State Lobbying Study: Constituents Are Most Persuasive Advocates
The best way to grab a lawmaker's attention these days is to have a constituent who has never contacted them before — ideally a teacher — send an e-mail about a budget issue. Those factors ranked at the top of results culled from a recent survey conducted by Frederick Polls.

Eighty-seven legislators and 33 senior staffers were polled during intercept interviews at a National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) meeting held in Washington last December. The poll was initiated by the Credit Union National Association to learn who and what influence lawmakers' decisions.

And the most effective advocates are …

Teachers topped the list of “most influential” interest groups, followed by police/firefighters, the National Rifle Association, insurance interests, trial lawyers and farmers.

Home builders and Realtors® ranked seventh. Rounding out the list were banks, manufacturers and doctors.

When asked who is the most persuasive contact, legislators cited a constituent who has never contacted them before, followed by a well-known or politically connected constituent. Lobbyists were last.

Keep Sending Those E-mails

Most lawmakers use computers and are Web savvy. Ninety-six percent operate their own computer and use the Internet and e-mail; 93% read e-mail from constituents, lobbyists and interest groups; and 87% respond to constituents using e-mail.

Top Issues

When asked what issues were currently the most important to state governments, budgets ranked at the top of the list followed by school funding, health care costs, tax increases and gaming. [ return to top ]