Contact Legislators

Contact Legislators
The most important thing you can do

... Because wine consumers
need a voice at the table

Wine Consumers Across Michigan Contact your legislators about wine shipping

The easiest way:

Click here to send them a fax
    Courtesy of "Free the Grapes!" They'll make sure that the right
     folks get your message, even if you're not certain who that is.
     Please take a minute to customize the title and message in your
     own words. Some of the contact methods suggested below
      are preferable, if you have the time and inclination.

Other suggestions:

	Talk with them on the phone Several legislators have told us that phone calls from constituents are the most effective way to impact them. Get the office number from the links below, and tell the staffer who answers that you'd like a call back when the legislator is free. Try to avoid just speaking to an aide.
	Send them a letter Letters can be highly effective, especially if you're more comfortable writing than speaking. They also show you're concerned enough to put a lot of time into the issue. Again, use the links below to find the right people. Click on the Rep's name for the mailing address.
	Ask to meet with them Most legislators spend several days a week in their districts, some of it meeting with constituents. If you're well-versed on the issues, talking face-to-face can be extremely effective. Feel free to print any of the WineCAM press releases or other items on the site to put together an info packet for your legislator. Again, use the links below for contact information.
	Send them an email Emails do count -- but they're less effective than other types of contacts. Legislators get hundreds of emails daily, so most of them assign a staff person to read them. They see very few themselves, though they DO track how many they receive on each side of an issue. If you take the time to write a long, well-thought-out email, it's worth spending an extra minute to print a copy and send it as a mailed letter, also.

Tools you can use:

	Look up your State Senator Enter your address and click the "Submit" button to get full contact information for your Senator.
	Look up your State Representative If you're not sure of your Rep's name or district number, click the "Find Your Representative" link on this page. Or click "List All Representatives" to locate contact information for specific Reps. Click on the Rep's name for a mailing address.
	Quick fact sheet on pending shipping bills Two-page executive summary of the bills, who's for and against, current status, and more. Read this and you'll probably know more about the legislation than your local legislator!
	How to communicate effectively with legislators Quick primer of general tips and specific suggestions to get the most out of each type of contact with legislators.