Each year — and especially this year — we elect lawmakers to make good, sound decisions to improve our communities.

But we cannot let our involvement stop there.

For lawmakers to know what values and projects are important to us, we have to continue to speak up and share our opinions with them.

With Minnesota facing a $6.2 billion deficit this year, it is especially vital.

What are our own suggestions for decreasing the deficit?

Can we handle some of the budget proposals that have come up?

Ask questions and let them hear all sides of the debate, so that when it comes time to voting on an issue, they’ll have the full picture.

A legislator can’t vote to represent his or her constituents if he or she doesn’t know what the constituents want.

Take a few minutes and contact your state and federal lawmakers about a few issues important to you:

District 24 Sen. Julie Rosen

75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Capitol Building, Room 322

St. Paul, MN 55155

651-296-5713

sen.julie.rosen@senate.mn

District 24B Rep. Tony Cornish

437 State Office Building

100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

St. Paul, MN 55155

651-296-4240

rep.tony.cornish@house.mn

District 26 Sen. Mike Parry

75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Capitol Building, Room 309

St. Paul, MN 55155

651-296-9457

sen.mike.parry@senate.mn

District 26B Rep. Patti Fritz

253 State Office Building

100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

St. Paul, MN 55155

651-296-8237

rep.patti.fritz@house.mn

District 27 Sen. Dan Sparks

State Office Building, Room 19

100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

St. Paul, MN 55155

6511-296-9248

sen.dan.sparks@senate.mn

District 27A Rep. Rich Murray

439 State Office Building

100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

St. Paul, MN 55155

651-296-8216

rep.rich.murray@house.mn

1st District Rep. Tim Walz

1722 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

202-225-2472

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar

302 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

202-224-3244

U.S. Sen. Al Franken

320 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

202-224-5641

You might even cut this list out and place it on your refrigerator or in your desk.