Session 13: MUSEUM ISSUES IN WASHINGTON: WHAT'S HAPPENING AND HOW CAN YOU INFLUENCE IT
Jason Y. Hall, Director, Government Affairs Program, AAM

Jason Hall discussed the American Association of Museums' (AAM) involvement in current Congressional issues, AAM's Museum Advocacy Team (MAT), and how to have a face-to-face meeting with your state Congressional representative.

Current Issues:

1. Appropriations
   
   • Recent recommendations on House side:
   • IMS received level funding at $21 million
   • NEA received level funding at $99.5 million
   • NEH received a drop in funding at $104.5 million
   • NSF received a drop in funding at $26 million

   Expect to do better on Senate side.
   
   

2. Collaborations and Coalition Work:

   AAM and other organizations have formed coalitions to work on various legislative issues.
   

   • Cultural Advocacy Group (NEA, NEH, IMS)
   • Humanities Group (NEH)
   • Museum Working Group (IMS)
   • A coalition to support NSF
     
     
3. Taxes:

   Flat tax, intermediate sanctions, deductibility of gifts of publicly-traded stock to promote non-operating foundations
   
   

4. Education:
   

   Charter schools- public schools operated by entity other than school system. Operating rules are approved by school district or other authority. Public funds flow to that school just as others in district can be difficult to get one started;
   

   Department of Education trying to target funding for planning
   

Three museum-related charters

1. Henry Ford Museum - Henry Ford Academy
2. San Diego Children's Museum - Elementary School
3. Museum of Northern Arizona - Elementary School

Telecommunications:
Subsidized rates on internet and buying software.
Feb. 2 Bill privileged groups to receive subsidized rates... these groups are libraries, health and education. Many museums fall under the listing of libraries as it is defined in the bill.

Repatriation:
1990 NAGPRA set out the process.
AAM and others tried independently to get money into grant programs that would allow NAGPRA to unfold. Weren't successful so created the repatriation coalition. Coalition was able to get the program started at $2.3 million. AAM recently submitted nominees to NAGPRA review committee.

Fossils:
Fossils found on federal land. Problem is there is an increasing market for fossils which has led to looting.

Postal:
Museums and non-profit organizations have had subsidized postal rates; this is phasing out. The more mail prep you do, the cheaper the rates will be.

Museum Advocacy Team (MAT)

Composed of grassroots advocates around the country willing to write their legislators. 2,000 people

Benefits:

1. No cost to you
2. Easy to join
3. Provides breaking news- on the floor as it happens
4. No big brother to look over your shoulder and see if you've decided to act

Supplemental Books

1. How to Be Your Museum's Best Advocate
   Jason Hall
   It takes you from the simplest to the hardest advocacy.
   Includes small scale letters to face-to-face meetings.
   $10 AAM member, $12 non-member
   
   
2. Congressional and IRS Actions on Museum Tax Issues
   Andy Finch
   This book provides commentary on current IRS documents.
   
   

Face-to-Face meeting

3 goals for meeting

1. Make them aware of who you are and your existence
2. Find your on going contact person
3. Work those issues you are concerned about that day.

Most important: Everything must relate to and reinforce the specific, particular, tangible services you provide for the community.

Why? There is a lot of competition. Businesses come in but they are presumed to be self interested. Museums lack the economic power but they are serving others. Prove you are the good guy. Give concrete examples. This changes your argument from the abstract to practical help for the community.

Hall illustrates a typical visit to a political office, using a Capitol Hill office (House or Senate) as an example.

1. Introduce yourself
2. Be prompt
3. Relax:
   • You represent a local institution.
   • Your board is full of powerful local people.
   • You bring news of voters opinions.
   • They want your vote or good word of mouth from you and news from your community.
     

The people in the office:

Administrative Assistant - Chief of Staff; 2nd to official

Press Secretary - Promotes elected official with the press.

Legislative Assistant - Writes comment on legislation

Legislative Director - In charge of legislative assistants and also covers his or her own legislative issues.

Receptionist - always from the state or district

Case Workers - the most important people in the office in some ways--help individual constituents get what they need from federal agencies.

Nine Point Specific Plan for Making the Case:

1. Thank You's
   • thank you for time
   • thank you for votes on museum issues
   • thank you for positions on non-museum issues; this can be found in Politics in America and Almanac of American Politics
   
   
   
2. Present your museum very briefly and how it serves the community
   • name and location
   • mission
   • exhibits or projects
   • scale, budget, and people
     
     
3. Discuss the issue that brought you and how you are affected
   • don't talk about more than two or three issues
   • if you have come with a group, decide who takes the lead
     
     
4. Tell them what you want them to do
   
   
5. Give them local news
   • try to become a source
   • tell them what people are really concerned about especially as it relates to the election
   • what you say here is gold and they will be indebted
     
     
6. Leave your issue briefs
   • a handout
   • make sure it is structured; give the background of the issue, what you want, and why what you want is consistent with good public policy (reasons).
     
     
7. Thank them again
   • for their time
   • for their help in doing what you asked (this reminds them what you want them to do.)
     
     
8. Get the staffer's business cards and leave yours
   • indicates interest in staying in touch
   • invte the Congress person and staffer to visit museum for special tours of what you're doing for the community
     
     
9. Call the American Association of Museums first for updates or answers to any questions if you want some help.