SweatFree MD Campaign Continues On!

As you may remember, we sent a previous action alert requesting that you contact your MD Delegate to let them know you are in favor of a bill that would end the use of taxpayer dollars to purchase uniforms manufactured by companies that exploit women and children.

Since the introduction of HB 290, awareness of the issue has grown and concerned citizens have sent hundreds of postcards and emails and made calls to their legislators in support of the bill. However, the SweatFree Maryland Campaign decided to withdraw the bill for this session because there wasn't enough time for the subcommittee to vote on the bill. We will introduce the bill again next year and in the mean time will hold informational meetings around the state over the next several months, to continue to inform legislators and the public about the issue.

Please take this time to send a note of thanks to the MD Delegates that supported the bill.

Tell me more

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

I want to thank you for supporting [co-sponsoring] House Bill 290 - Procurement of Apparel - Labor Standards.  Although the bill was unable to meet the Committee reporting courtesy deadline, I wanted to let you know just how close we came.

When we first introduced this bill, we were told not to expect much during the first session; that the issue was complicated, and that it might take as long as 3 years to pass such a sweeping bill.  Instead, we found a broad base of support from leaders like you who understood immediately that HB 290 was more than just a procurement bill, but that it addressed serious civil and human rights abuses to which the State is an unwitting accomplice.

The support we found for HB 290 exceeded any of the expectations set for it this year, even some of our own. Before the bill was withdrawn, HB had won 13 strong supporters on the House and Government Operations Committee and another 30 delegates from other committees.  In addition, the bill received very positive feedback from the Women's Legislative Caucus and members of the New Immigrant Caucus.  I strongly believe that if we continue to reach out to legislators over the interim, we will pass a Sweatfree law in Maryland in 2009.

Over the next several weeks, while you are fighting to move our state forward on other important fronts, the Maryland Sweatfree Campaign will begin planning for a summer of educating the public and our elected leaders.  I hope that you will be able to join us on our tour around the state to promote this important human rights legislation.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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