June 13, 2007

 

It has been more than a week since I got the call from Charlie that Governor Ritter had vetoed SB 24.  So far the sun has come up every day and the things that really matter in my life have not changed.  I am still a man of god; my wife still has not found anyone to replace me; I am still the center of my beautiful little girl’s world; I still have a good job, many good friends and a supportive family.  In the end those are the things that matter.  Truly.

 

Even though the lord has made it very clear what my priorities should be it does not mean that I am not crushed with the result.  This has been a task that has CONSUMED my “free time” since February of 2004.  Never in my life have I worked that hard at anything and not succeeded.  When I think of the hours that I spent on this task I realize that I could have got a second masters degree; listened to my wife more; or spent more time wrestling with my kids in the family room; or read 100+ books; or finished my basement, or … who knows what!!!  I am certain that many of the other board members are in the same boat.  I know in my heart that I could have done nothing more.

 

I am positive that this time around the CATA could not have done anything more to achieve our goal.  We neutralized all opposition; we worked with DORA so extensively that they were calling our bill the “model bill”; we had nearly 70 legislators vote in support of our bill.  So many successes!  Yet one major failure. 

 

Honestly the veto from the governor was quite a shock.    The governor received probably close to 500 letters in support of the SB 24:  letters from ATC’s, letters from numerous physicians, letters from citizens, letters from every accredited athletic training program director, letters from many other Colorado college/universities,  letters from the Olympic Training Center, letters from every major professional sports team,  letters from the smaller professional sports teams, letters from restricted professionals, letters from high school administrators, ALL IN SUPPORT OF SB 24!

 

We had met with DORA, and they were in support of the bill. We had met with representatives from Governor Ritter’s staff (organizations the size as strength of ours do not get personal meetings with him).  During that meeting and follow up correspondence the gentlemen asked many good questions and we were encouraged.    We also requested that IF the governor was considering a veto that he allow us to present our case face to face. 

 

The governor’s representative said he was writing a brief for the governor that was neutral.  He was neither in support nor against our bill.  It was going to be up to the governor to decide.  Days passed and we received no word.  Until … 26 minutes before the deadline!  That is when we were informed of the veto.  They never even asked about the reasons they gave in the veto letter.    Politics!

 

I am not really sure where we will go from here.  The CATA board of directors will meet on the 24^th of June to examine options.  I would certainly like to know the opinion of our members.  What would you like to see done?

 

Since our announcement on the 4^th I have received over 50 phone calls and e-mails from members, legislators, and several NATA board of directors, offering “condolences” all have said we should be proud of our efforts and thank you.    While their words are comforting it does not lessen my feeling of being kicked in the stomach.

 

In the end we have NOTHING and we are back at square one.  While I am soooooooo disappointed with the outcome, I am VERY PROUD of our effort.    I am proud of how we organized, proud of the relationships we created, and proud of how we mobilized athletic trainers from across the state.  I wish the result would have been better.

 

Sincerely

 

Chris Mathewson

President,

Colorado Athletic Trainer Association