[Home-on-the-Range] URGENT CALL TO ACTION — NEED YOUR TESTIMONY NOW

[Rob Tabor]

Good evening Kansas Federation colleagues,

Thanks to your emails to the House Energy, Utilities and Transportation committee, we now have a hearing scheduled  on House Bill 2180 for Thursday, January 29 at 9:00 a.m. in room 582 North of the Kansas State House. If you get this posting and subscribe to NFB Newsline® your testimony is urgently needed. The next few paragraphs contain the rules and guidelines we areed to follow in our written testimonies. I will also include a template which you may use if you wish.

1) All testimonies must be in PDF file format. Most if not all of us will find it easier to create the document in the word processor of choice. Just be sure to convert the file to PDF and send to the official committee email address which is
h.utilities at house.ks.gov

2) Limit your testimony to no more than one full page. "brevity is the soul of wit." —— William Shakespeare
3) State that you are testifying for HB 2180. This helps the committee assistant to organize hearing packets by proponents, opponents, and neutrals.
4) Specify whether you are testifying in writing only, orally, or both. If you are submitting oral testimony, state whether you will be in person or virtually. Those testifying virtually will receive a Webex link to log into the hearing.

5) State why Newsline® is important to you. We do not need you to testify for the Kansas affiliate. President Page and I will do so. For example, you may consult Newsline to get the latest news from your local paper. Or perhaps you use Newsline to help you search for timely money saving grocery ads or the latest weather alerts. Remember, facts tell; stories sell.
6) Specify that you are a Kansas resident. You may give your residential or mailing address if you wish. But remember that all testimonies become public record. At the very least, state the City and County of your residence.

7) If you are testifying verbally, do not read your written testimony. Yes, they do no how to read. A good approach to giving oral testimony is to thank the committee for the opportunity to speak to the bill, emphasize why Newsline® is important to you or how it benefits you, then offer to take questions.

8) Email your written testimony at likeleast 24 hours before the hearing. The committee assistant will need time to prepare foldersfor committee members and to email the Webex link to those who will testify virtually.
9) Limit your oral testimony to three (3) minutes unless Chairman Delperdang instructs otherwise. Shakespeare's wisdom applies to speaking as well as writing.


With these rules and guidelines in mind, below is a suggested template for your use.


PROPONENT TESTIMONY of (your name)
BEFORE THE HOUSE ENERGY, UTILITIES, and TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
Re.: HOUSE BILL 2180

Good morning, chairman Delperdang and committee,

First, I thank you for the opportunity to testify on a bill that is very important to me personally and to many blind and print-impaired Kansans. I rely on Newsline for timely information on (your favorite topic or type of article). I support HB 2180 because I want to be assured that it will be available to me and my fellow blind and print-impaired Kansans for many years to come. 

(for oral testimonies) Thank you againfor this opportunity, and I will now stand for questions.

Sincerely,

(your name), (City,) (County,) Kansas


Thanks in advance for taking action on short noticePlease don't hesitate to reach out to Tom Page, Bruce Roberds, or myself if you need any assistance.  Meanwhile, be well, stay warm, and happy writing.

Best regards,Rob Tabor |  1st vice president/legislative Director national Federation of the blind of Kansas
PH: (785) 865-9959
Rob.tabor at sbcglobal.net