House Commerce Committee Meeting re: CPSIA scheduled for January

[#1]

I just spoke to the CPSIA specialist in Diana DeGette's office (colorado 1st district) for almost an hour. She was one of the co-authors of the law. He said she never intended for this to happen and that the committee that authored this bill will be meeting at the beginning of Jan. He had no idea it affected so many people negatively...he was surprised and said that degette would be too. He asked if I would work with them...I gave some suggestions...hopefully She will take my story to the committee

I suggest that you contact your reps that are members of the house commerce committee regarding this issue since they'll be meeting soon...Tell them your story!

[GriffithGardens]

marking

[imakecutestuff]

go turtleparktots! awesome!

[Former_Member]

morning!

[Former_Member]

Guess who I will be calling Monday morning??

[Mulchandmore]

it's great to hear some positive responses and more good links. Thanks.

[SkyviewClay]

wtg tpt!
:)

[Former_Member]

I just emailed the MA representative, it did not look like there was a state restriction on emailing him. I will try calling on Monday.

[NORMandLOU]

Thanks You so much for your hard work...that letter is perfect and it really sums up the issue!

[Former_Member]

As a seller from Canada whose business is solely children's products,& who has a vast majority of customers in the USA, I commend all of you who are able to voice your concern at what this law will do to the home business & craft industry.

[Former_Member]

Rats! I just sent my MA congressman on the committee, but he is outside my district so he will not reply to me. But maybe he will look at the email.

I hope...I hope...

I will still try calling. If he is on the committee, they should be prepared to take comments from everywhere.

[Former_Member]

I'm frustrated too that I can't contact reps from other districts...it seems undemocratic somehow. I sent an email to the entire senate before I realized I needed to be in their districts...i'm hoping someone will read them

[Former_Member]

Does anyone know if there is an association of somesort that works on half of handmade industries?

What we are sorely missing is some representation....all we have is each other. But I got this crazy thought on my way to the post office...may be one good thing that can come out of this is some sort of handmade organization or association or coalition...

whaddya think? it'd be a lot of work and I'm not sure how to do it but the big guys (mattel, et al.) knew about this law years ago and have had people working on their behalf....if we are truely an industry we should have the same....

just a thought!

[Former_Member]

turtleparktots says:
Does anyone know if there is an association of somesort that works on half of handmade industries?

Yup! There is.

http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/

http://groups.google.com/group/handmade-toys?hl=en

[Former_Member]

does the handmade toy alliance include handmade children's products in general? I've looked at their information and it seems pretty specific to toys....hmmm

thanks for the links!

[Former_Member]

I'm not sure... I joined, just because they are active and I want to be DOING something. But I don't make toys. Not even everyone in the group makes things - some people are just supporters.

[Former_Member]

You should join *pulls turtle by the hand*

[Former_Member]

hmmm...maybe I will *scratches her chin*...maybe I will :-)

if their active than that's all that matters right now. I just keep replaying two things from yesterday's call to DeGette's office...1. he was surprised that no one had contacted them regarding this....2. he was surprised we waited until now.

[Former_Member]

turtleparktots, I think that so many people just didn't know WHO to contact (apparently Senators & Congressmen don't give a damn), but I think it's AWESOME that you were able to uncover the source for everybody who will be affected by this. =)

I've praying that something positive would come of everyone's efforts...I will keep doing so.

[Former_Member]

I know...me too! I feel incredibly lucky to have DeGette represent me. I didn't know her roll in creating this bill until after I call. I simply called since she is my rep.

Her staff is incredibly nice and they didn't ask for my zip code like Salazar did so I suggest calling her office and letting them know your concerns. her DC phone number is (202) 225-4431

Thank her for her hard work and working on behalf of our children and express your concerns on how this will affect small business in US. Oh, and tell them we're not trying to get out of being regulated....oh, you probably know the spiel by now :-)

[littlegirlPearl]

turtleparktots
turtleparktots says:
also...we shouldn't be too "anti regulation" when we contact our reps...we just need "smart regulation" instead

**********
I totally agree with this. I think some form of regulation is needed, but it could be done in a much smarter way. Supplier certifications should be allowed, along with possibly XRF testing and exclusions for materials that contain no lead in the first place. Great work turtle!

[Former_Member]

marking

[EclecticPixie]

Thanks for sharing!! :)

[LittleTurtleHatShop]

marking

[LittleTurtleHatShop]

Hi Everyone...you can look in your local phone book for snail mail addresses and phone numbers for your local reps etc.

[Former_Member]

marking for hope!