Mississippi Alliance of State Employees

Making your Legislators work for YOU! 

It is SO important to contact your legislator(s) concerning issues that affect you and your co-workers!!

When House and Senate bills are being discussed and voted upon by your Legislators you MUST let them know how these measures affect you, your family and co-workers.

In addition, the organizers of your union will occasionally ask you to contact your legislator about a bill or issue that affects state or city employees and it's very important that you consider contacting legislators when asked by your union organizers.

If your house is on fire, you call the fire department. If your child or family member is ill, you go to your doctor. You do these things to help yourself and your loved ones. Being a part of MASE/CWA is not very different. If your pay is too low, you call your legislator. If your pay is too low and your insurance is too high, call your legislator.  You MUST be willing to go to the Capitol in huge numbers, because therein lies our strength.

To make a difference, workers MUST speak out together. To make a difference, you must encourage your co-workers to become members of MASE/CWA and speak out too. HELP YOURSELF! GET ACTIVE!  Fight for what is right! 

Below are some tips to follow when contacting your legislators. Your legislator will not know how YOU feel about an issue unless YOU tell them!

HOW TO CONTACT ELECTED OFFICIALS

"If the average representative receives as many as a dozen letters, it might be enough to change his/her vote on many issues."              

 -Author Unknown

Remember, most elected officials give consideration primarily to two factors that determine their decisions on legislation and policy: They act on behalf of what they think is right and they are very sensitive to public opinion within their own constituencies.  Please follow the suggestions below to help you have  successful communications with your Legislators:

#1 The best communicating is done face-to-face. Meeting with your legislators would be productive for them as well as you. You may meet them either at the state capitol in Jackson, or in their home district.

1. DO make an appointment by letter or telephone.

    

2. DO outline the issues you wish to discuss.

    

3. DO restrict your visit to one or two agenda items.

    

4. DO recommend specific solutions.

    

5. DO ask for his/her position on the issue(s).

    

6. DO be brief

    

7. DO prepare a written summary of your important concerns.

    

8. DO offer to prepare additional information.

    

9. DON'T be late for your appointment

    

10. DON'T overstay your welcome.

     

11. DON'T try to solve all your problems in one visit.

     

12. DON'T try to argue if the legislators disagrees. Discuss differences in a pleasant manner.

#2 If you can't visit your legislator, WRITE. Writing has advantages in that is saves the legislator's time and gives him or her a record of your position.

1. DO remember that timing is important. Several letters in one week are better than many spread out over several weeks.

    

2. DO write when a bill is introduced or still pending in committee if possible.

    

3. DO confine your comments to one subject for each letter.

    

4. DO include a bill number, if you have it, if you are discussing a specific piece of legislation.

    

5. DO include your full name, address and phone number.

    

6. DO follow up a legislator's response to you. Either thank him for support or express disappointment for lack of it.

    

7. DON'T promise and don't threaten. Diplomacy is better than force.

    

8. DON'T give up on your legislators. They may support you next time.

Contacting Legislators continued...

#3 Telephone calls do not substitute for personal visits or letters. However, they are useful as a follow-up and a lot of them are especially effective prior to a floor vote.

• If you reach your legislator, be prepared and be brief. State your name, the fact that you are a state employee and a member of MASE/CWA and where you live or work. State the bill you are in favor of or opposed to, and urge the legislator to vote for it or against it, then explain your reasons.     

• The important thing is to let them know how you would like to see them vote. Express your thanks.

#4 Telegrams and mailgrams are good methods of communicating with legislators, if they are not overused. The message should be brief, but clear, and arrive the day that legislative action is expected.

#5 Legislative committee hearings provide an excellent opportunity to present the case for special programs.

• Request and invitation from the committee to testify on behalf of bills where testimony is necessary. Contact the committee chairman's staff to certain of your slot on the agenda.

   

• Remember that committee hearings can be the most crucial point in the legislative process. If the committee approves a bill, it has a much better chance to be approved by the House and Senate.

Legislative links:

Below are helpful links to further help you communicate with your Legislators:

Representatives Contact Information 

PDF listing of all Representatives' contact information.

Senators Contact Information

PDF listing of all Senators' contact information.

Don't have Adobe? Click here!

Mississippi State Legislature Home

Here at the State Legislature Home page you will find the Bill Status System where you can look up House and Senate bills, read them and keep updated on their status.  You can also find the daily Legislative schedule.