CTMOM is a full-service multi-chair dental clinic providing free dental care to people of all ages who are in need of urgent and immediate care. The first-come, first-served free clinic will have more than 100 dental chairs and will likely be staffed by more than 1,400 volunteers.

CTMOM expects to see more than 2,000 patients over the weekend of the clinic, with a full level of dental services being provided, including cleanings, fillings, x-rays, oral exams, extractions, oral surgery and temporary partial dentures. General health screenings will be provided as well. Since Connecticut became the first northeast state to host an annual Mission of Mercy dental clinic in 2008, roughly 7,000 patients have been seen at the previous four clinics (Tolland in 2008, New Haven in 2009, Middletown in 2010, Waterbury in 2011) and more than $3.6 million in free dental care has been given out at the events.

“There is no better sign of joy than a toothy grin, but sadly many gaps remain in our health care system,” Rep. Godfrey said. “We have made great progress in treating needy children through the 1,200 dentists in the CT Husky Program, but we should do more to provide affordable dental care to the hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents without adequate insurance.”

 “The free dental care provided through the years by Mission of Mercy volunteers have helped thousands of Connecticut residents lead healthier lives,” said Senator Williams. “Unfortunately far too many Connecticut families lack access to affordable dental coverage which can lead to a myriad of health problems. Mission of Mercy helps highlight what is truly a health crisis.”

Dr. Robert Schreibman, a pediatric dentist from Glastonbury who co-founded CTMOM and serves as its co-chair, said, “These numbers that CTMOM has drawn to our clinics each year point to the tremendous need for oral health care coverage here in Connecticut – there are hundreds of thousands of state residents who lack adequate care. CTMOM is a wonderful charitable event that serves a population in need, but our goal remains to see a long-term solution that provides access to dental health coverage for every resident of Connecticut.”

Dr. Michael Perl, a retired dentist from Essex who also co-founded and co-chairs CTMOM, added, “As I have said before, good dental health goes hand in hand with good overall health. People who practice good dental care are generally healthier, and conversely, those who don’t – or are not able to due to lack of access – can find themselves facing major health problems. This is more than just a dental issue – it is also a critical health issue. People who lack adequate dental care are often far more susceptible to heart disease and diabetes. That is why this needs to be treated as the health crisis that it is. CTMOM is a great event, but once it ends, we all still need to work together towards a long-term health care solution.”

Danbury received the following grants:

• Danbury Music Centre, Inc - $8,030
• Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance - $32,500

“These grants recognize the importance of the arts in our community,” said Rep. Godfrey. “I’m pleased DECD included Danbury and I promise to continue to fight for these and other critical state dollars to sustain our cultural heritage and create jobs.”

“I am pleased to see that HVCA and the Danbury Music Center received these competitive grants from the state. It’s a real testament to the good work they are doing in providing artistic and cultural experiences for Danbury area residents,” Rep. Taborsak said.

“I’d like to thank our state legislators for their role in making sure that the arts stay relevant in the lives of people in Connecticut,” said Nancy Sudick. Executive Director, Danbury Music Centre. “The arts provide food for the soul.”

The performances are composed of amateur and professional musicians from the greater Danbury area conducted by professional directors. More information on the Danbury Music Centre can be found online at: www.danbury.org

“We’re happy to receive the operating support from the State,” said Lisa Scails, Executive Director, Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance. “It will help us to continue the services we provide and to leverage the creative assets in Western Connecticut.”

HVCA is the largest regional arts service organization in Western Connecticut, based in Danbury. HVCA’s goal is to impact quality of life and the economy. The nonprofit organization provides a gateway within the arts sector, to leaders in the private and public sectors and the general public.

More information on the Housatonic Valley Cultural Arts can be found online at: www.hvculturalarts.org

Just a few months ago, the General Assembly and Governor Malloy reduced both the size and the cost of state agencies through consolidation, productivity increases, and renegotiated employee contracts. Yet we kept convenient services like Danbury’s DMV office open. We’ve maintained the safety net. We shored-up funds to cities to help mitigate increases in local property taxes. We did raise some taxes, but in a way that spreads the burden toward to the richest among us.

We focused on jobs in a special session where the full legislature, both Democrats and Republicans, came together for the future of Connecticut’s workers. We must build on this foundation to enact education reforms that will ensure students are prepared for the real job market. We must match public education curriculum to employer needs.

To be blunt, we must seriously look at how we fund public schools to foster improvements to the quality of education

Raising high school graduation requirements and math, science and literacy scores are among my priorities. I applaud the teachers who support new performance measurements based on student academic growth, and will work with them to make common sense changes. Investing in a child’s earliest years provide the greatest chances for success in life; that means we must enhance our commitment to early childhood education.

I look forward to getting the details on the Governor’s proposal on school reform and early education initiatives on the Legislature’s opening day on Wednesday.

While things are improving they are not moving fast enough for me. Increasing the minimum wage to $9.00 this year shows our support to working families and their young children. I’ll co-sponsor that proposal.

The October storm remains on my mind and in my yard. I am appalled at the indifference and lack of response the big utility company’s showed you. I’ll be co-sponsoring legislation to hold utilities accountable, tie executive compensation to performance and set reasonable benchmarks on restoring power after a storm. Better coordination between utilities, local and state government is another area for improvement.

On the insurance side, I will push for new requirements that will stop big insurance company from denying storm related claims by using fine print definitions for wind and flood damage. Too many businesses were hurt not only because of being closed, but also because of lost inventory and perishables that insurers refused to pay for.

Emergency generators for cell towers, nursing facilities and senior housing must be a requirement. While we experienced two intense freak storms this year, these will be much less unusual as the global climate changes. We must prepare now.

For years I have heard from you that the cost of quality housing is beyond the reach of too many of our neighbors. I am pleased that our new Governor is reversing twenty years of neglect, and recognizes that housing is going to be a key component to get Connecticut’s economy moving again. The Governor’s new housing initiatives are estimated to create or retain over 6,700 construction and other related jobs, as well as supply more reasonably priced homes.

Every year I take your interests and concerns to heart. I rely on your responses to my annual constituent survey. They establish my priorities and guide my decisions on the important issues.

That’s why you can count on me to:

• Oppose any tolls on our highways
• Vote against any traffic spy-cameras that automatically ticket car owners
• Bet against online-gaming this year
• Relieve patient suffering with medically-necessary prescribed marijuana
• Champion “no-excuse” absentee-voting
• Allow more consumer choice through Sunday liquor sales that will make this the last Super Bowl that you’ll worry about running out or running over the border by half-time.

Yes, we’ve had good news lately that jobs are up and unemployment is down. But I have more work to do. You can count on me to keep protecting the vulnerable, especially seniors, children and our embattled middle-class working families. I remain optimistic that together we can face our common challenges and succeed.

"I am so glad that WestConn is reaching out to the community to help young people access a college education," said Rep. Godfrey. "Having WestConn as a neighbor makes our community a better place."

"It is becoming increasingly critical to have a college education to be competitive in today's job market and the even tougher future job market," Rep. Taborsak said. "I am very happy to have this informative event take place right in our city at WestConn."

On January 29, students and their families can come to campus and talk with financial aid counselors and college staff members about college entrance requirements, planning for college, and can receive on-site assistance in filling out financial aid applications. Additional valuable information will be shared about the benefits of attending college, student support services, areas of study, and various degree programs.

For students who are the first in their families to apply to attend college, the process can seem complicated, especially when it comes to finding financial resources and applying for aid. Participating in College Goal Sunday will give students and their families a helpful first step on the pathway to college and do so in a comfortable setting.

More information about College Goal Sunday, including what information to bring to complete the financial aid forms, can be found at www.collegegoalsundayct.org. Students and parents interested in attending should register at www.collegegoalsundayct.org/student-registration. In the event of inclement weather, program cancellation information will be available by calling 203-837-8582.

College Goal Sunday is funded and sponsored by Lumina Foundation for Education, the CT Association of Professional Financial Aid Administrators (CAPFAA), the CT Association of Educational Opportunity Programs (CAEOP), and the YMCAs of Connecticut.

“I am particularly proud to have co-sponsored the Paint Stewardship bill this year,” said Godfrey. “It is important that consumers have a safe and convenient way to dispose of the potentially harmful products in architectural paint. The Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority was instrumental in gathering support for this new law.”

“I’m honored that the League of Conservation Voters has recognized  me with this prestigious award,” said Lyddy. “Protecting open space, water and the air in Connecticut will always continue to be a real priority for me.”

Godfrey and Lyddy are just two of only 29 state representatives—less than 20 percent of the Connecticut House—to earn a rating of 100 percent.

Godfrey said, “Ensuring that environmental policy and energy policy are considered together, I supported the new Department of Energy and Environmental Policy or DEEP.”

The annual environmental scorecard grades state lawmakers based on how they vote on significant environmental legislation. This year the scorecard grades legislators' votes on twelve bills that came up during the 2011 legislative session.

CTLCV Co-Chair David Bingham said of the legislators who received high scores, “despite the pressures of economic distress, they upheld policies that are critical to providing clean air and water and make Connecticut an inviting state to do business.”

Formed in 1998, the bipartisan CTLCV works on laws that affect Connecticut's air, water, wildlife, open space, transportation, energy choices, and health.

Rep. Godfrey said “This legislation focuses on initiatives designed to create a climate in Connecticut that is ripe for maintaining, attracting and creating jobs. Job growth in a business-friendly environment is a priority in this state."

The goal of the legislation is to jump-start job creation and foster long-term economic growth. Incentives for small business, cutting red tape, incentives for innovation, economic development tools and workforce development and training are all addressed in the bill.

One of the key components of the legislation is the Small Business Express Package which will make $50 million/year available to small businesses through incentives, grants and loans.

“Creating new opportunities for job growth and showing a real commitment to small businesses across the state is what we have demonstrated with passage of these bills,” Taborsak stated. “We have taken a firm step to help not only small businesses, but our workforce who is in dire need of stable and good paying jobs to keep providing for their families and obligations.

Another vital component is aligning programs at vo-tech schools, community colleges and universities with high demand job needs of employers, including the state’s manufacturing technology companies.

Other components of the jobs bill include:

• Consolidating and increasing the tax credit for new hires
• Incentivizing investments in emerging technology (Angel Investors)
• Building innovation centers in key cities and investing in innovative ventures
• A second “First Five” program
• Cutting the business entity tax
• Streamlining the business permitting process
• Remediating old industrial sites/brownfields
• Computer upgrades to foster seamless communication between business and the state
• Workforce development, education and training
• Allowing the Airport Authority to designate new Development Zones
• Investments in roads and bridges
• Replenishing the Manufacturing Assistance Act (MAA)
• Main Street commercial centers improvement initiative

In addition, the legislature signed off on Jackson Laboratory’s plan to build a $1.1 billion research facility at the UConn Health Center campus in Farmington. The State of Connecticut will invest $291 million and Jackson Laboratory will raise the balance of $860 million for the project.

According to the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), the project is expected to create over 660 positions at Jackson Laboratory in Farmington within 20 years. DECD estimates more than 4,600 bioscience jobs would be generated through spin-off companies, and another 2,000 would be added to local service and area retail stores. The project would yield more than 840 construction jobs as well.

“This is a historical moment for Danbury for two reasons: There has never been such an infusion of state support into Main Street Danbury and such an investment in the health and well-being of Danbury area residents. It’s a great win-win,” Taborsak said.

“In an era where my constituents are telling me that access to affordable quality health care is a concern, this new and expanded health center goes a very long way to meeting their needs.” Rep. Godfrey stated. “We have worked long and hard as a team in securing the state’s support. I applaud Governor Malloy for his backing and am delighted to see this coming to fruition. I look forward to the ground breaking and ribbon cutting.”

The funds, expected to get approval when the State Bond Commission meets Friday, will make a significant economic development impact on downtown by creating over 150 permanent and temporary jobs that will help improve the local economy, provide accessible health care and enhance Danbury’s revitalization efforts.

"There are many residents in Danbury and the surrounding towns who rely on the medical, behavioral and other health services that the Community Health Center of Greater Danbury provides,” Governor Malloy said. “This grant for its expansion will help the Center improve the delivery of care to its patients, whether it be primary, dental or behavioral health services, and continue its core mission of improving the health and well being of the community it serves.”

"The people of greater Danbury deserve to have access to a first-rate community health care facility," said House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden). "This grant gives them that. Combined with new jobs and help to revitalize downtown, this is a significant project for the Danbury community. I want to thank Reps. Taborsak, Godfrey and Lyddy, as well as the Connecticut Institute For Communities and former Congressman Maloney for their hard work to help secure the funding, and for understanding the beneficial impact this facility can have on the community."

"This is great news for greater Danbury residents," said Rep. Chris Lyddy (D-Newtown). "The new facility will enable many residents to receive the health care already enjoyed by others. Construction of the facility also will provide a boost to the local economy. It has been an honor to work with Rep. Taborsak, Jim Maloney and the Governor's Office on this initiative and trust that as a result of our collaborative efforts more people will have access to health care.”

The $4 million grant is expected to create at least 60 constructions jobs and approximately 100 permanent jobs including health care providers as well as support and administrative positions.

“I would like to especially thank Governor Malloy and Speaker Donovan for their strong support of this important project,” Taborsak said. “They have both been critical in making this happen and have shown a real commitment to the health and well being of Danbury area residents.”

“This is wonderful news for the CIFC Community Health Center of Greater Danbury and for the entire Danbury community. Governor Dannel Malloy, Speaker of the House Chris Donovan and Representative Joe Taborsak have done magnificent work in making this project possible,” Hon. James H. Maloney, Esq., President/Chief Executive Officer Connecticut Institute For Communities, Inc. (CIFC) said. “They have shown their deep commitment both to downtown Danbury and to the people in our community most in need of health care services. This project will be a solid boost to the Danbury economy and a very important on-going benefit to our region’s residents for generations to come.”

“What great news! This new state-of-the-art community medical facility will more than double the patient-services capacity of our Health Center, and it will also allow us to fully integrate medical care, dental care, and behavioral health care into a single facility that will secure for Danbury area families the best possible health services,” Dr. Thomas F. Draper, MD, MPH Medical Director CIFC Community Health Center of Greater Danbury stated. “Our CIFC Health Center was recently honored to be designated as a “Patient Centered Medical Home” by the National Committee For Quality Assurance, one of only two Community Health Centers in all of Connecticut (out of 14) with such accreditation. This new building will enable us to continue our high quality health care in an equally high-quality facility.”

The health center is sponsored by the Connecticut Institute For Communities, Inc. (CIFC), a Danbury-based community development organization that also sponsors a number of other social services programs in Danbury, including Head Start of Northern Fairfield County.

Remarkable! It’s the only word to describe the 2011 legislative session. We’ve turned the corner, fiscally and economically, thanks to the leadership and vision of Governor Dannel Malloy and the work of your General Assembly.

Governor Malloy has done what other recent Governors failed to do: lead, govern and offer bold, sound economic policy. It’s good for businesses and good for us because he’s creating jobs and protecting the safety net.

Our Governor is doing what Republican leaders only talk about. He’s streamlining government, reducing the number of agencies by 30 percent. He’s running it like a business with new management and upgraded technology to increase productivity. He’s negotiated a wage freeze and other union concessions now awaiting ratification, which I expect will happen. Together we made over $700 million in spending cuts. We refused to borrow or use other gimmicks. We fully funded our pension obligations. We stayed below the constitutional spending cap.

That’s why businesses large and small endorsed these proposals. Connecticut is once again open for business. We passed the “First Five Program” to encourage five businesses to create over 200 new jobs each.  We expanded our reinvestments in manufacturing. We provided student loan reimbursements for green-tech degree holders. We’re building a world class bio-science research center at UConn. We invested in construction jobs.

We rejected Republican proposals to shred the safety net. We said NO! to reducing Medicare by half-a-billion dollars. Our most vulnerable residents, children and the elderly and those at risk for losing their homes are protected.

Public schools will get the money needed to meet their mission, while keeping property taxes down.

We expanded the school breakfast program to feed hungry children.

We instituted the earned income tax credit so struggling low-paid workers can get extra help.

We protected workers’ health and yours with a paid sick day so they can stay home and get well.

We created the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership to protect and increase access to quality, affordable health care, and require insurance companies to pay claims quicker.

We created a coordinated system of early childhood education.

We strengthened school bullying laws.

Like you, I watch my electric bill. I’ve reduced my use, but it’s still too costly. I regret the Rowland deregulation measures. They haven’t worked. So we passed a major act about Connecticut’s energy future. It does a lot. It invests in energy efficient and clean energy technologies in both homes and businesses. It reforms state agencies to provide tighter controls over your energy costs.

Led by Governor Malloy, we’ve started to reform our criminal justice system. By giving the Commissioner of Corrections the tools he needs to reduce recidivism through education and rehabilitation, we’ll save money for years to come. Our dramatic changes in the penalties for non-violent drug offenses will lead to better outcomes for users, and reduced costs for taxpayers.

Twenty years of pent-up demand for real leadership and bold approaches to our common problems and concerns have been dealt with – finally! We’ve set a new course that focuses on jobs and the needs and rights of each of us that will bring us to real prosperity. It’s an optimistic course I’ll hold to for you.

“I very much appreciate the willingness and flexibility of the administration to rethink this,” Godfrey said. “We are always telling drivers to pull over and take a break if they are tired, so let’s not send a contradictory message.”

The Department of Transportation had announced the closing of both the east and westbound rest stops effective July 1 to cut an estimated $400,000 in maintenance costs, but Godfrey argued that public safety and community concerns outweighed any estimated savings.

“First and foremost, we must consider the safety of truck drivers and others travelling on the roads,” Godfrey wrote in a June 7 letter to the Governor Malloy. “Over tired truckers and drivers are a serious safety concern.”

Godfrey also noted that charitable organizations, such as the Boys Scouts often offer “coffee breaks” at the rest areas as fundraisers.

All of the state’s seven non-commercial highway rest stops were scheduled to be closed over the next two years at an annual saving of $1.3 million. The stops are located in Danbury, Middletown, North Stonington, Southington, Wallingford and Willington.

The bill, that the three legislators all co-sponsored, HB 5489, An Act Concerning an Additional State Fire School, garnered bipartisan support and passed the House unanimously. It is now on its way to the State Senate for their consideration.

“Very few departments can fully meet all possible needs with today’s limited budgets. Currently, there are no regional fire schools in western Connecticut,” said Rep. Godfrey. “Having a regional school where the many required programs can be presented locally saves in travel and costs and will save time, as the closest school is an hour away from Danbury.”

Fire schools provide training opportunities for several municipalities. They have long practiced what is today called regionalization, cooperating on common services that save town’s money. Since 9/11, the need for a regional response to emergencies is clear. In addition, Fire Service training and certification requirements come from various agencies such as the FAA and OSHA as well as local, state and federal mandates.

“Changing Danbury’s Fire Training Facility designation to a Regional Fire School will meet the training needs of many area towns and provide communities with the highly trained fire protection personnel they deserve,” said Rep. Taborsak.

“Having a consistent, uniform training curriculum will benefit all area towns during mutual aid responses during an emergency,” said Rep. Giegler. “I am pleased that Danbury will be the host city for a top-notch training facility that will directly benefit so many towns in our area.”

In essence, the bill (HB 6351) gives homeowners an opportunity to participate in the foreclosure mediation program without simultaneously engaging in litigation for up to eight months.

“Connecticut’s foreclosure mediation is a national model and this enhances an already successful law,” Rep. Godfrey said. “We have held public forums in Danbury with House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan that were very well attended and the need for mediation services in the community is great. I am pleased the program will now continue to help keep families in their homes during these tough economic times.”

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.

An Act Concerning the Integrity of Elections (SB 942) will require local elections officials to report to the Secretary of the State’s office how many ballots they purchase for elections, and certify that they have taken into account factors that may increase voter turnout.

“Accountability and election integrity is what this legislation is all about,” Bob Godfrey said.

In rare cases the Secretary of the State would be authorized to direct a municipality to order more ballots. Every town would also be required to have an emergency plan to address issues such as power outages and ballot shortages on Election Day.

The legislation also provides for more enhanced training of moderators, who are in charge of running polling precincts.

The legislation awaits the governor’s consideration.

When the General Assembly convened in January we faced an unprecedented challenge – a $3.5 billion budget deficit and an economy still recovering from Wall Street and Big Bank greed. In this Great Recession, traditional budget balancing practices successfully used in past recessions did not work. What to do?

Thankfully, our new Governor Dannel Malloy proposed a responsible, tough yet fair budget that called for all Connecticut residents to share in the sacrifice.. It included sweeping spending cuts, significant tax increases, investments to get Connecticut back to work, and new prudent policies. Businesses large and small, city and town leadership, and non-profit service providers called it honest, solid, and the right thing to do.

Best of all it protected the ‘safety net,’ help that you and our neighbors can rely on when needed most. It protected state funds to cities and towns for the most important services, such as public education. In 2012, Danbury will receive $511,610 more in state funding than the $31,656,108 it receives this year. And in 2013, Danbury will receive another $617,242 on top of that. That’s money that keeps your property taxes down and in your pocket.

While the governor’s plan was carefully constructed, I felt it needed more work. I joined in the fights that saved the property tax credit, eliminated a gas tax increase, reversed policy changes that would have hurt Danbury Hospital, reduced some of the proposed sales tax expansions, and even saved my “sales tax free week” each August.

The budget I helped craft and voted for had less spending and less tax increases than the Governor’s. But still, there was a billion dollar place-holder to be filled through concessions by our state employees. They had always come through for us before, and on Friday they did again. Their sacrifice will save us billions through changes in healthcare costs, pensions and wages, and the elimination of managerial positions. All with no more tax increases, no borrowing, no gimmicks. Agencies will still be open and convenient for you.

Then Republican partisan politics tainted the debate. Instead of applauding an honest state budget that protects the working middle class that does not rely on borrowing or accounting gimmicks, detractors went down the same old ideological dead-end road.. They proposed their last minute “alternative budget”, not based on sound principles, but full of bad math and fiscal gimmicks. In a recession, it’s foolish to rely on cuts to unemployment benefits and job training, and massive cuts to health care for the elderly to balance a budget. And worst of all, they still insisted that ‘shared sacrifice’ should never, ever, include the rich and super-rich.

After 3 years of economic hardship, we’re stabilizing our state’s finances. I’ve fought to protect the working middle class, and preserve the safety net for our seniors, kids and most vulnerable neighbors. Unlike budgets in New York and New Jersey, I worked to maintain critical funding for our cities and towns. Real cuts have been made, debt has been reduced and our pension obligations funded. We can now move onto our jobs stimulus bill to ensure that all Connecticut residents can share in a growing economy and a prosperous future.

The forum featured guests, members and representatives from federal and state veterans’ organizations who discussed programs and initiatives currently available, and others in the process of becoming available.

"My fellow veterans have given so much for our country that we are thankful for," said Godfrey. "I applaud each and every one of them for their unselfish contributions. This Forum is to show them about the many ways we can return the favor, through state and federal assistance that will help them."

"I am pleased to have partnered again with Rep. Godfrey and Rich Raymond of the Catholic War Veterans to host another great Danbury Veterans' Forum,” Taborsak stated. “By having this open public forum, local Veterans are able to speak directly to their state and federal government about issues affecting them. If we are able to help even one veteran today, the event is worth it to me."

"The Catholic War Veterans of Danbury are pleased to provide the facilities for the Veterans’ Forum,” said Commander Raymond. “We thank Rep. Joe Taborsak, Deputy Speaker Bob Godfrey and the other participants for devoting their time and effort to assist our veterans in a variety of ways."

Both, Godfrey and Taborsak worked with CWV Commander Raymond to ensure veterans participation at the informational forum and expressed their satisfaction of the turn out.

The Honorable Paul Knierim, Probate Court Administrator, bestowed the award on Rep. Godfrey and said, “In 2009, Bob’s willingness to tackle such a politically charged issue as restructuring the Probate Court system is a testament both to his courage and his commitment to the mission of the courts. This public service award is but a small token of our appreciation and the high esteem in which we hold you.”

Upon accepting the award, Godfrey said, “I am very pleased and humbled to even be considered for this award. Having been involved with Probate Court System issues over the years and the court consolidation at the legislature, getting this award means a great deal to me. Probate touches people and families in a very personal way. Working with probate and their dedicated staff has made my contributions most rewarding.”

Daniel F. Caruso, Fairfield Probate Judge and Probate Assembly President said, “Our citizens owe a great thanks to Rep. Godfrey’s unparalleled commitment to ensuring those needing the probate courts’ assistance in times of grief or need, will continue to find that help locally all while reducing overhead and duplication to save taxpayers money.”

After the award was presented, Danbury Probate Judge Dianne Yamin said, “During my term on the Probate Assembly, and in more recent years during the Probate Court consolidation, State Representative Bob Godfrey has been a true friend and supporter of the Connecticut Probate Court System.”

The Probate Court has jurisdiction over executing a person’s will, the approval of the accounts of an administrator of a decedent’s estate, or any other judicial act within the province of the court, including guardianships, conservatorships, and the like.

"We continue to face tough economic times as we find ways to deal with our statewide budget deficit,” Donovan said. “In the meantime, we are reaching out to homeowners who are having difficulty with their mortgages. This program is an alternative to consider for those who want to keep their homes from being foreclosed.”

The forum highlighted resources and assistance available through the Connecticut Fair Housing Center. Mediation classes are offered across the state, with this evening's forum a brief introduction. Topics discussed ranged from home loan modification and negotiating a home exit strategy to housing counselors and demystifying the process. An 80-page manual which walks homeowners through the Connecticut foreclosure process, including all forms needed for court was distributed. To date, some 5000 owners have kept their homes thanks to this mediation process.

"Facing foreclosure is devastating to families, communities and the economy,” Taborsak stated. “We are trying to provide necessary tools to help homeowners that are facing this crisis. It is my hope that as more people learn about how this program works, that we will have many taking advantage of it.” 

“Danbury is a great city to put down roots and buy a home. During this past recession families have been hit hard economically and found it difficult to make ends meet and pay their bills,” said Rep. Godfrey. “People facing foreclosure need the opportunity to keep their homes. Achieving the American dream of owning a home, only to lose it to the bank is a tragedy that profoundly impacts families and neighborhoods.”

"The Connecticut Fair Housing Center is the only non-profit organization in the state that provides legal assistance and resources, free of charge, to homeowners facing foreclosure," said CFHC Staff Attorney Jeffrey Gentes. "One in 13 Connecticut homeowners is either 90 days behind on their mortgage or in foreclosure. It is critical that we continue to support and educate people about resources like the Foreclosure Mediation Program so that we can prevent as many foreclosures as possible."

For assistance with foreclosure, please contact:

Connecticut Department of Banking
Foreclosure Assistance Hotline: 1-877-472-8313
www.ct.gov/dob

Connecticut Fair Housing Center
Phone: (860) 247-4400
www.ctfairhousing.org

Housing Development Fund
Phone: (203) 798-6527
www.hdf-ct.org

Neighborhood Housing Services of Waterbury
Phone:. (203) 753-1896
www.nhswaterbury.org

Community Action Center of Danbury
Phone: (203) 744-4700
www.cacd-caa.org

Governor Malloy's speech to the General Assembly was the wrapping on his budget package. Simply put, he described his goals – jobs, preserving the safety net, protecting cities, living within our means – and how to get there – shared sacrifice. He is taking his leadership responsibility seriously. Now, I'm unwrapping the package and sorting through the contents.

We know that our new Governor inherited a deficit of $6.5 billion for the coming biennium, an amount equal to 20 percent of the entire two-year budget. He also faces long-term obligations of $72 billion for bonded debt and unfunded liabilities for pensions and retiree healthcare, as well as a mixed forecast for economic recovery.

The budget proposes closing the projected deficit with a combination of spending reductions and revenue increases.. The Governor has proposed $1.8 billion in spending cuts, including $1 billion in concessions from state employee unions, and $1.5 billion in revenue increases – about a 54 percent to 46 percent ratio of cuts to taxes. State employees have always stepped up to the plate in past years and made significant contributions to balance budgets because we all know that the answer to unemployment is not more unemployment.

Some policy changes make me sad. A few years back, then State Senator David Cappiello and I proposed the sales tax-free week in August. I understand it's on the chopping block. I too have to be grown up and come to terms with the severity and length of this economic crisis.

In my experience, recessions last less than a couple years. We've used the three legged stool of spending cuts, taxes, and borrowing to get through the short term, and then readjusted them again when the recession was over. That won't work any more. Wall Street and big bank greed has permanently altered the state's revenue stream. Connecticut is going to have to come up with new ways of dealing with this new reality. Dannel Malloy has done just that.

The City of Danbury fares well overall. Current state funding for Danbury's public education (ECS), road construction and repairs (TAR), and capital improvements (LOCIP) will be fully funded. Funding will actually increase for adult education and school transportation. There will be some reductions to PILOT aid for state-owned property, colleges, hospitals, and the Pequot and Mohegan Fund payments.

As a former mayor, Governor Malloy has proposed new revenue streams for towns to reduce the overreliance on the property tax – something local mayors and first selectmen have long desired. His real estate conveyance tax, taxes on boats, aircraft, and revenue sharing of sales taxes and hotel taxes could bring Danbury an additional $2.6 million in 2011-12 and $3.45 million in 2012-13.

I am generally pleased with the direction of the Governor's budget, which includes:

• Maintaining aid to towns and school districts to keep property taxes down Funding operations with on-going revenue streams; no reliance on borrowing, one-time revenues or other gimmicks
• Committing to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• No early state retirement incentive, which merely shifts costs to the unfunded pension liability
• Reducing the number of state agencies by one-third
• Restricting borrowing to long-term capital investments that will create jobs, especially in construction
• Aggressive maximization of federal funds – and bringing our federal tax dollars back home.

But more in-depth analysis needs to be completed, and most of all, you need to be heard. The Governor is embarking on a listening tour which will include a stop in Danbury on April 6. My constituents are also currently completing my annual survey and I look forward to their input. I'm especially interested in your answer to this question: What state services that you use, are you willing to forgo or see cut, to bring down spending?

We all have to sacrifice to get Connecticut back on track again. We all need to be a part of the discussions to make that happen.