Public Policy 101

Effective communication with our legislators can be a difficult, if not daunting tasks. The following documents courtesy of the Tennessee Budget Working Group serve as an excellent guide to this process.

Tennessee Legislative Skills Briefing
You do not have to be an expert on the legislative process to be a part of that process. And you won’t be an expert after reading these reflections. But these facts and observations may help you become an effective part of the legislative process. This process could benefit greatly from the active participation of citizens and groups working for the common good.

Tennessee Legislative Skills Briefing: Committee Rules
Persons learning about the legislative process are often surprised to learn how crucial committees are. A main reason is that no bill can progress to the next committee or to the floor (the entire Senate or House) until approved by each committee to which it is assigned. A bill must get a majority of committee members’ votes or it is dead or at least stalled. Committee votes control; they don’t just advise!

Makin' a Plan: A step-by-step approach to developing an effective advocacy strategy
Although you may be new to public policy advocacy, it draws on skills you already have and are used to employing in other contexts. These skills involve problem analysis, work plan development, communications and management of human resources.