SENATOR DON HUMASON
As a new State Senator, I was honored to be appointed to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The Ways and Means Committees in the House and Senate are the primary committees that deal with any legislation that has a financial impact on the Commonwealth. They are also the chief budget-writing committees. My predecessor served on that committee as well and I am pleased to be in the same position to speak directly for the communities I represent in western Massachusetts.
This week, the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees, meeting jointly, are finishing up a series of public hearings around the state (there was one just last week at UMass Amherst) that give people a chance to comment on the Governor’s budget proposal (called House 2) and let legislators know what their priorities should be when drafting the next version of the state budget.
Unfortunately, when people try to communicate with me through letter or email or even phone voice mail message, they sometimes fail to leave important pieces of information that are necessary for me to either help them or get back to them.
There are so many simple ways to make sure that when you contact your legislator you can maximize your message and guarantee that it is read, heeded, and responded to. Most of the things are easy and common sense.
So, as we head into the busiest season on Beacon Hill, with formal sessions, public committee hearings, budget debate, and more, I decided to re-run a helpful and informative column I wrote many years ago called “How to Lobby Like a Professional.” I’ve updated it a bit now that I serve in the Senate. Follow the advice contained below and it will likely pay off in a big way.
The Senate is slated to debate our version of the state budget in May. Between now and then, my colleagues and I will be barraged by lobbyists of all sorts.
You don’t need to pay expensive lobbyists to deliver your message to Senators and Representatives. Legislators are people just like you and want to be in contact with their constituents. Never be afraid to communicate with them yourselves. Be polite and informative. Building that relationship now may pay dividends in the future.
1) Call your legislator or make an appointment to see him at his office or during office hours. Face to face contact is the best way to lobby. Have information available, in writing, to give him about the legislation or issue concerning you.
2) Write your legislator. Next to speaking to him in person, personal letters are the most effective way of communicating. Avoid form letters and pre-printed postcards whenever possible. A hand written or typed letter in your own words shows that you cared about the topic enough to take your valuable time to put it on paper and send it.
* VERY IMPORTANT! Always include your full name, address, and telephone number. Print your full name even if your signature is on the letter. Often, poor handwriting makes it impossible to read whom the letter is from and respond.
3) With email, it is also important you include your name, address, and phone number. I receive hundreds of emails a week and there is no way of knowing if they come from constituents in my district. If senders don’t identify themselves or don’t give their address, I prioritize and answer those who have made it easy to respond by including all of their identifying information. A legislator may not always respond via email. He may want to write or call. There have been many times I’ve wanted to respond personally to an email by calling the sender but they failed to include a phone number.
* Like you, legislators are very busy. Make it as easy to reply to you as possible. Providing all your contact information makes it more likely you will receive a timely response.
There are times when you may not receive that response. During hectic times, like budget or override season, legislators are in the Senate Chamber and are unable to return calls or reply to correspondence. Be assured that we do get your messages and often take the emails, letters, or call slips with us to the floor.
4) Feel free to speak with a legislator’s Legislative Aide. These staff people are skilled, knowledgeable professionals who will treat your call respectfully and confidentially. Many people delay their own satisfaction by waiting to speak directly with the legislator when the aide would have done just fine. Aides report everything to their bosses. It’s their job.
5) Invite your legislator to meet with you or your group. Invite him to tour your business or school or get to know your organization so that he has some knowledge and familiarity with you and your cause.
6) If you’re coming to the State House to lobby your legislator, call him first to see if he’ll be there. He may have events in his district that day; you will pass each other on the Mass Pike going in opposite directions. Save yourself the cost of the trip to Boston and meet him back at home.
7) Don’t forget to thank your legislator! Send a thank you note. Remember him at election time with your vote. Send a small donation. Put up a lawn sign. Campaigning and politics is part of his job. If your legislator was helpful and responsive, be sure to show your appreciation. Support those who support you or your issue.
People are often moved to contact their state legislator. That is a good thing and vitally important because, speaking as a State Senator, it is impossible for us to represent our constituents if we don’t know how they think or feel about issues. We need to hear from you to do our job.
Thank you.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of this publication.
Senator Don Humason, his Chief of Staff Maura McCarthy, and his Legislative Aide Andrew Renfro may be reached at their Westfield District Office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, (413) 568-1366.
Senator Don Humason, his Legislative Director Don Siriani, and his Legislative Aide Patrick Healy may be reached at their Boston office, State House Room 213A, Boston, MA 02133,
(617) 722-1415.
Email address: [email protected]
