HARTFORD –State Representative Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) today announced that the State Bond Commission had approved a $1 million commitment in state grants for expansion and renovation to the Atwater Memorial Library in North Branford. 

 The Atwater Library will use the funds to expand from the current 6,100 square feet to 15,000 square feet, creating a unified campus with the historic Reynolds-Beers house and its barn. 

According to Library Director Robert Hull, the added space will allow for full handicapped features, more space for collections, children’s program area, community room, teen library, seminar room, local history and genealogy collections, restrooms in the children’s library, added computers and more parking.

“Excellent public libraries enhance the culture, economic viability and image of the communities they serve,” said Hull. “Expanding and renovating the Atwater and Smith Libraries will create social and educational centers to serve the town for decades to come.”

“I am pleased to be an advocate for these grants, which will ease the pressure on local tax dollars,” said Representative Candelora.  “The improvements to Atwater Library, combined with those to Edward Smith Library in Northford will provide North Branford with a more state-of-the art public library and research system which will be a tremendous benefit to everyone in the community.  I appreciate Governor Rell continuing to keep North Branford a priority.”

The $1 million grant is from a total pool of $3.5 million in competitive library grants statewide.  Construction at the Atwater Library is scheduled to begin after work is completed on Northford’s Edward Smith Library in early 2009.  The state has now approved a total of $1.5 million for North Branford Library projects. All work should be completed by early 2010.

By Vincent Candelora

The “short” session in Hartford began in early February and will run only 13 weeks.  Our primary goal is to “tweak” the budget and prioritize bills for consideration by the General Assembly.  I’m surprised, therefore, to see the majority party again raise a controversial bill that was vetoed by Governor Rell.  House Bill 5264 seeks to permit illegal immigrants residing in the state to receive in-state tuition rates.  The bill’s stated purpose is to increase access to postsecondary education for illegal immigrants.  I frankly was disappointed at the debate on the House floor last session, which focused on emotional pleas for the students.  I voted against the bill.  It passed the House by a slim majority.  Fortunately, Governor Rell saved the General Assembly from itself and the State from a bad law with her veto power. 

Regardless of how one feels about the issue of illegal immigrants, the bill contained fatal flaws from inception.  These fatal flaws will haunt us again.  First, if Connecticut chooses to give in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants, under federal law, the state is exposed to being required to give all non-residents in-state tuition rates.  Connecticut taxpayers invest dearly in our educational system by being one of the highest per capita taxpayers in the country.  This law not only proposes to give tax subsidies to individuals who do not pay taxes, but exposes Connecticut to higher education costs by reducing tuition rates for anyone that chooses to go to a Connecticut school.

 Last session, the bill required that these illegal immigrants would have to make a good faith effort to become legal United States citizens.  By requiring this, the majority party argued that the state would be investing in a future workforce for Connecticut employers.  This argument, however, failed to recognize that any person in the United States illegally is foreclosed from applying for citizenship under federal law.  If these individuals cannot gain citizenship, they cannot seek gainful, legal employment within the United States, let alone Connecticut. 

Connecticut is ranked as one of the best states to educate its students.  Unfortunately, our students migrate out of Connecticut at one of the highest rates in the country.  The House Republicans proposed segregating the income tax of college graduates to assist them in purchasing a home in Connecticut in order to stop this “brain drain” and build our workforce.  The majority party entertained the concept and then tucked this proposal on a shelf.  Ironically, they continue to ponder why our middle class in Connecticut is evaporating. 

As elected officials, we took an oath to uphold the laws of the State of Connecticut and the United States.  Proposed Bill 5264 illustrates a failure to acknowledge federal law and a willingness to recklessly gamble our tax dollars.  Connecticut needs to begin tackling the tough issues of controlling real property taxes, providing relief for our seniors, affordable housing, retaining college students for our workforce, and access to affordable healthcare.  These bills that encourage illegal immigration to Connecticut is stripping us of our financial check valve, opening up the faucet, and filling the catch basin with more uncontrolled expenses and liabilities.