Brothers and Sisters,

 

HB 449, which contains our language to expand military leave from 176 hours to 408 hours for our brothers and sisters serving in the Ohio National Guard and Armed Forces Reserves, is having a first hearing (sponsor testimony) tomorrow at 1000 AM in the South Hearing Room of the Senate building of the Ohio Statehouse.

 

The only testimony being given is from the bills' sponsor. Anyone wishing to attend is welcome.

 

ACTION ALERT:

 

This bill is facing heavy opposition from the Ohio Municipal League and the Ohio Township Association so we need your help. I have attached the contact list for the committee members, we need these Senators to be contacted by as many fire fighters as possible. Emails, letters and calls are all very helpful. Even if this bill does not affect you or any of your members, our brothers and sisters who are defending our freedom and democracy need your support. Let's not let them down. Even if you don't want to write, email or call, send this email to your members because some of them may want to help. Also, especially for our military members, it does not matter if these are your Senators, contact them anyway, it can't hurt. If they are your Senators make sure you get your members to contact them.

An email or letter can be worded similar to this (as always, please do not cut and paste):

 

Dear Senator Hughes,

 

I am writing you today to urge you to support HB 449, specifically the provisions that provide expanded military time for fire fighters and EMS workers. As public safety providers serving in the military, these members are being forced to use vacation or compensatory time just to fulfill their minimum training obligations to the military. Our soldiers should not be punished for having a work schedule that is different from other public employees. Please vote for HB 449 including the provisions for expanded military leave. Thank you.

 

Respectfully,

 

Fireman XXXXX

1234 Firehouse Lane

Conflagration, Ohio 55555 

 

Feel free to add any (polite) thoughts you have about supporting our soldiers etc. The municipal league and township association say this is about cost, lets remind our Senators that the sacrifice of our soldiers far exceeds that of the city or township. 

 

The following committee members have cosponsored this type of legislation in the past and they should be thanked for their past support of this issue in your email or letter:

 

Teresa Fedor

Nina Turner

Bill Seitz

 

I have also attached the top Senate Leadership they are not on the committee but should be contacted as well:

 

Senate President Bill Harris

Senate President Pro Tempore Tom Niehaus

 

Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro

Senate Assistant Minority Leader Shirley Smith

 

Remember to be polite, and as brief as possible (they won't read long emails), don't threaten anything or bring up politics.

 

The more they hear from us the less impact the Municipal League and Township Association will have. Thanks in advance.