Friends and Supporters:
The first (of at least four) votes is coming up at 9:30am on Tuesday, May 19th - a mere 5 days away! It will be heard in Senate Committee - Judiciary B. WE NEED YOU THERE! The magic of democracy in Louisiana only EVER happens when we pack a committee room with supporters (or opponents) and let the legislators know what we expect. Without that presence, we typically always fail. So we are counting on YOU to be there on Tuesday morning much as many were there for support in court. The main differences this time are that:
- there are 7 decision makers to convince rather than one,
- the decision is not final as the bill, if passed, would then have to go to the Senate floor and then over to the House committee and then, if favorable, to the House floor for a final vote,
- the fight is bigger than for just Chelsea’s alone this time, and finally, if successful, this clears up virtually everything that stands in Chelsea’s way.
*Special Note: This particular fight is larger than Chelsea’s and many other groups and interests are involved. We may end up having pins or buttons for solidarity, but this time, NO T-SHIRTS please.
SO HERE’S WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU
- Please read the short bill and sign our petition.
- Contact your legislators and the committee members below to express your support.
- Tell your friends and send the information out far and wide throughout the state.
- Show up at the legislature next Tuesday to show your support, submit cards in favor of this legislation (even if you can’t stay, you can come by for five minutes or less, submit a card in support and leave), and even testify if you’re so inclined and have something to add to the debate.
PLEASE GOTO: http://www.legis.state.la.us/
You can easily find out who your State Rep. and State Senator is by going to this site, click on legislators at the top right of the page, then type in your address in the appropriate section and the list will come up. You can either email, write or call your elected officials to express concerns. However, calling would be the best. (If you’re contacting Senator Lydia Jackson, just a simple thanks are in order for her sponsorship of this bill and her belief in our issue.)
You can also read or print out a copy of this bill by clicking here (Adobe PDF) where you can read the full text (we’ll be posting a less “legal-ese” explanation of the bill later today).
THESE ARE THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND THE VOTES WE NEED TO TARGET
No harm in calling your own Senators and Representatives to ask them to talk with these 7 people, but if you only have time to contact one person, pick someone from this list:
Senator Daniel “Danny” Martiny (Chairman)
131 Airline Highway
Suite 201
Metairie, LA 70001
(504) 834-7676
martinyd@legis.state.la.us
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Senator David Heitmeier (Vice-Chairman)
3501 Holiday Drive
Suite 225
New Orleans, LA 70114
(504) 361-6356
heitmeid@legis.state.la.us
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Senator Dale M. Erdey
P.O. Box 908
Livingston, LA 70754
(225) 686-2881
erdeyd@legis.state.la.us
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Senator D. A. “Butch” Gautreaux
1103 Eighth Street
Morgan City, LA 70380
(800) 562-3204
lasen21@legis.state.la.us
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Senator Lydia P. Jackson
330 Marshall Street
Suite 706
Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 676-7029
jacksonl@legis.state.la.us
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Senator Eric LaFleur
P.O. Box 617
Ville Platte, LA 70586
(337) 363-5019
lafleure@legis.state.la.us
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Senator Robert “Rob” Marionneaux, Jr.
P.O. Box 577
Livonia, LA 70755-0577
(225) 637-3623
lasen17@legis.state.la.us
Our goal is to call every Senator who represents BR (at least) and ask them to contact their friends on this committee so as to help us lobby. Senator Dorsey, for example, has already started this process.
We’re counting votes now and it looks favorable, but is far from a “sure thing.” That’s why we need YOU! Please call now (talking points to follow shortly).
Also, if you haven’t already, please take the time to add your name to our petition in support of SB 136.
Thank you!