We Say Farewell to the Homeschool Sports Bills… For Now

Photo credit: imagefriend.com

To all the supporters of the Homeschool Sports bills, A3678-2015 and S2175-2015, thank you. Thank you for talking to your friends and families about this issue. Thank you for making your state representatives aware of this problem. Thank you for making calls, and sending emails, and forwarding requests to try and get these bills noticed.

And they were noticed. In addition to logging the support of several members of both houses, enough support in the Senate to have passed unanimously, we were able to inform many people in state government about the existing situation for homeschoolers. We heard from more than one legislator who didn’t realize what rights and responsibilities homeschoolers have in New York state, and many were sympathetic to the weight of the requirements vs. the benefits of complying with them.

We found out others were taking notice, too. Robert Zayas, of the New York State Public High School Athletics Association (NYSPHSAA), began lobbying AGAINST the bill yesterday; and today, lobbyists from the New York State Council of School Superintendents arrived to express their opposition as well. Though the Assembly will be in session tomorrow, neither the Assembly nor the Senate version of this bill is expected to be moved out of committee for a vote.

But it wasn’t all for naught. I know we weren’t the only homeschool household to benefit from a heavy dose of New York State Civics this session. My 11-year-old will now watch the State Assembly in session as if it were a live sporting event. Connections have been forged; alliances codified. We’ll start next year at least as strong as we’re finishing this one.

I won’t see you on the field this fall, at least, not wearing the local school’s jersey. But wherever you’re playing, don’t forget to keep your eyes on the ball.

Could Tuesday Be Our Day?

Photo credit: Aurora High School

A little bird told me it was possible the Homeschool Sports bill will make its way to the Assembly floor Tuesday for a vote. (Ok, it wasn’t a little bird; it was a legislative aid, but still…) The Assembly is on borrowed time now, several days after the official end of the legislative session. They intend to meet Tuesday and Wednesday to work through some of the remaining bills on this year’s docket.

We’ve had a few “last chances” so far, so I hate to throw it out there again, but this may be our LAST last chance to give this bill the extra push it’s going to need to pass the Assembly, if it does indeed go to the floor. So what can you do to help?

1.  Albany-area supporters: Join Michael Bailey, Loving Education at Home’s (LEAH) legislative liaison, in the “well” of the LOB building at the state capitol TUESDAY MORNING, 9-10am, to pass out leaflets on A3678a.

2.  Call Assembly Education Committee members (listed here) to find out how they intend to vote on the bill and to let them know you’d like them to support it. Email lethomeschoolersplay@yahoo.com with any Assemblyperson’s official position so we can add it to our list.

3.  Call or email Speaker Heastie (518) 455-3791 and Assemblyman Morelle (518) 455-5373 . As the speaker of the Assembly and the Majority Leader, Heastie and Morelle set the calendar and determine what bills, of those that have been released by committees, will be presented in the Assembly chamber. Encourage them to make sure the Homeschool Sports bill is one of them! (And let them know you hope we have THEIR votes as well!)

I talked to someone just the other day whose homeschooled teenaged daughter is waiting for the outcome of this vote before she determines if she is enrolling in school for the fall. She’s a soccer star without a team, having aged out of most local community league options at age 12. Let’s not let her down!

State Assembly Role Call: Who Stands with Us?

Good morning!

Photo credit: http://www.lodiswimclub.com

The New York State Assembly is scheduled to reconvene Tuesday, June 23. As long as the Assembly continues to do business, we stand a chance of bills S2175 and/or A3678a making it’s way to the Assembly floor. Even after the unanimous passage by the Senate, the Assembly has so far refused to move the bill out of committee.

So what can you do to help ensure New York homeschoolers can take to the fields this fall? We need to know where the members of the Assembly Education Committee stand on the bill. We are requesting phone calls to all of the members of this committee. I know many of you have already sent emails and made phone calls, but I am giving you a slightly different assignment this time.

Please call as many of the following committee members as you can and ask them a) what their official stance is regarding these bills and b) if they will vote to move it out of committee. When you call, be sure to mention that the Senate referred their bill to the Assembly already. Each Assemblyperson’s Albany and regional office numbers are listed below. Either office should be able to give you this information or call you back with it.

Once you’ve called, post the names of committee members you have called in the comments section here, so we’re not all calling the same people. Please email lethomeschoolersplay@yahoo.com with what you find out instead of posting it with your comment.

Thank you for your help in getting this legislation passed. Teamwork!

Assembly Education Committee Members:

Catherine Nolan, Chair
518-455-4851
718-784-3194

Carmen Arroyo
518-455-5402
718-292-2901

Michael Benedetto
518-455-5296
718-320-2220

James Brennan
518-455-5377
718-940-0641

John Ceretto
518-455-5284
716-282-6062

Barbara Clark
518-455-4711
718-479-2333

Jane Corwin
518-455-4601
716-839-4691

Steve Englebright
518-455-4804
631-751-3094

Al Graf
518-455-5937
631-585-0230

Earlene Hooper
518-455-5861
516-489-6610

Ron Kim
518-455-5411
718-939-0195

Barbara Lifton
518-455-5444
607-277-8030

Peter Lopez
518-455-5363
518-943-1371

William Magnarelli
518-455-4826
315-428-9651

Shelley Mayer
518 455 3662
914-779-8805

David McDonough
518-455-4633
516-409-2070

Steven McLaughlin
518-455-5777
518-272-6149

Michael Miller
518-455-4621
718-805-0950

Walter Mosley
518-455-5325
718-596-0100

Dean Murray
518-455-4901
631-207-0073

Daniel O’Donnell
518-455-5603
212-866-3970

Amy Paulin
518-455-5585
914-723-1115

Edward Ra
518-455-4627
516-535-4095

Phil Ramos
518-455-5185
631-435-3214

Linda Rosenthal
518-455-5802
212-873-6368

Sean Ryan
518-455-4886
716-885-9630

Sheldon Silver
518-455-3640
212-312-1420

Claudia Tenney
518-455-5334
315-736-3879

Fred Thiele, Jr.
518-455-5997
631-537-2583

Matthew Titone
518-455-4677
718-442-9932

Michele Titus
518-455-5668
718-322-4958

A Message Especially for New York State Teachers and Coaches

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) previously stated they had no problems with homeschoolers playing sports. Robert Zayas, Executive Director of NYSPHSAA, stated the organization follows the State Education Commissioner’s regulations. Yesterday, he came out in strong opposition to the bill passing in the Assembly and began contacting representatives.

Photo credit: http://slco.org

If you are a New York State TEACHER or COACH who is in support of this bill, please contact Robert Zayas of NYSPHSAA immediately at (518) 690-0771 and let him know he is lobbying against the best interests of children.

Additional calls to Assemblyperson Catherin Nolan (518) 455-4851 and Carl Heastie (518) 455-3791 by TEACHERS and COACHES to counter what they are hearing from NYSPHSAA are also encouraged.

A year is a lifetime for a teenager! Bring S2175/A3678a to the floor and pass this bill!

UPDATE: Assembly to Stay in Session June 18!

It may not be good news for their summer vacation plans, but it’s GREAT news for the Homeschool Sports bill! The New York State Assembly adjourned this evening at 11:00pm with instructions to return in the morning at 9:30am “sharp”.

Photo credit: http://www.childrensdayton.org/

I have heard from many of you today that you emailed or called your Assembly representative to let them know that you want them to support this legislation and bring it to the floor for a vote. The Senate voted UNANIMOUSLY last night to pass the bill, as proposed, and passed it to the Assembly for approval. As of today, the Assembly has referred the legislation back to the Education Committee.

We have also heard today that the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has begun to lobby against the Assembly bill.

Let’s make sure our voices are louder than our opposition’s. If you haven’t called and emailed your Assemblyperson, do so immediately. If you’re not sure who your representative is, you can find out here. The Assemblymembers below are on the Education Committee. Regardless of your district, call and/or email each of them TODAY, and let them know you want the Assembly to consider and approve bill S2175/A3678a.

We’re so close I can practically smell the AstroTurf!

Assembly Education Committee Members:

Catherine Nolan, Chair
Carmen Arroyo
Michael Benedetto
James Brennan
John Ceretto
Barbara Clark
Jane Corwin
Steve Englebright
Al Graf
Earlene Hooper
Ron Kim
Barbara Lifton
Peter Lopez
William Magnarelli
Shelley Mayer
David McDonough
Steven McLaughlin
Michael Miller
Walter Mosley
Dean Murray
Daniel O’Donnell
Amy Paulin
Edward Ra
Phil Ramos
Linda Rosenthal
Sean Ryan
Sheldon Silver
Claudia Tenney
Fred Thiele, Jr.
Matthew Titone
Michele Titus

UPDATE: Homeschool Sports Bill PASSES the Senate!

Hooray!

Photo credit: https://leagueathletics.com/

Yes, you read that correctly. The New York State Senate has PASSED S2175-2015. The bill has now been referred to the Assembly Education Committee, which is already considering an amended version of the very same bill, A3678a-2015!

Thank you to all of you that worked a few phone calls and emails into your busy schedules over the last couple days. The passage in the Senate is a testament that your messages of support are being received! And, though it is a time to take a moment of quiet celebration, there is still a bit more work to be done before we can really sit back and savor our successes.

The Assembly WILL be in session tomorrow. If you have not called or sent a letter to Assemblyperson Catherine Nolan, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, to encourage her to send this bill on to the Assembly for a vote, please do so!

Assemblyperson Catherine Nolan
518-455-4851
Email Assemblyperson Nolan

If YOUR Assemblyperson serves on the Assembly Education Committee (see list below), please call or email them TODAY and let them know you want their help getting A3678a to the floor before the end of the session! If your Assemblyperson does not serve on the Education Committee, contact them as well and let them know that you want them to vote YES on A3678a, if it comes to the floor for a vote.

We’re almost there!

Carmen Arroyo
Michael Benedetto
James Brennan
John Ceretto
Barbara Clark
Jane Corwin
Steve Englebright
Al Graf
Earlene Hooper
Ron Kim
Barbara Lifton
Peter Lopez
William Magnarelli
Shelley Mayer
David McDonough
Steven McLaughlin
Michael Miller
Walter Mosley
Dean Murray
Daniel O’Donnell
Amy Paulin
Edward Ra
Phil Ramos
Linda Rosenthal
Sean Ryan
Sheldon Silver
Claudia Tenney
Fred Thiele, Jr.
Matthew Titone
Michele Titus

LAST DAY of the Legislative Session: Call Catherine Nolan’s Office

It’s our last chance to get Homeschool Sports bill A3678 to a vote in this session. Let Assemblyperson Catherine Nolan, Chair of the Education Committee, know that you want this bill moved out of committee TODAY so it has a chance for a vote!

Assemblyperson Catherine Nolan
518-455-4851
Email Assemblyperson Nolan

One Last PUSH to PASS Homeschool Sports Legislation This Session!

There hasn’t been much to say about the pending homeschool sports legislation in New York for a while. It has been making its way onto the desks of various state Senators and Assemblypersons, gathering bipartisan support, and wiggling its way through the Education Committee. It’s the same plodding process that all bills go through before making that final leap into law or fading into obscurity.

The time for slow-and-steady has passed. If we want this bill to be more than a good idea, we need YOUR help TODAY. Pick up the phone and call the following key players in moving this bill to the floor:

• Call Senator Flanagan and ask him to bring S2175 to the floor for a vote. NOTE: If you are in Senator Flanagan’s district, let him know. (518) 455-2071.
• Call Senator Marcellino and thank him for moving the bills from the Education Committee to Rules so that S2175 might be voted on. NOTE: If you are in Senator Marcellino’s district, let him know. (518) 455-2390.
• Call Assembly Speaker Heastie and ask him to bring A3678a to the floor for a vote. NOTE: If you are in Speaker Heastie’s district, let him know. (518) 455-3791.
• Call Assemblywoman Nolan and ask that she release the sports bill A3678a from the Education Committee to Rules so that it might be voted on. NOTE: If you are in Assemblywoman Nolan’s district, let her know. (518) 455-4851.
• Call Governor Cuomo and request he sign S2175 and A3678a into law. (518) 474-8390.     

More you can do: Join Lobbyist Michael Bailey of LEAH for an appointment with Mr. Paul Upton, Deputy Chief of Staff to Speaker Carl Heastie on MONDAY, JUNE 15 at 11AM in room 349 of the Capital to encourage the Speaker to move A3678a to the floor. If the Speaker of the House gives approval, the bill moves forward this year.

We NEED your help to get this legislation through. Make the call today, and tell a friend to do the same!

Homeschool Bills Well Received in Albany!

Families inside the state capitol building on Homeschool Lobby Day 2015!

Dozens of families and homeschooling supporters turned out to thank sponsors and supporters of New York Assembly and Senate bills A3678-2015 and S2175-2015. Additionally, groups went to visit other legislators to encourage them to sign on to the the bills. Legislators were generally receptive and many were immediate advocates. In the course of the day, several members of the Senate and the Assembly voiced their support for the bills. In the next few days, we will update you as to who the new bill sponsors are and send out ways you can help take these bills the rest of the way!

While we were out in droves, we were encouraged to seek support for another new piece of homeschooling legislation that would address, among other things, eliminating quarterly report requirements, broadening end of the year assessment options, and moving the policies that govern homeschool reporting from the regulations of the Board of Education to the legislation of our state officials. Find out more information on Homeschool Bill S4788-2015.

 

 

Ready to Get Our Game On in Albany Tomorrow!

Photo credit: http://www.thirteen.org

We pulled into the Holiday Inn Express this evening, only moments before Lobby Day organizers began passing out schedules and room assignments for the day ahead. There are 100 participants registered, including a legal representative from Homeschool Legal Defense Fund and a Teen Team, all ready to rove the capitol building tomorrow!

If you weren’t able to join us in Albany, you can join us in spirit by calling your state representative’s office and asking them to become a sponsor of New York Assembly and Senate bills A3678-2015 and S2175-2015. The Assembly bill has 17 of 25 necessary sponsors in as of this evening. I haven’t heard the numbers on the Senate bill yet.

Contact your legislator and let them know why they should sign on to sponsor this legislation!