If you don’t need to take credit for everything, you can get a lot done.

             Two examples:

             I introduced House Bill 68 to provide more preventive care for minors who are homeless or living independently of their estranged parents or guardians.  Senator Kelley introduced an identical bill.   

             In January, we reached agreement on amendments with the affected health care providers.  The Senate bill, with those changes, passed that body unanimously. 

            It now awaits action in the House.  It’s fine with me if the Senate bill becomes law and not mine, even though I began working on this issue before Senator Kelley did. 

            My advice to one of the advocates:  A letter signed by the various individuals and groups who support the amended bill could be distributed to the committee at the bill hearing and in meetings with members beforehand. 

             Budget bill language is the substitute for my bill to encourage fathers to be involved with the mother and their children. 

             An Appropriations subcommittee will consider language  requesting the Department of Human Resources to provide a report by November 1, 2012 on the status of its efforts to secure federal funding for a pilot program. 

              During my twenty years on the Appropriations Committee, I initiated many similar narratives.  A Cabinet department is not likely to ignore a request from the legislators who control its budget.