Influencing Administrations:
Tasks for Writing a Public Comment
The Task Outline provided in this section will help you create communications that effectively meet audience expectations.
Task 1: Find calls for public comment
The US government’s official source for notifications of proposed rule-making, or standard-setting and regulation, is the Federal Register, published daily. You can find the Federal Register in government information depository libraries, or online (http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html).
In the Federal Register, you will find calls for comment in the section titled “Proposed Rules” or in the section titled “Notices.” Look for announcements by agencies authorized to act on topics of concern to you.
Alternatively, if you already know the executive branch department, and within it the relevant agency, that administers laws in your area of concern, do not go initially to the Register.
It can be overwhelming, and you would have to look at the index every day to follow the government’s activities on an issue of concern. Instead, first try the web site of the relevant department. Search there for the relevant agency. If you do not know the relevant agency’s name, go to the web site of an advocacy group associated with your concern. Browsing there is likely to turn up the name of the relevant department and agency. Then, proceed with searching the agency’s web site for notifications.
If you are concerned about a state issue, you can find calls for public comment in state notifications such as the Pennsylvania Bulletin or the New York State Register. Every state has one. Familiarize yourself with the index and other finding aids for the state publication you are likely to use often. Alternatively, if you know the jurisdiction for your concern, go first to the web site of the state agency with jurisdiction. Or, go to the web sites of interested associations and advocacy groups to find where you can make a comment on an active issue.
If you want to comment on a local government matter, consult local newspapers. Local government calls for public comment are published in the Public Notice section of newspapers. Notifications are also posted in local government offices or, possibly, on their web sites.
Task 2: Write the public comment document
In most respects, writing a public comment is like writing any other policy document. The demands for preparation and planning are the same. The same criteria for clarity, credibility, and conciseness apply. Before you write, use the General Method to plan.
Meet Specific Criteria
Some calls for public input specify the exact information needed. If the call to which you are responding does specify contents, be sure to provide them as requested. If you have additional information, include it, too, but not at the expense of requested contents.
To help ensure that your comment will be taken seriously, include these features and qualities:
>narrow focus
>evidence, analyses, and references supporting your view
>indication of public support of your view
>positive and feasible alternatives
Review and Revise
After you write, check the product against the general
standard (Communication
Checklists).