Action Alert: Stop nanny-state regulation (HB 1867)
Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) is attempting to enter the race for Most Unreasonable Nanny State Politician with his HB 1867, a bill that would require check-out clerks to “ask the customer if the customer would like to purchase a reusable bag… at reasonable price.”
No, really. This isn’t a joke.
And! Oh, it gets better! There’s a fine levied if the clerk fails to ask the question! $200-$600. For the individual who failed to ask. And then the business that employs this poor schlub? Also gets a fine - $200-$500.
Y’all, seriously - this seemingly innocuous, small-time nanny-state mentality is where the Big Freaking Government comes from. Everything Barack Obama is getting away with, in the bailouts and the bloated spending bills, starts with little things like this. The whole kit-and-kaboodle of liberal agenda items starts with fines and regulations like this.
We have really big fish to fry this legislative session, and because conservatives are having to focus on things like local option transit taxes, Anchia’s bill is one of the many that have a tendency to slip through committee like greased pig poo, show up on the floor and get passed with nary a whimper of protest. But the grassroots have the kind of voice that can stop this from going anywhere - if they speak up.
Yes, that means you.
So. Here’s Anchia’s Capitol office phone number: (512) 463-0746. He’s already filed the darn thing, so yelling at them won’t help you any. Just tell them you’re opposed to HB 1867 and that you’re going to call your state representative and say the same thing. And then, call your state rep. Not sure who that is? Find out here. Tell the person who answers the phone that you want to speak with the person in charge of legislation. Then tell whomever that is that you are a constituent and that you oppose HB 1867 by Anchia. Do it calmly - trust me, you help your cause a lot more if you’re polite and calm when talking with underpaid Capitol staffers.
H/T Daniel Greer.
Crossposted at Blue Dot Blues.