Local citizens wanting to contact their state House of Representative or state Senator may find the process quick and easy with a few tips from our veteran slate of state office holders.
While most have published cell phone numbers, there is often little precious time, until the session's end, each day to return phone calls. If you feel you must call the legislators, it is best to use the House and Senate switchboards and leave a call-back message for the solons to call you back.
The House of Representative switchboard number is 1-501-682-6211. The State Senate switchboard number is 1-50-1682-2902,
Employees answering the switchboard will ask your name, who you are calling and your phone number. These hourly employees do not take long messages about bills or votes or answer questions about legislation.
The phone messages will be sent to the House and Senate chambers and placed on the desks of the elected officials.
Email, most of the four areas elected officials say, is the best means of contact. But even with emails, there are a few hints to help get your message across our local legislators.
First and foremost is identifying yourself in the emails. Also if there is a particular bill you want to make a comment on, or urge a Representative or Senator to vote FOR or AGAINST, please include the bill number in the subject line.
For example, in the subject line of the email, list NO on HB1101. Or FOR HB1101.
Then in the text of the email quickly tell the elected officials why you support or don't support that bill. If you have specific questions ask them in the text of the email.
All of the elected officials ask that you not send long, copied e-mails from others as your reason for emailing. Most elected officials have already seen these long copied email several times already.
If you want an email to be returned to you, please ask for that in your email.
Courtesy and civility always win out of sarcasm and criticism of your elected officials, even if you disagree.
Also be patient, some elected officials are busy with phone calls, emails, visitors to the House or Senate chambers and may be hours before your emails are returned or answered.
State Senators in the Enterprise Leader's circulation area and their contact and committee assignments:
State Sen. Jim Hendren R-Gravette. Senate District 2, His phone number is 479-787-6222. His email address is: [email protected]
State Sen. Uvalde Lindsey, D-Fayetteville. Senate District 4. His phone number is: 479-444-6752 . His email is [email protected]
State Houses of Representatives in Enterprise-Leader circulation area are:
State Rep. David Whitaker, D-Fayetteville, House District 85. His email [email protected]
State Rep. Charlene Fite, R-Van Buren, House District 80. Her phone number is 479-414-1818 and email is [email protected]
For the contact information on any other member of the State Senate or State House go to the web address of: www.arkleg.state.ar.us/.../2015/2015R/Pages/Committees.aspx
General News on 01/28/2015