Hi everyone -
 
    After talking to Sharon earlier today (see her FML post), and getting
the benefit of her information and thinking, I called Senate Ways and Means
again and talked to Susan Paulson who is a staff person there.  It would
seem that most of the important stuff is out of the way, and none of us can
find any controversy.  The bill (to legalize ownership in Mass), should be
moving again.
 
    Susan told me that at the present time the committee has close to 350
bills before it, and the schedule as to what is to be considered next
changes daily as issues come up and priorities change.  She herself has
between forty and forty five on her desk.
 
    In response to my question as to what we could do next, and a vague
suggestion that 'perhaps more frequent calling' might keep it nearer the
top of the pile, she seemed a bit piqued and indicated that might upset the
staff.  They don't respond at ALL well to threats.  <grin>
 
    Quite seriously, my reading of the situation is that the 'staff' at
this point has a very real part in determining the future of this bill.  To
move on it and justify their actions, they need a thick file of letters in
support.  At the moment the file is a little thin and I am told that
previous letters and other material are not included.  They stay with the
Senator or Representative to whom they were addressed.
 
    I suggested 'copies' of previous letters, pictures, testimony in
support, cute stories, and other well reasoned arguments as helpful, and
she said no.  What they are really looking for now is LOT of just simple
one page letters in support of H295 addressed to:
 
                The Honorable Senator Thomas F. Birmingham
                Chairman, Senate Committee on Ways and Means
                State House
                Boston, MA 02133
 
    A letter that says simply in your own words that "I would like to see
this bill made law" along with perhaps one (or two) reasons why, is
perfect.  If you can't think of any <smile>, send the letter anyway, or
e-mail us for help.  :-) Extra credit awarded if you can also get your
Senator to send a letter to the Committee.
 
    We need this folks, and number counts here, not quality of the
arguments(s), just an expression of support.
 
    Please and thank you from all the fuzzies.
 
                                Bill, Susie, Rocky, Squeekers, Peaches,
                                and Jack in Framingham.
[Posted in FML issue 1321]