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Virginia is today the 12th-most populous
state in the U.S. and continues to grow. The conservation related
challenges facing the Commonwealth as it deals with that growth are
complex. Infrastructure requirements associated with growing
communities such as more schools; new highways, roads, and transit
systems; and sewer lines are consuming more watersheds, natural
habitats, forestland, open space and farmland. Development must and
will continue, but it must be well thought out and sound conservation
practices must be included. Improving the water quality of
Virginia’s waterways and the Chesapeake Bay has been cited as the
Governor’s top environmental priority. To accomplish this will
require a coordinated effort among local governments, the state
government, citizens and industry to reduce stormwater run-off,
promote conservation best management practices and reduce water
pollution. It will also require concerted efforts to preserve open
space, riparian buffers and wetlands.
Time and again throughout our Nation's
history, Virginia has assumed leadership roles on important issues. I
hope this web site will provide the conservation related information
needed to help Virginia policymakers and citizens to continue that
tradition.
Click below for Legislative Papers ...
1.
LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION
(2008 VASWCD State Legislative Issues)
(Procedure
for Approving VASWCD State Legislative Agenda)
2.
ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS WITH LAWMAKERS
3. LEGISLATIVE CONTACTS
To
obtain information about your Members of the State Senate and the
House of Delegates.
Visit
http://legis.state.va.us.
Click on "House of Delegates" or "Senate" on the left side of the
page.
Then, click on your representative's
name. You will then be able to get full contact information,
biographical information, sponsored legislation, etc.
4.
LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION
SYSTEM
Legislative Information, including
bills and resolutions, members of the General Assembly, session
minutes, and committees.
5. WRITING YOUR LEGISLATOR
Several times
throughout the year the Virginia Association of Soil and Water
Conservation Districts, through an Action Alert, will request you to
contact the Governor, Virginia legislators, U.S. Senators or members
of the U.S. Congress. Your prompt action may be the difference between
success or failure on an issue.
Elected
officials are responsive to the opinions of their constituents.
Although direct contact is sometimes necessary, letters are still the
best channel of communication when voicing concern on legislative
issues. Letters that are thoughtful and sincere on issues that
directly affect the writer get the most attention.
The following
are some points and guidelines to keep in mind when writing your
legislators.
How to Address Letters . . .
When writing to a
State Senator , When writing to a State Representative, &
When writing to
the Governor:
The Honorable
John Doe The Honorable Jane Doe The Honorable Jim Jones
State Senator
State Representative Governor
State House State
House State of Virginia
Dear Senator Doe:
Dear Representative Doe: Dear Senator Doe:
When writing to a
Member of the U.S. Congress, When writing to a U.S. Senator...
The Honorable
John Doe The Honorable Jane Doe
U.S. House of
Representatives U.S. Senate
Dear
Representative Doe: Dear Senator Doe:
Fundamental "Do's" . . .
·
Specifically ask for support of your position.
· Address your
legislator properly.
· Write legibly
(handwritten letter are fine if they are readable.)
· Be brief, to
the point and discuss only one issue in each letter. Try to identify a
bill by number and title.
· If possible,
give an example of how legislation will affect you personally.
· Use your own
words and your own stationary. If you are writing as an organization,
use the organization's stationary.
· Include your
address and sign your name legibly. If you have any family, business,
or political connection in regard to an issue, explain it.
·
Write your legislator when they do something of which you approve.
Often, legislatures hear only from individuals and organizations who
are against something. It is refreshing for a legislature to receive
something positive instead of something negative all the time.
Fundamental "Don'ts" . . .
· Do not send a
postcard.
· Do not begin on
a righteous note ("As a citizen and a taxpayer" and /or "As a
concerned citizen"). Legislators realize you pay taxes and you are a
citizen.
· Do not
apologize for writing and taking their time. If your letter is short
and expresses an opinion, they are happy to give it consideration.
· Do not send a
copy of your letter to other legislators. Write each one individually.
Remember to send
a copy of your letters to the VASWCD Office - - we need to be kept
informed!
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