Navigating Political Waters: AI as a Legislative Aide's Ally
On January 10, 2024, the Virginia General Assembly will reconvene.
For nearly seven years, I had the distinct honor of serving as Chief of Staff to Delegate Michael Webert (big shout out to Mike!).
My time in the legislature wasn't just a job; it was a life-defining role filled with unforgettable encounters and learning experiences. It's where I met my wife, forged lifelong friendships, and seized the unique opportunity to serve the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Legislative Session: A Whirlwind of Activity
The legislative session is a fast-paced environment that requires attention to detail, long days and nights, lots of writing, answering constituent questions, emails from stakeholders and lobbyists, creating talking points for committees, and the list goes on.
As a legislative aide, your primary role during this session is immense, even though you're supported by an administrative assistant (shout out to the GOAT AA, Sherry!) and possibly a session aide.
The bulk of the responsibility rests on your shoulders, given your intimate understanding of your member's preferences and objectives.
Suffice it to say that a lot is going on, and you have a mountain of work to accomplish in a short amount of time.
The Role of AI in Legislative Work
This brings us to the crux of this blog: How can AI, specifically tools like ChatGPT, Google Bard, and other programs, revolutionize the role of a legislative aide?
Below, I'll share some AI prompts I wish I had during my time in the assembly. These could significantly streamline the legislative process, making your work more efficient and impactful.
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Simple Talking Points for Legislation
As legislative aides, we're often asked, "What does that bill do?" Directing people to the bill summary isn't always helpful; it can be confusing and leave them feeling lost. AI can be a valuable tool here. For example, use this prompt to simplify and explain a bill:
Prompt: Please provide a simplified summary of [copy and paste legislation]. Focus on its key objectives, main provisions, and potential impact on everyday life. Avoid legal jargon and explain the content in a way that would be clear and accessible to someone without a background in law or government.
Draft Email Correspondence
When a hot-button issue like HB 123 emerges, your inbox will likely overflow with emails about it. AI can assist in crafting your responses. Here’s a prompt to help manage these emails:
Prompt: Draft a response to a constituent's query regarding [Specific Issue or Bill], ensuring it reflects Delegate [Name]'s stance and provides clear, informative content.
Summarize Crazy Long Emails
We all have encountered lengthy, detailed emails that are challenging to get through. Instead of ignoring them, use AI to summarize these emails in bullet points, saving you a significant amount of time.
Prompt: Summarize this detailed email into key bullet points.
School Letters
School letters, such as those congratulating honor roll students, are another task where AI can provide assistance. Here’s a prompt for creating these letters:
Prompt: Compose a congratulatory letter for (middle/high) school students in (County/City Name) who have made the honor roll, authored by Delegate John Smith. The letter should be concise, limited to four paragraphs, and include an inspirational quote about the importance of quality education.
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Speech Writing Assistance
Speech writing is another area where AI can be helpful, especially when you prefer not to bother the caucus for help:
Prompt: Create an outline for a speech on [Topic], focusing on key points such as [List Key Points], and aligning with Delegate [Name]'s policy positions.
Bill Analysis
I want to say this at the outset: you can’t eliminate your role in reviewing the legislation. The purpose of providing you with these prompts is so that you can be more effective at your job. You need to ensure that the draft legislation you or your boss requested includes all the specific requests you made.
Bill analysis is a critical part of a legislative aide's role, and AI can serve as an additional set of eyes. Here are some prompts I would use:
Bill Presentation Talking Points
Your boss needs to get his bill through the subcommittee, full committee, and through the house floor. For the bill presentation, you must prepare talking points that may evolve as the bill progresses. AI can help formulate these points:
Prompt: Craft a series of talking points for HB 123, a bill aimed at ending taxpayer-funded public financing for professional sports stadiums. The talking points should comprehensively outline the negative consequences of public funding in this context. Additionally, include effective rebuttals to popular arguments that support such funding, ensuring the points are both informative and persuasive.
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Press Release Drafting:
Drafting press releases can often be a monotonous task. To streamline this process, here’s a prompt:
Prompt: Draft a press release on Delegate [Name]'s recent legislative initiative [Initiative Details], highlighting its benefits and relevance to the (constituents/counties/cities/towns.)
Legislative Update Emails
Every week, your boss might require you to write a legislative update email. The good news is that AI can help streamline this process!
Prompt: Could you create a template for a weekly legislative update email intended for the constituents of [Specify Legislative District]? The format should include sections for key legislative activities, updates on bills or policies relevant to the district, upcoming events or town halls, and a personal message from the legislator. Ensure the template is user-friendly, engaging, and easily customizable for weekly updates.
Balancing AI with Human Insight
Remember, while AI tools like ChatGPT can be game-changers in managing these tasks, it's crucial to address their limitations. AI can't replace the nuanced understanding and critical thinking provided by a seasoned legislative aide.
Only you know the nuances of the district. You know the people, the personalities, the political landmines, what points resonate, and what points to avoid.
It's vital to approach AI as a supplement, not a substitute, for your expertise. Also, ethical considerations, such as ensuring accuracy and avoiding over-reliance on AI for sensitive or complex tasks, must also be at the forefront of our use of this technology.
Conclusion
I hope you found this helpful, and I would love to hear about how you use AI in this legislative session. Shoot me an email and let me know what worked and or what you would like to see more about this topic.
As we embrace the future of legislative work, blending traditional methods with technological advancements, we open doors to unprecedented efficiency and effectiveness.
If you have additional questions or would like a comprehensive guide to prompts that I suggest using during the legislative session, please feel free to contact me via email at [email protected].
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