1. Connecticut Government February 24, 2019
5/16/2019
Rome Smith & Lutz

2. Connecticut State Government
Governor Ned Lamont(D)
House of Representatives
151 members (101 needed to override a veto)
92 Democrats (79) 2 Special Elections
59 Republicans (72)
Senate
36 members (24 needed to override a veto)
23 Democrats (18) 3 Special Elections
13 Republicans (18)
5/16/2019
Rome Smith & Lutz

3. 2019 Legislative Session (January to June)
Opening Day January 9, 2019
Session Adjourns June 5, Odd Session Year – Proposed Bills (1/18/19)
Deadlines for Bills - February 14 & February 15
Public Hearings on Bills - February to March
Final Committee Action on Bills - March 7th to April 28th
Committees of Interest – Deadlines to Introduce Bills
Education
Appropriations
Finance, Revenue & Bonding
Children
Public Safety
Transportation
Public Health
Planning & Development
February 15
February 14
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Rome Smith & Lutz

4. Committee Structure 22 Joint Committees – Unlike Congress
Each Committee has both a Senate and House Co-Chair
Membership is proportional to representation
Education Committee
37 members
Senate: 6 Democrats, 2 Republicans
House: 17 Democrats, 12 Republicans
Chairs control the Agenda for the Committee
What bills will be scheduled for a public hearing
What bills will be put on an agenda to be voted on
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5. Final Passage of Bills Committee Vote (Public Hearing; JFS Language)
Bill is analyzed by OFA and OLR and goes to either the House or Senate for a vote. Amendment Process.
If the bill successfully passes both chambers, it is assigned a Public Act number and goes to the Governor for his signature.
The Governor has 5 days during session and 15 days after adjournment to sign or veto the bill.
Legislature can override a veto with a 2/3 vote to repass. Regulations Review Committee (6 Sen; 8 Reps)
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6. Communicating with Your Legislator
The most effective communication to legislators is from their constituents .
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7. Forms of Communication
Letter
Telephone
Face to Face Meetings In-District
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8. What to Include When Communicating
Name, address (home, so a legislator can identify you as a constituent), and phone number so they can get back to you with a response if necessary
Keep the message to the point
Do not overload the legislator with too much information
Ask the legislator for a particular action
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9. Public Hearings Your Opportunity to be heard
Every bill must have a Public Hearing in the Originating Committee
Dates of Public Hearings are published five days prior to hearing. Bills for the hearing are published at least three days prior to hearing
All testimony stays with the bill throughout it’s legislative journey
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Rome Smith & Lutz

10. Testifying at a Public Hearing
Identify yourself and the organization you represent
Thank the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Committee by name for the opportunity to speak
State your position for or against the proposed bill
Identify the bill by name and number
Summarize your recommendation first and then add your explanation
Sum up your position at the end
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Rome Smith & Lutz

11. Top Ten Tips on Testifying
Keep your testimony short.
Double-space your written testimony.
Be prepared to use your written testimony as a guide, but don’t read it verbatim.
Do not repeat points made by speakers ahead of you.
You can use your time to respond to questions asked of other speakers, or to rebut statements of other speakers.
Answer only those questions that you can answer correctly. It’s okay to provide additional material after the hearing.
Avoid arguing with members of the committee.
If your Legislator was not able to attend the public hearing, put copies of your testimony in their mailbox.
If possible, follow up your testimony with a letter
Use your testimony in other ways (Letter to the Editor, etc.)
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Rome Smith & Lutz

12. Appropriations Process
Governor's Budget Address – 2 Year Budget Cycle
Typically the first week in February (February 20th)
“The Governor Proposes, the Legislatures Disposes”
Appropriations Committee – March 6th Hearing
What We Spend & Where We Spend It
Votes on all bills that require an expenditure.
Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee
How Much Money We Raise & How We Raise It
Large Committees
52 members ‑ 12 Senators and 40 Representatives
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Rome Smith & Lutz

13. Appropriations Process
The Governor’s Office, and each Legislative Caucus may set forth individual spending plans
The Appropriations Committee holds Public Hearings on the major sections of the Budget by subject area
Appropriations Subcommittees take the lead on agency specific areas of the Budget
Work with agency staff to gather data
Make recommendations to the full Committee
Negotiations typically continue up to the final days
Budget Implementers may contain virtually anything
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Rome Smith & Lutz

14. Education Funding 3 Tiers of Overlapping Responsibility
Federal, State and Local
Federal – minimal (4.2%)
State – varies by location (39.5%)
Education Equalization Grants
Excess Cost Grants (Special Education)
School Construction – Formula Based Reimbursements
Local – varies by location (56.3%)
Everything that the Federal and State governments don’t cover
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15. Federal Funding
Federal funding makes up a small percentage (4.2%) of overall funding for public education in Connecticut.
We don’t have much control over how much federal funding Connecticut gets for public education.
Funding is typically contingent on complying with certain procedural requirements
Federal education funding is restricted to specific purposes.
For example, funding programs and services for low-income children (FRLP), children with disabilities (IDEA), and English Learners.
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16. State & Local Funding
Education is not a fundamental right under the United States Constitution.
All 50 states guarantee a free, public education under their state’s constitution.
Public schools fall under the authority of state government and are primarily funded through state and local tax dollars.
96% of Education Funding in CT.
Each state determines how schools are funded within their jurisdiction.
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Rome Smith & Lutz

17. The State Education Budget
Overall State Budget - $20.86 Billion
Education Budget (SDE) – $2.96 Billion
Includes:
Education Grant Aid to Municipalities (54%)
Additional Special Education Funding (4%)
Funding for:
Magnet Schools (8%) & Charter Schools (3%)
School Building Projects (15%)
Other Line Items (16%)
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Rome Smith & Lutz

18. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 2018-2019 2018-2019 REVISED Personal Services  
  REVISED
Personal Services
[16,264,240]
15,811,046
Other Expenses
[3,261,940]
3,098,843
Development of Mastery Exams Grades 4, 6, and 8
[10,443,016]
10,410,723
Primary Mental Health
[383,653]
345,288
Leadership, Education, Athletics in Partnership (LEAP)
[462,534]
312,211
Adult Education Action
[216,149]
194,534
Connecticut Writing Project
[30,000]
20,250
Neighborhood Youth Centers
[650,172]
438,866
Longitudinal Data Systems
[1,212,945]
1,091,650
Sheff Settlement
11,027,361
Parent Trust Fund Program
[395,841]
267,193
Regional Vocational-Technical School System
[133,918,454]
130,188,101
Commissioner's Network
10,009,398
Local Charter Schools
[540,000]
540,000
Bridges to Success
[40,000]
27,000
K-3 Reading Assessment Pilot
[2,461,940]
2,215,782
Talent Development
[650,000]
2,150,000
School-Based Diversion Initiative
[1,000,000]
900,000
Technical High Schools Other Expenses
[23,861,660]
22,668,577
American School For The Deaf
[8,257,514]
7,857,514
Regional Education Services
[350,000]
262,500
Family Resource Centers
5,802,710
Charter Schools
116,964,132
Youth Service Bureau Enhancement
[648,859]
583,973
Child Nutrition State Match
2,354,000
Health Foods Initiative
4,151,463
Vocational Agriculture
[10,228,589]
13,759,589
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Rome Smith & Lutz

19. Education Budget Line Items -Continued
Education Equalization Grants
[2,017,131,405]
2,016,728,682
Bilingual Education
[2,848,320]
3,177,112
Priority School Districts
[38,103,454]
37,150,868
Young Parents Program
[106,159]
71,657
Interdistrict Cooperation
[3,050,000]
1,537,500
School Breakfast Program
2,158,900
Excess Cost - Student Based
[142,119,782]
140,619,782
Youth Service Bureaus
2,598,486
Open Choice Program
[40,090,639]
39,138,373
Magnet Schools
326,508,158
After School Program
4,720,695
AGENCY TOTAL
[2,968,933,107]
2,961,685,292
5/16/2019
Rome Smith & Lutz

20. Important Contact Information
Governor Lamont’s Office
House of Representatives
Democratic Caucus
Republican Caucus
Senate
Democratic Caucus
Republican Caucus
5/16/2019
Rome Smith & Lutz