Tips for Committee Members
These suggestions should help to make the experience an enjoyable one for you and an educational one for the
committee:
Testifying Before Legislative Committees
1. Make certain that you are on the agenda by checking with the committee administrative assistant and/or the legislator who arranged your appearance. Arrive at the hearing room a few minutes before the hearing is scheduled to begin.
2. Obtain an agenda from the committee staff and let them know you are present.
3. Watch and listen to others presenting testimony and notice the reaction of legislators. You'll learn a great deal.
4. When it's your turn: Be brief.
5. Resist attempts at humor. It is so easy for an offhand remark or intended joke to be taken in a different light than it was meant.
6. Avoid dramatic, emotional approaches.
7. Have sufficient copies of a one-page issues sheet summarizing your testimony for committee members and staff. Refer to it-but don't read it.
8. Direct your testimony through the committee chair, addressing them as
"Madame Chair" or "Mr. Chairman."
9. Be prepared to answer all possible questions from committee members who may be supportive of your position (or totally hostile to it).
10. If you don't know the answer to a question directed toward you, admit that you don't know and offer to find the answers.
11. Do not bluff or tell a falsehood-you'll probably get caught at it.
12. When you're finished, thank the committee chair for the opportunity to testify.
Things Legislators Like-and Don't Like-to Hear
When writing, calling, meeting with or testifying to legislators there are many "red flag" words and phrases that can help sell your case or lessen its chances. Your job in
rounding up legislative support is very similar to that of a retail salesperson; if you remember that, the following statements will have obviously positive-or negative-effects. Things They Like To Hear:
2. There is either no opposition to
this measure or: -the opposition is minimal (this must be true) -we have met with the opposition and have worked out this compromise approach. 3. Our proposal will save the state this many dollars over the next biennium.
4. This bill is revenue-neutral; it won't involve a tax increase or a spending cut elsewhere. 5. We have checked with "the department" and they support this approach.
6. This bill will create 'X" new jobs in our state. 7. This bill is supported by the following major organizations in your district. (Be careful to include groups which are seen as positive forces.)
8. Similar measures have been created in several states, including States A, B and C (neighboring or similar states are best) with positive results.
1. We have done thorough research on the issue.
Some Things They Don't Like to Hear:
1. The industry (or the field, or profession, etc.) is divided on the issue. (Note: If this statement is true, legislators may hear about it from someone other than yourself.)
2. One way you can pay for this measure is to cut spending. 3. We don't know how much it will cost. 4. Really about the only opposition we expect will come from the League of
Women Voters, the local Chamber of Commerce, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and the Lutherans.
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