We hope this finds you all doing well and that you are continuing to enjoy the success we experienced here in CT. The GMO labeling bill is currently waiting for Governor Malloy’s signature and we will let you know when he signs it into law. Please be assured, it is not a question of if, but when, thanks to all of your determination and advocacy efforts.

Since the landslide vote in CT, the momentum in other states continues to grow, due in large part to what happened here. Connecticut truly is the catalyst for GMO labeling across the country. Both the House and Senate in Maine passed their GMO labeling bill and it is awaiting Governor LePage’s signature. Similar to the CT bill, Maine’s bill has a trigger clause. All the more reason for all of us to be working together. Last week we travelled to Massachusetts to testify at their GMO labeling hearing and participate in their rally. We were met with a lot of gratitude from our Massachusetts neighbors. They know we are here to support them. The hearing was a huge success with a packed hearing room and over 65 people registered to testify. Our neighbors in New Jersey celebrated their first victory yesterday, when the budget committee passed their GMO labeling bill bringing NJ one step closer to GMO labeling.

With all of these promising advancements at the state level, it is more important than ever that we make sure the Federal Government does nothing to undermine State’s rights to protect their citizens. In particular, the King Amendment was inserted into the Farm bill under the guise of protecting interstate commerce. But, in practice, the King Amendment may prevent states from enacting GMO labeling laws. To read more about the King Amendment CLICK HERE. Please contact your member of Congress today. The House of Representatives is expected to be voting on the Farm Bill this week.

Call your Congressman and state the following:

“Strike the King Amendment from the Farm Bill and ensure that states have the right to protect their citizens and pass GMO labeling laws.”

John Larson – 1st District
(202) 225-2265 – Washington, D.C.
(860) 278-8888 – Hartford
https://forms.house.gov/larson/contact_new.html

Joe Courtney – 2nd District
(202) 225-2076 – Washington, D.C.
(860) 886-0139 – Norwich
(860) 741-6011 – Enfield
http://forms.house.gov/courtney/webforms/contact-form.shtml

Rosa Delauro – 3rd District
(202) 225-3661 – Washington, D.C.
(203) 562-3718 – New Haven

https://forms.house.gov/delauro/webforms/contact_form_email.shtml

Jim Himes – 4th District
(202) 225-5541 – Washington, D.C.
(866) 453-0028 – Bridgeport
(203) 353-9400 – Stamford
https://himes.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

Elizabeth Esty – 5th District
(202) 225-4476 – Washington, D.C.
(860) 223-8412 – New Britain
https://esty.house.gov/contact/email-me

If you are unsure of the district you are in, you can find your representative on the House of Representatives web site.

Thank you for taking action today. We were able to pass the Country’s first GMO labeling law because of all of you, we can have an impact on what happens in Washington as well.

You are invited to join us at a press conference with Senator Richard Blumenthal this Friday at noon at the Legislative Office Building (300 Capitol Avenue). Senator Blumenthal has been a champion for us at the Federal level for a long time now. He is very proud of the work you have all done and wants to continue to work in Washington for us. This will be a wonderful opportunity to thank Senator Blumenthal.

If there is one thing we learned over the last 18 months, it is that showing up and bringing out a crowd in support of GMO labeling whenever possible, is a critical step to the people taking back our government.

Check out this fantastic story by Michele Simon. It is about all of YOU. Please comment on the article and thank her for telling our story of the people rising up.

We thank you for your continued support and look forward to moving mountains with you.

Congratulations Connecticut, we passed the first GMO labeling law in the country! This GMO labeling victory belongs to each and every one of you. Yesterday was an historic day that we will all remember. We are so thrilled that many of you came to the Capitol to share it with us. After a unanimous vote in the Senate on Saturday night and an overwhelming vote in the House yesterday of 134-3, it is clear your legislators heard you!

One week ago, we never would have believed that we would be standing at a press conference with Governor Malloy and the leadership in both the House and Senate. We will always be grateful to our champions in the House and Senate. We feel it is very important that we write our legislators, the House and Senate leaders and the Governor to say thank you for supporting our right to know.

To find your legislator CLICK HERE.

To e-mail Governor Malloy CLICK HERE.

Representative Larry Cafero (Minority leader of the House) larry.cafero@housegop.ct.gov

Representative Brendan Sharkey (Speaker of the House) Brendan.sharkey@cga.ct.gov

Senator John McKinney (Minority Leader of the Senate) http://ctsenaterepublicans.com/contact-mckinney/

Senator Donald Williams (President Pro Tempore of Senate) http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/Williams-mailform.php

While we know that many of you have concerns about the trigger clause that remains in the bill, this is a very strong bill that we should be very proud of. It represents the highest standard developed by GMO labeling leaders throughout the country. Once the exemption for farmers was removed by the Senate Saturday evening, the bill contained strong language that could be a model for the rest of the country. We consulted many professionals and the consistent advice we received was that the trigger clause did not diminish the integrity of the bill. We have nothing to fear, the Connecticut GMO labeling law will be a catalyst for states throughout the country to join us. We have faith in our fellow GMO labeling warriors in other states, if WE could do it, we know THEY can do it. We have made peace with the trigger clause and we hope you can all do the same. If you were at the press conference yesterday, then you heard from leaders that travelled to CT from NJ, PA, ME, and MA. Hearing them speak with such passion and conviction gave everyone great comfort. We will now rally behind other states.

We have only just begun our work together. We hope you will all continue to work with us to achieve a GMO Free Connecticut.

With Gratitude,

Tara and the Team at GMO Free CT

http://www.GMOFreeCT.org

http://www.facebook.com/GMOFreeCT

http://www.twitter.com/GMOFreeCT