> Do the lobbyists have some incredibly legitimate insider information they share with the senators? Do they just throw cash/donations at them?
I do some grass roots lobbying in Indiana. When we can't get a bill to the floor, it usually comes down to this:
1. The public might support the bill, but voters aren't willing to vote across the aisle over the issue behind the bill. So, the politician can kill the bill without fear.
2. There's a technical problem with the bill that would make it a bad law. Sometimes, this is sabotage, but most often, it is discovered late in the process and the bill dies in committee until next session.
3. The law would change the staus quo in some way that is harmful to the close supporters of legislators. This is less about money, and more about relationships.
The answer to all of the above is simple: get more public support, and even work to unseat legislators that are opposed to your issue. State legislators usually don't have a strong grip on their seats (some do), so they can be unseated, often in primary elections.
I do some grass roots lobbying in Indiana. When we can't get a bill to the floor, it usually comes down to this:
1. The public might support the bill, but voters aren't willing to vote across the aisle over the issue behind the bill. So, the politician can kill the bill without fear.
2. There's a technical problem with the bill that would make it a bad law. Sometimes, this is sabotage, but most often, it is discovered late in the process and the bill dies in committee until next session.
3. The law would change the staus quo in some way that is harmful to the close supporters of legislators. This is less about money, and more about relationships.
The answer to all of the above is simple: get more public support, and even work to unseat legislators that are opposed to your issue. State legislators usually don't have a strong grip on their seats (some do), so they can be unseated, often in primary elections.