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How to Effectively Meet with Your Legislators Advice from Pennsylvania legislators on how to set up prepare for and make the most of your time with them Know Who You Need to Talk to and Do it Know who your state and federal legislators are You need to make sure you contact the right person who can help you with your issue Click here to plug in your address and find out who represents you and your family Pick up the phone and make the call to schedule an appointment Do not be discouraged if you meet with their staff Staff members are often less intimidating and have the ear of the legislator If you impress or move them with your issue they will bring it to the attention of their boss Do Your Homework Research your legislator s history on your issue Access their voting record here What committees are they on what issues are important to them what is their background both personal and professional Pay special attention if they crossed party lines to vote on your issue or something similar Get to know them as a person and bring up relevant information during your meeting For example if they have a child or family member with a similar challenge mention it politely It may create a connection and show you did your homework Focus on How it Impacts Their Constituents At the end of the day they are a legislator because people voted for them Let them know that your issue is important to those very people For example if you want to advocate for the funding of a new treatment center make sure to ask the legislator who would have jurisdiction over it If it is an issue about education for example bring up specific school districts that they will know of and how those students need them to make your issue a priority Have a Clear Ask Asking for something specific is the most effective way to get an elected official s attention Make the right ask of the right person Take a look at the person you are meeting with and their history with the topic and set a realistic ask Things to Ask For Introduce vote for or vote against legislation Cosponsor legislation introduced by someone else in the same chamber of the legislation Send a letter to an agency about a specific concern or sign onto a letter drafted by another legislator Help you find and gather information from agencies and research services Submit a statement to the federal Congressional Record or official state record of legislative action if applicable Become active on a certain caucus that is working on your issue Things to NOT Ask For Take action for the specific purpose of benefitting you and or your business Sponsor legislation that is not within their jurisdiction House members cannot cosponsor or vote for Senate legislation and vice versa although they have the option of introducing companion legislation in the chamber in which they serve State legislators cannot cosponsor or vote for federal level legislation and vice versa To find your legislators visit usa gov elected officals To access voting records visit billtrack50 com

How to Effectively Meet with Your Legislators Advice from Pennsylvania legislators on how to set up prepare for and make the most of your time with them Know Who You Need to Talk to and Do it Know who your state and federal legislators are You need to make sure you contact the right person who can help you with your issue Click here to plug in your address and find out who represents you and your family Pick up the phone and make the call to schedule an appointment Do not be discouraged if you meet with their staff Staff members are often less intimidating and have the ear of the legislator If you impress or move them with your issue they will bring it to the attention of their boss Do Your Homework Research your legislator s history on your issue Access their voting record here What committees are they on what issues are important to them what is their background both personal and professional Pay special attention if they crossed party lines to vote on your issue or something similar Get to know them as a person and bring up relevant information during your meeting For example if they have a child or family member with a similar challenge mention it politely It may create a connection and show you did your homework Focus on How it Impacts Their Constituents At the end of the day they are a legislator because people voted for them Let them know that your issue is important to those very people For example if you want to advocate for the funding of a new treatment center make sure to ask the legislator who would have jurisdiction over it If it is an issue about education for example bring up specific school districts that they will know of and how those students need them to make your issue a priority Have a Clear Ask Asking for something specific is the most effective way to get an elected official s attention Make the right ask of the right person Take a look at the person you are meeting with and their history with the topic and set a realistic ask Things to Ask For Introduce vote for or vote against legislation Cosponsor legislation introduced by someone else in the same chamber of the legislation Send a letter to an agency about a specific concern or sign onto a letter drafted by another legislator Help you find and gather information from agencies and research services Submit a statement to the federal Congressional Record or official state record of legislative action if applicable Become active on a certain caucus that is working on your issue Things to NOT Ask For Take action for the specific purpose of benefitting you and or your business Sponsor legislation that is not within their jurisdiction House members cannot cosponsor or vote for Senate legislation and vice versa although they have the option of introducing companion legislation in the chamber in which they serve State legislators cannot cosponsor or vote for federal level legislation and vice versa To find your legislators visit usa gov elected officals To access voting records visit billtrack50 com