Legislative Notes

DEVELOPING A LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLAN

BY SCOTT STENGER, STENGER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Despite our best efforts, summer is once again leaving us for shorter days and cooler nights as we welcome fall to Wisconsin. A year from now, we are once again going to be in the middle of an election cycle. And every 10 years, states must recalibrate their legislative districts to represent shifts in the population. As we begin to prepare for the 2022 election, it is never too soon to strengthen and build on relationships with local, state and federal elected officials ... To be successful in 2022, we need to start today to work to elect friends of the hospitality industry.

New Maps

The U.S. Census Bureau has formally released its data (census.gov) showing Wisconsin’s population has grown 3.6% over the last 10 years, behind the overall 7.4% growth of the country. Wisconsin’s population has become a little more diverse as well, with the percent of the population represented by white people decreasing by 6%. The Hispanic population is now second at 7.6% and the African American population has decreased from 6.8% of the population to 6.2%.

Due to the pandemic, Wisconsin is significantly behind in drawing new maps. While the legislature and governor attempt to redraw Wisconsin’s eight congressional seats, 99 Assembly seats and 33 Senate seats, many candidates are already running for them. In 2022, the stateside races for U.S. senator, governor and attorney general are all on the ballot, too.

Currently, the Wisconsin Legislature is controlled by Republicans — 21-12 in the Senate and 61-38 in the Assembly. In 2022, all eight congressional seats and all 99 Assembly seats are up, as well as the odd-numbered seats in the state Senate.

How to Develop a Legislative Action Plan

Local leagues should continue to build on their relationships with local elected officials and develop legislative action plans that include the following steps:

1. Identify all the elected state officials in your county. 2. Compile their legislative contact information. You can find their Madison phone numbers and emails here: legis.wisconsin.gov. 3. Invite elected state officials to your local meetings. 4. Email elected officials about issues of concern to you and your local league. 5. Consider hosting a fundraiser for legislators you support. 6. Put up campaign signs. 7. Share charitable contributions with elected officials.

As we begin to prepare for the 2022 election, it is never too soon to strengthen and build on relationships with local, state and federal elected officials. The state website has all the information you need to learn whom your state and federal elected officials are, and how to contact them. To be successful in 2022, we need to start today to work to elect friends of the hospitality industry. TLW