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GOVERNMENT GUIDE |
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Government Information Guide
INTRODUCTION
There is a continued need for the business community to share its thinking and
views with those chosen to represent us in government at all levels - federal,
state and local.
Concurrently, our representatives wish to hear from us. Committee work and long
sessions often isolate them from their constituents. This can lead to the
formation of their opinions from the media and lobbyists and not enough from
us. Letters and phone calls expressing our opinions, needs and concerns are
valuable in their deliberation of the issues that confront them.
The purpose of this guide is to provide information and guidance to assist you
in communicating with your public officials. It contains suggestions in the
preparation of your correspondence, and the names and the addresses of your
government officials in the event you wish to communicate with them on
important issues to your business.
We hope you will find this guide to be a useful tool.
A LETTER WRITER'S GUIDE
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Do:
Write on your personal or
business letterhead, if possible, and sign your name over your typed signature
at the end of your message.
Be sure your exact return address is on the letter, not just the envelope.
Limit your letter to one subject.
Identify your subject issue clearly, by issue name, bill number or other
adequate information.
State your reason for writing clearly - your own personal experience is your
best supporting evidence.
Explain how the issue would affect you.
Be reasonable in your request for action.
Ask your legislator, council member or board member to state his position on
the issue in his reply - as constituent, you're entitled to know.
Thank your legislator when you are pleased with his/her vote on an issue.
Everybody appreciates a complimentary letter - and will remember it!
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Don't:
Use stereotype phrases and sentences that give the appearance of being "form
letters." This reduces the impact and the personal touch.
Ask for the impossible.
Threaten your legislator; it will do more harm than good.
Forget about the timing aspect of your letter. Try to send your views while an
issue is still relevant and allows your legislator to take action on it.
Pretend to wield vast political influence. Unsupported claims of political
influence only cast doubt upon the views you express.
Try to instruct your members on every issue that comes up. Each member has to
consider all of his or her constituents and all of their points of view.
Stray from your own delegation. Your district's State and Federal
Representatives and your State Senators cast your vote in Congress and the
State Legislative and they want to know your views.
Become a constant "pen-pal." Quality, rather than quantity, is what counts.
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SALUTATIONS,
ADDESSES, AND CLOSINGS:
Federal Level
President:
Dear Mr. President
Vice President:
Dear Mr. Vice President
Representatives:
Dear Representative (Last Name)
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State Level
Governor:
Dear Governor (Last Name)
Lieutenant Governor:
Dear Lt. Governor (Last Name)
Senator:
Dear Senator (Last Name)
House Members:
Dear Representative (Last Name)
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County Level
President of the County Board of Commissioners:
Dear President (Last Name)
County Commissioners:
Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. (Last Name)
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Township Level
Supervisors:
Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. (Last Name)
Trustees:
Dear Trustee (Last Name)
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City Level
Mayor:
Dear Mayor (Last Name)
Council Members:
Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. (Last Name) or
Dear Councilman/Councilperson (Last Name)
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Addresses
In addressing a letter, the rule of thumb is to always use "The Honorable (Full
Name)" for all elected officials regardless of the level of government.
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Closings
Sincerely Yours, Very Truly Yours, or Respectfully Yours
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