2008 Public Policy...Continued

There has been a good deal of public policy activity this fall for the staff and members of CT Nonprofits. Representatives of CT Nonprofits Board and Public Policy Council met with the Governor’s Legislative staff to express our concerns over the Governor’s veto of several pieces of legislation and to invite the Governor to our Annual Conference on November 17, 2008.

We held thank you breakfasts for Senator Harris in West Hartford (30), Senator Slossberg in Milford(9), Rep. Ritter in New London (10), and Rep. Heinrich in Guilford (8).  The parentheses represents the number of organizations which were represented. 

Our members joined CT Nonprofit staff in pre-session legislative meetings.  We have already met with Rep. Merrill in Storrs(14); Senator Harp in New Haven (25); and Senator Williams in Willimantic (15).  Others will be scheduled after the election.  These meetings are designed to demonstrate to key legislative decision-makers the number of organizations and employees counting on them to do the right thing. Between the thanks to our champions and leadership, over 100 of our member organizations have been active this fall.  

We will honor expected House Speaker Chris Donovan (D-Meriden) and House Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee Kevin DelGobbo (R-Naugatuck) at our Annual Conference along with Journal Inquirer Capitol Reporter Keith Phaneuf for his outstanding coverage of nonprofit public policy issues. 

We will soon have postcards out to our members enlisting their support in contacting the Governor about the upcoming Biennial Budget which will be delivered in February, 2009 by Governor Rell. You will also soon receive our Legislative Agenda for review.  

There is still work to be done particularly with educating new legislators following the election. Please find a copy attached of the handout we used for the legislative meetings.  Please feel free to use this and other materials we will be developing. 

We are encouraging our members to make contact with your legislators and candidates running for the General Assembly.  Requesting and scheduling a visit to your organization by your local legislator over the next two months is important in building long term relationships and our ultimate effectiveness with public policy matters. 

A meeting will provide your staff and Board with an opportunity to introduce and/or update your legislators to what is happening with your organization – how you are coping without a cost-of-living increase for the current fiscal year & what the needs of your clients/consumers are currently. As your representative at the Capitol, I cannot underscore how important it is to our efforts.  

The staff at Connecticut Nonprofits stand ready to assist you in scheduling a meeting in any way we can do so.  On our website www.ctnonprofits.org , there is an Advocacy & Lobbying Toolkit which includes a page on “Tips for Hosting Legislative Visit.” http://www.ctnonprofits.org/Pages/NonprofitResources/Advocacy_Lobbying_Toolkit.asp 

A session with a legislator needs to be no more than having the legislator drop by your organization for a cup of coffee or soda.  

The next Public Policy Council meeting will be Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. in Newington.  Please contact us for copy of agenda and directions.