Danbury High School AP U.S. Government and Politics classes got a real-time lesson in how laws are made today, visiting the Capitol as legislators moved forward a bill to ensure a fair process for teacher terminations. The trip gave students a firsthand look at how the issues constituents raise can turn into legislation with direct impact on students, teachers, and schools.
State Senator Julie Kushner, who represents Danbury, greeted the students at the Legislative Office Building and told them that the committee she chairs would be voting today on legislation ensuring a fair process for teachers.
“Today is a really busy day and a great day at the Capitol,” Kushner told the group of more than 80 students and their teachers. “I’m the chair of the Labor Committee for the Senate, and we’re holding a meeting where we’re going to sign off and pass bills forward to be voted on. Today, we’re moving a bill out of committee that will give teachers a fair process in terminations.”
Danbury history teacher Heather Lorenz thanked Kushner for her work successfully moving the bill to the floor and explained why she thinks it’s important to bring students to the Capitol.
“Our students need to see what they’re learning in action and hear from the people who do this work every day,” Lorenz said. “We stopped at the CEA building first, and we learned more about lobbying and the legislative process of unions as well as elections and campaigning. At the Legislative Office Building the students have a chance to talk with their state reps and state senator, and then they’re going to have a tour of the Capitol and State Supreme Court.”
CEA’s Gus Melita talked to students about the legislative process including the ins and outs of lobbying lawmakers.
CEA Political Engagement Coordinator Gus Melita spoke to students about how an organization like CEA engages in the legislative process and works to get issues that start out as suggestions from members into legislation.
“Find the issues you’re passionate about and explore opportunities to get involved in the legislative process,” he encouraged the students. Some of the Danbury students were at the Capitol earlier this legislative session doing just that and advocating for increased education funding for their district.
“Through the lobbying presentation, students realized in a way they hadn’t before how much is involved and how much effort it takes to lobby and get legislation passed,” Lorenz said.
Some students asked Melita whether CEA would take a stance on an issue outside the education landscape, such as the Trust Act.
“We’re a membership organization, and so if there’s an issue that we can’t explain to our own members how it impacts teachers and public education, then we aren’t weighing in on it,” Melita said. “There are a lot of issues right now that do tie back to education in some way. It’s important that we have the opportunity to educate all of our kids in our public schools, that kids feel safe coming to school, and that teachers feel safe teaching. We have to weigh every issue and and look for the pros and cons with each.”
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