Helpful Tips 

A Good Offense

After a diligent, multi-year battle with the state legislature, Greg Tompkins of Walla Walla, Wash. and WSCLA, were successful in repealing the sales tax levied against all of the state’s self-service laundries. As Tompkins will tell you, it’s about who you know – and making sure that they know you and understand your business.

Tompkins advises laundry owners to become friendly with legislators before an issue arises. Getting to know a candidate’s issues and how they vote on small business, taxes, the underserved and utilities are crucial to the process. Most states have a legislative website that provides legislators’ biographies, voting records and phone numbers.

Once you embark on passing a piece of legislation, do not give up. Consistency in keeping the issue in the forefront is key. Be respectful, short and to the point when you are meeting with your legislators.

Get to Know Your Legislators

By employing these simple tactics, you can greatly expand your influence within the legislative process.

1. Identify Personal Connections: You may have a legislator that is a personal friend of a college roommate, has children on your kid’s soccer team or attends the same spiritual community. Bridge connections based off of these contacts.
2. Local Committee Involvement: Legislators seek sound and accurate advice on a variety of issues. If you can offer expertise in an area, such as local entrepreneurship in the district, this could be of mutual benefit.
3. Give an Award: What legislator does not want to be recognized in front of a group of voters? Arrange press coverage, if possible.
4. Invitations to Speak: Arrange a date for your local representative to speak at a local meeting. Give them time to chat with members during a social event, as well.
5. Meet on Home Turf: Meet your legislator in the state capital or in his or her district. Lobby Days are important for every organization interested in having an influence in the legislative and regulatory process. (Never plan on more than a 15 minute visit when they are in session; 5-10 minutes is more realistic.)
6. Get to Know the Staff: Never underestimate the importance of legislative staff, especially at the federal level. These are the people that write bills and give direct advice to your representative at critical times.
7. Host a Political Fundraiser: If you are an active member in local politics, this may be a nice way to form a personal connection with your representative.
8. Invite Representatives to Tour a Laundry: Take your representative on a tour of a local, well-run laundry. This will help provide them with a fresh look of what the today’s laundry looks like, while educating them on how a retail, self-service laundry is run. Arranging for press coverage is another great way to get attention.
9. Keep Legislators Up-To-Date on Issues Affecting our Industry: Send your legislator copies of PlanetLaundry.

Most importantly, stay active!

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