I just signed and I was number 59. I sent it to all of the people in my Wilton classes and now I'm about to send it to my coworkers who's eaten my cakes before.

Thanks to everyone on CC who's gotten the issue this far.

Yes, I know what is all involved with renting a kitchen. Had to put out the money for all of that. Plus more (for food manufacturing license) if I want to package cookies and cakes for other to re-sell at their store.

Mac - how did you go about finding the kitchen that you rent? I live in Katy, TX so I know there's bound to be a place that I can rent, but don't know how to find it.

Senator Steve Ogden
PO Box 12068
Austin, TX 78711-2068

(512) 463-0105

Mac - my argument to the Senator would be that since licensed bakers are already in competition with unlicensed bakers, I fail to see how more regulation could possibly be a bad thing.

Here's the petition link again since we're on a new page:
http://www.petitiononline.com/TXCotFd/petition.html

Aggiechef--
We have a private school here that I knew rented out the kitchen/dining area/auditorium to a church on Sunday. Since it is a private school that operates on private funding, scholarships, fundraisers...any extra money would be a help to them.

Plus I already did a few things for the school fundraisers so I knew many of the board members. When I asked, I was told that they didn't even use the kitchen. Wrote up a proposal for amount of time I would need it, the hours I would use it and the amount I was willing to pay. I do not keep all my stuff there--just a few things and then bring what I need. Still required to get all my licenses and permits--I am considered a caterer.

I just signed too, i'm sending this to everyone i know. Good look in your appointment Kelley.

I just signed in too!!!!! Good luck Kelley!!!

I signed and am sending it to everyone I know.

Good luck!!!

This may be a dumb question but do we have to live there to sign it? I will be moving there in about 6 months.

I dont think so, when you sign in it only requires your name and e-mail address... all my family signed in and they dont live here, hope this help....Welcome in advance to TX!!

OMG this is AWESOME! Where in the world have I been, missing this thread! Signing now...sending it to EVERYONE I know. And putting it on my blog.

Hi Summer, thank you for your prayers (from the other thread), we'll be praying for your aunt too.
I posted about this thread on the other one, the laundry one on page 32.
I don't think you need to live in Texas. My son is living in Taiwan, but planning to come back and he signed.

I just signed. I was #126. I'm forwarding to all my friends too!

Just signed. I will be forwarding to friends. Good Luck!!

For the sake of making the petition look as legitimate as possible, let's try to limit signatures to those living in Texas or planning to move to Texas in the next 12 months. Also, those comments we're getting look REALLY good. Keep 'em coming!

I'm telling, calling, texting, emailing, and MySpace-ing everyone!

I just posted it on the other 2 message boards I'm on & I emailed it to everyone in my email address book!

I'm in!

My mom is a member of a Texas political group (left over from the election), and she sent out the info on their forum. I think a lot of them were interested.

i just signed #189 and im passing it on to all my cake groups. How many signatures do you need before it gets passed on to the senator?

Whew! Okay, I sent this petition to EVERYONE I know (even some people out of the country who used to live in Texas and have a vested interest in Texas laws). I posted it on Facebook, and texted everyone in my phone.

Kelley, I'll be thinking about you and cheering you on from DFW! You can do it!!!

sweetcakes - I will be presenting it to the Senator's aide regardless of how many more signatures there are. MORE IS BETTER. I will be printing it off late tonight to prepare for my meeting tomorrow morning.

DON'T stop forwarding it and signing it and making people aware of this issue! I've registered TexasCottageFoodLaw.com (nothing's there yet, I'll be working on it later today hopefully) so that can be our "home base" instead of here . I will also be drafting press releases to release to all the television news stations in Texas, so I may take some of you guys up on your offers of help for that.

The legislature is only in session once every two years, so if we don't get something done now, it's another 2 years to wait. But the economy is bad NOW. People need a way to create legal extra income NOW.

So keep on keepin' on!

Ok just signed it and forwarded it to everyone I know!

This may be a silly question, but has anyone notified the Texas chapter of ICES regarding this? They might be able to put out a membership e-mail...? I haven't rejoined ICES since I moved here, so I don't have any of the contact info.

BTW, I signed the petition and it was over 200 at that time.

Kelly, Let me know when you get the press releases ready. I've got quite a few contacts with the local TV, radio, and newspaper. SEE! I KNEW all those months of giving away samples would come in handy! (in your FACE DH!)

My mom got several of her friends to sign, and they are all sending it on to their friends as well. I hope this will help!

My sister did too.
Hi Summer.

Hi again eldag.

I just signed and it is currently at 350