SAMPLE NEWS RELEASE FOR LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION
(Type this sample news release on your township’s letterhead and send it to your local newspaper after the conference.) * Local Township Officials Participate in One of Pennsylvania’s Largest Grassroots Lobbying Events
HERSHEY, Pa. – ____________ of _____________ Township, ____________ County, was among the hundreds of township supervisors, managers, and secretaries to participate in one of the state’s largest grassroots lobbying events during the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors’ 86th Annual Educational Conference and Trade Show in May. Close to 800 township officials traveled by bus from Hershey to Harrisburg to attend the Association’s Third Annual Legislative Reception, an event that brings local and state officials together to discuss local government issues and concerns. These include transportation funding, local earned income tax collection reform, Pennsylvania’s water infrastructure and Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy, and the state’s new Open Records Law. PSATS President Dick Hadley, a supervisor for Cranberry Township, Butler County, was among those who addressed the crowd, which included more than 150 lawmakers. He stressed that it’s important for township officials and legislators to have a strong working relationship. “As you know, we were all created and elected to serve and protect the same constituents,” Hadley said. “Whether your office is here in Harrisburg or in a township building, Pennsylvanians look to all of us to do the right thing. Together, as partners in public service, we can make a significant difference in their lives.” The event was co-sponsored by the state Department of Agriculture and PA Preferred providers. The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors represents Pennsylvania’s 1,455 townships of the second class and for the past 87 years has been committed to preserving and strengthening township government and securing greater visibility and involvement for townships in the state and federal political arenas. Townships of the second class represent more residents — 5.4 million Pennsylvanians — than any other type of political subdivision in the commonwealth. ### *Note: You can also download this release by logging onto www.psats.org. Scroll down to the convention logo and click on the “Sample News Releases” link.