Dear MMC Member (and Friends of MMC),

We have just completed week eight. Any bill that we want passed MUST clear the original committee and "cross over" to the other chamber by March 21st. That means that if we want to "get it done" THIS session, we need to get favorable committee reports. While much can happen in the next two weeks, we need to step it up.

I am proposing TWO action alerts this week. While it will take a bit more work on your part, I KNOW we can make a difference with our letters to our delegates.To do this, we need EVERYONE'S help!

Hopefully by now you know the drill. But just in case.....Follow these steps.

1. Determine your representatives. Use this link; click on lookup and type in your address. RECORD THIS INFO...you'll continue to need this. Let your Organization's Director know so we can better target emails in the future.
2. Send the FIRST email to YOUR Delegate. Cut and paste the email template below into your email.
3. Insert the needed info at the [XXX- ] and feel free to modify the email as needed. If your Delegate isn't on the Committee ask him/her to support the bill when it comes up for vote.
4. Send a separate email to Delegate Rosenberg and the delegates on the Gov't Ops Sub-Committee. Use the emails below. Bonus points if you send letters to ALL of the Delegates on the full committee.
5. Copy MDMilCoalition@gmail.com (I'll be recording the number of letters by organization).

Subject Line: HB 1251 - I urge your STRONG Support!

Dear Delegate [xxxxxx]

I am writing as a member of [YOUR Vet Organization], a member of the Maryland Military Coalition to urge your support for HB 1251, "Department of Veterans Affairs - Burial in State Veterans' Cemeteries - Spouses and Dependents", sponsored by Delegate Chanel Branch (District 45) and other Delegates.

Under current state law, eligible spouses and dependents of veterans must provide the cost of burial with their sponsor in one of the five Maryland State Veterans Cemeteries. HB 1251 would authorize and direct our state to waive the cost, which presently is $828 per burial.

The State Department of Veterans Affairs' (MDVA) Annual Report (2021) shows that 3929 veterans and dependents were interred in our state veterans cemeteries in 2020. Over the past five (5) years, on average, 3405 veterans and dependents have been buried in a state cemetery.

I recommend that you support HB 1251 and work to see that it receives a FAVORABLE report as it proceeds through the legislative process.

Sincerely,

Name, Rank
Address
District

Second Alert

SB 005 - Establishing a Tuskegee  Airmen Commemoration Day

Senate - Education, Health & Environment
 

Use the same 5-step process as above.

Subject Line: SB 005 - Please Support Establishing a Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day

Dear Senator [XXXX]

I write as a member of [YOUR Vet Organization], a member of the Maryland Military Coalition, to urge your support for SB 005, a bill to establish a Commemoration Day honoring the Tuskegee Airmen (Senators Patterson - District 26- Ellis and Carozza).

The recent passing of Brigadier General Charles McGee, USAF-Ret., a highly decorated combat veteran of three wars, one of the last surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen and a resident of Maryland, brings to mind the extraordinary service and sacrifice of these American heroes from World War II's 'Greatest Generation'.

In the last session of the Maryland General Assembly, a similar bill establishing a Commemorative Day in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen was not favorably reported, unfortunately.

Please do all you can to ensure that SB 005  receives a FAVORABLE Report.

Sincerely,

Name, Rank
Address
District

I have heard many times from Legislators that it's the number of letters that they receive that often makes the difference in whether to support a bill or not. Your letters DO make a difference. If SB 005 makes it to crossover, we'll be sending out another alert on its companion bill, HR 479, next week.

Thanks for all you do!

Bob Norton
President

We continue to follow 53 bills. HB 237/ SB 365 has passed in both Chambers. Four bills have passed in one Chamber and two others have received a favorable committee report. See the tracker here.

We have generated 571 letters so far from 8 organizations. We are doing better than last year, but let's push this number to at least 750.

See you in Annapolis!
Remember to send your RSVP and check to John

Copyright © 2021 Maryland Military Coalition All rights reserved.
www.MarylandMilitaryCoalition.org
President, Bob Norton




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