[r85] The Best Way to Contact Your Senator (2/9/2009)

There are three ways to interact with your senators.

• Call toll free at 1-800-382-9467.  If you phone the statehouse, ask to speak to the senator's legislative assistant.

•  Write them at the Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.

•   Send them an e-mail. Members of the Senate have e-mail addresses based on their Senate district numbers.

These are the state senators for Northeast Indiana:

•  Sen. Marlin Stutzman, District 13 (R-Howe). Web site: www.in.gov/s13.  Email: s13@in.gov
•  Sen. Dennis Kruse, District 14 (R-Auburn). Web site: www.in.gov/s14.  Email: s14@in.gov
•  Sen. Thomas Wyss, District 15 (R-Fort Wayne). Web site: www.in.gov/s15.  Email: s15@in.gov
•  Sen. David Long, District 16 (R-Fort Wayne). Web site: www.in.gov/s16.  Email: s16@in.gov
•  Sen. Gary Dillon, M.D., District 17 (R-Pierceton). Web site: www.in.gov/s17.  Email: s17@in.gov
•  Sen. Travis Holdman, District 19 (R-Markle). Web site: www.in.gov/s19.  Email: s19@in.gov

There are 20 committees on which these senators serve.  Many senators are members of more than one. Committees are important because before a bill can be amended by the Senate or House, it first must be approved by the appropriate committee.

The 20 committees are Agriculture and Small Business; Appointments and Claims; Appropriations, Commerce, Public Policy and Interstate Cooperation; Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters; Education and Career Development; Elections; Energy and Environmental Affiars; Ethics; Health and Provider Services; Homeland Security, Transportation and Veteran Affairs; Insurance and Financial Institutions; Joint Rules; Judiciary; Local Government; Natural Resources; Pensions and Labor; Rules and Legislative Procedure; Tax and Fiscal Policy; and Utilities and Technology. 

If you want to learn more about Indiana's 116th General Assembly, go online to www.in.gov/legislative, where you can find the legislative calendar, information about bills and resolutions and information about how to stay in touch with your elected official.