[Home-on-the-Range] [Jayhawk-Chapter] Request for action on senate bill 284, the blind information access act

[Rob Tabor]

Hello again, everyone,

I am sending this message a second time because it has been reported that most of the message somehow was cut off, probably by a server. If you receive the messages full earlier, please disregard this resend.

Best regards,
Rob Tabor | First vice president/legislative Director national Federation of the blind of Kansas
(785) 865-9959
Rob.tabor at sbcglobal.net. 

> On Mar 17, 2023, at 11:01 AM, Rob Tabor via Jayhawk-Chapter <jayhawk-chapter at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Good morning NFBK colleagues,
> 
> 
> After some lengthy technical adjustments that needed to be made, we are finally ready to move on the above referenced bill,  which if enacted, will provide for state sponsorship of Nfb Newsline. A hearing on SB 284 is now scheduled for Tuesday, March 21 at 1:30 PM before the Senate utilities committee in room 548 in the south wing of the state house. I apologize for the late notice, which is explained by significant difficulty in obtaining the correct procedures for submitting testimony before the committee. The rules which are attached somehow ended up in my junk mail folder. I advise you to study the rules carefully before submitting your written testimony, but I will provide the highlights below.
> 
> First, a brief summary of the bill. SB 284 provides funding for the Kansas subscription to NFB-NEWSLINE. Via a line item appropriation from the Kansas universal service fund (KUSF.). The Kansas news line program will be administered by the talking book division of the Kansas state library system.
> 
> <RULES 2023 COMMITTEE RULES 1 20 22 Utilities.pdf>
> Now, here are the needs to know regarding submission of your testimony.
> 
> • at the top of the page you must include your name, that you are a proponent of SB 284, whethe whether you are testifying in person, virtually, or written only, your first and last name, your email address, if any, and a telephone number, where you can be reached.
> • your testimony must be submitted by no later than 9 AM Monday morning and must be in PDF format and sent via email to michael.welton at senate.ks.gov.
> • your testimony should be confined to no more than two single sided pages.
> 
> Now here are a few more additional helpful tips.
> 
> • personalize your testimony. Do not testify on behalf of the Federation or as a member of it. Either President, Tom Page, or myself will do that.
> • mention the Kansas county where you reside. It is not necessary to list your residential or mailing address, but you may do so if you are comfortable doing it. Remember, all testimony will become a matter of public record.
> • last, but not least, remember, the Shakespearean rule that brevity is the soul of wit; hence, the limitation of no more than two pages for your testimony.
> 
> What follows below is a template which you may use in preparing your written testimony.
> 
> Proponent testimony on SB 284,[oral in person] [oral in person] [oral virtual].
> 
> To: senate committee on utilities
> From: (your name)___County Kansas
> 
> Good afternoon, Mr. chairman and members of the Senate committee on utilities,
> 
> I respectfully urge you to pass senate bill, 284, which provides financial support for the National  Federation of the Vlind’s Newsline service, which w provides on-demand audio  information to all blind and visually impaired persons living in Kansas. (A brief statement of how you use Newsline and how it benefits you.
> Sincerely,
> (your name, phone number, email address)
> 
> Again, I apologize for giving you all homework to do over the weekend. Please do not hesitate to call Tom Page or myself if you need any guidance in preparing your testimony. Thanks for all you do and making life better for blind people in Kansas.
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Rob Tabor, | first vice president/legislative Director national Federation of the blind of Kansas
> (785) 865-9959
> Rob.tabor at sbcglobal.net