Be the Change You Wish to Seek Advocacy and You What is advocacy? Working to make change in public policy, laws, and funding. We engage in advocacy within

Be the Change You Be the Change You Wish to SeekWish to Seek

Advocacy and YouAdvocacy and You

Advocacy and YouAdvocacy and YouWhat is advocacy?What is advocacy?Working to make change in public policy, laws, and funding.Working to make change in public policy, laws, and funding.

We engage in advocacy within the system and from outsideWe engage in advocacy within the system and from outside

Advocacy includes registering to vote and voting, working on campaigns, Advocacy includes registering to vote and voting, working on campaigns, testifying at public hearings, talking to legislators and other public testifying at public hearings, talking to legislators and other public officials, and taking it to the streets, running for office, stay informed – officials, and taking it to the streets, running for office, stay informed – reading the paper, watching and listening to news programsreading the paper, watching and listening to news programs

Connect with advocacy organizationsConnect with advocacy organizations


Why do it?Why do it?Change only happens when WE Change only happens when WE make it happen.make it happen.You are the best person to tell You are the best person to tell your story.your story.It makes a difference. It makes a difference. YOU make a difference!YOU make a difference!

““Your playing small doesn't serve Your playing small doesn't serve the world.”the world.”President Nelson MandelaPresident Nelson Mandela


Why else do we do it?Why else do we do it?To dispel myths…

…and fight ignorance.

Facts Aboutthe CT General Assembly (GA)

The ScheduleThe GA is part time. It is in session for five months (long session) in the odd numbered years and three months (short session) in

even numbered years.

2009The session began on January 7th and ends

on June 3rd



Being a legislator is a part-time job. Most Being a legislator is a part-time job. Most legislators have other jobs. legislators have other jobs. First, you should remember that we have a small First, you should remember that we have a small state and a large GA. These legislators are your state and a large GA. These legislators are your neighbors. neighbors. Once you have met your representatives, you will Once you have met your representatives, you will likely run into them in the supermarket and at likely run into them in the supermarket and at the post office.the post office.


MembershipMembershipThere are 151 House of Representative Members and There are 151 House of Representative Members and 36 Senators in the GA. Democrats currently control the 36 Senators in the GA. Democrats currently control the House and the Senate. House and the Senate.

The Governor, M Jodi Rell, is a Republican. The Lt. The Governor, M Jodi Rell, is a Republican. The Lt. Governor is Mike Fedele. The Lt. Governor serves as Governor is Mike Fedele. The Lt. Governor serves as the President of the Senate, meaning he presides over the President of the Senate, meaning he presides over the Senate, but the Senate, but onlyonly votes if there is a tie. votes if there is a tie.


The highest-ranking member of the Senate is the President Pro Tempore, Don Williams, a Democrat. He is electedby the membership of the Senate.

The House of Representatives is presided The House of Representatives is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is over by the Speaker of the House, who is Chris Donovan, a Democrat. He is a Chris Donovan, a Democrat. He is a member of the House and elected by the member of the House and elected by the House members.House members.


CommitteesCommitteesThe GA has joint committees with members from both The GA has joint committees with members from both the House and the Senate. Each Committee has a the House and the Senate. Each Committee has a House and a Senate Chair. The number of Senators and House and a Senate Chair. The number of Senators and Representatives assigned to each Committee is Representatives assigned to each Committee is proportional by party and by house.proportional by party and by house.

Unlike Congress, members of the GA do not have a lot Unlike Congress, members of the GA do not have a lot of staff. They also do not receive a lot of phone calls or of staff. They also do not receive a lot of phone calls or mail on most issues.mail on most issues.

Advocacy and YouAdvocacy and YouHow A Bill Becomes A Law In ConnecticutHow A Bill Becomes A Law In Connecticut

1. Proposed Bill - 1. Proposed Bill - Ideas for bills come from lawmakers and constituents like you!Ideas for bills come from lawmakers and constituents like you!

2. Bill Numbering - 2. Bill Numbering - Bill title, number and sponsors printed in House & Senate JournalsBill title, number and sponsors printed in House & Senate Journals

3. Sent to Committee - 3. Sent to Committee - Bill sent to appropriate joint standing committee. Bill sent to appropriate joint standing committee. The committee holds public hearings. The committee may report the bill favorably, The committee holds public hearings. The committee may report the bill favorably, defeat the bill or issue no report. Bills requiring action by another committee are defeat the bill or issue no report. Bills requiring action by another committee are referred to that committee.referred to that committee.

4. Legislative Commissioners' Office - 4. Legislative Commissioners' Office - bill is sent to the LCO to be checked for bill is sent to the LCO to be checked for constitutionality and consistency with other laws.constitutionality and consistency with other laws.

5. Office of Fiscal Analysis - 5. Office of Fiscal Analysis - This office adds an estimate of the bill's cost. This office adds an estimate of the bill's cost.

Advocacy and YouAdvocacy and YouHow A Bill Becomes A Law In ConnecticutHow A Bill Becomes A Law In Connecticut

6. Calendar - 6. Calendar - The clerk assigns a calendar number and it then goes off for final printing.The clerk assigns a calendar number and it then goes off for final printing.

7. On the Floor - 7. On the Floor - Lawmakers debate and draft amendments. The house may send the Lawmakers debate and draft amendments. The house may send the bill to another committee before voting. A "yes" vote sends the bill to the other house bill to another committee before voting. A "yes" vote sends the bill to the other house for placement on the voting calendar. The bill is then returned to the first house for for placement on the voting calendar. The bill is then returned to the first house for concurrence if amended by the second house.concurrence if amended by the second house.

8. To the Governor - 8. To the Governor - If not amended, the bill is sent to the governor. If not amended, the bill is sent to the governor.

If The House and Senate cannot agree, the bill is sent to a joint conference committee. If The House and Senate cannot agree, the bill is sent to a joint conference committee. If the committee reaches an agreement, a report is sent to both houses. If one or both If the committee reaches an agreement, a report is sent to both houses. If one or both houses reject the changes, the bill fails. If both houses pass the bill, it is sent to the houses reject the changes, the bill fails. If both houses pass the bill, it is sent to the governor. governor.

Advocacy and YouAdvocacy and YouThe governor can: 1.) sign the bill; 2.) veto the bill, or; 3.) take no action. The governor can: 1.) sign the bill; 2.) veto the bill, or; 3.) take no action.

If the governor vetoes, the bill is returned to the house in which it originated. Vetoed If the governor vetoes, the bill is returned to the house in which it originated. Vetoed bills can be reconsidered by both houses. bills can be reconsidered by both houses.

The bill becomes law if: 1.) the governor signs it; 2.) the governor fails to sign it within The bill becomes law if: 1.) the governor signs it; 2.) the governor fails to sign it within 5 days during legislative session or 15 days after adjournment from the day it was 5 days during legislative session or 15 days after adjournment from the day it was presented to him; 3.) the vetoed bill is repassed in each house by a 2/3 vote of the presented to him; 3.) the vetoed bill is repassed in each house by a 2/3 vote of the elected membership.elected membership.


Legislators want and expect to hear from you. The Legislators want and expect to hear from you. The best ways to have an impact on them are…best ways to have an impact on them are…

Meet with them at the Capitol or in-district (invite Meet with them at the Capitol or in-district (invite them to your program)them to your program)

Phone call; orPhone call; or

Email Email MailMail


The AIDS LIFE CampaignThe AIDS LIFE CampaignPast successes:Past successes:Increasing funding for AIDS housingIncreasing funding for AIDS housingRestoring cuts to syringe exchangeRestoring cuts to syringe exchangeIncrease funding for HIV preventionIncrease funding for HIV preventionFunds to address loss of Ryan White fundingFunds to address loss of Ryan White funding


AIDS LIFE Campaign 2010 AgendaAIDS LIFE Campaign 2010 Agenda

• Protect all HIV/AIDS FundingProtect all HIV/AIDS Funding• Healthy Teens ActHealthy Teens Act• Overdose Prevention BillOverdose Prevention Bill


Making a Difference - What you can do!Making a Difference - What you can do!

AIDS LIFE CampaignAIDS LIFE Campaign (Legislative Initiative and Funding Effort).(Legislative Initiative and Funding Effort).

Meets 4Meets 4thth Tuesday, 12 – 2 Tuesday, 12 – 2 Congregational Church in MeridenCongregational Church in Meriden


Making a Difference - What you can do!Making a Difference - What you can do!

♣ Send letters you write to legislators to the Send letters you write to legislators to the editoreditor

♣ Participate AIDS Awareness DayParticipate AIDS Awareness Day♣ Sign up for and respond to advocacy alertsSign up for and respond to advocacy alerts♣ Talk to your friends and families about getting Talk to your friends and families about getting

involved.involved.


For more information or to get involved:For more information or to get involved:Shawn M. Lang – CARCShawn M. Lang – CARC

[email protected]@ctaidscoalition.org

Documents

Be the Change You Wish to Seek Advocacy and You What is advocacy? Working to make change in public policy, laws, and funding. We engage in advocacy within