The euphemism that Florida, the nation's third most populous and politically powerful state, is a battleground is an apt description--and more than just every four years. Every year, every day in the state's capital, Florida has become high ground for pro-corporate, special-interest lobbyists who seek to instill a far-right legislative and social…

Explained for the parks and recreation professional in this article are the steps involved in transforming an idea into a law. The legislative process discussed involves: developing the idea, selecting a sponsor, lobbying for support from administering agencies, testifying before the committee, and contacting members of Congress once the bill gets…

This unit is designed to teach students about how a bill becomes law and how interest groups participate in and impact this process. LegiQuest teaches students about the roles of Congress, the President, and the courts in the legislative process. It can be used at the beginning of the course to introduce the functions and branches of government.…

This pamphlet discusses one of the most essential but often misunderstood tasks facing nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations today: lobbying. It is addressed to Americans who volunteer their time and money to promote causes they believe will make this a better world. The pamphlet encourages citizens to lobby for two reasons. First, because virtually…

This booklet offers techniques and insights to assist the lobbying efforts of Minnesota advocates of individuals with disabilities. It begins by explaining lobbying and the legislative process. Suggestions for effective meetings with legislators are provided, along with ways to get an author for proposed legislation. The following sections discuss…

This paper reviews research concerning the attitudes that principals, journalism advisers, high school journalism press association directors, and student editors hold toward student publications, and it reviews research concerning effective political strategies. The study focuses particularly on the strategies employed by supporters of student…

Lobbying is defined as the function of citizens to express their views and to gain the support of legislators for proposed laws. This guide, for Massachusetts students, is designed to take students step by step through the lobbying process and to suggest strategies and resources to use in their own lobbying efforts. The guide contains the…

Higher education lobbyists in Washington work as liaisons between their institutions and the federal government. The experiences of several lobbyists are described. Lobbying is seen as a game of knowing the people who can help and showing the legislators how a side of an issue benefits them. (MLW)

William Blakey, staff director and chief counsel to the Subcommittee on Employment and Productivity of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources, was interviewed on the issues facing black progress in higher education. Leadership, change, TRIO programs, and public policy are discussed. (MLW)

Designed to encourage informed and critical thinking on contemporary political issues and processes, the articles, case studies, and activities in this student handbook can be incorporated into secondary school social studies units on government or current events. Seven chapters cover the executive branch of government, Congress, the judiciary,…