One Incredible Piece of Legislation

Now here's a bill that has it all: The Family and Workplace Balancing Act of 2007.  Just the name makes me want to do a jig.  Introduced by Rep. Lynn Woolsey of CA in May this year, this bill is really many bills in one, covering child care, family leave, nutrition, social security for part-time workers, after-school programs, telework, you name it.  It is moving through the committees now, and has 62 co-sponsors (of 435 members) - none of whom represent Oregonians!  Not one.  That's right, there's not a single co-sponsor from Oregon.  And - you guessed it - I'm thinking that should change.  Have I ever managed to convince a member of the U.S. House of Representatives to sponsor a piece of legislation?  No time like the present! 

If you plan to join your fellow Activistas for happy hour on 8.21.07, there'll be a letter to sign - and drop in the mailbox that very night  - encouraging our very own Rep. Earl Blumenauer to co-sponsor the bill.  If you can't be with us on the 21st, download the letter here (Download support_the_balancing_act.doc ), send him an e-mail or call (503) 231-2300 to let him know that you would like to see his name as a co-sponsor of the bill (it's H.R. 2392).  Tell him that his Mamastituents like this bill very, very much.

Comments

[Hau]

Lisa: For those that want to send an email, do you have any suggestions (like a bullet list of points) to include in the email? I'm a newbie Activista and I'm not quite sure what to include in the email.

[LeeAnn]

Also, given a choice between the different ways of communicating, is Earl more likely to feel pressure thru a mass of emails or his staffers' phones ringing off the hook?

[ltfdbc]

Thanks, Hau, for that suggestion, and LeeAnn on the most effective means of contacting a legislator. Calls are more effective than e-mails; they know it takes more energy, drive, nerve, whatever to pick up that phone. Most legislators have voice mail so if you're a little shy about calling, you can call at off hours (midnight!) and leave a message. But if you're not up for calling, an e-mail is better than nothing! I either, you could say, "I understand that legislation has been introduced by Rep. Woolsey of California that supports many family-and child-friendly policies. I am one of many Oregonians who would like to see this legislation pass, and noticed that there are no co-sponsors from Oregon. I urge you to represent us and co-sponsor the Family and Workplace Balancing Act of 2007."

[ltfdbc]

I added the letter inside the post for download should anyone be so inclined. Happy letter writing!

[ltfdbc]

I added the letter inside the post for download should anyone be so inclined. Happy letter writing!