HB1367 Passes! Report from Lobby Day

Duneland teachers ended up with 11 teachers (Yahoo!) who attended the Legislative Lobbying session in Indianapolis yesterday. Thank you to everyone who has been writing to your legislators and a special thank you to our lobbyists:

Marie Englehart - BR, Susan Calkusic - JA, Colin May - LES, Cheryl Muller - WIS, Jodi Nix - CMS, Kirsten Renehan - CHS, Connie Hamilton - YO, Martha Kearney - YO, Bill Gustin - WIS, and Jane Holmgren - CHS.

We met at the ISTA center for a briefing from 9:30 to 10:00 with 250 other teachers from around the state. At 10:00 we went over to the second floor of the capitol building where the chambers for both the House and the Senate are located. House Bill 1367 was up for passage and many speeches were being given in the House, so our representatives had very little time for us - a minute, or two or three.

House Bill 1367 passed strictly on party lines. 48 Republicans voted "nay" and 51 Democrats voted "yeah." We asked Nancy Papas what effect our lobbying had if they voted straight party anyway. She explained that the bill now goes to the Senate and if it passes out of the Senate, it comes back to the House. She remarked that although the Republican reps voted "nay", in their talk with us, they showed an understanding for the need for help. The number of Duneland teachers talking to and listening to Reps. Soliday (R) and Dermody (R) made an impression. The emails you have been sending have also made an impression. Nancy Papas said that their dialog with us left an opening for a "later". They are moving toward individual rather than party line voting when the bill comes back to the House.

Teachers also talked with Rep. Pelath, Senators Arnold, Tallian and Charbonneau. The Senate has almost a super majority of Republicans, so it is still important for you to keep the pressure on. Keep reading the Hotlines and making calls and sending emails.

Thanks for all you do!
Michele & Sharon