Carpino Op-ed: Get Involved!

With the start of the 2014 Legislative session this week, I wanted to take this time to reach out to you. This year, the Connecticut General Assembly will convene the “short session” which goes from February 5th to May 7th.

In the short session, also called the Budget Adjustment session, individual legislators can only propose bills which are fiscal in nature. To propose a non-fiscal bill, legislators must get the permission of the specific committee of cognizance and the committee will raise the bill as a committee bill. I have done both.

An effective way for the public to get your viewpoint and show their support or opposition to specific legislation is to speak at a legislative public hearing on specific. Written testimony is also an option.

It will help to know the number of the bill in which you’re interested. To find out, call my office at 1-800-842-1423 or e-mail me at Christie.Carpino@housegop.ct.gov.

The Connecticut General Assembly’s website (www.cga.ct.gov) will allow you to retrieve the bill status information on the bill you are interested in, including current text, up-to-date actions on the bill, introducer, statement of purpose and co-sponsors. Public notice of a public hearing on a specific bill is 5 calendar days. The notice will provide you the bill number, the time and location of the hearing.

If you plan to testify make sure your remarks are clear and concise. Many committees limit testimony to accommodate everyone that wants to speak. Written testimony should be turned in before the hearing begins. It will then become part of the permanent legislative record. This process is due to the deadlines in which committees can hold public hearings and meet to discuss issues.

If you have ideas, questions or concerns about a state law, or problem that could be solved by legislative action, please contact me. I’m also here to help if you’re having a problem with a state agency. My hope is for us to continue working together so that our state government can better serve you, your family, and our community.