“I am very pleased to join with my co-chair in this collection for our veterans,” Rep. Hennessy said. “I look forward to many more such events that illustrate that people do care.”

“Soldiers returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq face an unemployment rate twice as high as the normal population. These heroes could use a helping hand, so we are asking legislators and staff to donate a few personal care and clothing items,” said Sen. Leone. “This is just one more small thing we can do for our veterans in the final days of the legislative session.”

Items collected include personal care, health and hygiene items for men and women: tooth brushes, tooth paste, shampoo, soap, deodorant, grooming kits, etc. Clothing items were also collected: socks, underwear, t-shirts, hats, gloves, boots, umbrellas, etc.

Members of the public can make donations directly to South Park Inn, 75 Main Street, Hartford.

Senate Bill 364, An Act Concerning Traffic Stop Information, contains several provisions to augment legislation passed by the late Senator Alvin Penn from Bridgeport to compile and analyze data to determine racial bias in traffic stops and penalties. The Racial Profiling Act was passed in 1999 but has not been implemented consistently across Connecticut.

‘It’s about time we give this law the structure for proper state-wide implementation,” Rep. Charlie Stallworth said. “It is unfortunate it took this many years for proper legislative action, but I am very pleased to be a part of it.”

“With the recent documented and statistically significant proof that racial profiling exists in Connecticut, supporting this bill made sense.  The law needed strengthening and we have done that today,” Rep. Jack Hennessy said.

“This bill provides the language and framework that ensures these numbers need to be reported and that all Police departments are participating,” Rep. Andres Ayala said. “It has been thirteen years since the passage of the original legislation, so it appears this is the only avenue we had to ensure compliance.”

“This will finally allow Connecticut to systematically collect the information in the quantities needed for proper evaluation and policy decision making,” Rep. Auden Grogins said.

“The information gathered throughout the state will allow us to determine and address problem areas that would otherwise be allowed to continue with business as usual,” Rep. Don Clemons said. “I look forward to a more informed state and more honest and equitable enforcement of traffic laws.”

A recent analysis of more than 100,000 traffic stops by dozens of local police departments in 2011 found that black and Hispanic drivers are significantly more likely to receive a ticket or a court date than white drivers stopped for the same offense.

In order to address issues cited by law enforcement authorities across the state as a hindrance to data collection and submission, provisions of the bill include:

• Having the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) collect, compile and analyze data
• Creating a standard form across all police departments to make data collection easier and more consistent
• Training for police officers in the use and completion of the standard form
• Submitting an annual profiling report to the Governor, General Assembly and other pertinent parties
• Allows OPM to recommend an appropriate penalty, including the withholding of state funds, against a department that does not comply with the traffic stop provisions

“This extension helps the City of Bridgeport with another tool in the tool box to ensure we can make Steel Point happen.  Steel Point is an extremely important project for the city and as a delegation we want to make sure we give the administration the support they need to move forward,” Rep. Andres Ayala said.

“Steel point should be a major hub of maritime economic activity for Bridgeport,” Rep. Stallworth said. “We cannot avert our attention from the goal of making a developed waterfront part of our city’s landscape and this bill keeps the project alive.”

“I am pleased to support this critical funding for this project. Making Steel Point a reality is essential to Bridgeport's economic recovery,” Rep. Grogins said.

“It seems that everybody is waiting for the Steel Point Project to happen; all the traffic traveling on I95 through Bridgeport looks out to the empty expanse, year after the year, wondering when it'll be Bridgeport’s turn to turn around.  This bill helps keep the promise alive,” Rep. Hennessy said.

“For as long as I can remember, this parcel of prime harbor property has lain dormant. If Bridgeport is to enjoy a renaissance of economic prosperity, it cannot be without development and leveraging of the economic potential of this tract of land,” Rep. Clemons said.

“I truly believe that we will need no more extensions after this due to the progress that has been made to this point. We have resources in place such as the TIF and a commitment from the state to be an economic partner with the developer, Bridgeport Landing Development LLC, and the City of Bridgeport to make this project a reality. Permitting is moving forward and we are nearing the point where shovels meet the ground and a multi-million dollar mixed use development rises on prime waterfront property,” Rep. Santiago said.

“The developer has made major investments on the site and within the community and intends to see this project through. The Bridgeport Delegation is doing everything in its power to help facilitate a project we believe will jumpstart other proposed projects like the $500 million mixed use development on the Remington site. These projects have the potential to have huge positive impacts on the city’s tax rolls which is one of the best ways to provide relief to Bridgeport taxpayers while creating temporary and permanent jobs,” Rep. Santiago added.

The legislation extends, from June 30, 2012 to June 30, 2015, the deadline by which the Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut Development Authority and Connecticut Innovations, Inc. may provide up to $40 million in financial assistance from existing programs to the Steel Point project.

As under current law, the assistance must be used for developing and improving property in Bridgeport’s Steel Point.

HB 5395, An Act Concerning Custody Orders for Deployed Members of the Armed Forces, protects divorced military parents' permanent custody orders in the event of deployment. It also provides an opportunity for the military parent to create temporary custody orders that remain in effect only as long as they are away on deployment and  calls for as much contact as possible between children and the parent who is absent while on military duty by providing contact by phone or e-mail.

“The last thing a deployed parent needs to be worrying about while in a combat zone is whether an ex-spouse is going take their child away from them,” Rep. Hennessy said. “This bill will remove some of the psychological trauma inherent when a parent leaves a small child for an extended period of time.”

The central element of this legislation is to ensure that a court cannot enter into a final order modifying parental rights due to deployment.

While the deployed parent is away, this bill prevents anyone from going to court and try and overturn, or change the permanent custody order. Upon return from deployment, permanent custody orders go back into effect.

The Department of Defense’s USA Military Families Initiative has identified this initiative has one of their top priorities and announced support for the bill earlier this year.

The bill goes next to the Senate.

Approved by an 86-62 vote, the legislation replaces the death penalty with a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for capital offenses committed on or after the effective date of the act.

“It speaks to who we are as a people, what we value and how our children’s lives will be shaped by our actions,” Rep. Hennessy said.

Legislators cited other reasons for supporting the abolishment of capital punishment:

• The death penalty is not a deterrent to committing murder. States such as Florida, Virginia and Texas where they have strong capital punishment laws would have a much lower crime rate if the death penalty were a deterrent.

"The animals of Connecticut are fortunate to have strong voices like Representatives Urban and Hennessy willing to step up to the plate and fight for what is right," said Annie Hornish, Connecticut State Director for the HSUS. "Thanks to their efforts, wildlife watchers, horseback riders, hikers, and other outdoor recreationalists will continue to enjoy peaceful and safe recreation on Sundays, and law enforcement will now have improved informational tools they need to crack down on child and animal abusers alike.”

Rep. Urban and Rep. Hennessy were honored for their work in blocking HB 5158, legislation which would have opened Sundays to hunting and stripped the one day a week dedicated to non-hunting recreation. Hunters already enjoy recreational opportunities disproportionate with their numbers, and this legislation would have created an even greater imbalance among outdoor users.

HB 6226/Public Act 11-194, landmark legislation introduced by Rep. Urban, requires the cross reporting of child abuse and animal cruelty, acknowledging the link between animal abuse and future violent behavior, a relationship that has been recognized by the FBI since 1971.

“I depend on the support from The HSUS members’ letters and phone calls. This reward belongs to all of us,” said Rep. Urban.

“I am grateful to receive this award,” said Rep. Hennessy. “I thank The HSUS supporters who back my efforts to make this world a better place for animals.”

Senate Bill 364, An Act Concerning Traffic Stop Information, contains several provisions to effectuate legislation passed by the late Senator Alvin Penn from Bridgeport to compile and analyze data to determine racial bias in traffic stops and penalties. The Racial Profiling Act was passed in 2003 but has not been implemented consistently across Connecticut.

“I am glad to see the bill pass this first hurdle, as a delegation we will continue to work to ensure our constituents are not being stopped just because they are African American or Latino. As we have seen with the example of East Haven, profiling does occur. We must protect our citizens and this legislation helps us to do that,” Rep. Andres Ayala said.

“Connecticut has had a decade to implement a consistent plan of data collection and it is unfortunate that we are still struggling to make that happen,” Rep. Charlie Stallworth said. “Let’s us delay no longer and pass this legislation this session to contribute to a more fair and just system.”

“Having the Office of Policy and Management handle the data collection and analysis is key to generating useful reports,” Rep. Auden Grogins said. “I will support this legislation and hope to see it signed into law.”

“Being a member of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, I am pleased to see that my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee agreed there is inequity in the state with racial profiling and revisited Alvin Penn’s legislation that has been on the books so long,” Rep. Don Clemons said. “The new provisions will facilitate implementation and will bring our police departments into compliance by bringing in the Office of Policy and Management and the Criminal Justice Information System Governing Board to oversee and make sure police departments are doing their jobs.”

“I remember, more than one time, where in my opinion I have been a victim of racial profiling which left me feeling very vulnerable to racism. No one should be made to feel this way, nor should anyone be allowed to behave in this manner towards others based on racial bias. I applaud the Judiciary Committee for passing this legislation. I also hope it makes it through the remaining legislative process and is eventually signed into law by the Governor,” Rep. Ezequiel Santiago said.

“Profiling can exist in towns as well as the cities,” Rep. Jack Hennessy said. “This legislation protects everyone against bias in traffic stops and penalties.”

A recent published analysis of more than 100,000 traffic stops by dozens of local police departments in 2011 found that black and Hispanic drivers are significantly more likely to receive a ticket or a court date than white drivers stopped for the same offense.

In order to address issues cited by law enforcement authorities across the state as a hindrance to data collection and submission, provisions of the bill include:

• Having the Office of Policy and Management collect, compile and analyze data
• Creating a standard form across all police departments to make data collection easier and more consistent
• Training for police officers in the use and completion of the standard form
• Submitting an annual profiling report to the Governor, General Assembly and other pertinent parties

The picket takes place ahead of the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on Monday February 27 at 6:30 p.m. at 45 Lyon Terrace. A zoning decision will take place that, if passed, would allow for commercial development that would be inappropriate for the area.

Representative Hennessy urged residents to attend the rally and the P&Z meeting to protect the neighborhood against the residential to commercial zone change that would affect quality of life in the area.

Representative Hennessey will present a governor’s proclamation to begin the event that day.

“It is an honor for me to able to present the proclamation for a wonderful and unique science museum that has weathered good and bad times in its history, but has always endured and prospered to be the great museum it is today,” Rep. Hennessy said.

In operation since January 21, 1963, the museum functions as both a tourist attraction featuring science and space exhibits and as an informal science education center. Through its exhibits, it enhances public understanding of science and technology by providing fun, instructive experiences that encourage participant interaction. Also, as an informal science education center, it provides an extensive range of educational programs in science and technology.

Rep. Jack Hennessy, Rep. Claire Janowski, Veterans Commissioner Linda Schwartz, Sen. Paul Doyle
and Rep. Betty Boukus load the van that will deliver gifts to the Veterans Home with help of
three special student elves.

The approximately 400 veterans residing at the Rocky Hill facility continue to be in need of many basic personal items and this collection helps provide these necessities. In addition to personal items, gift cards and clothes, this year's donations included Wii video game consoles and a flat-screen TV.  After the press conference, the donations were loaded into a van for delivery to the Veteran's Home.

The Rockville Elks Lodge #1359 gave a significant donation of clothing to the collection and conducted numerous events and fund-raising efforts to help veterans, active servicemen and their families throughout the year. Donations were also provided by lawmakers, legislative staff, visitors to the Capitol and many others.

Since 1863, the residential facility at the Veterans' Home and Hospital has offered a place to live and a continuum of rehabilitative services designed to prepare veterans for their return to independent living in the community.

“Keeping Bridgeport in the Fourth Congressional District is in the best interest of everyone concerned – especially when it comes to petitioning government on important issues. I have, and will continue to voice my constituents’ concerns to legislative leadership and members of the reapportionment commission. I am determined that we will not be ignored in this process,” Rep. Hennessy said.

“It is obvious to me that the proposed plan to move Bridgeport out of the Fourth Congressional District is purely political.  One of the ideas behind redistricting is to give minorities a strong voice in as many districts as possible,” Rep Grogins said. “Moving Bridgeport would have enormously negative consequences for minorities in the Fourth District.”

“Also, in terms of competiveness, the Fourth District has been represented by Democrats and Republicans over the years, so competiveness has more to do with the strength of individual candidates than with how the district is currently constituted. And, finally, our ‘community of interest’ is Fairfield County. That’s where we identify ourselves in terms of business and economics, and it is with the cities and towns of Fairfield County that we share common threads,” Rep. Grogins added.

“The site of this second rail station will spur further economic development. Currently, the City of Bridgeport has numerous projects in this area which would be well served by the second station,” Rep. Ayala said. “This could be the spark which ignites further investment opportunities and better jobs and housing for our residents. As chairman of the Bonding Subcommittee on Transportation I am pleased to see this project move forward.”

“This project will address one of the barriers to economic activity which is lack of access to public transportation,” Rep. Clemons said. “This project encompasses blight, pollution and transportation with increased avenues for economic activity. This is money well-spent and I am eager to see the work begin.”

"The state’s investment in the revitalization of this significant brownfield property is essential to our future economic success. Giving additional access to our Bridgeport commuters to New York and other major Connecticut cities is key to making Bridgeport a destination city. It is also a key factor in drawing more businesses to our area and making Bridgeport more attractive as a residential community,” Rep. Grogins said. “With the prior attention having been given to Fairfield’s new train station, I am excited and hopeful that the prospect of a new train station in Bridgeport will shift the focus for future economic development in our city."

“It’s good to see that Bridgeport is getting its fair share of state dollars,” Rep. Hennessy said. “Brownfield remediation is long overdue.  This project will spur economic development in a blighted area of this city.”

“Cleaning contaminated brownfield sites and putting them back into productive use will be a key factor in our efforts to increase the cities taxable grand list. This is an effective way to provide tax relief for our property and business owners,” Rep. Santiago said. “Adding to our public transportation infrastructure will help lower our carbon footprint, while the additional commuter traffic will provide opportunity for increased business at existing venues as well as a greater need for new businesses to be established.”

“This contaminated brownfield has been dormant for many years and it is great to see it finally getting some attention,” Rep. Stallworth said. “When you combine the remediation with a new train station, Bridgeport and residents are poised to reap many benefits from this project.”

The funds will support on site remediation efforts on the 7-acre parcel on Barnum Avenue and will help with the area’s revitalization initiatives. Bridgeport was the successful recipient of a Sustainable Communities Grant Award to explore the feasibility of a second station at this site. The planned station will serve to expand transportation options for commuters that have difficulties accessing the current downtown station.

Since its creation in 2005, the Veterans' Committee has successfully enacted numerous laws to help improve the quality of life for those who have served our country with benefits such as local tax exemptions and tuition breaks at Connecticut's public colleges and universities. We are proud to report that this year's session of the General Assembly also produced a wide range of legislation aimed at assisting and honoring our veterans.

• Extends authorization for a special certificate of registration and veterans' license plate to a member of the U.S. armed forces or his or her surviving spouse.
• Requires the motor vehicles commissioner to include a person's status as a veteran, if applicable, on his or her driver's license or identity card. The bill also requires that disabled wartime veterans receive free parking, admission, and boat access parking to state parks, forests, and state recreational areas.
• Expands, to those serving in Afghanistan, current law's waiver of property tax interest for certain U. S. armed forces members called to active service in Iraq and authorizes municipalities' legislative bodies to vote to waive property tax interest for certain U. S. armed forces members who have been called to active service outside the state.
• Waives the $20 fee for one certified copy of a veteran's death certificate when the deceased veteran's spouse, child, or parent requests a copy.
• Creates a one-stop web site for services available for veterans.

We must all stand together in support of our soldiers and veterans if we are to continue to enjoy the wonderful freedoms we share. And, we must never forget that it is, has been and always will be the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces whose sacrifices allow us to continue living our lives uninterrupted.

“I am very excited to support this Jobs bill which focuses on helping small businesses and reduces their tax burden. As a small business owner for the past 22 years, I can honestly say that this bill will help sustain and expand existing businesses, stimulate job growth and attract new business entrepreneurs to Connecticut,” Rep. Grogins said. “I also look forward to welcoming Jackson Labs to Connecticut. Their success will be our success. This state of the art facility for research and testing in genomic medicine will create thousands of job opportunities in the area of bio-science for Connecticut residents, and put our state on the world map in this rapidly growing field.”

“I am pleased to support this bill because many of my constituents have emphatically stressed to me the importance of jobs,” Rep. Ayala said. “The State of Connecticut is not just standing by any longer - we are providing leadership to create jobs to get through this rough economy and to prepare CT for a brighter future.”

"Although I am very pleased with the legislation to help create jobs and bring Jackson Labs to Ct, I believe we need to stimulate economic development in our urban centers, especially Bridgeport. I am glad we are moving forward to begin the process of cleaning up our Brownfield properties. We need to get these old industrial sites back and contributing to the future of CT,” Rep. Hennessy said.

“These bills were made into law in order to both make the necessary investments in infrastructure which allows CT to be the home of one of the most technologically advanced research facilities in the world and to incentivize training and job creation in the private sector,” Rep. Santiago said. “These are steps which are necessary to take advantage of the budding bioscience industry and to assure the private sector that CT is indeed open for business and that the Legislature is willing to work towards a friendlier business climate. I plan to work to ensure that the people and businesses in Bridgeport take full advantage the resources made available through this legislation.”

"I'm glad to see us take a strong act concerning an issue that is important to all of us -- jobs. Though this is not a perfect step, it is a giant step in a direction that is good for the citizens of Connecticut,” Rep. Stallworth said. “These two bills will have a great impact on employment in particular and the economy in general, as well as a great step in the area of medical research."

“These two pieces of legislation follow what the governor was committed to for economic development to attract business in the state, put people back to work, and jump start the economy,” Rep. Clemons said.

“Also, Jackson Labs will make the state competitive with others in the biomedical field.  Hopefully, the research will lead to personalized treatment and more effective combating and curing of today’s and tomorrow’s diseases.”

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.

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.

“The Bridgeport port has always been an important tool for economic development for the City and will be the economic driver to spur further development. Housatonic Community College has always been an important partner with the City and, in these tough economic times, where our constituents are going back to school to further enhance their skills, it is important the school be able to continue expanding and enhancing their facility to meet student needs,” Rep. Ayala said.

“I would like for Bridgeport to regain its prominence as a major hub of maritime economic activity that its deep-water port afforded in its active years. Steel point harbor development has been a priority for some time as a jobs engine and to reduce congestion on our major thoroughfares,” Rep. Clemons said. “Housatonic community college is an excellent learning environment and integral part of the community that is steadily growing in enrollment from when I attended. I will continue to support investment in this school which is a key component of a viable community.”

“This important funding is critical to further Bridgeport’s economic development plan. These improvements will make Housatonic Community College a state of the art educational institution in our city. Investing in our deep water ports is valuable for Bridgeport’s future in making our city a key destination for tourism in Connecticut,” Rep. Grogins said.

“The funding for Housatonic will be to begin refurbishing the original tech building due to the anticipated continued increase in student enrollment. This school is important to the city as a gateway for Urban residents to access affordable higher education,” Rep. Hennessy said. “I am also pleased funding was allocated for a port study. This is long overdue as a port development goes hand-in-hand with the overall strategic plan to address and preserve the watershed and create good jobs.”

“There is a reason why enrollment at Housatonic Community College has increased dramatically in recent years. Affordable tuition, convenient location by the cities’ transportation hub and a great faculty are just some of them. Many people I know in the district I represent and abroad have used the education they have received at Housatonic to improve their quality of life. Working to help with the expansion and renovation will be necessary to accommodate the needs of the growing student body,” Rep. Santiago said. “It is important for us to keep the deep water port designation if the Bridgeport Harbor port is to remain a viable source of commerce and trade in our region. There are jobs that currently rely on the ports operation and we must take advantage of opportunities to create new jobs through economic development strategies that are vital to Bridgeport residents. Growing our local tax base through economic development is a way to decrease the current tax burden on our residential home owners.”

The State Bond Commission approved $1,000,000 to study economic development strategies in several port cities including Bridgeport. Bridgeport officials have long worked on marina development due to its strategic waterfront location.

Another item on the agenda for Friday is funding in the amount of $4,669,770 for the implementation of phase III of the master plan for renovations and additions and renovations of the 183,000 square foot Lafayette Hall at Housatonic Community College. The project includes new and renovated science labs, an expanded the library, new computer labs and general purpose classrooms.

The Ox Brook is a small stream, a tributary to the Rooster River, which flows throughout the North end of Bridgeport.  Due to overdevelopment in the area, unregulated construction and encroachment on the wetlands, the Ox Brook now floods whenever there is a sustained torrential downpour.

“This will be money well spent, and will contribute to the Governor’s job creation efforts.  As a start, we can immediately begin work on the water retention berm refurbishment in Elton Rogers Park off of Frenchtown Road which will help to control some of the flooding,” Rep. Hennessy said. “We need a unified voice and must all pull together toward a comprehensive plan to address this issue.”

“This project will help impede the flow of water that would otherwise turn into surface runoff  that could cause additional flooding,” said Ted Grabarz, Director of Sustainability for the City of Bridgeport. “This project will also complement and contribute to the overall strategic parks program we have been working on in terms of providing enhanced green infrastructure for the City.”

As a result of the meeting, a renewed study was called for that addresses not only Ox Brook, but the entire watershed.  A previous study on the flooding issue conducted the now defunct Kasper Engineering in the 1990’s is considered obsolete and needed in order to encompass all related watershed issues surrounding Ox Brook.

“Residents have endured severe flooding which has been affecting the area for years with approximately 250 homes in harm’s way if a severe storm were to occur.” Rep. Hennessy added. “We were fortunate Bridgeport did not suffer a direct hit from tropical storm Irene, but we may not be so lucky in the future.”

Some of the benefits include a solution to the pension plan, funds for the Ralphola Community Center and manufacturing grants.

“Bridgeport would be faced with pension obligation payments that could exceed $20 million without this legislation,” Rep. Ayala said. “That translates into cuts to municipal services as well as possible increases in local taxes.”

"I am very pleased to have been able to work hand-in-hand with my colleagues in the delegation to deliver for Bridgeport despite a tough economy," Rep. Hennessy said. "When we work together as a team, we can accomplish allot for the Park City. I look forward to many more future productive sessions."

The proposed legislation provides a different framework within which the City must fund the pension plan so the pension plan can continue to pay the retirement benefits. The pension plan currently covers 866 retirees and 33 remaining active employees.

The legislation changes the funding ratio requirements under existing law and instead institutes an actuarially accepted methodology for payments into the pension plan. The city will be required to contribute a minimum of $7 million to the plan for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012 and to make future contributions at actuarially required levels under actuarially accepted methodology for subsequent fiscal years.

The current administration has made significant contributions over the last few years - $6.2 million in 2009, $4.7 million in 2010 and $7 million in 2011. However, a weak economy over the past 10 years has negatively affected the pension fund and the city's revenues have substantially declined.

The Ralphola Taylor Community Center YMCA has received a $300,000 state grant. The Community Center YMCA serves the entire community with educational and recreation programs for youth and adults, including computer classes high school equivalency classes (GED) and a violence prevention program. It is a family resource center with a full service medical facility in conjunction with the Bridgeport Community Health Center.

“I am very happy that I was able to work with the House leadership to receive this funding,” Rep. Clemons said. “This will go a long way in providing much needed services in the district.”

Some of the benefits include a solution to the pension plan, funds for the Ralphola Community Center and manufacturing grants.

“Bridgeport would be faced with pension obligation payments that could exceed $20 million without this legislation,” Rep. Ayala said. “That translates into cuts to municipal services as well as possible increases in local taxes.”

"I am very pleased to have been able to work hand-in-hand with my colleagues in the delegation to deliver for Bridgeport despite a tough economy," Rep. Hennessy said. "When we work together as a team, we can accomplish allot for the Park City. I look forward to many more future productive sessions."

The proposed legislation provides a different framework within which the City must fund the pension plan so the pension plan can continue to pay the retirement benefits. The pension plan currently covers 866 retirees and 33 remaining active employees.

The legislation changes the funding ratio requirements under existing law and instead institutes an actuarially accepted methodology for payments into the pension plan. The city will be required to contribute a minimum of $7 million to the plan for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012 and to make future contributions at actuarially required levels under actuarially accepted methodology for subsequent fiscal years.

The current administration has made significant contributions over the last few years - $6.2 million in 2009, $4.7 million in 2010 and $7 million in 2011. However, a weak economy over the past 10 years has negatively affected the pension fund and the city's revenues have substantially declined.

The Ralphola Taylor Community Center YMCA has received a $300,000 state grant. The Community Center YMCA serves the entire community with educational and recreation programs for youth and adults, including computer classes high school equivalency classes (GED) and a violence prevention program. It is a family resource center with a full service medical facility in conjunction with the Bridgeport Community Health Center.

“I am very happy that I was able to work with the House leadership to receive this funding,” Rep. Clemons said. “This will go a long way in providing much needed services in the district.”