District Office staff are there to serve the needs of constituents. They can be extremely helpful in making contacts and getting information from Sacramento. It is a good idea to schedule a meeting with your legislator while he or she is in the district. Communicate your concerns regarding legislation. Indicate that you want to work with the Member's office on a particular issue.
Most bills generate support and opposition from a variety of groups.
Find out who these groups or individuals are by calling the author's office where lists of the letters and phone calls received on each bill are kept. Keep your letters and discussions with the legislators short and to the point. When testifying before the committee, first state your name and the organization that you represent or indicate that you are a concerned citizen and state where you live. The members of the committee will be interested to hear what you have to say and usually do not grill individual citizens who testify in the same way that they do lobbyists. Keep your testimony short and to the point.