This project is more than about Gorillas. This is about education – no better way than a Zoo can a child learn about animals and nature than in person. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory welcomes more than 700 schools each year.
This project is also about jobs. More than 1,000 Minnesotans will work on Gorilla Forest. This is 1,000 more people that will be employed because of this project.
What Can YOU Do?
Voice your Opinion
The most important piece of this puzzle is YOU. To help show support for Como Park Zoo and Conservatory’s Bonding Request for the second phase of Polar Bear Odyssey and Gorilla Forest, please take a moment to contact your elected officials by sending them a letter on this important issue, encouraging them to support the legislation. This is a great way to share your view while getting involved in the political process and making a difference.
Write or Call your Legislator and Governor
Letters and e-mails can be one of the most effective tools to influence legislators’ views. Your feedback matters! A letter documents your views and reminds your legislators that their decisions have a direct impact on you. Legislators are elected officials and want to hear from their constituents.
Let them know how much you and your family value Como. How you participate in the FREE education and experiences it offers 365 days a year. Teachers - You visit Como on field trips every year for FREE, have your class write a thank you not to your legislators on how much you value this experience as part of your in class curriculum.
Remember: the emails or letters do not need to be long – every voice will make a difference. Please try to contact each of the legislators to share your story and support.
Letter Writing Tips
- Reference the bill file number – House file HF0820 and Senate file SF0869
- Use the correct title – e.g. Dear Senator [last name], or Dear Representative [last name], or Dear Governor [last name]
- Use your own words – Legislators are more responsive to personal letters, rather than form letters, because they have greater impact
- Allow for follow-up – Include your contact information (e.g. full name, home address, e-mail address and phone number) and offer to act as a resource should the legislator or staff have questions or need additional information
- Get to the point and be personal – Choose a few bullet points that are direct and give examples of why Como is important to you. Include enough information to explain why you are writing and how this issue personally affects you and your district
- Know your facts – It is important to be accurate and honest in your letter.
- Be positive – avoid using a negative, condescending, threatening or intimidating tone. Write in tones that you would care to receive in the mail
- Request a response – If you are interested in receiving a response, state that in your communications. For example, "I'm looking forward to your response on this important issue.” If you do not require a response, please note that in your letter or e-mail.
Send an E-mail
E-mail can be an easy, effective and immediate tool for communicating with legislators. The writing tips outlined above also apply to e-mails. Remember to keep e-mails brief, concise and include facts and anecdotes relevant to the legislator's district.
- Subject line – When e-mailing your legislator, make sure to include a note in the subject line indicating that you are a constituent, such as "Message from a Como Supporter in District 34B."
- Identify yourself – Many legislative offices screen e-mails for address information identifying the sender as a constituent, so be sure to include your: full name, street address, zip code and e-mail address. E-mails received from outside the district are unlikely to be read and may be blocked by filtering programs.
- Avoid informal language – E-mail correspondence should be treated as seriously as a written letter. Resist the temptation to use informal language and symbols often associated with e-mail communications.
How the Legislature Works
The state Legislature meets every year with a new budget created every odd-numbered year.
The Legislature is made up of the Senate (67 members) and the House of Representatives (134) members. You have one senator and representative based on the district you live in.
Because of the large number of issues voted on each year, the legislature divides into committees based on subject matter. In both the House and Senate, a committee decides how much money to include within its budget and sends their request to the "floor" so that the whole legislature can vote on it. The Senate and the House then work out any differences between the bodies through a conference committee process. When the Legislature has passed its final version of the bill, the budget goes to the governor to sign.
Find Out Who Represents You
Visit www.leg.state.mn.us and learn who represents you and contact information.
