[Local-Maine-Schools] (Skip Greenlaw) This weekend may be the last...

[Dick Atlee]

-------- Original Message --------
Date: 	Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:05:56 -0400
From: 	skipgreenlaw <skipg at hypernet.com>

Good evening everyone,

This weekend may be the last opportunity we have to contact our
legislators before a vote is taken on the repeal
of school consolidation.  We must make telephone calls and have personal
conversations with our legislators this weekend if we have any hope to
repeal the school consolidation law.

LD 2280 contains the minority report which repeals the school
consolidation law.  We have asked Speaker Cummings if he would recognize
Rep. Peter Edgecomb to move the minority report and debate the repeal of
school consolidation first.  The normal procedure would be to recognize
the House Chair of Education who would move the majority report.  If the
majority report is accepted, then there would be no opportunity to
debate the minority report.

Speaker Cummings did give the Republicans the opportunity to move their
minority budget report on Wednesday first.  If our request to Speaker
Cummings is not honored, then Senator Carol Weston is prepared to offer
a joint order directing the education committee to report out a separate
bill to repeal school consolidation.

Everyone needs to understand that the end of the session is approaching
(April 16).  There are only 13 legislative days left.  The pace will
start to pick up at lightning speed.  LD 2280 is not on the advance
house legislative calendar for Monday, but it may appear on a
supplemental calendar on Monday without any advance notice.  So, what
this means is that we have to do out homework ahead of time.  It is much
easier for people to contact their legislators at home over the weekend
than it is to contact them in Augusta.  My best guess is that by this
time next week the debate on repeal will have taken place.

I assume that you all know the name of your state representative and
state senator , where they live, and their phone number.  If you need a
telephone number or any other information, please call me this weekend
at 367-2738 or e-mail me.  I expect to be home most all weekend calling
legislators.  Please communicate with me any information which is
developed with conversations with legislators.

I am planning to go to Augusta on Tuesday and Wednesday to talk with as
many more legislators as I can. I would welcome anyone who can help me
out.   Each day we shall meet on the third floor of the state house at 8
AM. We have a "can do attitude".  Remember, "nothing ventured, nothing
gained".

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Skip