Part 2: Effective Advocacy Strategy at the State Level is Crucial
Strategy helps simplify tough choices by guiding us to make the most effective decisions that balance different needs and priorities.
In my post yesterday I made the claim that many advocates have developed strong skills in neighborhood and city-level organizing, but transitioning to state level advocacy presents unique challenges and requires a different skill set.
Yesterday, we discussed the shift from local to state-level advocacy. Today, let's dive into the heart of state-level strategy and its potential to drive impactful change.
Eight key concepts I gather are essential to stitching together state advocacy approaches that work:
Strategic Timing: Mastering well-timed advocacy.
Priority Setting: Aligning with state goals.
Effective Messaging: Crafting compelling narratives.
Stakeholder Mapping: Building impactful alliances.
Innovative Tactics: Exploring creative strategies.
Long-Term Viability: Sustaining lasting impact.
Decoding State Legislatures: Understanding operations for effective advocacy.
Community Engagement: Empowering through involvement.
Why do I feel this is urgent? State legislatures are responsible in many cases for distributing federal investments and shaping policies that will determine their success or failure, demanding clear priorities, stakeholder engagement, and planning. It is essential to align advocacy timelines, budgets, and agendas to spur change.
Broadband Equity and Digital Divide: The focus on broadband equity and digital access underscores the urgency of addressing technology disparities through state-level advocacy, employing community engagement and strategic timing to bridge the digital divide.
Federal Climate Spending and State Role: The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) underscores the importance of state-level engagement in disbursing federal funds and ensuring their effective utilization. This illustrates the urgency of state-level advocacy in influencing decarbonization efforts through targeted investments.
When powerful interests hold influence while local community-based organizations lack representation, it can lead to unequal decision-making prioritizing specific agendas over the needs and voices of underserved and marginalized communities. When community voice is not at the table, it undermines the effectiveness of policy, perpetuating disparities and hindering equitable outcomes.
Supporters of federal investments need to focus more on political sustainability in southern states because these states play a crucial role in making those investments work. If these states aren't on board or don't stay committed, the efforts and benefits of the investments could be at risk.
I think we need greater education and training in effective state advocacy and ways to provide advocates with a roadmap. It equips them with the skills, knowledge, and strategic mindset needed to navigate the complex state government landscape, drive meaningful change, and create a lasting impact on policies that affect communities.