That's right folks...We've lost this round in Kentucky. There are simply not enough days left in the legislative session to get this bill passed. In a perfect environment, with a lot of support and a companion bill in the opposite house, a bill can get passed in 4 days here, but it was just not to be this time. That's okay, I will be back in 2010 going at it again...
There were many reasons for the lack of activity on this bill:
1) Simply not enough face time with the legislators to let them know WHY this bill was needed.
2) Misleading information in a letter to several key legislators that I just found out about last week. So it was a lack of communication from them asking "Are these allegations/numbers, etc. true?" I'm in the process of trying to obtain a copy of the letter, and I WILL refute any erroneous allegations right here on this blog.
3) The economic climate. In this era of huge government spending, financial market upheaval, and so on, this was simply NOT a priority to the legislators. And the film industry is taking advantage of it, big time. Tax incentives in an economic incentives bill that I have previously discussed in other postings on this blog will prove to be non-productive. Thankfully, a Representative attached an amendment to "sunset" those incentives after a certain period of time. Here is hoping for that amendment to survive the floor vote and stay attached to the bill should it pass. Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to be proven wrong and see Kentucky benefit tremendously from movie shoots taking place here, but with all the other incentives in other states, I believe it will not be successful enough to offset what we would lose in the long run.
4) Lack of the Deaf/HOH community having a strong voice in advocating for legislation. There were several bills introduced that would have improved the lives of the deaf and HOH, I believe only one was even able to get a hearing and get out of committee. I hope these come back up next session, and that we are more successful. But, to be blunt, the good folks at the KCDHH and other individuals like myself CAN NOT DO IT ALONE. We must have the vocal and ardent support of the other members of the Deaf and HOH community, and they must become more active and begin to contact their legislators and say "I matter, my opinion matters, and I want you to know what it is".
5) And the number one reason....Lack of empirical evidence showing a strong desire by the deaf and hoh community for more captioned movies or accessibility to them. That will be something I WILL be addressing over the next year, and discussing ways we can document not only our numbers, but our ardent desire for this accessibility as well. Research, TRUE research, based on OBJECTIVE and data-driven conclusions will be one of the most important factors in coming fights. No longer can we (nor should we anyway) try to make an emotional plea, we must begin to show data that is irrefutable. Whether it be for seeking better compliance with IDEA, better educational opportunities, better employment opportunities, better accessibility, or whatever. It must be data-driven and conclusive.
In closing, I want to pass out kudos to several lawmakers...Rep. Stan Lee (R) responded to my email indicating that he would be paying close attention to the bill should it come up. And State Senator Brandon Smith (R), not only responded to my email, but he did so in a very eloquent HAND WRITTEN note. Nice to see some people still take the time to attempt to make a personal connection to the citizens of this state. So to these two, plus Ray Jones (D), Leslie Combs (D), and Kelly Flood (D), I say "Thank You" for not only taking the time to listen, but also taking the time to let me know my voice WAS heard by you. And I would be remiss to leave out State Senator Dan Kelly (R), who changed his mind after hearing both sides of the story and indicated support for the bill. Sen. Kelly has always ben a strong supporter and advocate of the deaf and hard of hearing, knows some sign language, and attends the Kentucky DeaFestival every two years when it is put on. That is truly wonderful support, and it is very much welcomed and appreciated.
And so it goes...Any suggestions welcome.
Eddie
There were many reasons for the lack of activity on this bill:
1) Simply not enough face time with the legislators to let them know WHY this bill was needed.
2) Misleading information in a letter to several key legislators that I just found out about last week. So it was a lack of communication from them asking "Are these allegations/numbers, etc. true?" I'm in the process of trying to obtain a copy of the letter, and I WILL refute any erroneous allegations right here on this blog.
3) The economic climate. In this era of huge government spending, financial market upheaval, and so on, this was simply NOT a priority to the legislators. And the film industry is taking advantage of it, big time. Tax incentives in an economic incentives bill that I have previously discussed in other postings on this blog will prove to be non-productive. Thankfully, a Representative attached an amendment to "sunset" those incentives after a certain period of time. Here is hoping for that amendment to survive the floor vote and stay attached to the bill should it pass. Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to be proven wrong and see Kentucky benefit tremendously from movie shoots taking place here, but with all the other incentives in other states, I believe it will not be successful enough to offset what we would lose in the long run.
4) Lack of the Deaf/HOH community having a strong voice in advocating for legislation. There were several bills introduced that would have improved the lives of the deaf and HOH, I believe only one was even able to get a hearing and get out of committee. I hope these come back up next session, and that we are more successful. But, to be blunt, the good folks at the KCDHH and other individuals like myself CAN NOT DO IT ALONE. We must have the vocal and ardent support of the other members of the Deaf and HOH community, and they must become more active and begin to contact their legislators and say "I matter, my opinion matters, and I want you to know what it is".
5) And the number one reason....Lack of empirical evidence showing a strong desire by the deaf and hoh community for more captioned movies or accessibility to them. That will be something I WILL be addressing over the next year, and discussing ways we can document not only our numbers, but our ardent desire for this accessibility as well. Research, TRUE research, based on OBJECTIVE and data-driven conclusions will be one of the most important factors in coming fights. No longer can we (nor should we anyway) try to make an emotional plea, we must begin to show data that is irrefutable. Whether it be for seeking better compliance with IDEA, better educational opportunities, better employment opportunities, better accessibility, or whatever. It must be data-driven and conclusive.
In closing, I want to pass out kudos to several lawmakers...Rep. Stan Lee (R) responded to my email indicating that he would be paying close attention to the bill should it come up. And State Senator Brandon Smith (R), not only responded to my email, but he did so in a very eloquent HAND WRITTEN note. Nice to see some people still take the time to attempt to make a personal connection to the citizens of this state. So to these two, plus Ray Jones (D), Leslie Combs (D), and Kelly Flood (D), I say "Thank You" for not only taking the time to listen, but also taking the time to let me know my voice WAS heard by you. And I would be remiss to leave out State Senator Dan Kelly (R), who changed his mind after hearing both sides of the story and indicated support for the bill. Sen. Kelly has always ben a strong supporter and advocate of the deaf and hard of hearing, knows some sign language, and attends the Kentucky DeaFestival every two years when it is put on. That is truly wonderful support, and it is very much welcomed and appreciated.
And so it goes...Any suggestions welcome.
Eddie
2 comments | Leave a comment
