So you have an idea that you would like to be made into law? You have a passion for change? Last week we looked at the initial creation of a bill in our series Cowboy at the Capitol, this week we will look at lobbying.

President Lyndon Johnson once described politics as the “Art of the Possible”. People wanting to successfully lobby their government first and foremost should know about their government and what can be done. There are some issues that are simply off the table for government, that are impossible to work on at this time.

Awareness of this fact can be the most important method of lobbying. You have to look at what the legislative body as a whole can accept, and what kind of controversy or problems your idea might pose to the body. You may in many cases be better off working on small uncontroversial changes to the law, and working towards the bigger picture in bodies that are unlikely to take your ideas as a whole.

As we previously noted last week, your legislation needs a sponsor and somebody on the inside of the legislature to push for it. Finding that person can be difficult, particularly one that both supports your legislation and has the clout to get it done. Knowing the personalities can be key.

Another factor for success it to be legitimate voice on an issue and having the follow through on the issue. If you are constantly calling up members and staff on a bill, it's more likely to be priority. Pushing for a bill is key. You don't want to be alone in your work lobbying though, you want your sponsor to always be out there, right beside you pushing for that bill.

You also need to make sure you have support in all houses that your bill must be passed in. Even if the Senate and Assembly agree on a bill, it is meaningless if the governor vetoes it. If one house supports the bill but not the other house, then it's not likely to go anywheres either. You have to build a consensus over a bill.

Finally, you can never give up in the legislative process. It's often a slow and dirty process to get things done in a legislature. It might take years or even decades to see an idea become law. Yet, determination and regular contact with lawmakers might just make your ideal happen. Nothing is easy in a legislature, as people are often resistant to change, but when the time comes a bill just might become law.