2010 Maryland Legalize Home Kitchens Bill
Decorating By Jodiedew Updated 26 Oct 2011 , 6:55pm by bonniebakes
Same here starting to get nervous, too. I think I will do some fasting and praying on this starting tomorrow morning until the hearing. This really means alot to me, so I will not have to rent a kitchen and others as well. When will we hear the out come about the hearing? Please do continue to keep us posted. Wish I can be there.
Nyterpyre, you're going to be great tomorrow! I beleive one other person will be testifying with you. I called Delegate Love's office, and she can't guarantee anything, but she suspects that you'll be out of there much before 3:30. She did say you need to sign in by 12:30 (when you go into the committee room, there's a table with a book that includes a page for each bill. Just sign in under HB 607 on the "pro" side).
Just a reminder--if you want to have anything submitted to the committee members, it must be sent to Delegate Love's office by tonight ([email protected]). She has to have time to make 35 copies to deliver to the committee members by 11:45. The more we can send the better!
That is great that there will be a couple of you there to testify...On behalf of those of us who wish we could be there, but can't, THANK YOU!!!!!!! I know you will make us all proud Lecie and Cortney!!!! Don't be nervous...you will be fantastic!!!!
I sent my letter (a mini novel?? 
to Delegate Love's office last night, and I know DH sent one as well. A few friends and family members have been sending letters as well, to Delegate Love's office as well as some other members of the committee. Hopefully it will at least put the bill on their radar!?!?
Can't wait to hear how it goes...GOOD LUCK, LADIES!!!!!!
FYI, here are a couple of responses from 2 of the committee members: (DH got these this morning)
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Dear _____,
Thank you for the email regarding HB 607. I am a believer in our Free Market system and see this bill as simply allowing people to exercise that ability, I actually am not happy with all the requirements placed on someone who wants to sell homemade baked goods, but I surmise that this gives the bill a better chance of passing . I support this legislation.
Take care,
Wade (he's a repub. from Balt. County)
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Got this one too (he is a Dem. from Balt. County):
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Dear Mr. _______,
Thank you for taking the time to share your views regarding HB 607. All legislators are assigned to only one standing committee, and I serve on the Health and Government Operations Committee. While this bill has been assigned to the Health and Government Operations Committee, the bill hearing has not yet occurred. I do not plan to make a final decision regarding this bill until after I hear testimony during the bill hearing. Bill hearings are important because this is the public's opportunity to provide their input on the legislation, and I always find it helpful to listen to their perspective.
Please be assured that I will take your thoughts into consideration when I vote on this bill. I value constituent input and hope you will continue to share your thoughts and concerns with me. Please feel free to contact my office regarding this or any other issue.
Sincerely,
Dan K. Morhaim, M.D.
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Sounds like the Dr. needs a little convincing at the hearing, but sounds open to the idea....Go get 'em ladies!!
Annnddd...Jodie - thanks for all the proactive things you've done to bring this to our attention and rally our community around it! I'm so glad I know there are others in my area that want what I do and we have a chance to do something about it. I would never have known if you hadn't started this thread!
Great news everyone! I received a call from Delegate Love's office--Channel 5 has found our cause and is doing a story on our bill! They will be at the hearing tomorrow and have already interviewed Delegate Love, I believe (she left me a phone message asking if her office could pass along my phone number--of course I said yes!). Nytepyre, you're going to make all of us very proud tomorrow, and I hope you feel extremely proud of what you're doing as well
That is excellent news!!
Nytepyre you are going to do great! Thanks so much for stepping up.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Thanks for all the encouragement and support, guys! I'm excited that the news will be covering it. If we can get a little press, maybe more people will react and the delegates will have to listen to their constituents.
Jodie, you went last year, right? Do I prepare something to say like a mini-speech? That's what I was thinking, but I thought you might know better!
Nytepyre, for the testimony you prepare a 3 minute maximum mini-speech. Why this bill is important to you, why it's important to the state of Maryland, etc. You can also have a handout if you'd like, but it would have to be sent to Delegate Love by 10 am or so (and you might want to call her office to let her know you sent a handout, so she can be on the look out). After all the testimonies, the committee members might ask you questions. Just answer truthfully with what information you know. If you don't know something, say you're not sure and can get back to them. Really, these committee members have been elected by you and work for you, so you've got the upper hand here
If Channel 5 or another news media asks you questions after the testimony, feel free to say whatever you'd like to support the cause. You're the hero at the testimony--it's your moment to shine
Be sure to update us all with how it went! We're cheering for you!
Good luck!
I'll be sending good thoughts your way!!!!
FYI, the fiscal and policy note attached to the bill has been released: http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/fnotes/bil_0007/hb0607.pdf
OMGoodness, we are getting news press! Way to go Maryland Bakers!!! And to you Jodie a great big hug, a big slice of chocolate cake and a glass of cold milk for all that you have done and are still doing! We are lucky to have you!
Keep us posted on when we can expect to see footage on Channel 5.
Nytepyre and all others testifying on our behalf, best wishes to you all! I will say a prayer around 1pm for you all.
I wish I could be there with you all. As with most, I just returned to the office after more than a week away due to all the snow. Looking forward to reading the report when all the testifying is done!
) I've been checking for updates since a little after 3pm. patience isn't one of my personal virtues!
Thanks to all who are supporting this in whatever shape or form they were able by going to the hearing, posting, sending letters, joining the facebook group, praying!
Everytime my email reminder dings, my stomach jumps. Even though I'm sure we won't hear the final outcome today UGH!
Both of the testifiers that I know about had committments right after the hearing, so hopefully they'll be able to update us later tonight. The Fox 5 guy had called me this morning and left a message, and I called him back and left another message, but I haven't heard anything since. I can also give Delegate Love's office a call tomorrow and see how it went. Hopeful thoughts!!
Ok, I will not be able to check email again until later tonight, but like Jodie said, I'm sure we won't know anything until tomorrow sometime anyhow...
Still hopeful though! Is it possible to cross your fingers while you pray? Counter-intuitive, I know...
Hi! I had to rush to work after the hearing and only just got home. I'm updating during LOST commercial breaks, LOL. Things did go well at the hearing! There were no testimonies against us, and the testimony we gave went over well. We heard supportive things from several delegates, but we are not out of the woods by any means! I'm glad we got the response we did, Delegate Love said she felt it went better than last year, and we were very confident. It was a great experience!
THANK you so much for doing that today! And for the update!! (even during Lost!) So glad to hear it went well! You are a hero to all of us for testifying today, in the midst of your work schedule and everything!!! You rock!
I guess we'll wait to hear more details from Del. Love tomorrow? When does the committee vote? Do we even know that info? Now I'm just anxious.... Want to know one way or the other! Oh well....gonna go get myself sucked into American Idol! LOL!
Wow, that's great news! Was it just you and one other person who testified? What sort of comments did the delegates give? That's great that no one testified against us; last year the Dept of Health was against the bill. I'm glad you enjoyed the experience; you really made the difference by being there!
We all have to remember that the delegates still have not voted on this bill, so the letter writing campaign is still really important.
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