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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello All,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On Tuesday, February 12 and Wednesday February 13 the Budget Committees will be examining the State Board of Elections Budget. We need to attend these hearings to let them know that it is time to create one voting system for all. If you can attend, please email me off list and I will provide transportation information, etc. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please get in touch with your congressman and Senator Cardin to ask them to co sponsor the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act. Read the information below from Gabe. Both issues are very important. Thank you for your help. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>From Gabe: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As President Riccobono announced at the Great Gathering-In, we have a new bill which needs your immediate attention. The Transformation to Competitive Employment Act was introduced in the Senate by Senator Casey of Pennsylvania and Senator Van Hollen of Maryland, and was assigned bill number S. 260. In the House, Chairman Bobby Scott of Virginia and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington introduced companion legislation, H.R. 873. These bills would phase out Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act over a six-year period, at which point the provision would officially be sunset. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>All of this means that we have the opportunity to give these bills a strong start by immediately building cosponsor support for both S. 260 and H.R. 873. Therefore, please call or email your senators and ask them to cosponsor S. 260 and call or email your representative and has him or her to cosponsor H.R. 873. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When you call or email, you might say something like the following:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Hello, my name is [your name] and I am a constituent of [your senator/representative]. I live in [city, state]. I am calling to urge [your senator/representative] to cosponsor [S. 260 for Senate calls/H.R. 873 for House calls], the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act. This bill would phase out subminimum wages for people with disabilities over a six-year period, at which point Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the provision that allows this practice, would be sunset. I urge [your senator/representative] to cosponsor the bill. Thanks.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You can contact your member of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard and asking for the office in question. The number is 202-224-3121. If you email your representative or senators, please copy me at <a href="mailto:gcazares@nfb.org">gcazares@nfb.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It is critical that we move on this quickly, so please strive to make your calls and send your emails as soon as possible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>410-715-9596<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back</span>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>