Who represents ME?
Having a strong working relationship with your legislators is the first step in impacting the political process. Every broadcaster needs to participate.
The MAB can alert you to political issues that affect broadcasters. The MAB can send contingents to Augusta and Washington to lobby on behalf of broadcasters. The MAB can hire lawyers and professionals to keep politicians updated on issues important to us. But the single most powerful weapon we have in impacting the legislative process is US.
Each one of us is a voter. Each one of us is a resident of Maine. As such, we can have a powerful impact on our elected officials — IF
we take the time to get to know them and cultivate a relationship.
When was the last time you spoke with your state representative (do you know who yours is)? When was the last time you wrote a letter to your state senator (same question)? Are you aware that term limits legislation has “turned out” many of the “old guard?” You may be surprised to find out who is no longer in the state legislature!
And here’s a surprise: Your elected officials want to hear from you! Broadcasters are an important and influential group, and politicians are anxious to know where you stand on the issues. Your opinions will be welcomed by your elected officials!
How do you start?
State Legislators
To find your Maine House of Representatives, select your town from the list.
To find your State Senator | Maine State Legislature, select your town from the list.
Federal Legislators
Email Senator Susan Collins at: senator@collins.senate.gov
Email Senator Angus King through his website.
Email Congresswoman Chellie Pingree through her website.
Email The Honorable Jared Golden through his website.
When you contact your legislators via e-mail, be sure to include your full name, home address, city, state, zip, and phone number at the end of your message. This is especially important when contacting federal lawmakers. Because of the anthrax scares, mail service to the Congressional offices is still being delayed, so more people are using e-mail instead. The e-mail flood has reached such proportions that many Congressional offices will not respond to e-mails unless they are from constituents. It’s therefore critically important that you identify yourself as being FROM MAINE when e-mailing one of these folks.
Your e-mail will likely be read, and responded to, by a staffer. Don’t take it personally; that’s just how it works because of the sheer volume of mail, e-mail, faxes and phone calls the Congressional offices receive.
If you want to contact a Member of Congress by mail or phone, or you want to contact their staffer who handles telecommunications/broadcast issues, here is the information:
The Honorable Susan M. Collins
United States Senate
P.O. Box 655
202 Harlow Street, Room 204
Bangor, ME 04402
Main: (207) 945-0417
http://collins.senate.gov
The Honorable Angus S. King
United States Senate
4 Gabriel Drive
Suite 3
Augusta, ME 04330
(207) 622-8292
http://king.senate.gov
Representative Jared Golden
1222 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
United States
Phone:(202) 225-6306
Fax:(202) 225-2943
Washington DC Office | Representative Jared Golden (house.gov)
The Honorable Chellie Pingree
Member of Congress
57 Exchange Street, Suite 302
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 774-5019
Fax: (207) 871-0720
http://www.pingree.house.gov