[Cabs-talk] Fwd: AJR36 update

[Darian Smith]

Greetings CABS,
 the following is a great opportunity for us to involve ourselves in real advocacy work that impacts  blind students. 
 The   reason? Simply put,  we want to make sure that no blind student, blind person,  person like me, person like you ever needs to face the prospect of getting paid less than the minimum wage.
 Please read the below and see about acting on this.
 If I can answer any questions please seek me out.
  Best,
   Darian      

> Subject: AJR36 update
>  
> Greetings all,
>  
> As you know we have been tracking and working toward the passage of AJR36 in the California Legislature.  This Joint resolution would call on the U.S. Congress to pass legislation which would eliminate sub-minimum wages for workers with disabilities.  On August 14, the California Senate will take up this resolution.  It has already passed Senate committee hearings.  This week’s vote will be before the entire senate.
>  
> The opposition to AJR36 has been stiff.  The opponents have outright lied and distorted what will happen if AJR36 passes.  For example, the lobbyists in Sacramento working for the workshops have said that disabled people in the workshops would lose their jobs if the workshops have to pay fair wages.  They have said that private industry would no longer hire disabled workers if only fair wages must be paid to those individuals.
>  
> Two weeks ago I went to Sacramento and met with a number of Senate staff people to discuss the legislation.  I heard the above arguments and more.  I also found that we have much support for AJR36, but the passage of the resolution is not assured by any means.  There are a number of senators who either have not yet made their decision about AJR36 or they have indicated they may vote against the resolution.  Here is an updated list of senators and their staff persons we need to contact and urge to support AJR36.  A simple letter saying something like “please support AJR36 in order to secure fair wages and better jobs for all persons with disabilities” is all each of us need email.  Now for the list.  I am including senators’ names, party affiliations, cities containing district offices, emails, names of appropriate staff persons, and staff emails.  Please send emails to both senators and their staff people.  Finally, please copy me on your emails at mike at michaelhingson.com.  This list is the most current list of senators and staffers who need our attention.  It does not matter at this point whether or not you live in the districts, although local support always counts more.  Remember, the lobbyists do not live in most of these senators’ districts and they are still heard.
>  
> Senator Lou Correa, (D) Santa Ana, CA,Lou.Correa at sen.ca.gov, Staffer is Jano DeKermenjian,Jano.DeKermenjian at sen.ca.gov.
>  
> Senator Mark DeSaulnier, (D), Walnut Creek and Antioch, CA,Mark.DeSaulnier at sen.ca.gov, Staff personEmlyn Struthers, Emlyn.Struthers at sen.ca.gov.
>  
> Senator Noreen Evans, (D), Santa Rosa, Eureka, Ukiah, Vallejo, and San Rafael,Noreen.Evans at sen.ca.gov, staff person Heather Scott, Heather.Scott at sen.ca.gov.
>  
> Senator Jerry Hill, (D) San Mateo, CA, Jerry.Hill at sen.ca.gov, Staff person, Meegan Murray,Meegan.Murray at sen.ca.gov.
>  
> Senator Mark Leno, (D), San Francisco, CA,Mark.Leno at sen.ca.gov, staff person is Danielle Lenth,Danielle.Lenth at sen.ca.gov.
>  
> Senator Carol Liu, (D), Glendale, CA,San Dimas, CA,  Carol.Liu at sen.ca.gov,.  I do not have a staff member name for her.
>  
> Senator Bill Monning, (D), San Luis Obispo,CA, Monterey, CA, Santa Cruz, CA, Gilroy, CA,Bill.Monning at sen.ca.gov, staff person isKathy Smith, Kathy.Smith at sen.ca.gov.
>  
> Senator Fran Pavley, (D), Calabasas, CA,Fran.Pavley at sen.ca.gov, staff person isChris Chavez, Chris.Chavez at sen.ca.gov.
>  
> Senator Norma J. Torres, (D), Chino, CA,Norma.J.Torres at sen.ca.gov, staff person is Roy Sianez, Roy.Sianez at sen.ca.gov.
>  
> Senator Ed Hernandez, (D), West Covina, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Ed.Hernandez at sen.ca.gov,Lynne Andres, Lynne.Andres at sen.ca.gov.
>  
> Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, (D), Santa Barbara, CA, Oxnard, CA,Hannah.Beth.Jackson at sen.ca.gov, staff person is Mathew Montgomery,Mathew.Montgomery at sen.ca.gov.
>  
> Senator Richard D. Roth, (D), Riverside, CA,Richard.Roth at sen.ca.gov, staff person is Bethany Woy, Bethany.Woy at sen.ca.gov.
>  
> Senator Lois Wolk, (D), Vacaville, CA Napa, CA, Vallejo, CA, Lois.Wolk at sen.ca.gov, staff person is Marivel Barajas,Marivel.Barajas at sen.ca.gov.
>  
> Again, all we need is a simple letter requesting that these senators support AJR36.  Your request to the staff people should be to ask their bosses to support AJR36.  Should you have any questions please feel free to call me at (415) 827-4084 or email me at mike at michaelhingson.com.  Pleast take the time to stand up and be heard.  Thanks in advance.
>  
>  
> Best,
>  
>  
> Michael Hingson
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
> The Michael Hingson Group, INC.
> "Speaking with Vision"
> Michael Hingson, President
> (415) 827-4084
> mike at michaelhingson.com
> To order Michael Hingson's new book, Running With Roselle, and check on Michael Hingson's speaking availability for your next event please visit:
> www.michaelhingson.com
>  
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Darian Smith
1st Vice President, California Association of Blind Students
dsmithnfb at gmail.com
www.nfbcal.org/cabs
Follow CABS on twitter: @cabs_cali
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