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Contacting State Representative
www.capitol.state.tx.us
Face to face visits are the most effective (but
letters and emails are helpful in letting your representatives know what
you think)
Find common ground where you and your representative agree
(begin any contact by thanking your representative or praising
him/her for some work that he/she has done that you appreciate
Be specific in your request
Keep things Simple ( make your points
understandable)
Don't become combative or threatening ( always be
polite, even if you don't agree)
Use appropriate and sensitive language ( don't use
terms that can be labeled as "conservative" or "liberal."
Don't assume the member knows about the issue
Visit those that disagree with you as well as with those
that do agree
The staff is important ( When you talk to the
staff you are talking to the member. Provide them the same
courtesy and information that you give to the legislator.)
Prepare a "leave behind" packet (develop a one-page
summary of your issue, what the key points are, what your specific
request is of the member, and how you can be contacted)
Thank the member and the staff
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