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Lobbying Efforts

In May of 2004, Asw. Charlotte Vandervalk graciously sponsored A-2616 Conscientious Exemption to Vaccinations Legislation and Senator Shirley Turner graciously sponsored S-1592 Philosophical Exemption to Vaccinations. In order for this legislation to pass State Legislators (40 Senators) and (80 Assemblymen) need to vote this legislation first out of both Senate and Assembly Health Committees, and out of the entire Senate and Assembly. Finally, the Governor has to sign the bill into law. So far, the bill has not come up for a vote in the Assembly Health Committee. What is needed is for “we the people” to write to our assemblymen and ask them to co-sponsor A-2616 and write our state senators to sponsor S-1592. If there are many co-sponsors then there will be pressure to bring the bill up for a vote in the respective Senate and Assembly Health Committees. If it passes there then it must next pass the full Assembly etc. If this bill does not pass by December of 2005, it will “die” and have to be re-introduced in the 2006-07 legislative session.

Optimally, “we the People” would organize by legislative district (there are 40). It only takes a small handful of dedicated souls in each district to get legislation passed. Without organization and some elbow grease this is not going to happen. If you would like to connect with other people who are active on this issue in your district, please contact me Barbara Flynn (908) 273-2792, and I will see that you meet with others in your district.

Lobbying Efforts contains the whereas's submitted to the legislature to explain why this legislation is necessary. It also contains instructions on letter writing and meeting your legislators.