House Democrats – State Representative

For the first time in 20 years, the legislative session ended on time with a comprehensive vision for our state in place.

Democrats in the House and Senate, working cooperatively with a Democratic governor, accomplished a great deal during this session. Legislation was passed that will stabilize the state’s finances, remake state government, and create jobs.

A balanced budget was passed in early May to move our state forward. Our most vulnerable citizens were protected, sacrifice was shared but fair, and government was made smaller and more efficient.

This is just a beginning. More needs to happen to get Connecticut on the right track to full recovery – creating jobs, putting the unemployed back to work, and stimulating economic growth. After this session, the fundamentals are in place:

• Invested in the University of Connecticut Health Center to develop Connecticut’s bioscience industry (SB 1152: AAC the University of Connecticut Health Center)

• Established the Technology Park at the University of Connecticut to spur the growth of new, high-tech industries
  (SB 1242: AA Authorizing Bonds of the State for Capital Improvements Authorizing Special Tax Obligation Bonds of the State for Transportation Purposes and Authorizing State Grant Commitments for  School Building Projects)

• Created the First Five Program to jumpstart job creation
  (SB 1001: AA Creating the First Five Program)

• Provided funding for tourism promotion
  (SB 1239/PA 11-6: AAC the Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2013, and Other Provisions Relating to Revenue)

• Developed a comprehensive energy plan to reduce costs and spur green job creation
  (SB 1243: AAC the Establishment of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Planning for Connecticut’s Energy Future)

• Provided additional flexibility for businesses by streamlining corporate and securities laws
  (HB 6497: AA Creating Jobs by Enhancing Connecticut’s Corporate and Securities Laws)

• Invested in capital improvement projects that will provide immediate construction jobs and improve infrastructure
  (SB 1242: AA Authorizing Bonds of the State for Capital Improvements Authorizing Special Tax Obligation Bonds of the State for Transportation Purposes and Authorizing State Grant Commitments for  School Building Projects)

• Improved economic development programs designed to assist small businesses and start-ups
  (HB 6525: AAC the Continuance of the Majority Leaders’ Job Growth Roundtable)

• Created closer links between our research institutions and private businesses
  (SB 1173: AAC Qualified Private Investments for Connecticut Innovations, Inc.’ Pre-seed Program)

• Developed a responsible, balanced budget that protects the middle-class
  (SB 1239/PA 11-6: AAC the Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2013, and Other Provisions Relating to Revenue)

• Increased access to quality, affordable healthcare through comprehensive healthcare reform and pooling for municipalities
  (HB 6308: AAC Healthcare Reform)

• Gave all students of our state equal access to post-secondary education, regardless of immigration status
  (HB 6390/PA 11-43: AAC Access to Postsecondary Education)

• Addressed the educational achievement gap by providing schools the flexibility they need to ensure our kids get a good education
  (SB 929: AAC the Achievement Gap)

• Ensured workers have access to paid sick days to protect the health of employees, their families, and the public
  (SB 913: AA Mandating Employers Provide Paid Sick Leave to Employees)

• Extended the foreclosure mediation program to keep families in their homes and neighborhoods whole
  (HB 6351: AAC Foreclosure Mediation and Assistance Programs, the Highly Compensated Employee Exemption for Mortgage Loan Originators, General-Use Prepaid Cards and Neighborhood Protection)

• Increased the legal protections available to victims of domestic violence by closing the loopholes that allow offenders continued access to victims
  (HB 6629: AAC Domestic Violence)

• Gave municipalities more tools to work together to save taxpayers’ money
  (HB 5780: AAC Interlocal Agreements)

• Protected transgender individuals facing discrimination in the workplace, education, housing and public accommodations
  (HB 6599: AAC Discrimination)

• Reduced the burden on our criminal justice system by decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana
  (SB 1014: AAC the Penalty for Certain Nonviolent Drug Offenses)

... read more - State of Connecticut - House Democrats

Rep. Tony Guerrera, House Chair of the Transportation Committee, has worked with the governor’s office to scrap plans to mothball the state’s non-commercial interstate highway rest areas.

“We preach safety on the roads – we say, ‘If you’re tired, pull over, rest, take a break.’  Closing the rest areas send the opposite message.” Rep. Guerrera said.

Rep. Guerrera noted that truckers have mandated rest periods and even non-commercial drivers need to stop on long trips.

“The summer vacation driving season is just about here. People will need these rest areas and I am happy Governor Malloy was so receptive to keeping them open,” Rep. Guerrera said.

The state Department of Transportation was scheduled to close the two rest stops on I-84 in Willington on July 1 and the other five non-commercial rest areas in 2012.

... read more - State of Connecticut - House Democrats

Rep. Vickie O. Nardello led a bipartisan group of legislators who voiced their support and passed Senate Bill 1243, An Act Concerning the Establishment of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Planning for Connecticut’s Energy Future, formerly Senate Bill 1. The bill received overwhelming support in the House of Representatives and passed 139 to 8. This legislation will chart a new course in energy policy, making Connecticut a national leader in embracing clean energy, lowering energy costs, and developing energy jobs, industries and businesses.

“We are taking responsibility for Connecticut’s energy future with this legislation,” said Representative Nardello, House chair of the legislature’s Energy & Technology Committee. “We are clearly moving to cleaner energy, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and have successfully balanced our energy needs in a way that recognizes the impact on rate payers. We have included goals for lowering rates in all aspects of our planning process.”

In its major components, the legislation:

• Creates the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)
• Creates the Clean Energy Finance & Investment Authority to leverage private capital for clean energy projects
• Improves electricity contracting and procurement procedures to lower rates
• Orders a study of electric market rules and their effect on higher rates
• Supports zero-emission and low-emission technologies
• Establishes a one-stop-shop to proactively reach out to businesses and consult with them on available programs and reducing their energy costs

“This marks a major step toward a cleaner, more efficient, and more affordable energy future for Connecticut’s families and businesses. It will help to create jobs and businesses in clean energy and energy efficiency industries, putting Connecticut at the forefront of innovation and development,” said House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan.

“This legislation will build Connecticut’s energy future by lowering energy costs and opening up job and business opportunities across a wide spectrum of energy industries. With this bill, Connecticut becomes a national leader in energy policy, embracing clean energy as the path to success in the 21st century economy,” said Senator Williams.

“This bill will create a full-time, dedicated energy department led by a nationally recognized expert on energy and environmental matters. It will enable us to fulfill our commitment to reduce energy costs and deliver on the promise of clean, safe and reliable energy,” said Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford), Co-chair, Energy & Technology Committee.

"Passing this bill allows Connecticut to lead the nation by growing a truly green economy and by achieving a cleaner, greener, more affordable energy future for the people and businesses of our state," said Rep. Lonnie Reed, Vice-chair of the Energy and Technology Committee. "It is a bold, thoughtful and collaborative accomplishment that includes innovative ideas from the Malloy administration and from knowledgeable legislators on both sides of the aisle."

“The process of creating this bill was long, arduous and complicated," said Rep. Laura Hoydick (R-Stratford), Energy & Technology Committee ranking member. “That’s what happens when so many people representing so many points of view and constituents and areas of expertise work to create legislation that affects our entire state. I applaud the administration, legislative leaders and staff who worked tenaciously and tirelessly resulting in a very good outcome for the residents and businesses of our state. The focus is on the lowering of electric rates, making renewable energy and conservation programs accessible to all. I’m happy we have a department that will manage the environment and energy needs of the state because though the legislature can set direction, we need the administration to effect those changes.”

The broad aim of Senate Bill 1243 is to lower Connecticut’s energy costs and electric rates (amongst the highest in the nation), while moving the state toward clean and efficient energy. The bill seeks to help create the industries, jobs and businesses necessary to facilitate this kind of transformation in Connecticut, and then export those products, technologies and services elsewhere in the world.

The bill, having passed both the House and Senate now goes to the Governor who is expected to sign the bill.

Read a fact sheet on Senate Bill 1243.

... read more - State of Connecticut - House Democrats

House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) has been honored with a “Children’s Champion” award by the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance.

The organization selected Speaker Donovan for this recognition because of his support of legislation during the 2011 session of the General Assembly aimed at improving the educational, health and emotional well-being of young children in Connecticut.

Among his initiatives, the Speaker’s Task Force on Children and the Recession and his Domestic Violence Task Force helped craft important legislation for children and their families.

“There is nothing more important than taking care of our children,” Speaker Donovan said. “They are our future. I am honored by this recognition from the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance, but honestly, this work is a labor of love and passion and necessity.”

The Early Childhood Alliance is a group of organizations and individuals, such as the Alliance for Bloomfield’s Children and Hartford Area Childhood Collaborative, committed to improving the lives of children from birth through age eight. Member organizations employ over 3,000 Connecticut residents and provide care and education for nearly 20,000 children.

... read more - State of Connecticut - House Democrats

The House voted Monday to repeal an authorization for the state to borrow $956 million that would have been used to fill a deficit in this year’s budget that no longer exists.

Anticipating a deficit in the 2011 budget, the General Assembly last year approved legislation authorizing the issuance of Economic Recovery Revenue Bonds. The bonds were to be paid off from revenues generated by surcharges on electricity bills, which would have been extended past their expiration date this year.

But because of an improving economy and increased revenues, it is now projected that the state has a $680 million operating surplus. Consequently, the borrowing and extension of the surcharge are no longer necessary.

“The provisions of this legislation (HB 6652) close the door on using energy efficiency or Competitive Transmission Assessment funds to balance the state’s budget,” said Rep. Patricia Widlitz (D-Guilford, Branford), House chair of the legislature’s Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. Connecticut’s energy efficiency programs are among the best in the nation and should be strengthened – not compromised, she added.

“This really is a win-win situation,” said House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan. “Ratepayers win by having the surcharge removed from their bills, and the state wins because we don’t need to borrow additional funds.”

... read more - State of Connecticut - House Democrats

Rep. Tony Guerrera, House Chair of the legislature’s Transportation Committee, hailed House passage of legislation that will help protect school bus passengers from reckless drivers through the use of video surveillance and fines.

“People who don’t stop for school buses put our children at risk,” Rep. Guerrera said. “By videotaping cars that fly by school buses, we can make sure they think twice before doing it again.”

Under current law, drivers must stop at least 10 feet from a school bus displaying flashing red signal lights. This bill allows towns and school boards to install cameras on school buses to record motor vehicles that violate this law. Violators would receive a ticket in the mail.

The legislation increases the minimum fine for failure to stop for a school bus from $100 to $450. It also provides that 80% of all revenue collected for this offense be sent back to cities and towns.

The bill awaits action by the Senate.

... read more - State of Connecticut - House Democrats