Contacts
in Texas Government
Tips for
Interacting with Elected Officials
Governor Rick Perry
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
Phone: (512) 463-2000
Fax: (512) 463-1849
Contact the Governor
Respresentative Rob Eissler
Room EXT E1.414
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Phone: 512) 463-0797
Fax: (512) 463-0898
Contact the Education Commission
Senator Florence Shapiro
5000 Legacy Dr.
Plano, Texas 75024
Phone: (972) 403-3404
Fax: (972) 403-3400
E-mail: florence.shapiro@senate.state.tx.us
Assistant: Amanda Ramirez
E-mail: amanda.ramirez@senate.state.tx.us
Representative Brian McCall
2301 W. Plano Pkwy, Suite 108
Plano, Texas 75075
Phone: (972) 881-0890
Fax: (972) 578-9268
E-mail: brian.mccall@house.state.tx.us
Assistant: Elizabeth (Beth) Goss
E-mail: elizabeth.goss@house.state.tx.us
Representative Jerry Madden
520 E. Central Parkway, Suite 236
PO Box 940844
Plano, Texas 75074
Phone: (972) 424-2235
Fax: (972) 424.6730
E-mail: jerry.madden@house.state.tx.us
Assistant: Karin Tucker
E-mail: karin.tucker@house.state.tx.us
Tips for
Interacting with Elected Officials
Do Your Homework - Be Informed
about all pertinent issues you may wish to discuss with your legislator
or other elected officials and about the issues that concern you. Closely
follow the action in the legislature as things change on a daily basis.
Read the newspapers and appropriate Websites.
Set Priorities. Focus
on the BIG thing and don't dilute your message with a long list of requests.
Prepare for your meeting. Develop
a concise document that you can leave with your legislature for future
reference.
Be Reasonable. Do not
overstate your case or you risk losing your credibility. Do not
deliver ultimatums or threats.
Humanize the issue. How
is this affecting your child? How is this affecting you personally?
Meet Your Legislator in his/her
home district, if possible. If you are planning to visit an official,
a. Make an Appointment. Don't drop
in - elected officials are busy people.
b. Always Introduce Yourself. Officials
meet many people. There is a possibility that you may not be remembered
even after multiple visits.
c. Be Brief and Direct. Don't
bring a laundry list of requests. Focus.
Follow up with a "thank you
for your time and support" letter and re-emphasize your request in
writing.
If You Have An Established
Relationship, a telephone call may work, but follow up with a written
description of your request.
Never Substitute a Letter
for Personal Contact. A letter should not be used in lieu of
a personal meeting or a telephone call. A letter should only
be used for thanks and to provide written information.
Listen to What an Official
Tells You - Write it Down. If they make a request, be sure to
provide what they ask for, follow up when they ask, and don't hesitate
to go back to them on the same or other issues.
a. If promise of support is positive,
make sure you thank them.
b. If response is negative, ask
if there is any information they need to make a different decision; if their
action is negative, thank them for their time and for considering your request.
Always, Always Show Respect
For and Empower An Official's Staff. Staff members can be critical
to achieving your goals. They can easily influence their employer's
attitude toward you and your issue. Always thank them in some
special way for their help.
Never Get Angry. Don't
burn bridges. According to Scarlet, "Tomorrow is another day," and
positions can very easily change.
Sign
Up Sheet - Download this Microsoft Word
document, complete and e-mail or fax it to
the school district to
show your
ongoing
support.
Register
to Vote -
A key component
of making our voices heard is to exercise our right
to
vote.
Groups
and
organizations
may pick
up
bulk quantities of voter registration applications at the Collin County Elections
Office at 2010 Redbud Blvd., Suite 102, in McKinney, or you may obtain the
voter registration application on the Collin County website.
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