Activism works!! I inspired a bill!

[proud2BlibKansan]

About 6 months ago, I contacted the state rep who represents the neighborhood where my school is located. Several families at my school had lost their rental homes when the landlord didn't pay the mortgage. They paid their rent but lost their home anyway. One family had no notice. They literally came home and found their belongings in their front yard.

I was so angry, I fired off a quick email to our state rep. In the subject line I put: 'This should be illegal'. She wrote me back and said yes she agreed and she would look into writing a bill.

A couple months later, she wrote me back and said the bill looked good but the banking lobby was fighting it. (Figures!) So I gathered it would never pass and oh well, I tried anyway. Move on to the next issue that pisses me off. LOL

Then today she contacted me to tell me the bill passed and the governor is coming here to sign it and she wants me to be there for the signing.

How awesome is that!?

So keep on emailing and calling and writing. You never know when they might actually pay attention to your request. :woohoo: :bounce: :patriot:

[NYC_SKP]

1. Awesome! Take pictures, write a story for us or a journal entry. This is terrific!

We complain, rightly, when our system doesn't work....

We need to celebrate when it does! :party:

:applause:

Recommended!

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Damn skippy I will write about it

After all, the governor and the rep are both Democrats and this site is supportive of good Democrats.

[NYC_SKP]

18. lol!

Double spaced, illustrated, in triplicate!

Or just all sloppy and stream of consciousness-like!

Any old way you want.

With pics! :silly:

[Hissyspit]

57. I'm Just A Bill:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/awesomer/photoshopped-pro-ahmadinejad-rally-cci

[proud2BlibKansan]

58. One of my favorite Schoolhouse Rock videos!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEJL2Uuv-oQ

[pcounsell]

109. Even If....

I am a conservative, I agree that it should be illegal. Congrats on getting this passed, maybe other states will follow your example!!!

[proud2BlibKansan]

114. Thank you and enjoy your stay!

:hi:

[Fovea]

2. You rawk!

Good job, hon!

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Thanks hon.

How are you? I was just thinking about you the other day.

[Fovea]

75. I am having a deuce of a time

bouncing back from the flu.

Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts.

[Catshrink]

4. WTG!!!

Good work! I'm glad to know that your Leg. actually reads your emails. Here, mine has said openly that he reads the first couple of sentences and if it's negative, he doesn't read any more of it.

:yourock: :applause:

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. She's new

LOL The rookies must work harder.

[JimWis]

5. Good for you. Nice job.

[malaise]

8. Bravo

:yourock: :applause:

[tom_paine]

9. Congrats to you, p2blibK!

:toast: :patriot:

[jgraz]

10. That's awesome

My first reaction was: WTF -- you mean that's NOT illegal already? :wow:

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. MTE

Blew me away that this happened. One of the mothers came to me and asked for help. I thought for sure this was illegal so I looked up the phone number for Legal Aid and told her to call them. She came back the next day and said there was nothing they could do. That's when I got pissed and wrote the rep.

[Lisa0825]

11. You are AWESOME!!!

:yourock:

[bleever]

12. proud2 K&R!

Nice work!

[HughMoran]

13. Holy crap! That is tre awesome!

Good work - I can't believe it either - wow!

[pleah]

15. Bravo!

That is way cool!


:applause: :applause: :applause: :yourock: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[Canuckistanian]

16. How cool is THAT!

Way to go!

How many people can say they inspired a bill AND were invited to the signing?

You're teh awsome!

:fistbump:

[s-cubed]

17. Wonderful! See my Challenge post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5876622&mesg_id=5876622

For every post or comment on DU, make a phone call or send an email to a politician about some cause you believe in.

[proud2BlibKansan]

20. I saw that!

Kudos for a great idea. :applause:

[clear eye]

19. Congrats! n/t

[lumberjack_jeff]

21. That's awesome! Well done! n/t

[Suich]

22. That is SO cool!!!

:yourock:

Excellent job!!!

[Luminous Animal]

23. Very awesome!

Congratulations!

[Laelth]

24. You made the world a better place. Good work. n/t

:patriot:

:dem:

-Laelth

[Horse with no Name]

25. Her mere existence makes the world a better place

She is one of my heroes!:loveya:

[Horse with no Name]

26. K&R

[proud2BlibKansan]

31. You are too kind

Your post makes me cry. When I graduated from the 8th grade, we had to write an essay explaining how we would make the world a better place. Mine of course was about how I was going to become a teacher.

And every year on the last day of school, I make my kids write about how they are going to make the world a better place.

[Horse with no Name]

34. You have been successful

But don't rest on your laurels!:hug:
You absolutely rock! And making your kids write about how they will make the world a better place? THAT my friend is keeping your eye on the prize. Good job!

[proud2BlibKansan]

40. I can't find the law online but I did find an editorial about it

http://voices.kansascity.com/node/4294

[kevinbgoode]

27. Congrats to you! And to the hope that your activism will now

rescue many families in those situations.

[robinlynne]

28. wow! i'm so proud of you.

[aikoaiko]

29. Post the text of the bill.

let's see it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

35. You don't believe me? Or are you actually interested in the text of the bill?

[aikoaiko]

39. I believe you. I just thought it would interesting to see the bill.

I was just curious how they handled the different interests between the renters, landlord, and mortgage holder.

[proud2BlibKansan]

41. I suck at looking up laws

Maybe since it isn't a law yet I can't find it.

I did find an editorial about it.

http://voices.kansascity.com/node/4294

[aikoaiko]

88. I see, the new law gives the renters 10 days from notification to vacate the premises

instead of immediately.

As the editorial says, its hardly enough time, but still a vast improvement over an immediately eviction.

Good work.

[sunnystarr]

93. I don't agree

10 DAYS!?!?! When I worked real estate in Syracuse, NY years ago, if a landlord sold their rental property, the new landlord was legally obligated to comply with the terms of the current leases.

Rentals without leases have a standard 30 day notice obligation. 30 days notice to tenants to evacuate and 30 days notice to landlords if you're going to move.

A great percentage of people live paycheck to paycheck. Moving requires money. Money for a security deposit in a addition to normal month's rent. Money to either hire movers or a rent a truck if you can move yourself. Plus it takes time to pack and to find another rental.

I don't understand how anyone could ever in good conscience vote for a Republican. They consistently vote against the interest of their constituency. Is a 10 day notice a victory??? To me it's about as much of a victory as having life saving medicine that you are withholding and then passing a law that states ok we'll give it to you for 10 days and then withhold it. Then brag about how you've given someone an extra 10 days to live.

[aikoaiko]

95. Sometimes change is incremental.

Sometimes a little is all one can get.

Its still a victory to help a little. I'm sure the evicted people prefer 10 days over "now".

[proud2BlibKansan]

100. One step at a time

Progress comes slowly all too often.

[Eric J in MN]

113. 120 days would be more reasonable than 10 days.

We're talking about renters who did nothing wrong.

They have other things going on in their lives, and need to find the best new place to live.

[proud2BlibKansan]

121. Thank you

[Wednesdays]

30. K&R

:kick:

[onestepforward]

32. Very inspiring! Congratulations on a job well done! n/t

[truedelphi]

33. That is such really really good news.

I hope everyone who knows you is very proud of you.

I am, and I don't really know you.

[question everything]

36. This is great! And in Kansas! Congrats! (nt)

[proud2BlibKansan]

43. Actually it's MO

But Kansas is next on my list! LOL

[question everything]

51. OOps.. Sorry about this. Still great job! (nt)

[rasputin1952]

37. Congratulations!!!

:woohoo:

[bkkyosemite]

38. You are absolutely right!!! I initiated a bill in Idaho for clean hands/gloves in resturant food

prep and training. It took 10 years but was finally passed. Everyone needs to know a person can start the ball rolling they just don't want you to know that. Congrats!

[proud2BlibKansan]

46. And another unbelievable issue

Congratulations!

[SeattleGirl]

42. Congratulations!!!!

That is so very cool!

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[omega minimo]

44. California Senator Joe Simitian has a "There Oughtta Be A Law" contest every year open to all

One is chosen for legislation.



:yourock: :bounce: :kick:

[proud2BlibKansan]

47. What a cool idea

[omega minimo]

54. link with app. Happens in the fall.

http://www.senatorsimitian.com/oughta/

[The Doctor.]

45. Epic Win.

Well done!

[Stargazer09]

48. Congratulations!!!!

That is so awesome! I bet there are a lot of families grateful for what you've done to protect them.

Thank you for taking the time to do this. :patriot:

[proud2BlibKansan]

50. It took 5 minutes

That's what makes it so awesome.

[sakabatou]

49. Awesome! High-five!

[bertman]

52. Thank you, proud2BlibKansan. This is inspiring.

[arcadian]

53. That is the best f-ing news I've heard in a long time!

I'm proud of you proud. :hug: Didn't you post about that situation with the renters? I seem to recall that. Get a copy of the State Register or what ever it is they record these things. See if you can get the pin it's signed with too!

:woohoo:

[proud2BlibKansan]

61. Yes I did post about it. I can't find it though

I suck at searching.

[kas125]

55. Wow, how cool is that? You are awesome, as always.

and you really ought to post this on facebook, too!

[proud2BlibKansan]

60. I'll put this on FB when I go to the signing.

I was just on the news the other night and I put that on FB.

[kas125]

123. I saw that, but only because I went to your profile page.

Did you ever figure out how to see more of some people's posts and less of others'? I never see anything you post on FB anymore and I don't know why.

[EFerrari]

56. Awesome! LOL!

:applause::party::applause:

[nadinbrzezinski]

59. Good for you, my story involved the USPA

local state congress critter didn't believe it could be THAT BAD. Well an afternoon over coffee, comptuer and PDA, Hawaii was the first state to say no to the USPA.

Oh bush was PISSED when he came to visit...

The cops would not enforce the no speak zones.

[merh]

62. you rock

:yourock:

how incredible - how wonderful

[grahamhgreen]

63. it's a victory for us all - thank you!!!

[progressoid]

64. Too Cool!! We're gonna need to see pictures ya know!

Way to go!! :thumbsup:

[Mithreal]

65. Awesome K&R! Hooray for all of us and thanks. nt

[burning rain]

66. Very proud of you -- congratulations!

`

[Kaleko]

67. Gotta love a story like that.

Good for so many people that you stayed engaged.

:hug:

[AlphaCentauri]

68. Good work, recommended

:woohoo:

[Concordia]

69. Congrats to you!

You've helped make other people's lives a little better!

[underseasurveyor]

70. Oh Cool

Good for you:thumbsup:

Behold the Power Of One at work :yourock:

[DesertDiamond]

71. Congratulations! Please enjoy that feeling of empowerment,! You will inspire many many others!

[grantcart]

72. Wild guess your state rep is a Democrat-- you did great

[proud2BlibKansan]

78. But of course she is, So is the governor,

[calimary]

73. That is EXCELLENT! Sometimes, dear friend. Sometimes!

Sometimes it works.

Please also note the TOLL FREE Capitol Hill switchboard numbers in my sig line below. You, too, can make yourself heard!!!!

[proud2BlibKansan]

81. I so appreciate you having those numbers there

I have referred to them more than a few times.

[calimary]

127. It hasn't been so true lately but I was posting a LOT around here not long ago.

I figured that would be the easiest way to spread the word about those numbers. Some of 'em are new and I tried to delete whatever wasn't working anymore. Figured it'd save a little money for some of us (sure does for me!).

:toast:

[Apollo11]

74. K&R

Thanks for reminding us all that real-world activism can be a lot more productive and satisfying that flaming each other online.

:kick:

[tomm2thumbs]

76. really freaking awsome story!

Congrats for getting involved and having the skills to get a point across that makes a difference.

[dorkulon]

77. +1000

What a great story. You did good!

:yourock:

[woo me with science]

79. Good for you!

Excellent!

[Sigh Sister]

80. Congratulations!n/t

[yellerpup]

82. Way to Go!

There is no substitute for giving a damn and then following up with action. You set a great example! Proud to know you! K&R!! :applause: :applause: :applause:

[Lancer]

83. Congratulations!

What a worthy endeavor. I don't know you but I'm proud of you!

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead

[Festivito]

84. Good going. /nt

[raccoon]

85. Kukos to you, proud!

:yourock:

[NoSheep]

86. Good job! And encouraging to all of us.

:grouphug:

[MineralMan]

87. Damn fine job!

[Joe Chi Minh]

89. Tremendous! Wonderful!

[FailureToCommunicate]

90. Behold the 'power of one'! Good for you. And who was the Congresswoman that

said "Anyone who is faced with foreclosure should demand to be shown the ACTUAL mortgage agreement? ('Habeas Contractus'? lol)

[sonias]

91. Congratulations!

Good work and good for your Representative that took it upon herself to do something about it too.

:yourock:

Sonia

[closeupready]

92. That is SO TERRIFIC! TRIPLE PLUS GOOD ON YOU, P2BLK!

:woohoo: What a great lesson in civics that is. :) :hi:

[derby378]

94. I've just added you to my "hero" list

You. Are. Awesome. :applause:

[proud2BlibKansan]

107. Ah

:hug:

[earcandle]

96. Awesome! Good work!

[Neecy]

97. That is so awesome! Congrats!

[DissedByBush]

98. Whose contract reigns supreme?

The landlord has a contract with the bank.

You have a contract with the landlord.

The bank taking over the property, you'd think the bank then takes over your contract with the landlord and must comply with its terms.

Arbitrarily nullifying a rental contract sounds like a fat lawsuit waiting to happen.

But most people hit with this can't afford a lawyer.

[Tab]

99. Wish I had known you in 1995 - this happened to me

It was winter, I had been leasing a nice house for the last two years, paying rent on time. Apparently, though, the landlord wasn't paying his mortgage. I knew nothing of this until I went to get the mail and found a letter from some lawyers saying my house (where I was living, and my wife was pregnant) was being sold at on-property auction at the end of the month. WTF? We'd been paying regularly, and this was NOT a good time to look for another place (in the middle of winter).

It got worse - the bank wanted to tour people around, throw an open house, etc. - we lived there, and it's our private home! We had to put a stop to it, but it was very stressful. And every day we had to return home to a sign saying our home was being sold at auction.

The bank (Somerville Savings Bank, assholes) didn't find a buying price they liked, so they kept the property and started talking to us about making a good deal for us to buy it (may or may not have been good, but we knew what the place needed, and decided not to go for it). They were nice and friendly up until that point, then within 5 days of telling them we didn't want to buy it, we received an eviction notice - this for a property we had always paid on time for, and in the middle of winter, with my son in school (wanted to keep the same school district), no resources to put toward another rental, and my wife pregnant.

We found a place, thankfully - not as nice but it worked. Never did get my deposit back on the first one, I don't think.

After that point, I've always owned the houses I've lived in.

At the time, though, I was thinking this was grotesquely unfair - we were the most innocent party of them all, and yet we paid the greatest price in terms of disruptions to our lives.

[proud2BlibKansan]

102. The research I did

indicated most states do not have renters rights laws. The need is very obvious now that we have a record number of foreclosures.

[undergroundnomore]

101. You are right

they never should have been able to do this to renters. I'm glad a bill stopping this horrible practice will soon become law. congrats to you.

[dem mba]

103. ah, the system works

haha. anybody see that Simpsons episode where Lisa goes to Washington? reminds me of that for some reason.

[proud2BlibKansan]

105. Once in awhile it does work

[beac]

104. BRAVA, proud2BlibKansan!!!!

:patriot: :applause:

[Maestro]

106. Way to go!

The same thing happened to quite a few families at my school as well either because landlords didn't pay their mortgages or because they did not meet city codes and were closed. At any rate, the families had to scramble to find homes. My school has the largest homeless population in my area.

[proud2BlibKansan]

116. Write your reps!

It worked for me! LOL

[ihavenobias]

108. K & R

:)

[xxqqqzme]

110. What an accomplishment. That is wonderful.

You have done something very few of us have ever done (for all our political activism).

[redqueen]

111. Butbutbut... they're all sold out, aren't they? There's no hope, right? What's the catch?

;)


Thanks for sharing this. Everyone should take note. Cynics, in particular. :evilgrin:

[myrna minx]

112. You have really changed people's loves.

:hug: :yourock:

[wroberts189]

115. knr

[blaze]

117. Great reminder!

So often I feel my calls and emails fall on deaf ears...

Your experience helps me keep hope.

Thanks!! :hi:

[proud2BlibKansan]

125. It is indeed good to know they listen to us sometimes.

[theFrankFactor]

118. Great Work!

[Enthusiast]

119. K&R, You are an inspiration to us!

You are a reasonable person. You see the injustice of throwing a renter out. Why can't our legislators act on behalf of consumers until they are jabbed in the ass?

[chill_wind]

120. VERY awesome news and congratulations. Well done!

:kick:


K & R.

[Forkboy]

122. Fuckin' A!!!

That's awesome! Good on you!! :toast:

Writing letters is especially encourages, as I've heard more than a few politicos say they lend extra creedence to actual letters over emails. Though in your case, it's great we found one who takes the emails seriously as well!

:bounce:

[proud2BlibKansan]

124. I was too pissed to write a letter

LOL

[LWolf]

126. That is wonderful, Proud. nt

[Telly Savalas]

128. Bravo!

I heard Sen. Justus talking about this before it passed and thought it was much needed legislation.

Kudos to the Democratic Caucus in Jeff City too. They do a pretty darn good job of getting things done in the face of a Republican majority. This law is a perfect example of this. Congrats on your role in the process!