>> Public Hearing on MAINE, JOBS, TRADE & DEMOCRACY ACT (LD 1815) Thursday, February 12 at 1:30 p.m. Room 220, Cross State Office Building Augusta
Hello all, Thanks to all who are coming for moral support and to speak. We have to prove tothe legislators that people care about this legislation, and it looks like we'llhave a great turnout! Still, we should flood the hearing room, so bring all who cancome. For those giving public testimony, for many reasons, not the least of which is thatthis is the Speaker of the House's bill, we shouldn't have trouble with the Democrats on the Labor Committee. We want to come out of this with the strongest vote total possible, so we need toreach out to those Republicans on the Labor committee. Our hardest fight won't befor passage, but rather for funding, so its crucial to get widespread support. So good points are: a.. This is a bi-partisan effort b.. All sectors and constituencies of Maine should be involved, because this effects all of us c.. This commission is an investment in our future- for all Mainers d.. We all need good jobs and a strong economy. Corporations moving jobs overseas and unfair sweatshop conditions hurt all Mainers. e.. Maine's sovereignty- its ability to make laws- should rest with the Constitution and the Maine's legislature- and not be undermined by secret tribunalI started writing the bad (or unhelpful) points, but I think we already know whatthey are. See you all tomorrow. Its really starting to come together! Jack (Much of the following was put together by Matt Schlobohm. Thanks Matt) Please note for friends, family and neighbors who can't come to the meeting, theycan still: 1. SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY to the LABOR COMMITTEE Talking points listed below Written testimony (20 copies) should be mailed or faxed to: Attn: Gail Kerns C/o Committee on Labor 100 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0100 Fax #: 287-1457 Your written testimony should be addressed to: Senator Edmonds and Representative Smith (not mailed to, but Dear Senator Edmonds and Representative Smith they are the chairs of the Labor committee) You need to submit 20 copies of your written testimony if you mail it in. If you fax in you can fax a single copy. 2. WRITE or CALL your STATE REPRESENTATIVE & SENATOR TO SUPPORT LD 1815 People need to be contacting their local representatives and senators to encourage them to support LD 1815 - the Maine Jobs, Trade & Democracy Act. Need to find out who your state reps are or their mailing address? www.maine.gov/portal/howdoi/government.html#contact_leg Leave a message for your Rep: 1-800-423-2900 Leave a message for your Senator: 1-800-423-6900 MORE INFORMATION: For an Overview of LD 1815 go to: http://www.pica.ws/mftc/documents/SummaryofLD1815.doc For Talking Points on LD 1815 go to: http://www.pica.ws/mftc/TalkingPointsforLD1815.doc To find out what else you can do to support this legislation go here: http://www.pica.ws/mftc/L.D.1815takeaction2-03-04.htm For the full text of the legislation go to: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD181501.doc BASIC OVERVIEW of the MAINE JOBS, TRADE, & DEMOCRACY ACT: Free Trade agreements, such as NAFTA, GATS, agreements within the WTO, and theproposed CAFTA and the FTAA, have had and will continue to have huge impacts onMaine's economy, democracy, public services and environment. Between 2000 - 2003Maine lost 17,800 manufacturing jobs, 22% of the state's manufacturing base!! UStrade policy is a major factor contributing to this job loss. Trade deals also threaten to eliminate or overturn Maine and US laws thatget in the way of corporate profits. Corporations are using trade deals to reshapeagricultural policy, investment and procurement rules, the provision of publicservices such as water, education and health care, media ownership regulations andlocal environmental & development ordinances. Corporate trade policies is impactingall of us!! Despite these enormous impacts, Maine citizens and policymakers do not have a sufficient voice on these matters. The Maine Jobs, Trade & Democracy Act (LD 1815)would establish a commission of citizens and legislators to gather information,solicit public input, hold public hearings, assess impacts of trade deals, publishresults, educate the public, advise policy makers and recommend legislation that would strengthen Maine's economy and uphold Maine's laws. This legislation is not a quick fix. It is a long-term solution that will giveMaine citizens a greater voice in these trade policies and will give the state amechanism to challenge and change federal trade policies that are hurting our economy, democracy & way of life. > Hey everyone! This Feb 12th the labor committee will hold a public > hearing on the Maine fair trade legislation. If passed LD 1815 will > establish a state commission to gather information, hold public > hearings and make recommendations to congressional and trade > officials on how free trade policies effect Maine's economy and laws > - ah la the FTAA, CAFTA etc... what can we as a delegation do to > strengthen the passage of the bill:--1. Being present at the hearing, > either with testimony, or without: we need to make a showing that > demonstrates the interest in the legislation, and the intention the > public has to be involved in the participatory democracy this bill > proposes. -2. Written testimony: (Also if youre present at the > hearing, bring a written copy of your testimony if you have > preprepared remarks) If you can't be present, send written testimony > with someone who's going in. We have a unique perspective from being > on the El Salvador delegation, and we come from many different > experiences and perspectives in our individual work in this state. > Any bit any of us could add to the conversation would be valuable. We > could talk about privatization, migration, the effect on labor and > environmental situations on both sides of this country's borders... > We can talk from our perspectives as people working in the medical > profession, on the environment, from working with low income Mainers, > union perspective and of course just our concern and solidarity as > human beings...of course I don't need to tell any of you this! -3. > Calls and postcards to legislators on the labor committee - I can get > that info to people if needed. -4. we have cards for small businesses > to fill out in support of the legislation and info to hand out - > besides me, you could contact Jack McCay 947 4203 on that as well. I > canbe reached at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or at 326 8263. I > will be gone from this friday to monday - but Jack or Matt, or > others...can be contacted. Let me know what you think! In solidarity > and love , MEREDITH > Hi folks – > > MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!! > > The public hearing for our legislation – the Maine Jobs, Trade, & > Democracy Act (LD 1815)– is set for: > > THURSDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2004 > Labor Committee > Augusta, > most likely 1pm > > We need a HUGE TURNOUT for this hearing. It is key that we send a loud > and clear message that we want this legislation to pass. Mark your > calendars, spread the word, & plan to come to Augusta on February > 12!!!!!! > > PLEASE RSVP if you can come to the public hearing on FEBRUARY 12. > > Our goal is to get: > > 100 people out to the public hearing > 100 businesses signed on in support of our legislation & > 500 postcards mailed in to Senators, Representatives & the Labor > committee in support of LD 1815. > > Please stay tuned – Much more information will be coming along shortly. > > For a fair trade future, > Matt > > PS - We had a very spirited & productive statewide meeting today with > 25 people present in Augusta. Notes from that meeting will be coming > shortly.
