Work Session 2 -- 3/2/2000
By Bernard Huebner
The Education Committee
met for three hours today, and nothing has changed from last week's
session. Judy Lucarelli, the Deputy Commissioner, got to sit in the
cockpit this time and talk with the committee. Sean Keenan, MEA Counsel,
was let to make the case for fingerprinting new hires only after a couple
of hours. Then, after a straw poll showing one for repeal, two possible
supports for new hires only, and 10 for "ought to pass" for the existing
law with a few minor changes, there was what will have to pass for a debate
on the new-hires-only question.
Anyhow, they took a vote on the bill the
Legislative Council ordered them to formulate after revisiting the law.
Considering that it is virtually the same as the original law, the vote
was:
Rep. James Skoglund voted ought not to pass (and argues for repeal)
Sen. Robt. Murray voted that he would support new hires only
The other 11 all voted ought to pass.
Can't tell you yet when it will arrive on the Senate floor, where it goes
first. We have more support there than in either the Committee or in the
whole House, so it's the best place to start, I suppose. Joanne Twomey and
perhaps a few other legislators will be releasing to all 151 members a copy
of the Fact Sheet Regarding the Fingerprinting that we've put together.