[chickenfried]

I live in California. I'm wondering. if I'm writing to the state assembly about an assembly bill? Should I write just my assemblyman or all the assembly members. Also, regarding an assembly bill should I also write my state senator to le them know my opinion on an assembly bill? Thanks for the info.

[Monkeyleg]

Write to your own representative, not others. The staffers will just take your letters to your representative's office and say, "here, these belong to you guys."

Also, write your state senator, even if the senate version of the bill hasn't been introduced yet. Sometimes things move very quickly.

[ahadams]

Monkey leg's right - your own legislator will have impact, while writing to others will not. Depending on the issue, legislators have a rule of thumb here in Missouri that one letter or email is equivalent to five to 10 actual voters in the election. I would bet that your being in CA means your legislators take such things even more seriously.

Also, if you have not written to your legislator before, I'd suggest sending hard copy at least once or twice. After that whoever the legislative assistant is who handles correspondence will recognize your name, and emailing will be no problem, but if you want to be taken seriously, send snail mail at least the first, and maybe the second time.

[Art Eatman]

In general: One page, one subject. (Nothing wrong with two separate letters on different subjects, in one envelope.) Polite.

Edit. Re-write. Then sleep on it. :)

If you know the name of a committee or sub-committee chairman who's involved with the subject--a person other than your own representative or senator, a copy to him would be apropos.

Art