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• How, When And Where To Write To Your Elected Officials
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• Other Ways To Make Your Voice Heard
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Trains to Green Bay and Madison

Why not? The restoration of passenger train service to Madison & Green Bay is part of the Translinks 21 plan that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has adopted. The state of Wisconsin has authorized $50 million in bonding to finance it's share of getting rail passenger service going to Wisconsin's 2nd and 3rd largest metropolitan areas. Amtrak has been unwilling/unable to meet it's obligations. Therefor the startup of service is in limbo.

What can you do? Please contact your state and federal government officials and let them know that you want expanded passenger train service in Wisconsin. To find out about your Wisconsin elected officials, visit the Project Vote Smart website. It will provide you with a list of your federal and state elected officials based on your zip code. The Wisconsin Blue Book at your local library can provide useful information as well. Some state legislators will send their constituents a free copy if requested.

What good can one person possibly do?

If you have ever asked yourself this question, you are not alone. The fact is, because so many people have this attitude and do nothing, people who do try to change the way government works have an even greater impact. You do not have to be an expert to act, just a citizen who feels strongly about an issue. This simple guide can show you how.

Ten Tips On Writing To Your Legislators:

1. Write on personal letterhead(if you have it), and be sure to sign your name if you have type the letter. The proper forms for addressing your elected officials on the envelope and in the letter is: The Honorable Name of elected official.
2. Put your return address on the letter because envelopes get thrown away. When using E-mail, always include your return mailing address as part of the e-mail message. Politicians like to respond to e-mail by sending a personal letter.
3. Identify your subject clearly. If you are writing about a certain piece of legislation, give the name of the legislation you are writing about, and the bill number if you know it.
4. State your reason for writing. Draw from your own personal experience. Tell how you believe increased passenger rail service would affect you, your family, your community, or the country.
5. Be as brief as you can without losing the message you want to convey.
6. Use your own words, and avoid stereotyped phrases that sound like form letters. Quote facts and statistics from books, newspapers, and magazines. Include the references to such articles.
7. Be reasonable. Don't ask for the impossible or engage in threats.
8. Ask your legislators to state their positions on the issue in their replies. you are entitled to know.
9. Time the arrival of your letter so that it reaches the Capitol before legislation is acted on in committee or on the floor.
10. Be sure to thank your legislators if they have done something you think is right on a particular issue.

Government Website Access:

Our state and federal government officials may be contacted using E-mail through the world wide web. These websites provide much information about our government.

Postal Mailing Addresses and Telephone Hotline Numbers:

You can also call your U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative(Congress) by dialing (202)224-3121(U.S. Capitol Switchboard) and ask for the Member by name. The Wisconsin State Legislative Hotline: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5 pm; Telephone: Outside Madison Area: (800)362-9696; Hearing Impaired(TDY): (800)228-2115; Madison Area: 266-9960

When to Write To Your Legislators:

There are special times in the legislative process when your letters and calls can especially productive. For example:

• When a bill is introduced and assigned to a committee, you may be asked to contact your legislators to request that they cosponsor the bill. Obviously, the more cosponsors a bill has, the more likely it is to gain support and move through the legislative process.
• If the bill is bottled up in committee and shows signs that it may never emerge, WisARP or N.A.R.P. may ask you to write to your legislators(if they are on the committee) and urge them to get the bill moving.
• When legislation is about to come up on the floor of the House or Senate, you may be asked to contact your legislators and urge support for the position you advocate.

"Letters to the Editor" In Your Newspaper:

A letter to the editor gives you a chance to inform thousands of people about a critical piece of legislation. And you would be surprised by how many people read these sections of the newspaper, especially elected officials. Even if it is not published, your letter may inspire an editorial on the subject.

In writing a Letter to the Editor, observe how long the average letter published runs, and keep your letter within this length. Although letters from public officials or well-known individuals are often permitted to run very long, the usual length from the general public is somewhat limited. Make your letter concise; avoid rambling and dullness. Be sure to sign your name and give your address and telephone number, even though the latter is not published. This rule also applies to e-mail letters. Most newspapers do not print anonymous letters, although they may withhold your name if you feel strongly about it. Newspapers often receive more letters than they can print, so if your letter is not published the first time, try again.

Use Radio Call-In Shows

Let others know what you think. Ask questions of those who appear on these shows.