10 Tips for Casually Communicating with Legislators
A casual meeting with legislators is a great way to show you appreciate their efforts to help you. However, it’s also a great time to mention your organization’s priorities in a more relaxed atmosphere. The following tips will help your organization’s employees, members or guests feel prepared and at ease when socializing with legislators.
1. Arrive on time. Legislators’ time is very limited, especially at the state level. They are only in the capital for a certain number of days and many groups are vying for their ear or want to entertain them. Arriving on time shows respect and appreciation for the chance to socialize with them.
2. Do not be intimidated. These legislators are in the business of representing the public’s interest. They are at your function to learn more about your organization and the people who work for/belong to it.
3. Know your Legislators. If you don’t already know your representatives, make it your business to get acquainted. You should know about issues that are important to them. Do you live in their district? Does your company have a facility there? What are their Committee assignments? Position on your issue in the past? No matter what type of gathering, the members will still be wearing their lawmaker hats, so be informed about with whom you will be speaking.
4. Be a resource. Just because you’re in a social setting, you should still be prepared to discuss your organization’s key issues. During the session, legislators are expected to be experts on every issue. However, they rely on you, their audience to provide that information. Be prepared to answer questions regarding key issues. Your credibility will increase if you provide useful answers.
5. Show your expertise. Yes, the legislator will want to know all about an issue from you. That is because you are the expert on your organization, your issues and how it affects the legislator. Legislators want to do what’s best for their constituents.
6. Avoid false promises. If you don’t know the answer, make sure to ask someone who does. Nothing is worse than providing inaccurate information. Let them know you will follow-up with their inquiry and do it ASAP. The quick response will get their attention and gain their respect. However, false promises could really ruin your reputation and credibility. Guide to
7. Listen and always say Thank You. Listen to what the legislators have to say, even if you don’t agree with what he or she is saying. You can state facts to back your stance, but don’t argue. Thank Prince George’s them for taking the time to talk to you. Someone will be following up with a thank you note for his or her attendance, however, if you spent a fair amount of time with a legislator, it would be more personal if you signed that letter, or sent your own. County Government 8. Addressing a Legislator. Always address them formally as “Representative, Senator, Delegate, or Council Member.” If you know their leadership position, it is always flattering to be addressed as “Majority Leader ______, what a pleasure to see you.” 2019 - 2022
9. Keep it brief. The legislator is attending your function to meet and greet your organization’s employees and/or members. Don’t corner them into talking to you or a small group the whole evening. Make their time social and fun. The benefit to your organization is much greater if their experience is a positive and light one.
10. Be energetic. A good attitude and enthusiasm about your organization’s issues will reflect in the legislators’ approach to you. Communication is predominately non-verbal, so a good smile and body language will leave a resounding impression on the legislators. Guide to Prince George’s County Government Guide to Prince George’s County Government
County Executive MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Angela D. Alsobrooks Prince George’s County ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY County Executive Legislative Districts
Office of the County Executive MONTGOMERY County Administration Building COUNTY 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Suite 5032 Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-3050 (301) 952-4131 phone (301) 952-5148 fax [email protected] Part of Legislative District 21 is in Anne Arundel County. DISTRICT OF Part of Legislative District 27A COLUMBIA County Council is in Calvert County
Legislative District 27B Mel Franklin is in Calvert County At-Large Member, Democrat (301) 952-2638 phone (301) 780-8046 fax [email protected]
CALVERT COUNTY
Calvin S. Hawkins, II, Chair At-Large Member, Democrat
(301) 952-2195 phone CHARLES (301) 780-8048 fax COUNTY [email protected] Guide to Prince George’s County Government Guide to Prince George’s County Government
County Council Prince George’s County Council Districts Thomas E. Dernoga ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY District 1, Democrat (301) 952-3887 phone
MONTGOMERY (301) 952-4801 fax COUNTY [email protected] Adelphi, Beltsville, Calverton, North College Park, Laurel, Montpelier, South Laurel, West Laurel and Vansville
Deni L. Taveras, Vice-Chair
DISTRICT OF District 2, Democrat COLUMBIA (301) 952-4436 phone (301) 952-3238 fax [email protected] Adelphi, Avondale, Brentwood, Carole Highlands, Chillum, Green Meadows, Hyattsville, Langley Park, Lewisdale, Mount Rainier and North Brentwood
Dannielle M. Glaros District 3, Democrat (301) 952-3060 phone CALVERT COUNTY (301) 952-4904 fax dmglaros@co.pg.md.us Beacon Heights, Berwyn Heights, College Park Estates, College Park, East Pines, Glenn Dale, Glenridge, Landover Hills, Lanham, New Carrollton, Riverdale Heights and Hills, Riverdale Park, CHARLES Seabrook, Templeton Knolls, University Park, West Lanham Hills, COUNTY and Woodlawn
County Council Address: County Administrative Building 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 www.princegeorgescountymd.gov Guide to Prince George’s County Government Guide to Prince George’s County Government
County Council
Todd M. Turner Rules & Executive Nominations (HRU) District 4, Democrat Anne Healey, Chair Nicholaus R. Kipke Marvin E. Holmes, Jr., Vice-Chair Eric G. Luedtke (301) 952-3094 phone Vanessa E. Atterbeary Susan K. McComas (301) 952-4910 fax Benjamin S. Barnes Maggie McIntosh [email protected] Kumar P. Barve Warren E. Miller Bowie, Glenn Dale, Greenbelt, Westchester Park, Wendell R. Beitzel Joseline A. Pena-Melnyk parts of Lanham-Seabrook and Upper Marlboro Talmadge Branch Shane E. Pendergrass Luke H. Clippinger Sheree Sample-Hughes Dereck E. Davis Dana M. Stein Kathleen M. Dumais Kathy Szeliga Michael A. Jackson Alonzo T. Washington Anne R. Kaiser two vacancies
Jolene Ivey Ways & Means (W&M) District 5, Democrat Anne R. Kaiser, Chair Dana Jones (301) 952-3864 phone Alonzo T. Washington, Vice-Chair Mary Ann Lisanti (301) 952-5885 fax Darryl Barnes Robert B. Long Joseph C. Boteler III Eric G. Luedtke [email protected] Chanel Branch Julie Palakovich Carr Bladensburg, Cheverly, Colmar Manor, Cottage City, Jason C. Buckel Edith J. Patterson Edmonston, Fairmount Heights, Glenarden, Landover, Eric D. Ebersole April R. Rose Springdale, portions of Lanham, Mitchellville, and Jessica M. Feldmark Haven N. Shoemaker, Jr. portions of unincorporated Bowie and Hyattsville Michele J. Guyton Stephanie M. Smith Wayne A. Hartman Jheanelle K. Wilkins Kevin B. Hornberger one vacancy R. Julian Ivey Derrick Leon Davis District 6, Democrat (301) 952-3426 phone (301) 952-4351 fax [email protected] City of District Heights, Forestville, Kettering, Largo, Mitchellville and the unincorporated areas of Bowie, Capitol Heights and Upper Marlboro Guide to Prince George’s County Government Guide to Prince George’s County Government
House Standing Committees (2021)
Environment & Transportation Committee (ENV) Rodney C. Streeter, Kumar P. Barve, Chair Jay Jalisi District 7, Democrat Dana M. Stein, Vice-Chair Mary A. Lehman Carl L. Anderton, Jr. Brooke E. Lierman (301) 952-3690 phone Dalya Attar Sara N. Love (301) 780-8046 fax Regina T. Boyce Charles J. Otto [email protected] Barrie S. Ciliberti Neil C. Parrott Capitol Heights, District Heights, Hillcrest Heights, Gerald W. Clark Sheila Ruth Marlow Heights, Seat Pleasant, Suitland, Temple Hills David Fraser-Hidalgo Vaughn M. Stewart James W. Gilchrist Jennifer R. Terrasa and portions of Forestville and Oxon Hill Andrea Fletcher Harrison Melissa R. Wells Anne Healey William J. Wivell Marvin E. Holmes, Jr. Jay A. Jacobs Monique Anderson-Walker Health & Government Operations (HGO) District 8, Democrat Shane E. Pendergrass, Chair Ariana B. Kelly (301) 952-3860 phone Joseline A. Pena-Melnyk, Vice-Chair Kenneth P. Kerr Heather Bagnall Nicholaus R. Kipke (301) 952-4821 fax Erek L. Barron Susan W. Krebs [email protected] Lisa Belcastro Robbyn T. Lewis Andrews Air Force Base, Camp Springs, Clinton, Harry (H. B.) Bhandari Matt Morgan Forest Heights, Fort Washington, Glass Manor, Alfred C. Carr, Jr. Teresa E. Reilly Marlow Heights, Oxon Hill and Temple Hills Nick Charles Samuel I. Rosenberg Brian A. Chisholm Sid A. Saab Bonnie L. Cullison Sheree L. Sample-Hughes Terri L. Hill Kathy Szeliga Steven C. Johnson Karen Lewis Young Sydney J. Harrison Judiciary Committee (JUD) District 9, Democrat Luke H. Clippinger, Chair Michael J. Griffith (301) 952-3820 phone Vanessa E. Atterbeary, Vice-Chair Jazz M. Lewis (301) 952-5275 fax Curtis S. (Curt) Anderson Lesley J. Lopez [email protected] Lauren C. Arikan Michael E. Malone Accokeek, Andrews Air Force Base, Aquasco, Baden, J. Sandy Bartlett Susan K. McComas Jon S. Cardin David Moon Brandywine, Cheltenham, Clinton, Croom, Eagle Frank M. Conaway, Jr. Jesse T. Pippy Harbor, Fort Washington, Piscataway, and Upper Daniel L. Cox Emily K. Shetty Marlboro Charlotte Crutchfield Ronald L. Watson Debra M. Davis Nicole A. Williams Wanika B. Fisher County Council Address: Robin L. Grammer, Jr. County Administrative Building 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 www.princegeorgescountymd.gov Guide to Prince George’s County Government Guide to Prince George’s County Government
General Assembly District 21
Sen. James C. Rosapepe (D), District 21 Rules (SRU) James Senate Office Building, Room 101 Joanne C. Benson, Chair Delores G. Kelley 11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 Craig J. Zucker, Vice-Chair Nancy J. King George C. Edwards Katherine A. Klausmeier (410) 841-3141, (301) 858-3141 Bill Ferguson Paul G. Pinsky [email protected] Guy J. Guzzone William C. Smith, Jr. Stephen S. Hershey, Jr. J. B. Jennings House Standing Committees
Del. Benjamin S. Barnes (D), District 21 Appropriations (APP) House Office Building, Room 151 Maggie McIntosh, Chair Nino Mangione 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 Michael A. Jackson, Vice-Chair Michael W. McKay (410) 841-3046, (301) 858-3046 Gabriel Acevero Richard W. Metzgar [email protected] Benjamin S. Barnes Elizabeth G. (Susie) Proctor Wendell R. Beitzel Kirill Reznik Tony Bridges Jared Solomon Mark S. Chang Brenda J. Thiam Catherine M. Forbes Geraldine Valentino-Smith Jefferson L. Ghrist Patrick G. Young, Jr. Keith E. Haynes one vacancy Del. Mary A. Lehman (D), District 21 Shaneka T. Henson House Office Building, Room 317 Trent M. Kittleman 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 Marc A. Korman Carol L. Krimm (410) 841-3114, (301) 858-3114 [email protected] Economic Matters (ECM) Dereck E. Davis, Chair Carl W. Jackson Kathleen M. Dumais, Vice-Chair John F. Mautz IV Christopher T. Adams Lily Qi Steven J. Arentz Pamela E. Queen Talmadge Branch Michael J. Rogers Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D), District 21 Benjamin T. Brooks, Sr. Veronica L. Turner Edward P. (Ned) Carey Kriselda Valderrama House Office Building, Room 241 Lorig Charkoudian Jay Walker 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 Brian M. Crosby M. Courtney Watson (410) 841-3502, (301) 858-3502 Diana M. Fennell C. T. Wilson [email protected] Mark N. Fisher one vacancy Seth Howard Richard K. Impallaria Guide to Prince George’s County Government Guide to Prince George’s County Government
Senate Standing Committees (2021) General Assembly District 22
Budget & Taxation (B&T) Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D), District 22 Guy J. Guzzone, Chair Cory V. McCray Miller Senate Office Building, 2 West Wing James C. Rosapepe, Vice-Chair Douglas J. J. Peters 11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 Adelaide C. Eckardt Johnny Ray Salling George C. Edwards Craig J. Zucker (410) 841-3155, (301) 858-3155 Sarah K. Elfreth two vacancies [email protected] Melony G. Griffith Nancy J. King Education, Health & Environmental Affairs (EHE) Paul G. Pinsky, Chair Katie Fry Hester Cheryl C. Kagan, Vice-Chair Clarence K. Lam Del. Anne Healey (D), District 22 John D. (Jack) Bailey Obie Patterson House Office Building, Room 361 Mary Beth Carozza Bryan W. Simonaire Arthur Ellis Mary L. Washington 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 Jason C. Gallion (410) 841-3961, (301) 858-3961 [email protected] Executive Nominations (NOM) Ronald N. Young, Chair Nancy J. King Pamela G. Beidle, Vice-Chair Katherine A. Klausmeier Adelaide C. Eckardt Clarence K. Lam George C. Edwards Susan C. Lee Brian J. Feldman Paul G. Pinsky Bill Ferguson James C. Rosapepe Del. Nicole A. Williams (D), District 22 Melony G. Griffith William C. Smith, Jr. House Office Building, Room 131 Guy J. Guzzone one vacancy 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 Stephen S. Hershey, Jr. (410) 841-3058, (301) 858-3058 J. B. Jennings [email protected] Delores G. Kelley Finance (FIN) Delores G. Kelley, Chair Stephen S. Hershey, Jr. Brian J. Feldman, Vice-Chair J. B. Jennings Malcolm L. Augustine Katherine A. Klausmeier Pamela G. Beidle Benjamin F. Kramer Del. Alonzo T. Washington (D), District 22 Joanne C. Benson Edward R. Reilly House Office Building, Room 205 Antonio L. Hayes 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3652, (301) 858-3652 Judicial Proceedings (JUD) [email protected] William C. Smith, Jr., Chair Susan C. Lee Jeffrey D. Waldstreicher, Vice-Chair Justin D. Ready Jill P. Carter Charles E. Sydnor III Robert G. Cassilly Christopher R. West Shelly Hettleman Ronald N. Young Michael J. Hough Guide to Prince George’s County Government Guide to Prince George’s County Government
General Assembly District 23 General Assembly District 47
Sen. Douglas J. J. Peters (D), District 23 Sen. Malcolm L. Augustine (D), District 47 James Senate Office Building, Room 120 Miller Senate Office Building, 3 East Wing 11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3631, (301) 858-3631 (410) 841-3745, (301) 858-3745 [email protected] [email protected]
Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith, Del. Diana M. Fennell (D), District 47A District 23A House Office Building, Room 363 House Office Building, Room 201 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3478, (301) 858-3478 (410) 841-3101, (301) 858-3101 [email protected] [email protected]
Del. Marvin E. Holmes, Jr. (D), District 23B Del. Julian Ivey (D), District 47A House Office Building, Room 364 House Office Building, Room 217 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3310, (301) 858-3310 (410) 841-3326, (301) 858-3326 [email protected] [email protected]
Del. Ron L. Watson (D), District 23B Del. Wanika B. Fisher (D), District 47B House Office Building, Room 414 House Office Building, Room 414 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3488, (301) 858-3488 (410) 841-3340, (301) 858-3340 [email protected] [email protected] Guide to Prince George’s County Government Guide to Prince George’s County Government
General Assembly District 27 General Assembly District 24
Sen. Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. (D), Sen. Joanne C. Benson (D), District 24 District 27 James Senate Office Building, Room 207 Resigned December 23, 2020 11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 Replacement to be appointed. (410) 841-3148, (301) 858-3148 [email protected]
Del. Elizabeth G. (Susie) Proctor (D), Del. Erek L. Barron (D), District 24 District 27A House Office Building, Room 207 House Office Building, Room 423 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3692, (301) 858-3692 (410) 841-3083, (301) 858-3083 [email protected] [email protected]
Del. Michael A. Jackson (D), District 27B Del. Andrea Fletcher Harrison (D), House Office Building, Room 121 District 24 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 House Office Building, Room 204 (410) 841-3103, (301) 858-3103 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 [email protected] (410) 841-3919, (301) 858-3919 [email protected]
Del. Jazz M. Lewis (D), District 24 House Office Building, Room 350 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3691, (301) 858-3691 [email protected] Guide to Prince George’s County Government Guide to Prince George’s County Government
General Assembly District 25 General Assembly District 26
Sen. Melony G. Griffith (D), District 25 Sen. Obie Patterson (D), District 26 Senate President Pro Tem James Senate Office Building, Room 201 James Senate Office Building, Room 220 11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3092, (301) 858-3092 (410) 841-3127, (301) 858-3127 [email protected] [email protected]
Del. Darryl Barnes (D), District 25 Del. Veronica Turner (D), District 26 House Office Building, Room 301 House Office Building, Room 205 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3557, (301) 858-3557 (410) 841-3212, (301) 858-3212 [email protected] [email protected]
Del. Nick Charles (D), District 25 Del. Kriselda Valderrama (D), District 26 House Office Building, Room 206 House Office Building, Room 405 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3707, (301) 858-3707 (410) 841-3210, (301) 858-3210 [email protected] [email protected]
Del. Dereck E. Davis (D), District 25 Del. Jay Walker (D), District 26 House Office Building, Room 231 House Office Building, Room 404 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3519, (301) 858-3519 (410) 841-3581, (301) 858-3581 [email protected] [email protected]