05 May 2024 Final
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
The LMA has people in place<br />
advocating for you. They research<br />
critical pieces of proposed<br />
legislation and step<br />
in when and where they<br />
should. These team members<br />
work diligently to make your<br />
voices heard, and they act on<br />
your behalf. They are forming<br />
relationships with legislators<br />
in your areas, all in an effort to<br />
draw attention to your concerns.<br />
If action needs to be<br />
taken, your legislators should<br />
know, so the LMA Advocacy<br />
Team is a crucial component<br />
in gaining that attention.<br />
But is that all advocacy is? Is<br />
it simply someone speaking<br />
on your behalf, or is it something<br />
you can do as well? The<br />
answer is the latter.<br />
The LMA is a collective, and<br />
it’s only as strong as its members.<br />
Ergo, it’s only as strong<br />
as you. You are the LMA, and<br />
the LMA is you. With 3<strong>05</strong><br />
member municipalities, the<br />
LMA has reason to boast<br />
strength in numbers. The<br />
Advocacy Team can get a lot<br />
done, but when we look at<br />
those numbers closely, we<br />
see that there’s the potential<br />
for 3<strong>05</strong> - or more - issues<br />
to be causes for concern. It’s<br />
an unrealistic expectation<br />
that one team can meet and<br />
then resolve every issue satisfactorily<br />
for every member.<br />
The strength of the LMA,<br />
especially during legislative<br />
sessions, lies in the number<br />
of voices represented. It lies<br />
with you.<br />
Municipal Day is an example<br />
of an opportunity created by<br />
the LMA for you to advocate<br />
not solely on your behalf, but<br />
also on the part of the LMA as<br />
a whole. Heading to the State<br />
Capitol as a collective during<br />
decision-making season affords<br />
us a louder voice and<br />
stronger presence. But what<br />
can you be doing before Municipal<br />
Day’s <strong>May</strong> 15 date to<br />
ready yourselves and your<br />
neighboring municipalities<br />
for that highly important day<br />
of action?<br />
Municipal Day<br />
Like you, our Louisiana<br />
legislators are elected by a<br />
majority of people in their<br />
corresponding districts.<br />
And just like them, you<br />
are key stakeholders in<br />
Louisiana’s future due<br />
to your advocacy efforts<br />
helping to move the<br />
direction of our state laws.<br />
Like you, our Louisiana legislators<br />
are elected by a majority<br />
of people in their corresponding<br />
districts. And just<br />
like them, you are key stakeholders<br />
in Louisiana’s future<br />
due to your advocacy efforts<br />
helping to move the direction<br />
of our state laws. Even<br />
with the title of elected officials,<br />
you’re still constituents,<br />
so those elected legislators<br />
work for you. And what elected<br />
official doesn’t want to get<br />
re-elected? And what’s the<br />
best way to do that? Keeping<br />
constituents happy. So, Municipal<br />
Day is ripe with opportunities<br />
to let them know<br />
just what it’ll take to make<br />
you – and keep you – happy.<br />
Starting today, send an email,<br />
make a phone call, and set an<br />
appointment. Meet with other<br />
LMA members who you<br />
notice will also be affected by<br />
the same piece of proposed<br />
legislation and create a strategy<br />
for working together. Do<br />
all you can to let your legislators<br />
know you’re coming,<br />
and don’t take no for an answer.<br />
Relationship building is<br />
imperative, so start building<br />
relationships now. Municipal<br />
Day is one day a year, and<br />
legislative sessions are only<br />
a few months at a time, but<br />
building relationships you<br />
can nurture and rely on 365<br />
days a year will amplify your<br />
voice and put you on your<br />
legislator’s radar.<br />
A significant way of building<br />
those relationships is to pay<br />
close attention to where your<br />
district’s representative(s) fall<br />
in terms of support or opposition<br />
on matters important<br />
to you. Will they have a sympathetic<br />
ear or not? If so, they<br />
could very well become your<br />
greatest allies, and you can<br />
use that shared interest to<br />
your advantage. If not, how<br />
can you best phrase what<br />
your concerns are to help<br />
them better understand the<br />
importance?<br />
Once you arrive at the State<br />
Capitol for Municipal Day, it’s<br />
time to go and find the legislators<br />
you’ve reached out<br />
to. Send a floor note to their<br />
desk requesting they come<br />
and speak to you. You deserve<br />
to be heard, so impress<br />
upon those legislators that<br />
the time is now.<br />
When you have their attention,<br />
know what you want to<br />
say. What is your ask, or what<br />
topic or topics do you need<br />
to educate them about? But<br />
remember to do this succinctly<br />
and quickly. There’s<br />
only so much time in a day,<br />
and you aren’t the only one<br />
Page 10<br />
LMR | MAY <strong>2024</strong>
Change language