Action Needed: Time to Make Noise
March 17, 2015
Senate Bill 186, our bill to exempt yoga teacher training programs from unnecessary regulation by the Colorado Division of Private Occupational Schools, will be considered by the House Education Committee tomorrow.
This might be a tough vote – so it is time to make some noise and show the Education Committee Members how important this legislation is to us.
Join Us at the Meeting
Wednesday, March 18 @ 10:00 a.m.
House Education Committee
House Committee Room 112 (Capitol Basement)
Please join us to share your experiences and to ask our legislators to support SB186. It’s important we stay organized, so let us know if you are coming by contacting by Yoga Alliance’s representative, former state Rep. Matt Knoedler, at matthew.knoedler@squirepb.com or (303) 641-3977.
Email the Committee's Members
The Committee Members are checking their inboxes, so take a moment and tell them how you feel. The Education Committee Members are:
Remember, the Committee meets tomorrow morning, so we need to get these emails out now. We’ve put together some sample text, but we encourage you to write your own as well.
Subject Line: Vote YES on SB186!
Dear Representative ___________________,
I am contacting you today to encourage your support for Senate Bill 186, a bipartisan bill which would protect the rights of yoga studios to operate in Colorado without unnecessary and duplicative regulation by the Division of Private Occupational Schools. The Bill passed unanimously out of the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee, and 32-1 on the Senate floor.
SB186 would prevent the Division from requiring yoga teacher training programs around the state to pay expensive fees and to comply with unnecessary requirements in order to continue operation.
The Division is only supposed to license “occupational” schools in Colorado, but yoga teacher training is not an “occupational” program. In fact, the vast majority of individuals who attend yoga teacher training do not make a living teaching yoga, but rather, attend class for recreational and avocational reasons – like personal improvement or practicing yoga in a group setting. SB 186 seeks to protect this activity.
Many yoga studios that offer teacher training programs are small businesses with tight budgets. The fees imposed by the Division are hefty, and will force small studios to shut their doors. SB 186 would prevent these dire consequences for Colorado’s vibrant yoga community.
There is no need for regulation. For years, yoga teacher training schools have been operating without government intervention. In that time, we are not aware of a single complaint against the state’s yoga teacher training schools. If it’s not broken, why fix it?
Please support Colorado small business and the yoga community by voting “Yes” on SB186.
Sincerely,
___________________
Next Steps
After our bill is approved by the House Education Committee, it will move on the House Appropriations Committee. We will be sure to keep you informed of the bill’s progress. Please help us to continue generating support in the House by writing to your Representative and members of the House Appropriations Committee.
A *new* template letter for Representatives is available for you to download, or just shoot them the email above.
The Goal is Within Reach
Over the past four months, Yoga Alliance has strongly advocated with you to protect Colorado YTTs from unnecessary government regulation. With our legal and lobbying team and your incredible grassroots support, our goal is within reach. Please help us to get this job done with a financial contribution to:
Yoga Alliance
1701 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 100
Arlington, VA 22209
Make sure to add “Colorado” in the memo line of the check.