Last May, the governor proposed tighter Medi-Cal eligibility re-quirements that would have saved the state $250 million-and left a million more Californians uninsured, estimates Jim Keddy, executive director of PICO (Pacific Institute for Community Organizing) California.

PICO, a network of faith-based community organizations in 17 California communities, made a powerful, strategic response. Their messages: "We don't want to see the budget balanced on the backs of low-income families, and we support tax increases," says Keddy. In the end, PICO succeeded in blocking the cuts, but not in increasing revenue.

PICO's strategy included media as well as local and statewide activities, but most important was "sheer numbers," says Keddy. PICO brought "4,000 people [to] Sacramento, saying we oppose these cuts and we're willing to participate in a restored vehicle license fee," says Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access, which also opposed the cuts. In the face of such overwhelming opposition, says Keddy, legislators "just couldn't go there."

Mobilizing people power

To bring thousands of people to the Capitol in May, "We talked to our neighbors. We got up in front of church on Sunday. We provided buses," says Anne-Marie Flores, a state steering committee officer and leader of Sacra-mento Area Congegrations Together (SACT), a PICO group. PICO groups also organized local actions, such as SACT's press conference at an area clinic.

Member buy-in

Before PICO engages in statewide actions, "We talk to our neighbors to find out what their concerns are. We work on issues at our local organizing council," says Flores. The state steering committee "works [an issue] through our own membership," says Keddy, so when the organization took a stand, "we knew people would be in support."

"The full commitment of [PICO's] membership, not just professionals...has a powerful resonance," says Wright. "Most of the people policymakers hear from are talking heads," Flores adds. By bringing people affected by the policies to the table, PICO "puts a human face to it."

Presenting solutions

"We needed to put forward a solution and not just say 'No more cuts,'" Wright adds. When PICO called for a restored vehicle license fee, "it helped turn the conversation to the need for a balance between cuts and revenues."

Targeting key legislators

Statewide base: "We have people active in over half of the state's legislative districts," says Keddy. "It's one thing to contact a legislator. It's a whole different dynamic when someone who lives in that district gives him or her a call."

Strategic relationships: It's important to know "which legislator can really make a difference," Keddy adds. "When it comes to putting a budget together, there's only 10 or so really key legislators." Local PICO groups work with legislators in key districts. For example, because PICO's San Diego organization "engaged [former Chula Vista Senator] Steve Peace pretty effectively over the years," they were able to meet with him in his new job as the governor's director of finance. Likewise, Michael Dimmit, staffer for Assembly Budget Committee chair Jenny Oropeza (D, Long Beach), says Long Beach PICO members "are the only group here with any regularity who came and talked to me about what went on in the districts. I find them to be active and effective, so when they want to meet with me, I make time to talk to them."

PICO: 916-447-7959; www.piconetwork.org