Legislator Etiquette 101

or

Unraveling the mysteries of the Kansas legislature

Agenda

• Composition of House and Senate

• Legislative timelines• Important dates

Legislature 101

• Written correspondence

• Electronic communication

• Telephone • Face-to-face

Contacting your legislator

• Learn your legislator• Hear from Hill veteran

Learn from lawmaker

Legislature 101

33

92

House

DemocratsRepublicans

9

31

Senate

DemocratsRepublicans

Legislature 101

Democrats Republicans

92 Representatives

31 Senators

Governor

33 Representatives

9 Senators

Kansas: The Red State

Timeline

Jan. 10 Session Begins

Apr. 2 – First Adjournment

Return to Districts

Apr. 27 – Wrap Up Session

Adjournment Sin Die

Important Dates for 2011

January 10• Opening Day of the General Session

January 25• Classified Senate Day on the Hill

February 8• SGA Day on the Hill

February 15• Southeast Kansas Day on the Hill

February 26 – March 1• Not in session

March 1• Pittsburg Day on the Hill

March 24 - 27• Not in session

April 2• Last Day of General Session• First Adjournment

April 3 - 27• Not in session

April 27• First day of wrap up/veto session

Contacting Your Legislator

PersonalGreater impressionRoom for detailAllows signature

Not electronicEasy to get off topic

Written Correspondence

Contacting Your LegislatorWritten Correspondence

Be specific

State your

position

Ask for a

response

Follow up

Contacting Your LegislatorWritten Correspondence

• The Honorable (Full Name)• State House, (Room Number)• Kansas Senate• Topeka, KS 66612

State Senat

e

• The Honorable (Full Name)• State House (Room Number)• Kansas House of Representatives• Topeka, KS 66612

State House

Legislature in session: January 10 – May 10

Contacting Your Legislator

FastPortableConvenientCan be sent from anywhere

Delete buttonLacks personal touchNot preferred by some

E-mail

Use written correspondence guidelines

Contacting Your Legislator

FastPortableConvenientKeeps personal touch

Legislator rarely answersEasy to get off topicMessage mis-direction

Telephone

State switchboard 785.296.0111

Contacting Your LegislatorTelephone

Identify yourself

Explain why you

are calling

Request a written respons

e

Say “thank you”

Contacting Your Legislator

EffectivePersonalGreat impressionDemonstrates support

Easy to get off topicDifficult to scheduleTime is limited

Face-to-face

Schedule an appointment by calling the legislator’s office

Contacting Your LegislatorFace-to-face

Scheduleappointmen

t

Be polite. Be

prepared. Be brief

Say “thank you”

Send follow-up note

Contacting Your LegislatorHere come the Gorillas!

Be in

form

edRead GLN Newsletters

Know

you

r leg

islat

ors Know who

they areKnow where they areKnow how to contact them

Take

acti

onSupport PSU through your contactsPay attention to email alertsContact legislators