Letters are an important, even critical, way to influence legislation.  Letters to the writer’s own Senator and Assembly Member are especially important. 

Here are some guidelines:

• TAKE THE TIME TO QUICKLY CRAFT A KEY MESSAGE  -- it doesn’t have to be perfect (perfect is the enemy of good!), or entirely original (expanding on a message from a group’s action alert is fine) whether your own or from an action alert)
• Remember, your key message should answer the following questions: who you are, what your issue is, why you care, why your legislator should care, and what you want them to do about it.
•  Write in your own words and include your own thoughts.:  tell how the legislation will affect you and others like you.
• Show as much knowledge as you can, but don’t worry if you’re not an expert: Your personal experience is the best testimony that you can offer.
• Avoid sending form letters, but if you send one, be sure to personalize it with a hand-written note.
• Don’t threaten, browbeat, or get nasty.
•  Write briefly, on one subject at a time, and refer to bills by name and number.
•   Don’t try to become a pen pal; if you write too often you become a nuisance.
•   If you ask a question and don’t get a reply, follow up with another letter asking politely, but clearly for a response.

• When a legislator votes as you asked, send a thank-you note. 

In short, an effective letter would deliver your key message and include:

·        Who you are (I am a voter in your district, and I belong to the 350-member Association of Pizza-Eating Voters....)

·        Your brief description of the bill (your issue) and what it will do  (We are writing to ask your support of House Bill 1234 when it comes before your Committee. This bill would require all public feeding programs -- e.g., school lunch, senior citizen -- to serve pizza three times a week). 

·        Why you care (My child frequently skips what’s offered for lunch at his school, but he always eats pizza. The more pizza offered, the more I can be confident that he will eat.)

·        Why they should care (Pizza can be an appealing and cost-effective way to meet the nutrition needs of children and seniors in our district.)

·        Who else supports it  (This bill is supported by a broad coalition of pizza makers, tomato growers, sausage producers, and the local Weight Watchers....)

·        What you want done again, in slightly different words  (Please make this possible, by voting for HB 1234 in Committee and again later on the Assembly Floor....)

·        Your name, address, and telephone number  (Please feel free to contact us; we would be happy to answer any questions or be of other assistance to you in this matter). 

Letters  should be sent directly to Sacramento, and may be addressed: