House Republican Press Release

May 5, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

HOUSE PASSES BILL TO BENEFIT TRUMBULL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE PROGRAM

On Friday, May 2, the State House of Representatives approved legislation cosponsored by State Rep. T.R. Rowe, R-Trumbull, that would benefit Trumbull High School’s Agricultural Science program. House Bill 5869, An Act Concerning Agricultural Science And Technology Education, now moves to the State Senate for consideration. State Rep. Tom Christiano, D-Trumbull, also supported the measure.

HB 5869 would re-designate vocational agriculture programs as agriculture science and technology education programs and clarify language concerning enrollment opportunities for students in the programs. The legislation specifically requires districts not operating vo-ag centers to provide enrollment opportunities in one or more centers, not just one center, run by other districts. If a district provided opportunities for its students to enroll in more than one center as of July 1, 2007, the bill requires it to continue to do so in the numbers required by the current law and the bill.

"Connecticut’s agricultural-science programs do a marvelous job and Trumbull’s is second to none,” said. Rep. Rowe.  “They fill a void in our state by providing education in industries that were a foundation of our nation’s economy and continue to be very viable. The high school programs are resilient, having survived for decades and I’m pleased this legislation that benefits them by ensuring enrollment opportunities is moving forward."