Dear Senator Williams, Senator McKinney, Representative Donovan and Representative Cafero: The General Assembly will shortly adopt joint rules that will govern the passage of legislation over the course of the next legislative term. The League of Women Voters of Connecticut believes that governmental bodies must protect the citizens' right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible. In the past, legislation has often been passed without adequate opportunities for the public and even legislators themselves to adequately review and comment upon proposed bills. We are all too familiar with the concept of last minute "rats" that find their way into proposed bills, as well as bills, originally intended for one purpose, which morph into something completely different through the use of last minute strike all amendments. An example of the latter phenomenon is SB1017, An Act Concerning Restoration Of A Swimming Pool In Manchester's Landmark Historic District, which became a bill to ban the use of transfats in Connecticut restaurants. An example of a "rat" occurred during the 2007 legislative session when an amendment was attached to a bill in the final 2 days of the session which would allow mining on New Britain Water Company lands. "Rats" and strike all amendments are known to create exceptions to existing law to benefit special interests and/or to prevent thorough public review and input on critical public policy issues. The League urges you to make this the session where the legislature adopts rules that will guarantee openness and transparency in the legislative process. Specifically, we ask you to adopt rules that: . Require public hearings on all bills and amendments which create an exception to an existing statute. . Require strike all amendments to be printed and on legislators' desks at least two days prior to final passage. The legislature took a historic step when it passed comprehensive campaign finance reform in 2005 with your leadership and support. It's time to take the next step and guarantee openness and transparency in the legislative process to instill public trust in that process. Thank you. Sincerely, Christine S. Horrigan LWVCT VP of Public Issues Comments Comments are closed. | Advocacy:
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