Are you concerned about the toxic chemicals commonly found in cosmetics and other personal care products? Did you know that many of the most toxic products are aggressively marketed towards people of color? Do you want to help do something about this? Travel with us to Albany on Tuesday, March 4th to lobby for the New York State Beauty Justice Act. RSVP
Similarly, if you are are concerned about energy affordability and helping New York State to transition to clean, renewable energy, then we also encourage you to travel with us to Albany on Tuesday, March 4th to lobby for the NY HEAT Act. RSVP
What is the Beauty Justice Act?
Personal care products – everything from cosmetics to soaps and shampoos to hair straighteners – are largely unregulated, with far too many containing toxic ingredients that have been linked to cancer, infertility, miscarriage, poor infant and maternal health outcomes, obesity, asthma, and many other serious health concerns. And a combination of racist beauty standards and aggressive target marketing have led young women and femme-identifying people of color to higher rates of use for these harmful products – on top of already being exposed to disproportionate amounts of toxic chemicals. That is why we are currently advocating for the passage of the Beauty Justice Act (S.4265/A.6969), which will ban the most dangerous toxic chemicals from the majority of these products.
What is the NY HEAT Act?
Formally known as the Home Energy Affordable Transition Act, the NY HEAT Act (S.4158/A.4870A) will end the 100-foot rule, which forces New Yorkers to pay $200 million every year to subsidize unnecessary new gas hookups, and amend the obligation to serve, allowing utilities to provide cheaper and cleaner energy alternatives at no additional cost to customers. The legislation will also cap home energy bills at 6 percent of household income, which should help the 1.4 million New Yorkers who struggle to pay their energy bills.
How Can I Help?
Spend the day with our staff and colleagues as we take a bus (which is free to you, along with lunch) up to Albany. Once we arrive, you will meet with your lobby team leader and review the key talking points about the bill and the plan for the day – along with any questions you may have – over free coffee and bagels. Once we’re all prepped, we will then split up in teams to meet with legislators and their staff to discuss the importance of passing these critical bills. You can join the Beauty Justice lobby team or you can join the NY HEAT lobbying team – whichever legislation you are most passionate about!
For those who sign-up to attend, we will a Zoom prep meeting beforehand to explain the details of this legislation, provide tips on talking to legislators, and answer any questions you may have. In the meantime, feel free to watch this brief video showing what you can expect on one of our Albany trips.
If you join us, we will meet at WE ACT’s office (on the Second Floor of 1854 Amsterdam Avenue, which is at the corner of 152nd Street) at 7:00 AM on Tuesday, March 4th. We will have bagels and coffee before boarding the bus to Albany for the day, returning to our office around 5:00 PM.