Column: Keeping in Contact

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2009

The following is a column written by Rep. Mike Burgess.

Keeping in Contact
By Rep. Mike Burgess

Like you, most of our neighbors and friends living in the 51st House District are very busy with their families and jobs and don’t have much time to closely follow what is happening at the Statehouse.  That’s why I use a number of traditional methods to communicate to constituents including town hall meetings, email newsletters, constituent survey, newspaper columns and attending many community events.

And to reach those who utilize some of the newer technologies, I also have started “Twittering” when I am working at the Statehouse.

No, I’m not whistling like a bird during committee meetings.  “Twitter “is a social networking and micro-blogging service that sends brief messages to e-mail accounts and cell phones. 

The short updates I send are displayed on my website www.mikeburgess.org and my Facebook page and then delivered to those who have signed up to receive them. 

Twittering allows me to send out short updates on my legislative activities so you know what I’m doing on your behalf.  So far I have had great feedback from those who are signed up to receive the Twitters.  Many say they didn’t realize how busy legislators are on a daily basis.

You can sign up to receive my tweets by going to www.twitter.com/mburgess.  

Speaking of town hall meetings… I traveled to Alma, Alta Vista and Eskridge last Saturday to meet with some of our neighbors.  Senator Laura Kelly and Rep. Barbara Craft also were on hand. 

Topics talked about included energy, our state’s 2010 budget and other bills that are making their way through the Legislature. 

I brought folks up to date on the “Good Government Initiatives” I am working to get passed.  The Budget Stabilization Fund is expected to be debated on the House floor this week.

As always it is an honor to serve you and our neighbors in the 51st House District.  Please call or email me about your concerns and ideas.

Rep. Mike Burgess
51st House District
785/296-7632
Mike.Burgess@house.ks.gov

Rep. Burgess serves north and west Shawnee County and southern Wabaunsee County, including Alma, Eskridge, Harveyville, Rossville, Silver Lake, Willard and a little bit of Topeka.