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Decisions at the ballot box influence policies that support engineering standards and public safety.Learn about legislators’ connection to PEs and the industry.
2018 PE Legislators
Professional engineers are impacting policy at all levels of government. Learn about PEs who became legislators and their experiences, and gain insights into how NSPE members can advocate for the profession.
Dean Arp, P.E., launched his public service career by serving on his local school board. After 12 years on the board, he believed he could have an even greater impact by serving in the North Carolina legislature. “Professional engineers are involved in the economic aspects, planning, design, construction, and rehabilitation of public works and the built environment,” he says. “PEs have a unique perspective and vital commentary necessary for good public policy regarding these matters.”
Arp fully supports professional engineers who are interested in running for legislative office and serving on advisory committees, public bodies, and commissions. He believes that a desire to protect the public is inherent in the profession and can be transferred into the political and legislative arena. “It is the foundation of our profession,” he says. “True selfless service in public office is a natural extension of who we are as PEs.”
During his three-term tenure, Arp has been the primary author of a $2 billion state bond that was overwhelmingly approved by voters and is an author of the Competitive Energy Solutions for NC Act, which provides the groundwork for green energy power at competitive rates. He serves as a chair of the Appropriations Committee, the Energy and Public Utilities Committee, and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Capital Improvements.
Arp advises PEs who want to run for public office to prepare for potential challenges within the political environment. Built into the system, he says, are checks and balances, which create a natural tension. “One of the greatest challenges PEs will face is to operate within that system with the built-in tensions,” he says. “I believe PEs should speak judiciously and not often, but always with technical excellence in the subject matter.”
How to Effectively Advocate for PEs
Professional engineers can be tremendous advocates for their cause, functioning both as experts and constituents. In the upcoming year, PEs across the nation can effectively promote the interests of the engineering community with their members of Congress and state legislators alike. Consider the following tips to promote the interests of professional engineers:
Be prepared. Just as a client meeting necessitates preparation, a meeting with your elected official requires some work in advance. Know the issues you want to discuss before your meeting and research the legislator’s position on the issues. Also know the opposition’s key points and be ready to counter them. It’s not always just about presenting your own positions, but being able to demonstrate why opposing views are flawed.
Stay on message. Federal and state legislators have very busy and often rushed schedules. In advance of your meeting, select the top issues you want to discuss. Address no more than three and, if at all possible, focus on one specific “ask,” or legislative request. Be brief and stick to the topics you want to discuss. The legislator may go off topic, and it can be valuable to discuss other issues and common local interests (local sports teams are always a great topic). However, always be certain to steer the conversation back to your original message.
Provide legislators with what they really want to know. Professional engineers can provide expertise and data to bolster their positions on a variety of issues. However, scientific conclusions, while extremely valuable, may not be sufficient to convince all legislators. There are two other key components to a truly strong message: First, provide personal stories to show the real-life impacts of the important work you are doing. Second, and most important, always demonstrate how a given policy or program will directly affect a member’s district and constituents. This is the legislator’s top interest.
Always follow up. After a successful meeting with your legislator, there is still work to be done! At the close of your meeting, ask the legislator what follow-up would best serve his or her needs. Would a briefing sheet or an article on a particular issue be helpful? Also consider inviting your elected official for a visit to your facilities to show what PEs are doing for the district. If you are advocating for a particular piece of legislation or appropriations, be sure to touch base on a regular basis to provide updates. Last, but certainly not least, remember to always send a thank-you e-mail covering the topics addressed within a few days after the meeting.