Finding and Contracting Your Legislators
You can identify your legislators one state Senator and two state Representatives via the Internet by clicking on the following link or going to the following web site, putting in your address (you do not need the extra 4 zip code numbers to make this work), and clicking on Find My District:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx
If you do not have success using this Internet site to find your legislators, you can call 1-800-562-6000 between 8am to 8pm Monday through Friday and from 9AM to 1PM on Saturday while the Legislature is in session and the legislative attendant can help you identify your legislators. Be sure to get their phone numbers as calling their offices directly is one of the best ways to contact your legislators with a written note follow-up.
When you contact your legislators here are some important things to remember:
· Identify yourself as
o A small business owner from their legislative district
o Name of your business or type of business
o Optional how many employees you have
· What issue you are calling about. It is best to stick to one issue per phone call but if you want to talk about more than one issue, make it VERY clear when you switch from one issue to the next. It is best to have bill numbers HB means House Bill and SB means Senate Bill.
· Next, be very clear if you support or oppose the legislation
· Next, provide one or two main reasons for your position.
Written letters should use the same format and should look something like the following:
Format for a letter to your state Senator:
Date
The Honorable ___full name____
Dear Senator ____last name___:
As a small business owner here in __city___ I want to express by support/opposition for HB/SB _bill number_. I support/oppose HB/SB _bill number_ because .
.
Sincerely,
Your first and last name
Mailing address
City, WA Zip Code
Option (your phone number)
Format for a
letter to one of your two state Representative:
Date
The Honorable ___full name____
Dear Representative ____last name___:
As a small business owner here in __city___ I want to express by support/opposition for HB/SB _bill number_. I support/oppose HB/SB _bill number_ because .
.
Sincerely,
Your first and last name
Mailing address
City, WA Zip Code
Option (your phone number)