Effectively communicating with your legislator

Legislators play an important role in setting policies that affect our lakes. The legislature represents Wisconsin citizens and has the power to change and write laws, direct where state dollars are spent through the state budget, and approve administrative rules.

Constituents also play an important role in setting positive lake policy. Legislators want to act on issues their constituents feel are important. Letting your representative know that lakes and issues that affect (either positively or negatively) them are important to you keeps them in touch with the opinions of local lake people.

Talking about your lake

Whether you are meeting, calling, writing, or e-mailing your legislator, a personal message about your lake or lake issues will likely make a more lasting impression. Legislators are likely to appreciate and attend to personalized messages.

Make sure to tell your legislator why lakes are important to you (your family, your community), and how their legislative action (a bill, administrative rule, or budget proposal) will affect your lake. Telling your lake stories and experiences is a good way to personalize your points. Photographs or other images that help illustrate your points are also good to include for legislators.

Delivering your message about lakes:
tips on meeting, calling, writing, and e-mailing your legislator

General tips for communicating with your legislator

Tips for personal meetings with legislators

Who is my legislator
(Exits site)

Let us know

We are always interested in hearing from our members about legislative contacts they make regarding issues on which we are working. Please consider sending us a copy of your email or letter and letting us know whether you got a response. This type of communication helps us to advocate more effectively.