned

16. www.yourwebsite.com
LET THE GAMES
BEGIN!