1. Legislation CEA’s Role in legislation

2. Why are we involved in politics? For Children and Public Education (CEA Website) Public education policy and politics are inextricably linked. Sad fact or great opportunity? We think it's a great opportunity to influence elected officials for public education's benefit and improvement. Elected officials – from school boards and state agencies to the State House and the White House – make decisions that affect public school employees. Through law and policy, they make decisions about funding; curriculum; standards and assessments; employee salaries, benefits and retirement; school safety; class size; students with special needs; school facilities; labor laws and collective bargaining; and much, much more. It's nearly impossible for elected officials to convene without making a decision that affects public education. That's why our Association is involved in politics, on top of political issues, and working to protect and advance public education and education employees' issues in the political arena. That's why our members work in school board elections and local mill levy and bond elections. It's why we recommend candidates for the Legislature, statewide offices, Colorado's Congressional delegation, and U.S. President. And it's why we are involved in ballot initiative and referenda campaigns. It's our job as advocates for public education and education employees!

3. How does CEA lobby 3 Tiers of lobbying Lobbying Team Legislative Liaisons Membership

4. Tier 1 1. Lobbying Team  Karen Wick FT lobbyist  Julie WhitacreFT lobbyist  Beverly IngleCEA President  Tony SalazarExecutive Director  Lynne MasonPolitical Director  Marti HouserGeneral Counsel

5. Tier 2 Legislative Liaisons ◦ Volunteers ◦ Build relationships with assigned Legislator  Face to face at least once a month  Email, phone, letters  Inform them about education issues  Lobby them on specific bills when asked

6. Tier 3 Membership ◦ Rallies ◦ Lobby Days ◦ Letter writing/phone/email campaigns ◦ Local, State, and National involvement ◦ Engage the community in the education effort

7. How does CEA determine the Agenda to legislation CEA - RA: April CEA Leg. Team reviews leg. bills ◦ Julie, Karen, Linda, & Tony (sometimes CEA board)  Read all bills  Will it effect education?  What’s our stance based on Leg. Agenda  Game Plan  Who, What, Where, When, and How  Crunch the numbers Start lobbying NEA Legislative Agenda ◦ Determined at NEA-RA: July

8. Who can introduces the bills? The legislators ◦ House and Senate can introduce 5 bills each  Some may introduce a bill persuaded by governor, treasurer, or others (political agendas good or bad) ◦ There is an average of 500 bills a session  Others can be added later “late” bills with special exemption

9. Meet Bill! SchoolTube - I'm Just a Bill

10. How does a bill become law Round one The House (or Senate depending where it starts) ◦ Bill introduced by sponsor ◦ Committee Hearing  Debate, Amendments, Vote ◦ Second Reading  Debate, Amendments, Vote ◦ Third Reading  Debate, Amendments, Vote ◦ Goes to other Senate (or House)

11. How does a bill become law Round two The Senate (or house depending where it starts) ◦ Committee Hearing  Debate, Amendments, Vote ◦ Second Reading  Debate, Amendments, Vote ◦ Third Reading  Debate, Amendments, Vote ◦ Goes to Conference Committee or Governor

12. How does a bill become law Round three Conference Committee (optional) ◦ Happens when there are 2 versions of the bill  Appointed by House and Senate Leaders  Iron out differences  Goes to both houses for final vote Governor ◦ Can sign it into law ◦ Let it become law without approval ◦ Veto the bill  Can be overridden buy 2/3 majority in both houses but only during the session.

13. What does this mean to us? There are 21 steps to the bill process ◦ Requires a Majority vote  33 out of 65 votes in the House  18 out of 35 votes in the Senate ◦ Each time there’s a vote a bill can be killed  There are 8-11 votes depending on process  That’s 255:1 odds or.4% that any bill will pass (no changes)  Good chance to kill a bad bill  Time and effort for good bills to pass ◦ Each time there’s debate a bill can be changed  There are 6-7 debates depending on process  That’s 6:5 odds or 84% that any bill can be amended  Good chance to make things better  Be aware of hindering amendments

14. Political views do count! No mater the party, research all candidates and think of how they will influence education. Views on things like: ◦ spending, vouchers, reform (positive and negative) and causes of all types. These can determine if we are spending time and resources on: ◦ Creating the best education system we can. ◦ Defeating bills that hinder education (60, 61, 101) ◦ Fighting for scraps because of too many pet projects ◦ Chasing “Golden Carrots” like RTTT

15. Think of the people recently elected The Majority party has control ◦ They appoint people to head committees ◦ Determine when bills are read State Officers ◦ Governor  helps appoint redistricting of State seats ◦ Secretary of State  Monitors petitions and election ◦ Treasurer  Influences where money is spent or cut.

16. What can you do? Lobby  Phone, email, letters, rally Elections  VOTE  Help candidates  Walk & talk, phone bank, support them  CEA & NEA Help directly and indirectly Membership Get others involved

17. Meet your lobbyist

18. More information Stay current with CEA ◦ At the capital (all things legislative at CEA)  http://coloradoea.org/atthecapitol/legnews.cfm http://coloradoea.org/atthecapitol/legnews.cfm ◦ Sign up for the Capitol Connection (e-news of Leg. session)  www.ceacapconn.wordpress.com www.ceacapconn.wordpress.com Legislative Glossary ◦ Know and understand the legislative language  http://www.c-span.org/guide/congress/glossary/alphalist.htm http://www.c-span.org/guide/congress/glossary/alphalist.htm  http://www.gpoaccess.gov/bills/glossary.html Roberts Rules of Order ◦ Know the process of the legislative session  http://www.rulesonline.com/ http://www.rulesonline.com/ Know your organization ◦ CEA  http://coloradoea.org http://coloradoea.org ◦ NEA  http://www.nea.org http://www.nea.org