• Fax a letter on your company letterhead to ALL members of the Appropriations Committee in their District Office and to the Committee Office using the TALKING POINTS found below.
• Attend the Committee's hearing of the bill on Wednesday, JULY 16, in Sacramento, CA. Please contact Terri Adishian via e-mail at tadishian@bwi-balloons.com if you can attend.

EVERYONE:

•  Submit a Petition - all industry members are encouraged to have their customers, neighbors, and friends add their names to a petition opposing SB 1499. Download a copy of the petition with mailing instructions here. 

 DISTRIBUTORS OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA: This bill will affect you!

• If metallic balloon sales in California are substantially reduced as a result of SB 1499, the effects will be reflected in increased production and inventory costs at the manufacturer's level and ultimately the distributor's purchase price.
•  Negative legislation in California could spur the same in other states. Don't think this can't happen in your state! WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW - PLEASE GET PETITIONS OUT TO YOUR CUSTOMERS FOR SIGNATURE.

• It is estimated between 45-50 million foil balloons are sold in CA each year. 
• $200 million of direct sales of helium-filled foil balloons in CA will be lost if SB 1499 passes. 
• $900 million of indirect sales of products sold with balloons (i.e. helium, weights, plush gifts, flowers, plants, party supplies, etc.) will be at jeopardy if SB 1499 passes.  
• Many businesses that sell balloons are at risk of being crippled or closing if SB 1499 passes.
  

Lost Jobs - Can California afford to lose more jobs? 

• At least 20,000 jobs will be at risk as a result of a ban on balloons.   
• Lost jobs leads to more unemployment and less employer contributions to UI, ETT, and SDI. 
  

Lost Tax Revenue - Can California afford to lose any revenue? 

•  $80 million in annual CA sales tax revenue will be threatened if SB 1499 passes. 

Can California afford to lose any more state sales tax revenues?   

•  $90 million in annual business/corporate income tax will likely be lost. 

Can California afford more lost income taxes?   

• CA already has a law that regulates balloons.  The current law requires balloons to be sold with weights.   
• Weights on balloons work!  If there is a weight on a balloon it will not get into the power lines.  
• Most members of the industry have been very responsible in following the current law.   
• Like SB 1499, the current law has no provisions for enforcement.  
• SB 1499 is unnecessary!  Don't punish a responsible industry.

Vote NO on SB 1499 (Scott) - SB 1499 can have devastating economic impact on California.   

•  Balloons are an important part of our culture, please save the balloons! - Vote NO on SB 1499.