State & Federal Advocacy 101St. Stephen’s Human Rights ProgramCathy Heying

Who are our Legislators?

LawyersTeachersNursesNonprofit ManagerBusiness OwnersSocial WorkersPsychologistsChiropractor Community

OrganizersChief of Police Insurance AgentsEconomistsConsultantsFarmersCEOsReal Estate Agents

Rep. Jim Abeler (R)

Rep. Rena Moran (DFL)

Sen. Amy Koch (R)

Sen. Jeff Hayden (DFL)

Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL)

Sen. Gen Olson (R)

2013 will be a Budget Year

Governor Dayton’s Budget Proposal

• Governor Dayton will release his budget by early February

Legislature’s ProposalsBudget Policy

• The Legislature will release their budgets (House and Senate) by mid-March

• The 2013 Legislature is responsible for determining the details of Voter ID, should it pass on November 6.

THE ELECTION

•Election Day is November 6, 2012•ALL of the legislative seats are up for

election (only happens every 10 yrs)•President•All of the House of Representatives•One of our Senate Seats (Amy Klobuchar

vs. Kurt Bills)•VOTER ID Amendment. (If passes, 2013

Legislature charged with determining details)

TAKE ACTION! Who represents you?

Federal (D.C.)• Senator Amy Klobuchar• Senator Al Franken• Representative Keith

Ellison (Minneapolis)• Representative Betty

McCollum (St. Paul)

State (St. Paul)• Governor Dayton• 1 State Senator• 1 State Representative

Federal Level Advocacy is a bit more challenging. Because Government is so big at that level, things move much slower and it can be harder to see the results of our efforts.

Always call or write a personal letter rather than email at this level.

Stay connected with national advocacy groups to help you wade through the bureaucracy!

Contact Your Representatives

•Call during the day•Call at night•Write a letter•Write an email

•Set up a meeting at the capitol •Set up a meeting in your neighborhood

•Friend them on Facebook•“Like” their Fan Page

•Follow their Twitter account

Other Ways to Stay Active• Follow the MN Coalition

for the Homeless on Facebook for Action Alerts!

• Join advocates from around the state on a conference call at 3pm every Thursday

• Connect your friends and families with their legislators in greater MN and surrounding suburbs