With the 2012 legislative session just completed and many complicated and technical bills approved by the General Assembly, one stands out for both its simplicity and obvious impact on consumers.

HB 5021, “An Act Concerning Competitive Alcoholic Liquor Pricing And Hours Of Operation For Permittees,” allows package and grocery stores to sell alcohol on Sundays between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. In addition, alcohol sales were approved for Memorial Day in May, Independence Day in July and Labor Day in September as well as on Mondays following the Fourth of July, Christmas or New Year’s Day when the holidays fall on a Sunday.

The House of Representatives passed the legislation 116-27. Indiana will now be the only remaining state that still bans Sunday alcohol sales.

From a state budget standpoint, Sunday alcohol sales is estimated to bring in $5.2 million in taxes to the state each year, with cities and towns also experiencing a small revenue increase which helps local budgets.

There are also other aspects of the legislation that will benefit consumers including allowing package stores:

• to sell additional “complementary goods” such as fresh fruits used in mixed alcoholic beverages, cheese, crackers and olives.
• and grocery stores to put one beer or liquor item on sale up to 10 percent below cost each month.

Further provisions affecting the purchase of alcohol are also part of the bill and include allowing:

• a bar with a café permit to open at 6 a.m. daily to serve food but not sell liquor until 9 a.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.
• a brewery to offer tastings to visitors not on a tour and increases the amount of beer a brew pub or brewery may sell at retail to an individual from eight to nine liters per day.
• the sale of wine at a farmers’ market on Sunday.
• a package store to charge a fee for wine education and tastings.

One provision that was in the original bill, but ultimately rejected would have allowed gasoline station convenience stores to sell beer.

Finally, the legislation also establishes a Competitive Alcoholic Liquor Pricing task force to study Connecticut’s laws concerning liquor taxes, quantity and volume discounts, minimum pricing, price postings and permit restrictions and compare them with surrounding states. With the establishment of this panel to study our liquor laws, we will have an opportunity to look at additional recommendations in the future.

“Divestment in Iran’s energy sector by the United States, our western allies and other countries around the world has had a profound economic impact on Iran,” Baram said, praising the 138-3 vote.

“The impact is the primary reason that Iran has agreed to upcoming negotiations on limiting its uranium-enrichment program. The goal is to reach a negotiated agreement that would prohibit Iran from creating weapon-grade uranium,” Baram said.

“It would be a grave mistake to allow the Iranian regime, with one of the world’s worst human rights records, a regime that sponsors terrorism, a regime with an acknowledged ideology of dominating the Persian Gulf, Arab countries, the Middle East and achieving domination over Western countries, to have nuclear weapons,” Baram said.

The bill seeks to allow Connecticut, in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 and the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act of 2010, to prohibit state agencies from contracting with entities for goods or contractual services valued at $2.5 million or more, who have invested $20 million or more in the Iranian energy sector after Oct. 1, 2012, or who have increased or renewed such an investment on or after that date. Each bidder for such contracts must submit certification they have not made such an investment in Iran’s energy sector.

In a 2010 bipartisan vote, Congress approved the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act, allowing state and local governments to divest or prohibit the investment of assets in certain entities that do business with or invest in Iran’s energy sector. To date, California, Florida, New York, Indiana, Maryland and Michigan have adopted such legislation.

Baram thanked Rep. Matt Lesser (D-Middletown), vice-chairman of the General Administrative and Elections Committee, for helping to negotiate the legislation with the state Treasurer’s Office and the Department of Administrative Services.  He also thanked Bob Fishman, director of the Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut (JFACT) and David Ibsen, director of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) for their assistance in developing the bill.

The legislation (HB 5548), which is based on the Speaker’s Task Force on Domestic Violence’s recommendations, now goes to the Senate. 

“It is important that we stem the tide of domestic violence and protect victims who are subjected to physical and psychological abuse,” said Baram, a member of the task force. “We need to give our police officers and judges the tools to protect victims and to prevent tragedy. This legislation helps us promote greater safety and deter violence,” Baram said. “The bill also adopts legal definitions of stalking which puts a reasonable person in fear of their personal safety or which threatens their employment.”

A key part of the legislation gives police officers new tools for responding to incidents of domestic violence, including a requirement that municipal police departments develop and implement operational guidelines for arrest policies.

The departments would set a uniform standard, but are given flexibility to tailor implementation to fit their departments. The bill also establishes a Family Violence Model Policy Governing Council to update the model policy going forward and review relevant data. In addition, the legislation permits judges to issue restraining orders for up to one year. Currently the maximum length of a restraining order is six months.

The bill also requires that courts share protective orders with schools that victims attend, upon request of a victim. Current law requires that orders be shared with the police departments in the town where the victim lives and works and the town where the defendant lives, but it does not require that schools or campus police are notified of an order.

Baram said that with increasing numbers of people using texting as their primary way of communicating, the task force would like to see a 911 texting system implemented statewide. Unfortunately there a number of technical barriers to implementing 911 texting, so the legislation requires the Office of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of developing a 911 texting system.

The $571,650 grant-in-aid will construct a 1,840 square-foot classroom and will renovate the farm’s science center. The work is expected create or retain 10 construction jobs.

“The Auerfarm is a resource for thousands of parents and kids and educators. State investments in places like this are what make Connecticut and its communities so great,” Sen. Bye said.

“The Auerfarm is a natural treasure serving Bloomfield and the Hartford region,” Rep. Baram said. “My predecessor, the late state Representative Faith McMahon, first proposed the concept of expanding the 4-H Education Center, understanding its importance to our children and schools.”

“It is deeply gratifying three years later to see this bonding project come to fruition, standing as a testament to Representative McMahon’s commitment to education and to the Auerfarm. I am honored to continue Faith’s advocacy, working with Sen. Bye to persuade the governor and State Bond Commission to support this worthwhile project,” Baram said.

“The new classroom and meeting space will extend the 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm’s unique hands-on learning program,” Auerfarm Executive Director Jack K. Hasagawa said.

“All Auerfarm programs are aligned with the state science education frame works. The new construction will serve as a flexible base from which children can explore and experiment. We look forward to increasing opportunities for learning and employment.”

Both Sen. Bye and Rep. Baram acknowledged Auerfarm’s role as a vital educational partner with the regional Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School in Bloomfield, which serves preschool and kindergarten-age children. Classes make frequent visits to the farm, and families also take part in seasonal, weekend activities at the farm.

For more than 35 years, the 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm has introduced young people in the greater Hartford area and surrounding towns to agricultural science and farm-based learning.

A partner with the University of Connecticut, College of Agriculture, the 120-acre farm provides valuable hands-on experiences to more than 18,000 children throughout the year.

Seasonal programs are offered to school classes, community groups and the public in the Center’s animal barn, gardens, farmland and orchards. In this setting, students see cows, chickens and goats, plant seeds, harvest apples, pick pumpkins, observe milking and make ice cream. Through interaction with educational staff, students learn how agricultural science affects everyday life.

The House of Representatives has passed numerous health care bills this year that will benefit patients – legislation that we have championed or co-sponsored.

Because of advances in technology, medical treatment is improving day by day and one bill (HB 5329) that we've supported and was passed unanimously by the House would allow Connecticut hospitals to use a telepharmacy for dispensing sterile products.

Under the legislation, hospitals could have satellite offices where patients receive chemotherapy and other IV treatment. Using the lat­est real-time video and audio communication with a hospital, pharmacy technicians would be able to provide IV treatment to patients in more convenient, acces­sible and closer-to-home environments.

Instead of having to be admitted into a hospital, patients could go to satellite locations where lower medical costs could also be achieved.

The legislation still needs the Senate's approval and Governor Dannel P. Malloy's signature. Since it's just what the doctor has ordered – as they say – we expect the legislation to be enacted soon.

Another very important bill (HB 5063) that we've championed concerns treatment for a drug overdose. In short, this legislation, also passed unanimously by the House, would allow licensed health care professionals to prescribe naloxone to a broader group of people who are experiencing an overdose.

A study by the Yale School of Public Health found that 39 percent of overdoses in Connecticut involved prescription opioid analgesics such as hydrocodone, oxycodone and methadone or a legal combination of the opioids. The study covered a 10-year span from 1998 to 2009.

There was also an increasing trend of overdoses in older individuals, including some in their 50s and 60s.

A 2004 study said that naloxone appears to be the most promising intervention strategy for reducing overdose mortality and the legislation we recently passed will help a broader group of people.

A third bill (SB 252) passed unanimously by the House and Senate would authorize the use of flavoring agents for prescription medications.

Other legislation (HB 5476) passed by the House expands consumer choice for life-support at home. Simply put, the bill expands consumer options for continuous, skilled nursing care at home.

The legislation (HB 5499), which now goes to the Senate, seeks to expand the opportunities for smaller community-based hospices to operate in Connecticut and gives smaller hospice facilities across the state the ability to provide high quality services, while allowing patients to stay close to friends and family. Currently, there are just two licensed hospices in the state.

This bill facilitates the creation of hospices that offer both inpatient and home-based hospice services. The state has two residential hospices regulated under provisions that date to the 1970s using a model equivalent to the regulation of skilled nursing homes.

“Our family members, our friends, our neighbors and our constituents should have access to facilities whose primary purpose is hospice care within or in close proximity to the communities that they call home,” Baram said. “This bill starts the process of access to local hospice service.”

The bill also assures that no invasive procedures will be performed on a patient at a hospice facility and that the Department of Public Health maintains oversight of hospice facilities.

Skyrocketing gasoline prices impact each of our daily lives as well as the economy as a whole. Global factors including growing demand from expanding economies such as China, turmoil in the Middle East and oil market speculators all contribute to the problem.

So what can the little state of Connecticut do to help stabilize prices and ease the pain at the pump? The unfortunate truth is not much, but we have a responsibility to try.

Faced with that reality, the legislature acted in a bipartisan unanimous manner just a few weeks ago to cap the petroleum gross receipts tax (GRT) on motor fuels and enact new price gouging laws to protect consumers from oil companies and gasoline dealers that try to exploit abnormal market conditions for profit.

The legislation (SB457), which was quickly signed into law by Governor Malloy on April 3, specifically caps the collection of the GRT, which is a percentage of the wholesale price, whenever the price reaches $3.00 per gallon or above.

The effective rate of the GRT is 7.53%, so this cap will save consumers 7.5 cents per gallon when the wholesale price climbs to a dollar above the $3.00 cap. Yes, the immediate savings may only amount to pennies, but that savings rises further whenever the price goes up.

This comes at a time when gasoline prices seem to be climbing daily and is designed to bring some relief, especially before the heavy summer driving season begins.

As mentioned, the legislation also contains protections for consumers from price gouging by giving the state Attorney General and state Department of Consumer Protection more authority to investigate alleged profiteering.

These provisions of the bill include:

• Ensuring oil companies adhere to the tax cap and do not increase their prices as if the cap doesn’t exist. This would now constitute a CT Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA) violation.

• Amending the state’s price gouging law so that intensely spiking wholesale gasoline prices are part of the definition of abnormal market disruptions. The bill adds an automatic trigger, that if wholesale prices spike by 15% within a 90 day period, the price gouging protections automatically go into effect for at least one month.

• Declaring an “abnormal market disruption” immediately now for 90 days in anticipation of further wholesale price spikes.

• Granting the Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner the authority to impose CUTPA fines of up to $10,000 upon large gasoline wholesalers and distributors who are in violation of profiteering statutes.

• Ensuring that similar profiteering protections are in place for home heating oil, which is not subject to the gross receipts tax.

Though the state is at the mercy of the world oil markets and can’t change federal energy policy, this plan does provide some relief at the pump and ensures that oil and gas wholesalers don’t artificially drive up prices. Most importantly, this new law puts oil companies on notice that Connecticut will not allow residents to be taken advantage of and be victimized by irresponsible profiteering.

Created as a part of the bipartisan Jobs Bill approved last October, EXP is designed to assist in the expansion of small businesses and promote job creation.

“I am proud that two small businesses in Bloomfield have been chosen to receive a Small Business Express Program Grant,” Baram said.

The businesses are:

• Back East Brewing Company LLC of Bloomfield was incorporated in July 2009 to produce and sell handcrafted ales and lagers. The company’s ownership is investing $220,000 and receiving a matching grant of $81,672 to fund new production equipment that will help the brewer meet growing demand. The project will create one job and retain two others.

• Salamander Designs LTD, also in Bloomfield, designs and manufactures home organization and entertainment center furnishings, historically sold through large electronics retailers. The company will invest $323,000 and receive a $100,000 matching grant, plus a $250,000 Job Creation Incentive Loan. These funds will support Salamander’s recent market diversification effort to include smaller retailers, improve its direct-to-consumer online distribution effort, expand their product line and hire and train an additional six people, bringing their full-time staff to 25.

“Residents can be quite proud of these two local businesses and we trust that they will serve as successful examples for other small companies hoping to grow as we move out of this recession,” Baram said.

In total, EXP will provide $100 million to help the state’s small businesses hire more employees and fund capital investments.  The program, administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), offers loans and matching grants to Connecticut companies with fewer than 50 employees at the time of application.

“This program responds to the needs of Connecticut’s small business community, encouraging expansion and job growth here in our state,” Governor Malloy said in making the announcement.

“Businesses of every kind are using these funds to leverage their own investments, so their companies can develop new products, serve new markets, become more competitive and – most importantly – create new jobs,” Malloy added.

Baram said Salamander Designs LTD is an innovative company that designs and manufactures a unique line of entertainment furnishings. It occupies the old Bernie’s site and is working to preserve its buildings. The company also conveyed a small parcel to the Blue Hills Fire District that allowed it to rebuild an aging firehouse.

“Undoubtedly, Salamader Designs LTD is a community-based business that has a vision and a commitment that will help revitalize Connecticut's economy,” Baram said.

Back East Brewing Company LLC is another small business that in just a few years has grown into a thriving brewery, which has developed fine ales and lagers which have attracted quite a following, Baram said.

“It too, has demonstrated its determination to expand its economic share of the market, which in turn will promote local and state economic growth,” Baram said.

For more information on EXP or to apply for the program, call Michelle Lugo at the Department of Economic and Community Development at 860-270-8052 or email Michelle.Lugo@ct.gov.

A state loan and grant program intended to encourage small businesses and their employees to remain where they are and grow has helped a Windsor company with its recent move to Hartford.

The company, Hybrid Insurance Agency LLC, was among three Hartford area small businesses that qualified for grants through the state's Small Business Express Program, designed to help them expand their businesses and create jobs, "making a big impact in their communities," Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said in an announcement.

"It's just one more way we're trying to begin an economic revival in cities and towns across our state," he added.

Hybrid Insurance, which received a $100,000 loan and a $26,320 grant, already has moved from 8 Griffin Road North in Windsor to Hartford. The state money will help retain all 11 of the company's employees, Malloy said..

The brokerage firm, which opened in April 2010, announced the move to offices at 30 Lewis St. in Hartford in January.

Rep. David A. Baram, D-Bloomfield, who represents part of Windsor, said Monday he is disappointed that the loan to Hybrid supports its move out of Windsor.

"The loan program should primarily focus on growing small businesses in the local community where they are located," Baram said. "I will be conveying my disappointment to the governor's office, urging the Department of Economic and Community Development to award future loans and grants that will allow companies to remain local."

Ronald F. Angelo Jr., deputy economic development commissioner, said the state money wasn't intended to be a reward for moving but to help the company and its 11 employees in the new location.

The company, owned by Earl O'Garro Jr., is the only minority-owned insurance brokerage firm in downtown Hartford, O'Garro said in January. O'Garro said he created Hybrid to focus on "binding authority business," which he described as being accounts with premiums of $100,000 or less. Hybrid focuses on difficult-to-place property and casualty risks, he said.

O'Garro also opened offices in Ohio and Georgia over the past summer.

O'Garro on Monday said the company needed more space than was available at its Windsor location. He also said he thought it was important for his company, and for Hartford, to be based in the capital city.

"The office vacancy rate in Hartford is around 25 percent," he said, adding, "You can't say you love Connecticut" if you don't try to help reduce that rate.

Two other small businesses also will receive state aid, Malloy announced Friday:

• Express Countertops, Kitchen, & Flooring LLC in Hartford, which makes and assembles kitchen cabinetry and countertops. The company has a manufacturing and warehouse facility in Hartford and will receive a $100,000 grant to purchase inventory, among other projects. The company will retain 40 jobs.

• Star Hardware Corp., a retailer of hardware, construction supplies, and home-improvement products, the only store of its kind in Hartford's enterprise zone in the north end, Malloy said.

"Star Hardware is an essential business in the neighborhood, providing competitive financing options to credit-challenged contractors and individuals," he said. The company will receive a $100,000 grant to help redesign the showroom and hire new employees, while retaining 12 existing jobs.

In total, the EXP program will provide $100 million to help the state's small businesses to hire more employees and fund capital investments, according to Malloy. The program offers loans and matching grants to Connecticut companies with fewer than 50 employees.

Until last year, some towns were seriously thinking of closing trails, beaches and other recreational areas because of their vulnerability to lawsuits.

Other landowners — the state, corporations, land trusts and private property owners — who allow recreational use of their land without charge have some legal immunity from lawsuits. But because of a 1996 court decision, municipal owners did not enjoy the same level of immunity. The issue came to a head when an inattentive mountain biker won a $2.9 million verdict against the Metropolitan District Commission, a municipal corporation, after she ran into a closed gate.

The problem was solved with a sensible legislative compromise. With the exception of a few areas that require closer management (such as swimming pools or basketball courts), towns won the same recreational liability protection enjoyed by other landowners.

Now a handful of lawyers want to water down the law. In a word, no. The law is fine. Leave it alone.

The new proposal would weaken the law by removing protection from such areas as public beaches, paved sidewalks and boardwalks. Public beaches include both fresh and saltwater beaches. Boardwalks could apply to an array of structures along beaches or recreational trails. Paved sidewalks could apply to the paved loops at the MDC reservoirs.

To change the law is to invite ongoing controversy over what is covered and what isn't, and again prompt towns to shut down recreational areas. Public policy must favor outdoor recreation. Woods and beaches are a reason people like living in Connecticut. Children need safe outdoor areas to play, and town-owned lands are sometimes the only option.

Plus, this is not absolute immunity from lawsuits. If a town's workers willfully create a hazard, fail to warn the public that one exists or refuse to correct it, the town could be liable for damages.

There is very little support for this bill; even the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, which crafted last year's bill with state Rep. David Baram, is not supporting the measure. We are at a loss to understand why anyone would support it, and hope it quickly finds its way to the circular file.

Baram and other legislators joined Governor Malloy in making his announcement during a news conference with state officials at Street Fleet Mechanics, a small business in Bloomfield that recently hired two new employees under the program.

“I am very proud that Street Fleet Mechanics, a Bloomfield business, has been chosen to receive the STEP UP grant from the state,” Baram said. “This is a business that demonstrates its commitment to hiring and training the unemployed.”

Created by last autumn’s bipartisan Jobs Bill, the Subsidized Training & Employment Program (STEP UP) provides two types of hiring incentives – a scaled, six month wage subsidy and a small manufacturer training grant that provides up to $12,500 over a six-month period. Qualified participants are typically residents who may have some of the necessary job qualifications but who still require on-the-job training to meet the needs of the company.

Baram said Street Fleet Mechanics was a perfect match for the new jobs program. “Street Fleet Mechanics prides itself on being a ‘One Stop Shop’ for all maintenance and repair needs, using mobile repair trucks, to perform many of the required maintenance and repairs at your business location, saving travel and vehicle down time,” he said.

“It is an honor for Bloomfield to showcase such a committed and innovative business. The STEP UP grant is recognition of the company’s dedication to our economy and the unemployed,” Baram said.

Bloomfield’s Street Fleet Mechanics provides services to a wide spectrum of fleet vehicles, including repairs, towing, bodywork, graphics and glass replacement. The company recently hired a technician and an assistant technician with the help of STEP UP’s subsidized wage program and has plans to expand and hire additional employees.

Sandi Potito, one of the company’s owners, said, “STEP UP allowed us to move up our expansion plan to grow our company. We look forward to working with the STEP UP team to put Connecticut back to work, one small business at a time. The STEP UP Program has helped to give small businesses like ours a shot in the arm.”

Statewide, 65 new employees have been hired at the 45 businesses currently taking part in the program. An additional 135 residents are in the process of being hired.

“Even though our unemployment rate is at its lowest point in three years, if you don’t have a job it might as well be at 100 percent,” said Governor Malloy. “By giving us the opportunity to take more people off the unemployment list while at the same time giving our small businesses with the chance to grow, STEP UP is the definition of win-win.”

In total, STEP UP will provide $20 million in subsidies and training grants to help the state’s small businesses hire more employees. Of the new jobs the program has helped create so far, positions include customer service representatives, machine operators, office assistants, carpenters, mechanics, equipment installers, shipping and receiving, fabricator, dispatch manager, tool grinders, help desk technicians and process engineers with hourly wages from $10 to $28.85.

To be eligible for either program, the company must employ less than 50 people and training must be provided at the business site. The new employee must be an unemployed jobseeker, and those hired under the wage subsidy program must meet certain income requirements and reside in specific municipalities, based on population or unemployment rates.

Small businesses and unemployed jobseekers seeking additional information on the STEP UP program should visit the Department of Labor’s website at http://ct.gov/dol/StepUp to obtain a fact sheet, contact information and inquiry forms.

After going through an unprecedented financial crisis, Connecticut in the last year showed some positive signs of turning the corner on the road to economic recovery. The fiscal and economic challenges the state faced when the crisis began in 2008 were enormous, but we took action to create jobs, encourage business development and balance the budget.

This year, business growth and job creation continue to be our top priorities as we work to keep the state budget balanced. And while remaining committed to keeping essential services properly funded, we continue to strive toward a leaner and more efficient government.

After losing thousands of jobs in the Great Recession, Connecticut is once again creating new jobs. Economists at the University of Connecticut's Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis believe that public and private employers will create 18,000 jobs between September 2011 and September 2013, a rate of about one-half of 1 percent per year.

Unlike the state's frequent performance versus the nation's following economic downturns, the state's total output of goods and services could grow by 3.3 percent in 2012, while national GDP growth is forecasted for 2.6 percent. A reason for the growth is that the state will be benefiting from $460 million in major construction projects this year and $1.5 billion in 2013 in north-central Connecticut. The forecast is based on continued low interest rates, which the Federal Reserve said would be in place for at least two years.

To help keep this momentum going, the legislature this year is focusing on several areas to help business and create jobs.

Small businesses consistently tell us that the high cost of health insurance is an impediment to expansion and job growth. To help businesses deal with this problem, there is legislation in the works that will allow small businesses, including the self-employed, to purchase employee health care coverage through the state employee health plan.

In last year's bipartisan Jobs Bill, we did a great deal to streamline the brownfield development process, allowing swifter conversion of contaminated and long-abandoned properties to productive sties for economic development, open space and other public uses.

We have had a great deal of success in securing state and federal funding for brownfield remediation as a great investment that creates jobs, increases municipal tax rolls and cleans up the environment. This year we are looking to expand on these efforts, and continue to support additional funding as well as expediting the permitting process so that more projects can be undertaken.

Last fall, we passed aggressive legislation to support the efforts of small businesses across the state to expand and grow jobs. Now, we need to increase the number of businesses that qualify for hiring incentives and tax breaks. To do that, there is legislation changing the definition of small business from 50 employees to 100 employees. That will greatly increase the number of businesses that can take advantage of these growth incentives.

Connecticut has tremendous potential for growth and the legislation we are considering in this 2012 Session will help the state continue to move forward toward prosperity.

Last year we urged the Malloy Administration and other state officials to become involved in the merger process between Northeast Utilities and Boston-based NSTAR and we are grateful they heeded our request.

The need to protect Connecticut and the interests of its citizens was paramount and called for the direct involvement of state officials in the merger process involving these two major utility companies.

Subsequently, after months of negotiating, an agreement with NU and NSTAR has been announced.

The agreement provides at least $120 million in benefits to Connecticut in rate relief, investment in the state's energy future and preservation of 1,000 acres of open space. Other benefits include a two and half year distribution rate freeze; a commitment to keep NU headquarters in Hartford for at least seven years; protection of Connecticut jobs; the opportunity to preserve as much as 8,500 additional acres of open space; and a $300 million investment in infrastructure reliability improvements.

State officials have stated that the agreement ensures that distribution rates for consumers will stay flat for two and a half years, providing some much needed relief for residents.

In addition, the agreement provides:

Direct cash benefits:

• $25 million in uniform rate credits to residential, commercial and industrial customers of NU's Connecticut Light & Power Co. subsidiary, to be applied in the first billing cycle after the merger is completed.
• Creation of a $15 million fund for energy efficiency and related initiatives.

Distribution rate freeze until December 2014:

• No general increase in CL&P distribution rates prior to December 1, 2014.
• The first $40 million in storm-related costs associated with Tropical Storm Irene and the October 2011 snow storm will be excluded from rates. Any additional expenses will be subject to regulatory review and if approved, recovered over a six year period.

System improvements:

• Commitment to invest $300 million – $100 million immediately –  in improvements to the electric distribution system.
• Commitment to allocate resources for restoration efforts following major storms fairly among the various states where NU operates, based on operational needs, system requirements and the relative number of outages. An updated plan of mutual aid will be filed with state regulators by Sept. 1, 2012.
• Commitment by CL&P and Yankee Gas to improve non-storm and storm-related service quality improvements.

After everything the state and its residents have been through over the past year, weathering storms and enduring long outages of utility service, we hope this agreement best meets the needs of everyone if it ultimately receives final state regulatory approval.

The Windsor Woman's Club sponsored a Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) information session Friday, March 2, at the LP Wilson Senior Center in Windsor to advocate and communicate about the current issues of domestic violence within the state. The information session featured guest speakers, Karen Jarmoc, co-chair and executive director of the CCADV, as well as state Reps. David Baram (D-15) and Peggy Sayers (D-60).

"It was important to present this to the public," said Karen Buszczak, a member of the Windsor Woman's Club.

Jarmoc spoke first, catching the audience's attention when she said, "We can expect to see 54,000 victims [of domestic violence] annually in the state." She also added that 16 women will be murdered in the state each year due to domestic violence, "which is 16 too many."

The state of Connecticut has 18 domestic programs to aid those who are currently or formerly victims of domestic violence. Jarmoc said a majority of the victims in the state were unaware of these free-of-charge programs prior to their incidents.

"Domestic violence is about power and control," Jarmoc said. She also emphasized that the state has a hotline, 888-774-2900, that can be used by anyone experiencing any form of domestic violence, stressing the hotline can be used even in cases that are not emergencies.

Connecticut is the only state that has a Speakers Task Force on Domestic Violence. The task force was created in 2009 by Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan to improve the state's responses to incidents involving domestic violence. The task force "has to do with strengthening laws," according to Jarmoc. The task force, through meetings and interviews with many advocates, survivors, law enforcement officers, service providers and state agencies, has found recommendations for legislation in the 2012 session.

The first recommendation pertains to the state law on restraining orders. Connecticut is one of five states that only allows restraining orders for up to six months; most states' laws allow a restraining order to last a year to five years.

An average of 37,000 arrests occur in the state each year due to family violence, which is one-third of all criminal arrests annually in Connecticut.

The Coalition is advocating that each police department assign at least one officer to take up training to become a domestic violence task officer. Larger cities like Hartford and Stamford already have domestic violence departments, but many police departments do not have an officer or department solely for domestic violence. Jarmoc said this often results in both parties being arrested in a disturbance because an officer could not determine who was at fault.

Baram spoke about a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Pilot Program, where an abuser may be ordered by the court to wear a GPS which will track the perpetrator and be able to notify the police if the abuser is in a location where he should not be. Baram also said that this system could allow a victim to wear a device which would alert them if the abuser was within a certain range.

He said that in a lot of legislation you do not see the results for a few years, but in the task force's case, "you can see real tangible effects immediately, because you're touching people's lives."

Sayers said she joined the group because of her sister's experience in an abusive relationship. Sayers talked about the effect and the toll that the relationship took on her family and sister, explaining the "fear" one experiences in that situation is because of the "worthlessness it [the relationship] instills in you."

"I found out a lot of information from the task force today," said Barbara Davis, a member of the Windsor Woman's Club. "It was very informative and this might become our next state project."

The first bill voted on by the state House of Representatives during this year’s legislative session will ensure that thousands of seniors and people with disabilities will be able to continue to use the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) to help pay for their Medicare co-pays and deductibles.

The legislation (HB 5301), which passed unanimously on a vote of 137-0 on February 23, raises the income limit for the MSP in order to accommodate a 3.6% Social Security cost of living increase (COLA) which took effect January 1. The federal government is requiring the state Department of Social Services to factor in the extra income for program eligibility purposes beginning March 1.

Thankfully we were able to act in time by utilizing the rarely used fast track process of “emergency certified” legislation. This prevents approximately 4,100 qualified Medicare beneficiaries from temporarily losing coverage for deductibles and co-pays on Medicare-covered services.

It would have been a tragic irony if a welcome increase in Social Security benefits caused Connecticut residents to become ineligible for certain Medicare benefits. MSP income eligibility limits are scheduled to increase October 1, but without this legislation there would have been a potentially devastating seven month gap in coverage.

This includes most ConnPACE recipients who were required to enroll in the MSP this past July to help pay for prescription medicines. The transfer to the federal MSP resulted in a significant savings for state taxpayers with no loss in benefits for ConnPACE beneficiaries.

A very helpful program that many depend upon, the MSP provides Medicaid-funded help with Medicare cost sharing to lower-income individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part A (hospital/nursing home/home health coverage) and Medicare Part B (coverage for doctor’s visits).

Social Security and Medicare programs are cornerstones of our nation’s commitment to our seniors and people with disabilities. The administration of the various benefits can get very complicated, and when it does it is critical that government act decisively to be sure the intent and integrity of the programs is maintained.

With so many seniors struggling to make ends meet, this modification in the law can be a real lifesaver and allow people to continue to receiving the medical care they need.

The construction project includes the intersections on Route 189 (Bloomfield Avenue) at Jerome Avenue, Turkey Hill Road and Gabbs Road.

DOT project no. 0011-0151 consists of the widening of Route 189 (Bloomfield Avenue) at the intersection of Turkey Hill Road and Gabbs Road to add left hand turn lanes. The intersection of Route 189 and Jerome Avenue will be relocated farther north of the existing intersection. Both intersections will have a new traffic signal system installed.

Motorists can expect lane closures Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

State transportation officials said the project is scheduled to be completed in August 2013.

The COST board of directors selected Baram for the award because of his legislative leadership and outstanding advocacy of Connecticut’s small towns and grass roots government, Barton Russell, executive director, said.

Baram led the passage of legislation in 2011 that provided towns with immunity from liability on recreational land. Baram introduced the legislation after a lawsuit resulting in $2.9 million judgment filed against the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), in which the court found that the MDC was not immune from lawsuits occurring on its properties.

“Despite odds against passage, the bill became law – thanks in no small part to Representative Baram’s strong and effective advocacy. He worked across party lines to ensure that municipalities would be able to provide citizens recreational areas without the worry of lawsuits and liability,” Russell said. “Baram deserves high praise for the leadership and energy he brought to this and other important municipal issues,” Russell added.

The organization presented the award Feb. 22 during its annual conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Cromwell.

Previous recipients of the Town Crier Award include: Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman; Deputy Secretary of the State James Spallone; Sen. Eileen Daily and Rep. Roberta Willis.

The COST board of directors selected Baram for the award because of his legislative leadership and outstanding advocacy of Connecticut's small towns and grass roots government, Barton Russell, executive director, said. Baram last year led the successful passage of legislation that provides towns with immunity from liability on recreational lands.

The award presentation will take place during the banquet luncheon, which will begin in the Grand Ballroom about 12:30 p.m. Governor Dannel Malloy will deliver the keynote address.

WHO: State Rep. David Baram (D-Bloomfield, Windsor)

WHAT: Connecticut Council of Small Towns' Town Crier Award

WHEN: 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22

WHERE: Crowne Plaza Hotel & Conference Center in Cromwell

Three important announcements in the last two weeks will give a much-needed boost to home ownership and benefit the overall economy of Connecticut.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said he would recommend substantially increasing the state's commitment to affordable housing by adding more than $330 million to bolster affordable and supportive housing across the state.

The funding builds on last year's commitment, which allocated more than $130 million to this effort, bringing the total commitment to nearly $500 million over the next 10ten years.

This is a long-overdue commitment to towns such as Windsor, Bloomfield and Windsor Locks. And as legislators, we are looking forward in this 2012 General Assembly session to helping communities become more vibrant places to work and live

The new proposal builds upon the initiatives Governor Malloy included in last year's budget, including an increase of $30 million in bonding for each of the next 10 years for public housing to bring deteriorated and vacant units back on line; an additional $20 million that will increase affordable housing options; an additional $12.5 million in capital funding to re-invigorate the state's elderly congregate housing; and an annualized $1.5 million for the Rental Assistance Program, which assists low-income families with securing affordable decent, safe and sanitary housing.

It is estimated that these housing initiatives included in the current two-year budget will create or retain over 6,700 construction and other related jobs.

Investing in housing where there already is infrastructure is smart policy and this advances an agenda for making affordable housing more available especially since we have high housing costs.

For the past 20 years, Connecticut has languished in its commitment to affordable housing - a critical area that is needed to help individuals and families find stability and employment.

As studies have shown, every dollar spent on affordable housing generates multiple times that amount in private economic activity. Housing is going to be a key component of our success to get Connecticut moving again.

Another important development that will help housing came last week when state Attorney General George Jepsen announced a landmark $25 billion joint federal-multistate settlement agreement with the nation's five largest mortgage servicers over foreclosure abuses and fraud, and unacceptable nationwide mortgage servicing practices.

Under the settlement, Connecticut homeowners and the state will receive more than $190 million. As important as the financial relief is, however, the settlement also requires the banks to change the way they service distressed loans and holds the banks accountable for what have become familiar abuses. And for the first time, state attorneys general will have authority to monitor how federally regulated banks comply with the new servicing rules and to impose heavy penalties on those banks that fall short.

The $190 million will be divided among homeowners and the state of Connecticut:

• Connecticut borrowers will receive an estimated $119 million in benefits from loan term modifications and other direct relief.
• The estimated 7,500 Connecticut borrowers who lost their home to foreclosure from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2011 and suffered servicing abuse would qualify for an estimated $1,500 in cash payments to individual borrowers.
• The value of refinanced loans to Connecticut's underwater borrowers would be an estimated $36 million.
• The state will receive a direct payment estimated at $27 million to help pay for local foreclosure prevention programs, such as the Connecticut Department of Banking's foreclosure prevention hotline, HUD- approved housing counselors, the Judicial Branch's foreclosure mediation program, non-profit legal aid groups that help homeowners facing foreclosure, and loan modification programs supported by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority.

The settlement does not grant any immunity from criminal offenses and will not affect criminal prosecutions. The agreement does not prevent homeowners or investors from pursuing individual, institutional or class action civil cases against the five servicers. The pact also enables state attorneys general and federal agencies to investigate and pursue other aspects of the mortgage crisis, including securities cases.

The third announcement came from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which awarded the State of Connecticut a grant of nearly $21 million to build, repair, renovate and modernize public housing units.

This grant will build upon the initiatives begun last year to address long-standing needed capital improvements for housing in our state. It will also improve economic development and job creation, especially in construction industry.

Under Malloy's proposal, Bloomfield would receive an additional $204,550, an increase of 3.78 percent, under the state's Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula, increasing Bloomfield's total education grant to $5,614,895 for 2012-13. Windsor would receive an additional $306,985, an increase of 2.66 percent, bringing its total grant to $11,854,648 for 2012-13.

In his State of the State address Wednesday at the State Capitol, Malloy outlined his education reform agenda, including:

• increasing the access to and quality of early childhood education slots
• allocating new funding and implementing new approaches that will improve low performing schools
• expanding slots for public schools of choice including charter schools
• removing red tape and other barriers that stand in the way of local school districts
• repositioning our vo-tech schools to promote job readiness and job linkages
• improving teacher preparation so professionals have the skills they need to excel when they enter the classroom
• revamping teacher tenure

While the overwhelming majority of people who are registered to vote do so in national presidential elections, voter turnout falls considerably in state and local campaign years. Less than 30% of voters went to the polls for November’s municipal elections and only 57% voted in the 2010 gubernatorial and congressional elections. Voter turnout plummets even further for primaries to select a party’s nominee as well as town referendums.

We were heartened recently when during the state’s commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman and Secretary of the State Denise Merrill unveiled a proposal that focuses on the preservation of voting rights and expanding access to voter registration.

To improve the efficiency of registering new voters and maintaining a more accurate voter file, their proposed legislation would establish an online voter registration process. It would also allow for Election Day registration in an effort to improve voter turnout. In addition, the legislation would increase penalties for anyone who blocks or impedes voter access at the polls.

Finally, they call for parameters governing the use of absentee ballots to be set in statute, as opposed to the state constitution, which would give the legislature leeway to adopt laws that make it easier for voters to have access to absentee ballots.

Though some states are passing new laws that will actually make it tougher for people to vote, we believe we need to work toward increasing voter participation in elections as well as upgrading our registration systems to take advantage of the efficiencies offered by new technologies.

With these goals in mind, during last year’s legislation session we introduced a bill to allow what is known as “no-excuse” absentee voting, which is currently already done in at least 30 states.

Under present law, registered voters seeking an absentee ballot must provide a valid reason why they cannot vote at their polling location on Election Day. Reasons such as illness, military deployment and planned travel are considered acceptable.

There are also other reasons why people can’t vote and we should eliminate as many of the barriers possible that deter people from voting. Many factors such as age, physical infirmities, transportation, work schedules and weather conditions prevent people from going to the polling stations on Election Day. The concept of “no-excuse” absentee ballots will provide ample opportunity for all residents to vote.

A 2010 League of Women Voters study noted that “no-excuse” absentee ballots:

• Allow voters to cast their vote when they are able and better balance work and family schedules with their civic duty to vote
• Eliminate problems with ballots being cast in the wrong precinct and reduce provisional ballots
• Reduce lines on election days and thus costs by reducing the number of precincts and poll workers

This approach will give more people a say in who represents them in their town, the state, congress and as our president. We are very encouraged by the governor and secretary of the state’s proposal and look forward to working with them when the 2012 legislature convenes on February 8.

Voting remains the foundation of our democracy and we must keep that foundation strong.

The General Assembly will begin its 2012 session on Feb. 8 and there are many important issues to be considered. 

Under the category of education alone, there are several issues that are sure to generate discussion.

Education funding

Despite the fact that most state education aid to municipalities is frozen through the end of the 2013 fiscal year, there is interest in reviewing how the aid is being distributed, especially through the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grant, which is the state's largest education aid grant to towns.

Many say the ECS formula cannot respond properly to changing education costs and socioeconomic conditions because key factors are frozen and its operation is inhibited by obsolete data and mandatory minimum grants.

The number of schools, especially interdistrict magnet and charter schools, that the state is funding outside the formula has also raised questions about the fairness and equity of state education funding.

A 12-member task force is studying the ECS formula and other state education funding and is scheduled to file an interim report this month.

Early childhood education

A law enacted last year set in motion steps aimed at establishing a coordinated system of early care and education and child development by July 1, 2013. The law also charged the governor's budget office with crafting a plan to establish the system. While Connecticut recently failed to win a federal Race to the Top grant for early childhood programs, legislators and the governor may continue to work toward a coordinated system.

These efforts may require legislation to better coordinate early childhood education services, programs and responsibilities. Expanding existing programs such as school readiness grants and preschool for three-and four-year-olds also may be required.

Student achievement gap

The state has been struggling with how to improve overall student achievement, the achievement in the lowest-performing school districts and how to narrow and ultimately close the achievement gap between white and minority students.

The legislature enacted laws to elevate high school graduation requirements in 2010, but delayed implementation of the new requirements last year because of budget constraints.

This session, the legislature may consider options that attempt to address educational achievement within existing budget constraints. Possible bills the legislature may consider include those addressing stagnant statewide achievement, whether and how to intervene in low-achieving schools and districts, and ways to close the achievement gap.

Teacher evaluation

The use of performance evaluations to make teacher employment decisions was a controversial issue in the last session. Since no legislation was enacted in 2011, the issue is expected to be discussed again this year.

The legislature could consider proposals concerning the evaluation process and how districts must treat teachers evaluated as ineffective. Other proposals could seek to tie teacher tenure, dismissal, and layoff decisions to the new evaluations; make it easier for school districts to terminate tenured teachers based on performance; or require districts to provide incentives to highly effective educators.

Financial-aid counselors and college staff will be available to talk from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and give one-on-one advice about financial aid and planning for college. In Windsor, a forum will be held at Windsor High School, 50 Sage Park Road.

Baram said that participating in College Goal Sunday gives students and their families a great first step on the pathway to college. It gives the students and families an opportunity to learn about preparing for college and financial aid in a comfortable setting, he added.

Baram said that in a single afternoon, students and their families can become familiar with college entrance requirements, learn about planning for college and obtain on-site assistance in filling out financial aid applications. In addition, there will be information about the benefits of attending college, student support services, areas of study and different degree programs. Spanish interpreters will be available.

For more information about the event, call (888) 277-2270, email info@collegegoalsundayct.org or visit website: www.collegegoalsundayct.org.

Baram also applauded Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s proposed package of storm preparedness and recovery initiatives to enhance the ability of the state, municipalities and their partners to better prepare for natural disasters.

In a letter (see attachment) to Rep. Vickie Nardello (D-Prospect) and Sen. John Fonfara (D-Hartford), the co-chairs, Baram said he was following up on a call for legislation he made in November after two catastrophic storms, Hurricane Irene and Storm Albert, knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of customers in Connecticut.

“The CL&P response in towns like Bloomfield was outrageous, negligent and inept,” Baram said.

Baram wants to create not only standards for service restoration by the utility companies but also detailed priority plans for dealing with storms. He also wants penalties to be imposed if utilities fail to meet the standards and for the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to take a more aggressive stance for the consumer on utility matters.

“In addition to recommendations for new power standards and penalties, I propose that penalties include reimbursements or credits to ratepayers of utility companies which do not meet legislatively created benchmarks for power restoration,” Baram said.

Baram made numerous other proposals to hold utility companies accountable and ensure timely service to customers.

Baram proposed that new gas stations be required to have back-up generators and that existing stations be required to obtain generators over a two-year period. To help businesses with the purchases, he said he would favor a tax credit.

He has also proposed that utilities companies be required to pay contracted linesmen within 30 days, unless there is a compensation dispute.

In addition, utility companies would be required to file emergency plans on a yearly basis to address issues, including tree trimming, priority status for restoration of certain establishments such as hospitals, nursing homes, grocery stores and medical facilities. Also included would be contingency plans for outside contractors, mutual aid pacts, communication plans and specific disaster relief strategies.

Under Baram’s proposal, municipalities should be given authority to hire their own linesmen, tree cutters and electricians to assume restoration responsibilities, if the utility company fails to meet mandated restoration benchmarks. The utilities would then be responsible for reimbursing the municipalities.

As we ring in the new year, two new laws will take effect that we wanted to share with you. One will improve public safety on our roads, and the second will help increase the collection of overdue back taxes.

Beginning January 1, Connecticut’s drunken driving laws will be strengthened by requiring mandatory ignition interlock devices for repeat offenders. Specifically, the new law requires all repeat DWI offenders to have ignition interlocks installed in their automobiles once their automatic driver’s license suspension period ends.

This law has the support of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), which advocates shorter license suspensions followed by lengthy, mandatory ignition interlock device (IID) periods. Extensive research shows that license suspensions do little to reduce repeat drunken driving because most offenders drive anyway.

An IID is an electronic breathalyzer connected to the ignition of a vehicle that measures breath alcohol concentration and prevents a driver from starting the vehicle if the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeds .08 percent. A random retest is intermittently required while the car is in operation. Mandatory IIDs have the potential to save more lives than anything the state has done to address drunk driving to date.

“This is a real win for public safety and reducing drunk driving,” said MADD Connecticut Executive Director Janice Heggie Margolis. “It allows people to continue doing what they need to do, whether it is going to work, taking their children to school or getting their groceries - but they just can't do it drinking and driving.”

Connecticut already utilizes the technology, though it is only mandatory for a very small number of the most chronic offenders.  About 450 offenders are in the program today, while there are 3,000-4,000 repeat offenders every year. Numerous studies on IID use for repeat offenders show a reduction of recidivism between 50-95%.

In 2009, 44 percent of all traffic fatalities in the state were alcohol-related, ranking Connecticut as the nation’s second worst offender. IID use in New Mexico has resulted in a 38% reduction in alcohol-related traffic fatalities and in Arizona, a 33% reduction.

A second new law requires the state’s lottery agency to deduct delinquent taxes and penalties before distributing lottery prizes beginning this New Year’s Eve.  

Lottery prizes of $5,000 or more from tickets redeemed after December 30, 2011 are affected. With about $400 million in state taxes currently delinquent, the law will serve as an avenue to garner uncollected past due revenue.

This is not just about collecting taxes owed the state, but also about fairness and confidence in our tax system. If someone is lucky enough to win a lottery prize and they also owe back taxes, it is reasonable to collect those taxes at that time.

The lottery received added attention recently when a $254 million Powerball jackpot was won from a ticket purchased in Connecticut. Though the three winners were not affected by the new law, it does raise the importance of needing to accurately identify winners before distributing lottery prizes.

Current state statute already requires the Connecticut Lottery Corp. to check winning tickets valued at $5,000 or more against a list of individuals delinquent on child support payments. The lottery child support collection program, begun in 2004, has brought in about $1.5 million in delinquent payments.

As we prepare for the coming winter, we should be mindful that some of our friends and neighbors are struggling to keep their homes warm and families fed.

Because of the sluggish economy, there are fewer dollars available to help pay for heating assistance programs. The October Nor'easter that hit Connecticut also depleted food pantries.

As we think of giving this holiday season, two worthy local non-profit organizations that help fill major needs in our community deserve our special attention - Operation Fuel and Foodshare.

Operation Fuel is a private, non-profit energy assistance program for people who need emergency help with energy bills. Operation Fuel's statewide network of over 100 fuel banks helps lower-income working families, the elderly and disabled individuals who are not eligible for energy assistance from government-funded programs.

Donations to the program can be made monthly on your energy bill by checking the box to add a dollar to your monthly payments.

Operation Fuel partners with communities, businesses, government and individuals to make sure that people in need have access to year-round energy assistance.

When a family qualifies for assistance, Operation Fuel makes payments directly to the company that supplies the household with the heating fuel or utility services.

Although Operation Fuel does not receive any federal funding but instead depends on private donations and corporate and foundation grants to run its energy assistance program, the nonprofit will be affected by substantial cuts to the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in 2012. The impending cuts to LIHEAP are expected to put a severe strain on non-profit energy assistance programs in Connecticut.

Donations for Operation Fuel can be sent to Operation Fuel, One Regency Drive, Suite 200, Bloomfield, CT 06002 or made online at www.operationfuel.org. Individuals who need emergency energy assistance should call 211. Information also may be obtained by calling 860-243-2345.

Foodshare is the Hartford area's regional food bank. It distributes 16 tons of food each day to a network of 300 local partners, composed mostly of food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters that feed our hungry neighbors.

The network serves over 128,000 people including more than 10,000 seniors, the working poor and nearly 50,000 children.

Foodshare works with food companies to secure donations of good food that would otherwise go to waste.

Since most of the food is donated, every $30 that Foodshare receives is enough to feed a hungry person for an entire month.

Donations can be made online at www.foodshare.org or checks can be sent to Foodshare at 450 Woodland Avenue, Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002.

Please consider making a donation to one or both of these worthy organizations.

Baram said that if a customer of CL&P lost power when the storm hit on Saturday, Oct. 29, and was still without power at noon on Sunday, Nov. 5, the customer may be eligible for a credit that will be applied to their CL&P bill.

The credit is likely a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $200, depending on how many eligible customers apply for the credit. It will be applied to the February CL&P billing statement.

“I encourage anyone who lost power for over a week to apply right away,” Baram said.

Applications are supposed to be accepted through 5 p.m. on January 31, 2012. A customer may apply by calling 888-566-9257 or going online at www.cl-p.com/.

Baram plans to congratulate the group for its commitment to social justice issues for all people.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is America's largest non-profit Islamic civil rights and advocacy organization with regional offices nationwide and in Canada.

The Connecticut Chapter of CAIR (CAIR-CT) was established in 2003. The CAIR mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Veterans Day was officially recognized a few weeks ago on November 11, but every day is a good time to support the work and honor the sacrifices our troops have made in defense of the freedoms we enjoy in this country.

As Connecticut is the proud home to many soldiers who have served and are serving with distinction in our Armed Forces, each year the Legislature’s Veterans Affairs Committee looks to help improve the quality of life for those who have served our country.

Benefits such as tax exemptions and tuition breaks at Connecticut’s public colleges and universities are just a few examples of the committee’s work in recent years.

A new law just enacted last year allows veterans to use their military service experience and training toward academic credit for certain technical certificates and licenses. It also prohibits agencies from requiring veteran applicants to repeat any substantively similar training or schooling required for licensure or certification.

This year’s session of the General Assembly also produced a wide range of legislation aimed at assisting and honoring our veterans. Two of the new laws enhance services offered to veterans from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

A person’s veteran status will now be included on drivers’ licenses and identification cards. This designation makes for easier proof of eligibility for benefits programs or discounts offered to veterans. To obtain this distinction, bring records of your service when you renew your license.

In addition, “veteran” license plates are now available to active members of the Armed Forces. Previously, only retired members would be issued the special plates. More information on veteran plates is available online at www.ct.gov/dmv or by calling 860-263-5700.

Also, disabled wartime veterans from Connecticut are eligible for a free, lifetime pass for state parks, forests and recreational facilities. The pass allows free parking, admission as well as boat access parking.

The Legislature also extended local property tax interest waivers that applied to active Armed Forces serving in Iraq to those stationed in Afghanistan as well.

For a full list of available veterans’ services and benefits, visit the Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs website at www.ct.gov/ctva

We should always remember that the precious freedoms we share and sometimes take for granted come at a steep price. The brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces deserve our support and recognition each day.

A legislative work group charged with revising Connecticut's residential property condition disclosure form showed support Monday for a new question intended to help homebuyers learn whether hazardous materials exist on a property.

The group decided against requiring homeowners to acknowledge the presence of hazardous waste on a property, pointing out that many household items are considered hazardous. Instead, the panel recommended an additional question requiring sellers to state whether a governmental agency has filed an action or citation on the property.

The question would read something like this: Are you aware of any pending or present litigation, citation, lien, cease and desist, administrative order or other action on the property by a town, state or federal authority?

Group members said the question aims to prompt sellers to state if the property has been the subject of government-mandated hazardous waste remediation.

"What we're trying to get at is if the homeowner is aware of any pending or existing agency action which might have any impact on the property," said state Rep. David Baram. D-Bloomfield, chairman of the eight-member legislative work group.

The new disclosure could particularly benefit residents in Stratford, where more than 100 homes are part of a federal Superfund site.

Homebuyers there have found it's no simple matter to learn whether there's a history of toxicity associated with a property.

Nearly a dozen residents interviewed by Hearst Connecticut Newspapers who moved into Stratford homes since the government declared them toxic dump sites said they were not told their properties are tainted by hazardous waste. If they had known, many said, they never would have moved in.

After reading "horror stories" published in the Connecticut Post about Stratford residents who unknowingly purchased contaminated homes, Baram said he decided the work group should craft a new question to help buyers learn about contamination.

Baram said work group members must still vote on the revisions agreed upon at Monday's meeting. Those recommendations will then be presented to the Legislature during the upcoming session.

Baram initially suggested the group propose a question requiring home sellers to state whether they are aware of any hazardous materials on the property.

More than 40 states have a disclosure form with a specific question about hazardous waste. Connecticut isn't one of them.

Baram's suggestion, however, was disputed by work group members who said the term "hazardous materials" is too vague.

"When you look at the federal regulations of what materials are hazardous, it goes on for pages and pages. And some things you think should be there aren't there. I mean, I can kick over a 100 gallon bucket of ammonia and it's not a hazardous substance. But if I kick over a quarter gallon of motor oil, that's a hazardous substance," said Eugene A. Marconi, who serves as general counsel for the Connecticut Association of Realtors.

Rebecca Zandvliet, a real estate broker and owner of Coldwell Banker Realty 2000, said she is opposed to adding a question about hazardous materials to the form when the group members themselves can't define it.

"Right now it's just too vague and ambiguous. How are we going to ask our clients (to list any hazardous materials on the property) when we don't even know what the definition is?" she said.

Among the other revisions group members are considering is a new question requiring sellers to state the age of a structure to alert buyers that older homes may need repairs and could contain asbestos or lead paint.

The group is also considering raising the fee a seller must pay a buyer if he or she wishes to avoid filling out the disclosure form from $300 to $500.

Among the revisions being discussed by the newly formed General Law Committee work group charged with leading the overhaul is a new question that would require home sellers to state whether they are aware of any hazardous materials on the property.

Currently, the form doesn't specifically ask homeowners to divulge to buyers whether hazardous materials are present on a residential lot.

Though there isn't a specific question about toxins on the disclosure form, it requires real estate agents to tell buyers about anything on the property that could affect its value. And beyond the disclosure form, sellers must answer truthfully, to the best of their knowledge, any additional questions a buyer might have about the property. The problem is most homebuyers don't know to ask about hazardous materials. And real estate agents may not know about it to disclose it to buyers.

More than 40 states have a disclosure form with a specific question about hazardous waste. Connecticut isn't one of them.

A hazardous materials disclosure would particularly benefit residents in Stratford, where more than 100 homes are part of a federal Superfund site.

Homebuyers here have found it's no simple matter to learn whether there's a history of toxicity associated with a property.

Nearly a dozen residents interviewed by Hearst Connecticut Newspapers who moved into Stratford homes since the government declared them toxic dump sites said they were not told their properties are tainted by hazardous waste. If they had known, many said they never would have moved in.

State Rep. David Baram, D-Bloomfield, chairman of the eight-member legislative work group, said he favors the idea of adding a hazardous waste disclosure question to the form as a means of encouraging sellers to remediate any known contaminates before putting a property on the market. A specific question about toxins would also help alert buyers to the possibility that a property could have a history of contamination and prompt them to investigate further, he said.

Tom Swan, executive director of the Connecticut Citizen Action Group, said he strongly supports a hazardous waste disclosure to ensure purchasers know what they're getting when they buy a home.

"I will admit that I'm shocked we haven't passed this legislation yet," he said, "and I will commit to working actively to make sure that homeowners and their families have access to information about hazardous waste on their properties and in their communities."

Drawing on suggestions from the Legislature's Regulation Committee, members of the work group -- three real estate professionals, four attorneys and Baram -- compiled a master list of items they want to add or amend to the form at its initial Oct. 4 meeting.

In addition to the hazardous waste issue, Baram said the group has discussed adding a question to the form requiring sellers to state the age of a structure to alert buyers that older homes may need repairs and could contain asbestos or lead paint.

The group is also considering raising the fee a seller must pay a buyer if he or she wishes to avoid filling out the form from $300 to $500.

"We agree that if the form is too complicated and too long, it will lose its value to the buyer and it may deter sellers from completing it," said Baram, who practices real estate law in Bloomfield. "But we're not shying away from additional questions that we think are critical in the disclosure process."

Eugene A. Marconi, a work group member who serves as general counsel for the Connecticut Association of Realtors, said it's important to strike a balance between settling for a form that's too weak to protect buyers and one so long and complicated that it deters sellers from filling it out.

State Rep. Richard Roy, D-Milford, co-chairman of the Environment Committee, said he is "100 percent in favor" of adding a hazardous waste disclosure to the form. "If there's a dump or toxic waste issue in the neighborhood, I think buyers should be aware of it," he said. "And if the toxic waste issue is on the property they're looking to buy -- even more so."

But Roy questioned the impartiality of a work group whose members are revising a document that could affect their livelihood. "What concerns me a little bit is you have real estate people who are going to protect their income and lawyers who are going to protect their income. How much are they going to protect the buyer and the seller?

"I think they should have people with knowledge of the problem and who can raise questions that would not affect their work. It's like asking the fox to protect the hen house, it seems to me."

Roy said he would also like to see someone with an environmental or science background join the group.

Baram said members of the work group were chosen for their familiarity with the disclosure form.

"Interestingly," he said, "the real estate agents and groups that have participated in this review do favor better disclosure because it actually takes some of the liability off the agent. Rather than be put in a situation where the real estate agent is the bad guy making a disclosure that could be detrimental to their client or to the sale of the property, they prefer that it be made directly by the seller on the form."

Baram said the group aims to solidify it's recommendations at its planned Nov. 28 meeting. Members will then vote and, eventually, its recommendations will be presented to the legislature during the upcoming session.

In the span of just two months, we have had not one but two devastating storms - not to mention, an earthquake - that have knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of customers across the state.

The cost of these disasters is immeasurable. Residents lost food and were forced to find costly alternative housing. Businesses were severely impacted. The state budget suffered unexpected costs and people's lives were threatened.

While the true costs are impossible to calculate, there is one conclusion that is easy to make.

Connecticut Light & Power Co. failed to do its job in preparing for the storms and restoring power in a timely fashion.

One thing we have learned from this unfortunate experience is that CL&P and other utilities need to have service-restoration standards and accompanying penalties to ensure compliance.

That is why we will be seeking legislation designed to hold utility companies accountable to consumers for their performance before, during and after natural disasters. The legislation must include financial compensation for customers who have suffered damages. The compensation could come from fines of 2.5 percent of utility company's transmission and distribution revenues for failing to meet standards.

The compensation, perhaps in the form of a utility bill rebate or credit, would help offset costs incurred in lost food, medical assistance, alternative housing and removal and repair of damage to property.

Not only should there be standards for service restoration, but also we should have a detailed priority plan for reconnecting customers. In addition, we need legislation requiring the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to take a more aggressive stance for the consumer on utility matters.

Utility companies also should be required to file yearly emergency plans, including the number of contracted linemen and information on reciprocal aid agreements with other states and countries. In addition, there should be a requirement that they pay outside linemen used for emergency repairs within 30 days from date of billing.

Beyond that, municipalities need to be given authority to hire linesmen, tree cutters and electricians to assume responsibility if the utility does not meet its benchmarks - with those costs to be paid by the utility company.

The emergency plans should provide that hospitals, senior complexes, nursing homes, medical facilities, gas stations and grocery stores be given priority. And towns with highest number of seniors should be given a higher priority.

We understand that the two storms we have experienced have been unusual in their destructiveness. But we must have certain expectations of our utility companies, and they have to have an accountability that is measurable.

We have some of the highest electric rates in the country, and yet we don't have the best service.

Clearly, that has to change.

The association honored Baram at its annual Trails and Volunteer Dinner Nov. 4 at Four Points by Sheraton in Meriden.

The association is a member-based nonprofit conservation organization that lives by the lyric popularized by the Beatles: “You get by with a little help from your friends.”

Eric Hammerling, the association’s executive director, said Rep. Baram was a true friend of the association and deserved public recognition for his leadership in protecting access to public lands. “You, David, were the reason we were able to achieve so much this year,” Hammerling said.

While House Speaker Christopher Donovan proposed legislation earlier this week that would fine utility companies 2.5 percent of their transmission and distribution revenues in the event of failure to provide adequate service to their customers, State Representative David Baram, D-Windsor, Bloomfield, went a step further in the call for accountability on Thursday, proposing that customers receive a portion of the fined amount.

Legislators' calls for accountability on behalf of utility companies comes during unprecedented power outages caused by Saturday's early snowfall, and the hundreds of thousands of households and businesses that remain without power a week later.

"Lives have not only been disrupted but also put at risk because of the way utility companies have handled these emergencies," said Baram, a resident of Bloomfield, which was reported to be 84 percent without power on Friday morning, day seven without power for many.

While Baram said that he endorses Donovan's call for tougher penalties in the event of utilities' failure to meet standards, he added, "we need to go much farther and directly compensate the people who have suffered financial damages as a result of utility companies failing to live up to reasonable expectations."

"I'm proposing that a portion of the fine be allocated to reimburse ratepayers a certain percentage of their bill to help offset costs incurred in lost food, medical assistance, alternative housing and removal and repair of damage to property. Perhaps a rebate or credit back to homeowner on their utility bill," Baram told fellow legislators Thursday.

He also called for the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to take a tougher stance on protecting consumers.

Baram also added that he is upset with CL&P's performance and service to customers in Windsor and Bloomfield, noting that "only two crews were in Bloomfield on Wednesday, but they were diverted to Simsbury ... contrary to representations that 15 CL&P crews were being assigned to Bloomfield that day," according to the House Democrats Office.

Baram intends to submit legislation that requires monetary compensation to consumers in addition to the requirement that utilities submit emergency plans in an annual basis, which will include the number of contracted crew members and aid agreements with companies from other states and countries.

Along with the agreements with out-of-state and foreign companies, Baram proposed legislation would require that those aid companies be paid by the Connecticut utility within 30 days of service provided.

“I wholeheartedly endorse the call yesterday by House Speaker Chris Donovan and Rep. Vickie Nardello for new power restoration standards and penalties, but we need to go much farther and directly compensate the people who have suffered financial damages as a result of utility companies failing to live up to reasonable expectations,” Baram said.

“Lives have not only been disrupted but also put at risk because of the way utility companies have handled these emergencies,” Baram said. “In just the last three months, we have had two devastating storms, not to mention an earthquake, that have dramatically altered people’s lives and businesses.”

Baram said he supports Donovan’s proposed legislation seeking fines of 2.5 percent of utility company’s transmission and distribution revenues for failing to meet standards, but said part of the fines should be used to directly compensate utility customers who suffered damages.

“I’m proposing that a portion of the fine be allocated to reimburse ratepayers a certain percentage of their bill to help offset costs incurred in lost food, medical assistance, alternative housing and removal and repair of damage to property. Perhaps a rebate or credit back to homeowner on their utility bill,” Baram said.

“And not only should there be standards for service restoration, but also we should have a detailed priority plan for reconnecting customers. And we need legislation requiring the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to take a more aggressive stance for the consumer on utility matters,” Baram said.

Baram said he was frustrated and upset by Connecticut Light & Power Co.’s treatment of Bloomfield and Windsor. He said there were only two restoration crews in Bloomfield Wednesday but they were diverted to Simsbury. This was contrary to representations made to Rep. Baram that 15 crews were being assigned to Bloomfield that day. CL&P representatives told Baram the crews either did not show up or were diverted to other towns, Baram said.

“Bloomfield and Windsor have not received the service that should have been given,” Baram said.

“I will be submitting legislation to require utility companies to file yearly emergency plans, including the number of contracted linemen and information on reciprocal aid agreements with other states and countries. I also want to require them to pay outside linemen used for emergency repairs within 30 days from date of billing,” Baram said.

“Municipalities also should be granted authority to hire linesmen, tree cutters and electricians to assume responsibility if the utility does not meet its benchmarks and those costs would be paid by the utility company,” he said.

“The emergency plans should provide that hospitals, senior complexes, nursing homes, medical facilities, gas stations and grocery stores be given priority,” he said. “And towns with highest number of seniors should be given a higher priority.”

“I also will be asking state Attorney General George Jepsen and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to intervene in the proposed merger of CL&P and NStar in Massachusetts to make sure Connecticut consumers are adequately protected against excessive rate increases and ensure adequate service.

“Despite the poor performance of CL&P, the towns of Windsor and Bloomfield have done an admirable job of providing shelter and assistance to their residents,” Baram said.

Legislation we successfully co-sponsored this year that greatly benefits charitable organizations were among the new laws that became effective last week.

Public health and public safety will always be the top responsibilities of government, but our struggling economy has made job creation and economic growth an urgent priority as well.

On October 26, the General Assembly convened a special legislative session dedicated to jobs. Unlike what is happening in Washington, Democrats, Republicans and Governor Dannel Malloy worked side by side at the State Capitol to develop a variety of proposals aimed at improving Connecticut’s economy and putting people back to work.

The initiatives focused on creating a climate in the state that is ripe for maintaining, attracting and creating jobs. Encouraging small business growth, streamlining the regulatory environment, spurring innovation and entrepreneurship, targeting worker training to employer needs, and other specific tools to promote economic development are all part of the comprehensive legislation.

Among the changes made to help small businesses grow, we cut the business entity tax in half, increased tax credits for new hires and targeted additional tax credits for hiring the unemployed, veterans and disabled workers.

In order to streamline and expedite the permitting process for business, permit applications for economic development projects will automatically be approved if not acted upon by the state within 60 days. Other types of permits will also be expedited. To reduce the regulatory burden, state agencies must conduct a review to eliminate and consolidate redundant or unnecessary regulations.

To increase private investment in high tech emerging technologies, the threshold for earning “Angel Investor” tax credits was reduced from $100,000 to $25,000. New “Innovation Centers” will be established in cities across the state to help connect entrepreneurs with mentors, capital resources, business services and prospective employees.

Workforce training will be enhanced by a $20 million investment to create a manufacturing technology program at the state’s vo-tech schools and community colleges. These programs along with the state’s agricultural science and other technology opportunities will be marketed to students.

On top of all this, targeted economic development funding includes $20 million to remediate and market five old abandoned industrial sites known as “brownfields” as well as $50 million to repair state bridges under the “Fix It First” program.

In addition, the legislature voted to approve the governor’s agreement with the world renowned medical research company Jackson Laboratories of Maine to build a major bioscience facility on the campus of the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington. This project alone is expected to create 900 construction jobs and almost 7,000 direct and indirect permanent jobs.

Finally, a special “Main Street” fund for commercial improvements in smaller municipalities (less than 30,000 pop.) was established to help promote development in town centers. Grants up to $500,000 will be available for projects such as façades, sidewalks and lighting. 

The economic challenges faced by our state cross socio-economic and political lines, and that reality has resulted in the legislature taking a major first step in providing a launching pad for economic recovery and putting Connecticut residents back to work.

The money is on the agenda and expected to be approved by the State Bond Commission next Friday, October 28.

Rep. Baram said, “I want to express my gratitude to Governor Dannel Malloy, House Speaker Christopher Donovan and Senate President Pro Tempore Don Williams for supporting this well-deserved request for Bloomfield.”

The State Bond Commission is scheduled to meet at 10:45 a.m. Friday, October 28th in room 1-E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

Public health and public safety will always be the top responsibility of government. But because of our struggling economy, encouraging economic growth and job creation has also become a top priority.

Whether it is President Obama, Congress, Governor Dannel Malloy or the state Legislature, everyone is working on finding ways to stimulate job growth as the current unemployment rate remains just above nine percent.

In fact, next week the General Assembly will convene a special legislative session dedicated to job creation. Unlike with what is happening in Washington - Democrats, Republicans and the governor have been working side by side at the State Capitol to develop a variety of proposals aimed at improving the economy and lowering unemployment.

Starting with the Majority Leaders’ Jobs Roundtable meeting at the Legislative Office Building earlier this month followed by the governor’s jobs summit at the Connecticut Convention Center, economists, business leaders and state officials have all been providing input on how best to achieve long term growth in our economy.

Also, the Legislature’s Finance and Commerce committees held their own informational hearings with presentations and public comment periods this week in advance of the jobs special session.

Some of the reoccurring themes that came out of all these forums include making it easier to do business with the state, creating a better support mechanism for small businesses and developing a sustainable, competitive workforce pool for employers. Expect to see legislation passed dealing with each of these areas.

In addition, there will likely be a vote to approve the governor’s agreement with the world renowned medical research company Jackson Laboratories of Maine to build a major bioscience facility on the campus of the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington. This project is expected to create over 800 construction jobs, more than 600 permanent hi-tech research positions as well as thousands of indirect spinoff jobs.

As the governor stated in his official proclamation calling the General Assembly into special session, “the problem faced by our state concerning job creation and economic growth cut across socio-economic, political, and ideological boundaries.”

STATE GRANT FOR TRAIN STATION AREA DEVELOPMENT

On another important economic development note, Windsor was recently awarded a $250,000 state grant to help with preparing our train station area in anticipation of the planned New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line. The funds are designed to facilitate projects that will promote economic development by connecting transportation hubs to housing and employment centers.

Legislation we successfully co-sponsored this year that greatly benefits charitable organizations were among the new laws that became effective last week.

An Act Permitting the Mailing of Raffle Tickets and the Use of Coupons as Incentives to Purchase Raffle Tickets received strong, bipartisan support and will help many charities in Windsor.

The new law that took effect Oct. 1 allows nonprofit organizations to offer complimentary coupon books as incentives for purchasing raffle tickets.

Coupon books often consist of restaurant discount coupons that help induce people to buy a raffle ticket that offers a prize to the winner. In this manner, a contributor feels like they are getting an incentive to purchase the raffle ticket, knowing that just a few people actually win the designated prize.

Windsor has dozens of nonprofit organizations, including religious and civic-minded groups, veterans associations and fire departments, which rely on raffles for fundraising. These local organizations fulfill important needs of the community and rely on our help.

Sponsoring organizations such as the ones already mentioned perform an invaluable community service through the volunteer efforts of their members.

Another law we championed that helps non-profit organizations, An Act Eliminating the Limit on Teacup Raffle Prizes and Authorizing Golf Ball Drop Raffles, also became effective last week.

The new law eliminates the $250 prize limit on teacup raffles, thereby allowing prizes of unlimited value. By law, qualified organizations conducting bazaars may operate teacup raffles and award prizes consisting of gift certificates or merchandise.

The law also now authorizes golf ball drop raffles and allows organizations conducting them to award cash and other prizes.

Under the previous law, with some exceptions, cash prizes for bazaars and raffles were not allowed.

Another new law, An Act Concerning Updates to the Neighborhood Assistance Act, which took effect in July, allows charities to solicit donations larger than previously permitted from companies, which receive tax credits for their gifts.

Under the old law, the maximum tax credit was $75,000, but under the new legislation the maximum is $150,000. Also, the requirement that a company's total charitable giving amount meets or exceeds the prior year's amount has been repealed. The definition of a business firm also was expanded to include any business entity authorized to do business in Connecticut.

With revenue becoming increasingly harder to obtain for non-profit organizations in these difficult economic times, we must do everything we can to help them. These new laws will go a long way toward meeting that goal for the community.

In addition, we backed legislation (PA 10-155) in 2010 that created a new easy-to-use tool that gives the public unprecedented information about how tax dollars are being spent. The new website, www.transparency.ct.gov was unveiled this summer and allows anybody to follow literally every dollar spent by every agency in state government.

The state collects, maintains and archives reams of information, but it was not always readily available unless you physically went to a state office or specifically requested something by mail. Now anybody can find out for themselves almost instantaneously who is getting contracts and grants and where state money is going.

You can search employee salaries, contracts with businesses or examine agency budgets - all in seconds. Every time the state cuts a check, whether it is to a person, business, town or non-profit, it goes on the website.

For example, by entering “Town of Windsor” in the grants search section, you will see that our town received 25 grants, mostly for local education and property tax relief, totaling $24.8 million for the 2010 fiscal year.

And the legislature’s independent Office of Fiscal Analysis hosts and maintains the website at no additional cost to taxpayers.

The late United States Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis once said that “sunlight is the best disinfectant.” There is a lot of truth to this statement and the new website will not only serve that purpose but should also help improve public confidence in state government as well.

As part of the above mentioned consolidation of state agencies, one in particular was specifically aimed at ensuring state government is run with honesty and integrity and is always accountable to the public. A new umbrella Office of Governmental Accountability (OGA) will have nine former independent “watchdog” entities under its authority.

OGA will administer functions previously conducted by the Elections Enforcement Commission, Office of State Ethics, Freedom of Information Commission and Contracting Standards Board. OGA will even keep an eye on the courts as the former Judicial Selection Commission and Judicial Review Council have been placed under its purview. The Office of the Child Advocate, the Office of the Victim Advocate and the Board of Firearms Permit Examiners are the remaining entities that will also now be part of the new OGA.

Protecting and serving the public has always been the main responsibility of government. The state’s new www.transparency.ct.gov website along with new Office of Governmental Accountability should go a long way toward helping us better meet that challenge.

This year, we have taken numerous steps to help ensure that all children in Connecticut have access to quality education and opportunities to excel academically.

And as evidence of our commitment to education, we worked hard to achieve a balanced budget that did not rely on cuts to state education funding, which towns like Windsor depend on.

In our efforts to improve education, we took new steps to close the achievement gap - the disparity in academic performance between groups of students. We passed legislation that will establish a task force to address achievement gaps in Connecticut. The task force will look for ways to close the gaps in elementary, middle and high schools by Jan. 1, 2020.

We streamlined the process to get qualified teachers in charter schools and to eliminate delays in the process for determining if a student is in need of special education and related services.

In addition, we passed legislation establishing a new state Department of Early Education and Child Development. This new department will bring together a variety of state programs concerning early childhood education to form one cohesive department with the goal of providing the means to lessen the learning achievement gap within the state for children ages birth to 8 years.

We also have markedly increased the educational requirements for teachers and early childhood educators in state-funded programs.

By 2015, 50 percent of the teaching staff must have a degree in early childhood education, childhood development or a related field, or they must have a teaching certificate with an endorsement in early childhood or special education. By 2020, all teaching staff must have one of those degrees.

By expanding educational opportunities for all, students who are expelled from school may now participate in adult education programs without being required to officially withdraw from school.

We have also given the commissioner of education the power to issue waivers to local school districts to employ substitute teachers who do not hold bachelor's degrees, but otherwise are qualified to work as substitute teachers.

To improve the physical safety of students and school personnel, we passed legislation requiring all public schools, beginning in 2012, to install carbon monoxide detectors.

Rep. David Baram (left) watches as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy
signs into law legislation that Baram co-sponsored.

Rep. Baram, who led the creation and passage of the legislation (HB 6557), said it would help guarantee the public’s right to use municipal land for recreation.

“This legislation is long overdue. In one form or another, it has been presented to the legislature repeatedly over the last 10 years. Finally, it has become law,” Baram said Friday.

“I want to thank Gov. Dannel P. Malloy for supporting this important law,” Baram said after Malloy held a ceremonial signing of the legislation at the State Capitol.

The General Assembly voted almost unanimously to approve the legislation this year after Baram negotiated a compromise bill between advocates for the new law and others who initially opposed it because it limits a plaintiff’s ability to recover damages sustained in a recreational accident.

“Because of the new law, I believe municipalities now will be encouraged to open up lands for recreation without having to worry about liability and particularly lawsuits that are not well-grounded,” Baram said.

Rep. Joseph Verrengia (D-West Hartford), who served as a Metropolitan District commissioner until the beginning of this year, also welcomed the governor's signature. “This is the people’s land to begin with,” said Verrengia, a co-sponsor of the bill. “I look forward to joining Connecticut residents returning to the MDC property in West Hartford and the remaining recreational areas across the state.”

Baram proposed the legislation after a lawsuit resulting in $2.9 million judgment was filed against the MDC. The court found that the MDC was not immune from lawsuits occurring on its properties.

Baram said he met recently with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s staff to discuss the proposed closure. In negotiating a solution fair to all, Baram also met with families of residents of the group home and coordinated meetings with the governor’s office to work out an agreement.

As a result, the Department of Developmental Services decided to postpone for up to one year the closing of the state program at 15 Parkwood Road in Windsor.

“This will give more time to the families to find alternative locations for their family members,” Baram said Tuesday. “It will also give the state more time to determine whether this particular home should stay open, given the success and support the neighborhood has given, which is has been unusual.”

Baram said some of the people living in the home have been together for over 25 years and the transition would be very difficult.

Neighbors contacted Baram for his help because they want to keep the group home in its current location, he said.

“This is a wonderful neighborhood that has embraced the group home residents as part of their extended family. It is a great example of how a group home can be successfully integrated into the local community,” Baram said.

The Windsor group home was targeted for closing because of the state’s efforts to find cost savings in the state budget.

State Representative David Baram expressed his pleasure with Governor Dannel P. Malloy's recent signing of two bills the Windsor representative co-sponsored.

The bills look to change policy abroad and at home, requiring the divestment of international funds and encouraging change to schools' curriculum.

In an effort to avoid funding international action that could jeopardize the lives of Americans, SB 881, which became law last week, requires that state funds be withdrawn from Iran.

"“I want to thank Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Treasurer Nappier for their leadership in making sure our state resources do not support terrorism,” sad Baram.

Under the law, State Treasurer Denise Nappier is required to remove existing funds and refrain from future "investment in any security or instrument issued by Iran," according to a statement released Wednesday by House Democrats.

The law also strengthens a law "concerning divestment from companies doing business in the Sudan." The African nation has been embroiled in a multi-decade civil war that was officially recognized as a genocide by the United States government in 2004.

The Baram co-sponsored bill, HB 6499, which also became law last week, also concerned acts of genocide.

The law encourages school districts in Connecticut to include "genocide education materials provided by the Connecticut Board of Education" in their curriculum.

"While I believe this should be mandatory, I understand that it... [is identified] as a priority topic that can be instructive and helpful to Connecticut students," Baram said in an address to the House.

"“The Holocaust was a watershed event that changed the course of history. Six million Jews and five million other people were murdered because of prejudice and racism,” he said Wednesday.

"The Holocaust and other genocides are a lesson of man’s inhumanity to man and the dangers of remaining silent and apathetic when people are subjected to genocide," he added.

Rep. David Baram watches as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy
signs into law legislation that Baram co-sponsored.

HB 6499, which was signed into law last week, requires the inclusion of genocide education materials provided by the Department of Education to school districts for student curriculum and educator in-service training.

SB 881, which Rep. Baram also co-sponsored and became law last week, requires state Treasurer Denise Nappier to divest state resources from Iran and gives the treasurer a seat on the state employee’s retirement commission.

“I want to thank Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Treasurer Nappier for their leadership in making sure our state resources do not support terrorism,” Rep. Baram said after Malloy signed the divestiture and genocide bills into law at the State Capitol.

     The divestiture law:

• Eliminates an obsolete provision concerning American hostages in Iran.
• Expands a similar law concerning divestment from companies doing business in the Sudan.
• Requires the treasurer to divest existing and halt further, investments in any security or instrument issued by Iran.

The requirement of genocide education materials was a major part of the legislation that made various revisions to the state education statutes.

“The Holocaust was a watershed event that changed the course of history. Six million Jews and five million other people were murdered because of prejudice and racism,” Baram said. “Holocaust studies help students understand the terrible outcome of prejudice.”

“The Holocaust and other genocides are a lesson of man’s inhumanity to man and the dangers of remaining silent and apathetic when people are subjected to genocide,” Baram said.

Thanks to legislation we championed to help people in these difficult times, a critical law has been extended for homeowners facing foreclosure.

The new law offers homeowners facing foreclosure the opportunity to have court proceedings held in abeyance while they seek mediation.

In essence, the new law, Public Act 11-201, gives homeowners an opportunity to participate in the foreclosure mediation program without simultaneously engaging in litigation for up to eight months.

Unfortunately, after the financial crisis of 2008, our housing market is recovering slowly and many homeowners still find themselves in difficult situations and sometimes regrettably they wind up in foreclosure.

The new legislation enhances what is already a national model for helping people with foreclosure and not to burden them with the extra demands of litigation while they try to work it out with banks.

In response to the national foreclosure crisis, the General Assembly took action in 2008 to protect and assist homeowners by establishing a Foreclosure Mediation Program. The new legislation extends the program to June 30, 2014. The program assists lenders and homeowners in negotiating a mutually agreeable resolution of a mortgage foreclosure action through the mediation process. Since the program’s inception, over 9,000 cases have completed mediation and the program has achieved a 79 percent settlement rate.

As our economy continues to struggle, it is important for homeowners facing foreclosure to take advantage of mediation and loan programs offered by the state that can help keep families in their homes.

There are emergency loans for homeowners available through the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) as well as other assistance from the Connecticut Fair Housing Center.

Sadly, for most homeowners, mediation is the first opportunity they have to meet face to face with a representative from their mortgage company.

Originally created three years ago, the mediation program is now considered a national model for helping to keep families facing foreclosure in their homes. To date, some 5,000 homeowners in our state have been helped. Almost three-quarters of those participating in foreclosure mediation reach a settlement with the lender.

Families get to keep their homes, banks don’t have to sell or auction properties, and neighborhoods don’t have to deal with falling property values and increased crime that often come with foreclosures.

Currently, there is about $30 million in aid available from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Emergency Homeowners' Loan Program (EHLP) to assist homeowners facing foreclosure. Applications for this program are now being accepted by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA). Connecticut is one of only five states HUD has approved to administer the EHLP, a forgivable loan program designed to help unemployed or underemployed families pay their mortgages.

Information about the program is available at the CHFA website www.CHFA.ORG and by calling 877-571-CHFA (2432). Eligibility requirements will be explained to those homeowners who request information. In addition, CHFA is scheduling a series of statewide “housing fairs” to allow for face-to-face inquires about the program.

There is also help available through the Connecticut Fair Housing Center.  Classes are offered across the state that  feature a manual  that  walks homeowners through the foreclosure process, including all forms needed for court.

People can contact the Connecticut Fair Housing Center at (860) 247-4400 or www.ctfairhousing.org. The Connecticut Department of Banking also has a Foreclosure Assistance Hotline: 1-877-472-8313 and website www.ct.gov/dob.

State Rep. David Baram joins Governor Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman to announce
CIGNA Corp.'s plan to move their corporate headquarters to Bloomfield from Philadelphia.

To help highlight the announcement, the governor signed into law the “First Five” jobs initiative that will provide incentives to the first five businesses that each bring a minimum of 200 new full-time jobs to Connecticut within the next 24 months.

“When you add this many new jobs to an area, it will also spur local retail investment, housing, and other business growth,” said Baram, who served as Bloomfield mayor from 1982-89. “I am very proud of the CIGNA - Bloomfield relationship which has flourished for decades as exemplified by their sponsorship of the very popular Sunset Sounds Concert Series, their involvement in the local and Hartford Chambers of Commerce, and participation in town events and projects.”

Baram said he also expects the CIGNA announcement to have a positive regional economic impact for neighboring Windsor where The Hartford insurance company built a large office complex. Ritter emphasized the importance of keeping job creation a top priority for the state.

“With an economy that is slow to recover it is imperative we do all we can to encourage job growth and I believe CIGNA and the First Five legislation is a great sign of things to come,” said Ritter. “By working together with businesses across the state, we can move Connecticut further toward economic recovery and prosperity.”

CIGNA is also expected to invest $100 million over the coming years in technology and infrastructure improvements as part of the move. There are currently 3,900 CIGNA employees working in Connecticut.

The hospital in Farmington is considered an integrated academic medical center, which improves the health of Connecticut's residents through the innovative integration of education, research and clinical care.

The expansion plan includes construction of a patient care tower, upgrades to the main building and the creation of a new ambulatory care center and outpatient facilities. The proposal also calls for renovating existing research space and building additional parking.

The legislation, which we championed, authorizes $262.9 million in new bonding under the UConn 2000 infrastructure program, $338 million in previously approved bonding and $69 million from the health center. Finally, the construction of the outpatient center would be funded by $203 million in private funding.

The proposal is an urgently needed economic development plan that will make Connecticut a leader in bioscience research.

An estimated 3,000 new construction jobs will be created along with adding 100 students to the medical school, 48 students to the dental school and about 50 medical researchers on the Farmington campus.

Additionally, the legislation establishes a loan forgiveness program for students who pursue primary care and remain in Connecticut.

These provisions will attract students; mobilize workers, and investment in an industry that is global, technology-based, and innovation-centered.

Finally, the bill extends a notification date concerning the transfer of neonatal intensive care units beds from John Dempsey Hospital to Connecticut Children's Medical Center.

The project retains a requirement that the State Bond Commission allocate state general obligation bonds for UConn health network initiatives before UConn may expend funds for new construction and renovation.

The bill also reduces, from $30 million to $22 million, existing GO bond authorizations for the health network initiatives by eliminating two projects from these initiatives.

We believe this new facility will be not only a viable long-term solution for the current health center, which has run several multimillion-dollar deficits in the past decade, but also as a magnet for attracting students and keeping the state staffed with doctors and dentists.

With its additional classroom and lab space, the updated teaching hospital will help lift the UConn medical and dental schools further up the national rankings and provide training for doctors, dentists, technicians and other medical practitioners.

The first bill (HB 6629) increases access to restraining and protective orders, improves information sharing between state agencies, facilitates victims’ access to support services, provides law enforcement with more tools and calls upon the judicial branch to recommend long term solutions.

The legislation was a result of recommendations by the Speaker’s Task Force on Domestic Violence, of which we are both members. We held a series of meetings to hear from domestic violence advocacy groups, survivors, police, prosecutors and judges, with a focus on improving both law enforcement and victim services.

Specifically, the new law expands the ability of victims who have experienced a pattern of threatening or stalking to request a restraining order, and clarifies that people of any age, including teens, can request a restraining order. In addition, it improves access to domestic violence services by requiring police officers to provide victims with information about regional domestic violence programs so they can obtain trauma counseling and other emergency services. It also creates a task force charged with developing a statewide law enforcement model policy for police responding to incidents of domestic violence.

Further, the law will allow families of victims of domestic violence to receive restitution like that provided to families of other crime victims. It also requires offenders to surrender their firearms if the offender is barred from possessing them due to a restraining or protective order.

Another provision requires the judicial branch to disclose to the state Department of Children and Families information indicating if a defendant poses a threat to a child. It also permits judicial family relations counselors to share information about a defendant to pretrial program staff to ensure they provide appropriate services.

A second bill (SB 28) also takes aim at domestic violence offenders by reforming Connecticut’s bail bond process.

The legislation prohibits bail bondsmen and agents from “undercutting,” which occurs when they compete for business by discounting the premium due on a bond by not charging clients the statutorily required amount. As a result, defendants post bond more easily and are quickly released back into the community without any “cooling off” period. Undercutting has played a role in a number of serious and fatal domestic violence incidents.

The legislation also prohibits bail bond agents and professional bail bondsmen from soliciting business inside courthouses, police stations, correctional institutions, community correctional centers and detention facilities. In addition, it establishes standards for record retention and reporting requirements.

Not only were two bills passed this year addressing domestic violence issues, but the state budget included funding that will allow domestic violence shelters to remain open 24 hours a day and seven days a week. This is important because domestic violence tends to occur more often on nights and weekends.

Thanks to the passage of a bill concerning the recreational liability of municipalities, Connecticut towns and their recreation enthusiasts are on the brink of a collective sigh of relief.

The general assembly voted to pass House Bill 5315 just hours before the legislative session came to an end last week.

Authored by State Rep. David Baram (D-Windsor, Bloomfield), the bill was crafted in reaction to the Metropolitan District Commission's threat to close public access to its recreational land following a loss in court in the spring of 2010.

A Rocky Hill woman sued for injuries sustained at the MDC's West Hartford Reservoir property. She was awarded $2.9 million for injuries sustained after riding her bike into a closed gate.

The ruling led the water supply and pollution-control company to threaten to close the recreation areas it owns throughout the state, including West Hartford's Reservoir and Reservoir 6, New Hartford's Lake McDonough, and the Colebrook River Lake and West Branch reservoirs.

The ruling also extended far beyond MDC's properties as the court did not believe that current legislation was designed to protect municipalities. "[Current legislation] was intended to apply to a private landowner who had no obligation to make its land available to the public," Baram said at the time of the bill's introduction.

Such a ruling meant that towns could find themselves on the wrong side of a lawsuit similar to the MDC case, effectively jeopardizing their ability to confidently provide public access to treasured recreational lands.

Local lands that could be jeopardized if the bill is not signed into law include:

• Northwest Park, Windsor
• Wickham Park, Manchester/East Hartford
• East Windsor Park
• Vernon's Rails to Trails System
• Henry Park, Vernon
• Sunrise Park, Suffield
• Arbor Park, Ellington
• Lynch Landing, Mansfield
• Crandall Park, Tolland
• Brainerd Park, Enfield
  

Backed by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, in addition to local environmental agencies and support on both sides of the the aisle in the General Assembly, the bill only needs a signature from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to become law.

"I am obviously very happy and grateful that this important legislation was passed by the Senate," Baram said. "The bill, passed previously by the House, had more than 100 co-sponsors. Democrats and Republicans from both chambers supported it."

With the Governor's signature, Baram added, the bill will "help guarantee the public's right to use municipal land for recreation. It also will encourage towns to open up more lands for active and passive recreation without having to worry about lawsuits that are not well-grounded."

While providing protection for cases in which users of recreational lands act in a negligent manner, it does not fully exempt towns or "quasi-municipal" entities from providing a safe environment in areas use by the public, according to Baram.

"The exception is that if a landowner is found to be willful or malicious, failure to guard or warn against a dangerous condition or use, then they are liable," said Baram. "But the 'willful or malicious' are higher standard in terms of negligence."

Pursuant to the bill's language, owners of recreational land for public use would remain responsible for maintaing a safe environment and would be held responsible in the event that someone is injured due to the owner's lapse of responsibility.

An injury caused by a fallen tree limb or icy path are cases in which towns would remain liable.

With the 2011 session of the Connecticut General Assembly just completed earlier this week, we wanted to share with you a few bills that we helped pass that will hopefully enhance the quality of life here in Windsor.

We were very pleased to lead passage of a bill (HB6557) that gives towns and the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) more protection from lawsuits stemming from recreational accidents. This is important, because a lawsuit resulting in multi-million dollar judgment against the MDC could have caused their properties such as the popular West Hartford reservoir to become off limits to the public.

It could have also forced towns to limit access to parks and other public lands. This bill will help guarantee the public’s right to use municipal land for recreation with towns not having to worry about liability and lawsuits that are not well-grounded.

Another piece of legislation (HB6100) we backed authorizes the creation of two special development districts in Windsor that will encourage new business growth, job creation and residential housing. Both the Great Pond and Millbrook Greens Improvement Districts have the potential to add to the town’s grand list and thus help keep property taxes stable while providing employment opportunities, as well as entertainment and recreational options for residents and visitors.

A village setting is planned for Great Pond that includes about 4,000 residential units, office and retail space, restaurants, year-round farmers’ market and access to the Farmington River and Northwest Park trails. Millbrook is a planned residential golf course development in close proximity to Windsor Center that will also encourage the continued growth of the Day Hill corporate area.

We also sponsored a bill (HB 5184) that allows nonprofit organizations to offer complimentary coupon books as incentives for purchasing raffle tickets. Windsor has many nonprofit organizations, including religious and civic-minded groups, veterans associations and fire departments, which rely on raffles as a critical source of fundraising.

Many of these groups reported to us that the Division of Special Revenue deemed their offering of discount coupons in violation of the state’s Bazaar and Raffle Act law, thus compromising the success of fundraising efforts. Coupon books often consist of discounts offered by businesses such as local restaurants.

Another bill (HB5780) we sponsored will simplify the process for regionalization to encourage municipalities to work together to find efficiencies and reduce the cost of delivering important municipal services. Called “interlocal agreements,” the bill cuts much of the red tape required to implement cross-town cooperation on services that a town by law now provides individually.

This is a great way to help reduce property taxes for residents by spreading out costs among multiple towns. Examples of services that some municipalities share include garbage collection and road maintenance.

While state budget finances rightfully dominated news throughout the legislative session, we thought it was important to let you know about some of the other issues that were dealt with at the Capitol. In future columns we will further detail many of the new laws that will be taking effect in the coming months.

“The bill, which I am looking forward to having Governor Malloy sign, will help guarantee the public’s right to use municipal land for recreation. It also will encourage towns to open up more lands for active and passive recreation without having to worry about lawsuits that are not well-grounded,” Baram said.

When the General Assembly convened in January we faced an unprecedented challenge - a $3.5 billion budget deficit and an economy still trying to recover from the nation’s worst recession since the Great Depression.

To put our state back on solid financial ground, Governor Dannel P. Malloy proposed a budget that called for all residents of Connecticut to share in the sacrifice. There are many parts of the governor’s budget that we take issue with. Unfortunately legislators can’t pick and choose parts they like or dislike. Our support for this budget was based upon achieving certain goals such as municipal aid, accomplishing the overall objective of balancing the budget without borrowing or eliminating vital social service programs, and realizing consolidation and streamlining of state government.

So what are examples of things that we didn’t like? We would have preferred a higher graduated income tax for upper end wage earners so that the “pain” was more equitably distributed. We would have kept sales tax exemptions on items like clothing and pet grooming. We would have kept the property tax credit at $500. We would have explored more cuts by eliminating duplication, fraud, waste and proposed more streamlining and efficiencies. We would have eliminated double dipping salaries for retired workers.

While the governor’s plan was constructed to balance the budget without gimmicks and borrowing, it still needed a lot of work because of the harsh impact it would have on Windsor and its residents. Even though our approach would have been somewhat different, we do give our governor credit for creating a balanced budget and for trying to allocate deficit reduction through the roughly equal reductions of spending, state employee concessions and tax increases.

As an example, Governor Malloy proposed ending the state’s funding reimbursement program to towns for tax credits given to manufacturers. Elimination of the Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) program, however, would have cost Windsor $1,043,076. We met several times with Budget Director Ben Barnes and told him that unless this sum was fully restored to Windsor, that we could not support the budget. We prevailed.

The governor also wanted to eliminate the $500 property tax credit for homeowners, raise the tax on gasoline and add new taxes on coupons, hair cuts, car washes and other items we take for granted. Once again, we met with the governor’s office to oppose these and other taxes. We prevailed by eliminating new taxes on gas, discount coupons, hair cuts, car washes etc. We helped achieve a revived $300 property tax credit.

Thankfully, after many hours of negotiations, we and our colleagues in the legislature were able to reach a budget compromise with the governor. The end result is that Windsor will not lose any state funding because of the elimination of the PILOT program. Additionally, a $300 property tax credit was retained for residents and the 3-cent gas tax increase and some of the other proposed sales taxes were eliminated.

On top of that, Windsor will receive an increase of $254,716 in municipal aid for fiscal year 2012 and increase of $294,376 for 2013 when compared to the $13,653,957 the town was appropriated in 2011. We kept in daily contact with Windsor’s town manager so that this revenue could be included in Windsor’s budget to help keep tax increases at a minimum. We were happy to see that this continued state aid kept Windsor’s proposed budget increase much lower than surrounding towns.

In addition, for the first time ever, we will have a new Earned Income Tax Credit program to provide financial relief to as many as 190,000 low-income workers in the state. This will help offset some of the tax increases imposed by the governor on necessities such as food and clothing.

In order to achieve a balanced budget fair to all we had to make significant spending reductions. To accomplish that we consolidated 30 percent of our state agencies while maintaining important investments that will help grow businesses and protect families.

The governor also negotiated a labor concession package that is good for taxpayers and the state’s workers. The union agreement, however, fell short of what the governor had hoped to receive in concessions and he will now have to make further budget adjustments. We will press the governor to make up the difference with additional spending cuts and we will oppose any borrowing, cuts to municipal aid or increases in taxes. The same will hold true if the union agreement is not approved.

But if all goes well, the economy continues to improve and a budget surplus occurs, we should look at rolling back some of the tax increases and especially consider restoring the $500 property tax credit.

After three years of economic hardship, we can finally say that our state’s finances are stabilizing and Connecticut is moving forward on the road to economic recovery.

Although the governor’s budget still includes higher taxes - a sacrifice that we all will have to share - we now have a budget that is truly balanced. A budget that does not include borrowing for paying our current expenses. A budget that does not include accounting gimmicks. A budget that does not further defer our pension obligations.

But unlike budgets that were recently passed in New York and New Jersey, our state budget protects our cities and towns and does not pass the burden on to local property taxpayers. As we all know, the property tax is the most regressive of all taxes. In supporting the governor’s budget, we considered the alternative of his plan to eliminate significant town aid, and the resulting property tax increases that municipalities would have to enact to balance local budgets.

There is no question that we had to make tough and unpopular decisions, but in the end our state budget is honest and balanced. Governor Malloy’s budget, while imperfect, will move Connecticut forward. Although it was not our first choice of budgets, creating certainty and transparency, will allow for predictability in helping businesses to grow and residents to plan.

Voting for the budget may not have been easy politically, but given the adjustments we fought to achieve, and considering the alternative plan to slash local aid and critical social services, we believe that it was the right thing to do for the State and our the residents of Windsor.

HARTFORD — The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill that grants limited legal immunity to municipalities that open their undeveloped land to the public for recreational use.

The measure now goes to the Senate.

At the start of the legislative session in January, the bill looked to generate significant controversy, pitting the state's trial lawyers against bicyclists, hikers and municipal leaders fearful of lawsuits.

Yet when the vote was taken Tuesday, it was 142-1.

The lopsided vote — and the fact that the bill had 80 co-sponsors — can be attributed to a compromise worked out last month that would still hold municipalities liable if they are found negligent in maintaining recreational facilities such as playgrounds and ball fields.

"This bill contains fair compromises that were addressed by multiple parties," said Rep. David Baram of Bloomfield, the measure's chief proponent. "I believe this bill is fair to all parties."

Twenty-seven other states currently provide some measure of limited liability to municipalities, Baram said.

Cities and towns, fearing costly lawsuits, vigorously pushed for such protections for years, but the idea always faced steadfast opposition from the state's trial attorneys.

The issue gained new urgency last year after a woman who crashed her bicycle into a closed gate while mountain biking at the West Hartford reservoir won a $2.9 million legal judgment against the Metropolitan District Commission. In response, the MDC threatened to close its land to the public.

Numerous elected officials went to the Capitol during hearings on the bill, citing lawsuits that their communities have faced from people injured while sledding, hiking and walking on public lands.

“Today is a great day because this bill, in one form or other, has been presented to the legislature over the last 10 years and failed to win approval. But now it has finally been passed,” said Baram (D-Bloomfield, Windsor), lead sponsor of the bill (HB 6557).

The bill, which passed by a 142-1 vote, now goes to the Senate where it also enjoys overwhelming support and is expected to be signed into law later by the governor.

Republicans as well as Democrats on the floor of the House Chamber Tuesday lauded Baram’s successful efforts at reaching a compromise between advocates for the legislation and others who initially opposed the bill because it limits a plaintiff’s ability to recover damages sustained in an accident.

“This bill will help guarantee the public’s right to use municipal land for recreation,” Baram said. “I believe towns will now be encouraged to open up lands for recreation without having to worry about liability and particularly lawsuits that are not well-grounded,” Baram said.

Baram proposed the legislation, which limits liability for recreational accidents, after a lawsuit resulting in $2.9 million judgment was filed against the MDC. The court found that the MDC was not immune from lawsuits occurring on its properties.

Rep. Joseph Verrengia (D-West Hartford), who served as a Metropolitan District commissioner until the beginning of this year and opposed any limited land use or closure of recreational property, welcomed the committee’s approval.

“This is the people’s land to begin with,” said Rep. Verrengia, a co-sponsor of the bill. “I look forward to people returning to the MDC property in West Hartford and enjoying its open spaces.”

Last May, a Superior Court jury awarded $2.9 million to a woman injured nine years ago while biking at the West Hartford Reservoir owned by the MDC. The woman drove her mountain bike into a gate, sustained serious injuries and later sued the MDC. As a result, the MDC considered options to restrict recreational use of its facilities.

“This bill was the result of a collaborative effort between the outdoors activists and trial lawyers. Because of a lot of long hours and hard work, we were able to put together a compromise that addresses everyone’s concerns,” Baram said. “I’m very proud of this bill.”

No one should be denied access to their own medical records and House Bill 6372, An Act Concerning Patient Access to Records Maintained by Health Care Institutions would guarantee that right.

The legislation would permit people to conduct an on-site examination of their health records kept by a healthcare institution.

The issue is pretty cut and dried. Patients can take better care of themselves and make more informed decisions about their healthcare when they have access to as much information as possible and in a timely manner.

Simply put, no one should ever be denied the opportunity to look at their own health records.

This bill that we both voted for will protect that right for individuals and also require the establishment of a complaint process to ensure its enforcement.

The bill establishes a hearing process within the Department of Public Health (DPH) to address complaints concerning lack of access to such records.

Under current law, health care institutions such as hospitals and other facilities must provide patients with their health records within 30 days of a written request, or upon completion of the record if a request is received with 30 days of a patient's discharge.

The bill would allow, upon the patient or their representative's request, an on-site examination of the medical records within the same time periods.

If an institution fails to comply with a patient's record access request, the bill allows for the filing of a written complaint with the DPH. A hearing would then be held within 30 days, resulting in an order to disclose records within five days of the hearing if the health care institution is found at fault.

Without question, examining your own medical records is a right that every individual should have. This legislation will guarantee that.

The project begins Monday and continues through June 9.

Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone. The regular work schedule for this project is 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. (Monday Thursday evenings).

Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to slow down through the work area.

For example, there are emergency loans for homeowners available through the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) as well as other assistance from the Connecticut Fair Housing Center.

In addition, we are backing two bills (HB 6463 & HB 6351) currently making their way through the General Assembly that would continue to fund the state’s successful foreclosure mediation process beyond its current statutory sunset date of June 30, 2011, and improve it by delaying any legal action against a homeowner while mediation is ongoing.

The opportunity to participate in the foreclosure mediation program without simultaneously engaging in litigation should increase its success.

Sadly, for most homeowners, mediation is the first opportunity they have to meet face to face with a representative from their mortgage company.

Originally created three years ago, the mediation program is now considered a national model for helping to keep families facing foreclosure in their homes. To date, some 5,000 homeowners in our state have been helped. Almost three-quarters of those participating in foreclosure mediation reach a settlement with the lender.

Families get to keep their homes, banks don’t have to sell or auction properties, and neighborhoods don’t have to deal with falling property values and increased crime that often come with foreclosures.

Per Governor Malloy’s recent announcement, there is $33 million in aid from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Emergency Homeowners' Loan Program (EHLP) to assist homeowners facing foreclosure. Applications for this program are now being accepted by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA).  Connecticut is one of only five states HUD has approved to administer the EHLP, a forgivable loan program designed to help unemployed or underemployed families pay their mortgages.

Information about the program is available at the CHFA website www.CHFA.ORG and by calling 877-571-CHFA (2432). Eligibility requirements will be explained to those homeowners who request information. In addition, CHFA is scheduling a series of statewide “housing fairs” to allow for face-to-face inquires about the program. 

There is also help available through the Connecticut Fair Housing Center. Classes are offered across the state that feature a manual that walks homeowners through the foreclosure process, including all forms needed for court.

People can contact the Connecticut Fair Housing Center at (860) 247-4400 or www.ctfairhousing.org  The Connecticut Department of Banking also has a Foreclosure Assistance Hotline: 1-877-472-8313 and website www.ct.gov/dob .

While we cannot predict with any certainty whether the home foreclosure crisis has peaked, it is clear that thousands of families are still facing the possibility of losing their homes. If you know someone in this situation please let hem know about the help that is available.

“Kaman Aerospace is one of Bloomfield’s most prestigious businesses that has a national and international reputation,” Rep. Baram said.

“Providing Kaman with bond money is sure to promote jobs, taxes and local growth. I am pleased to join Governor Malloy in making this announcement and extending congratulations to one of Connecticut’s premier businesses,” Baram said.

“Kaman Aerospace was recently awarded a $36 million contract from the United States Air Force to resume its production and distribution of bomb fuses to the military, and this grant for the remediation of the adjoining site will help allow for the retention and future creation of jobs there,” Governor Malloy said.

The company will remediate the acquired property for future use, allowing for the retention of 300 jobs at the facility. Additionally, as a result of the construction activity generated by this project, 94 direct jobs and 116 supplier jobs will be created or retained.

The bill, approved by the Judiciary Committee and authored by State Representative David Baram (D-Windsor), was proposed following recreational accidents and a significant lawsuit brought against the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), causing the municipal corporation to consider putting an end to recreational use on some of its land throughout the state.

"I am delighted that I was able to facilitate this collaborative legislative effort. The result will allow towns and special districts to keep land open for public recreation without fear of frivolous lawsuits," said Baram.

In the spring of 2010, a woman was awarded $2.9 million in a suit levied against the MDC after suffering an injury while riding a bicycle at the West Hartford Resovoir, which is owned by the water and waste-management company. The woman reportedly rode her bike into a closed gate.

The MDC has no obligation to provide its land to the public, but allows the use of some of its property for recreational purposes. Following the May 2010 decision, the company considered restricting public access to its recreational properties.

"The passage of this bill will ensure that the public’s right to use municipal land for recreation will be protected," Baram said. “I congratulate all the interest groups for coming together to resolve this issue in a fair and equitable manner.”

Baram also added that restoring protection to municipalities will avoid the closure of facilities "for fear of frivolous lawsuits."

Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford) expressed enthusiasm for the bill and its potential effects on residents, saying "Our quality of life in the Hartford region is significantly enhanced by access to the MDC reservoir and other public recreational areas. This bill assures that these public resources remain open to outdoor activities like hiking, riding and cross-country skiing.”

While the bill would provide protection for municipalities in the event of negligence on behalf of a member of the public, it does not fully exempt them from providing a safe environment in areas use by the public.

According to Baram, an exemption lies in the case of a land owner being "found to be willful or malicious with a failure to guard or warn against a dangerous condition or use."

Under this bill, Baram said in an interview with Patch in January, there is "an obligation for a user to exercise care, and there's still an obligation by the landowner to not engage in willful or malicious failure to guard or warn against a dangerous condition."

“The passage of this bill will ensure that the public’s right to use municipal land for recreation will be protected,” said Baram (D-Bloomfield, Windsor), lead sponsor of the bill (HB 6557). “I congratulate all the interested parties for coming together to resolve this issue in a fair and equitable manner.”

Baram proposed the legislation, which limits liability for recreational accidents, after a lawsuit resulting in $2.9 million judgment was filed against the MDC. The court found that the MDC was not immune from lawsuits occurring on its properties.

Rep. Joseph Verrengia (D-West Hartford), who served as a Metropolitan District commissioner until the beginning of this year and opposed any limited land use or closure of recreational property, welcomed the committee’s approval.

“This is the people’s land to begin with,” said Rep. Verrengia, a co-sponsor of the bill. “I look forward to people returning to the MDC property in West Hartford and enjoying its open spaces.”

“Our quality of life in the Hartford region is significantly enhanced by access to the MDC reservoir and other public recreational areas,” said Sen. Beth Bye (D-West Hartford). “This bill assures that these public resources remain open to outdoor activities like hiking, riding and cross-country skiing.”

Last May, a Superior Court jury awarded $2.9 million to a woman injured nine years ago while biking at the West Hartford Reservoir owned by the MDC. The woman drove her mountain bike into a gate, sustained serious injuries and later sued the MDC. As a result, the MDC considered options to restrict recreational use of its facilities.

“I am delighted that I was able to facilitate this collaborative legislative effort,” Baram said. “The result will allow towns and special districts to keep land open for public recreation without fear of frivolous lawsuits.”

“To avoid the closure of facilities to the public, we have to restore the municipal immunity and protections it once enjoyed. It is to the greater public good to allow MDC sites to be open for community use and enjoyment,” Baram said.

“In my district of Bloomfield and Windsor, hundreds of residents use MDC’s Reservoir 6 for recreation. It would be a tremendous loss of public access to beautiful areas, if the MDC no longer allowed recreational use of its properties.

This is great news for our towns because the money ultimately will help create jobs, spur more economic development and help meet our transportation needs.

Although the funding for the rail line was previously allocated, the state would have lost the money altogether, if it had not been released to Connecticut by April 8.

High-speed rail will open up a new world of economic opportunities for Connecticut, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in releasing the funds.

The Obama Administration's initial $40 million investment in upgrading the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line will not only create jobs now but also help ensure that Connecticut residents have access to world class high-speed rail service in the years to come and economic opportunities throughout New England.

The planned rail line will span 62 miles from New Haven to Springfield, with station service that includes Windsor and Windsor Locks.

High speed rail service through Windsor will energize economic development along the transportation corridor that is critical to our state's economy.

Just less than two months ago, we celebrated the State Bond Commission's approval of $5 million for mass transit station area development in Connecticut. This money is available for upgrading the train station in Windsor and efforts to obtain the funds are under way.

Windsor's historic downtown train station was originally built in 1871. After extensive renovations in 1988 it earned designation on the National Register of Historic Places. Currently the station serves both Amtrak passengers and bus ridership via Connecticut Transit to downtown Hartford and Bradley International Airport.

Upgrading the train station area in Windsor will not only complete a vital link in our rail transportation from New Haven to Springfield but it will mean new business opportunities for Windsor, promote smart residential growth, and make Windsor a destination location.

Photo courtesy of Farmington Valley Trails Council
Farmington Valley Trail

In between the debating the death penalty and marijuana laws, Rep. David Baram of Bloomfield will be looking to broker a deal with the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association regarding legislation that modifies Connecticut’s Recreational Land Use Act.

The chairs of the Judiciary Committee are reluctant to raise the bill which protects cash-strapped municipalities from liability should a hiker or biker injure themselves on municipal property, Baram said Monday.

The legislation is one of a few proposed since a jury awarded $2.9 million to a bicyclist who was severely injured while riding the wrong way on a trail at the Metropolitan District Commission’s West Hartford Reservoir.

Baram said he’s offered several compromises, but has been unable to win the support of the trial lawyers.

The compromise Baram offered includes exemptions for swimming pools, tennis courts, playgrounds and ball fields. He said mostly the bill covers passive recreational areas such as trails and fields.

Hartford lawyer Michael Walsh, vice president of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, told the Judiciary Committee last week that it would be unfair for injured individuals to take responsibility for injuries that weren’t their fault.

“These proposals close the doors of the courts to injured people, merely because of where that injury occurred,” Walsh said.

He said municipalities already enjoy a strong defense under the doctrine of governmental immunity.

Eric Hammerling, executive director of the Connecticut Forrest and Park Association, said last week that people often don’t think about their liability when they’re out hiking or recreating. He said when a hiker or biker is out on a trail and move between municipal, state, and private property they’re not thinking about their liability should they get injured.

He said this legislation would clear up any confusion that may result and encourage municipalities to open up their property to the public.

Simsbury First Selectwoman Mary Glassman told the committee that since the lawsuit towns have closed many recreational facilities and decided not to pursue open space purchases as a result.

She said it’s only fair recreational liability already enjoyed by the state be extended to municipalities.

The legislation is also supported by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities even though they prefer similar legislation which passed through the Planning and Development Committee earlier this year.

The Judiciary Committee has until Friday to vote on the legislation.