House Republican Press Release

August 7, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

STATE REP. CAFERO TO ADDRESS NATIONAL LEGISLATORS ON EDUCATING VOTERS THROUGH PUBLIC AFFAIRS TELEVISION

CONNECTICUT AT FOREFRONT OF ‘C-SPAN STYLE’  TV

BOSTON – Connecticut House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., will address a national audience of legislators and governmental experts on how Connecticut’s public affairs television network has provided unprecedented access to the workings of state government at the annual National Conference of State Legislators meeting Thursday, Aug. 9 in Boston.

The Norwalk Republican, along with other panel members, will offer his insights into how the Connecticut Television Network, CT-N, has changed the way legislative business is viewed. Traditional communications and press coverage of the state Capitol has been enhanced significantly since the inception of CT-N. Hundreds of legislators and policy experts will gather in Boston for the three-day event.

“Connecticut is at the forefront, nationally, of implementing public affairs television to communicate with the public,’’ Cafero said. “Today, Connecticut provides unprecedented transparency in showing the public how their government works.’’

He added, “The fact we in Connecticut have been asked to describe the use of public affairs television to the national audience that NCSL provides, I think, is significant.’’

NCSL is a national organization that provides support and direction for lawmakers in all 50 states in helping to shape public policy. The National Association of Public Affairs Networks, NAPAN, is also conducting its annual meeting in conjunction with the NCSL gathering. NAPAN’s goal is to have networks running in all 50 states by 2015.

The NCSL meeting will take place at the Boston Convention Center. Cafero’s panel discussion is entitled, “Giving Legislatures an Unfiltered Voice: Engaging Constituents Through State Public Affairs Networks.’’