On Monday, former Sen. Bob Graham encouraged students at Florida universities to speak out and make their voices heard to the state legislature and governor.
Specifically, Graham has encouraged students to contact the governor to get him to veto budget cuts to higher education in the state, which currently total $300 million.
Whether you agree or disagree with Graham about the danger of cuts to higher education, his call to become active and involved with the policy-making process should be applauded.
Students, especially when it comes to the budget for higher education, tuition and new fees, are the most affected by these changes.
It is no secret that, compared to voter turnout among older Americans, young people just are not that active in politics.
According to exit polls compiled by the Pew Research Center, voter turnout in Florida among voters 18 to 29 years old decreased from 17 percent of the total electorate in 2004 to 14 percent of the total electorate in 2008.
In heeding the former senator’s call to action, we wanted to provide a few tips to students wishing to speak out in favor of or against policies dealing with higher education in the state of Florida.
First, students must know their audience.
In this case, you will likely be writing to Gov. Rick Scott. The governor does not write legislation, and he certainly does not vote on legislation, so be sure to encourage Gov. Scott to sign or veto the current budget.
Second, make sure your letter is original. While some seem to think that flooding a politician’s office with thousands of copies of the same letter might be effective, we encourage you to focus on quality, not quantity.
Also, tell the governor who you are, and be sure to mention that you are a student at a Florida university.
Third, keep your letter as short and simple as possible. You are not writing a treatise or a manifesto.
Fourth, be specific.
Not only should you know to whom you are writing, but you should also know what bill your letter references. That means you should know the number of the bill and the title. Again, you should also be specific about the action you want to be taken, i.e. signed or vetoed.
Finally, and most importantly, be courteous.
If you do not like Gov. Scott, do not call him names or say he is evil. Instead, be reasonable and rational in your arguments. Explain why you believe it is vital that the governor act in a certain way.
Sign your letter graciously, thanking the governor for taking the time to read your letter.
You can email the governor at www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/.
