Writing to Legislative Representative
What issues interest you?
- For ideas, browse newspapers or magazines such as:
- CQ Researcher
- CQ Weekly Report
- National Journal
- Press Democrat
- Write down any references to congressional bills you may come across while reading about your topic (ex. HR 3723 or S 463), as well as keywords about your topic.
What legislation is currently proposed about my topic?
- NATIONAL – go to Thomas (at http://thomas.loc.gov )
- Search by keyword or bill number to see legislation on your topic
- Select a bill
- Read the bill's text, history, and status
- Note the authors or sponsors of the bill
- STATE (California) – go to Official California Legislative Information (at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov )
- Go to bill information and search by number or keyword
- Select a bill
- Read the bill's text, history and status
- Note the authors or sponsors of the bill
- LOCAL – go to city or county web sites
- For example, for Cotati, search for “city of Cotati” in Google
- Find link to the city council or the county board
- Agenda items are often found within the council or board links.
- Note the authors or sponsors of the agenda items
Is this a national, state, or local issue?
(This will affect to whom you write)
- NATIONAL – such as homeland security and national debt
- STATE (California) – such as state taxes and state environmental policies
- LOCAL – such as zoning, development, traffic, and parks
- Many issues will overlap areas
How do I find analysis of the legislation I have chosen?
- Use databases to search for news articles on your topic. Search with keywords or bill numbers
How do I find the address of my representatives?
- NATIONAL – U.S. senators and U.S. representatives
- FirstGov at http://www.firstgov.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml
- STATE (California) – state senators and assembly members
- Your Legislature at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html
- LOCAL – city council members or county board members
- Find council or board member names on city or county web sites
