2006 Legislature
The 2006 Florida Legislature will be in regular session from March 7 until May 5, 2006 and major public policy issues of interest to the Conference will be under consideration.  This memo includes information to assist you in being an active participant in the political process.   

Conference Website Legislative Page
On the Conference website, www.flacathconf.org, the following items are available via the Legislative Page: 1) Resources, including the 2006 Public Policy Issues, House and Senate bills of interest and legislator contact information; 2) Action Alerts; 3) Legislative Reports; 4) Testimony; and 5) Correspondence. 

FCC Advocacy Network
The Conference maintains an electronic network of those interested in its public policy work.  FCC Advocacy emails, including legislative reports and action alerts, are sent to this network that includes diocesan leadership and those on FCC committees.  Other interested parties may subscribe to the FCC Advocacy Network by completing the online form under the Take Action link on the Conference’s website.

Ø      Legislative Reports
The first Legislative Report is now available on the FCC website.  Subsequent reports will be issued periodically during the legislative session, with a final report after the session concludes. Weekly email summaries on legislative actions of interest will be provided to the FCC Advocacy network.

Ø      Action Alerts
During the 2006 session, the Conference will email regular action alerts.  These alerts seek timely action by members of our advocacy network, such as contacting a legislator to voice a position regarding pending legislation.  The specifics of the message and all necessary contact information are provided with each alert. 

Staff Contacts
Larry D. Keough, Associate for Education – rights of Catholic school children, scholarships/voucher programs, teacher certification, testing, post-secondary scholarship programs, lkeough@flacathconf.org
Michael B. Sheedy, Associate for Health - health care accessibility issues, embryonic stem cell issues, cloning, euthanasia and end-of-life care, state health planning and regulation, and general health care, msheedy@flacathconf.org
Sheila S. Hopkins, Associate for Respect Life and Social Concerns - adoption, immigration, domestic violence, affordable housing, homeless, elderly, environment, disabled, farmworkers, abortion and death penalty, shopkins@flacathconf.org
D. Michael McCarron, Executive Director - church and state issues, tax exemption, miscellaneous, mccarron@flacathconf.org

Communicating with Legislators
Each of us shares in the responsibility to instill the values of the Gospel as a norm for society.  We are called to become informed, active and responsible participants in the political process, which is part of our democratic system.  When we communicate to a legislator on an issue of public policy, we fulfill both spiritual and civic purposes.  Please join us in our legislative efforts by becoming informed, talking with others, and communicating with your legislators.  And, please pray for your legislators and all those serving in government. 

Please forward this memo to interested parties.  Thank you.