IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE ACTION FOR THE FARMER PROTECTION ACT

We need to focus on the HOUSE for this bill. We already have STRONG SUPPORT in the Senate, and we don't need to bother our Senators (except for the three exceptions below). Please be sure to call your HOUSE REP this weekend and tell them you want to meet with them about the Farmer Protection Act on Tuesday.


Speaking of House Representatives, YOUR CALLS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!! We now have 39 representatives signed onto the Farmer Protection Act in the House. At least one dozen representatives indicated that they were signing on because of YOUR PHONE CALLS! Also a big THANK YOU to those of you who emailed to let us know that your rep wanted to sign on. If you talk to your rep, and they want to sign on or if they want more information, please email amybeth@together.net.

Here is who is signed on to the bill so far:
Representatives Ancel, Bohi, Botzow, Brooks, Chen, Clarkson, Darrow, Deen, Dowland, Edwards, Emmons, Gervais, Haas, Heath, Hutchinson, Mitzi Johnson, Kilmartin, Kiss, Klein, Larson, Leriche, Marek, Marron, Clint Martin, Linda Martin, McCullough, McLaughlin, Milkey, Minter, Nuovo, Obuchowski, Orr, Pellett, Pillsbury, Randall, Sharpe, Shap Smith, Sweaney, Zuckerman

If you don't see your Representative on this list, please ask them to SIGN ON when you call.

SPECIAL ALERTS FOR RUTLAND, BENNINGTON, AND ADDISON COUNTIES

Please read carefully, and TAKE ACTION if you live in these counties!

IF YOU LIVE IN RUTLAND COUNTY:
Please call Senators Wendy Wilton (773-3426) and Kevin Mullin (775-7631) and tell them to VOTE YES ON THE FARMER PROTECTION ACT when it comes up for a Senate Vote. Senator Wendy Wilton is actively opposing the bill (she is pretty much the only one really really opposed), and she is claiming that everyone in her district is opposed to the bill. SHE NEEDS TO HEAR FROM YOU! Please ONLY call her if you live in RUTLAND county! Get your neighbors and friends to call her, too!

IF YOU LIVE IN BENNINGTON COUNTY:
Please call Senator Mark Shephard (447-7322). Senator Shephard voted for our bill last year, but he is wavering this year. Be friendly and encouraging, and ask him to support the Farmer Protection Act. Please DO NOT call Senator Sears. He is completely on our side, and he has the flu. Let him rest, so he can help us get our bill passed!

IF YOU LIVE IN ADDISON COUNTY:
Please WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR! Our friendly and supportive senators are getting hit hard by our opponents, and they need your support. In your letter, thank Senators Ayer and Giard for supporting the Farmer Protection Act and say that it does not judge the technology. Also, it protects ALL Vermont farmers, including GE Farmers. If the products are good, then the bill burdens nobody. If the products cause a problem, then the bill puts the burden on the manufacturers, instead of on the farmer, where it currently rests. If the company won't stand behind its products, then farmers should wonder what kind of liability they are currently at risk for.

Please submit your letter to: news@addisonindependent.com and to eaglepub@bluemoo.net.

We should have a Senate Vote scheduled by the end of next week!