Journalist: Colin Udall (OSU)
There’s a new competition in the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature: the lobbying
competition. This event is exciting for the many lobbyists this session, but for some, it may be an
enigma. To explain how the competition will work, Press Secretary Fuchs answered a few
questions.
In response to the general question of what the competition is, Fuchs said, “The lobbyist
competition was added as a way for us to stay up to date with similar competitions.” She
explained that other states with programs similar to the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature
often include a lobbying section.
“The goal is for people who are in the lobbyist competition to do one proponent and one
opponent bill,” Fuchs said.
In short, the lobbyists’ function is similar to that of the press competition: they report on bills in
written form. Where the lobbyist competition differs is that participants must be persuasive in
their writing. When completing a proponent bill, a lobbyist should argue why that bill should
pass. When completing an opponent bill, they should argue why it should not.
Importantly, lobbyists are barred from being on the floor during any hearing of a bill they have
argued for or against. This competition seeks to add a new dimension to the Oklahoma
Intercollegiate Legislature that emphasizes persuasive writing. The lobbying competition currently falls under the press category. The distinction between the two is that the lobbying
competition focuses on persuasion, while the press competition emphasizes objectivity.
Finally, when asked what this new competition means for non-lobbyists such as representatives
and senators, Fuchs said, “They can now see more biased opinions.” She added, “The goal is for
them to interview people and then try to get them to vote.”
The lobbying competition offers a chance for more persuasive writing and gives members of the
House and Senate an opportunity to weigh differing opinions when considering votes. As a
representative or senator, be prepared for more chances to support or oppose bills in an interview.