Lobbying

If you trace the origins of almost any state trade association, you’ll find it was created to help its members deal with bills in the state legislature. The same is true today. Our membership surveys show that legislative representation is one of the most important services provided by the INA.

Over the years, the INA has developed an effective grassroots lobbying network to enable members to support or oppose legislation affecting newspapers. An effective network can be compared to a three-legged table. So long as each of three legs is sturdy and dependable, the table will serve its purpose well. But if one leg falls, the entire table falls.

In our network, the first leg is our paid lobbyists. For over 30 years, we have used several contract lobbyists from the Nyemaster Law Firm, Iowa’s largest firm. Their integrity and effectiveness are known quantities both at the INA and among lawmakers. They have lived with our issues long enough to know them well. Their job is to identify any bill or amendment that relates to newspapers and to quickly notify the INA Executive Director. They also write legislation at the INA’s request, make persuasive arguments to legislators on the INA’s behalf and advise the INA on legislative strategy.

The second leg is our staff. Prior to each session of the legislature, the staff surveys the membership to learn which INA members know which legislators. This information, along with members’ and legislators’ e-mail addresses, is entered into the INA’s computer system. The staff also works with the Government Relations Committee to identify legislative priorities and to prepare position papers relating to key issues affecting newspapers.

Once the INA Executive Director is notified by the lobbyists of a bill affecting newspapers, the general membership is informed by reports in the INA Bulletin. The staff also sends e-mails and letters to selected INA members who know specific lawmakers assigned to review the bill in committee or subcommittee. These alerts list the number of the bill, its impact on the newspaper profession, the INA’s position on the bill and arguments for or against the bill. The e-mail alert contains a hotlink displaying the e-mail address of the member’s legislator(s). By clicking on the link, the member can compose an e-mail message for his/her legislator concerning a specific bill and send it immediately to the legislator.

Which brings us to the third and most critical leg of the network…the INA member. While lawmakers respect the INA’s lobbyists and staff, that credibility pales in contrast to the credibility of publishers in a lawmaker’s district. Many members have close personal relationships with their legislators. Even if that’s not the case, legislators want to know what their publishers are thinking. History has shown that, more often than not, they will try to respond to the wishes of the publishers.

So, if all three legs of our network are strong…If the lobbyists do a good job of identifying bills as soon as (or even before) they are written…If the staff does a good job of notifying selected members about bills being considered by legislators from their district…and if the members then contact their legislators urging support of the INA’s position, we will continue to have a high degree of success protecting the newspapers of Iowa in the legislature.