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Your elected state legislators want to
know what you think of proposed legislation before they vote on it. You can
telephone them or write them letters to express your views. Another effective
way of getting your point across is speaking at a public hearing. Here's how:
GETTING READY
It
will help to know the number of the bill you're interested in. To find out, call
the bill status information room at (860) 240-0555, or call one of the toll-free
numbers listed below and ask to be transferred to the
Information Room.
The
Connecticut General Assembly's internet site (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.
Plan
your remarks so your viewpoint and reasoning will be clear. It may help you to
write them out completely. There is no need to provide copies, but if you want
to leave written testimony, it's helpful to make enough copies for all members
of the committee holding the hearing, with about 10 extras for staff and files.
Committee staff cannot make these copies for you. Turn in written testimony
before the hearing begins so committee staff can distribute it
systematically.
FINDING THE HEARING ROOM
Most hearings are held in the Legislative Office
Building (LOB), though some are in the Capitol. TV
monitors at LOB and Capitol entrances show the
locations. A daily bulletin also gives this information
and lists all bills scheduled for hearing. You can get a
bulletin in the LOB's ground floor bill room during
regular sessions or on the General Assembly's internet
site (www.cga.ct.gov).
SIGNING UP
Pick
up a copy of the bill from the rack outside the hearing room.
WHEN YOU COME TO TESTIFY
Read the legislative bulletin for the particular information on the sign-up
process, for that day. The sign up sheet has space to print your name legibly,
the bill(s) you are speaking on, and sometimes, whether you are for or against the bill. Sign
up sheets are usually in place one hour before the hearing.
After signing up, you may be seated in the hearing room, or look around the
building until the hearing begins. It is a good idea to read the bill before you speak, to
be sure you understand it.
HEARING PROCEDURES
Speaking
Order:
One of the committee's co-chairpersons will preside over the hearing,
setting rules that seem fair for the circumstances and calling speakers from the
signup sheets. At many, but not all hearings, the first hour is reserved for
legislators and agency heads or invited guests. Remaining speakers are usually
called in the order in which their names appear on the signup sheet, although
some chairpersons alternate between supporters and opponents of a bill.
Chairpersons often ask large groups to appoint a single spokesperson. Some
committees hear all testimony on one bill before proceeding to the next,
following the agenda printed in the bulletin.
Comings
and Goings:
Some hearings last for several hours. Legislators may leave and
reenter the room if they are scheduled for more than one hearing or meeting.
But all testimony is recorded so they can read it later.
Decorum:
A hearing is an important step in the process of making law, so it is a
formal occasion. Please give your courteous attention to other speakers,
regardless of their views. Don't applaud or indicate pleasure or displeasure
with anyone's remarks.
YOUR TURN AT THE MICROPHONE
When
you are called, sit at the speaker's desk. You may begin with "Madam Chair,
Mr. Chairman" (as appropriate) "and members of the committee."
Introduce yourself very distinctly so the transcriber can understand, and mention your town and the number and title of the bill you'll be
speaking on. In addition, most hearings and meetings are covered by Connecticut
Network (CT-N) for broadcast over local cable access stations.
Indicate
right away whether you support the bill, oppose it, or are offering suggestions
to improve it. Then explain your reasoning. Follow this procedure for each bill
you discuss.
Keep
your remarks short; 3-5 minutes is usually enough, but be sure not to exceed any
announced time limits. If other speakers have already made your point, you can
say that you agree with, or want to associate yourself with the remarks of one
or more previous speakers. Your views and your name will then be clearly on
record.
When
you finish, remain at the microphone for a moment, in case committee members
want to ask questions. Then return to your seat or leave the hearing, as you
wish.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
You
can help committee staff plan for comfortable, efficient hearings if you notify
them in advance when you intend to bring an unusually large group or a large
number of people requiring wheelchair space, or if you need projection
equipment. The staff can provide headsets for hearing-impaired people without
advance notice.
TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR
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The blue pages of the telephone directory (available for
free and found in the League of Women Voters Information
Service areas of the LOB and the Capitol) list
the home or business numbers of your state representative and
senator. You will find them under "Connecticut, State of. State
Legislators."
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The General Assembly maintains several
toll-free numbers through which you may be transferred to a
legislator or to the bill status information room.
House Democrats
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1-800-842-8267
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House Democratic Leadership
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1-800-842-1902
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House
Republicans |
1-800-842-8270
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House Republican Leadership
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1-800-842-1423
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Senate Democrats
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1-800-842-1420
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Senate Republicans
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1-800-842-1421
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To reach a committee office, obtain the number
from the League of Women Voters Capitol Information Service
(860-240-0
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