Trying to break through the noise at the California Capitol to get your issue front and center? I get it. Been there. Done that.

Today I talk with Eduardo Garcia, Legislative Director for the California Labor Federation, who shares valuable insight for advocates based on his years of experience as a California Legislative staffer.

Over ten months of each year, 120 legislators and their staff consider thousands of bill ideas with the potential to impact hundreds of diverse issue areas. Since no one person can digest thousands of pages of information, staff are responsible for vetting proposals, meeting with stakeholders, understanding the politics, and making recommendations.

You can't overstate the critical role of legislative staff.

I am thankful to my guest today, Eduardo Martinez, for taking the time to share his unique perspective, having served for many years as legislative staff, most recently as Chief of Staff to former Assemblymember and now Mayor of San Diego Todd Gloria.

At the beginning of 2021, Mr. Martinez left the Legislature to take a position in the "Third House" - Sacramento vernacular for the community of lobbyists and advocates who descend on the Capitol each year to promote and influence legislation.

Eduardo serves as Legislative Director for the California Labor Federation, an alliance of 1,200 affiliated unions from around the state, leading their efforts to pass laws that protect California’s families and strengthen workers’ rights.

In this interview, we talk about:-

-Transitioning into the Third House during the chaos of 2021 COVID

- Why advocates need to over-prepare, remain disciplined, and always lead with emotion

- How to condense bill ideas into high impact "elevator pitches"

- How to create more opportunities for Labor and Advocacy groups to partner around common goals

Hosted by Kristina Bas Hamilton, founder of KBH Advocacy.

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