Communicating with Alabama Elected Officials
CONTACTING LEGISLATORS:
Go to the Alabama Legislature web site at www.legislature.state.al.us and print a current contact list for:
Telephone calls:
While face-to-face contact is truly the most effective, time constraints do not always allow such visits. Telephone communication is the next best choice when contacting your legislator. Remember that your legislator’s time is valuable and he/she is being contacted by many constituents this time of year that all want and expect be heard.
State your name, organization you represent (Alabama PTA) and address the issue. If you leave a message for them when they are in meetings, ask that the message be delivered by a House Page. You may have called while they are meeting on the very issue you are calling about.
Representatives: House members are difficult to reach at their State House offices. You are likely to be transferred to the House receptionists who will take messages. House members typically do not have secretaries.
You can call (334) 242-7600 and leave messages with the House receptionists.
Senators: Unlike representatives, senators have secretaries who answer their State House office phones when they are away. They can take more detailed messages and call you back with a response if needed. Senate secretaries are an important link to your senators.
You can call senators’ offices directly or through the Senate receptionists at (334) 242-7800.
Fax:
Fax messages are quick and inexpensive! They allow the detail of a letter and the immediacy of a phone call.
- Representatives receive fax messages at
(334) 242-4759
- Senators receive fax messages at (334) 242-8819
Make sure each fax message is individually addressed to the legislator. On the cover sheet, mark it urgent and request that it be delivered to the addressee immediately.
Email:
Like fax messages, email is immediate and inexpensive. It also offers the detail of a letter and allows there to be a permanent record of your contact as does fax. All legislators have access to email while at the State House through a central message system.
- To e-mail House members, address messages to the member at
house3@mindpsring.com.
- Senators receive messages at alsenate@mindspring.com.
COMMUNICATION TIPS:
Explain: Tell how the proposed legislation affects your school or school system and why he/she should support, oppose or change the legislation. Refer to bills by number, if possible, but always tell what the bill does. The bill number is important, but without an explanation of what the bill does, the number may be meaningless.
Ask: Don’t just tell legislators you support or oppose a bill, ask them to support or oppose it as well. Also ask legislators to let you know their positions on the bill.
Suggest: Tell legislators what specific action you suggest they take (vote for or against the bill when it comes before them; speak for or against the bill; amend the bill to remove something objectionable or add something favorable, etc.)
Secure: Ask for a commitment for a position or action. Once you have a commitment, watch to see that it is met. Thank legislators for standing by their commitments and politely let them know you are aware when they have not.
Thank: Let your legislators know you appreciate their time and consideration of your views.