Have you ever written a letter to express your opinion to your elected officials? Most people haven’t.
Now is the time, though. Our state is on the verge of a crisis—heck, it’s in crisis. The only way it could get worse is if we get to July 1, the new fiscal year, without a plan for how to pay for government services for the next two years.
It’s becoming painfully obvious that the reason the anti-tax extremists are able to stand as cheerful obstructionists is because they believe the public backs their obstinacy. These roadblocks actually believe the majority of the population wants Nevada’s children to receive poorer educations than most of the children in the United States. They actually believe that denying help to those who need it will force needy people to succeed. They believe the majority of voters think big business shouldn’t have to pay its fair share for the privilege of using the resources and people of Nevada.
The simple reason for these unconscionable beliefs is that the extremists are voicing their opinions better. Of course, it’s a simpler message to get across—no new taxes.
With that idea in mind, here’s how to get involved in the political process.
There are four ways to contact legislators: snail mail, e-mail, fax and telephone. The face-to-face method is also occasionally effective.
To send mail to Assembly members through the post office, the address is: Name, c/o Nevada Assembly, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV 89701.
To send mail to Senators, the address is c/o Nevada Senate, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV 89701. If you are unsure of the names of all the representatives (including your own), go to the Nevada Legislature’s Web site, www.leg.state.nv.us. (Free Internet access is available at local libraries.)
Legislators’ e-mail addresses are also on the Web site. To send a forwarded e-mail to all legislators, the addresses are senate@lcb.state.nv.us and assembly@lcb.state.nv.us. Generally, it’s better to contact them one at a time.
The fax number for the Nevada Senate is (775) 684-6500. The number for the Nevada Assembly is (775) 684-8533.
Telephone numbers for individual representatives are online, too. Simply click the appropriate “senate” or “assembly” button on the left side of the home page. You can call the Legislative Counsel Bureau info line at (775) 694-6800, or call the legislative message phone at (775) 684-6789.
The messages you send need not be precise in their language. For example, you don’t have to promote a specific tax package. What messages should include is your name, your address and that you don’t want your representatives to re-open the state’s spending package, but you do want them to come to an agreement for funding. It wouldn’t hurt to express dismay at the childishness of proceedings thus far. Be polite.
Anyone can send a letter, an e-mail or make a phone call. The key is to get your ideas expressed and perhaps pull something out of the fire before July 1.