AboutJohn C. Berg Expertise How to run for office and win, how to lobby, how to promote your political cause effectively, how to get involved in electoral and issue campaigns, how to get a job in politics.
Experience I have been a professor of political science since 1974, and direct a graduate program in professional politics. I have worked on many campaigns in various capacities.
Organizations American Association of Political Consultants, American Political Science Association, Caucus for a New Political Science, National Society for Experiential Education, International Political Science Association.
Publications Polity, New Political Science, Policy Studies Journal. Author of Unequal Struggle: Class, Gender, Race, and Power in the US Congress.
Education/Credentials PhD, Harvard University, 1975
MA, Harvard University, 1973
BA with Honors, University of Wisconsin, 1964
Expert: John C. Berg Date: 1/16/2007 Subject: Legislation / Bill
Question Hi Mr. Berg,
My question is about participating in local and state politics. I would like to see mandated regulation of a hospital procedure. Can you tell me whether it is generally more effective to promote such an issue on a city-by-city or state basis? And, how to go about submitting proposed legislation to a city, or state? Do we need to find a professional "bill writer", and to whom do we submit the bill or proposal? Are there any costs involved? Lobbying? I know these are a lot of questions - thanks very much in advance for your answer.
Answer Dear Jane,
That's an interesting question, the answer to which may vary depending on some details:
1. Which state you are in. Here in Massachusetts, any citizen can get a representative to introduce a bill, whether or not that representative agrees with it; in other states, you have to find at least one representative who supports the bill, or else no one will introduce it.
2. The issue -- do doctors support what you want? Do hospitals? insurance companies? Does it concern abortion? None of those affect the procedural rules, but they do affect the political difficulty you will face.
That said -- you do not necessarily have to spend any money (though it is always helpful to get professional help). Even if you can introduce the bill yourself, though, your first task should be to find a sympathetic member of the legislature to advocate your bill -- you will do much better with inside support. That person can handle the bill drafting, probably, and will know how to submit it. Without that kind of inside support, it will be very difficult to get a committee hearing for the bill.
If there is some kind of constituency for your bill, you should strategize as a group to see who might be the best advocate.
You can lobby for it yourself; the main advantages of hiring a professional lobbyists are:
--That person will know the details of what you have to do, and
--Professionals monitor the progress of bills daily, so that you are less likely to be tricked by procedural maneuvering (e.g., holding a hearing without letting you know the date).
Finally, since this involves health care, you had better find out first whether your proposed state law is preempted by an overriding federal law or regulations (e.g., Medicare/Medicaid rules) that would keep the state from acting on its own.
Sorry I can't be more definite, but I hope this helps!
