Archive for September 2010 – Page 2

Veterans “Stand Down – Connecticut Cares”

by kruane
September 21st, 2010

Veterans “Stand Down – Connecticut Cares”

Each year the Connecticut Veterans Home honors those veterans who served this country yet find themselves down on their luck in the annual “Stand Down.” This one day event is for veterans with honorable discharges who are homeless or indigent. Representatives will be ready to help these veterans get access to Veterans’ Affairs (VA) benefits, Connecticut benefits, the Connecticut Superior Court, or any other community veterans’ assistance programs. Stand Down will take place Friday, September 10th from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs located at 287 West Street in Rocky Hill.
 
This year, Stand Down 2010 organizers will be able to provide each veteran with a “Comfort Kit” made possible by the thoughtful donations of Connecticut residents. Items like shampoo, notebooks, deodorant, sunscreen, lip balm, feminine products, toothpastes, and socks will be included in the Comfort Kits given to our needy veterans.

If you’d like to volunteer for Stand Down 2010, donate items for the Comfort Kit or give a financial donation to help with event logistics, you can visit the Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs website at www.ct.gov/ctva or call (860) 616-3892. 

Our veterans selflessly served this country with bravery, dedication and honor and I believe they deserve our full support, especially when they hit hard times. Though not required to give the ultimate sacrifice, many of them stood shoulder to shoulder with those who did and were ready, if called upon, to do so themselves. These men and women were willing to risk everything for us, Stand Down is one way we can say “Thank you” to our brave men and women who served in uniform.

Do you think you, or someone you know, is eligible for a veteran’s benefit but have no idea where to look or how to apply? The Connecticut Office of Advocacy and Assistance is a resource I highly recommend to veterans and their family members. This is the place to start in order to learn about benefits that might be available. It is a separate office within the Connecticut Veterans’ Affairs (VA) office and its representatives serve as advocates for our veterans. They provide assistance in obtaining benefits under federal, state and local laws. They can represent individual veterans or their family members regarding claims and benefits before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The office also provides information on a wide array of resources that exist for veterans’ assistance, even at the community level. Contact numbers are (860) 616-3682 or (860) 616-3684. 

Here are some other helpful phone numbers:

CT Veterans Benefits Information Toll-Free                               1-866-928-8387
Military Support Program (Toll-free and confidential)          1-866-251-2913
Soldiers’ Sailors’ & Marines Fund (Emergency)                         1-860-296-0719
CT Vets Infoline (Toll-free)                                                                 1-866-9CT-VETS (1-866-928-8387)

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please call me at home (860-528 3564), email me (bill.aman@cga.ct.gov), stop and see me during my office hours at the library, take my online survey at www.RepAman.com, or speak up if you see me around town. I’d really like to hear from you.

Categories aman
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Rep. Bill Aman to hold office hours at South Windsor Library

by kruane
September 21st, 2010

Rep. Bill Aman to hold office hours at South Windsor Library

State Rep. Bill Aman of South Windsor will be available to meet with constituents on Wednesday, September 29th, from 7:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. in the South Windsor Library. Constituents are welcome to stop by to talk about any issues, questions or concerns related to state government.

“I look forward to hearing from my constituents, and holding office hours is a great way to do that. I am looking forward to the opportunity of meeting one-on-one with the people of South Windsor,” said Rep. Aman.   

Copies of the Major Acts of 2010 will be available for constituents interested in having a summary of the major legislation of the 2010 legislative session. Rep. Aman will also have copies of a new report issued by the Office of Legislative Research titled “Federal Health Care Reform: Long-Term Care Provisions.”

If you would like a copy of the Major Acts of 2010 or the Office of Legislative Research report but are not able to stop by the library, please contact Representative Bill Aman’s office at 1-800-842-1423 or email Bill.Aman@cga.ct.gov and request a copy be sent to you.

The South Windsor library is located at 1500 Sullivan Ave, in South Windsor.

Categories aman
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Rep. Hovey Joins Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard for Open House

by Michael Downes
September 21st, 2010

State Representative DebraLee Hovey (R-112) paid a visit to the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guards at their headquarters in Newtown on September 12th during their Open House.

The Second Company Governor’s Horse Guards, chartered in 1808 by the Connecticut General Assembly, is one of the nation’s longest-serving mounted cavalry units.  Along with the First Company Governor’s Horse Guards in Avon, and the First and Second Companies of Foot Guards in Hartford and Branford, the unit is part of the state militia serving under the Connecticut National Guard.  The state militia is an all-volunteer state defense force.

The Open House was an opportunity for the Second Company to invite the public onto their grounds to meet the horses and troopers, and provided a glimpse into the kind of specialized training and dedication the troop offers the public. Read More→

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Rep. Noujaim welcomes Rima Fakih, Miss USA 2010

by admin
September 20th, 2010

Rep. Noujaim joined local dignataries, clergy, and parishoners in welcoming Rima Fakih, Miss USA 2010, to Waterbury for the annual “Taste of Lebanon” festival at Our Lady of Lebanon Church on East Mountain Road. Fakih, a Lebanese-American, took time from her demanding schedule to come to Watebrury to spend the day shaking hands and signing autographs for her fans. During the visit Rep. Noujaim presented Fakih with a proclamation from Governor M. Jodi Rell declaring September 18, 2010, as Rima Fakih Day in Connecticut. As Miss USA, Fakih is spokeswoman for breast and ovarian cancer education, research, and legislation.

Watch a short video

Categories selim
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Rep. Rebimbas on “Politics Matter” Panel

by admin
September 17th, 2010

Rep. Rosa Rebimbas (R-Naugatuck) discusses how she got involved in both local community service and politics during the “Politics Matter” panel discussion held at the Quinnipiac University School of Law.

The panel, moderated by Quinnipiac University Law professor William Dunlap, was designed to encourage local youth to engage and become involved in the political process. 

More than two dozen people dedicated their afternoon to listen as the six panelists-NPR radio personality Colin McEnroe, Rep. Rebimbas, Hamden Mayor Scott Jackson, Hamden Chief Administration Officer Curt Leng, former Cheshire Mayor Matthew Hall, and Alex Johnson, CEO of ConnCANN- spoke about how they were drawn to community service and how they ultimately got involved in politics.

The panel was sponsored by the New Haven County Bar Association’s Public Service Committee.

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Scribner, DOT Chief Discuss Local Projects and Funding

by admin
September 16th, 2010

BETHEL — State Rep. David Scribner recently took the state’s acting Department of Transportation commissioner on a tour of this community as well as Brookfield to discuss past and future projects.

Scribner, a Brookfield resident, is ranking member of the legislature’s Transportation Committee as well as ranking member of the Transportation Bonding Committee.

While in Brookfield, Scribner and Commissioner Jeff Parker were joined by First Selectman Bill Davidson. Matt Knickerbocker, Bethel’s first selectman, joined them in his community.

Among the areas and projects reviewed were the new Route 7 bypass, bridges in each community as well as the Still River bicycle path and the Bethel train station.

Scribner said Parker assured him that $2 million he secured for expansion of parking at the Bethel train station will remain available and that DOT officials are ready to work on a plan with local leaders.

“Most residents agree that transportation is just one of those fundamental responsibilities of government—that our roads are paved, that our bridges are safe, and that people can get from one place to another both safely and efficiently,” Scribner said. “The acting commissioner’s visit here reaffirms the department’s commitment to our communities, and I look forward to helping Mr. Parker and our local leaders turn proposed transportation projects into success stories like the highway bypass.”

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The Real Story About Connecticut’s Books

by jdooley
September 15th, 2010

Our state’s Comptroller, the officer charged with keeping and reporting on Connecticut’s financial books, just issued her annual review of our state’s fiscal condition. Low and behold, Comptroller Nancy Wyman concluded that we closed out our ledgers on June 30 with a $449 million budget surplus.

Technically, Nancy Wyman is right; Connecticut has a surplus on paper. But how, then, do we square this figure with all the other information we receive seemingly with every newscast, blog entry or latest report from Wall Street: joblessness persists, housing sales have plummeted, car sales have come to a screeching halt and nine out of 12 state revenue streams are down.

How has the State of Connecticut managed its finances better than the private sector and come out in the black in the wake of this recession? Where is the money coming from since there have been no state layoffs or massive cuts in spending? Easy. Connecticut cooks its books.

To achieve the “budget surplus’’ the Democratic Controlled legislature decided to borrow $900 million for operating expenses, raid the state’s Rainy Day Fund of hundreds of millions more and take in billions from the federal government in stimulus money in order to pay for day to day expenses.

The numbers that should make people shudder is that in just three months Connecticut faces a projected deficit of $3.5 billion because of those one-time infusions of cash: stimulus money from Washington, Rainy Day Funds from our piggy bank and borrowing from Wall Street.

House Republicans this year offered numerous alternatives to the budget that was adopted by the Democratic legislature. They included spending cuts to 2009 levels, slashing borrowing and cost-cutting measures that would have preserved vital programs that we must fund. Another key component of these proposals was a commitment to shed services and assets that Connecticut now provides but cannot afford to run or those that could be run more efficiently.

The latest budget news from the Capitol does not square with reality. Last May the Wall Street rating agencies, who have no political stake in what goes on in state government, downgraded Connecticut’s credit rating, thereby costing taxpayers millions more in the long run to pay for government. The agencies concluded that Connecticut is too heavily reliant upon highly volatile tax revenues, one-shot gimmicks such as federal stimulus funds and the state’s piggy bank, and most importantly borrowing, to operate on a daily basis.

The financial markets are the final arbiters of this state’s – or any other states – fiscal health. Comptroller Nancy Wyman, a respected former state lawmaker from Tolland, who happens to be running as Democrat Dan Malloy’s running mate as lieutenant governor, is required by law to issue her findings about the state budget every Sept. 1. She has fulfilled her duty. But it is always worth looking beyond the black and white of a bureaucratic report from the Capitol to find out what may lie behind the numbers.

Plus, there is an election in les than 60 days.

Categories frey
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When a Surplus Isn’t a Surplus

by admin
September 13th, 2010

There’s been a lot of talk from a majority of legislators about a state budget surplus. Here are a few details on myths about our state’s fiscal situation, as well as a few hard truths. Myth: Connecticut ended last year with a $450 million surplus. Truth: Connecticut still faces yearly deficits of more than $3 billion starting next year and beyond. Recently people woke up and read in the newspaper that we have a $450 million surplus on one page, but they turned the page and saw majority legislators talking about whether it is better to increase the sales tax or the income tax. This is why people get so frustrated with government. The legislature is papering over the deficit with accounting schemes, gimmicks, temporary revenue, and borrowing. Instead, we should be finding ways to make government more efficient – consolidating agencies and eliminating wasteful spending. There is no surplus. Myth: We are cutting borrowing in half. Today, we are reading that the state is cutting borrowing in half as a result of last year’s “surplus.” Truth: In a span of eight months, majority legislators borrowed $1.9 billion for day-to-day expenses to “fix” the state budget deficit. In a message about the budget, a leader in Connecticut’s finance department said recently that the state may still have to borrow $700 million more to keep this year’s budget balanced. If you gain 30 pounds in a year, and you lose 15 pounds the next year, you haven’t cut your weight in half. But, that’s exactly what some people are saying about how much Connecticut is borrowing.

Other facts about Connecticut’s borrowing:
- Highest per capita debt in the country, at $4,859. The next closest state was Mass., at $4,606.
- 12 cents of every tax dollar goes to pay for borrowing.
- Annual debt payments increased by 633% over the past 20 years.
- Fitch Rating Agency downgraded Connecticut at the end of May.

Categories scribner
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Cafero Helps Kick Off ADHD Awareness Week

by admin
September 13th, 2010

NORWALK – In an effort to draw greater attention to an affliction that affects many families and children, State. Rep. Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., of Norwalk today kicked off Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder awareness week at the Norwalk Public Library. Cafero presented an official proclamation from the governor’s office to commemorate the event. In celebration of awareness week, the Norwalk public schools will also host a workshop on Sept. 16 presented by Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center titled, “Strategies for Success: For School and Beyond.’’ The workshop will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at West Rocks Middle School located at 81 West Rocks Road. Read More→

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Stafford Receives Grant for Community Projects

by CFryx
September 12th, 2010

Hartford- On Thursday Governor M. Jodi Rell announced the state has awarded Small Cities grants to 35 Connecticut towns including a $500,000 grant for Stafford.

The grant will be used to replace uneven, broken and dangerous sidewalks, install new drainage lines, replace catch basins, existing sewer lines, manholes and repave streets.

“Right now times are tough and we are getting as much out of our local budget as we can,” said Representative Penny Bacchiochi (R- Somers). “That’s why this is such a crucial time for Stafford to receive these funds. We can’t put off these projects any longer or they will just become more expensive to complete down the road. This grant, secured from the Federal Government, will go a long way toward improving the quality of life for the people of Stafford.”

The grant was awarded as part of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program. The grants are provided to cities and towns for economic development, affordable housing, community facilities and revitalization projects.

Categories penny
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