Here are some key dates for the legislative session:
- January 13th - First day of the legislative session. This is when bills can start to be introduced.
- February 16th - Policy committee cutoff. This is the deadline for bills to pass out of their initial policy committees.
- March 5th - Fiscal committee cutoff. This is the deadline for bills with a fiscal impact to pass out of their fiscal committees like Appropriations or Ways & Means.
- March 12th - Opposite chamber policy committee cutoff. For bills that have passed one chamber, this is the deadline to pass out of the corresponding policy committee in the other chamber.
- March 26th - Opposite chamber fiscal committee cutoff
The term ‘Legg' means "law" and 'lature’ the "place"
Another term, which is used as a synonym of Legislature, is ‘Parliament.’ This word stands derived from the French word ‘Parley’ which means to ‘talk’ or to discuss and deliberate.
Each chamber of legislature consists of a number of legislators who use some form of parliamentary procedure to debate political issues and vote on proposed legislation.
The term ‘Legg' means "law" and 'lature’ the "place"
Another term, which is used as a synonym of Legislature, is ‘Parliament.’ This word stands derived from the French word ‘Parley’ which means to ‘talk’ or to discuss and deliberate.
Each chamber of legislature consists of a number of legislators who use some form of parliamentary procedure to debate political issues and vote on proposed legislation.
Legislative process and procedures in nigeria - Advocacy Opportunity for CSOsJohn Onyeukwu
A summary of presentation on Legislative Advocacy for Civil Society Organizations - incorporating advocacy opportunities in the various Stages of Law Making in Nigeria's Presidential System
Legislative process and procedures in nigeria - Advocacy Opportunity for CSOsJohn Onyeukwu
A summary of presentation on Legislative Advocacy for Civil Society Organizations - incorporating advocacy opportunities in the various Stages of Law Making in Nigeria's Presidential System
Materials created by the National Archives and Records AdminisAbramMartino96
Materials created by the National Archives and Records Administration are in the public domain.Materials created by the National Archives and Records Administration are in the public domain.
Analyze a Written Document
Meet the document.
Type (check all that apply):
❑ Letter ❑ Speech ❑ Patent ❑ Telegram ❑ Court document
❑ Chart ❑ Newspaper ❑ Advertisement ❑ Press Release ❑ Memorandum
❑ Report ❑ Email ❑ Identification document ❑ Presidential document
❑ Congressional document ❑ Other
Describe it as if you were explaining to someone who can’t see it.
Think about: Is it handwritten or typed? Is it all by the same person? Are there stamps or other marks? What else do you see on it?
Observe its parts.
Who wrote it?
Who read/received it?
When is it from?
Where is it from?
Try to make sense of it.
What is it talking about?
Write one sentence summarizing this document.
Why did the author write it?
Quote evidence from the document that tells you this.
What was happening at the time in history this document was created?
Use it as historical evidence.
What did you find out from this document that you might not learn anywhere else?
What other documents or historical evidence are you going to use to help you understand this
event or topic?
Legislature Home > Washington State Legislature > How a Bill Becomes a Law
Washington State
Legislature
Member Information
Legislative Agencies
About Legislative RSS Feeds
What Is RSS
Legislature Employment
Opportunities
Bill Comments Help
Member Email Form Help
Participating in the Process
Main Sections
Legislature Home
House of Representatives
Senate
Laws & Agency Rules
Agendas, Schedules, &
Calendars
Bill Information
View all links
How a Bill Becomes a Law
For more information, see Legislative Process Overview, Reed's Parliamentary Rules, and Civic Education Page.
1. A bill may be introduced in either the Senate or House of Representatives by a member.
2. It is referred to a committee for a hearing. The committee studies the bill and may hold public hearings on it. It can then
pass, reject, or take no action on the bill.
3. The committee report on the passed bill is read in open session of the House or Senate, and the bill is then referred to
the Rules Committee.
4. The Rules Committee can either place the bill on the second reading calendar for debate before the entire body, or take
no action.
5. At the second reading, a bill is subject to debate and amendment before being placed on the third reading calendar for
final passage.
6. After passing one house, the bill goes through the same procedure in the other house.
7. If amendments are made in the other house, the first house must approve the changes.
8. When the bill is accepted in both houses, it is signed by the respective leaders and sent to the governor.
9. The governor signs the bill into law or may veto all or part of it. If the governor fails to act on the bill, it may become law
without a s ...
Materials created by the National Archives and Records AdminisAbramMartino96
Materials created by the National Archives and Records Administration are in the public domain.Materials created by the National Archives and Records Administration are in the public domain.
Analyze a Written Document
Meet the document.
Type (check all that apply):
❑ Letter ❑ Speech ❑ Patent ❑ Telegram ❑ Court document
❑ Chart ❑ Newspaper ❑ Advertisement ❑ Press Release ❑ Memorandum
❑ Report ❑ Email ❑ Identification document ❑ Presidential document
❑ Congressional document ❑ Other
Describe it as if you were explaining to someone who can’t see it.
Think about: Is it handwritten or typed? Is it all by the same person? Are there stamps or other marks? What else do you see on it?
Observe its parts.
Who wrote it?
Who read/received it?
When is it from?
Where is it from?
Try to make sense of it.
What is it talking about?
Write one sentence summarizing this document.
Why did the author write it?
Quote evidence from the document that tells you this.
What was happening at the time in history this document was created?
Use it as historical evidence.
What did you find out from this document that you might not learn anywhere else?
What other documents or historical evidence are you going to use to help you understand this
event or topic?
Legislature Home > Washington State Legislature > How a Bill Becomes a Law
Washington State
Legislature
Member Information
Legislative Agencies
About Legislative RSS Feeds
What Is RSS
Legislature Employment
Opportunities
Bill Comments Help
Member Email Form Help
Participating in the Process
Main Sections
Legislature Home
House of Representatives
Senate
Laws & Agency Rules
Agendas, Schedules, &
Calendars
Bill Information
View all links
How a Bill Becomes a Law
For more information, see Legislative Process Overview, Reed's Parliamentary Rules, and Civic Education Page.
1. A bill may be introduced in either the Senate or House of Representatives by a member.
2. It is referred to a committee for a hearing. The committee studies the bill and may hold public hearings on it. It can then
pass, reject, or take no action on the bill.
3. The committee report on the passed bill is read in open session of the House or Senate, and the bill is then referred to
the Rules Committee.
4. The Rules Committee can either place the bill on the second reading calendar for debate before the entire body, or take
no action.
5. At the second reading, a bill is subject to debate and amendment before being placed on the third reading calendar for
final passage.
6. After passing one house, the bill goes through the same procedure in the other house.
7. If amendments are made in the other house, the first house must approve the changes.
8. When the bill is accepted in both houses, it is signed by the respective leaders and sent to the governor.
9. The governor signs the bill into law or may veto all or part of it. If the governor fails to act on the bill, it may become law
without a s ...
Constitution of USA
Congress
House of representative
Senate
composition of senate
Composition of house of representative
Function of speaker of USA and U.K.
Difference between U.K and USA parliament
special powers of senate and house of representative
California PoliticsAn Introduction with Suggested Online Resourc.docxhacksoni
California Politics
An Introduction with Suggested Online Resources
By George Gastil
Prologue
Consider the lives of these three people:
A single mother is raising two young children. One of them has a serious illness and needs medical treatment. Her job pays enough for her to feed her children and rent an apartment, but she does not have health insurance.
An 18-year old student graduates from high school. She is not sure what she wants to do for a living, but she is pretty sure it will involve a college education.
A young couple is looking for a home. They both recently got jobs in downtown San Diego, but they really want to live away from the big city.
These people all have something in common. Each of them is likely to benefit from decisions made by our state government.
The single mother might be eligible for health insurance programs that are funded largely by the state. Even without health insurance, she could bring her child to a county hospital emergency room.
The young student can attend any community college in the state for only $36/unit, just a tiny fraction of the real cost of her education. She also might be able to attend one of the campuses of the California State University or the University of California, where the tuition is higher but the state is still paying a large share of every student’s education.
The young couple will end up living in one of a variety of communities that have been developed according to state and local guidelines. If the community was well planned it will have schools, parks, a library, and other things people value. To get to work they will either drive on state funded roads or use state funded public transportation systems.
State government has a tremendous effect on our daily lives, whether we realize it or not. I think more people need to understand what our state government does and how we can work to make our state more effective. I hope you find this introduction helpful.
Overview of California Government and Politics
A. State government—legislative, executive and judicial.
B. Local government: cities, counties and regional governments.
C. School Boards, Colleges and Universities
D. Special Districts
E. State/Federal Relations
F. Public Policy Issues; Special Public Policy Focus on Education
G. Elections: Voters and Candidates
H. Interest Groups: Political Action and Lobbying
I. Political Philosophies
A. California’s State Government—legislative, executive and judicial
When people think of California’s government, they usually think of the three branches of statewide governance: the state legislature, the executive branch, and the state courts. Our state government actually includes many entities, such as counties, cities, school boards, and water districts. We also have regulatory agencies that are appointed rather than elected, such as the State Lands Commission and the California Environmental Protection Agency. All of these bodies ultimately get their po.
1. A Citizen’s Guide
to the Washington Legislature
a product of the
citizen action network
2. 2 3
The Citizen Action Network is a project of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation. We
are dedicated to restoring power to the people of Washington state by helping them
understand their roles as citizens and showing them how to exercise their sovereign
authority.
You can join our statewide community by visiting our website, www.effcan.org,
and clicking on “Join CAN Now.” Doing so will connect you with other citizens
who are dedicated to making Washington more free. It will also give you access to
quality training classes and videos and provide you with the best action-oriented
information in the state.
If you want to make a difference, joining CAN is the first step.
Citizen involvement is essential to good government. Without it, our legislators
pass laws from inside a bubble, insulated from the reality of how their legislation
will affect the people they represent. Paid lobbyists, union representatives and
the media have a tremendous presence in Olympia, and their influence skews our
legislators’ perspective, often away from what’s best for the public. In order to
govern properly and effectively, our elected officials desperately need taxpayer input
to bring balance to the decisions they make every day.
Our state is not unlike a ship making its way through rough and uncharted waters.
We have entrusted our state leaders to navigate this ship for the good of everyone
aboard, but they have taken us into a storm and now we are facing blinding rain,
gale-force winds and crushing waves. They need something to get them out of this
storm and back into safer waters.
They need a compass. They need the people.
A compass is an instrument of guidance—it helps you determine where you are and
where you should go. When citizens exercise their voice, they are playing the role of
a compass for their legislators.
Today Washington finds itself in the thick of the storm. Thanks in large part to the
grassroots resurgence in the wake of the Tea Party movement, however, more people
than ever are vocalizing their concerns about overspending, overregulation and the
rapid growth of state government. They are reclaiming their role as the compass.
Many citizens, unfortunately, feel helpless when it comes to affecting the politi-
cal process. The Legislature runs on a complex system of committees, taskforces,
hearings, and agencies. This guide will take the mystery out of the Legislature and
help the people of Washington get this state back on course. Inside, you will find
everything you need to know about how a bill is created, the process it goes through
to become a law and what you can do to influence it’s progress.
As more and more people become involved, our influence will grow. The people will
reclaim their state from misguided politicians and the special interest groups that
have bent them to their will. Our state has many problems. Read on to learn how
you can become part of the solution.
Introduction The Guide
Join today at:
table of Contents
www.effcan.org
The Guide 3
The Legislative Process 4
Committees 6
Legislative Terms 8
How to Interact with Legislators 12
Key Legislative Dates 15
Preparing and Delivering Testimony 16
Policy Recommendations 18
Questions for Legislators 20
Map of the Capitol Campus 25
Top Ten Tips 26
3. 4 5
Understanding
the Legislature
Bills must go through a very specific process in order to become the law of the land.
Citizens have the opportunity to influence pieces of legislation at several key points
in that process. *
Request for Legislation—Citizens, agencies or the governor see a need
for a new law and ask a legislator to propose a bill.
Introduction—A bill may be introduced in either the Senate or House of
Representatives by a member.
Committee Referral/1st Reading—It is referred to a committee for a
hearing. The committee studies the bill and may hold public hearings on
it. It can then pass, reject or take no action on the bill.
Committee Report—The committee report on the passed bill is read in
open session of the House or Senate, and the bill is then referred to the
Rules Committee.
Rules Committee—The Rules Committee can either place the bill on the
second reading calendar for debate before the entire body, or take no
action.
Second Reading—At the second reading, a bill is subject to debate
and amendment before being placed on the third reading calendar
for final passage.
Third Reading—The final consideration of a bill before either house.
The bill can be debated, tabled, referred, but not amended. Final
passage takes at least a constitutional majority.
Repeat the Process—After passing one house, the bill goes through
the same procedure in the other house.
Amendments—If amendments are made in the other house, the first
house must approve the changes.
Sent to Governor —When the bill is accepted in both houses, it is
signed by the respective leaders and sent to the governor.
Signed Into Law—The governor signs the bill into law or may veto all
or part of it. If the governor fails to act on the bill, it may become law
without a signature.
*At any point in this process a citizen or group can call, e-mail or meet with
their legislator(s) to persuade them in a particular direction.
Read more at http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/Overview.aspx
The Legislative Process
How a Bill
Becomes
a Law
citizen action
citizen action
citizen action
citizen action
Attend and/or testify at public hearings
Request legislators to make
amendments on the floor
Appeal to the governor to veto
or sign the bill
Propose an idea for legislation to your representative
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
4. 6 7
Understanding
the Legislature
What are committees?
The Legislature has committees, small groups of senators or representatives, who
review proposed laws and study issues before they are passed on to the floor for a
vote. Many bills introduced in the Legislature will receive a public hearing, where
citizens are given a chance to present their opinions on proposed legislation. Many
committees have two versions, one for the House and one for the Senate. A bill
will generally pass through both versions of the same committee before it becomes
law.
Fiscal Committees
Below is a list of all fiscal committees. All bills that pass through these
committees have a fiscal impact, meaning that they will require a change in
government spending to go into effect.
Ways and Means (House and Senate)
The primary revenue and appropriations committee. The committee is responsible
for recommending how state monies will be spent and the means that will be
used to raise the tax revenues. The Ways and Means Committee is best known for
writing the state’s two-year operating budget, although the Senate committee is
also responsible for developing the capital budget. The committee’s responsibilities
also include tax and pension policy. Other matters that have a fiscal impact on the
state are also within the purview of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Rules (House and Senate)
The Senate and House Rules Committee is the last stop a bill makes before being
heard on the House and Senate floor. The rules committee determines if and when a
bill will be considered.
Transportation (House and Senate)
The House Transportation Committee considers the transportation budget, revenue
sources for transportation funding and issues relating to transportation policy.
In addition, the committee considers how certain policies will affect transporta-
tion agencies such as the Department of Transportation and the Washington State
Patrol.
Capitol Budget (House)
The Capitol Budget Committee is responsible for making recommendations on
how appropriations should be made to state and local agencies for building and
construction projects.
Education Appropriations (House)
The House Education Appropriations Committee considers issues relating to
funding of early learning, K-12, higher education programs and makes funding
recommendations to the Ways and Means Committee. In instances where a bill has
only a limited fiscal impact, the committee will consider the bill themselves.
General Government Appropriations (House)
The House General Government Appropriations Committee considers issues
relating to funding of general government, natural resources, corrections
programsandmakesfundingrecommendationstotheWaysandMeansCommittee.In
instances where a bill has only a limited fiscal impact, the committee will consider
the bill themselves.
Health and Human Services Appropriations (House)
The House Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee considers issues
relating to funding of health and human services programs and makes funding
recommendations to the Ways and Means Committee. In instances where a bill has
only a limited fiscal impact, the committee will consider the bill themselves.
Finance (House)
The House Finance Committee considers issues relating to state revenues, such as
increases or decreases in taxes, who does and doesn’t pay taxes and changes in the
way taxes are applied to people and businesses.
A full list of committees can be found at:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/pages/committeelisting.aspx#
Committees
5. 8 9
Understanding
the Legislature
A lot of insider terms are utilized up at the Capitol and in the news coming out of
the Legislature. Having a good grasp of legislative language is critical to both
understanding and influencing the processes and those who operate within it.
Many of these terms were taken directly from the Legislature’s website.
An exhaustive list can be found at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/glossary.aspx
legislative terms
Adjourn – to conclude a day’s
session or committee meeting.
Amendment – a proposal offered
to a legislative bill that changes the
original language.
Bill – a proposed law presented to
the Legislature for consideration.
Budget (Capital) - appropriations made to
state and local agencies for building and
construction projects.
Budget (Operating) – two-year plan for
funding ongoing activities of state agencies,
except transportation.
Budget (Transportation) - for highways,
bridges, ferries, transit, vehicle licensing
and traffic enforcement.
Caucus – a group of people
belonging to the same political
party to select leaders and discuss
issues and policy.
Committee – a panel of senators
or representatives which makes
preliminary decisions about
legislation or other issues and
reports its findings to the entire
legislative body. There are both fiscal and policy
committees.
Committee Chair – a legislator
chosen to direct the activities of
a committee. Committee chairs
normally are approved every two
years by a vote of either the Senate
or House.
Constitution – the fundamental law that defines
the powers and basic structures and processes of
government. The Washington State Constitution
was adopted in 1889 and begins with a
declaration of rights.
Constitutional Amendment – similar to a legisla-
tive bill, a constitutional amendment is a
proposal to change the state’s
Constitution that must be passed by
the Legislature and approved by a
vote of the citizens.
Convene – to assemble for an
official meeting.
Cutoff - time certain set by a legislative body for
specified action such as bill introduction, commit-
tee action or passage of bills by either house.
First Reading – first of three
readings required to pass a bill. Bills
on first reading are introduced and
sent to a committee. The First Reading
is typically waived.
Floor Vote – the final vote on the passage of a
bill, conducted after the third reading.
Governor – political and ceremonial
head of Washington state. The
governor is the leader of the
executive branch of government.
6. 10 11
Hearing – a regularly scheduled
meeting of a committee at which
the public has an opportunity to
voice its opinions about proposed
legislation.
Interim – the months between
regular legislative sessions.
Law – a rule made by government. Today,
the word “law” is often used to describe
rules enacted through the legislative pro-
cess, rather than “regulations” enacted
by executive branch agencies.
Legislative District – area represented by
legislators. There are 49 legislative
districts, each having one senator
and two representatives.
Page – students ages 14-16 who
assist members of the Legislature
and staff.
President of the Senate – another
name for the lieutenant governor,
who presides over Senate floor
action and debate.
Representative – a citizen
who is elected to the House of
Representatives for a two-year term.
There are 98 representatives in
Washington.
Resolution (Joint) - an act of the Leg-
islature which proposes an amendment
to the state Constitution for reference to
the people for acceptance or rejection. To
pass, joint resolutions must receive a two-
thirds affirmative vote of the members
elected in each house.
Second Reading – bills on second
reading are subject to debate and
may be amended, returned to
committee, or advanced to a third
reading.
Senator – a citizen who is elected
to the Senate for a four-year
term. There are 49 senators in
Washington.
Speaker of the House – representative
who is elected by the members of the
House of Representatives to preside over
House floor action and debate.
Special Session – a legislative
session that is usually held
between regular sessions to handle
emergencies. A special session may
be called by the Governor or by a
two-thirds vote of the Legislature.
Sponsor – the senator or
representative who presents a
bill, resolution or amendment for
consideration.
Third Reading – the final stage of
a bill during which the document
is read in its entirety and a vote is
taken.
Veto – rejection of a bill by the
governor to the Legislature.
Veto Override – a two-thirds vote
of the Legislature (33 votes in the
Senate, and 66 votes in the House)
which makes law any bill vetoed by
the governor.
7. 12 13
Be honest—if you don’t know something, say so•
Cultivate a good rapport with the assistant•
and staff
Know something about the official—read up on•
their online biography and discover who their
main financial supporters are
Know the name and number of•
the bill and something about it
Ask good questions—don’t just talk, listen•
Anticipate common responses and have a•
prepared answer
Before you make a trip to Olympia to meet with your legislator in person, you’ll want
to go over these important tips. They will help you and your elected official get the
most out of your visit.
The Power of Petition Influencing your legislator can sometimes be a
numbers game. The more voting constituents you can claim to represent from your
district, the greater the chance your legislator will be swayed by your arguments.
While it isn’t a magic bullet, it can go a long way in aiding a well-prepared case.
One way to increase the amount of support for your issue is to create a petition and
gather signatures ahead of time. A group of 5-20 people bringing signatures from
a thousand voters in their district can have a dramatic impact on their elected
official.
There isn’t a prescribed protocol for these kinds of petitions, however, you’ll want to
keep a few things in mind as you put it together.
Be Prepared – Do your due diligence before heading down
to the Capitol. It is one thing to be passionate about an issue, but
completely another to be well-informed. You want to make yourself
the go-to expert that legislator relies on when it comes to your issue of
interest long after you’ve left your initial meeting. Remember, it’s about
building a relationship.
TIPS
How to interact
with Legislators
and their staff
1
1
2
3
4
Frame the Issue—Let people know what you are trying to
accomplish and how you will be doing it. Write a paragraph or two
describing your issue, stating why it is important, and
detailing how you will be using their signature.
Collect the Right Information—Legislators will want to be
able to verify that the signatures you collected are indeed from
voters within their district. Make sure to get the name, address,
city, zip code and signature from each individual who signs the
petition.
Mobilize Volunteers—Depending on how many signatures you
want to gather, you may want to recruit some help. If your goal
is to get 100 signatures or more, head over to your local Tea Party
meeting and ask for a few volunteers.
Deliver It—Incorporate the petition results into the discussion
with your legislator. Let them know that you have been out among
voting constituents and that you have an insider’s edge on how
voters feel about your issue.
Four Steps to a Successful Petition
8. 14 15
Be Concise—You probably have a lot to say about the topic you
are there to discuss, and it can be tempting to give your representative an
earful. It is critical to resist that temptation. Legislators are constantly
being bombarded by interest groups from all sides and won’t retain a lot
of information, especially from one group. It is best to pick one topic and
present your issue as concisely and persuasively as possible—give them
a quick breakdown of your issue, convince them why it is important and
give them a one-page handout to take with them.
Be polite—It is very important to treat your legislators with the
same respect that you would want them to treat you. It can be tempting
to be aggressive and angry with them, especially if they disagree with you
about an issue you are passionate about. Keep constructive dialog open
and remember that effective lobbying is a process, not a one-time event.
Don’t be angry or threaten• —“You’ll pay for this at the polls!”
Don’t bring a lot of material• —keep your handouts limited to as few
pages as possible. Try referencing webpages with your supporting infor-
mation in case your representative wants to follow up.
Things to avoid
January 10, 2011—First Day of Session
January 15, 2011—Push Forward Conference, Seattle
January 23, 2011—Policy Committee Cutoff (house of origin)
January 28, 2011—Fiscal Committee Cutoff (house of origin)
January 29, 2011—Push Forward Conference, Vancouver
February 10, 2011—Floor Vote Cutoff (house of origin)
February 22, 2011—Freedom Foundation Legislative Day
March 28, 2011—Policy Committee Cutoff (opposite house)
April 4, 2011—Fiscal Committee Cutoff (opposite house)
April 15, 2011—Push Forward Tax Day Rally
*cutoff dates subject to change depending on legislative vote
Key Legislative Dates
TIPSTIPS
Stick to the subject at hand•
Get a commitment—ask them whether they•
will support your position
Call in or email a summary of your•
discussion to the legislator as soon as
possible after the meeting
Make an appointment•
Dress for success•
Be on time—but be prepared to wait•
Thank the public official for the meeting•
Cultivate a good rapport with the•
assistant and staff
2
3
9. 16 17
In addition to meeting with your legislators, testifying at committee
hearings is another way to influence a piece of legislation. Since the
committee ultimately decides on whether or not to pass a bill to the
floor for a vote, influencing its members one way or the other can have a
dramatic effect on the outcome.
Below you’ll find some tips on how to testify successfully at a committee
hearing.
Preparation
Write out your full testimony, including all of your research and supporting•
information. Bring copies for each member of the committee.
Break down your testimony into talking points for when you present. Com-•
mittee members don’t want to hear a written script, they want to hear your
passion and conviction about the issue.
Anticipate having anywhere from 2-5 minutes to testify. Make sure your•
testimony is flexible to compensate either way.
Before the meeting
Be on time, but be prepared to wait. A committee hearing usually covers•
multiple bills, with the order of discussion determined by the committee chair.
A typical hearing will last between 1-2 hours. Your testimony could be first,
last or anywhere in the middle.
Sign in. There will be a sign-in sheet near the entrance to the room. You will•
have the opportunity to register and indicate whether your stance on the bill is
for, against or neutral. Even if you don’t testify, when you sign in your
presence at the hearing and stance on the bill are entered into the record.
Take your written materials to the committee staff for distribution.•
Talk to the committee staff if you are going to be using the•
presentation equipment.
How the Meeting Is Conducted
Be present at the beginning of the hearing. The committee chair will open the
hearing on a particular bill. Frequently, opening comments will be made by the
bill’s sponsor or by committee staff. Sometimes, however, the chair will ask for
testimony from proponents and opponents immediately. You may be called to testify
with others to save time.
Delivering Your Testimony
Begin by introducing yourself to the chair and committee members•
and stating your purpose.
In your opening remarks, make it clear whether you are representing other•
citizens or a separate group.
Give your testimony in a clear and concise manner. Avoid going into too much•
detail on any particulars. Define the problem and give the supporting facts,
making sure to give your best evidence first.
Be prepared for questions and comments from committee members.•
Respect other’s testimonies. Avoid making comments or noise while others•
are giving their presentations.
Preparing and
Delivering Testimony
Committee members will likely already
have their minds made up based on their
personal preferences. You have to show
them the facts and your side of the story
to influence their decision.
If you need facts, figures, research or
talking points, check with the Freedom
Foundation. We can help you prepare and
provide you with resources, based on our
policy arenas. Check the “Policy
Recommendations” section of this guide
to see the issues we cover.
Don’t be nervous. Unless it’s an
abnormally high-profile bill, it’s likely to
be just you, the committee members, and a
few other people in the room.
Quicktips
10. 18 19
The Freedom Foundation operates on the following principles. We
believe the people of Washington will become freer when both citizens and
lawmakers adhere to these principles and vigorously defend them.
Liberty: The foundations of a free society are human liberty and personal
responsibility. To sustain liberty, the people must choose to understand it,
recognize threats to it and protect it.
Free Enterprise: Human needs are best met in a competitive
marketplace where creativity is unleashed, property rights are protected
and contracts are enforced.
Limited Government: Human liberty and free enterprise can be
sustained only when government’s power is limited to its constitutionally
defined role and is accountable to the people it serves.
The following are the essential arenas by which the laws of our
state should be measured. As you interact with legislators and
involve yourself in the political process, refer to these principles
for guidance on how to frame your position for a particular issue.
Economic Freedom: It is the nature of governments to spend
too much, borrow too much, promise too much and regulate too
much—eventually collapsing an economy. To retain the viability,
creativity and productivity of the marketplace, people need to be
educated about the benefits to them of economic freedom and the
risks of too much government intervention.
Guiding principles:
Taxes are simpler, lower, and more equitable.•
Economic freedom is protected by resisting central planning and•
collectivism at all levels of government.
Government spending is confined to its primary role of protecting and•
maintaining inalienable, individual rights, ensuring no generation
gets unjust burdens or benefits.
Choice and competition regarding individual investment and health•
and employment decisions are ensured by eliminating government
coercion.
Education Reform: Only an educated people can remain free. This
means public education must be a mission, not a government-designed
and -run school monopoly. Public education can and should be shaped
around the needs of free individuals and the requirements of the
marketplace.
Guiding principles:
Public education is seen as a mission rather than an institution.•
Parents and students hold the locus of power in education.•
Education funding follows students, not institutions.•
Students and their families have a menu of educational options.•
People understand what it means to be a literate citizen in the•
21st
century.
Individual Liberty: American government was designed to divide and
limit its powers in order to protect unalienable individual rights. At its best,
it is the world’s greatest success story for advancing human rights and
opportunity. At its worst, it is the greatest threat to human rights and
opportunity. People must be educated about the indispensible nature of
liberty and the institutions that protect it, and inspired to preserve and
defend those institutions.
Guiding principles:
Government is transparent and its officers accountable for•
its actions.
The integrity of elections is protected.•
People understand the essential nature of liberty and the institutions•
that protect it.
Those institutions (Constitutionalism, Federalism, The Rule of Law,•
etc.) are preserved.
People have an understanding of America’s founding documents.•
Individual liberty is asserted and defended.•
The right of individuals to own and use real and intellectual property•
is upheld.
Foundational Principles
Principle-Driven Arenas
Policy Recommendations
11. 20 21
Questions
for Legislators
The proper function of taxation is to raise money for core functions of
government, not to direct the behavior of citizens or close budget gaps
created by overspending. This is true regardless of whether government is
big or small, and this is true for lawmakers at all levels of government.
A complex, high-rate tax system favors interests that are able to exert
influence in the state capitol, and who can negotiate narrow exemptions
and tax benefits that help only limited taxpayers and not the general
economy. “A fair field and no favors” is a good motto for a strong
tax system.
Taxation will always impose some level of burden on an economy’s
performance, but that harm can be minimized if policymakers resist the
temptation to use the tax code for social engineering, class warfare and
other extraneous purposes. A principled tax system is an ideal way for
advancing a state’s economic interests and promoting prosperity for its
residents.
Questions for Legislators:
Does the tax add complexity to the state’s current tax structure? -- The tax code
should be easy for the average citizen to understand, and it should minimize the
cost of complying with the tax laws. Tax complexity adds cost to the taxpayer, but
does not increase public revenue. For governments, the tax system should be easy
to administer, and should help promote efficient, low-cost administration.
Is the tax transparent? -- Tax systems should be accountable to citizens. Taxes
and tax policy should be visible and not hidden from taxpayers. Changes in tax
policy should be highly publicized and open to public debate.
Is the tax economically neutral? -- The tax system should exert minimal impact
on the spending and decisions of individuals and businesses. An effective tax
system should be broad-based, utilize a low overall tax rate with few loopholes,
and avoid multiple layers of taxation through tax pyramiding. The tax code should
not be used to pick economic winners and losers in society, or unfairly shift the tax
burden onto one class of citizens, nor should it be used to bestow special favors on
any particular group of taxpayers.
Conventional thinking says lawmakers must adjust the current budget for
inflation, add caseload increases, splice in a few new initiatives, and call
it good for another legislative session. When budgets are built in this
manner, without deliberative efforts to develop core governing principles
first, legislators become “enablers” for agencies and programs that likely
have fundamental design flaws, or that may be providing services in direct
conflict with lawmakers’ policy values.
State budgets should instead be built around core governing functions
and outcomes achieved by the state’s spending policies. Outcome, or
priority-based budgeting, leads to better and more accountable results for
citizens. No more than 98% of projected revenue should be spent in the
budget, keeping 2% in reserve. Unexpected revenue should also be put
in reserve unless it is needed for a one-time emergency.
Questions for Legislators:
What are the core functions of government? -- Defining core principles is the
crucial first step toward responsible governing because delivering services ef-
ficiently and effectively is hardly significant unless government knows what it is
supposed to deliver and why.
How much money does the state have? -- What is the forecasted revenue for the
next budget cycle?
How will the state measure its progress in delivering core functions of
government? -- What will success look like? What measurable outcomes can
be identified?
What is the most effective way to accomplish the state’s goals with the money
available? --If a service/program is a core function of government, what level of
government should provide it? How can services be provided efficiently and
effectively? How can market forces and competition be introduced into core
functions, assuring costs are controlled and quality enhanced?
How does the tax affect the state’s competitiveness relative to other states?
-- A low tax burden can be a tool for a state’s private sector economic development
by retaining and attracting productive business activity. A high-quality revenue
system will be responsive to competition from other states. Effective
competitiveness is best achieved through economically neutral tax policies.
Does the tax create uncertainty for individuals and businesses? -- A
high-quality tax system should be stable, providing certainty in taxation and in
revenue flows. It should provide certainty in financial planning for individuals
and businesses.
Taxes
Spending
12. 22 23
Previously, the role of caring for the poor or disabled was
accepted as a charitable or family function. The government takeover
has centralized this role, creating an entire bureaucracy geared toward
“client rights” rather than temporary assistance to improve the condition
of individuals and families.
We must gear our efforts toward rejuvenating the spirit of
freedom and responsibility within all people with makes us strive
toward becoming self-sufficient and strong. Government help should
be of a temporary nature and should never demean the human spirit.
Questions for Legislators:
How much does this proposal/program cost and who pays for it?•
Does it offer incentives to improve conditions?•
Does it imply mutual obligation between providers and recipients?•
Will the recipients be involved in evaluating the programs or services?•
Will the money be spent to enhance the bureaucracy or to help the needy? •
Are at least 85% of the funds going to the recipients?•
Does this service or program provide dignity or degradation for those who•
want to change their circumstances?
Does this proposal create a new level of bureaucracy?•
Could the private sector do this better?•
The Washington State Constitution mandates the Legislature make
“ample provision” for the education of all children within its borders.
It does not define basic education or set standards. However, standards
must be established. We need to know what a diploma really means.
Therefore, solid academics and outcome standards are necessary.
Children belong to their parents, not the state. The home is the
center of learning and it is from the home that individual education
decisions should be made. For that reason, education choice is essential.
Furthermore, students learn differently. Washington’s one-size-fits-all
restrictions on choice have led to plateauing test scores and deprived
generations of the education they deserve.
Fortunately, the tide is turning as technology and public opinion
increasingly support the notion of offering a broad menu of
education options—and empowering parents to make the decision. Poor
student performance can also be attributed to the fact that Washington
rewards mediocrity as much as excellence in its teachers and
administrators. This is unfair both to students and to exceptional
educators and administrators.
Questions for Legislators:
Does this proposal strengthen options in the public education system?•
How?
Does this proposal promote innovation and flexibility in public schools/•
programs?
Does this proposal move decision-making closer to the local communities?•
Is this proposal measurably cost-effective? What data supports this?•
How will this proposal be funded?•
Is there a way to measure the effectiveness of this proposal? When will•
this analysis be done?
Does this proposal reward excellence without protecting mediocrity?•
Does this plan encourage a working partnership with parents?•
Does it encourage parental responsibility and accountability?•
What financial reporting and accountability will be in place to monitor•
the execution of this proposal?
Does this proposal protect private schools and homeschooling from•
regulations pertaining to the public school system?
Social Services
Education
14. 26 27
top ten tips
to a Successful
Capitol Visit
Solidarity
There is power in numbers. Take along a few friends if you are
going to make the trip to Olympia to see your legislator(s).
Make appointments
Respect your legislator’s time. Let them know that you are
coming and how long you want to meet. This is essential if you
are traveling any large amount of distance.
Constituency
Knowing your vote keeps them in office is a big deal to
legislators. When you call/write/meet, be sure to remind them
that you are a voter from their district. It carries weight.
Know your legislator’s committees
Knowing what committees your legislators serve on can have a
big impact on your discussions with them. They may be able to
do more about the issue you are there to discuss if it pertains to
a committee they serve on.
Bring resources
Always bring something to leave with the person you are
meetings with. It should give them supplemental information
as well as remind them of your conversation. Keep it clear and
concise—try not to go more than one page.
Be the expert
Legislators rely on many different sources of information for
their understanding of all the issues they cover. If you can
demonstrate that you are an expert on a particular topic, you
may become their go-to source for that issue. It’s all about
building the relationship.
2
3
4
5
6
1
7
8
9
10
Come in the middle of the week
As tough as it might be to pull away from work or your kids, try
to come in the middle of the week. This is when legislators will
be in the midst of their discussions and when you will likely be
able to influence them. Be sure to call ahead to make an
appointment, though.
Bring your kids
Never underestimate the “cuteness factor.” Bringing your kids
along will not only earn you points with your legislator and their
staff, but it will also be a great learning experience for them.
Parking
During session, it can very difficult to get a decent parking spot.
Bring quarters if you want to attempt to secure street parking.
Otherwise, check out http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/
Parking.aspx for alternate options.
Baked goods
This is a trick that home school organizations have been using
for years. Legislative staff are the gatekeepers—win them over
and you’ll have a much better chance of engaging your legisla-
tor. Cookies are the key to the legislative staff’s good graces.
15. PO Box 552
Olympia, WA 98507
www.effwa.org
www.effcan.org
1-360-956-3482
can@effwa.org
Come alongside thousands of citizens
who are dedicated to protecting
freedom in Washington State.
To order more copies of the
Citizen’s Guide, please call 360-956-3482
or email info@effwa.org
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