As a UH System student, faculty or staff member, alumnus or alumna, or as a supporter of the UH System, its universities, and public higher education, you can help make a difference by taking a few minutes to write to your elected officials telling them how you feel about current higher education funding issues facing the Texas Legislature.

Letters are easy to write, don't have to take a lot of time, and can-and do-help influence lawmakers who need to be made aware of their constituents' concerns.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when writing your elected officials:

• Use your personal stationery.
• Introduce yourself as a constituent, and then mention you are a student, faculty or staff member, alumnus or alumna, or supporter of the UH System and its universities.
• Be brief and to the point when giving your reason(s) for writing. Explain your concern for the future of public colleges and universities and why they should receive higher budget priority.
• Conclude by thanking your government official for his or her time and cooperation.
  
  Caution: If you are a UH System faculty or staff member planning to contact any member of the State Legislature, you must do it as a private citizen, not using any state resources, including staff time, letterhead, postage, computing time, etc.

State Contacts and Greetings

The Honorable Rick Perry
Governor of Texas
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711

512-463-1849 (fax)

Dear Governor Perry:

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The Honorable David Dewhurst
Lieutenant Governor
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, Texas 78711

512-463-0039 (fax)

Dear Governor Dewhurst:

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The Honorable Joe Straus
Speaker of the House
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, Texas 78768

512-463-0675 (fax)

Dear Speaker Straus:

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To learn the name(s) of your legislator(s), phone your County Clerk's office (Brazoria: 409-849-5711, ext. 1351; Fort Bend: 281-341-8685; Galveston: 409-766-2245; Harris: 713-755-6411; Montgomery: 409-539-7885; Victoria: 512-575-1478). Click here for state senators or here for state representatives.

The Honorable (your Senator's full name)
Texas State Senate
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, Texas 78711

512-463-0326 (fax)

Dear Senator (last name):

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The Honorable (your Representative's full name)
Texas House of Representatives
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, Texas 78768-2910

512-463-5896 (fax)

Dear Representative (last name):