Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Thank you for the honor of representing you in the Connecticut General Assembly. I took the oath of office after the legislature adjourned on May 9th so I want to update you on some of this year’s successes. I hope you find this information useful. In the coming months, I will be touring our district and I hope we get the chance to meet and talk.
In the meantime, here are some of my priorities:
- Fighting crime and ridding the streets of illegal drugs is critical. Our families and friends need to feel safe in their environment and I will work toward that end.
- Over the course of their lifetimes, senior citizens have contributed much to the community and now it’s our turn to give back. I will meet with seniors to discuss what we can do for them and make an effort to allow them every opportunity to age in place.
- Hartford plays a critical role in the central Connecticut economy. Economic development will be my top priority so residents have good-paying jobs, good schools, and safe and clean neighborhoods. A vibrant Hartford economy is essential to reducing the tax burden on hard-working residents while improving the quality of life.
Responsible government begins with an open and honest dialogue. Let’s exchange ideas that can help make Hartford an ever better place to live, work, and raise our children. As we begin this journey together please feel free to call my office at 860-240-1376 or email me at Julio.Concepcion@cga.ct.gov.
Sincerely,
Julio Concepción
State Representative
Protecting Health Care
- The Affordable Care Act contains 10 essential health benefits that include among others: maternity and newborn care, prescription drug coverage, mental health services, and chronic disease management. Washington is trying to dismantle ACA so the legislature passed a bill to safeguard these benefits in Connecticut. The legislation also requires coverage for a twelve-month supply of contraceptives. (PA 18-10)
- The legislature redefined ‘mammogram’ to include tomosynthesis – a 3D image particularly useful for women with dense breast tissue and known to reduce the rate of false positive test results. By requiring insurance companies to cover all forms of mammograms, we can reduce out-of-pocket costs and achieve more early detection. (PA 18-159)
- The legislature passed a bill to ensure pregnant women have access to health insurance. A woman can now get coverage during a special enrollment period within 30 days of official confirmation of pregnancy. This reduces the stress and financial burden of being without coverage during pregnancy. (PA 18-43)
Investing In Middle Class Families
- Women continue to earn less than men. This is in part due to employers asking about salary history during the hiring process – ensuring that women who were underpaid in their former jobs continue to be underpaid. We strengthened our pay equity laws by preventing employers from asking about wage history. (PA 18-8)
- In response to President Trump’s tax law, we passed legislation to protect the state and local tax deduction. Now, municipalities can establish non-profit, charity-type programs that will qualify for federal deductions – reducing your federal tax burden – while keeping local taxes down and preserving local services. The IRS is already pushing back on these efforts, so I will closely monitor this situation. (PA 18-49 Sec. 10)
Fighting The Opioid Epidemic
- In the ongoing fight against opioid abuse, the legislature approved initiatives to curb their use while improving state and local response and intervention. Prescribers are now prohibited from writing prescriptions for immediate family members. The availability and use of overdose-reversing treatments such as Narcan has been broadened. (PA 18-166)
- More than 60,000 residents sought treatment for substance abuse in 2016 making it a challenge to provide adequate treatment and recovery services. To help address this, we set up a system where sober homes can register with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Families can now find out if a sober home is registered with the state to ensure standards are being met prior to selecting a facility. Sober homes must also have Narcan onsite and residents must be trained in its use. It also establishes marketing and advertising restrictions that have the consumer’s best interests in mind. (PA 18-171)
Dillon Stadium/Colt Park Bonding
Earlier this year the State Bond Commission approved a $10 million grant-in-aid for renovations to Dillon Stadium and Colt Park. An updated Dillon will be home to a United Soccer League team beginning next year, bringing jobs, visitors and revenues to the city. Dillon will also be available for community use. Colt Park, where the stadium is located, will get new lighting, landscaping, curbing and other upgrades.
Protecting Victims Of Domestic Violence And Sexual Assault
If you are a victim of domestic violence, you shouldn’t have to fear being arrested if you call the police. In Connecticut, nearly 20% of domestic violence victims are arrested along with their alleged abuser. An updated law now directs police to arrest the person they identify as the dominant aggressor. (PA 18-5)
The legislature improved the system for collecting, transferring and analyzing sexual assault evidence kits. Now, anyone identifying themselves as a sexual assault victim at a healthcare facility must be directed to a counselor for help. (PA 18-83)