January 24, 2012
Legislative Update – Monday, January 23, 2012
House and Senate Activities
(Tuesday, January 24, 2012, the House will convene at 4:30 pm; the Senate convenes at 10:00 am.)
Senate Legislation. By referred committee:
Education
Sen. Watson (R- Pascagoula) authored SB2214. This bill would require school districts to spend at least 75% of their funds on direct classroom instructional costs. also referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Sen. Watson (R- Pascagoula) introduced SB2242, which would authorize new open-enrollment public charter schools and would set criteria for the conversion of public schools to charter schools. This bill has also been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Public Health and Welfare
Sen. Collins (R- Tupelo) authored SB2221. This act seeks to require that applicants for public benefits undergo random drug testing.
Sen. Collins (R- Tupelo) introduced SB2224. This act would require that applicants for public benefits perform mandatory community service.
Scheduled Committee Meetings for Tuesday January 24, 2012
House
| Committee | Time | Room |
| Judiciary A | 8:30 am | 113 |
| Appropriations | 10:00 am | 201-A |
| Public Health and Human Services | 2:00 pm | 113 |
Senate
| Committee | Time | Room |
| Tourism I | Immediately after adjournment | 408 |
| Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks | Ten minutes after adjournment | 408 |
| Agriculture | Fifteen minutes after adjournment | 210 |
Education Hearing on Charter Schools, Jan 25
Education Hearing on Charter Schools
Wednesday, January 25,2012
9:00 a.m.
MS Capitol, Room 409
Your Participation Is Needed!
Read About Charter School
The Facts on Charter Schools and Students with Disabilities (NICHCY)
http://nichcy.org/publications/charters
No Choice: Florida Charter Schools Failing To Serve Students With Disabilities
http://stateimpact.npr.org/florida/2011/12/14/no-choice-florida-charter-schools-failing-to-serve-students-with-disabilities/
January 23, 2012
House considering repeal of long-term care bill
The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act is a bill originally sponsored by the late Senator Ted Kennedy that would create a national long-term care insurance program. It was passed as an amendment to last year’s big health care reform bill, but was never implemented. Currently, it appears the CLASS Act may never be implemented.
A bill currently moving through the House, the Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act of 2011 (HR 1173), would repeal the CLASS Act, removing it from the health care reform law. According to the American Association of People with Disabilities, the CLASS Act “previously beyond their reach-home and community based care that enables people live and work in their communities and costs far less than institutional care.”
You can read the full text of the bill here: http://fifthfreedom.org/u/e0
If this issue is important to you, you may wish to contact your Representative in the House with your opinion. You can find contact information at http://fifthfreedom.org/findrep.php.
Doug Schmidt
Act Team Coordinator
The Fifth Freedom Network
4606-C E. State Blvd., Suite 102
Fort Wayne, IN 46815
act@fifthfreedom.org
www.fifthfreedom.org
January 20, 2012
Job Listing: Mississippi Center for Justice Education Attorney
Download the Printable Job Listing here
Mississippi Center for Justice seeks to hire a senior-level attorney to work statewide. The Center seeks an attorney with significant litigation experience in state and federal court, as well as administrative hearings. The substantive area of work will be in education advocacy; substantive law experience in that area is a plus. This position can be located in any of the Center’s three offices: Jackson, Biloxi or Indianola.
The Center is a nonprofit, public interest law firm committed to advancing racial and economic justice statewide. Our lawyers work with community leaders to support their social justice campaigns and to channel the energies of the legal community to combat discrimination and poverty. With three offices throughout the state, we seek systemic solutions that promote educational opportunity, protect the rights of consumers, secure access to healthcare and child care, and put affordable housing within the reach of all Mississippians.
Job Responsibilities
- As a full-time employee, the Education Attorney will support the Center’s work in the area of educational opportunity, including individual cases for school discipline
- Appeals and special education issues, systemic policy change and coalition work. Specific duties include but are not limited to:
- Negotiation and litigation with units of local, county, and state government
- Civil trial and appellate litigation in state and federal courts
- Open government and public records work under federal and state law
- Alternative dispute resolution
- Coordination of a panel of pro bono lawyers who will assist in individual cases
- Representation of individuals, small groups, and organizations
Qualifications
- At least 10 years of law practice experience
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills
- Licensed in Mississippi, or capable of passing the Mississippi Bar within six months
- Excellent organizational, networking, and relationship-building skills
- Demonstrated ability to work in collaboration across organizational boundaries to achieve agreed-upon goals
- Supervisory experience
- Commitment to the mission of the Mississippi Center for Justice
- Experience in education law is preferred
Salary/Fringe Benefits
Salary will be commensurate with experience. Paid vacation and sick leave will be provided. The Center’s benefit package includes medical, life, and dental insurance, as well as a retirement savings program.
How to apply
To apply, send a resume and cover letter by email or U. S. Mail to:
Beth Orlansky, Advocacy Director
Mississippi Center for Justice
P O Box 1023
Jackson MS 39215-1023
borlansky@mscenterforjustice.org
Deadline
The position will be open until filled.
MSCCD Disabilities Awareness Legislative Day 2012
Display Instructions and Set-up Times for Organizations:
Can set-up Tuesday, Jan 31st beginning at 4:00pm to 5:00 pm
Awareness Day, Wednesday, February 1st organizations must be set-up by 8:30am.
Capitol will be open on February 1st at 7:30. You can begin set-up at that time.
A limit of one (1) table per organization.
There are electrical outlets available in the Rotunda. We cannot guarantee your table will have access to an electrical outlet.
Capitol Information
Parking at High Street entrance is very limited. Capitol Police will direct you to parking. If accessible parking is need, be sure and inform the officer.
Accessible bathroom is located on the first floor Rotunda area.
Vending machines are located on the first floor to the left of the High street exit door.
Capitol Canteen is located out side the first floor Rotunda at Mississippi Street exit door.
Senate Gallery is accessible for wheelchairs.
House Gallery is not accessible for wheelchairs. Please see Mary Troupe if you wish to enter the
House floor
Cell phones must be off while in the Senate or House Galleries.
Lunch & Learn
Lunch & Learn will be on the 4th floor House side. Room number will be announced.
Anyone attending Legislative Awareness Day is welcomed to attend.
There will be a presentation on current disability legislative issues.
Legislators will be attending.
You are welcome to invite your legislators to attend and join us for lunch.
Close of Legislative Awareness Day
Awareness Day is 8:30am to 2:30pm – Please do not take displays down before 2:30
Keep area around your display clean. There are trash can in the Rotunda area.
Porter desk for assistance with trash, spills, etc is at the center desk in the Rotunda.
January 17, 2012
First annual Special Olympics Area 8 Mudbug (Baseball Team) Mambo fundraiser, March 6
The first annual Special Olympics Area 8 Mudbug Mambo fundraiser will held on March 6 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Crawdad Hole on Lakeland Drive in Jackson. Tickets are $25.00 per person. “Those Guys” will be our deejays for the night.
We are looking for gold ($500.00 plus 6 tickets), silver ($250.00 plus 4 tickets) or bronze ($100.00 plus 2 tickets) sponsors and Silent Auction items.
For more information on tickets, sponsorships or silent auction items, contact Mandy Rogers at e-mail: mom424@aol.com or phone 601-594-7990. Please share our information.
Advocating for Your Special Needs Foster Child
On Monday, January 23, Insource will offer a free webinar for foster parents, case managers, teachers, and others who work with foster children. Learn about risk factors for foster children with disabilities, the special education process, and how to advocate for foster children.
Advocating for Your Special Needs Foster Child
Monday, January 23
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm ET
This webinar is limited to the first 25 people to register.
Register online here: http://fifthfreedom.org/u/dx
For questions or more information, contact presenter Cathy Boswell at cboswell@insource.org or (219) 866-3282 Ext. 102.
Doug Schmidt
Act Team Coordinator
The Fifth Freedom Network
4606-C E. State Blvd., Suite 102
Fort Wayne, IN 46815
act@fifthfreedom.org
