I received this email today from a small local farm that i frequent.
New Yorker, take note, and off course, call, email.
i hope the links work.
Urgent action needed by New York State residents to prevent serious negative impact to NYS farmers like Soons!
I know everyone is busy, so I'll keep this as short as possible. Soons Orchards needs your help in lobbying against S.5212, which is scheduled for vote by the State Senate Labor Committee June 1 - MONDAY morning at 11:30. Thanks in advance for taking 5 minutes now to read this and make a call.
[If you live OR work in NYC, take note: this bill is proposed by NYC reps, and one LI rep, none of which have a farm in their district. They need to hear from NYC residents especially.] This bill would seriously impact every farmer in New York State, the vast majority of whom, I assure you, are not rolling around in extra cash. This bill requires OT and a 'day of rest,' among other things that on their face sound good, but are really a bad idea to require of growers, especially here in NY where running a business is more expensive than anywhere. Farmers need flexibility - when harvest comes along the apples don't wait. Everyone works as many hours as they can handle. When it's not harvest, we can take Sunday off, and skip out on rainy days. We aren't slave drivers, however, we are slaves ourselves to the trees and plants we grow...not to mention the market. If local food is going to compete against cheap imports from West/South and outside the country, then we can't afford the massive expense this bill would create. If you want more detail, or have questions, please let me know.
I'm asking you to first call any of the Senate Labor committee folks see below, then if you have time, please call/email your NYS Assemblyperson and Senator ask them to oppose S.5212. If you need to look up your rep, visit: http://nymap.elections.state.ny.us/...
- Call the Senate Switchboard number at (518) 455-2800 and ask to be connected to a legislator's office.
- Targeted Legislators:
Labor Committee Members:
George Onorato (D) - Chair,
William J. Stachowski (D),
Neil Breslin (D),
Martin Malave-Dilan (D),
Jeffrey D. Klein (D),
Diane J. Savino (D),
Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D),
Bill Perkins (D),
Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D),
Joseph E. Robach (R) - Ranking Minority,
Carl Marcellino (R),
James Alesi (R),
Charles Fuschillo, Jr. (R),
Thomas P. Morahan (R),
Vincent L. Leibell, III (R),
Roy J. McDonald (R)
Other key legislators:
David Valesky (D),
Darrel Aubertine (D),
Catherine Young (R)
- Deliver this message: Keep local food affordable and don't put farms out of business-vote against S. 5212!
Here's the Farm Bureau's lobby page on this -
http://capwiz.com/...
Please make a call - it will make a difference. You can also help by forwarding this and asking a friend to do the same.
Thanks again, and thanks again for everyone's support this past season.
~ sharon soons for Soons Orchards
23 Soons Circle | New Hampton, NY | 845-374-5471
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