You are going to research who represents you in Washington,, DC and in Lansing Michigan. We talk about representation based on geography – which means the address that you live at.
After researching these members, you will do some research on a topic that interests you. For example, I am interested in mental health issues and how this intersects with diversity and inclusion issues for minority groups. Find at least three different sources which are credible (use my reliable media link (not social media). Link
Find important background information on the problem you are researching, what has been done so far, and what needs to happen in the future.
- Upload the answers to the questions at the end of this assignment.
- Compose a letter to one of the five individuals that you have already researched and inform her/him about the topic that concerns you. Explain to the individual how this issue also matters to the people that live in your state (if US Senator)/or your community (if US Representative or Michigan state senator or Michigan state representative. Draw on your knowledge of his/her policy interests or background to connect with him/her. Make sure to thank them for considering your views.
Use appropriate formatting (see the Citizen’s Guide to State Government pdf below and pay attention to pages 5-7 to ensure you address each person correctly, know what you are writing about, are reasonably brief, and be constructive. Make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes.
CitizensGuide to State Government.pdf
- List the sources that you used to research the public policy issue that concerns you.
Use the links to do some research and analysis:
Pull down the menu on “Find your senator” to the state of Michigan and research both Michigan US Senators.
Senator XXX
Summarize (DO NOT LIST) her policy interests. Look at her social media and “interrogate” the photos – where is she and what is doing? What kind of a persona is this US Senator trying to project to you?
Senator YYY
Summarize (DO NOT LIST) his policy interests. Look at his social media and “interrogate” the photos – where is he and what is he doing? What kind of a persona is this US Senator trying to project to you?
Enter YOUR own address so you will find the US Representative that represents the street you live on. Not the Representative you wish you have, but the person who is responsible for representing your street in the US House.
Who represents you in the U. S. House of Representatives? What is your district number?
Explain his/her policy interests. Look at their social media and “interrogate” the photos – what is he/she doing? What kind of a persona is this Representative trying to project to you?
Now, we will find out who represents you in the Michigan Legislature in Lansing, Michigan. When you research who represents you in the Michigan Legislature in Lansing, you will be researching both the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate. There are 100 districts in the Michigan House, and 38 districts in the Michigan Senate. As a result, you have four layers of representation: 1. US Senate, 2. US House, 3. Michigan House, 4. MIchigan Senate (and we are not including your city or council/county commissioners).
First we will focus on the Michigan House of Representatives in Lansing, Michigan.
Enter your address and find out who represents your street in the Michigan House of Representatives? What is your district number in the Michigan House?
Explain his/her policy interests. Look at their social media and “interrogate” the photos. What kind of a persona is this Michigan State Representative trying to project to you?
Now we will find out who represents you in the Michigan Senate? What is your district number in the Michigan Senate.
Explain his/her policy interests. Look at their social media and “interrogate” the photos – what is he/she doing? What kind of a persona is this Michigan State Senator trying to project to you?
