In this era of social distancing and quarantining, life looks much different now than it did a year ago, and lobbying in Frankfort has certainly changed as well. Here at Forward Kentucky, we chatted with Senate and House Minority Leaders, Senator Morgan McGarvey (D-19) and Representative Joni Jenkins (D-44), to discuss how lobbying has changed in the age of coronavirus.
Since the pandemic, face to face meetings have become virtually obsolete, says Rep. Jenkins: “Well, most of my experiences have been either Zoom or phone calls. When lobbyists contact me about setting up a meeting, I’ve just been very clear about that: not doing meetings [in person]. … I haven’t had a lobbyist in my office for almost a year now.”
However, she says it has been a painless transition: “From my point of view, and maybe lobbyists look at it very differently, I think it has been very easy. Quite frankly, it’s been more time efficient. … I’ve found it a lot easier.”
Sen. McGarvey agreed that many legislators have strayed away from allowing non-legislative staff in their offices: “It’s been a transition for all of us in particular. … In my office suite we’ve actually made the decision to not have any in-person visitors during the session. So all of our meetings are conducted virtually through Zoom or by call.”
He echoed the sentiments of Rep. Jenkins’ appreciation for time efficiency: “I think there is something through personal interaction that you can’t get through Zoom. I will also say that I find I’m meeting with a lot more people because people don’t have to leave their homes or their offices to come to Frankfort. We’re now eleven months into the pandemic, people are really used to Zoom meetings, so there’s a comfort level there. I’m feeling that I’m meeting with a lot more of my constituents and a lot more interested advocates because they know they can call and request a Zoom [call].”
The challenges to lobbying during COVID-19
Sen. McGarvey reflected back to when the pandemic started and the challenges that many people, including legislators, faced. He told Forward Kentucky:
“I think at first it was a hard transition, and I think there was a lot of uncertainty. … Zoom hadn’t really caught on widely in those first few weeks when the pandemic hit. I think the world changed on March 13, which was right when we were getting to the end of our session. … People didn’t really know how to use all the new technologies or how to respond.”
For lobbyists, Rep. Jenkins believes that there may be some obstacles keeping up with the rate of change day-to-day in Frankfort: “I think where challenges come in, when we’re in session, is that things happen so quickly. Before you would run into folks on your way somewhere else … a lot of that real quick response has probably gotten a little bit more difficult.”
For legislators who have been in Frankfort for several sessions, Rep. Jenkins feels the transition from in-person to telephone and virtual-based communications may be less troublesome than for newly-elected members of the General Assembly:
“I know which lobbyists I can trust, I know which ones lean more to my way of thinking, they know me, they know my history on some of these issues. So, I would think that it’s probably been harder on some of our newer legislators because they haven’t had the opportunity to build those relationships. They get a call out of the blue and they’re like “Wait, who is this?””
The end of email
Surprisingly, there are some methods of communication that have become less effective since the pandemic, says Jenkins:
“I think email has really decreased a little bit in its effectiveness because we get so much. Quite frankly, my legislative assistant goes through mine and cleans it out, if not daily, at least a couple times a week, because there’s just so much stuff you get. … I keep hearing from others and myself — they say, “Did you get that email yesterday?” and I’m like, “No?”— there’s just been so much in there.”
Sen. McGarvey agreed that email has become a bit troublesome during the pandemic: “Your inbox gets full, your messages start to pile up – and I think that it’s great to try and schedule a meeting, to go through that legislative assistant and say: “Hey, can I schedule a Zoom call with a legislator?” and be flexible on time.”
However, he finds there are other instances where email lacks efficiency: “I do think it is effective to get your voice heard on an issue, I think where it’s been less effective during session is to expect that to start a dialogue. I think if you want to have a dialogue about something, then it’s probably best to schedule that call or that Zoom.”
Rep. Jenkins has found that she prefers a more direct form of communication. “I think for me and many other legislators, texting has become the new quickest way to get to somebody. … They’re dealing directly with me, and not as much with my legislative assistant.”
Guidance for those trying to make an impact
Sen. McGarvey has some words of encouragement for those that are trying to make an impact this session:
“Don’t underestimate or undervalue persistence in your advocacy. Because email boxes get full, or because phone messages pile up, if you haven’t heard, don’t be afraid to email back. I think a lot of us appreciate that. … It’s not that we don’t care, it’s just a fact that we’re in this time and we’re communicating with so many different people virtually.”
Rep. Jenkins has some advice as well:
“I think what works best for me is texting, saying “Can we schedule a call?” Then I am sure that I have set a few minutes to focus completely on what they’re talking to me about. Whereas if they call me and I pick up the call, I could have fifteen other things I’m trying to do at the same time. If I’ve scheduled a call with somebody, whether it’s a constituent or lobbyist or another legislator, I’m going to make sure that I have ten minutes there that I’m going to focus just on what they’re talking about.”
When trying to pitch reasons for supporting certain pieces of legislature, phone calls can go a long way, says Rep. Jenkins:
“I think probably the phone call is the best because they can do their pitch and then you can ask questions. After that initial phone call, I think all you need is a text or phone message saying: “Here is the amendment I told you was coming up, this is what it does, if you have any questions call me back.” or “We’re hearing it’s going to be in committee tomorrow, are there any questions you have or that your caucus has?” But it all depends on the situation.”
Sen. McGarvey: “It’s hard to say what is the definitive best method. … I think it depends on the legislator and it depends on the issue and what you want to convey about the issue. Are you looking to simply oppose a piece of legislation? Are you looking to pass a piece of legislation? It’s having a goal and knowing the process is the best way to have your voice heard.”
He stressed the importance of individuals being able to maximize their impact this session by keeping up to date on bill movement:
“The reason I say it’s important to know the process … It may be a piece of legislation that I fully, 110% support, but as a Senator, I really have no say on how House bills move. If you know that process, it will be a better use of your time and resources. … To maximize your advocacy and your efficacy, it does help to know a little bit about the process and what’s going on. The LRC website is a wonderful resource to tell you where that bill has been introduced and where it is in the process.” (Editor’s note: So are the ForwardKY Bill Trackers and the Visual Key Bill Tracker.)
Looking towards a post-pandemic world
Rep. Jenkins has an optimistic outlook about what we may be able to learn from these unprecedented times: “I think what’s going to be interesting is what we keep. A lot of things have been pretty successful.”
Sen. McGarvey also hopes that the beneficial practices that the legislature has adopted during Coronavirus will stick around: “I really hope that’s the case. Going to the idea that we’re a citizen-legislature, and most of us have another job, I think being able to attend interim committee hearings virtually can be really useful, and really helpful for people to do their legislative work and stay in their communities, and do their other jobs as well.”
At a time when inclement weather has kept many off the roads, Rep. Jenkins says she’s thankful to be able to continue work in Frankfort from the comfort of home: “We’ve been holding Zoom caucus meetings, and you can do them at any time. There’s no constraint by having to go into session.”
Sen. McGarvey also expressed gratitude at the flexibility virtual conferencing has allowed: “This week we’ve been out [of the office] due to weather, and every day so far has been jam packed with meetings because all of the meetings I had scheduled with constituents or with advocacy groups stayed on because they were all virtual. So where we would’ve been in a scramble trying to move around all these meetings during a session, now I’ve kept all of my meetings this week.”
“It’s going to be interesting to see what things survive COVID and become normal practices.” Rep. Jenkins told Forward Kentucky.
However, there are some things that Sen. McGarvey hopes will one day return after COVID-19: “I miss the personal interaction, I miss all the bustle and hustle of being in the hallways at Frankfort. It is an eerie feeling having empty halls. I love the people who come to the Capitol, and I think there is still an importance to coming and seeing your government at work.”
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