Preemption Content Calendar

We have grouped tweets by topic to make it easier to find specific content.  However, feel free to use posts in any order you’d like.

Preemption Toolkit

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  This month we’re focusing on “preemption,” a concerning tactic that is being used in state legislatures across the country that can have a negative impact on health and equity. #Thread

  • Preemption occurs when a higher level of government, most often state legislators, step in to block or “preempt” local leaders from passing laws on certain issues.
  • Oftentimes the issues that are preempted promote health, well-being, and equity. To name a few frequent targets: sugary drink-taxes, nutrition labeling standards, minimum wage increases, and paid sick leave policies, among others.
  • This tactic is gaining popularity due to industry-led efforts. Preemption laws are currently on the books in #CA, #AZ, #MI, and #WA and other states are considering preemption legislation.  
  • What can you do? Learn more about this issue from @Voices4HK’s latest toolkit. #OurVoice bit.ly/2vqpa11
• Population of Baltimore, MD: 600k+; Population of Eldorado, MD: 58. Policies that work for one place don’t always work for the other. Local leaders should have every option available to address the unique needs of the community they serve. #OurVoice bit.ly/2vqpa11
• State and local leaders should work together, not against each other to promote #health and #equity. All levels of government have a role to play in protecting our health. #OurVoice  bit.ly/2vqpa11
• Question: What do sugary drink bills, healthy kids meals guidelines, and smoke-free policies have in common?
  • Answer: They all promote health equity. They’re also policies frequently blocked by higher levels of governments. Read more about this trend here: #OurVoice  bit.ly/2vqpa1
• When state leaders prevent local leaders from acting on certain issues, they hurt #OurCommunity and #OurHealth, & they silence #OurVoice. bit.ly/2vqpa11
• Good ideas often start locally. #DYK the first-ever smoke-free, indoor air laws were started at the city level. Let’s make sure local officials continue to have the ability to pass laws that are proven to promote health. #OurVoice bit.ly/2vqpa11
• Local governments are uniquely positioned to meet the needs of the people in their communities. They should be able to pass laws that are proven to promote good health, well-being, and equity. Let’s make sure local officials continue to have this ability. #OurVoice bit.ly/2vqpa11
• Everyone should be able to benefit from smart and effective policies, no matter where they live. When states block local governments from passing their own laws, it can hurt communities most where the need is greatest. #OurVoice bit.ly/2vqpa11 
• Local leaders know their people, and they know how to best meet their needs. They should be able to pass laws that promote good health, well-being, and equity. #OurVoice bit.ly/2vqpa11
• All levels of government have a role to play in protecting #OurHealth. State leaders should pass laws that cities and counties can build on, not policies that prevent them from acting. #OurVoice bit.ly/2vqpa11

We have grouped posts by topic to make it easier to find specific content.  However, feel free to use posts in any order you’d like.

Preemption Toolkit

• Good ideas often start locally. Did you know the first-ever smoke-free, indoor air laws were started at the city level in 1990? Since then, 36 states and more than 5,000 municipalities in the United States have passed some type of smoke-free air laws. Let’s make sure local officials continue to have the ability to pass laws that are proven to promote health. bit.ly/2vqpa11
• Our cities and towns are very different have different needs. What works in Baltimore, MD, population 600,000, won’t necessarily work in Eldorado, MD, population 58. Local leaders should have every option available to protect their constituents health and address the unique needs of the community they serve. bit.ly/2vqpa11 /
• What do sugary drink bills, healthy kids meals guidelines, and smoke-free policies have in common? They all promote health equity. They’re also policies frequently blocked by higher levels of governments. Read more about this trend here: bit.ly/2vqpa11
• State and local leaders must work together, not against each other to promote health and equity. All levels of government have a role to play in protecting our health. bit.ly/2vqpa11
• Everyone should be able to benefit from smart and effective policies, no matter where they live. When states block local governments from passing their own laws, it can hurt communities most where the need is greatest. bit.ly/2vqpa11
• Local leaders know their people, and they know how to best meet their needs. They should be able to pass laws that promote good health, well-being, and equity. bit.ly/2vqpa11
• All levels of government have a role to play in protecting our health. State leaders should pass laws that cities and counties can build on, not policies that prevent them from acting. bit.ly/2vqpa11
• When state leaders prevent local leaders from acting on certain issues, they hurt our community and our health, & they silence our voice. bit.ly/2vqpa11

If you or your team have any specific questions related to media pitching, please contact Suzette Harris at suzette.harris@heart.org.

Sample Op-Ed 

This is a template op-ed focused on preemption. Please consider your own stories and experiences as a way to personalize the op-ed. Be sure to include specific information about your campaign.

Letter to the Editor 

Use this sample letter to the editor as a response to any articles that relate to preemption.

If you or your team have any specific questions related to grassroots advocacy, please contact Raul Espinoza at raul.espinoza@heart.org.

Preemption Action Alert 

Action alerts are messages that spur your advocates and the general public to get involved with your campaign. Use this draft action alert on preemption for inspiration to develop one for your specific campaign. These alerts can be sent out via e-mail, letter, phone call, or even on social media.

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