Our job, as lobbyists for our communities, is to educate legislators about municipal government. As I wrote last month, it is our task to inform legislators and those who develop public policy about the needs of municipal governments. We represent general-purpose government, just as our state lawmakers do. The legislators who live in your community are not only your representatives in Baton Rouge. You are their representative in their hometown s municipal government.
Opportunities abound to build relationships with legislators.
Take them on tours of your facilities and help them understand the municipal services. Offer to help them with things that you can. A good and productive relationship will offer new opportunities for education and understanding. Do not expect your legislators to agree with you on every issue. Be respectful of their opinions and arguments, even if they differ from yours.