LegislationLegislation

CEA’s Role in legislation

Why are we involved in politics?Why are we involved in politics? For Children and Public Education (CEA Website) Public education policy and politics are inextricably linked. Sad fact or

great opportunity? We think it's a great opportunity to influence elected officials for public education's benefit and improvement.

Elected officials – from school boards and state agencies to the State House and the White House – make decisions that affect public school employees. Through law and policy, they make decisions about funding; curriculum; standards and assessments; employee salaries, benefits and retirement; school safety; class size; students with special needs; school facilities; labor laws and collective bargaining; and much, much more.

It's nearly impossible for elected officials to convene without making a decision that affects public education. That's why our Association is involved in politics, on top of political issues, and working to protect and advance public education and education employees' issues in the political arena. That's why our members work in school board elections and local mill levy and bond elections. It's why we recommend candidates for the Legislature, statewide offices, Colorado's Congressional delegation, and U.S. President. And it's why we are involved in ballot initiative and referenda campaigns.

It's our job as advocates for public education and education employees!

How does CEA lobbyHow does CEA lobby3 Tiers of lobbying3 Tiers of lobbying

Lobbying TeamLegislative LiaisonsMembership

Tier 1Tier 1

1. Lobbying Team Karen Wick FT lobbyist Julie Whitacre FT lobbyist Beverly Ingle CEA President Tony Salazar Executive Director Lynne Mason Political Director Marti Houser General Counsel

Tier 2Tier 2Legislative Liaisons◦Volunteers◦Build relationships with assigned Legislator

Face to face at least once a month Email, phone, letters Inform them about education issues Lobby them on specific bills when asked

Tier 3Tier 3Membership◦Rallies◦Lobby Days◦Letter writing/phone/email campaigns◦Local, State, and National involvement◦Engage the community in the education effort

How does CEA determineHow does CEA determinethe Agenda to legislationthe Agenda to legislationCEA - RA: April CEA Leg. Team reviews leg. bills◦ Julie, Karen, Linda, & Tony (sometimes CEA board)

Read all bills Will it effect education?

What’s our stance based on Leg. Agenda Game Plan

Who, What, Where, When , and How Crunch the numbers

Start lobbying

NEA Legislative Agenda ◦Determined at NEA-RA: July

Who can introduces the bills?Who can introduces the bills?The legislators◦House and Senate can introduce 5 bills each

Some may introduce a bill persuaded by governor, treasurer, or others (political agendas good or bad)

◦There is an average of 500 bills a session Others can be added later “late” bills with special

exemption

Meet Bill!Meet Bill!

SchoolTube - I'm Just a Bill

How does a bill become lawHow does a bill become lawRound oneRound one

The House (or Senate depending where it starts)

◦Bill introduced by sponsor◦Committee Hearing

Debate, Amendments, Vote

◦Second Reading Debate, Amendments, Vote

◦Third Reading Debate, Amendments, Vote

◦Goes to other Senate (or House)

How does a bill become lawHow does a bill become lawRound twoRound two

The Senate (or house depending where it starts)

◦Committee Hearing Debate, Amendments, Vote

◦Second Reading Debate, Amendments, Vote

◦Third Reading Debate, Amendments, Vote

◦Goes to Conference Committee or Governor

How does a bill become lawHow does a bill become lawRound threeRound three

Conference Committee (optional)◦Happens when there are 2 versions of the bill

Appointed by House and Senate Leaders Iron out differences Goes to both houses for final vote

Governor◦Can sign it into law◦Let it become law without approval◦Veto the bill

Can be overridden buy 2/3 majority in both houses but only during the session.

What does this mean to us?What does this mean to us?There are 21 steps to the bill process◦Requires a Majority vote

33 out of 65 votes in the House 18 out of 35 votes in the Senate

◦Each time there’s a vote a bill can be killed There are 8-11 votes depending on process

That’s 255:1 odds or .4% that any bill will pass (no changes) Good chance to kill a bad bill Time and effort for good bills to pass

◦Each time there’s debate a bill can be changed There are 6-7 debates depending on process

That’s 6:5 odds or 84% that any bill can be amended Good chance to make things better Be aware of hindering amendments

Political views do count!Political views do count!No mater the party, research all candidates and

think of how they will influence education.Views on things like:◦ spending, vouchers, reform (positive and negative)

and causes of all types.These can determine if we are spending time and

resources on:◦Creating the best education system we can.◦Defeating bills that hinder education (60, 61, 101)◦ Fighting for scraps because of too many pet projects◦Chasing “Golden Carrots” like RTTT

Think of the people recently Think of the people recently electedelected

The Majority party has control◦They appoint people to head committees◦Determine when bills are read

State Officers◦Governor

helps appoint redistricting of State seats

◦Secretary of State Monitors petitions and election

◦Treasurer Influences where money is spent or cut.

What can you do?What can you do?Lobby

Phone, email, letters, rally

Elections VOTE Help candidates

Walk & talk, phone bank, support them CEA & NEA Help directly and indirectly

MembershipGet others involved

Meet your lobbyistMeet your lobbyist

More informationMore information Stay current with CEA

◦ At the capital (all things legislative at CEA) http://coloradoea.org/atthecapitol/legnews.cfm

◦ Sign up for the Capitol Connection (e-news of Leg. session) www.ceacapconn.wordpress.com

Legislative Glossary ◦ Know and understand the legislative language

http://www.c-span.org/guide/congress/glossary/alphalist.htm http://www.gpoaccess.gov/bills/glossary.html

Roberts Rules of Order ◦ Know the process of the legislative session

http://www.rulesonline.com/ Know your organization

◦ CEA http://coloradoea.org

◦ NEA http://www.nea.org