Become a Trusted Source of Information and Support

by Judi Rubin

Would you want to be a MN state legislator? Would you want a job where you had to:

  • make an average of 1500 to 3000 diverse and controversial decisions every year—with high stakes for segments of your customers—some who want a “yes” and others who want a “no”?
  • figure out who was giving you accurate information when researching those decisions—and who was misleading you?
  • respond to a mass of requests for meetings, phone calls, emails, faxes and letters daily during your busy season?
  • raise an average of $80,000* to be able to compete to keep your job every two years?
  • run a successful media and get-out-the-vote campaign in order to keep your job

--all the while, fending off harsh attacks from your opponents?

People our legislators can TRUST to provide accurate information and solid support are the most important resources they have. If you are one of those people, it will be easy for you to talk with your legislator because you provide what they need:

Information! Explain why a decision is a good policy decision for their voters and the citizens of Minnesota. It is as important to explain the cons as well as the pros—so there are no surprises. What segments of voters will support their decision and what segments will oppose it—and why.

Support! Help line up support from other legislators and the voters in your home district. Figure out the best strategy for accomplishing your decision (whether it is to pass a bill or kill a bill). Help raise money and get the votes necessary to get them elected. Knock on a few doors, write a check, help get some donations...it will make a difference.

Why would a legislator want that job? For most, it is about making government better. But the ideas about how to make government better are very different, and—because the stakes can be high when laws are passed—it can be a contentious, rough-and-tumble job and an enormous amount of work. So when you find a Senator or Representative who is doing a good job, give them as much support as you can. 

The best way to have good laws passed and bad laws killed is to become a trusted source for information and support.


*www.followthemoney.org (July 2016)