NYSPA LEGISLATIVE ACTION CALL
June 18, 2006
This is a NY A7539/S4816 pro-pyro bill update and ACTION CALL.
We have 4 days until the end of the 2005 - 2006 NY legislative session to get
the above pro-pyro companion bills passed.
At this point, it looks like both the Assembly and Senate need prodding. The
Labor Committee chairpersons on each side, instead of working to pass our
bill, are expending considerable energy maneuvering to perfect a standoff
where each side can blame the other for not passing this important
legislation.
A very quick description of our pro-pyro bill is that it has no enemies in the
NYS Legislature, is universally supported by the affected NY licensed pyro
community businesses, has important homeland security ramifications, removes
unnecessary DOL oversight of BATFE-licensed entities and has the potential to
open up NY to pyro conventions, competitions and trade shows to the tune of
$10 million. See the attached justification memo distributed to the Assembly
and Senate members for a concise summary of the major points. The only entity
opposing this bill is (of course) the NYS Department of Labor, and they have
conceded that their own bill is a loser and is not going anywhere. Are they
working behind the scenes to kill our bill? Objectively, based on last weeks's
comments by both Assembly and Senate staffers, I would say it seems so.
In any event, there is no rational excuse for our bill to not move out of the
Assembly and Senate Labor Committees for a vote this session.
Right now, for this bill to pass the Legislature by the last day of the
session (Thursday) and move on to the Governor for signing, it is essential
that all concerned NY pyros get in touch with their NYS Assembly and Senate
representatives TOMORROW (Monday), Tuesday at the latest. Call your reps'
district offices and tell the staff politely and pleasantly but firmly how
important these bills are to you and the industry. Here are URL links for the
Assembly "rep finder" and the Senate hyperlinked "district map".
Ask that your reps immediately contact their respective LABOR COMMITTEE chairs
Susan John (Assembly) and George Maziarz (Senate) and demand that A7539
(Assembly) and S4816 (Senate) be moved out of committee for a prompt floor
vote. Forward/fax them the attached justification documents if at all
possible. Ask your rep to co-sponsor A7539/S4816, too. Insist that the
district office staff call back to let you know how it went.
It's looking very much like this 11th-hour action is crucial for passage of
A7539/A4816.
Grassroots support will also be helpful as I talk with the Labor Committee and
other key legislative staff over the next two days.
If you can, please send back a quick "did it" note so that we can keep track
of which reps have been contacted. Or if any questions, send me an e-mail.
Feel free to pass this alert to anyone who you know can help by calling their
NYS reps.
Thanks,
Curt Dunnam
Legislative Coordinator
New York State Pyrotechnic Association
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