| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 2/12/2013 3:05:36 PM Scott Woodruff--HSLDA Maine--Call Now to Restore Fair Access to College and Special Education Programs |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== Maine--Call Now to Restore Fair Access to College and Special Education Programs Dear Maine HSLDA Members and Friends: A bill to restore fair access to low-cost college classes and special education programs for homeschool families faces a crucial test tomorrow! Ed Green with Homeschoolers of Maine will be testifying in support of LD 61 tomorrow, but he needs the help of your phone calls, and even your presence at the hearing. ACTION REQUESTED 1. Please make three phone calls today or tomorrow morning. If your senator or representative is on the committee (see list below), first call them. To find who your state senator and representatives are visit this webpage at http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17130. Then call two more people listed below corresponding to the first letter of your last name. 2. If no senator or representative of yours is on the committee, call three of the people listed below corresponding to the first letter of your last name. 3. You can find phone or email information for committee members at http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17131 , or leave a message for representatives at (800) 423-2900, or senators at (800) 423-6900 (both are toll-free in state). 4. Your message can be as simple as, "Please vote yes on LD 61. Homeschooled children have the same needs and hopes as others, and deserve the same access to special education services and state-assisted college classes." Add "I am a constituent of yours" if you're calling your own senator or representative. 5. If you were a victim of rejection from either of these programs (special education services or low-cost college classes), the legislature needs to hear about it. Come to the hearing tomorrow, Wednesday, February 13, and tell your story, plain and simple. (Ed Green is working to coordinate this--you may email him at homeschl@midcoast.com ) Your testimony could swing sentiment in favor of the bill. 6. Even if you were not rejected, attend the hearing tomorrow to show your support for fair treatment of homeschoolers. It will be at 1:00 p.m. in Room 202 of the Cross Building, 111 Sewall St., Augusta, Maine. COMMITTEE MEMBER CONTACT INFORMATION--IF YOUR LAST NAME BEGINS WITH A THROUGH F, CALL: Senator Rebecca J. Millett (D-Cumberland), Chair Senator Christopher K. Johnson (D-Lincoln) Senator Brian D. Langley (R-Hancock) IF YOUR LAST NAME BEGINS WITH G THROUGH L, CALL: Representative W. Bruce MacDonald (D-Boothbay), Chair Representative Mary Pennell Nelson (D-Falmouth) Representative Helen Rankin (D-Hiram) Representative Matthea Elisabeth Larsen Daughtry (D-Brunswick) IF YOUR LAST NAME BEGINS WITH M THROUGH R, CALL: Representative Brian L. Hubbell (D-Bar Harbor) Representative Victoria P. Kornfield (D-Bangor) Representative Peter B. Johnson (R-Greenville) IF YOUR LAST NAME BEGINS WITH S THROUGH Z, CALL: Representative Joyce A. Maker (R-Calais) Representative Michael D. McClellan (R-Raymond) Representative Matthew G. Pouliot (R-Augusta) Representative Madonna M. Soctomah (Passamaquoddy Tribe) BACKGROUND Government bureaucrats abruptly blocked your ability to participate in these programs in 2010. Before then, homeschool families enjoyed fair access to low-cost college classes (for high school students) through the Aspirations Program (sometimes called the Post-Secondary Enrollment Option or the Senior Year Plus Program). They also enjoyed fair access to special education services (for example, occupational therapy and speech therapy). When the bureaucrats blocked access to these two programs, they offered that homeschoolers could participate if they took one public school class. However, you should not be forced to give up what you know is the best education for your child to get access to programs your tax dollars are already paying for. You should not be penalized for your convictions. The hearing will take place before the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs. The sponsor is Representative Ellie Espling. Because passage of the bill would require the state to spend a little more money than it has been spending on those programs since 2010, we must make the case for LD 61 powerfully. Thank you for standing with us for freedom! HSLDA and Homeschoolers of Maine are united in supporting this bill. Sincerely, Scott A. Woodruff Senior Counsel Home School Legal Defense Association P.S.: We greatly value you and your support--it is a privilege to serve you! If you or someone you know is not a member of HSLDA, will you consider taking a moment today to join or to recommend us as we defend the rights of homeschooling families? Join now: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=17132 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> How many news articles did you read this morning over your oatmeal? We live in a world where concise information presented at the right time can make a big difference in the outcome of important legislative efforts. Yet it's tough to keep up with all the issues that affect you. HSLDA does this for you in the areas that affect your homeschool. Our emails and website enable you to take quick, decisive action. Please consider becoming a part of this team. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1923 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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If this is an invalid email address or you have other problems, please reply to webmaster@hslda.org. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: This is considered a private and confidential message from HSLDA to its bonafide HSLDA E-lert Service subscribers. HSLDA cannot attest to the authenticity of copies posted, forwarded, or sent by any party other than HSLDA. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: Please do not reply or otherwise use this email address; hslda@hslda.org is for broadcast purposes only and is not intended to receive incoming messages. We cannot reply to any email sent to this address. If you have comments or questions, please send email to info@hslda.org or call HSLDA at 540-338-5600. HSLDA members can also email staff directly through the Members website at http://members.hslda.org/contact.asp. Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
