Thank You -- and Plea For More Help on Toxics Bill

by: Elisa Batista

Thu Sep 10, 2009 at 11:50:02 AM PDT

(An action item over the flip, call your assembly member. - promoted by Brian Leubitz)

Hi all,

I just want to thank this community for its support of Sen. Mark Leno's bill (SB 772) to get rid of a state de facto rule requiring toxic flame retardants in baby products. (Thank you, Brian, for promoting the diary!)

Unfortunately, that bill died in the Assembly Appropriations Committee -- by a mere 2 votes. Despite intense lobbying by the chemical industry and its front group "Citizens for Fire Safety" we lasted 5 rounds to that point.

Nonetheless, many of us have dusted ourselves off and we are intensely working on the same Assemblymembers to pass another bill, SB 797 sponsored by Sen. Fran Pavley, that would ban the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in baby products like bottles and formula cans. Other states like Minnesota and Connecticut already have passed similar bills.

EDIT by Brian: Take Action over the flip.

Elisa Batista :: Thank You -- and Plea For More Help on Toxics Bill

Today is the last day to pass this important piece of legislation in the California State Assembly. As the Los Angeles Times noted today, the formula and packaging industry have launched a ferocious campaign against this bill even though there are 200 peer-reviewed studies linking BPA with heart disease, diabetes, liver problems, brain damage, cancer and hormone disruption.

We are currently six votes shy of passing this important piece of legislation. CA parents, can you help us protect our children from BPA by making a few quick phone calls? Please encourage the following legislators who voted against the bill to vote YES on SB 797:

Wilmer Amina - Carter 916-319-2062
Alyson Huber- 916-319-2010
Norma Torres- 916-319-2061

We have even provided a script to help you out:

"Hello, My name is ___________________ and I am calling on behalf of parents in California in favor of supporting SB 797 to get the chemical bisphenol-A out of baby bottles and formula cans.

I know that the Assemblymember has one last chance to support this bill today through an "aye" vote when it is up for reconsideration. I am greatly concerned that as a parent, Assemblymember __________ is unwilling to protect the state's children herself. I am urging her support of SB 797 today.

Thank you for your time!"

While Republicans overwhelmingly voted against this bill and Democrats overwhelmingly supported it, there are some Democrats -- especially in southern California -- who abstained from voting altogether. Why not put in a phone call to your Assemblymember while you are at it? Here is a list of Assemblymembers' offices.

Thank YOU for taking the time to save this bill and protect our children from toxic products. Please help spread the word to all your family and friends in California!