2008 Woodie Awards
Professor urges students to vote
David Greenwald
Issue date: 10/19/06 Section: opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Last week, we discussed evaluating your state legislator's performance by committee service and votes. There are other indicators that can yield important information, including direct communications with constituents.
Legislators maintain Web sites and send out newsletters and mailings. The latter appear with especial frequency during election years. Naturally, they are designed to present legislators in the best light possible and often show legislators taking credit for accomplishments in which they may have had only a small role. But, these communications should not be ignored. They can tell us what legislators think is important and what they believe is important to their constituents. They can also give us an idea of issues that do not interest legislators and topics they hope their constituents will not think about too much. For instance, the failure to discuss the problems of a state-owned university that serves thousands of students and is the chief contributor to the local economy, suggests a lack of interest in that university, its employees and its students.
The same applies to public appearances, such as town meetings. Too few people attend these functions. If you do, you will be able to learn whether your legislator addresses your concerns with direct answers or if he seems uncomfortable in the setting and provides evasive, indirect answers. Legislators do not simply write laws. They also act as cheerleaders, reassuring people that their concerns are important and deserve a hearing. Legislators can often influence the process of legislation simply by speaking out before their constituents, fellow legislators and others. If a legislator publicly and repeatedly says that the welfare of public higher education is important to him, and that he will do what he can, it matters. If he listens to and talks to people, that shows he cares.
For example, on Oct. 6, Rep. Lawrence Curry (D-Montgomery) came to Bloomsburg, about two hours from his home district, to discuss HR 177, the so-called "Student Bill of Rights" with faculty and students. He showed videos of the hearings held earlier this year and listened to his audience as they shared their concerns. He explained why he believes this issue will not go away. His audience especially appreciated his knowledge and interest because they know, and he knows, that they cannot vote for him.
To be continued.
Legislators maintain Web sites and send out newsletters and mailings. The latter appear with especial frequency during election years. Naturally, they are designed to present legislators in the best light possible and often show legislators taking credit for accomplishments in which they may have had only a small role. But, these communications should not be ignored. They can tell us what legislators think is important and what they believe is important to their constituents. They can also give us an idea of issues that do not interest legislators and topics they hope their constituents will not think about too much. For instance, the failure to discuss the problems of a state-owned university that serves thousands of students and is the chief contributor to the local economy, suggests a lack of interest in that university, its employees and its students.
The same applies to public appearances, such as town meetings. Too few people attend these functions. If you do, you will be able to learn whether your legislator addresses your concerns with direct answers or if he seems uncomfortable in the setting and provides evasive, indirect answers. Legislators do not simply write laws. They also act as cheerleaders, reassuring people that their concerns are important and deserve a hearing. Legislators can often influence the process of legislation simply by speaking out before their constituents, fellow legislators and others. If a legislator publicly and repeatedly says that the welfare of public higher education is important to him, and that he will do what he can, it matters. If he listens to and talks to people, that shows he cares.
For example, on Oct. 6, Rep. Lawrence Curry (D-Montgomery) came to Bloomsburg, about two hours from his home district, to discuss HR 177, the so-called "Student Bill of Rights" with faculty and students. He showed videos of the hearings held earlier this year and listened to his audience as they shared their concerns. He explained why he believes this issue will not go away. His audience especially appreciated his knowledge and interest because they know, and he knows, that they cannot vote for him.
To be continued.