Meeting the Newbies

With the new legislative session comes many new legislators – 27 in fact. Scott Weiser and I for the last two weeks have been calling out the freshman legislators to introduce ourselves, our clients and to give them a little advice. “Calling out” the legislators involves sending a note into the House or Senate Chamber requesting an impromptu meeting with them in their respective lobby. Weiser has been at the Capitol for awhile so he gives the advice while I mostly listen and promote my blog.

We start out by telling them about our clients and the key issues they face. If a bill comes up with the legislator’s name on it that a client is interested in we will call out that legislator to discuss it. Our job is to provide the legislators with information about the issue and tell them where our client stands on it. We will also provide the other side of the issue, but argue that our side is superior. The newbies will soon find out who they can trust to provide valuable information, and those who get the most information will ultimately be the most successful.

The other bit of advice we give is for them to make constituent work a priority. If the legislators allow it, there will be lobbyists in front of them all day long. They must devote a little time each day to constituent work and even plan to bring their campaign committees and neighbors down to the Statehouse for a tour and pictures with the Leaders. Keeping the voters happy is essential to ensuring one’s return to office.

We’ve been very pleased so far with the new legislators we’ve met with. Many bring new energy and enthusiasm and all have a desire to do well. Weiser recognizes that there are a couple days that stand out in the life a legislator: the day they send out their friends and family letter telling everyone they are going to run for office and sticking their neck out there, and the first day of session when they walk in and wonder just how they are going to do a good job after they’ve told everyone they will. Part of our job is to help them do well.