| An advocate needs good, reliable information to be effective and finding that information is sometimes difficult. A great deal of the information needed is now available on websites in a variety of places. No one website contains everything an advocate needs to know.
State and Federal Agencies
State and federal agency websites contain a lot of basic information about our government and the legislative process. The information on these websites is updated regularly and there's something for everyone.
For a list of state and federal agency websites, select one of the following.
Federal Government
The National PTA's Office of Governmental Relations (OGR) in Washington, DC, has sorted through the mountains of information available at the federal level and provides an easy way for PTA members to contact their congressmen and voice their concerns for children. For information or to "take action," go to: www.pta.org/issues_and_action.html
State Government
There is a great deal of information about Iowa's legislative process, legislation being considered, and the State Capitol building at the Iowa Legislature's website, www.legis.state.ia.us.
For a copy of the "Legislative Guide to the Iowa General Assembly", go to: www.legis.state.ia.us/Central/Guides/gaguide.pdf
Other Education Advocates
Websites of other organizations that advocate for education in Iowa contain additional information about current legislation that may be of interest. These organizations generally have staff whose job it is to follow legislative issues currently being considered. The Iowa PTA supports many of the same issues as these organizations.
For more information, select the website address for any of the following organizations.
US Congressmen
The people of Iowa are represented in the US Congress in Washington, DC, by two Senators and five Representatives. They each have an office in Washington, DC, and several smaller offices within the state of Iowa.
To contact a member of Iowa's Congressional delegation, select one of the following.
State Legislators
The people of Iowa are represented at the State Capitol in Des Moines by fifty Senators and one hundred Representatives. Iowa's legislators can be contacted by phone, mail, or email at the State Capitol or at their home.
To find the name of the legislators representing your area, go to: www4.legis.state.ia.us/find-leg/. and enter your address. The names of both the Congressmen and Legislators representing your area will be displayed.
For the home address of your legislators, go to www3.legis.state.ia.us/ga/legislators.do and select your legislator from the list displayed.
For the address and phone numbers of Iowa's policy makers at the state capitol, select the following.
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