Feb. 6 - Annapolis - SB 281 Hearings

[MDFF2008]

Just curious, do they only allow "x" number of people into the hearing, or can we line the halls and essentially filibuster them?

The gay marriage bill debate went from 1pm to well after 11pm.

 

[-Z/28-]

The gay marriage bill debate went from 1pm to well after 11pm.

Well then, we should aim for midnight. I assume they take periodical recesses?

 

[dblas]

I already took off work for 2/8, so I doubt I'll be able to take off 2/6 unfortunately. I'll certainly try though, but more just to be there than to speak; I'll leave the public speaking to someone from here who's going and is good at it.

Move your day off, if you have to choose, this is the more important of the two days. The 6th is the day for all of the marbles, the more people that show up for the hearings the better.

 

[teratos]

Will having numbers of supporters at the hearing, those that are not speaking be beneficial? I can probably make both, but would not feel comfortable testifying.

Yes, you being there will be helpful. The larger the crowd, the more we can show how much we believe this bill should NOT pass.

 

[FreedomLuvr]

This is obviously very important to attend and share your voice. However, I think it could be equally damaging if you are unprepared. Would enjoy seeing advice from anyone that's testified at one of these before. Maybe make this thread or start a new one to make an "official" place to link *proven and reliable statistics* as ammo for people testifying. Other than FBI or police crime stats anyone have any other good data. Thanks in advance! LET OUR VOICE HEARD AND NEVER SILENCED!

 

[Safetech]

I'm in!

Not sure if I'll still be able to make the 8th. Closing down shop for one day is tough (and potentially quite costly) But two days in one week? I may not be able to pull that off.

But as gprimr1 said, this is more important.

How early can you sign up to testify?

Also, I now have no vehicles under 7" tall anymore. Were (besides the stadium) is a good place to park? If at all possible, I'd like to be within walking distance of the hearing.

 

[ChrisD]

Yes, you being there will be helpful. The larger the crowd, the more we can show how much we believe this bill should NOT pass.

I'm new on here, and also have never attended hearings in Annapolis. Will there be a group getting a bus, or carpools. I am in Cecil, and can meet up any where, along I 95 area into Baltimore.

 

[Kashmir1008]

You'll need to be brief. It's going to be a long day. You're technically allowed three minutes, I think, but most take less than their allotted time.

I'd like to get some guidance from MSI on this. I've heard they resort to tactics like splitting up the bills in different rooms to divide the ranks and delaying he bills that have a lot of folks testifying until the end and then rescheduling. Any thoughts/ advise on any of these issues? Seems like sheer numbers and potentially working in shifts to cover rescheduled hearing might be in order.

 

[ezliving]

Maybe MSI should create a Facebook event for this hearing?

From the legislature site:

Anyone wishing to testify on any bill must sign the witness register before 12:45 p.m. If you have written testimony, please submit 20 copies to the staff for distribution by 12:00 p.m. The order that bills are listed on the schedule is not necessarily the order in which they will be heard. Materials submitted for the Committee's consideration should not include plastic covers, binders or other materials that cannot be easily re-used or recycled.

Do we have allies on the Committee that will coordinate receiving (by email), duplication and distribution of written testimony and putting names on the lists to testimony?

 

[Cmoney]

I'll be there on the 6th, to bad I can't be there for both events. How strictly is the time limit enforced, I dunno if 3 minutes is enough time for me to cover my points...

 

[cjroman]

I'm in and will plan to be there both days...I have plenty of Use/Lose leave!
I will be coming up from Calvert County if anyone wants to look at carpooling...

 

[bobnieder]

Search "John Lott" on the forum, and print a pdf of one of his articles -- it will give you access to footnoted, reliable statistics, and you'll have something good (and encouraging) to read!

 

[skibernie]

I was planning to go on the 8th, but will try to switch that to the 6th. Heading to Annapolis from Silver Spring if there is any interest in car pooling.

 

[Bob A]

I can be there on the 6th.

Anyone from Takoma/Silver Spring want to do a carpool?

 

[annihilation-time]

I'm in.

 

[Mr H]

I'm in for the 6th, and now changing to maybe for the 8th.

I can take 5 more from Glen Burnie. I can stretch that out to 7 if needed (and they're small folk!!!)

PM me if interested.

 

[dblas]

I made a post on the 2A Feb 8th march with regards that we need everyone on the 6th more than the 8th. I also sent a PM to Lee Green (the coordinator for MD for the 8th) to see if he can blast this out everyone planning on attending the 8th.

I will be there for the 6th definitely.

 

[Robert]

Maybe MSI should create a Facebook event for this hearing?


Do we have allies on the Committee that will coordinate receiving (by email), duplication and distribution of written testimony and putting names on the lists to testimony?

Oh man, I sure hope they do something somewhere else also... All this FB stuff.....

 

[Kashmir1008]

I made a post on the 2A Feb 8th march with regards that we need everyone on the 6th more than the 8th. I also sent a PM to Lee Green (the coordinator for MD for the 8th) to see if he can blast this out everyone planning on attending the 8th.

I will be there for the 6th definitely.

Already speared the word amongst the rally coordinators. We having a conference call tonight to discuss rally logistics and the 6th will be part of the agenda.

Thanks

 

[jonnyl]

This is obviously very important to attend and share your voice. However, I think it could be equally damaging if you are unprepared. Would enjoy seeing advice from anyone that's testified at one of these before. Maybe make this thread or start a new one to make an "official" place to link *proven and reliable statistics* as ammo for people testifying. Other than FBI or police crime stats anyone have any other good data. Thanks in advance! LET OUR VOICE HEARD AND NEVER SILENCED!

No one should let it stress them. Having bodies there is important. Just getting up and saying "I respectfully ask the committee to oppose this bill" is great. Making a super eloquent and convincing speech that makes Frosh want to join the AGC to shoot his new AR is the holy grail of course.