May 31, 2022
The NYFWA bill could pass any day between now and June 6th so this call to action is very urgent and is needed today.
The AMA (Artist Management Association) is actively advocating against the “New York State Fashion Workers Act” (S.8638-A/A.9762-A), through direct lobbying and grassroots lobbying efforts. We are acting to oppose the legislation as quickly as possible because the bill is already on the Senate Floor and could pass the Senate at any moment, and is in the Assembly Labor Committee and similarly can be passed from that committee and move to the Assembly Floor at any time. The legislative session is scheduled to end on or about June 2nd or 3rd, so the immediate goal is to generate as much opposition over the next several days. The bill is sponsored by Senator Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan) and Assemblymember Karines Reyes (D-Bronx).
Our grassroots strategy is to have calls and emails directed to Senators and Assembly Members and urge them to oppose the bill and vote “no” if it comes up for a vote. Calls and emails can be made/sent to as many legislators as one would like, although the priority is to contact those for whom the caller/emailer is a constituent (i.e., resides in the district) or works in the legislative district (Note: if a person has any other connection to the legislator (e.g., acquaintance, friend, relative, etc.), a communication can also be directed to such legislator(s)).
New York State Senator information can be found at www.nysenate.gov/senators-committees and there is a “Find Your Senator” link on the page, although each Senator also has a link to a map of their legislative district on their website if you prefer to search that way. Email and phone number [use the Albany phone number] can be found under the “Contact” tab on the toolbar.
New York State Assemblymember information can be found at www.nyassembly.gov/mem/ and there is a “Who is my Assemblymember” link www.nyassembly.gov/mem/search/ on that page. Email and phone number [use the Albany phone number] can be found under the “Contact” tab on the toolbar.
Here is a list of NY State Senators and Assembly Members that the majority of photo studios reside. Check the Map to make sure your place of business or residence falls within the legislators map.
Here you can find the AMA's Memo of Opposition.
