The informational interview that I focused on, was of Kristen Brinkman, a lobbyist in Columbus, Ohio. I chose to study this informational interview, because since changing my major from Business Management, to Public Policy, I have been trying to discover some careers in the field of Public Policy. Lobbying is one of the careers that really interests me because it allows you to focus on items you are passionate about and help to create a change or prevent a change in the way those things are working now. This interview gave me a lot of insight into the everyday work of a lobbyist and some helpful advice on how to get an “in” as a lobbyist to work for the organizations and people that you want too.
Here is the interview, along with the attached video of the interview at the bottom of this page:
What is a lobbyist?
Representative on behalf of an association, charity organization, profit or nonprofit corporation, or consumer groups. Advocate their position to positively move legislation or try to prevent legislation from becoming laws because it goes against that organization. 80% of the time they’re trying to stop legislation. Educated the legislator on why legislation should or should not be approved based on the back ground and how it’s going to impact individuals
How many groups does someone lobby for?
Three different types of lobbyists:
Corporate- internal inside a corporation example: AT&T only lobby for phone legislation
Association lobbyist –example: HOA and zoning and homeowner’s legislation
Independent lobbyist, her career, represents a number of the types of organizations. She does 13/14 on a month to month basis, some do 8, some do 80 depending on the workload they desire.
What are some examples if groups you lobby for?
America’s natural gas alliance, Columbia gas, fracking for natural gas in Ohio and it can have a large job turnout.
Example of something she is specifically lobbying for?
National Safety Council, legislation on primary seatbelt usage. To make it a major offense if not used.
Support our troops- non-profit—to pass for a license plate with proceeds staying in Ohio, to assist those who lost family members.
Tools used to influence policy makers?
Key—establish a day to day relationship with the legislators to understand where they come from. Take their background and ethics into consideration when talking with them to make sure your argument appears to them. Bring forward related businesses to say how it would impact them.
How did you start out becoming a lobbyist and was it hard not having those relationships built up already?
Her father was a lobbyist for 42 years so she has a lot of background in it.
Get active and see both sides of the issues. She became a page, which is a runner, then aide to the first woman speaker of the house Joanne Davidson. Work on a campaign and work on policy to see both, because campaign influences their policy making. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good to find an opportunity.
Successes or Disappointments?
Most disappointing outcome— Primary Seatbelt legislation of the early 90’s. Worked on it for 8 yrs. Had to compromise and go to a secondary offense, when you get pulled over, not that you could get pulled over for just that.
It got down to the personal feelings of the legislatures on government intrusion off personal matters of seatbelt wearing.
Success that means the most to you as a lobbyist?
Bill for nonprofit consumer credit counseling, that helps to lower you debt without fee.
Regulate for profit businesses that claim to help with your debt for a fee. Legislation to ban for profit consumer credit companies. So that you’re not getting into more debt while trying to get out.
Was there an organization lobbying against you?
For profit consumer credit counselors
Example of what you’d say to the policy makers, argument?
Educational process to educate the policy makers on the issues and impacts of them.
Interview Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCckxWhXa8I
