An interesting but not completely effective site, depending on how your state representation is structured. Maryland has three bills detailing with the increase in tax on tobacco products. Through that interface, I sent emails to my two legislators (my wife works for one, a state Senator) opposing this legislation. Indeed, sitting beside me with her work laptop it was received. Sadly, as a conservative Republican, he already opposes any increases in tax so my email to him won't do much good. My wife said I would be better served getting a letter out to the folks on the committee. If you choose the "click for status", you can find the individuals on a particular committee that have sponsored the bill. Those are the folks where letters need to be sent. My wife advises written letters get action, emails, not so much (they get inundated). A written letter almost guarantees a written response. At least that is how it works in Maryland. She adds her office has received exactly one email or any communication on these tobacco bills, mine. The Senator would need a lot more communication to get his attention on any issue. This will pass and I'll be taking my tobacco business to Pennsylvania.
As a classic car enthusiast, my British car club is opposing legislation changing the way a car with an "antique" plate can be used. We have sent a number of written letters to every individual on the bill committee and our local representatives in the Senate and House. We will travel to Annapolis to testify at a hearing in opposition to this bill. Sadly, it takes this level of effort to stop this type of nonsense (we already have effective regulations on the books on antique plates that are not enforced, why add more?). The gun advocates (myself included) also organize and react in a similar way. It takes this level of passion to elicit any change and even so, it is difficult in Maryland as we are a Democratic controlled state.
