2ND DISTRICT STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR BETHEL, DANBURY AND REDDING
Site Update / Videos posted:
Several videos have been added to the site showing Jason working for education reform and his Lyme Disease bill, among others. The newest videos follow below, with several more on the News page.
Take a look, and be sure to let us know what you think!
Other Recent Updates:
Lyme disease bill heads to governor
By Brian Lockhart
Staff Writer, News-Times
Posted: 05/29/2009
HARTFORD -- A controversial bill that would make Connecticut the fifth state in the nation to allow doctors to treat chronic Lyme disease is on its way to the governor for her signature.
The legislation, which sailed through the House of Representatives a few weeks ago, 137-0, was unanimously approved Friday afternoon by the Senate...
"In this environment good legislation can easily fall through the cracks," Bartlett said.
Rell's office declined comment on the bill, saying the governor has not had a chance to review it. Bartlett said he met recently with the governor's staff and "walked away feeling extremely positive about the prospects of her signing this."
Rep. Jason Bartlett: Death Penalty Debate May, 13 2009
Jason at the Jefferson Jackson Bailey Dinner, June 2009:
Jason discussing paid sick leave:
Jason's work fighting Lyme Disease:
House passes
chronic Lyme disease bill
House passes Lyme disease bill
By Brian Lockhart
Updated: 04/30/2009 10:39:24 PM EDT
HARTFORD -- Since 1997, Kent Haydock has led efforts to manage Darien's deer population and stop the spread of tick-borne Lyme disease.
Having known several people who suffered from the illness, and having been treated for it twice himself, he cannot believe there is a national debate over the existence of chronic Lyme disease.
"Why are people saying there's no such thing?" Haydock said.
He was glad to learn Thursday the state House of Representatives took a strong stand on the issue. In a 137-0 vote, members passed legislation to reassure doctors they will not face retaliation if they choose to diagnose chronic Lyme disease and treat it with long-term antibiotics.
The measure heads to the state Senate.
Full story from the CT Post, available here.
Jason's work fighting to improve education:
Push on to raise state's dropout age
By Ken Dixon
Updated: 04/30/2009 10:19:08 PM EDT
HARTFORD -- A bill that would prevent children from dropping out of school until age 18 has been resurrected in the General Assembly, but its estimated additional costs for school systems might ultimately kill it in a year when lawmakers are trying to reduce costs for towns and cities.
In a rare parliamentary move, Rep. Jason W. Bartlett, D-Bethel, succeeded in petitioning the legislation onto the House calendar, after it failed in committee.
Bartlett, whose district includes parts of Danbury and Redding, was joined by other lawmakers Thursday to announce growing support for the legislation.
They charged that the approximately 9,800 teenagers who do not graduate from high school each year are misled to believe that dropping out of school is a good way to enter the workforce.
In reality, Bartlett and his supporters said, dropouts have substantially lower lifetime earnings, while increasing their chances to end up in the state prison system, where 40-percent of the 19,000 inmates are dropouts.
Full story from the CT Post, available here.
Lawmakers challenged with Lyme Disease
Story by: Jocelyn Maminta
Updated: Thursday, 02 Apr 2009, 8:25 AM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 01 Apr 2009, 11:30 PM EDT
Hartford (WTNH) - Connecticut has long been known as ground zero for Lyme Disease. Now, state lawmakers are taking the controversy surrounding Lyme Disease treatment head on. The medical community is at odds as to whether chronic Lyme Disease exists and over long term treatment, which includes intravenous antibiotics. In Connecticut, supporters say doctors who choose the latter, are haunted by past threats of losing their license.
"That perception has really turned into a tangible reality," said Rep. Kim Fawcett. "[A perception] that a lot of doctors out there maybe just think, Lyme Disease, I don't want to get involved in it. So what they do is deflect to their patients, 'I can't really treat you here, you have to find a specialist.'"
That's why State Representatives Kim Fawcett and Jason Bartlett are leading the change behind a bill to protect Connecticut physicians.
"Our legislation doesn't say what they do. It just gives them the freedom to diagnose clinically and treat how they see fit," said Rep. Fawcett.
But the Department of Public Health disagrees and sent testimony against house bill 6200.
"We oppose any bill that would prescribe or limit any particular kinds of treatment," said Dr. Robert Galvin, CT Public Health Commissioner.
Jason's plan to lower dropout rates
While many have applauded Jason's leadership in working towards holding schools accountable and lowering dropout rates among Connecticut students, his plan has also been deemed controversial by some.
School officials fight dropout plan
Monday, March 23, 2009 10:34 PM EDT
By JAMES CRAVEN
Staff Writer
NEW BRITAIN — A proposed bill before the state House of Representatives has raised the ire of local groups and school administrators, who claim it could penalize urban school districts and take back much-needed funding.
The Urban Education Coalition announced Monday its opposition to a bill proposed by state Rep. Jason Bartlett, D-2nd Assembly District, that they maintain would affect Education Cost Sharing funding based on district dropout rates.
Jason to discuss state budget crisis
By Dirk Perrefort
Staff Writer, Danbury News-Times
Updated: 03/17/2009
Jason Bartlett, a leading member of the legislature's Appropriations Committee, and [House Speaker Christopher] Donovan are expected to give an outline of the state's budget crisis and the expected deficit over the next two years, which is estimated at $6 billion to $8.7 billion.
"That's about 23 percent of the state's existing revenue," Godfrey said. "This is a very big deal."
Bartlett said the legislature's subcommittees are working on reports about possible cuts and the cuts in Gov. M. Jodi Rell's budget proposal they think should be restored.
"People have to understand what the ramifications of these cuts will be," Bartlett said. "We hope to have a budget by the first week of April. This could be the last opportunity to hear from citizens before some important decisions are made."
Full story at the Danbury News-Times here.
Jason Sponsors Groundbreaking Education Bill
updated Feb 09
Read more about this bill in the press:
- Danbury News-Times: Bethel lawmaker wants kids in school until 18
- on MSNBC: You Must Be This Old to Drop Out
- Connecticut Bob: Bartlett seeks to raise drop-out age
Shortly after sponsoring this bill, we were encouraged by comments on education made by President Obama during his first speech to Congress:
“The third challenge we must address is the urgent need to expand the promise of education in America…
Right now, three-quarters of the fastest-growing occupations require more than a high school diploma. And yet, just over half of our citizens have that level of education. We have one of the highest high school dropout rates of any industrialized nation…
It is our responsibility as lawmakers and educators to make this system work. But it is the responsibility of every citizen to participate in it. And so tonight, I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training…
But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma. And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It’s not just quitting on yourself, it’s quitting on your country – and this country needs and values the talents of every American….
President Barack Obama
February 25, 2009: First speech to a joint session of Congress