Overturning stones

MACLA sets "Face-to-Face" for Barton bill

October rally aimed at garnering more cosponsors

The Mid-Atlantic Cleaners and Launderers Association will sponsor a "Face-to-Face" meeting with Congress in Washington, DC, on Thursday, October 1.

The goal, according to MACLA executive director Dave Norford, is "to leave no stone unturned" in efforts to secure passage of H.R. 1711, the Barton bill. A "Phone & Fax Day" sponsored by MACLA this spring helped recruit several additonal Barton bill co-sponsors.

While MACLA's efforts will be concentrated on gathering more sponsors for the bill from the states of Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia, the association is inviting other trade groups and cleaners from around the United States to join in. MACLA is arranging for hotel space and will underwrite the cost of meeting expenses and materials so cleaners will be well prepared for appointments with their representatives or legislative staff people.

Norford said he is particularly interested in securing the sponsorships of members of Congress who have expressed interest in the bill but are yet to sign on. Eighty-two members of the House had agreed to cosponsor the bill that was introduced last year by Texas Republican Hoe Barton.

Congress has set Oct. 9 as its adjournment date and Norford said the usual flurry of last-minute action may provide an opening for Barton to move his legislation, especially if he has secured the 100 cosponsors that he has said he needs to get action on the bill.

If the bill is not acted upon in this Congress, Barton has said he will reintroduce it in the next Congress. Norford said that the more sponsors the bill can obtain this year, the further along it will be when the new Congress convenes on January.

Norford said he believes it is important for cleaners to come to Washington to make the industry's case. Meeting with representatives or staff people in local district offices has merit, but speaking directly to the representative and key staff people in their Washington offices can carry more eight. Legislative aides in the Capitol meet with the representative every day, as well as other representatives and their key staff members, and they are often the ones who can make the commitment.

The upcoming Congressional schedule combined with MACLA's face-to-face gives cleaners an opportunity to touch base with both the home district office and the Capitol Hill office. Congress will be in session through August 9, but most members will be home from August 10 through Sept. 8 for the "Summer District Work Period."

The schedule for the MACLA-sponsored face-to-face meetings will have cleaners and other industry representative arrive in Washington on Wednesday, Sept. 1. A reception will be held that evening at a yet-to-be named headquarters hotel.

On Thursday morning there will be a continental breakfast followed by a briefing and distribution of materials. Gary Baise of the Baise, Miller and Freer law firm has agreed to speak at the briefing.

After the briefing session, participants will head for the congressional offices on Capitol Hill. That evening there will be an informal gathering to review the days events.

Norford said he is taking to several Washington hotels about arrangements for the event. All hotels are either a short walk to Capitol Hill or a quick and easy subway ride.

Norford invited other trade associations to participate with MACLA in the event; so far, he said, the Southwest Drycleaners Association and the south Eastern Fabricare Association have expressed interest. Anyone interested can call Norford at the MACLA office, 540-775-2525.

New cosponsors
A flurry of sign-ons in late June added five Republicans and two Democrats to the list of cosponsors for Rep. Barton's that is designed to reform cleanup standards for drycleaning solvents.

Recent additions to the list of 20 Democrats cosponsoring the bill are Jim Barcia of Michigan and Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania. Joining the list of 63 Republicans were Chip Pickering of Mississippi, Bob Aderholt of Alabama, Scott McInnis of Colorado, Christopher Cannon of Utah and Barbara Cubin of Wyoming.

Representatives from 32 states are now signed on to the bill.

In a memo to the bill's industry supporters, Marshall Miller of the Baise, Miller & Freer law firm, which has been working to get the bill through Congress, said the key to the bill's success is grassroots support.

"We have lined up quite a number of other Congressmen who, we believe, are ready to join us if and when they hear from their home folks. That means we have to have your continued help," he said.

"Please don't be shy," he urged. " If you know your congressman, or if you and several others are willing to write his office, let us know and we'll help you. The law firm can be reached by phone at 202-331-9100 or e-mail at baisemill@aol.com.

In another update on Barton bill activity, Jamie Mayberry, administrative coordinator of the Fabricare Legislative and Regulatory Education group (FLARE), noted that one of the recent sign-ons, Wyoming's Barbara Cubin, is an influential member of the House Health and Environment Subcommittee and the House Finance and Hazardous Waste Subcommittee.

As for the bill's prospects, Mayberry said there is still a chance for this session. After Labor Day, Congress is scheduled to be in session for only about a month. With elections coming in November, Congress plans to adjourn Oct. 9.

"Even if the bill does not see action this session, our course of action must remain the same," Mayberry said. This effort still needs the industry's ongoing financial support. We still need to gain as many cosponsors as possible so that the bill can be reintroduced from a position of strength in the next session."

Fund-raising efforts for the bill are continuing through the Dry Cleaners Action fund of America. Contributions continue to come in, but expenses associated with lobbying continue, too. Donations in any amount can be made in the form of a checks made out to the Dry Cleaners Action Fund of America and sent to DCAFA, c/o MILD, PO Box 14044, Lansing, MI 48901.

The Details...

• Text of the Barton Bill
• Summary of HR 1711
• Dry Cleaners Action Fund of America
• Rep. Barton's "Dear Colleague" letter
• The Barton bill Scorecard
• Barney Deden's letter to drycleaners

Information from FLARE to help cleaners get the message to Congress

• Sample Congressional Letter
• Talking Points
• How the Barton Bill Protects Cleaners from Excessive Clean-up Costs
• Environmental Problems Facing Drycleaners
• Possible Arguments Against The Bill

Contacting Your Representative

• Step-by-step guide to congressional contact
• Congressional Directory
• Locate Your Representative
• Members of Key Committees dealing with the Barton bill