Elected Official Lookup

Be Realistic

Elected officials are often unfairly potrayed as uncaring or uninformed about issues impacting businesses. Most elected officials are simply overwhelmed by the vast number of issues ranging from public safety, education, fiscal management, to very niche special interest groups.

One letter, email, phone call or even visit is not going to have a major impact. Be realistic about what your elected official can and can not do for your as a business.

Be Educated

1. Who are your representatives?
     Know who they are at the city, county, state and federal levels.
     Know for both where you live, and where your business is located.

2. What can they help you with?
     What services and policies do they have control over?
     One famous story dealt with someone calling their Senator to complain about
     a neighbor's dog barking at night. That is a local issue, not state or federal problem.

3. What committees do they sit on?
     Government works by committee. What committee do your representatives
     sit on? They can help on other topics, but have the most impact where they
     have a committee vote.

4. What are their pet projects and interests?
     It is a two way street. If you want them to care about you, take a minute online
     to figure out what they are passionate about accomplishing. Even if you disagree,
     you can demonstrate you took the time to learn about them before calling.

5. Be Concise
    Before calling or writing, spend some time revising your points and questions.
    Office staff might deal with hundreds and even thousands of emails, calls, faxes,
    and meetings a day - not counting all the work being done to prepare for
    upcoming votes, public events, and committee meetings.

     Clearly State:
                            Your problem or concern
                            Your solution or request for assistance
                            Why this should be important to the official

     Back it up: Use factual figures as much as possible to make your case. Keep in
     mind, those save the official's staff time to research the issue and give them
     something to work with if gaining support of other officials is needed.