Project Areas

• Home
• Mission
• CAC
• Partners
• Links
• Calendar
• Products
• News
• Staff
• Contact

Public Policy

Finding Your Florida Legislator

SENATORS: http://www.flsenate.gov Mouseover to the left and highlight “Senators.” Click on “Find Your Legislator.” Enter your 9-digit zip code.

REPRESENTATIVES: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov Mouseover to the left and click on “My Representative.” Enter your 9-digit zip code.

An Important Tip to Remember: Legislative aides have great influence and are often very knowledgeable about many issues. Aides will get your message to the legislator. When a legislator does not have time to become an expert on every issue, aides are relied on to do research and suggest positions on certain subjects.

Sharing Your Message

Telephone Calls

• Call your legislator to express your ideas on an issue and/or specific bill.
• Plan your message before you make the call!
• Identify yourself by name, and organization or affiliation with the issue.
• Be concise and clear.
• State your position and how you would like the legislator to vote or act on the issue.
• Send a thank you note to follow-up your call.

Sample Telephone Scripts:
"Hi, this is Nancy Jones calling from Pasco County. Is Senator Donaldson available?" (Chances are the legislator will not be available and you will talk with the person who answered the phone or another aide. You could also ask for the aide who works with health and education issues. Remember, whomever you talk to is valuable!!)

"I was calling Senator Donaldson to share my hopes for the future funding of the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of South Florida. My 7-year-old son, Joe, has autism. CARD has helped my family when he needed to be toilet trained, and again when we had problems with him learning how to communicate. Are you aware of the CARD center at USF?"

Writing a Letter

• Legislators receive an abundance of mail each day.
• Handwritten letters that are legible get more attention than any other mail a legislator receives.
• Email Messages are only effective if you clearly state the specific action you are requesting in the email subject line. (i.e. “Support Increased Funding for Centers for Autism.”)
• Make your letters clear and to the point!
• State why you are writing and what action you are requesting.
• Keep your letter to one page.
• Ask your friends and relatives to write a letter too!
• Send THANK YOU letters when you receive a response to your letter!

Sample Letter (25K Word Doc)