Last year, 2011, was my first session so I had no comparison. Other legislators with more experience said it was difficult. I believed them. This is my second session and I am gaining perspective.
Last year in Senate Health and Welfare committee we reviewed rules about day care centers. There was disagreement and dispute in committee testimony. The meeting room was full and many testified. Folks from day cares thought the rules were unfair. We worked it out but it took a lot of effort. There was a palpable tension in the meeting room, a tension in the voice of people testifying.
Now this year, some new rules came up just last week about day care fees. They had been presented in three venues around the state and NO ONE had showed up to give input. There was no disagreement at committee testimony and the rules passed easily.
Maybe it’s early, maybe I’m optimistic, but I sense a different tone this session. Having the “Luna Bills” sprung on us last session sure made one feel like we weren’t listened to, that we were being tricked. I hope the public feels less that way this year. I would hope we can all listen as well as we hear.