CONTACT OUR LEGISLATORS NOW!!!

Dear Oregon Designers, Contractors, and Suppliers:

Here is a sample letter that you can send to members of the Business and Labor Committee, and the bill's sponsor, Representative Paul Holvey (see specific instructions below the letter):

I am writing to voice my strong objection to HB 2491 that is before the Business and Labor Committee.  If enacted, HB 2491 would impose licensing on the design profession and limit the work that the majority of Oregon designers may do.  It would be the most restrictive, anti-competitive interior design law in the country and join only 3 other states in the last 40 years to regulate the practice of interior design (those were enacted over 20 years ago, and are now embroiled in legal challenges).

House Bill 2491 is a lose/lose/lose scenario….

•  It is bad for Oregon’s design community
•  In this difficult economy, Oregon should not pass new laws which would make it even more difficult for its citizens to earn a living
•  It is bad for Oregon citizens and the many small businesses that work in the building and construction industry (not only designers, but contractors and suppliers)
• There has been no public outcry for the regulation of interior designers "to protect the health, safety, welfare, or peace" of the general public

With a State unemployment rate at 10.6%, which exceeds the national average, and a budget deficit of over $3 billion, why would the legislature even consider a bill that would harm small businesses and make it harder for us to survive and continue to work?  No legitimate governmental interest will be served by the adoption of HB 2491.  I urge you to protect the livelihoods of many good citizens of this state and reject the effort of a few industry insiders who are asking the legislature to shut down their competitors.

Sincerely,

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Highlight and copy (ctrl C) the text  between "I am writing…" and "Sincerely,"
2. Click on the link to a legislator (see below)
3. Paste the text into the message body area
4. Type your name and address below "Sincerely"at the bottom of the text, then click the "send" button
5. Repeat steps #2-4 above for each one of the legislators listed

RECIPIENTS:

For MORE information about the proposed Oregon bill:

• Read the previous blog. 
• Listen to Diane Plesset's interview with Lars Larson on 2/22.

http://idpc-nw.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/diane-with-lars-larson.mp3

• Listen to Diane Plesset's interviews on "Today's Home™" with Patti Morrow and Addie Smith.
   

To learn more about negative effects of legislation, watch the short video.