Now that you’ve done some research into your state and its legislature, the next step is to delve into the issue itself and start to work on a strategy to pass (or stop) your bill. Also, find attached previous assignments so it can guide you. Read them first.
Part I: Interest group analysis
Your task here is to analyze the likely interest group players who will be involved in your bill. Start with the entity you are representing. What are its resources as well as weaknesses? Analyze your group and possible coalition partners for how you plan to work together. Part of this is actual research in terms of who these groups are, who they represent and of course their relationships with legislators. Next, work on the opposition. Who are they? What will they say and do? Who can they influence?
Part II: Committee and Floor strategy
Pick one of the committees your bill is going to be assigned to (if your bill has not yet be introduced, choose a likely committee). Analyze that committee and its members. What is its culture, reputation and history of legislation? Who are the members you plan on reaching out to? Who are the supporters, opponents and swing votes? Provide an outline of what your grassroots efforts will look like for both the committee vote and when the bill is heard on the floor. What will you do and when?
Grading Rubric
Your papers will be graded based on the following rubric.
Answered specified questions: Paper addresses fully all the questions posed in the assignment. 30 points
Integration of lecture/reading materials and analysis: Paper addresses and integrates key themes from lecture materials and pulls from these themes to assert well-argued conclusions. 40 points
Writing/concise: Paper is well written, avoids grammatical and spelling errors, observes page constraints, and is succinct.10 points
Creativity: Paper creatively applies lessons from parliamentary procedure and interest group strategy to find a solution in passing their bill. 20 points
