Tel.: (860) 354-3590

P.O. Box 704, Southbury, CT  06488

Cell: (203) 206-4282

Email: info@nheld.com

Fax: (860) 354-9360

Web: www.nheld.com

 

Attorney Deborah G. Stevenson, Executive Director

 

SB 162 Update 03/15/08

    

This is what we know at this time:

 

NHELD received word on Thursday (03/13/08) from the clerk of the Education Committee that SB162 “likely would be on the agenda at the Committee's Monday or Tuesday meeting".  We received word from Rep. O'Neill's office that the bill will be on the agenda for Monday's Education Committee meeting on March 17, at 1:00 p.m. in Room 2E at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.  However, we are not sure that it actually will be on the agenda at all for Monday or Tuesday because the official posted agenda of the Education Committee for Monday does not have the bill listed. (http://cga.ct.gov/2008/EDdata/ca/2008CA-00317-R001300ED-CA.htm ) and Tuesdays agenda is not yet posted.

 

Now that there remains confusion about when and if this bill will be brought before the Education committee for a vote before the 03/19/08 deadline, it is even more important that people should attend the Monday meeting.  For all we know, the Co-Chairmen of the Committee, Sen. Gaffey and Rep. Fleischmann, may be sending out mixed messages intentionally.  We need to have people there in the audience to send a strong message that this bill needs to be acted on now by the Committee. If they do not bring up the bill on Monday, then Tuesday (also 1:00 PM LOB, Room 2E) will be the only other chance and we should have people attend that meeting as well, so this is very important. 

Senator Thomas Gaffey and Rep. Andrew Fleischmann co-chair the Education Committee.  In years past, they have blocked similar bills proposed by Rep. Arthur O’Neill from any public hearing or vote.  Thanks to the efforts of so many parents who took the time to write or call their legislators there is growing support for this bill and perhaps some added pressure to the Chairs would be a strong message as well.  Your phone calls, emails and letters to legislators have helped a lot.

 

While Senate Bill #162 is now known as Proposed Substitute Bill #162 and contains the original language as proposed by Rep. Arthur O’Neill, we cannot be certain that the Education Committee will not attempt to change the language if they vote on it on Monday or Tuesday, and that is another reason why people should make an effort to attend these committee meetings (which are different than public hearings). We need to continue to lobby and show the Education Committee a strong presence.  We have to continue to insist that they do not make any changes to the bill, and that they pass it out of committee it in its original form.  

 

We will have stickers for you to wear as you sit in the audience so that the Education Committee members know why you are there.

 

We understand that it is often not easy to get to Hartford, especially on short notice.   We do hope that many of you, once again, will make the effort.  Your attendance is important.  Once again, we appreciate your continued support.