Montana YMCA Youth Government

Position Papers

All lobbyists must write a one-page position paper. (In lieu of a lobbyist paper, lobbyists may also submit a ballot initiative or co-author a bill. See Youth Legislature or Ballot Issues sections for details)

As a rule, lobbyist papers are easier! They are due into the State Office by the publicized deadline.

Remember that your job is to educate legislators on issues they may know little about. Use accurate facts, be able to cite your sources, and help legislators who support your ideas do a good job.

After you read the basic guidelines below, click here to see a sample paper:

The Basics

Position papers are to be ONE page long. This means between 200-375 words.
Your name and delegation needs to be at the top.
Use your organization name (the group you are supposedly lobbying for) as a title. You can borrow the name of a real organization or you can create your own group. If you use a real group's name, try to accurately represent their views. Do research to find out more about existing interest groups.
A simple disclosure statement needs to be at the very bottom. Use the following phrase exactly:
- This document is in compliance with the Montana YMCA Youth Legislature Lobbyist Disclosure Policy.

Tips for Writing Your Position Paper

Position papers must represent ONE issue. Limit your topic to a basic idea - business, the environment, tax policy, social issues, etc. Groups like political parties or labor unions might have several areas of interest, but they still tie their position together under one "umbrella" - justice for the working poor, less regulation, or whatever.
Statistics and handy facts are a good idea.
You should explain both what you are for and what you are against.
Explain clearly what position you are taking on the issue. Be short but specific. If you want to be a lobbyist for a group dealing with the abortion question, for example, be sure your paper makes it clear whether you are pro-choice or pro-life!
Explain your reasoning. Be flattered, not offended, if a legislator takes your argument and uses it on the floor to advance or defeat legislation that you are following!
A "call to action" is a good idea - tell people what you think they ought to do.
The lobbyist position paper cannot exceed one page, but should be at least 200 words.
Papers should be single spaced, but with double carriage returns between paragraphs (in the block style shown on the following page.)
Do not forget your disclosure statement at the end!
All position papers must be turned in by the deadline in a digital format (emailed or sent on a disk) by the deadline.

Sample Position Paper

(Name and Delegation of Lobbyist): Jane Doe
Two Dot High School

(Name of Organization):

Concerned Montana Citizens Against Government Waste

(Introduction of organization and position of lobbyist):

I represent concerned citizens who oppose government waste of tax dollars. We support efficient use of tax money to help the majority of the American people and will speak out against mismanagement and fraud.

(Facts, opinions, statistics and arguments):

In the US economic system, private businesses are required to balance their budgets, file accurate reports, pay taxes to the government, minimize debt and make up for losses as soon as possible, or they cannot compete in the economic system. They go out of business.

On the other hand, the federal government is hypocritical, hiding excessive expenses, mismanaging cash and paying too much money for goods and services. Federal procurement offices have been known to spend $91 each for 3 cent wood screws, easily found at a local hardware store. Saving budget dollars is not considered, and losses are just added to the National Debt. Where is the accountability?

Because politicians and bureaucrats are not spending their own personal funds, they are unconcerned about mismanaging public tax revenue. American workers labor from January 1st through May 5th just to pay their taxes! Some of these funds are used to support programs that do not benefit the American Public. Some examples are:

$49 million to build and furnish a rock and roll museum
$1.9 million for an "All Ireland genealogy project."
$500,000 to study the effect of cigarette smoking on dogs.
$19 million to study whether or not belching of cows and other livestock harms the ozone layer.
$46,000 to determine how long it takes to cook an egg.
$170,000 to fund a Dunkin' Donuts store in Oklahoma
$2 million to renovate one of the House restaurants

(Summary of arguments and call to action):

As shown by the entries on the above list, the government seems to feel that they may use American tax dollars any way they wish. As the American public, we should protect ourselves against this corruption. We must start with our state and local government. By keeping an eye on our elected officials, we will let them know that we do not appreciate mismanagement of our hard earned money.

(Statement of Lobbyist's position on the issues):

I will support legislation that makes wise use of taxpayer dollars, and oppose bills which are wasteful.

(Disclosure statement):

This document is in compliance with the Montana YMCA Youth Legislature Lobbyist Disclosure Policy.

(Original paper written by Carrie Jo Peterson, content revised and edited for use in this document.)

Quick Links

Past & Present Position Papers

2009 Position Papers

2008 Position Papers

10	B Creger, Dillon	17	Mitchell, Gardiner	25	C Pezzarossi, Miles City
11	C Gunderson, Dillon	18	A Baide, Butte Central	26	B reid, Miles City
12	C Marsh, Dillon	19	S Davis, Butte Central	27	A Tiffany, Miles City
13	H Peck, Dillon	20	K Lewis, Great Falls	28	Pohladam, Bozeman
14	B Raffety, Dillon	21	M Koppy, Great Falls	29	C Pulcinimar, Bozeman
15	Anderson, Gardiner	22	Hedges, Darby	30	P Straub, Bozeman
16	A Demaree, Gardiner	23	Flores, Darby	31	Q Mawhinney, Bozeman
		24	P Ferris, Miles City	32	S Morris, Bozeman

2007 Position Papers

600	J Butler, Bozeman	610	J Creger, Dillon	620	L Parsons, Jefferson
601	P Mitchell, Bozeman	611	B Erb, Dillon	621	M Bush
602	H Payne, Bozeman	612	N Murphy, Dillon	622	A Attig, Miles City
603	K Shelky, Bozeman	613	B Raffety, Dillon	623	Barbula, Miles City
604	S Smith, Bozeman	614	S Anderson, Gardiner	624	Donahue, Park
605	A Baide, Butte	615	K McCaleb, Gardiner	625	McNamara, Park
606	H Cote, Butte	616	Palecek, Gardiner	626	R Blair, Great Falls
607	K Cox, Butte	617	J Stringfield, Gardiner	627	R Cave, Great Falls
608	A Atchley, Dillon	618	Bonillaseth, Great Falls
609	C Colton, Dillon	619	M Koppy, Great Falls

2006 Position Papers

All Papers