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

Tue Apr 30 16:49:14 UTC 2013

-----Original Message-----
From: Patrick Johnson [mailto:johnsonp at ciboakhill.org] 
Sent: Friday, April 26, 2013 11:22 PM
To: Norton, Andrew; BESB-DL All Users; Sylvestre, Alan; 'brucewoodie at msn.com'; 'chrisb274 at gmail.com'; 'e.g.akers at sbcglobal.net'; 'mcdodd3020 at sbcglobal.net'; 'bdemaio at newbritainct.gov'; 'randa.utter at cga.ct.gov'; 'gillispiegeorge at sbcglobal.net'; 'ckuell at comcast.net'; 'fairbanks at ldeo.columbia.edu'; 'iancr at comcast.net'; 'llee at nfbct.org'; 'sbaecker at snet.net'; 'jaykronfeld at sbcglobal.net'; Steve Famiglietti; 'info at nfbct.org'; 'pacvi2 at aol.com'; 'erival at comcast.net'; 'carolyn.messier at aol.com'; 'optometric.assoc01 at snet.net'; 'Eyecare at inclima.net'; 'epinnod at aol.com'; 'Dr.george.adrian at snet.net'; 'Westendeyecare at snet.net'; 'ks at drkimstevens.com'; 'Rkinkade at optonline.net'; 'rstrand at eyecarect.com'; 'optometric.assoc01 at snet.net'; 'Drswsm at yahoo.com'; 'bboogie at snet.net'; 'davidparke at comcast.net'; 'larrykline at bigplanet.com'; Filippone, Jennifer; 'enfield-eyecare at cox.net'; 'mgenlot at snet.net'; 'r.h.tyler at sbcglobal.net'; 'lighthouse63 at gmail.com'; White, Dee A.; Gerundo-Murkette, Margaret A.; 'ks at drkimstevens.com'; Mawson, Stacie J; 'maryellen.barbiasz at hknc.org'; Blewett, Kathleen K.; 'rjcloonan at comcast.net'; Donna Walters; 'Sandy.Inzinga at asd-1817.org'; Morgan, Siobhan C; 'jbperacchio at gmail.com'; Thal, Stephen; 'funnytomkaren at gmail.com'; 'dawgmawm at gmail.com'; 'charlie at visiondynamics.com'; Cunnane, Brian; Dombrowski, Stephen; 'c.rafala at snet.net'; 'clow at independenceunlimited.org'; 'sbaecker at crisradio.org'; 'jbperacchio at gmail.com'; 'dgregoire at liberty-bank.com'; 'judith.tencza at med.va.gov'; Bruce Stovall; '5040psbs at cox.net'; 'c.ford3 at sbcglobal.net'; 'alfredthompsonjr at yahoo.com'; 'davescoffee at juno.com'; Reitano, Andrew; 'lewis_andrews at sbcglobal.net'; 'mvlagocki at aol.com'; 'dave.figley at snet.net'; Steve Famiglietti; 'ajackson212 at att.net'; 'junerose at startsimply.com'; 'eileen.healy at independencenorthwest.org'; 'tlacava at drcfc.org'; 'marcanthony at cdr-ct.org'; 'ferrycathy at yahoo.com'; 'magallucci at aol.com'; 'momforch at yahoo.com'; 'slkush93 at att.net'; 'cheleot at comcast.net'; 'Rachriste1 at cs.com'; 'diana200561 at yahoo.com'; 'f_roberts at comcast.net'; 'joenerney at charter.net'; 'Raymo at Intergate.com'; Mandry, Marisel; 'marysilverfox at gmail.com'; 'Rb8876 at aol.com'; 'khaley18 at comcast.net'; 'pvlandis at ncc.commnet.edu'; 'Barbara.blejewski at sbcglobal.net'; 'dwdunne at crisradio.org'; Miles, Sandra; 'connecticutcounciloftheblind at gmail.com'; 'lbphtom at gmail.com'; 'futureeyecare2020 at gmail.com'; Friedman, Sharon; 'nyemapinkney at comcast.net'; 'carlnoll at sbcglobal.net'; 'AlbanB at aol.com'; 'emtelk at earthlink.net'; 'diannmurray1 at gmail.com'; 'emmbee4 at yahoo.com'; 'e.email at snet.net'; 'daria at ctsilc.org'; 'centeroftheblind at sbcglobal.net'; Reddick, Gordon; 'bob.gorman at independencenorthwest.org'; SOTS LEAD; 'parksidecafe165 at gmail.com'; 'joenerney at charter.net'; 'park.place.cafeteria at snet.net'; 'kbd252 at yahoo.com'; 'zompanti at cshore.com'; 'kmac714 at comcast.net'; 'dpelaggi at comcast.net'; 'gigiscorner at optonline.net'; 'yankees1962 at sbcglobal.net'; 'seyfang at att.net'; 'd.esten at comcast.net'; 'khaley18 at comcast.net'; 'atf0105f at comcast.net'; 'toml614 at hotmail.com'; 'george8415 at att.net'; 'tx-cafeteria at txcc.commnet.edu'; 'f_roberts at ymail.com'; 'pvlandis at ncc.commnet.edu'
Subject: Re: House Bill 6654 / threat to blind concessionaires in state parks

Andrew: Finance Com is scheduled to meet on the 1st and may take up this bill. Suggest call John Fonfarra ASAP. Effort in Env. Com. Failed by two votes. Who wants to force blind vendors out? Might there be some way to pursue a beneficial compromise with work assurance? Time to mobilize BEP and all other interested parties in next two days. Do we know the back story of who and what we are dealing with here?        Pat

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.

From: Norton, Andrew
Sent: Friday, April 26, 2013 10:52 AM
To: BESB-DL All Users; Sylvestre, Alan; 'brucewoodie at msn.com'; 'chrisb274 at gmail.com'; 'e.g.akers at sbcglobal.net'; 'mcdodd3020 at sbcglobal.net'; Patrick Johnson; 'bdemaio at newbritainct.gov'; 'randa.utter at cga.ct.gov'; 'gillispiegeorge at sbcglobal.net'; 'ckuell at comcast.net'; 'fairbanks at ldeo.columbia.edu'; 'iancr at comcast.net'; 'llee at nfbct.org'; 'sbaecker at snet.net'; 'jaykronfeld at sbcglobal.net'; Steve Famiglietti; 'info at nfbct.org'; 'pacvi2 at aol.com'; 'erival at comcast.net'; 'carolyn.messier at aol.com'; 'optometric.assoc01 at snet.net'; 'Eyecare at inclima.net'; 'epinnod at aol.com'; 'Dr.george.adrian at snet.net'; 'Westendeyecare at snet.net'; 'ks at drkimstevens.com'; 'Rkinkade at optonline.net'; 'rstrand at eyecarect.com'; 'optometric.assoc01 at snet.net'; 'Drswsm at yahoo.com'; 'bboogie at snet.net'; 'davidparke at comcast.net'; 'larrykline at bigplanet.com'; Filippone, Jennifer; 'enfield-eyecare at cox.net'; 'mgenlot at snet.net'; 'r.h.tyler at sbcglobal.net'; 'lighthouse63 at gmail.com'; White, Dee A.; Gerundo-Murkette, Margaret A.; 'ks at drkimstevens.com'; Mawson, Stacie J; 'maryellen.barbiasz at hknc.org'; Blewett, Kathleen K.; 'rjcloonan at comcast.net'; Donna Walters; 'Sandy.Inzinga at asd-1817.org'; Morgan, Siobhan C; 'jbperacchio at gmail.com'; Thal, Stephen; 'funnytomkaren at gmail.com'; 'dawgmawm at gmail.com'; 'charlie at visiondynamics.com'; Cunnane, Brian; Dombrowski, Stephen; 'c.rafala at snet.net'; 'clow at independenceunlimited.org'; 'sbaecker at crisradio.org'; 'jbperacchio at gmail.com'; 'dgregoire at liberty-bank.com'; 'judith.tencza at med.va.gov'; Bruce Stovall; '5040psbs at cox.net'; 'c.ford3 at sbcglobal.net'; 'alfredthompsonjr at yahoo.com'; 'davescoffee at juno.com'; Reitano, Andrew; 'lewis_andrews at sbcglobal.net'; 'mvlagocki at aol.com'; 'dave.figley at snet.net'; Steve Famiglietti; 'ajackson212 at att.net'; 'junerose at startsimply.com'; 'eileen.healy at independencenorthwest.org'; 'tlacava at drcfc.org'; 'marcanthony at cdr-ct.org'; 'ferrycathy at yahoo.com'; 'magallucci at aol.com'; 'momforch at yahoo.com'; 'slkush93 at att.net'; 'cheleot at comcast.net'; 'Rachriste1 at cs.com'; 'diana200561 at yahoo.com'; 'f_roberts at comcast.net'; 'joenerney at charter.net'; 'Raymo at Intergate.com'; Mandry, Marisel; 'marysilverfox at gmail.com'; 'Rb8876 at aol.com'; 'khaley18 at comcast.net'; 'pvlandis at ncc.commnet.edu'; 'Barbara.blejewski at sbcglobal.net'; 'dwdunne at crisradio.org'; Miles, Sandra; 'connecticutcounciloftheblind at gmail.com'; 'lbphtom at gmail.com'; 'futureeyecare2020 at gmail.com'; Friedman, Sharon; 'nyemapinkney at comcast.net'; 'carlnoll at sbcglobal.net'; 'AlbanB at aol.com'; 'emtelk at earthlink.net'; 'diannmurray1 at gmail.com'; 'emmbee4 at yahoo.com'; 'e.email at snet.net'; 'daria at ctsilc.org'; 'centeroftheblind at sbcglobal.net'; Reddick, Gordon; 'bob.gorman at independencenorthwest.org'; SOTS LEAD; 'parksidecafe165 at gmail.com'; 'joenerney at charter.net'; 'park.place.cafeteria at snet.net'; 'kbd252 at yahoo.com'; 'zompanti at cshore.com'; 'kmac714 at comcast.net'; 'dpelaggi at comcast.net'; 'gigiscorner at optonline.net'; 'yankees1962 at sbcglobal.net'; 'seyfang at att.net'; 'd.esten at comcast.net'; 'khaley18 at comcast.net'; 'atf0105f at comcast.net'; 'toml614 at hotmail.com'; 'george8415 at att.net'; 'tx-cafeteria at txcc.commnet.edu'; 'f_roberts at ymail.com'; 'pvlandis at ncc.commnet.edu'
Subject: House Bill 6654 / threat to blind concessionaires in state parks

Hello again:
        There is more news about House Bill 6654, An Act Concerning Sportsmen Related Revisions to the General Statutes. The bill has just now been referred to the Finance Committee of the legislature. That means that members of that committee will be voting on the bill before there is a full vote by the entire State House.
I wrote to you earlier about this bill. My first e-mail is at the bottom of this e-mail. HB 6654 contains language that would deny our blind clients their traditional right to operate a concession at state parks.
You may want to call legislators on the Finance Committee to tell them to oppose this bill. Just below my name is a list of the members of that Committee with the towns they represent and phone numbers. You can also click their name and get their e-mail address and home address. As always, feel free to call or write me if you have any questions.

Andrew Norton
Legislative Liaison
Department of Rehabilitation Services
(860) 602-4078

Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee Members Rep. James Albis<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_James_Albis/-N576949> (D)
860-240-8585 (East Haven)
Rep. Emil 'Buddy' Altobello<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Emil%20'Buddy'_Altobello/-N119366> (D)
860-240-8500 (Meriden, Middlefield)
Rep. Bill Aman<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Bill_Aman/-N510105> (R)
860-240-8700 (South Windsor)
Rep. Angel Arce<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Angel_Arce/-N540407> (D)
860-240-8585 (Hartford)
Sen. Andres Ayala<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Sen_Andres_Ayala/-N593855> (D)
860-240-0415 (Bridgeport, Stratford)
Rep. Brian Becker<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Brian_Becker/-N571456> (D)
860-240-8700 (Avon, Farmington, West Hartford) Rep. Jeffrey Berger<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Jeffrey_Berger/-N428893> (D)
860-240-8500 (Waterbury)
Sen. Toni Boucher<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Sen_Toni_Boucher/-N553895> (R)
860-240-0465 (Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, Wilton) Rep. Elizabeth 'Betty' Boukus<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Elizabeth%20'Betty'_Boukus/-N119294> (D)
860-240-8466 (New Britain, Plainville)
Rep. Cecilia Buck-Taylor<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Cecilia_Buck-Taylor/-N593321> (R)
860-240-8700 (New Milford)
Rep. Larry Butler<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Larry_Butler/-N541024> (D)
860-240-8585 (Waterbury)
Rep. Vincent Candelora<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Vincent_Candelora/-N540990> (R)
860-240-8700 (Durham, Guilford, North Branford, Wallingford) Sen. Steve Cassano<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Sen_Steve_Cassano/-N571869> (D)
860-240-5302 (Andover, Bolton, Glastonbury, Manchester) Rep. Mike D'Agostino<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Mike_D'Agostino/-N594107> (D)
860-240-8585 (Hamden)
Rep. Christopher Davis<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Christopher_Davis/-N553790> (R)
860-240-8700 (East Windsor, Ellington)
Rep. Kim Fawcett<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Kim_Fawcett/-N539476> (D)
860-240-8585 (Fairfield)
Rep. Livvy Floren<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Livvy_Floren/-N428880> (R)
860-240-8700 (Greenwich, Stamford)
Sen. John Fonfara<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Sen_John_Fonfara/-N252452> (D)
860-240-8600 (Hartford, Wethersfield)
Sen. L. Scott Frantz<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Sen_L.%20Scott_Frantz/-N553215> (R)
860-240-0474 (Greenwich, New Canaan, Stamford) Rep. John Frey<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_John_Frey/-N263935> (R)
860-240-8700 (Ridgefield)
Rep. Jack Hennessy<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Jack_Hennessy/-N509880> (D)
860-240-8585 (Bridgeport)
Rep. Susan Johnson<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Susan_Johnson/-N554577> (D)
860-240-8585 (Windham)
860-240-8585 (East Hartford, Manchester, South Windsor) Sen. Gary LeBeau<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Sen_Gary_LeBeau/-N252453> (D)
860-240-0511 (East Hartford, East Windsor, Ellington, South Windsor) Rep. Roland Lemar<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Roland_Lemar/-N571839> (D)
860-240-8585 (East Haven, New Haven)
Sen. Carlo Leone<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Sen_Carlo_Leone/-N576912> (D)
860-240-8600 (Darien, Stamford)
Rep. Rick Lopes<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Rick_Lopes/-N588908> (D)
860-240-8585 (New Britain, Newington)
Rep. Geoff Luxenberg<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Geoff_Luxenberg/-N571206> (D)
860-240-8585 (Manchester)
Sen. Michael McLachlan<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Sen_Michael_McLachlan/-N553180> (R)
860-240-0068 (Bethel, Danbury, New Fairfield, Sherman) Rep. Russ Morin<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Russ_Morin/-N541384> (D)
860-240-8500 (Wethersfield)
Rep. Ted Moukawsher<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Ted_Moukawsher/-N492410> (D)
860-240-8585 (Groton, Ledyard)
Rep. Mary Mushinsky<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Mary_Mushinsky/-N117747> (D)
860-240-8500 (Wallingford)
Sen. Anthony Musto<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Sen_Anthony_Musto/-N554045> (D)
860-240-8600 (Bridgeport, Monroe, Trumbull) Rep. John Piscopo<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_John_Piscopo/-N117738> (R)
860-240-8700 (Burlington, Harwinton, Litchfield, Thomaston) Rep. Rosa Rebimbas<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Rosa_Rebimbas/-N559369> (R)
860-240-8723 (Naugatuck)
Rep. Lonnie Reed<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Lonnie_Reed/-N553175> (D)
860-240-8585 (Branford)
Rep. Jason Rojas<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Jason_Rojas/-N554440> (D)
860-240-8585 (East Hartford, Manchester) Rep. Robert Sanchez<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Robert_Sanchez/-N576966> (D)
860-240-8585 (New Britain)
Rep. Hilda Santiago<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Hilda_Santiago/-N593332> (D)
860-240-8585 (Meriden)
Rep. Pamela Sawyer<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Pamela_Sawyer/-N117717> (R)
860-240-8700 (Andover, Bolton, Hebron, Marlborough) Rep. David Scribner<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_David_Scribner/-N119386> (R)
860-240-8700 (Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury) Rep. John Shaban<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_John_Shaban/-N571849> (R)
860-240-8700 (Easton, Redding, Weston)
Rep. Bill Simanski<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Bill_Simanski/-N571822> (R)
860-240-8700 (Barkhamsted, Granby, Hartland, New Hartford) Rep. Prasad Srinivasan<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Prasad_Srinivasan/-N571796> (R)
860-240-8700 (Glastonbury)
Rep. Charlie Stallworth<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Charlie_Stallworth/-N577119> (D)
860-240-0141 (Bridgeport)
Rep. Jonathan Steinberg<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Jonathan_Steinberg/-N572782> (D)
860-240-8585 (Westport)
Sen. Andrea Stillman<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Sen_Andrea_Stillman/-N510103> (D)
860-240-0425 (Bozrah, East Lyme, Montville, New London, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Salem, Waterford) Rep. Stephen Walko<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Stephen_Walko/-N593395> (R)
860-240-8700 (Greenwich)
Rep. Patricia Widlitz<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Patricia_Widlitz/-N119378> (D)
860-240-0464 (Branford, Guilford)
Rep. Sean Williams<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Sean_Williams/-N117730> (R)
860-240-8700 (Watertown, Woodbury)
Sen. Kevin Witkos<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Sen_Kevin_Witkos/-N553808> (R)
860-240-0436 (Avon, Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, Granby, Hartland, Harwinton, New Hartford, Norfolk, Simsbury, Torrington) Rep. Elissa Wright<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Elissa_Wright/-N541928> (D)
860-240-8585 (Groton, New London)
Rep. Christopher Wright<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Christopher_Wright/-N553798> (D)
860-240-8585 (Bristol)
Rep. David Zoni<http://www.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_David_Zoni/-N540406> (D)
860-240-8585 (Southington)

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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