[Ct-nfb] FW: House Bill 6654 / threat to blind concessionaires in state parks

Tue Apr 16 15:55:41 UTC 2013

From: Norton, Andrew [mailto:Andrew.Norton at ct.gov] 
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2013 4:35 PM
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Subject: House Bill 6654 / threat to blind concessionaires in state parks

Hello all:

        House Bill 6654, An Act Concerning Sportsmen Related Revisions to
the General Statutes, is the Connecticut legislative bill that would hurt
certain persons with blindness. If passed, it would take away blind
citizens' first right or option to operate a store or snack shop at a state
park. Blind entrepreneurs have had this right in Connecticut law since the
1940's. House Bill 6654 was recently passed by the Environment Committee and
is now heading to the state house floor in Hartford. It will appear on the
House Calendar tomorrow and will be eligible for voting by Thursday; it can
be voted on any time after that.

Sections 3 and 4 of HB 6654 would change the state law (Conn. Gen Stat.
Sec.10-303) that gives blind business people the first right to operate a
retail or food concession on government properties. The bill would exclude
state parks from this long-standing program. The Department of
Rehabilitation Services (DORS) and its BESB bureau strongly oppose this
change to the law. It will put current blind operators out of business and
take away that opportunity for future blind operators as well. We hope that
the legislature will remove Sections 3 and 4.

If you would like to call your State Representative or State Senator to ask
them to oppose Sections 3 and 4 of House Bill 6654, you can reach their
State Capitol office by phone through the following numbers - 

House Democrats (860) 240-8500 or toll free (800) 842-1902

House Republicans (800) 240- 8700 or toll free at (800) 842-1423

Senate Democrats (800) 240-8600 or toll free at (800) 842-1420

Senate Republicans (800) 240-8800 or toll free at (800) 842-1421

I listed the House numbers first because that is the first chamber that will
vote on the bill.

You can also send a letter to any legislator addressed with their name at
the State Capitol - 300 Capitol Avenue - Hartford, Connecticut 06106. You
can also visit the legislature's website for more information.  For example,
there is a tool to help you find your legislator by typing in your address.
The first link at the bottom of this e-mail below my name is to the
legislative website. The second link will take you to House Bill 6654
itself.

By the way, the other sections of the bill do deal with sportsmen-related
issues such as bear hunting and license fees.  Please feel free to call me
if you need assistance or have a question.

Andrew Norton

Legislative Liaison

Department of Rehabilitation Services 

(860) 602-4078

http://www.cga.ct.gov/ 

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/TOB/H/2013HB-06654-R01-HB.htm

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