Resources
This page serves as a directory of online and printed resources in the categories listed below for professionals in governmental advocacy. This page was last updated February 13, 2019. We attempt to keep the page current, but if you discover broken or outdated links, please advise us. Thanks!
- Resources and services for governmental advocates
- Resources for associations (including nonprofits)
- Key publications and directories
- Links to key California government websites
- Selected political news websites
Resources and services for governmental advocates:
The Institute of Governmental Advocates (http://www.californiaiga.org) is the voluntary, nonprofit professional membership association for California lobbyists and lobbying firms. IGA maintains a professional code of conduct for advocates and their employers, which is available on the IGA website.
The Association of Government Relations Professionals in Washington DC, now defunct, also published a code of ethics. That document is no longer online, but you can view it here as a PDF. It is also included in our Lobbying 101 Resource Guide. The successor organization is called the Institute for Lobbying & Ethics, http://www.lobbyinginstitute.com. The new organization has not yet published an ethics code.
The Fair Political Practices Commission (http://www.fppc.ca.gov/) is a state agency that, among other aspects of its mission, defines and regulates the lobbying process and those engaged in the practice of advocacy, in accordance with the Political Reform Act implemented by the California Legislature. Familiarity with FPPC rules is a must for governmental advocates. The FPPC maintains a toll-free advice line at (866) ASK-FPPC (275-3772), and any advice provided by FPPC in response to a query is considered official and binding.
Official California legislative information is provided by the Legislative Counsel of California at http://legislativecounsel.ca.gov. The site provides the full text of all bills, resolutions and amendments currently pending, a daily calendar of events (e.g., committee and subcommittee hearings, floor sessions), and a list of legislative publications.
Bill tracking services offer both standard and customized research, analysis and tracking of pending legislation, and now cover budget and regulatory agency processes as well. The following are based in Sacramento:
Capitol Track http://www.capitoltrack.com
LegisWeb http://www.legisweb.com
State Net covers not only California but all 50 states and the Federal government. http://www.statenet.com
Concurrently with the above, http://www.contributiontrack.com provides customized tracking of campaign contributions and maintains a calendar of fundraising events.
Resources for associations:
“Peer Pressure: The value of a government relations peer review program,” a self-assessment tool, can be found at http://www.cmcgc.com/media/handouts/250813/150-PeerPressure.pdf
The American Society of Association Executives: http://www.asaecenter.org/
California Society of Association Executives: http://www.calsae.org
“Advocacy for Public Charities” (lobbying information for nonprofits), published by the Neo Law Group, https://neolawgroup.com
California Association of Nonprofits: http://www.calnonprofits.org
Key publications and directories
“Lobbying and Advocacy” by Deanna R. Gelak. This book stands alone in its comprehensive exploration of and insights into the profession of advocacy. Available from the publisher, http://www.thecapitol.net, (877) 228-5086, and online bookstores (e.g., amazon.com).
“A workbook for policy advocacy strategy development:” -RLB-PATHworkbook. While focused on the public health sector, this roadmap and analytical tool will guide the reader through 10 steps of policy strategy development that apply in any area. Likewise highly recommended.
Capitol Enquiry (http://www.govbuddy.com) offers directories listed below in print and on CD, annual subscriptions via the web, and mobile apps. Subscribers to the govbuddy website receive updated information in real time.
- Pocket Directory of the California Legislature (aka “The Red Book”)
- California Legislature Staff Index (pocket directory)
- California State Agency Directory (pocket directory)
- California City & County Directory
- U.S. Congress Directory (pocket directory)
- Electoral district maps, profiles, and legislators
- California Judicial Leaders Directory
California Political Maps, http://www.capoliticalmaps.com, publishes glossy two-sided wall posters of Senate and Assembly districts, and of the current Legislative Class, which also includes constitutional officers, Board of Equalization and California Supreme Court.
A complete list of legislative publications can be found at the Legislative Counsel of California website, http://www.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/publicationsTemplate.xhtml
“California’s Legislature,” published by the Chief Clerk of the State Assembly, http://www.assembly.ca.gov/clerk or (916) 445-2645. The site includes an order form for multiple copies.
“Legislative Procedure,” published by the Chief Clerk of the State Assembly, http://www.assembly.ca.gov/clerk or (916) 445-2645
“Dollars and Democracy: A Guide to the State Budget Process,” published by the California Budget & Policy Center, http://www.calbudgetcenter.org
“Dollars and Democracy: Understanding How the State Budget Process Relates to the Policy Bill Process,” published by the California Budget & Policy Center, http://www.calbudgetcenter.org
“The Legislative Process: A Citizen’s Guide to Participation,” published by Senate Publications, 1020 N Street, B-53, Sacramento CA 95814, (916) 651-1538, http://senate.ca.gov/legislativeprocess
“The Budget Process: A Citizen’s Guide to Participation,” published by Senate Publications, 1020 N Street, B-53, Sacramento CA 95814, (916) 651-1538, http://senate.ca.gov/sites/senate.ca.gov/files/the%20budget%20process.pdf
“Citizen’s Guide to the Legislative Process,” published by the Chief Clerk’s Office of the State Assembly, http://www.assembly.ca.gov/clerk or call (916) 319 2856 for multiple copies.
Overview of the Legislature’s components and processes
Brief overview of the Legislative Process: DOFLegislative Process-Rev07162017
Detailed overview of the Legislative Process: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pdf/2017/2117_Cal_Leg2016_Sec10.pdf
The California Budget Process: CAbudgetprocess
Key California government websites
Office of the Governor: http://www.gov.ca.gov
The Governor’s Cabinet: CAGovCabinet Issue Areas-Org 20190618_Public
The Governor’s Office of Legislative Affairs: Staff Directory & Issue Areas 1-10-19
The Executive Branch, list of departments including org chart: https://www.cold.govops.ca.gov/File/OrganizationalChart
The Department of Finance (critical for budget advocacy): http://www.dof.ca.gov
Office of Administrative Law (critical for regulatory agency advocacy): http://www.oal.ca.gov
The Office of Administrative Law’s Overview of the Rulemaking (Regulatory) Process: http://www.oal.ca.gov/rulemaking_process/
“Guide to Public Participation in the Rulemaking Process,” published by the Office of Administrative Law: https://www.oal.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2017/05/How-2-Participate-102016.pdf
The Rulemaking Law Calendar: http://www.oal.ca.gov/publications/rulemaking_calendar/
California Regulatory Notice Register: http://www.oal.ca.gov/publications/notice_register/
The California Legislature:
http://www.legislature.ca.gov, http://www.assembly.ca.gov, http://www.senate.ca.gov
Legislative Analyst’s Office (fiscal and policy advisor to the Legislature): http://www.lao.ca.gov
The Secretary of State (includes election campaign information): www.sos.ca.gov
The Secretary of State’s directory of registered lobbyists & lobbyist employers: http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/lobbying/
California Courts: http://www.courts.ca.gov
Selected political news websites
Around the Capitol: http://www.aroundthecapitol.com
CalBuzz: http://www.calbuzz.com
CalMatters: http://www.calmatters.org
California Playbook / Politico: http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/california-playbook
California Sun: https://www.californiasun.co
California political news (click on “California politics” at top of home page): http://www.calnews.com
Caliornia Today, daily newsletter from the New York Times: sign up at https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/california-today
Capitol Daybook: http://www.capitoldaybook.com
Capitol Morning Report (paid subscription required for all except classifieds): http://www.capitolmr.com
Capitol Public Radio: http://www.capradio.org/news/
Capitol Weekly (actually publishes daily): http://www.capitolweekly.net
The Nooner: http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/thenooner.html
The Roundup (daily digest from Capitol Weekly and Around the Capitol): http://www.capitolbasement.com/
Rough & Tumble, a snapshot of California public policy and politics: http://www.rtumble.com
Note to our readers: Feel free to suggest other websites.