I have never written to a state representative before and now I have a reason to. I’d like to actually write to multiple representatives as this is a state wide problem and I’m wondering if I should write to multiple representatives or just mine.
Here’s the background. I document many of the family and small cemeteries in the state of Maryland. Currently there is a bill at the state level to make sure that developers and others do not just take the old tombstones and bulldoze over the rest. This is far more common in African American cemeteries such as Laboring Sons, where a playground was put on the land. But a lot of cemeteries are just destroyed.
I would like to write to my own representative, as he is on the committee, but I’d also like to write to the bill’s sponsor and a few others so that I can provide photos and other documentation to what’s been happening. Do people write more then one rep, especially if they are not in their district? Will my letters get looked at if I’m not in their district, or will they be tossed out?
Should I handwrite my letters with my poor handwriting or type them out? When looking this up all the suggestions were to do a handwritten letter.
If you have info that can help the sponsor pass the bill, they may well be interested in that info. Can’t hurt to offer it (and e-mail is probably better than anything else since it’s quicker and more efficient). If the sponsor seems competent and actually motivated on this bill, I’d let them decide whether it makes sense for you to share that info with any other representatives – they should know who might be willing to listen.
By the way, if you think there’s an organization – historical society or something – that might be lobbying for this bill, offer your info to them, too.
Also, write your own rep, making it clear you’re in their district, urging them to support the bill (do a little more explaining of the problem here, but not too much). My guess is, as long as it’s on paper, it doesn’t matter much whether it’s handwritten, manually typed, or computer-printed (as long as it’s not clearly a form letter). The point is the effort of physically putting paper in an envelope is more effort than sending an e-mail, and so it demonstrates to the rep’s staff that you care more.
We are, though I’m kind of on my own doing the research. There are organizations out there that care, but I’ve been doing a lot of the leg work in my part of the state.
Good, I don’t want to handwrite something since mine is not so good. I don’t have a problem writing 3-4 different letters. My plan was my own rep, though I don’t have any from my district as it’s mostly city, the sponsor to let them know what I’ve seen, and one from the county I’m doing the work in to let them know what’s happening in their back yard.
I’m going to disagree strongly with the advice to send a physical letter. Send an email and keep it short.
Just as we can quote on the SDMB, an email would allow the legislative aid to snip a portion of your email if they need additional clarification when they respond. Also, they can forward it on as an example of the issue to other aides who support the committee’s work. This obviously isn’t a hot button issue where the members of the state assembly are getting bombarded on the topic.
Sending a physical letter is likely to only get you a form letter response. Most state assembly members don’t exactly have spacious offices with room for large file cabinets to store physical letters.
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Ever since the anthrax letters a few years back, actual paper mail to reps is routinely delayed while security folks check for hazards. Email goes straight through, with no policing. If a delay might mean you’ll miss action on the bill, go for the email.