Correspondence to OK Representative

[ProngATO]

Figured this would be a good place to post my correspondence with the author of the bill in Oklahoma (who is in MY district btw). Read from the bottom up.

"On Apr 16, 2013, at 4:00 PM, Mark Passarelli <xxxxxxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:

On April 9, 2013, after somewhere between 250 and 300 e-cigarette users and members of the Oklahoma business community came out to Oklahoma City to protest SB 802 (a bill authored by RJ Reynolds), the House Health Committee wisely voted unfavorably on the bill.

SB 802 was sponsored by Senator Rob Johnson (who previously falsely claimed that e-cigarette companies sold their products in malls so they could target youth). Unfortunately, it appears that Senator Johnson is not giving up.

Senator Rob Johnson quietly pushed SB 802 through the Oklahoma Senate by attaching it as an amendment to an entirely unrelated bill, HB 2097.

Edmond Republican Sen. Rob Johnson attached the new language to a bill Tuesday in the form of an amendment that narrowly passed on a 23-22 vote. The bill now returns to the House for consideration of Senate amendments.
Read more: Tax plan for e-cigarettes revived in Okla. Senate - SFGate

So, these are all lies? Interesting.

On Apr 16, 2013, at 3:50 PM, Senator Rob Johnson Gmail <senatorrobjohnson@gmail.com> wrote:

Mark,
I'm happy to visit with you at any time. I can not control if you are receiving and believing information that is untrue. I have spent the better part of my career trying to encourage alternatives to cigarettes which is what I am still doing. I cannot control if people do not understand the legislation or are not truthful about it. I've spoken with Sean Gore who is evidently the president of the local vaping association and he understands what I am trying to do. So why I can't prevent you grime threatening me, I would ask you at least understand what I'm doing instead of issuing threats over something that you are misinformed on. Like I said, I'm happy to visit with you at any time if you truly would like to discuss the issue.

Rob

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 16, 2013, at 3:44 PM, Mark Passarelli <xxxxxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:

Stop your attacks on e-cigarettes. They are helping hundreds of
thousands of people stop smoking real cigarettes. I had previously
been a smoker for 20 years. I also have ulcerative colitis, my
gastroenterologist advised me NOT to stop smoking because it helps my
symptoms. Now I have a way to get nicotine without all the additives.
Your original bill was squashed and now you try to push it through as
a rider on an unrelated bill?! Remember you're opening a door that
you cannot shut, now you'll have to tax nicotine gum, nicotine
patches... Where does it stop? Vote FOR your people not against us.
If you continue your attack on vaping and alternatives to smoking, I
will do my best to make sure you aren't re-elected.

Mark Passarelli"

I'll be doing my dead level best as a voter in his district to have him ousted come next election. We are all trash to him. Even though I live literally 4 miles from him. He claimed I "threatened him" in my email, there were no threats in my emails only that I would cost him his seat and office if he continues his crusade on behalf of RJ Reynolds. He's not protecting or voting for the people that elected him, he's voting for big-business.

 

[Dave_in_OK]

So he thinks your misinformed? Keep up the pressure looks to me like he's feeling the heat.

 

[thew92]

senatorrobjohnson@gmail.com

We just got his email account from his personal account. That he even checks from his Iphone.

 

[Berylanna]

Figured this would be a good place to post my correspondence with the author of the bill in Oklahoma (who is in MY district btw). Read from the bottom up.

"On Apr 16, 2013, at 4:00 PM, Mark Passarelli <xxxxxxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:

On April 9, 2013, after somewhere between 250 and 300 e-cigarette users and members of the Oklahoma business community came out to Oklahoma City to protest SB 802 (a bill authored by RJ Reynolds), the House Health Committee wisely voted unfavorably on the bill.

SB 802 was sponsored by Senator Rob Johnson (who previously falsely claimed that e-cigarette companies sold their products in malls so they could target youth). Unfortunately, it appears that Senator Johnson is not giving up.

Senator Rob Johnson quietly pushed SB 802 through the Oklahoma Senate by attaching it as an amendment to an entirely unrelated bill, HB 2097.

<GIANT SNIP>

I'll be doing my dead level best as a voter in his district to have him ousted come next election. We are all trash to him. Even though I live literally 4 miles from him. He claimed I "threatened him" in my email, there were no threats in my emails only that I would cost him his seat and office if he continues his crusade on behalf of RJ Reynolds. He's not protecting or voting for the people that elected him, he's voting for big-business.

Yeah, if my state Senator votes with us, I'll call his office next primary season and volunteer to stuff envelopes or walk door-to-door or whatever volunteers do for politicians. (I did some of this as a child, especially when my Dad ran for the school board. It's VERY effective in local politics!!!!)

If he votes against us, I'll work 1 day for his opponent, and 2 days for Sen. Corbett's opponent (she is the ANTZ pushing these bills in California.)

For local elections (and your local rep to your state is getting pretty local) although money is a little bit of help, "boots on the ground" are a BIG help.

Let's scare some people in 2014, cut into their primary or main election showings. Preferably enough to defeat them but if not, at least enough to get the attention of the media for affecting the numbers.