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In my last submission, “Let’s Rain Down A Storm Of Protest And Blow Alec Out Of The States”, I wrote of the immense power the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) wields over state legislatures. This is the final feature in my trilogy on this dreadful organization. This segment is directed at writing an effective Freedom of Information request.
Here’s what needs to be included in an FOI request: it should be mailed to one of the two legislative chairs of the state ALEC organization. In my previous ALEC story, I showed how you could track the name down through the ALEC website.
Send your FOI through the postal service. Your letter must identify it as a Freedom of Information request. Mail it to his/her legislative office address. All states have a state government site identifying state senator’s and representative’s addresses, emails and assorted phone numbers.
If phone contact is required, call the legislative office number. Do not call the legislator at home unless, as a last resort, he or she is ducking every attempt at compliance.
What follows is my actual FOI request, minus my personal contact information, that I sent to Representative Liston Barfield, one of the ALEC state Chairmen in South Carolina. If possible, try to research state ethics filings or whatever heading applies, to learn of any ALEC trips, fees, gifts and reimbursements that involve the object of your request. It will be helpful in formulating your FOI.
An FOI request is for paper records and documents. It is not a simple Q & A because clearly there is not proof to back up the answers. Always include requests for hard-copy documentation to be mailed by the postal service to your enclosed home address. It is helpful to put a time limit on your request as well.
Here is the exact FOI I sent to Representative Barfield. Obviously, the FOI must be state-specific.
Representative Liston Barfield (R-58) 2/21/2012
Dear Sir:
This is a citizen Freedom of Information request. My name is…(include mailing address, email, all contact numbers.)
Here are my FOIA requests to include U.S. Mail, email, memos, notes, legislative records and/or any other form of correspondence reflecting the material(s) requested. It is understood that all requests will assume the above. Requests involving the American Legislative Exchange Council will hereafter be represented by the acronym, ALEC.
(NOTE: be sure to include every conceivable mode of correspondence or recording of records).
The time and effort of you and your staff are duly appreciated. I would like to receive these materials in a timely manner not to exceed six weeks.
Thank you
Obviously, not all the above will apply to your situation, but hopefully this example with give you a basic template. I also previously pleaded with my readers to get the ALEC word out through mail, mass emails and phone. Let’s not forget word of mouth and vital social media such as Facebook and Twitter. I’d especially like to see wide social media distribution of my last ALEC feature.
Caveat: If money is an issue (of course it is). You will likely be charged fees for processing, research, copies, etc. You should include a fee waiver request in your letter based on why the FOI answers regarding the operation of state government would be of significance to the general public.
Good luck fellow believers in democracy.
Raised rural & small town, then lived in N.Y., Chicago & LA. Widely traveled. Returned from world wandering to pursue media life of anchorman/reporter and major, medium and small market talk radio. Highly active in politics. Once worked as orderly & security in Mens Lock Ward for the Criminally Insane at a state institution. Much more rational population than current Teapublicans. Great concern for country run by and for the extreme wealthy. The inhumane current running through this country has no precedent in modern history.
Follow me on Twitter @demwriter
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