Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America Blind Businessmen and Businesswomen Building a Better America!

A LEGISLATIVE REPORT

The Elections are Coming! The Elections are Coming! My fellow vendors please remember that every member of the House of Representatives and one-third of the members of the Senate are up for re-election this year. As many of you know, the BEA has been working diligently this past summer to continue its course of informing members of Congress about the Randolph-Sheppard Act.

Please do your part by working on the elections and establishing a relationship with members of Congress. After the elections are over, invite office members out to see your rest area, prison vending, federal cafeteria, state snack bar, etc. Show them how important the Randolph-Sheppard Act has been for you personally, and inform them that 70% of the blind population is unemployed, and that the blind have the highest unemployment rate of any disability group.

Members of the NCSAB (National Council of State Agencies for the Blind) and the BEA, as well as RSVA, NABM, and others recently met this month to discuss DoD proposed legislation and Randolph-Sheppard contracts.

Senator Enzi from Wyoming and Dr. Connie Gardner will not be going away soon. Dr. Gardner has recently spoken to other disability groups and has indicated she still believes all disability groups should be included into Randolph-Sheppard. It is vital that all vendors throughout this nation stay informed, and continue building the congressional friendships that will be so necessary in stopping unwanted legislation.

Remember to attend town hall talks and introduce yourself as a vendor manager in the Randolph-Sheppard program, so that they can understand the importance of your job in your state as well as our nation.

REMEMBER: Your Vote Counts!! Do not allow legislation to open up the Randolph-Sheppard Act!