By Rep. Norma Smith

Thank you for allowing me to serve as part of your 10th Legislative District elected team. As many of you know, the state budget is very tight this year. Usually, I would send out a printed newsletter to constituents at the end of the legislative session with updates on bills passed and other issues we worked on in the Legislature. However, with the budget cuts this year, I have decided to forego my printed end-of-session newsletter.

Instead, one of the tools I am using to communicate with constituents is an electronic newsletter. For many, this is a good way to send information on the legislative session in a cost-effective way. I believe e-mail is a great way to make sure you have the latest information from Olympia without using paper or paying for postage. The updates are brief, offer links to current legislation and issues, and allow you to send a response directly back to me.

Over the last two sessions, I have been contacted by folks and have added their e-mail to my distribution list for these electronic updates, and would like to invite you to join the list. To receive the legislative updates, all you have to do is send an e-mail to me at HYPERLINK “mailto:smith.norma@leg.wa.gov” smith.norma@leg.wa.gov and enter the word “subscribe” in the subject line.

For those of you who do not have access to a computer or do not have an e-mail address but would still like a copy of my e-newsletter, please call my office at (360) 786-7884 with your mailing address. I would be happy to make a black and white copy and mail it to you.

My goal is to keep you informed in ways that help you participate in your government. This is one way I believe is effective and efficient, particularly in this budget year. I am always open to your feedback and ideas and welcome calls, e-mails, letters and visits from you to share solutions to the many opportunities we have to make our state the best place to live, work and raise a family.

Rep. Norma Smith, R-Clinton, serves the 10th Legislative District. Having been appointed to the Legislature in 2008, she was elected to her first, two-year term in November 2008.