I posted a diary yesterday about two bills (HB6008 and SB1245) sitting on the desk of the Connecticut Speaker of the House that would languish and die if the CT House Legislature doesn't vote on them before June 8.
These bills, I'm told, were buried because of petty personality disputes and power plays.
I'm also told there was movement on the bills yesterday afternoon, but not enough action taken to get them to the floor for a vote.
Enough already with the attempts!
Why are Democratic representatives turning "GOP"py on no-brainers?
All I want is an up or down vote on these two bills by the CT House before the session ends.
For you budget geeks, these bills may well be a zero sum investment in our returning soldiers in CT because Richard Blumenthal expressed support for HB 6008 and a willingness to petition the federal government for funds to pay for testing because the federal government has a law on the books (Which it isn't following - surprise!) regarding testing for soldiers exposed to depleted uranium.
Also, this legislation will provide the most cost-effective examination of the health issues facing returning veterans. If there are not appropriate treatment and facilities to deal with illness and injury as a result of their service, veterans will end up in crisis and seeking treatment in ERs of community hospitals all over the state, where staff, medicine, and protocol may not be available to them.
This issue will not simply disappear from our communities, our budget, or our hearts because the legislature kills the bill by not bringing it to the floor before the end of session on June 8. Some of these people have come home sick or injured already to closing bases and shrinking programs or facilities because of federal budget cuts to veteran's affairs.
Remember, the GOP has brought us into an endless war. Endless war means endless numbers of returning veterans.
Please take a moment to hit the link to my diary of yesterday,
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/6/1/13522/82345
entitled "Will CT Democrats Screw Returning Veterans?
If you live and vote in Connecticut, please make a call in the morning to the Speaker's office in Hartford. Please pass this item on to friends who will make a call.