January 24, 2014
State Representative Juan Candelaria, Chairman of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus (B&PRC), held a hearing with members at the Legislative Office Building to hear ideas and concerns from the public as the group prepares their 2014 legislative priorities for the upcoming session.
Rep. Candelaria said, “I am pleased that despite cold temperatures threatening a low turnout, we heard from a sizeable group of individuals who came to share their concerns. We wanted to provide an open forum where all ideas could be heard, as members of the B&PRC felt this was the best approach for engaging the public in the policy making process.”
Testimony included issues relating to small businesses, minority business contracting, restoring access to birth certificates for adults who have been legally adopted, education reform concerns and changing the definition of dyslexia and its screening process for young children.
“We will now discuss these and other concepts that have been presented and will shortly be releasing our legislative priorities for the upcoming session,” Rep. Candelaria said. “We would like to thank everyone who made the effort to participate and look forward to similar venues where we can all contribute to the legislative process.”