‘Shame on You!” Louisiana advocates role play contested child tax credit legislation
On April 12, the nonpartisan Middleburg Institute launched 145 advocates and policy leaders into a role-playing experience many said they will not forget.
In a heated exchange during the Middleburg Institute’s grassroots policy simulation, Monica Sprull waves her hand and reprimands twelve rival advocates who are stopping critical legislation from passing.
“Shame on you! Shame of you!” she declared.
Sprull was one of 175 advocates who gathered at the Baton Rouge Embassy for an interactive, role-playing simulation taught by Elisabeth Gerber, PhD. A public policy professor and researcher at the University of Michigan, Gerber created the Viewpoint Simulator. This year, she joined the Middleburg Institute in using the simulator to inspire, engage, and educate Louisiana advocates on the legislative process.
“This simulator is a catalyst for change and will allow us to see varied viewpoints that empower us to make changes in this country,” said Joyce James, founder of The Middleburg Institute.
On April 12, the nonpartisan organization launched advocates and policy leaders into a role-playing experience many said they will not forget.
They assigned participants to represent “legislative players,” including Republicans, Democrats, lobbyist, clergy, grassroots leaders, and other experts. The focus was on HB659, a 2021 bill authored by Representative Matt Willard, D-New Orleans, to create a state-level child tax credit for Louisiana families.
This simulation is a timely, critical training since Congressional leaders are currently contesting the child tax credit, and families are waiting for the financial benefit, said James.
“This is practice,” said Jackson Voss, climate policy coordinator for The Alliance. “This simulation helps expose people to the kinds of argument against what is being proposed. [And helps participants] understand that sometimes that until there is a change in leadership you may not get the policy you want.”
“This has made me committed to be involved. It has really taken me to another level. I see (the advocacy) and I see the need for it,” said Sprull, a Baton Rouge businesswoman.
Following the simulation, participants shared two consistent messages: we know what we have to do and emotions are part of the process.
We know what we have to do
Edward Gaston, of Wealth Watchers of Florida, sat in the audience with advocates from McComb, Mississippi, and observed all aspects of the simulation. Standing within earshot of them, advocates were playing the role of lobbyists, secretly planning their appeals to legislators. Gaston walked the room and listened to party debates on opposite sides.
“The fact that they can act out these roles as a Republican or a Democrat, tells you that we know what to do,” Gaston said. For him, the simulation revealed that the advocates “already know what the oppositions are. They have been listening and are already equipped for impact…It’s time to create some new rhythms instead of going into policymaking and dancing the same way to the same song, getting the same outcome. We need a different sound.” He said this can be done effectively by conducting these simulations ongoing—even monthly—for advocates to educate, plan, and execute based on “battle topics”.
He and other observers said they are more informed on the child tax credit and the nuances of policy making. “I feel empowered that now I can do something,” said Ebonie Raby.
Emotions are a great part of the process
“I’m angry,” admitted Michele Ashby of Donaldsonville. She participated in the simulated caucus roleplaying among Democrats who were in favor of the child tax credit. Her contention came when they began negotiating if industry taxes should be utilized as a compromise to fund the tax credit in Louisiana. In Sprull’s role-playing rant, the Democrats declared “industry will pay for this!”
“We should be taking care of people!” Steven Magee emphasized in his role playing as the executive director of Louisiana Progress. Magee, who is president of The Middleburg Institute’s board, gave a passionate push for passing the child tax credit bill. “It moves the needle for the individual, for the family, for the state. Let the rising tide, rise all ships. This is the most important thing that has happened to the state,” he pressed and was met with criticism and rebuttal from the mock Republican committee.
“We, in cash-strapped Louisiana, cannot provide yet another handout for people who do not want to get out and work and parents who don’t want to take care of their children!” declared Danielle Barringer-Payton who played the role of Republican representative, although she is the Opportunity Youth Coalition director for Invest in Louisiana.
“The emotions are real. All the shenanigans we felt were real,” said Susie Labry, an advocate from Tangipahoa parish. “Opponents sat in their position of power. It was extremely realistic!”
“I wanted to cry,” another participant admitted.
Gerber said, “I heard some incredible conversation, some out-of-the-box ideas, some passionate statements made on both sides. I know that many of you said things that you don't believe in your real life. However, you will be better advocates for having thought through those issues. We learned it’s hard… The emotion is an important part of the process.”
The Vote
For the sake of time and simplicity, the simulation did not allow amendments or bill substitutions which would normally occur in the legislative process. However, their discussions went beyond taxes and included eligibility clarity, minimum wage necessary for support, which expanded the conversation, said Voss.
Vanna Cure, served as the mock chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. She called for the final vote to support establishing the state’s child tax credit. Cure is the associate director of advocacy for Prosperity Now, a national nonprofit based in Washington, DC.
Cure tallied the votes, and the bill failed. Right down party lines.
Baton Rouge councilwoman Carolyn Coleman said, “this is an opportunity to really show the epitome of collaborative work and collaborative thinking…The table networking talks allowed us to discuss and unpack the earned income and child tax credit (as well as) the economic and financial security challenges that are facing our low income communities in Louisiana.”
“This is exciting,” said Voss. “I think we will see more of this.”
By Candace J. Semien, Jozef Syndicate reporter