Tips for Working with Legislators
1. Help your Legislators get elected.
2. Get to know your legislators outside of the formal Capitol setting.
3. Personal contact - personal meetings will not be forgotten.
The best time for personal contact with your local legislator is when he or she is home in the district. Your opportunity for meaningful discussion diminishes during the busy legislative session. Once in St. Paul, they lose control over their schedules. However, if you come to St. Paul to meet with them, make sure you have an appointment. If you do not, nine times out of 10 you will not be able to visit with them.
When meeting with your legislator/s, be sure to address them appropriately and with respect. Resist attempts at humor and don't threaten them! Name the issue. Identify your concerns and suggested action. Know what you want from the legislator and ask them. Remember to be concise, use 10 words or less to introduce your topic.
If you have a fact sheet, it should be one page only. Provide visuals and bullet points.
Always send a thank you note, address their questions and offer future help.
Letters
Letters are best:
Do: Well-written letters are invaluable. Most legislators read mail from their constituents first, so make sure you identify that you are a constituent. To be most effective, letters should be brief and neat - one page only and typed. Keep your letter to one topic and simplify your point. Everything you say should support your point. Outline your concerns and suggested action. Explain to them why they should care and how will it impact their district? Offer to be of further assistance and to provide more information if they need it.
Don't: Don't send postcards or form letters. Don't send petitions.
Remember a few letters on a single subject from constituents to a legislator can make a significant impact. Letters also serve as a very effective grassroots tool if you don't have a personal relationship with a legislator.
Phone Calls
You don't have to be an expert on your issue/s. You just need to show you care. Phone calls are effective during the height of a legislative session especially before an important committee or floor vote. Sometimes when you call, you will simply speak to a legislative assistant who will be tallying the number of calls on an issue. Five calls is an avalanche.
You may or may not get a phone call back, but you should have a few basic facts. The most important thing to articulate is why you want your legislator to vote for or against an issue.
Using e-mail as a primary method of communication with a legislator can be a tricky business. Some legislators personally check and reply to e-mail faithfully. Some have their assistants respond to their e-mail. Some ignore them completely or require that you submit your message through an online form.
The best way to use e-mail is if you have a pre-established personal relationship with the member. Even then, late in the session, it may not be the best method for communication. Legislators sometimes get 600 messages a day and simply quit checking.
