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KASA often
asks its members to speak and/or send letters and e-mails to individual
legislators to express a position on an issue or bill. In doing so,
it is important that theses communications be cordial, brief, and
to the point. Remember that legislators receive hundreds of messages
in any given week, and they deal with a broad range of issues. While
legislators do want to hear from their constituents, it is important
that messages are constructed so that they make a positive impression
in a succinct way.
Legislators differ in which forms of communication they appreciate
the most; however, most respond well to a positive and on-point
contact that expresses a clear point of view. Whether you choose
the traditional written letter, e-mail, phone message, or personal
conversation, the same rules should apply. Below are some tips
for these types of contacts:
- Address the legislator in the proper way. If writing the governor,
senator or representative use The Honorable before his/her name
in the letter’s inside address, then use Dear Governor, Senator
or Representative with the person’s last name in the salutation.
- The first paragraph should give background on your identity,
position, and reason for interest in the issue and/or bill. Avoid
any inflammatory
language or “finger pointing, etc.” You may want to
express any positive thoughts you have for the work the legislators
has done on the issue.
- The second paragraph should express how you and your family/colleagues
will be affected by the issue and/or bill. Most legislators seem
be more favorably affected by the individual and personalized communication
as opposed to the high-volume, “form-letter” type of
mass mailing.
- Finally, your concluding paragraph should simply
thank the legislator for considering your position on the issue,
leave them with an
invitation to respond to you if desired, and ask for any follow-up
they may have regarding the issue and/or bill.
While these tips are most appropriate for written communications, the same rules apply to personal contact. Have your “talking points” ready, make them clearly, then show appreciation for the legislator’s time. Remember that contact phone numbers and addresses for your legislators may be found here on our website or by visiting the Legislative Research Commission’s home page at http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/ and clicking on the “Who’s My Legislator?” tab.
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