Th e Im por ta n ce o f Gr a ssroot s
L obbyi ng f o r Ch a mb e r s of Com m erce
RICH ROY
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
VICE PRESIDENT
Lobbyists have been
influencing American
politics since before
their profession even had
a name. One of, if not the
first, was William Hull,
an ex-Revolutionary
War officer tasked by
fellow veterans to press
legislators on back pay
owed to former soldiers.
Beginning in the mid1800s to present day,
we’ve recognized these
“K Street Operatives”
from DC to our own
city halls as part of the
influencers of business
in the modern world.
Today, lobbyists hold
more sway than ever. In
many cases, they aren’t
just spokespeople, they
really are members
of the congressional
family. A recent
CNN report noted
that 78 members of
Congress have federally
registered lobbyists as
family members. This
makes sense, as many
lobbyists used to work
in the government
as elected officials,
political appointees,
staff or civil servants.
Their experience in
government has taught
them how the legislative
process works and given
them access to a large
number of decision
makers.
As anyone who
follows politics knows,
it’s always been about
influence. Those who
have the connections
are those who get heard.
So, do you have to hire
a lobbyist to make sure
your voice is heard?
It takes a lot of time
to build the connections
inside the beltway that
lobbyists have already
made. Unless you are
willing to spend the time
and money necessary
to become a legislative
advocacy expert
yourself, you are better
off hiring someone who
already knows the ropes.
In addition to access,
lobbyists also provide
an understanding of
how the legislative
process works, who to
work with on a project
(and who not to work
with), if there are other
interests competing with
your efforts, and when
to back off or proceed.
These are valuable
considerations when a
bill’s passage or defeat
hangs in the balance.
Where does
grassroots advocacy
fit in?
Given that lobbyists
have an insider’s
understanding of how
government works and
direct access to those
in charge of making
the decisions, does
the average citizen or
business even have a
voice in public policy
anymore?
Thankfully, the answer
is yes.
Elected officials have
finally taken note of the
frustration that average
citizens share about the
influence of government
insiders. With the help
of our Florida Chamber
partners in Tallahassee,
we have the ability to
have our voices heard
collectively.
Greg Blose,
Grassroots Manager
with the Florida
Chamber, and staff
work diligently to keep
chambers across the
state informed of issues
that have potentially
harmful effects, not
to mention positive
influence for business.
A well-organized
group of local citizens
in a legislator’s district
wield more power and
influence than any
lobbyist. With the entire
Florida Cabinet, House
of Representatives and
half of the Florida Senate
up for election in 2016,
the voice of the local
constituents is very
powerful.
The advent of the
Internet has made
it easier than ever
for people to share
information and
mobilize to effect
legislation. The most
effective nonprofit
organizations are
using tools from
parent organizations
and internally crafted
messaging to educate
our members about
pending legislation,
communicate with them
about the potential
effects, and mobilize
them in numbers when
their actions can shape
the outcome.
Ensuring that the
voices of individual
constituents and likeminded organizations
are heard by the right
people at the right
time is the most
powerful form of
advocacy and the kind
of representation the
founding fathers had
in mind. And while
it is appropriate, and
even desirable, to have
people who understand
how government works
greasing the wheels,
good governance
dictates that all voices
need to be represented
in the discussion. Your
Lakela