JOH N A. KO WAL KO , JR.

S TATE R E P R E S E N TATIV E
25th District

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
STATE OF DELAWARE
411 LEG IS LATIV E AVENUE
DO VER , DE LAWAR E 19901

COMMITTEES
Energy
Health & Human
Development
Labor
Manufactured Housing
Natural Resources

Dear Colleagues,
I am writing you today to thank you all for your frank and honest dialogue and support
for HB 50 also known as the Opt-Out bill. I am very impressed by the number of you that
voted for parental and child rights which is what HB 50 is about. For those of you who had
doubts I hope your questions have been answered regarding the bills expressed and real
intentions to establish law that expressly supports parental rights while creating a system that
ensures those families who choose to opt-out have a set process that provides for alternative
education opportunities during those testing times.
I am also writing to inform all of you that I will be bringing HB 50 to the floor
on Thursday, January 14, 2016, for reconsideration in order to override the Governors veto. It
will require a suspension of rules vote by simple majority and then a 25-vote plurality to
override.
The last veto override attempt was in 1977 and I realize that this attempt might cause
consternation with some that a system so steeped in tradition might be threatened by this action. I
assure you that my motives are solely driven by my obligation to support the wishes and rights of
all of Delawares families. I know that all of you who supported this legislation originally
understood that you were serving the will and best interests of your constituencies and I'd like to
join them in thanking you once again. I hope that I can count on each and every one of you to
support this override and cement the rights of all Delawareans in law.
If any of you have questions about the process or bill, please do not hesitate to call me
at 302-547-9351.
Once more I wish to sincerely thank all of you for your cooperation and patience.
Respectfully yours,

State Representative John Kowalko, 25th District