Advocacy Training
The training was recorded.
Frank has worked with the SWP in the past, has been doing a lot a good work. Frank’s background is mostly on public education advocacy but can give an overview of general advocacy work.
Has been doing direct advocacy work for 14 years.
Maryland General Assembly–pretty much everything do to revenue–most items having to do with revenue for the City happens at the state level. 47 legislative–most represented by one senator and 3 delegates.
Session runs for 90 days–January-April. Usually 2-3,000 bills are introduced. Need to get a majority of votes to move a bill through
Legislative Committees are where the bulk of the work is done Committees can say a bill is favorable, unfavorable, or favorable with amendments–floor can vote on amendments
Fiscal note–explains the bill in plan language, says what it does, and explains the fiscal impact
If there’s a difference between the House and Senate bill then the two bills have to reconciled
Governor can sign, veto, or not do anything (and the law passes)–legislature can override the veto with ⅗ votes
Senate President and Leader of the House have a lot of power
Changes due to remote access means that written testimony and access is better for people who can get online. Harder for people without tech access.
The Maryland General Assembly page has the current covid guidelines.
Lisa asked for the biggest lever to influence policy–best thing to do is get to know the lead advocates who are working on it–they can give you a good sense of the overall dynamics, the challenges etc–hard to do this if you aren’t in Annapolis full time
Casey asked about legislation to prohibit defunct LLCs from owning property–Frank suggested Odette Ramos as a possible source on the ways to go about that
Important to know Mayor’s position on something you’re supporting
Hearings are usually Tuesday-Friday, there is a session Monday night at 8pm–a good time to go down for rallies etc
Scott: where do bills get written? Can bring an issue to a legislator–do advocacy organizations write bills?–both of those are options–that is what the work that is done in between the sessions
Frank suggested meeting with Sen Cory McCray
Open Forum
Ms Paulette–one on one transportation will be going to Annapolis–they carry people from the community
SWP meeting–December 15th, 6-8pm Groundwork Kitchen meet board and staff
