Know your Legislators
Find the names and contact information for your legislators. (Click on their name, to see their specific information)
Know your Legislation
- Search for a bill by keyword or bill number. Click Current Bill History (left side) to learn about its status. Once there, you may also see how your legislator voted on a bill by noting where it says Passed House (or Senate) and clicking on the journal page number listed (i.e. S.J. 265).
- Find information about upcoming committee hearings.
Writing to Legislators
Use the following guidelines when sending sending letters or emails to your legislators.
- Use your home address, and be sure that it is on both the letter and the envelope.
- Do not use your school or college email account or letterhead to contact legislators.
- Send typewritten (not hand-written) letters. Use your spell checker and edit carefully.
- Address the letter to "The Honorable _____________", and for the salutation use "Dear Senator ____________" or "Dear Representative ______________".
- State who you are and your purpose in writing.
- Be concise. Legislators have a full plate of issues and will appreciate a brief, clear synopsis. Use bullet points.
- Discuss only one bill or issue in the letter. If you are writing about a specific bill, refer to that bill number whenever possible.
- Be factual and respectful.
- State your reasons for your viewpoint. A few well researched arguments are better than a long list of general reasons for your views.
- Relate it to home. Help the legislator understand why your position is important to his or her constituents. Include specific facts about how a bill will impact educators, students or schools in their district. Include a story to illustrate a bill's impact.
- Offer to act as a resource for further information.
- Request a reply explaining the legislator's views on the topic.
- Be sure to include a thank you statement.
- And note that legislators rarely receive thank you notes. If you send one to a legislator who is supportive of your issues, it will be remembered!
Legislative Links
- Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Advocacy Information
- American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Advocacy Information Position papers, information on current legislation, key committees, and other useful information.
- Iowa General Assembly
- Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board Information on ethics, lobbying, campaign contributions, and a section on laws, rules, and opinions.
- Voter Information for Iowa Residents Register to vote, find your polling place.
- League of Women Voters of Iowa Non partisan legislative and election information.
- Educause Public Policy Site Their mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. Their well-researched policy site includes white papers, research, federal bill tracking, and calls to action.
- Project Vote Smart Founded in 1992, this group is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that does not accept money from lobbyists, governmental organizations, corporations, labor unions or other special interests. Enter your 9-digit zip code and find all of your elected state and federal representatives.
Other Resources
- A list of state representatives
- District Map for the state of Iowa
- Map of Senate legislators by your district
- Map of Representatives by your district
- Educational documents including: How a Bill Becomes a Law; Appropriations Process; Legislative Terminology; Budget Process in Iowa; Participations and Organizations in Making Iowa Laws.
- This year's legislative session timetable
Know your Lobbyists
Find general information about your lobbyists. Click Search Lobbyist Declarations (second line) for information on how they registered on a specific bill.