Communication with the Legislature
| To: | Staff of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Members of Advisory Councils to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education |
| From: | Mitchell D. Chester, Commissioner |
| Date: | November 3, 2008 |
We will soon be entering a new legislative session and the annual legislative budgetary period, when many issues related to public education will be reviewed and considered by the Legislature (the Great and General Court). I want to take this opportunity to remind all parties who represent interests related to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education about our policy regarding testifying before legislative committees, lobbying individual legislators, and communicating with them or their staff in writing or in person.Employees of the Department and members of advisory councils and other officially sanctioned groups appointed by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education have the right as individual citizens, on their own time, to petition for and comment on legislation before the Great and General Court. Except where expressly authorized to represent the Board or the Department, however, Department employees and advisory council members must make clear that they are presenting their views as individuals or on behalf of an organization outside this agency with which they are affiliated, and that they are not speaking on behalf of the Board or Department or a Board advisory council. Department employees who wish to express their individual views on legislative matters must do so outside of normal working hours or take leave in accordance with usual personnel procedures. Presenting testimony to the Legislature, lobbying members of the Legislature, and communicating with legislators or their staff on behalf of the Board and the Department are the sole functions of the Chair of the Board and the Commissioner or persons specifically designated by them. I appreciate your attention to this important policy. If you need further clarification, please contact your supervisor or advisory council liaison.
Last Updated: December 4, 2008
|
