Thousands of NEA delegates left San Diego heading home earlier this week after what had to have been a stimulating and provocative experience. Secretary Duncan’s Town Meeting with the delegates I would imagine was a highlight. I read his speech and listened to much of the dialogue. He certainly is good at what he does.…
DetailsYesterday Governor Rell vetoed HB 6582, An Act Establishing the Healthcare Partnership, which would enable teachers and others to voluntarily join the state employees’ health insurance pool. Legislators have the opportunity to override the Governor’s veto – they will be meeting for an override session on July 20. This bill is very important to Connecticut…
DetailsThis afternoon Governor Rell announced that she has vetoed bills that would have established a Board of Directors to implement a health insurance program called SustiNet and opened the state employee health insurance program to employees of municipalities, non-profit organizations and small businesses. This is the second consecutive year that Rell has vetoed Rep. Christopher…
DetailsThe last day of the NEA RA saw a heartfelt, spirited celebration of a leader whom President Dennis Van Roekel called “a legal superhero” — retiring NEA General Counsel Bob Chanin. Van Roekel also conferred the NEA’s 2009 Friend of Education award on Linda Darling-Hammond, acted on new business items and resolutions, and greeted newly-elected…
DetailsCEA member, Greenwich Education Association member, and National Teacher of the Year Anthony Mullen, was recognized today at the NEA RA. CEA delegates were proud to see one of their own in the spotlight. After 21 years as a New York City police officer, Anthony Mullen decided to “exchange a pair of handcuffs for a…
DetailsEven as the country celebrated its independence today, the real show of democracy was happening during the second day of the 88th Representative Assembly as delegates held elections, embraced the promise of equal treatment to all NEA members, and participated in a rousing protest against education budget cuts. You could feel the energy rise at…
DetailsHighlights from the NEA RA today included speeches by NEA President Dennis Van Roekel and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. Van Roekel called for NEA members to lead the nation in transforming public education as he opened the 88th NEA Representative Assembly. “We have the kind of opportunity that comes along only once in a…
DetailsEducation Secretary Arne Duncan addressed more than 7,000 educators as part of a town hall exchange today at the NEA RA. “I know we won’t all agree on everything, but I’m confident there will be more we agree with than not,” Duncan said. Schools must be the hub of communities, the federal government must increase…
DetailsCEA delegates have joined their colleagues from around the country in San Diego for the National Education Association’s Representative Assembly (NEA RA). More details about the NEA RA are in this previous post. New delegates participated in an orientation today and the Connecticut delegation held their first California caucus. We’ll be providing updates on CEA…
DetailsConnecticut began a new fiscal year today without a budget in place for the 2010 fiscal year. Governor Rell issued an executive order yesterday to cover state expenditures until a new budget has been signed into law. She plans to issue a new executive order if a budget agreement has still not been reached by…
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