Louisiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association

 

Home
ASHA
LSHA PAC
Day At The Capitol
Legislative "Buddy"
Legislative Contact Form

The 2008 Regular Session was a HUGE success! Please stay tuned as we get ready for the 2009 Legislative Session. LSHA still has Legislative goals and we need ALL LSHA members to help accomplish them.

See you at the Capitol in 2009!


LEGISLATIVE UPDATES FOR THE 2008 REGULAR SESSION

Last updated 

7/14/08 5:00 PM


July 15, 2008

Dear LSHA Members:

 

The day of true celebration is finally here!  Governor Jindal has signed HB1 after using his line item veto power on more than 250 items.  His vetoes stripped over 16 million dollars from the state budget bill mostly in the area of appropriations for non governmental organizations.  Our salary supplement remains intact and the legislative battle comes to an end with a major victory for Louisiana’s nationally certified Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists working in the public school arena. 

 

Yesterday evening, Ayn Stehr sent an e-mail confirming our victory and congratulating LSHA’S membership for all of the work, dedication, time and enthusiasm they put forth this year.  Ayn and I had a phone conversation this morning and  discussed the need to talk with the Department of Education as soon as possible.  We need to work out a method of dealing with the short fall in the appropriation for this year and to begin discussing the importance of keeping us in the budget for next year.  So celebrate, but do not hibernate! We need to stay alert and involved.

 

I will be asking for volunteers for the legislative committee for next year.  If you have a desire to work in this capacity, let me know.  I can’t imagine the need for the intensity of involvement that was required during the 2008 legislative session, however, we still must do the following:

·        continue to educate legislators about our professions

·        monitor and respond to proposed legislation

·        communicate with one another and legislators on key issues

·        rally the membership to action as needed

 

As soon as we know anything definitive about the process/timing, etc. that will be utilized to distribute the salary supplement funds to school systems and ultimately to Nationally Certified SLPS and AUDS, we will send out an e-mail blast or post new information here on the legislative information page.

 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

 

For those of you working for school systems, enjoy the last few weeks of the summer. For our members working in other settings, thank you for your support of your colleagues in the public school arena.  The next legislative issue may be yours.  All members must work together to address issues that impact our professions.

 

Steve Harris

Legislative Liaison


June 26, 2008

Dear LSHA Members:

 

I have been waiting for Governor Jindal to sign HB1 prior to sending out the last e-mail blast regarding the 2008 Regular Session and our quest for funding of the Salary Supplement for Nationally Certified public school Speech–Language Pathologists and Audiologists.  Ayn Stehr, LSHA’s Lobbyist, hasn’t heard that the Governor has any inclination to use his line item veto to defeat our salary supplement.  That being said, it is time for a membership update.

 

We were successful in keeping the salary supplement in HB1 and it now simply waits for the Governor’s signature.  The amount of the appropriation remains at 2.4 million dollars which is 1.4 million less than the amount our survey projected is needed.  The legislators continue to tell Ayn Stehr, LSHA’s Lobbyist, that the funding level is not an issue.  She has been told that either the SDE will ask permission from the legislature to make changes within the Department of Education’s budget or the legislature will deal with the shortfall in the 2009 regular session via a Supplemental Appropriations Bill. 

 

The legislature puts forth a Supplemental Appropriations Bill each year as the revenues of the state are verified.  The current budget is based on a report by the Revenue Estimating Committee and each year as of late that estimate has been an underrepresentation of the actual revenues received.

 

I have spoken to the personnel director in my school system as well as social workers who received their supplement last year. Based on these conversations and the review of documents utilized by the other groups (School Social Workers, Guidance Counselors, School Psychologists) in obtaining their salary supplement I would like to provide you with a probable scenario:

  1. Paul Pastorek, State Superintendent of Education, (if it remains consistent with the other disciplines who have received a salary supplement) will send a memo to School Superintendents with an “Employment Verification Form” and directions addressing how they are to proceed in filing for the supplements.

  2. The memo, if consistent with the others, will indicate individuals must have received their national certification by June 30th of 2008.

  3. The Employment Verification Form will ask for:

·        Membership ID number for ASHA

·        Year Achieved National Certification

·        Date of Expiration

·        Schools or offices where services are provided

·        Copy of your ASHA Certificate

·        Copy of your State Ancillary Certificate or Teaching Certificate indicating you are certified by the SDE as a SLP or AUD.

·        The Superintendent’s signature

·        Supervisor’s Signature

 

This information will need to be sent to the appropriate SDE personnel by September 15th in order to be processed and eligible for the supplement for the 2008-09 school year. (This will be handled by each district’s Human Resources Department.)  Based on the verification information received, the allocation for this program will be submitted to the State Board of Secondary and Elementary Education for approval at the October meeting.  The grant award notifications will be prepared and forwarded to the districts, along with an application packet that will need to be completed and returned to the Division of Education Finance. Districts will distribute the $5000.00 supplement to each eligible speech-language pathologist and audiologist in the same manner as the annual salary, and then should request reimbursement from the Department.

 

At this point that is all I know.  We are planning to make contact with the SDE to determine how they will address the shortfall and to see if there is anything we can or need to do. 

 

I would like to thank everyone for their diligence and tenacity.  We knew we could make this happen.  We just needed our membership to get out and contact their legislators, and to coordinate the efforts with our lobbyist.  It seems unreal that after all this time we have achieved our goal.  The intensity and hectic schedules we all lived through are beginning to pale.  Now that we have won, it is oddly quiet and peaceful.  The energy we had going was awesome.  I wish we had a way to get together and have a celebration

 

Major thanks once again to Doug Mouton, Theresa Rodgers, and Ann Barrosse for their time and testimony.  No one could have hoped for anything better.  Many of you know this but many do not, so I will tell you that Theresa Rodgers began this endeavor in 2002.   It was exciting that she was one of the individuals who provided testimony in this final, successful year.

 

Thanks should be provided to Representative Joe Harrison who was the lead author and handler of our bill.  He was our advocate and put it all together.  All members of the House Appropriations Committee stood up against the Governor’s wishes and, according to Ayn Stehr, are going to pay a political price.  Chairman James Fannin was supportive, and without his blessing we would not have been successful.  Eddie Lambert, Chairman of the Education Sub-Committee of the House Appropriations Committee, and all its members are to be thanked as they made a positive recommendation to the full House Appropriations Committee regarding funding of the supplement.  Our strongest support was on the House side but the Senate Finance Committee (unofficially) voted 10 to 2 in favor of the supplement.  Please feel free to thank any and all of these individuals if you have not done so already.

 

There are so many individuals to thank it is virtually impossible to do so.  Renae Colwick, LSHA’s President, and Michelle Barra, SPALS’ President, joined forces and agreed to share expenses including funding of our lobbyist and expenses related to the Day at the Capitol.  The efforts of both organizations to make our Grass Roots Campaign so successful were as important, if not more so, than the financial pact they entered into.  

 

In addition to all the responsibilities that the LSHA President has, Renae Colwick  is our WEB Master.  Renae did an outstanding job updating our WEB Page throughout the legislative session.  The number of hits indicated that the LSHA WEB PAGE was a very useful and sought-after resource.

 

St. Tammany Parish, under Emily Homer and Carol Negrotto’s leadership, and Bossier City School System’s energy and dedication organized in great measure by Kimberly Stafford, were but two of many exemplary efforts from around the state.  Cindy Chauvin and Christi Roya, SPALS legislative contacts, did an outstanding job of coordinating and communicating all information to and from LSHA.  As I said, there are too many to recognize but rest assured it was a team effort and everyone who contributed made a difference.

 

An e-mail blast will be sent out from the LSHA office in approximately two weeks indicating the final status of all bills monitored by Ayn Stehr as bills of interest to LSHA members.  Ayn Stehr will be meeting with the 2009 LSHA Legislative Liaison in September to begin developing a strategic plan for the 2009 regular legislative session.  Some areas of interest already under consideration are as follows:

  • Revision of the Autism Bill that mandates insurance reimbursement for certain services for children diagnosed with Autism (Requires SLPs to be under the direction of a Physician or Psychiatrist/Psychologist in order to treat and be reimbursed by private insurance),

  • Increase of Early Steps Reimbursement Fees

  • Maternity Leave Compensation for individuals with ancillary certificates

  • Maintaining funding for the Salary Supplement.

 If you have areas of concern that you wish LSHA to consider during the next legislative session, please feel free to send your comments to sharris@stmary.k12.la.us.  Also, if you are interested in taking an active role, please let me know.  There are lots of jobs that need to be done to keep LSHA on top of and proactive regarding the legislative process.  This year was the year of the Salary Supplement (Part 5).  Next year the issues are as of yet unknown.  Issues in private practice, reimbursement, insurance mandates, retirement, professional encroachment, university funding, public schools; any and all of these subjects may be our next area of concern.

 

 So stay tuned, stay engaged, and stay energized.  You are the difference.

 

Steve Harris

LSHA Legislative Liaison


6/19/08

Dear LSHA Member,

 

Steve wanted me to let you know that the Senate Finance Committee amended and approved HB1 with our salary supplement intact. HB1 was sent to the full Senate on June 17 and accepted. HB1 will now return to the House for final approval. No action is needed at this time. Please be aware that the amount of the appropriation was left at $2.4 million. Ayn Stehr, LSHA Lobbyist, indicated that the legislators do not feel this is a concern, because the short fall can be dealt with by the Department of Education or by the Legislature in March 2009 by putting forth a supplemental appropriation bill. It appears that our hard work has produced a successful outcome. However, please be aware that if the House does not accept the changes to HB1 made by the Senate then HB1 will have to go to a conference committee of the House and the Senate for negotiation and then return to the House and Senate for final approval before it goes to the Governor’s office. Ayn Stehr feels that the House will accept the changes and the conference committee will probably not be necessary. She will continue to monitor the status of HB1 until it is signed by the Governor and keep us informed. We look forward to giving you the final word that the Governor has signed the bill. Thanks again for all of the hard work you have put forth thus far and it appears that congratulations will be in order.

 

Sincerely,

Renae F. Colwick

2008 LSHA President

Steve Harris

LSHA Legislative Liaison


June 13, 2008
3:15 P. M.
Dear Members:
 
I just spoke with Ayn Stehr, LSHA Lobbyist, and she reports that Senate Finance did not take up HB1 today as previously expected.At this time it is scheduled for Monday. No action is requested at this time.  As soon as I have a report from Ayn Stehr concerning the status of our salary supplement in HB1 as it is sent from Senate Finance to the full Senate for consideration I will let you all know immediately.  At that point we will have a plan to deliver our final messages to members of the Senate. 
 
Have a great weekend and keep the faith.  We truly are so very close. 
 
Steve Harris
LSHA Legislative Liaison

Monday

June 9, 2008

 

Dear LSHA Members:

 

The Senate Finance Committee heard public testimony on HB1 Friday, June 6, 2008.  We were fortunate, once again, to have Theresa Rodgers, former LSHA President and current Ascension Parish Special Education Supervisor; Ann Barrosse, a St. Tammany parish parent of a child with communication issues and a nationally certified SLP; and Doug Mouton, parent of a child with a communication issues and a WWL news reporter, as the witnesses on our behalf.  An informal count indicated we had approximately 100 SLPs and AUDs at the Capitol during the Senate Finance Public Hearing on HB1.  If you were not able to be there, I would suggest visiting the Louisiana Legislative Web Page to view the testimony of our witnesses (follow this link- http://senate.legis.state.la.us/Finance/archives/video.htm

scroll down for June 6). The presentations were excellent and the reaction by the committee members was very promising.

 

Also, see the following link that will bring you to an article that appeared in The Advocate, Baton Rouge ’s newspaper.  The article reported on the testimony and issues addressed at the Senate Finance Committees public hearing on HB1.  http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/19624089.html?index=1&c=y

Ayn Stehr, our lobbyist, said the day was fabulous!  She asked that I convey to all of our members that we should be very proud of our efforts. It has been an outstanding job thus far and we have been very successful.  Our success is due to the fact that so many of you have made extraordinary efforts to stay involved and to be physically present at the Capitol on key days such as Friday, June 6th.

 

One of the many good points related to Friday’s activities is that we were able to obtain hard data regarding the actual number of nationally certified SLPs and AUDs who are eligible for the salary supplement.  As you know LSHA worked on obtaining survey information from each parish regarding the number of nationally certified personnel who would be eligible for the salary supplement.  The survey generated data indicating there are 775 nationally certified SLPs and AUDs working as full time employees in Louisiana Public School Systems. Information supplied by ASHA and the Louisiana Board of Examiners of Speech Pathology and Audiology (LBESPA) indicates our survey numbers are on target and definitely dispute the State Department of Education Finance Department’s numbers (480) generated via the PEP report. Theresa Rodgers was able to present this information to the Senate Finance Committee during her testimony in a concise, comprehensive manner.  Further, Ayn Stehr will take the same information and share it with David Ray, Finance Analyst for the Senate, in an effort to get the fiscal note in line with our expectations.

 

The remaining days of the current 2008 regular legislative session will unfold as follows:

 

  1. By the end of the week, the Senate Finance Committee will complete its work on HB1 and will vote to send it on to the full Senate for consideration. When this happens, we will know if we are in HB1 and what the appropriation is.

  2. If we are in HB 1 and the right amount (3.8 million) has been allocated, we ask all of the Senate to keep our funding in HB1.

  3. If we are not in HB1 then we must try to get an amendment from the Senate Floor.  This means we would have to find someone to offer an amendment and we would have to get the amendment passed.  (Hopefully this will not be the path as it is very difficult to get an amendment to HB1 from the Senate Floor).

  4. If there are any significant differences in the House and Senate versions of HB1, it will then go to a Conference Committee which will consist of several members of the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Finance Committee.

  5. They would iron out the difference and HB1 would then go for a final vote.

  6. It will then go to the Governor for his signature.

  7. The Governor does have Line Item Veto Power, so he can theoretically veto any line item issue he wishes.

  8. Ayn Stehr, LSHA’s Lobbyist, does not feel this is a concern regarding our funds, but you never know.

  9. June 23 is the final day of the 2008 Regular Session.

Action Requested

  1. Please stay alert and tuned in as we travel the final leg of our journey.

  2. At this time, please send e-mails to the members of the Senate Finance Committee thanking them for their attention during our witnesses’ testimonies. 

  3. Be ready to send out e-mails and letters as well as make phone calls to all Senators asking for their support of HB1 with our supplement in it once we know it is there.

  4. Communicate any significant feedback from your Senator to me so I can pass it along to Ayn Stehr.

  5. Send letters thanking our witnesses for their testimony.  Their addresses follow:

    1. Theresa Rodgers- 42189 Greenfield Crossing, Prairieville , LA 70769

    2. Doug Mouton- 221 Woodridge Blvd. Madisonville , 70471

    3. Ann Barrosse- 226 Gulch Street , Abita Springs , LA 70226

  6.  Pray if you are prone to do so.

Steve Harris

Legislative Liaison


Legislative Alert!!!

Wednesday

June 4, 2008

 

Dear LSHA Members:

 

The Senate Finance Committee Hearing regarding public testimony for HB1  will begin at 9:00 A.M. this Friday morning.  The same two parents are scheduled to be there to repeat their previous testimony and Theresa Rodgers will be there to testify again.  Carol Negrotto has stepped forward to testify if  for some reason Theresa can't.

 

I know this is a busy time of the year when many are off to vacation and many LSHA members will be in Shreveport for the opening day of our annual convention.  If you are not already obligated to any particular event, it would be great if you would go to the Capitol this Friday and support our individuals who will be testifying.  Wear something red if you can and bring your spouse, sister, brother, parents, neighbors, children, friends, cousins....  Well, you get the idea.  Finally, call your fellow slps and audiologists and make sure they have received this message and arrange a carpool to Baton Rouge for Friday.

 

Also keep e-mailing your Senators -  especially the ones on the Senate Finance Committee.  Those of you in the Jefferson/Orleans area -  make sure to hit  Senator Alario hard.  Those of you of you who are constituents of Senators Lydia Jackson and Cheri Cheek  - do the same. We are getting feedback that they are not in support of our issue.  Keep e-mailing Senator Mike Michot, Senate Finance Committee Chair, as he is a key individual at this point.

 

Keep the faith and work hard!!!

 

Steve Harris

LSHA Legislative Liaison 


Tuesday June 3, 2008

10:30 A. M.

 

Action Requested!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Dear LSHA Members:

 

We have come to another important juncture in our campaign to obtain funding for the Salary Supplement for Nationally Certified Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists who work full time in the public school system. 

 

The Senate Finance Committee will conduct a hearing on Friday, June 6, 2008 to hear public testimony on HB1.  We were very successful when the House Appropriations Committee held their public hearing that just happened to coincide with our “Day at the Capitol”.  As you know we had more than 200 SLPs and AUDs there that day. 

 

We need to do the same thing when Senate Finance meets this Friday. The actual meeting time has not been posted; (should be posted on the Senate Legislative Web Page Schedule no later than Thursday); however, it will probably begin at 8:00 or 9:00 A.M. 

 

Both parents who testified before the House appropriations Committee are scheduled to do it again this Friday before the Senate Finance Committee.

 

Make attending this hearing a priority. 

 

Things you need to do:

  1. Show up for the Hearing and Stay until our issue is heard

  2. Wear red so that we will stand out

  3. Fill out cards indicating you are there to support funding of the Salary Supplement for Nationally Certified SLPs and Auds who work in LA Public School Systems

  4. Continue to contact all Senators on the Senate Finance Committee requesting their support for funding of the salary supplement  for SLPs and AUDS in HB1

  5. Contact your Colleagues and encourage them to be there too

 

I realize this could not come at a more inopportune time for LSHA members as this Friday is the opening day of LSHA ’s Annual Convention in Shreveport . 

 

Do what you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Steve Harris

LSHA Legislative Liaison


May 30, 2008

Dear LSHA Member;

 

Yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee heard testimony from the Louisiana Department of Education Superintendent, Paul Pastorek.  During his testimony, he outlined department funding priorities.  He indicated a need to restore cuts made by the House in areas such as the LA4 program, the Louisiana Literacy Program, and for the Voucher Program.  Senator John Alario specifically asked Pastorek if the Salary Supplements for Nationally Certified SLPs and AUDs as well as for School Social Workers were considered as a Department priority.  His response was, NO.

 

Secondly, the State Department of Education Finance Division continues to have problems obtaining data that verifies the number of potential individuals that would qualify for the salary supplement.  The data we have (775) is based on our state wide survey.  Their data (480) is based on the PEP report, a state required report from all school districts that lists all school personnel by function and object codes.  Thus far, the two figures are not in agreement. We are working on obtaining additional data from other sources to try to satisfy them that our numbers are valid.

 

Thirdly, Ayn Stehr, LSHA's Lobbyist, reports that the Senate Finance Committee will probably hear public testimony some time next week. The schedule has not yet been released.  Therefore, you need to be on notice that, at some point next week, public testimony before Senate Finance will occur.  We were very effective when we showed up in great numbers at the Capitol when the House Appropriations Committee heard public testimony.  We really need to do this again. So, make sure to view your e-mail daily and/or go to LSHA's WEB Page daily looking for updates and a notice when the Senate Finance Committee schedules a public testimony hearing. When you see that the hearing has been scheduled – PUT ON YOUR RED SHIRTS//OUTFITS AND HEAD FOR THE CAPITOL!  

 

Finally, at this point, we do need your help!  Begin contacting all the Senators on the Finance Committee immediately.  Ask them to keep the funds in HB1 regarding the Salary Supplement for SLPs and AUDs who have National Certification.  Let them know the amount of $2.4 million is incorrect and that we are working with the State Department of Education to obtain a more accurate number ($3.8 million.)

 

Also, if anyone has a personal connection to Senator John Alario through family, friends, colleagues, etc., we need you to contact him.  Let us know his response.  Ask for a meeting with him.  Ask for a commitment. 

 

Please keep up the diligent work.  We are still in a good position to achieve our goal.  Don't relax your efforts now!   As always, please report back to me any responses you obtain from a legislator so they can be forwarded to Ayn Stehr for follow up at the Capitol.

 

Please find the Senate Finance Committee Members and their contact information below.  

 

Steve Harris

LSHA Legislative Liaison

337-280-4742

 

Senator Michael J. "Mike" Michot (Chairman)
P.O. Box 80372
Lafayette , LA 70598


(337) 262-1332
lasen23@legis.state.la.us

Senator Lydia P. Jackson (Vice-Chairman)
610 Texas Street
Suite 201
Shreveport , LA 71101


(318) 676-7029
jacksonl@legis.state.la.us

Senator John A. Alario, Jr.
1063 Muller Parkway
Westwego , LA 70094


(504) 340-2221
alarioj@legis.state.la.us

Senator Sharon Weston Broome
P. O. Box 52783
Baton Rouge , LA 70892


(225) 359-9352
lasen15@legis.state.la.us

Senator Sherri Smith Cheek
9973 Mansfield Road
Keithville , LA 71047


(318) 687-4820
smithcheek@legis.state.la.us

Senator Jack Donahue
3840 Hwy. 22
Suite 200
Mandeville , LA 70471


(985) 727-7949
donahuej@legis.state.la.us

Senator "Nick" Gautreaux
209 E. St. Victor Street
Abbeville , LA 70510


(337) 740-NICK
gautreauxn@legis.state.la.us

Senator Eric LaFleur
P.O. Box 617
Ville Platte , LA 70586


(337) 363-5019
lafleure@legis.state.la.us

Senator Edwin R. Murray
1540 N. Broad St .
New Orleans , LA 70119


(504) 945-0042
murraye@legis.state.la.us

Senator John R. Smith
611-B South 5th Street
Leesville , LA 71446


(800) 259-2709
smithj@legis.state.la.us

Senator Mike Walsworth
4007 White's Ferry Rd
Suite A
West Monroe , LA 71291


(318) 396-5499
walsworthm@legis.state.la.us

Senator Gerald Long (Interim Member)
P.O. Box 151
Winnfield , LA 71483


(318) 628-5799
longg@legis.state.la.us

Senator Willie L. Mount (Interim Member)
P.O. Box 3004
Lake Charles , LA 70602


(337) 491-2016
lasen27@legis.state.la.us

Senator Francis Thompson (Interim Member)
P.O. Box 68
Delhi , LA 71232


May 21, 2006

Dear Members:

 

Just a quick update before school personnel close out their school year and go on to other issues, such as vacation.   

 

HB1 did get through the House with our amendment attached and funded although for the wrong amount 2.4 million not 3.8 million. The House leadership is working with the State Department of Education Fiscal Division to correct this issue. The Senate Finance Committee will begin hearing from the Division of Administration (The Governor’s Office) tomorrow.   This is just a summary of where HB1 is.  This is  similar to the process that the House Appropriations Sub-Committee’s followed.  Our issue is still in schedule 19 and therefore will not be immediately addressed.  In fact our  specific issue may not be addressed at all during this review process. 

 

We are under the impression that once corrected data from the State Department of Education is available and is shared with the House Leadership (Speaker Jim Tucker, House Appropriations Chair, James Fannin, and our lead representative on our issue Representative Joe Harrison) that they will in turn get this information to Senate Finance Chair, Mike Michot who will then make the necessary amendment (adjust the amount).

 

The Senate Finance Committee will go through a similar process that the House Appropriations Committee went through which will include time for public input.  Ayn Stehr is waiting for notice as to when the Senate Finance Committee will set a date for a public hearing on HB1 and will notify us as soon as the date has been set so we can once again, if deemed necessary, go to the Capitol and offer testimony.

 

So, at this point we do not need to contact anyone, however, if you feel compelled to do so then here is the message you need to convey to members of the Senate Finance Committee:  Funding for the Salary Supplement for Nationally Certified Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists employed by public school systems in Louisiana is in HB1 however the amount is incorrect.  The State Department of Education is working to obtain the correct information on total number of personnel eligible for the supplement and that will be provided to the House Leadership who will in turn send it on to the Senate Finance Committee Chair.

 

If you have any questions please call or e-mail me.

 

Steve Harris

LSHA Legislation Liaison


May 16, 2008

Dear LSHA Members:

 

Yesterday was a great day.  Our supplement made it into the appropriations bill.  The actual amendment did not come up separately as it was considered a part of  HB1 and not a separate issue that had to be voted on up or down.  Ayn Stehr explained this to me yesterday when I asked her why I did not see it come up for an up or down vote.  There is a minor issue in that the amount requested was incorrect (2.4 million not 3.8 million).  Ayn indicated that this was the result of information provided by the legislative fiscal analyst for the House.  The information was provided to him by the State Department of Education.  The House leadership, House Speaker Jim Tucker, Appropriations Chair, James Fannin, and our lead representative, Representative Joe Harrison, are working with the fiscal analyst, the State Department of Education, and us to get the amount straightened out.

 

They feel confident that once the numbers are verified that there will be no problem with getting the Senate Finance Committee to change it to the appropriate number.

 

Everyone should be very happy at this point.  You have done an incredible job.  At this moment there is no action needed but stay tuned as we will need to begin contacting Senate members in the very near future.  But at this time savor the moment.

 

One thing you need to begin thinking about as school systems close is how you will continue to keep in touch with LSHA’s communication alerts as many of you use your school e-mail addresses.  The legislative session does not end until June 23.  We still have work to do and as you have seen the legislative process is not predictable.

 

One method would be for you to check the LSHA WEB page daily.  Renae posts the e-mail blasts on the WEB Page as soon as one goes out.

 

Thanks for all of your efforts.  You are making this happen.

 

Steve Harris


May 13, 2008

Dear LSHA Member,

 

It appears that the Appropriations Committee did adopt an amendment to HB 1 (state budget bill) to provide for a $5,000 annual salary supplement to public school speech-language pathologists and audiologists who hold national certification.  However there was one problem - not an insurmountable one - the amendment is for $2.4 million - not $3.8 million as the Department of Education indicated was needed given the number of professionals who would qualify for the supplement. The Department of Education has been requested to provide an accurate number of qualifying professionals again so that the proper amount can be amended into HB 1. This amendment will take place on the House floor on Thursday, May 15 - HB 1 is special order for the House on that day - beginning at 9:00am.  The Department of Education's budget is in Schedule 19, so it may take the House a little while to get to that part of HB 1 to consider the amendment. 

 

With all of that said, this is what we need to do at this time:

1 - Thank all members of the Appropriations Committee for supporting the amendment; let them know there was an error in the amount, but the correct amount should be part of an amendment offered by Rep. Fannin on the House floor; ask for their continued support.

2 - Contact all other representatives and update them about the amendment and request their support on the House floor.

3 – Also, anyone who is available on May 15 needs to put on their red and come to the Capitol to sit in the gallery and write notes to the representatives to make our presence known.

 

Please stay tuned as soon as the HB 1 leaves the House we will need to start contacting our Senators. Thank you for your continued hard work.

 

Sincerely,

Steve Harris, 2008 LSHA Legislative Liaison

Renae F. Colwick, 2008 LSHA President


May 2, 2008

 

Dear LSHA Members

 

As you have already have heard from Renae Colwick, LSHA President, in her e-mail blast yesterday, “The Day At The Capitol” was an immense success.  So I will not rehash it although it was incredible.

 

On the afternoon of April 29th I met with Ayn Stehr, our lobbyist, and she first of all said what a perfect day it was.  When we selected the date for “The Day at the Capitol” we obviously had no idea that the House Appropriations Committee would be hearing public testimony regarding HB1 on that day.  But they did and we were there in full force.  It makes you think that the force is with us.

 

The following is the information shared with me by Ayn that afternoon.

 

1 - We need to continue asking for support regarding funding for the salary supplement for SLPs and Auds. But we need to focus our efforts at this time.  There are two issues we need to address at this time. We need to first send thank you notes/e-mails to all of the Representatives on the House Appropriations Committee who offered to author and co-author our amendment, as well as representatives who made positive/supportive comments. Those individuals are Representatives Joe Harrison (main author), Patrick Connick and John Schroder (co-authors); Representatives Page Cortez, Elbert Guillory, Pat Smith, and Karen Carter Peterson all made very supportive comments.  Letters of thanks should be sent to them as well, especially if you are one of their constituents. 

 

2 - The second thing needed is for constituents of appropriations committee members to contact their representatives who are not on record as being supportive.  So that means not to worry about the individuals listed above other than thank you notes at this time.  Remember to e-mail your responses from legislators to me via the LSHA WEB Page as that information is critical to ongoing strategy and must be forwarded to our lobbyist, Ayn Stehr.

 

The legislative process relative to HB1: 

 

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets on May 9 to calculate and decide how much money the state actually has for the budget for 2008-2009. Thereafter, probably the next week, the Appropriations Committee will make a decision regarding amendments to HB1  ( like the one we expect to see from Reps. Harrison, Schroder and Connick regarding our salary supplement).   HB 1 will then go to the full House for consideration. The House too can make amendments or take things out (not likely but you never know).  Ayn indicated when it goes to the House we should again try to have as many people go to the Capitol and sit in the gallery to show our continued interest.  We will not be allowed to speak at that time but we can and should send in notes to our representatives telling them we are here and please keep/protect our funding in HB1.  After a positive vote on HB1, it then goes to the Senate Finance Committee.  That is when we begin to contact the members of the Senate Finance Committee in earnest, as well as, all 39 members of the Senate.

 

The Senate Finance Committee will go through a similar process as did the House Appropriations Committee and then they too will vote to send HB1 with any new amendments on to the full Senate.  The full Senate will then consider and ultimately vote to pass HB1.  At that point if there are any significant differences between the House and Senate versions of HB1 it will/may go to a conference committee that consists of several members of the House and the Senate to come up with a final version of the bill.

 

At that point final passage occurs and it goes to the Governor for his signature.

 

Just one final note, this morning I was driving to work  while listening to the WWL radio station out of New Orleans and Representative John Schroder was a guest and was speaking about legislation he has introduced that would eliminate funding of NGOs (Non Governmental Organizations).  That was interesting, however, in making his point he said there are many issues that the Appropriations Committee must address each day with regard to funding, for example unfunded mandates. He said, and I am paraphrasing, that we have Speech Pathologists, Audiologists and School Social Workers who have an unfunded mandate to provide for their salary supplement.  Should we have important public education funding issues go unfunded while we spend money on NGOs.  That is unfair and not the appropriate use of tax dollars.  I was so excited when I heard this.  Our issue is getting a lot of buzz.  Everyone is doing such an outstanding job. I hate to say it but I am optimistic.  Let’s keep the momentum moving forward.

 

If you were not able to be at the Capitol on Tuesday, you should access the link in Renae Colwick’s message sent out yesterday or to the LSHA WEB Page and view the testimony of Theresa Rogers, and the two parents as well as the comments made by the members of the House Appropriations Committee.  It was awesome.

 

Steve Harris

LSHA Legislative Liaison


Dear LSHA Member,

 

I have to start by saying “WOW!” I cannot begin to express how it felt to see over 200 SLPs and Audiologists at the Capitol this year for our annual Day at the Capitol. I have been a part of this event for over five years and this was by far the BEST EVER! I have to say thank you to every one of you who sacrificed your personal time to come and celebrate Better Hearing and Speech Month and make our voices heard. Those of you who were able to squeeze into the Appropriations Committee room know what an impact we had on them and if you weren’t able to be a part of that special time please follow this link http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Video/2008/Apr2008.htm and go to April 29, Appropriations, to view the video from that day. It was wonderful to hear our legislators acknowledge the positive impact our professions have had on the children of our state, and to hear the two amazing success stories told by the parents of children who have benefited from our services. Again I cannot thank you all enough and I will never be able to express how proud I am to serve as President of such an amazing group of people.

 

Unfortunately we still have work to do. There are still 2 months left of this year’s legislative session and HB1 will not be finalized until the end of the session. Our goal, now that it appears we will be in the budget this year, is to stay there, so we still have some more work ahead of us. Fortunately, we are in the best place we have ever been in since ACT 952 passed in 2003. Steve Harris, LSHA Legislative Liaison, will continue to keep everyone informed of what we need to do, but the main thing is to know we are not finished and we have to keep in contact with our legislators thanking them for their work and making sure they don’t forget we are here and what we do for our state. Again thanks to all of you who are working so hard this year. I hope to see you all again next year celebrating our professions and the positive impact we have on our students’, clients’, and patients’ lives.

 

Sincerely,

 

Renae F. Colwick

2008 LSHA President


Dear LSHA Member,

 

We are almost 1 month into the session and will still have 2 more to go. Please know that this can be a lengthy and confusing process with things changing from moment to moment at the Capitol. As of today it looks as if Representative Joe Harrison is going forward with HB 817 to fund the Salary Supplement. He is preparing two amendments to HB 817. One will increase the funding of the supplement from $1000 to $5000 and the other will amend the bill to include social workers. So what we need to do is to ask our Representatives to sign-on as co-sponsors to this bill (explaining the changes that Representative Harrison proposes). This needs to be done IMMEDIATELY and the Representative’s responses should be sent to Steve Harris or myself ASAP. Below is a sample email/letter below. Also, be sure to include your name and address on any correspondence with your Legislators.

 

Sincerely,

Renae F. Colwick

2008 LSHA President

 

Representative     ,

 

I am writing to ask you to consider co-sponsoring Representative Joe Harrison’s HB 817 which will fund ACT 952, a piece of legislation passed in 2003 recognizing School-based Speech-Language Pathologists’ national certification and providing a salary supplement of $5000 for this certification. Right now HB 817 ask for funding of ACT 952 at $1000, but Representative Harrison is planning to amend the bill to provide a $5000. He will also amend it to include funding a salary supplement for Nationally Certified School Social Workers. Please consider co-sponsoring this bill so that ALL nationally certified school personnel are recognized for their efforts to go above and beyond for our children.

 

Sincerely,


Dear LSHA Member,

We are a little over one week away from the start of the 2008 Regular Legislative Session and I cannot tell you how excited I am about this legislative session. Steve Harris, our Legislative Liaison, has told me of the numerous SLPs/AUDs who have made contact with their legislator and of all the positive feedback they have received from them, and today we found out that Representative Jane Smith is filing an amendment to HB1 to fund ACT 952. I am very optimistic that this is our year.

However, with all that said I want to remind everyone that last year there were actually three amendments filed to HB 1 and ACT 952 went unfunded. So, I am writing you today to encourage you to continue to contact your legislators, continue to educate them on who we are and what great services we provide to the individuals of this state who have communication disorders. If you haven’t made a contact with your legislator, it is not too late. You can still contact your legislator over the next week and let them know you want their support in funding ACT 952, Salary Supplement for Certified School SLPs/AUDs. I also want to remind you that you don’t have to work in the school setting to ask for support of this legislation we all have to work together for all legislation we never know what our professions may need from our government.

Also, don’t forget to make plans to attend this year’s Day at the Capitol on April 29. We need everyone there!

Thanks again for all your efforts and I look forwarding to seeing you all on April 29 in Baton Rouge, LA.

Sincerely,

Renae F. Colwick

2008 LSHA President

 

A side note for the North Louisiana SLPs/AUDs:

A group of therapists are working on getting a bus to take to Day at the Capitol.

If you are interested in riding, contact

Kimberly Stafford, Bossier Schools (318) 549-6144,

Email: