Calling All Florida Home Bakers - Lets Get The Law Changed!
Business By janelwaters Updated 20 Nov 2013 , 3:43pm by LoveMeSomeCake615
Hi Ladies,
Well, here I am in Tallahassee reading and getting really excited. I think it's a great idea. In fact, I had lunch today with my cousin, who works for Gov. Christ. I shared with her the gist of this thread.
Her advice was that we don't rush to get letters in by the end of this week. Since the Session is drawing to a close, the Legislators are focusing on what is currently before them for passage. She suggested that we focus on sending letters of support and finding someone to sponsor the bill shortly after the Session ends. In fact, with the state of the economy and budget, it may well be that there will be a special session specifically to handle budget issues.
She seemed to think that the letters would have a greater impact when the legislators aren't focused on issues that they have to act on now.
Hope that the information is helpful.
Patty Len
I hope this might be helpful. http://myflorida.com/ on the lower right side of the page you can enter your zip code and it will give you a list of your reps.
Patty! you are my hero!! I have been dying to find SOMEONE who has some personal connection to anyone in government - this is beautiful!! thank you so much!!!
I just wanted to start getting the letters out as soon as possible - I wasn't even thinking about the fact that they are currently in session - I was thinking by February and we seemed to have momentum right now. But you are totally right!! They are focused on what they are working on now.
Does she know of anyone that would sponsor a bill - I think that is our biggest first obstical!
Hi Ladies,
Well, here I am in Tallahassee reading and getting really excited. I think it's a great idea. In fact, I had lunch today with my cousin, who works for Gov. Christ. I shared with her the gist of this thread.
Her advice was that we don't rush to get letters in by the end of this week. Since the Session is drawing to a close, the Legislators are focusing on what is currently before them for passage. She suggested that we focus on sending letters of support and finding someone to sponsor the bill shortly after the Session ends. In fact, with the state of the economy and budget, it may well be that there will be a special session specifically to handle budget issues.
She seemed to think that the letters would have a greater impact when the legislators aren't focused on issues that they have to act on now.
Hope that the information is helpful.
Patty Len
Patty! Thats awesome info!!! Storm the Capitol as Janel said!!! hahaha
And just a FYI: Althought the Gov THINKS he might be the ALLMIGHTY ... he REALLY just Gov "Crist"!!! hahahahaha
I would suggest that if you haven't heard anything in a couple weeks then lets resend the letters. I am going to hit up my friends and family at the end of the month to get their support letters out. Instead of trying to get them to do it now.
Even though we seem to have a little inside information for the Governor's office - we really need someone to sponsor the bill.
I also think it would be a fantastic idea if someone could do some research to find out all the major food corporations that were started as small home enterprises - especially baked goods.
I will keep checking in, but there really isn't much more that I can do until after Friday afternoon. I have to get a pirate cake done for one of my daughter's lil boyfriends! Last week was a jungle cake and this week its Pirates! It would be so nice if I could actually get paid for this work!! but I guess right now its just a really great b-day gift!
Here is a list of the Representatives they gave us for the Save the Schools rally here in Brevard County - Hope it helps.
Let them know how you feel by contacting our representatives:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
I'll follow up with her in the next day or so. She's just getting back into the swing of work after surgery on a broken leg. And, she has several bill's that she's following right now.
She said she'd be happy to advise us when necessary. Also, said she'd think about who we might approach to sponsor the bill.
Getting organized right now is the key to successful passage of a bill next spring. It wouldn't hurt to have a marketing plan so that we can keep our issue in their minds over the next year. Maybe even plan to send them some of our homemade goodies.
We're just getting started!
Pat
PattyLen, thanks so much for your willingness to help and also thank your friend. You both are awesome 
Let me know what I can do to help.
Ok - I emailed my rep, my senator, my congressman, the governor and the lt governor!
Lets see what happens!!
North Florida here...Im In ! Let us know those emails and we can get on emais too. I plan on making a non-baker form for all my friends and family and possibly customers too, Im sure I can get 10 of those sent!
OK! Lets NOT forget all the BIG people out there!!!
[email protected]
[email protected]
Mrs. Obama .. http://www.capwiz.com/politicsol/webreturn/?url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Dr. Jill Biden .. http://www.capwiz.com/politicsol/webreturn/?url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
You can also use the last 2 forms to email your letters to Obama and Biden if you'd rather
I am hoping (on the suggestion of another CC member, thank you Parable!) that someone knows of a really good attorney or a lobbiest etc. that can help us through all the red tape.
I am also hoping that someone personally knows a legislator, senator, congressman, mayor, the Governer etc....
I think that would move things along pretty quickly for us.
ok people - get those letters out and email everyone you know in Florida and pm all the people that you know on CC in Florida.
I called my attorney this morning and am waiting for a call back. He thinks the idea is very feasible but it is not his area of expertise and is going to refer me to one that can at least point us directly where we need to go.
Hopefully, I hear back today and can call and get an appointment for a consultation quickly.
That would be so fantastic!!!!!!
Let us know what comes of it!!
I'm still catching up on all the posts, but I have to say...YOU LADIES ROCK!!! 
Or did you sleep with your phone!?
hahaha - you crack me up!!
For those of you that live in the Jacksonville area (Fernandina and St Augustine included) please visit the local ICES chapter website and PLEASE join us for our next meeting www.sagnfl.com. If you don't live in the Jax area please contact your local cake club/ICES chapter to reach out to those not on CC.
I have not heard anything from any of the letters that I sent out - but I am not suprised or discouraged by that given that they are currently in session. I will resend my letters at the end of May if I haven't heard anything and I will get my friends and family to start sending out the non-baker letters of support.
I didn't hear back yesterday...I guess he was in court in the afternoon...so I called back this morning and talked to his assistant. She said to call her back before 5 p.m. today (he's going to be in and out all day again) and she would have a referral for me. So that's all I have for right now...dang it!!
I've been handing out non-baking letters with stamped envelopes to anyone I think would send them in.
I'm also trying to get in touch with an acquaintance in the area (friend of a friend type thing) who started classes and baking recently and has some legal ties. She's really into cakes and I'll refer her to this site and this thread. I'd be surprised if she wouldn't be interested.
Well, No new updates for me - except FINALLY I can actually see what I'm posting!! =) Thats why I gave it a few daze b4 I came back!
Still anxiously awaiting to hear what or if anything cakedoll might have found out!
Still havent heard back from the countless calls and emails I did earlier this week .. but since they are all in session right now, I really didnt expect too. Like Janel allready said .. If I dont hear from someone soon .. Im emailing and calling all them again at the end on this month 
They might put up the bill just to shut me up!!! hahaha
So the answer to your question rockytop is ........... NOPE! Sorry 
That doesnt surprise me at all! There was a post on page 1 or 2 that said something to the affect that we needed to be careful so's not to step on any toes in the process ... I personally can "see" why they wouldnt want home bakers to be licensed BUT I also think that it not only would it be good for state revenue BUT for our 'own' economic recession we're ALL in - bakery's included! Hopefully there will be ppl out there who will support our efforts - for the better of everyone!!! *whew* I feel better!!
And Janel getting the local ICES chapter involved was awesome!! They have a LARGE voice and thats JUST what we need!! LOUD MOUTHS!! hahaha
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