Each year thousands of bills are introduced in the New Jersey Legislature. Some of these bills are helpful to our profession and the public, while others are detrimental. That's why it is critical for all CPAs to get involved in the political process. We need to communicate with our legislators to let them know about issues important to our profession. If we do not speak up, we will be left out of the process. It's that simple.
It's easy to become involved in the political process. To a large extent legislators base their decisions on what is being communicated to them by their constituents, people like you. They want to please their constituents so they can better serve their district and be re-elected.
This guide will explain how you can effectively communicate with state legislators through phone calls and letters. In some cases, CPAs need to communicate with officials from other branches of government including the Governor's Office and Congress. The same principles used to communicate with state legislators are used with these lawmakers.
After reviewing this guide, you'll be prepared to take action when an issue important to CPAs arises. It's simple, it's fun, and it's our responsibility to let legislators know where we stand on issues important to us. If we don't, no one else will!
If you have any questions, please contact Jeffrey Kaszerman at jkaszerman@njscpa.org or 973-226-4494 x210.
Sample Letter
Joseph Smith, CPA
12 Oakridge Street
Anytown, New Jersey 00000
September 00, 0000
The Honorable James L. Jones
35 Pleasant Valley Way
Anytown, New Jersey 07632
Dear Assemblyman Jones:
A bill to protect the rights of New Jersey's taxpayers, A-3767, deserves your support. This bill, known as the "Taxpayers Bill of Rights," strengthens the right of taxpayers to fair treatment.
Some of the problems my clients encounter in the tax filing process would be resolved more quickly and fairly if A-3767 was enacted into law. This bill will improve communications between state government and taxpayers and will also enhance the tax collection process. Twenty one other states have a Taxpayer Bill of Rights and in 1989 Congress passed a federal law providing the same safeguards for federal tax filers.
Once again, I urge you to support A-3767 and would appreciate it if you would write back to me with your position on this matter.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Joseph Smith, CPA Writing Your Legislator
Writing a brief letter to a legislator urging him or her to support your position is extremely effective and easy to do. Legislators closely monitor incoming mail and are sensitive to the wishes of those constituents who take the time to write. They know these constituents are likely to vote and be active in the community.
You can reinforce the effectiveness of your letters by following up with a phone call to your legislator's district office. For tips on how to effectively call, see the section on calling your legislator.
Follow these guidelines when writing your legislators: - Write your letter as an individual, not as a Society or Chapter representative. Legislators want to hear from "real constituents," not organization officials.
- Write and mail your letter as soon as possible. Legislation can move quickly and legislators need to hear from you BEFORE they vote.
- Keep your letter brief and to the point. Letters should be no more than one page. A paragraph or two is fine.
- Stick to one or two issues and clearly identify them. A one sentence description is fine. Give a bill # if you have one.
- Open your letter by clearly stating your position in the first paragraph. Follow up by giving reasons why the legislator should support your position.
- Personalize your letter. Let the legislator know how the legislation will affect you and the people and businesses you serve.
- Use a respectful tone in your letter. It's okay to disagree with the legislator, but never attack him or her personally.
- Always put your return address in the letter. You can use either your home or office address. If either is in the legislator's district, then use that as the return address.
- Always ask the legislator to write back to you with their position on the legislation you are writing about. We need to know where they stand.
- Conclude your letter by urging the legislator to take action in support of your position and thank him or her for taking the time to consider your views.
- If several CPAs are writing letters together, don't all write the exact same letter. Form letters are not effective.
- VERY IMPORTANT: Mail a copy of your letter and any correspondence you receive from the legislator to Jeffrey Kaszerman, NJSCPA.
How to Address a Legislator
Please address your legislators and other elected officials in the following manner:
STATE SENATORS:
The Honorable Joe Smith
District Office Address
Dear Senator Smith:
STATE ASSEMBLYMAN/WOMAN:
The Honorable Mary Jones
District Office Address
Dear Assemblywoman Jones:
GOVERNOR:
The Honorable James E. McGreevey
Statehouse address
Dear Governor McGreevey:
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE:
The Honorable James Saxton
Washington Office Address
Dear Congressman Saxton: (use Congresswoman for female members of Congress)
U.S. SENATOR:
The Honorable Jon Corzine
Washington Office Address
Dear Senator Corzine:
Sample Phone Script
Hi, this is Joe Smith. I'm a CPA and live at 52 Main Street in Elmtown.
I'm calling to urge Assemblyman Brown to support A-3767. This bill will create a Taxpayer Bill of Rights in New Jersey. A-3767 will improve communications between state government and taxpayers and make the tax collection process more fair.
I'd appreciate it if Assemblyman Brown could write back to me with his position on this bill.
Thank you for your time. Calling Your Legislator's Office
Calling your legislators is an easy and effective grass roots tool to use. Legislators pay close attention to the opinions of those who call their offices. Whenever possible, you should write a letter in addition to calling. However, sometimes you may be too busy to write or a vote may be coming up too quickly to allow time for it.
Chances are you won't reach your legislator personally, but that's fine. The aides who work for the legislator are trained in recording the opinions of constituents. Simply leave a brief message urging the legislator to support/oppose whatever legislation you are calling about. The whole process should take you less than 2 minutes!
Follow these guidelines when calling your legislators: - Call as an individual and please don't state that you are calling on behalf of NJSCPA. Legislators want to hear from the public, not organization officials.
- Don't be intimidated. You are not "bothering" your legislator and his or her staff by calling. They receive dozens of calls each day from people like you.
- Speak to the legislator's aides if you feel uncomfortable about talking directly to the legislator or if the legislator is unavailable to take your call.
- Start by stating your name and address and that you are a CPA. Legislators are most concerned about those who either live or work in their district. Use the office or home address that is in the legislator's district. If both your office and home are in the district, you should mention that.
- Be BRIEF. Give the bill # and a short, general description of what it does. State whether you support, oppose, or seek changes to the bill.
- Always use a respectful tone when talking to a legislator or aide, even if they have taken a position opposed by you.
- Ask the aide or legislator to write back to you with the legislator's position on the issue. When you receive the legislator's response, please mail a copy to Jeffrey Kaszerman at NJSCPA headquarters.