Public Policy & Advocacy

How To Lobby

Select from one of the following options:

  1. The Citizen Lobbyist
  2. Writing Letters/E-mails
  3. Letter To The Editor
  4. Addresses For Selected Newspapers
  5. Testifying At Public Hearings
  6. The Hearing Process
  7. Testimony Tips

The Citizen Lobbyist

Citizen lobbying of decision makers is one of the most effective ways to influence public policy. Any citizen can and should lobby on proposals and policies of question, concern and interest. No one should assume that “someone else will take care of it.” Citizens can provide valuable information and points of view decision makers need in order to well understand an issue. Also, constituents’ positions on issues carry significant weight.

Lobbying, which can be very empowering, simply means communicating with officials to encourage the adoption, defeat or modification of a law or policy at the local, national or even international level. It means relating your views and information to decision-makers in order to influence them toward the action you want and challenging the arguments of those who hold an opposing view. You should:

  1. Explain what bill/issue/policy you are communicating about
  2. Clearly state what action you want the decision maker to take
  3. Explain why.

Your personal story—how a matter impacts upon you—also is important to relate.

Lobbying can be accomplished by calling or visiting a decision maker, writing letters or sending e-mails, and testifying at public hearings. An easy way to lobby is by being part of the Center for People in Need’s e-mail Action Alert System.  Through this system, we provide you with information and sample letters you can use to write your message and simply click send. Please click here to sign up for our alert system.

Writing Letters/E-mails

Ideally, keep you letter/e-mail to one page. You can enclose/attach additional information. If you are part of our Action Alert System, you do not need to put a salutation (Dear _____).

Senator/Representative/Congressman ­___________

Address

RE: *LB__ or LR__ or HR__ or SB__ or State the Issue (e.g. Child Care Subsidies)

Dear Senator/Representative/City Council Member/County Commissioner (Name):

Opening: State the bill number and/or issue you are writing about with a brief discussion of what it does. For example: I am writing about LB1 which would restore the standard of eligibility for child care subsidies to 185% of the poverty level. State clearly what you want the lawmaker to do, e.g. support or oppose the bill or amendment.

Discussion: Explain why you want her/him to vote a certain way. Provide facts and statistics to support your point of view. Personal stories and experiences carry great weight. Discuss your opinion of the impact—positive or negative—of the proposal if it should become law. You do not have to be an expert on an issue… your qualification is being a constituent and having an opinion.

Closing: Restate what you want her/him to do. Thank the decision maker for her/his consideration of your position. Ask that s/he let you know what his/her position is on the matter.

Sincerely or Respectfully

Your Name

Address

Phone Number

Letter To The Editor

Letters to the editor are an ideal way to educate readers on an issue.

  • Be timely: It is best to write and mail your letter immediately when an important issue arises, or after the publication of a problematic news story or editorial.
  • Don’t confine your letters to responses to issues in the news or other letters you have read. Write letters to educate the public on subjects you choose.
  • Local, local, local: Find a “hook” for your letter that brings the issue home to the reader.
  • Use facts: The facts are your best weapon in the war of the printed word. Including a fact, statistic or quote strengthens the credibility of your argument and educates your readers.
  • Remain focused. Confine your letters-to-the-editor to a single issue.
  • Be concise. Delete unnecessary phrases or words. A short letter has a better chance of being published and read.
  • Reason with the reader. Keep your message factual and discussion logical. Expressing hostility or bitterness will undermine your credibility.
  • Set your own agenda. Your letter is your forum. Do not waste precious words repeating the charges in the story to which you are replying or the arguments of the other side.
  • Your letter does not have to be a journalistic work of art, but you want it to be understandable. If possible, ask someone to look it over to ensure others will receive the message you wish to deliver.

In addition to sending your letter to the local paper(s), send a copy to the Omaha World Herald. This paper is distributed state-wide and is an excellent avenue for getting your message to a wide audience.

Addresses for Selected Newspapers

Omaha World Herald

Letters must include and first and last name, address and phone number (addresses and phone numbers are not published). They suggest letters not exceed 200 words.

Public Pulse
Omaha World-Herald Building
1314 Douglas St., Suite 700
Omaha, NE 68102
Send E-mail

Lincoln Journal Star

Letters must include name, and work and home phone numbers (addresses and phone numbers are not published). The Lincoln Journal Star suggests letters not exceed 250 words.

Editorial
P.O. Box 81689
Lincoln, NE 68501
Send E-mail

Testifying At Public Hearings

This discussion relates specifically to hearings before a committee of the Nebraska Legislature, but many suggestions can be applied to hearings before any public body. (For a more in depth information, click here.)

The Hearing Process

See Public Hearings for dates and Capitol room numbers related to proposals in the Nebraska Legislature which are included on the Center’s web site.

Generally, testimony on legislation is heard by one of the 14 standing committees. Committees have assigned hearing rooms and meeting days, although they sometimes meet at different times and places. Most hearings begin at 1:30 p.m. and committees usually hear several bills during an afternoon.

Bills are not necessarily heard in numerical order. The various committees may have different rules for testifying including time limits. It is advisable to be prepared to present your testimony in three to five minutes. 

Each bill is presented by the senator who sponsors it after which, typically, the committee chair will ask for those who support the bill to come forward individually and state their reasons for supporting the measure. Then, the chair will ask the bill’s opponents to speak followed by those in a neutral capacity.

In order to testify, you will need to fill out the sign-in sheet at the witness table (some committees have sign-in forms available at tables at the back of a hearing room). Upon being seated before the committee to present your testimony, state your name, spelling your last name. State who, if anyone, you represent as you begin your testimony. Your testimony will be transcribed verbatim and be part of the public record.

Letters or written communications also are accepted by committees during a bill’s public hearing. Persons wishing to send written information should address their correspondence to the office of the senator who chairs the committee and ensure that the information arrives before the hearing.

Testimony Tips

  • Be aware that sometimes the sponsor of a bill will offer amendments when he or she presents the bill to the committee. These proposed amendments may change the way you feel about the bill and, thus, affect your testimony.
  • Be prepared to limit your testimony and try not to repeat testimony offered by previous witnesses. Remember that while senators want to hear what you have to say, there are numerous witnesses who also want to be heard.
  • Be aware that committee members may ask questions.
  • Most observers agree that you will be more effective in getting your message across if you have prepared your testimony in writing. If you do this, it is helpful to bring copies for committee members and committee and legislative staff (usually about 15 copies). If written testimony is lengthy, it can be distributed and summarized orally to conserve the committee’s time.
  • Addressing committee members or witnesses from the audience, public demonstrations and applause are prohibited.
  • You should not be offended if senators come and go during a hearing. They have other commitments, including the presentation of bills in other committees that are meeting simultaneously.
  • If auxiliary aids or reasonable accommodations are needed for you to attend a hearing, please call the Office of the Clerk of the Legislature, (402) 471-2271, or if you have a hearing or speech impairment, please call the Ombudsman’s Office at (402) 471-2035 or 800-742-7690. Advance notice of seven days is needed when requesting an interpreter.