Dear Friend/Neighbor:
It is my pleasure to have been your voice in Hartford during the 2019 legislative session. In the legislature we are responsible for writing bills that determine the policy and government of the state of Connecticut.
As a taxpayer and a consumer, I understand the needs of effective government. As a legislator, I know we have the obligation to protect our children, to assist our elderly with housing and medical care, to provide for public safety and also the need to create a positive environment for business and workers equally. I supported the budget because it brings increases in financial funds to Hartford. As your state representative, I will continue to work to bring changes necessary to improve the quality of life in our district and the city of Hartford. As always please do not hesitate to contact me if you are in need of assistance.
Sincerely,
Paid Family Medical Leave
In the event of a medical emergency, Paid Family and Medical Leave allows workers to care for themselves or a loved one without having to face the threat of financial ruin. By providing up to 12 weeks of Family and Medical Leave Insurance per year, equaling up to 95% of an employee’s weekly paycheck, we will provide financial protection to those who find themselves in an unanticipated medical emergency. This will help pregnant women on medically-ordered bedrest, families with an infirm or aging parent, and new parents who want to bond with an infant. The program is funded by employee contributions. If you or your family has an emergency, there will now be financial peace-of-mind.
Park Street Library
Finally we will have a library on Park Street. I feel very happy and proud that working together with Senator Fonfara, Governor Lamont and Majority Leader Ritter, I managed to get $11.5 million for the construction of the library. This is a project that our community has waited 25 years for.
City of Hartford
(FY 2020-2021 Legislative Est.)
| Municipal Revenue Sharing | $12,422,113 |
| PILOT: Colleges & Hospitals | $20,009,758 |
| PILOT: State Property | $10,162,953 |
| Pequot/Mohegan Aid | $6,136,523 |
| Municipal Stabilization Grant | $3,370,519 |
| Adult Education | $1,729,660 |
| Educational Cost Sharing | $205,908,195 |
| Municipal Transition Grant | $11,597,120 |
| Total State Funds to Hartford | $271,336,841 |
Working with the Hartford delegation we have pledged up to $550 million to assist with our city’s long-term budget and save the city from bankruptcy.
Youth Services Grant
| Charter Oak Boxing Academy | $10,000 |
| Friends of Pope Park | $45,000 |
| MGLL, Inc. | $30,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club (Chandler St.) | $15,000 |
Raising Wages
No one who works full time should live in poverty. Connecticut families will have more economic security as the state’s minimum hourly wage gradually rises to $15 by June 1, 2023. This legislation will help over 300,000 Connecticut workers who make less than $15 an hour. The wage will increase on October 1, 2019 to $11 an hour, followed by incremental increases over the next 4½ years. This legislation will combat persistent pay disparities between races and genders, stimulate our economy and raise the minimum wage incrementally until it reaches $15 an hour on June 1, 2023.
Supporting Our Seniors
In order to ensure the proper care for seniors, we modified continuing education requirements for physicians to include diagnosing and treating cognitive conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, delirium, related cognitive impairments and geriatric depression.