by Pam Greenberg
The Internet has become the primary source for learning about and communicating with Congress, according to research recently released by the Congressional Management Foundation. And although Internet users want to hear from their U.S. Senators and Representatives, often they don't recall receiving a response to their communications, they are dissatisfied with the response they receive, or they feel members don't care about what they say. Those surveyed think that information they receive from organizations they are affiliated with is more informative and trustworthy than information they receive from members of Congress.
So, while more than 100 million Americans contacted Congress in the last five years (more than twice the rate contacting Congress in 2004), the report concludes that "it seems less actual communication is occurring.”
The report is disheartening in many ways, but it provides specific and concrete suggestions about ways lawmakers at all levels can better meet constituents' expectations. A sampling of just a few:
• inviting citizens to take action through e-newsletters, town hall meetings and surveys
• reaching out to advocacy organizations that generate issue campaigns
• keeping citizens informed about policy issues
• changing the tone of responses to constituent communications.
The report is about congressional communications, but much of it is also applicable to state legislatures.
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