The bill requires that two small employers and two consumers are added to the exchange and would also make the Healthcare Advocate a voting member. This increases the board from 11 voting members to 16 voting members.

“The exchange was created to help individuals and Connecticut’s small businesses find affordable and quality health insurance—so it only makes sense that they are properly represented and heard from,” said Johnson.

Johnson said that the bill also strengthens the conflict of interest restrictions on exchange board members by prohibiting board members from serving as consultants to trade associations of insurers, insurance brokers, health care providers, or health care facilities.

“Although exchange members are currently prohibited from working for insurance brokers, health care providers, or health care facilities, we have gone further to ensure that Connecticut’s exchange will represent the interests of consumers and not the insurance companies’ interests.” said Johnson.

The Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange was created by the legislature last year to help individuals and small employers obtain affordable, high quality health insurance. Beginning in 2014, it will offer tools for comparing health plan options and encouraging competition on price and quality.

“Every year, millions of people get sick from disease-causing microorganisms found in raw sewage. This legislation makes sure that Connecticut residents are notified when there is a spill—allowing them to protect themselves and their families from exposure to pollutants,” said Rep. Johnson.

Specifically the legislation requires the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) to post information on unanticipated sewage spills on the agency’s website beginning in July of 2014. The online notice will have details on the spill such as the date, time, volume, duration and steps taken to contain it as well as public health or environmental concerns and any public safety precautions that should be taken. In July of 2013, DEEP must begin posting information on anticipated sewer overflows resulting from storm events.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, between 1.8 and 3.5 million Americans become ill annually from contact with recreational waters contaminated by sewage. Currently there is no law requiring public notification if a sewage overflow has contaminated a local beach or waterway or entered a community.

The legislation, which previously passed the state Senate, now goes to Governor Dannel P. Malloy for his consideration.

The Constitutional amendment would eliminate the requirement for electors to vote for legislative and statewide offices solely on Election Day and remove restrictions on absentee voting—allowing registered voters to vote by absentee ballot, without having to provide an excuse, such as being out of town on Election Day.

"Connecticut voters deserve a simple and easy way to cast their ballots just like voters in most other states. Today’s legislation moves us in the right direction by making it easier to vote and participate in our democracy,” said Rep. Johnson.

According to the Office of the Secretary of the State, 35 states that have implemented early voting or no-excuse absentee ballots have experienced higher voter turnout and less pressure on election officials on Election Day.

Rep. Johnson said complications of modern life make it hard for many voters to get to the polls on only one single day. She also noted that it was rare for someone to work close enough to their polling location to easily vote during the work day.

“Things have changed since this was put in the constitution decades ago. People are commuting farther and working longer hours. Amending our state constitution allows us to remove restrictive language and allow more Connecticut residents to have a voice in our electoral process,” said Rep. Johnson.

The resolution sets the foundation for allowing the legislature to add election standards as they deem necessary, particularly relating to the use of absentee ballots and early voting rules.

A resolution to amend the state Constitution must be passed by at least ¾ of the members of the House and Senate in order to go before voters as a ballot initiative in the 2012 election. Since the resolution received approval from less than ¾ of House members it will be taken up again in the 2013 Legislative Session where a simple majority will allow the amendment to appear on the 2014 general election ballot.

“With skyrocketing prices at the pump hurting working families and small business—we needed to do something. Today’s bill offers immediate relief to consumers—not the big oil companies,” said Rep. Johnson.

Rep. Johnson explained that the legislation specifically prohibits oil wholesalers and distributers (those who pay the gross receipts tax) from passing on anything purporting to be based on the tax for the portion of any sales price over $3.00 per gallon.

Large wholesalers in violation of profiteering statutes have much greater impact on consumers than individual retailers, so the legislation specifically grants the commissioner of the Department of Consumer authority to impose CUPTA fines of up to $10,000 upon large gasoline wholesalers and distributors who are in violation of profiteering laws.

The state’s petroleum profiteering law was also amended by today’s legislation to include an automatic trigger, based on extreme wholesale price increases, for price gouging protections to go into effect.

The bill, which is now headed to the governor for his signature, institutes similar profiteering protections in regards to home heating oil.

“I appreciate President Herbst’s prompt response to my inquiries. She—unlike previous UConn administrations—appears to understand the seriousness of this issue,” said Johnson.

Johnson contacted Herbst last month after hearing from residents concerned about the impact the waste storage facility might be having on Windham’s drinking water and environment.

Last week, UConn announced that it will be conducting an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) to assess the current site and look at alternatives. Johnson said Herbst has also assigned the University’s Chief Operating Officer, Barry Feldman, as the school’s point person for this issue.

There was no Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or input from municipal agencies or residents when UConn originally established the waste transfer station in 1989. The facility is used to store chemical, low-level radioactive and biological waste generated by the school.

Johnson, who chairs Windham’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Commission, explained that since UConn is not a private waste company or a public water company it was not legally required to perform an environmental evaluation before erecting the waste station.

“It’s not clear that this facility would have been approved because of the impact it could have on our drinking water, but I’m optimistic that we can finally work things out with the University and ensure that our drinking water is safe,” said Johnson.

“Expanding QVCC’s programs in advanced manufacturing and precision manufacturing will be a huge boost to the region,” said Representative Johnson. “The Center will have a significant and positive impact on unemployment, and provide opportunities for young people and working adults to obtain the skills needed to serve our vital manufacturing sector.”

The mission of the center will be to offer a variety of credit and non-credit certificate programs for incumbent workers, displaced workers, returning veterans, technical high school students and traditional college students. It will include a career-focused curriculum specifically designed for entry-level employment and employment advancement in the evolving manufacturing sector of eastern Connecticut. As part of the plan, the center will offer programs designed to provide high school juniors and seniors with opportunities to explore career paths in manufacturing. Additionally, the center will coordinate personalized career placement and mentoring programs

“The education and training provided by QVCC will ensure our residents are able to compete not only for the jobs of the future, but for the precision manufacturing jobs that are available today in eastern Connecticut,” said Senator Williams. “QVCC’s partnership with Ellis Tech is an investment in a jobs pipeline aimed at preparing students for in demand manufacturing careers.”

QVCC’s Manufacturing and Technology Center will allow the expansion of programs in advanced manufacturing and precision manufacturing. QVCC already has strong partnerships with the manufacturing firms in this area. The center will have a significant and positive impact on the region’s high unemployment, and provide opportunities for young people and working adults to obtain the skills needed to serve the state’s vital manufacturing sector.

QVCC’s proposal includes tripling the size of its manufacturing lab space—which combined with the ongoing renovations of Harvard H. Ellis Technical High School will create a critical mass of manufacturing training space in eastern Connecticut. The combined efforts of both these schools will lead to trained workers ready to compete for 21st century jobs.

Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, QVCC in Killingly and Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury will share $8.9 million to be used to finance the design, construction and equipping of space for new manufacturing technology programs.

The legislation (HB 5487), based on the recommendations of the Speaker’s Working Group on Small Business Health Care, includes a measure that would allow small businesses to purchase employee health care coverage through the state employee health plan.

“As our small businesses struggle with double-digit premium spikes in their health insurance, I cannot think of a better time to provide them with options to help control health care costs,” said Rep. Johnson, who is a member of the working group.

Rep. Johnson said the working group has been studying and seeking to overcome the obstacles that small business owners face in seeking to purchase health insurance coverage for employees and their families.

“Connecticut needs to recognize the plight of small business and level the playing field by providing more health care options for small business owners,” said Kevin Galvin, owner of Connecticut Commercial Maintenance Inc. and co-founder and chairman of Small Business for a Healthy Connecticut, a statewide network of small business owners.

Dr. Carolyn Malon, a dentist and owner of Family Dental Care said it is difficult for small business owners to find affordable health care options. “As both a small business owner and a health care provider, I am very familiar with the challenges employers face and also can’t over-emphasize the importance of access to quality insurance that covers routine, preventative care.”

Malon recounted her own experience last year that demonstrated the need for affordable health care. In trying to keep their health insurance premiums down, she and her husband took a gamble on a policy with higher deductibles. “The decision backfired when our son was hospitalized for treatment of a blood-borne staph infection. Due in part to our high deductible, our out of pocket cost for his treatment amounted to more than $9,000,” she said. “A bill like this is beyond many citizens’ ability to pay.”

The legislation:

• Permits small employers with fewer than 50 employees, including self-employed individuals, to purchase employee health insurance through the state employee plan. This would allow them to take advantage of the state’s bargaining power to secure good health care at affordable prices.
• Eliminates insurers’ ability to adjust small group premiums based on age, gender, occupation or group size.
• Requires insurers to rate and offer policies to associations. This would enable small businesses to band together with their professional associations and receive a premium quote based on the health experience of the entire group.
• Requires insurers to report on whether employers’ current insurance plans meet the minimum standards that will be in place in 2014.

“With Governor Malloy declaring 2012 the year of education reform, this is the perfect time to begin carefully looking at how we educate Connecticut students whose home language isn't English" said Rep. Johnson. “I’m especially interested in examining ways that English language programs for these students may be incorporated into the curriculum to address the state’s achievement gap.”

The task force will be responsible for setting objectives to improve the way Connecticut educates its English Language Learners regarding use of the English language by enhancing programs, increasing accessibility and training instructors with proper methods.

“Given the importance of the education reform legislation we are looking at this session, I find this task force couldn’t have been timelier for exploring ways to enhance this critical component of education,” Rep. Ayala said. “Learning proper English and finding ways to ensure students get the best possible experience is critical to moving forward with successful reform.”

“With Governor Malloy declaring 2012 the year of education reform, this is the perfect time to begin carefully looking at how we educate Connecticut students whose home language isn't English" said Rep. Johnson. “I’m especially interested in examining ways that English language programs for these students may be incorporated into the curriculum to address the state’s achievement gap.”

The task force will convene a panel of experts from around the state to share best practices and ideas which will help craft meaningful legislation to assist students, faculty and administrators.

Members of the task force will include co-chairs of the legislature’s Education Committee and members of local education boards across the state.

“This investment will be a big help to the Connecticut Casket Company. It will allow this Windham business to hire more workers and grow our local economy,” said Rep. Johnson. “Governor Malloy is clearly focused on the needs of small businesses in eastern Connecticut and I want to thank him for his strong support.”

Connecticut Casket Company started designing, making, and selling custom environmentally friendly caskets in Willimantic in 2010. The company, which will retain three employees and hire three more within a year, will receive a $100,000 grant to buy equipment, improve the shop, train workers and expand its inventory. Connecticut Casket also will receive a Job Creation Incentive loan of $250,000.

“Last year, when I met with business owners and chief executives on my Jobs Tour, I heard firsthand about the tough the challenges they face and what they needed to overcome them,” said Governor Malloy. “The Small Business Express Program is designed to provide an accessible source of much-needed funding that will help our small enterprises make a big impact in their communities. It’s just one more way we’re trying to begin an economic revival in cities and towns across our state.”

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.

“I’m delighted that Governor Malloy is committed to funding the necessary upgrades to the Willimantic fire school. It will guarantee that our local firefighters are able to get the training they need right here in Eastern Connecticut,” said Rep. Johnson.

State Rep. Susan Johnson with members of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association
announcing funding for the state's regional fire schools

The funding was announced Tuesday at the State Capitol. Rep. Johnson was joined at the event by Windham Center Firefighter Dawn Niles and Mansfield’s Al Hawkins who is in charge of the fire schools statewide.

In 1999 the Connecticut State Firefighters Association (CSFA) launched a long-term construction plan to upgrade seven of Connecticut’s regional fire schools, which provide training and education to firefighter trainees and other first responders. To date, work at the New Haven school has been completed and work has begun on the Hartford County fire school in Windsor Locks.

If the governor’s proposed budget adjustments are approved upgrades will be made to the Eastern Connecticut Regional Fire School in Willimantic, and fire training schools in Beacon Falls, Fairfield, Torrington and Waterbury.

The Eastern Connecticut Regional Fire School is a 10 acre property in Willimantic, which is the principal training facility for public fire departments (both paid and volunteer) in Tolland, Windham and New London Counties.

According to the CSFA there are about 26,000 fire fighters in Connecticut. About 4000 are professional firefighters and more than 22,000 are volunteers.

Under Malloy’s proposal, Windham would receive an additional $763,857 or 3.16% in ECS funding, increasing Windham’s total education grant to $24,933,574 for 2012-13.

“This is long overdue—I’m delighted that we finally have a governor who truly believes that every child deserves access to the best education possible,” said Rep. Johnson. “Although Windham schools could still use more support, this is an important step in the right direction.”

In his State of the State address Wednesday at the State Capitol, Malloy outlined his vision for Connecticut that maintains recent efforts to stabilize the state’s finances and continues to pursue the job creation policies that have begun to spur economic growth. Malloy also announced the final part of his education reform agenda – an overhaul of the state’s tenure system so that it rewards quality teachers, not just those who have been in the profession the longest.

Malloy’s proposal addresses many areas in need of reform, 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; and improving teacher preparation so professionals have the skills they need to excel when they enter the classroom.

“These programs are a great alternative to paying for tax help,” added Rep. Johnson.

Free tax preparation services are available from now through April 15 through the Access Community Action Agency for low to moderate income filers. Trained, IRS certified volunteers can help residents get the biggest return to which they are entitled, at no charge, and have their refunds deposited directly into their accounts.

Tax preparers are trained in the newest tax laws and are able to advise the filers of available tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Educational Credits. For more information on the Earned Income Tax Credit or on locating free income tax preparation assistance dial 2-1-1 or visit www.211ct.org/taxes.

Taxpayers with a 2010 income of up to $57,000 can also use the IRS Free File program which offers free access to commercial tax preparation software. Visit www.IRS.gov/efile to prepare, complete and e-file federal and state tax returns at no cost.

Taxpayers may visit the IRS website, www.IRS.gov, and click on the “Free File” icon. Users will find a list of Free File Alliance member companies and may either choose the one that fits their needs or utilize the “help me find a company” tool. After selecting a company, taxpayers will be transferred to the company's website to prepare, complete and electronically file their federal income tax returns. Three of the 19 participating software companies also offer services in Spanish.

Free assistance in completing Connecticut returns is available from the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) by telephone at (800)382-9463 or in person at their Hartford Office.

State Reps. Betty Boukus, Joe Aresimowicz, & Susan Johnson with members of the
CT State Firefighters Association.

“Public safety depends on education and training for our firefighters. That’s why I’m so pleased that the state recently purchased the fire school property in Windham. I will be working to secure funding to update the facility so more extensive training can be provided right here in Eastern Connecticut,” said Rep. Johnson. “I appreciate hearing from the many firefighters who joined us at the legislature.”

In 2004, funding was authorized to begin a long-term construction project at 8 of the 10 schools. In 2010, the state authorized bonding money to purchase the 10 acre property, which is the principal training facility for public fire departments (both paid and volunteer) Tolland, Windham and New London Counties.

Rep. Johnson plans to support additional funding during the next legislative session that convenes in February to ensure that the training facilities are capable of providing the state’s firefighters with the tools needed to safely protect their communities.

According to the CSFA there are about 26,000 fire fighters in Connecticut. About 4000 are professional firefighters and more than 22,000 are volunteers.

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 Windham, a forum will be held at Eastern Connecticut State University.

Johnson 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.

Johnson 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 the website: www.collegegoalsundayct.org

WILLIMANTIC — Thanks to a new grant provided to EastConn, more than 170 third graders were able to spend a day at Eastern Connecticut State University in a new program called “Heroes and Heroines” on Friday.

Third graders from Windham, Coventry, East Hartford and Hartford were able to meet people from different backgrounds thanks to an inter-district grant intended to increase their awareness of academic achievement and appreciation for diversity.

“Having this event and having it here at Eastern gives all of these kids something to reach for,” said literary specialist, writer and coordinator of the program Lisa Taylor, who has been working grant programs for EastConn for 11 years.

Funded by the state Department of Education the program helps the kids to remember that they, too, can be heroes, said Taylor.

As a part of the “Heroes and Heroines” program, the students are going to read books tailored to the theme, work on a collaborative research project and illustrate their projects at the end of the year.

EastConn, one of six Regional Educational Service Centers (RESCs) in Connecticut, is a public, non- profit agency that has been serving the educational needs of schools, organizations, communities and individuals of all ages in northeastern Connecticut since 1980.

Students have also communicated to the other schools online and through the mail throughout the year, said Taylor.

The students were able to get out of school on Friday and meet at the Student Center at ECSU to listen to different speakers and ask questions.

Denise Merrill, Connecticut’s Secretary of State, told the students that she had to fight for her education and that she was the first in her family to go to college.

“You have to get out there and do something,” said Merrill, adding her mother is her hero. “You can make a difference, but you can’t do it alone.”

“This is an impressionistic age for these kids,” said Merrill. “It’s great to get them out of the classroom to meet real people.”

State Rep. Susan Johnson, D-Willimantic, said that she has always liked helping people.

State Rep. Susan Johnson, D-Willimantic, speaks about her participating in politics and the time she has spent helping people.

“I’ve been in government since 1985 and I’ve been working to help people protect their rights,” Johnson said.

FBI Victim Specialist, Kathleen Liner, said that it’s really important for the kids to know that they, too, can do anything they put their minds to.

“They have an opportunity to do something really special,” Liner said, adding her supervisors felt it was important for her to be there. Windham Superintendent of Schools Ana Ortiz told the students that if they have an idea they should stay focused on it.

“You can do it and no one can stop you,” said Ortiz, who joined the Air Force Reserves when she was 34 years old.

In the end, it doesn’t matter if there are people in the way, you need to make sure you believe in yourselves, said Ortiz.

Acting Windham Fire Chief Mark Scrivener reminded the students that they all have a special talent.

“You may not know what your talent is yet, but you all have one,” said Scrivener, who started as a volunteer firefighter in 1987. “You have a lot of time to figure out what you want to do and when you get here, to college, that is when you need to figure out what you need to do.”

The students were able to meet an author and artist in smaller, separate groups in rooms nearby.

Published author Kimberly Newton Fusco, who had a speech impediment while growing up said she was glad that she could be there. “I was speechless when I was younger,” she said. “Any opportunity for a young person to visit a college campus is invaluable.”

Newton Fusco read the students a short story about when she was in third grade with her speech impediment and took questions.

The students were also able to meet professional musician and artist, Bill Dougal.

Dougal sang songs, drew pictures and told the students that it’s important for them to be culturally aware of the things around them Being modest, Dougal said that he, himself wasn’t a hero. “But I can draw one,” he said.

Lunch for the students was postponed a bit, because the students asked the panel so many ques­tions.

“I didn’t think they would have asked that many questions,” Taylor said, who wished that every student could have gotten a chance to ask a question. “They all had great questions.”

The students ate lunch in one of ECSU’s student cafés, almost making them a college student for the day.

In conjunction with the Working Group of State Legislators for Health Reform, hundreds of lawmakers from across the nation joined forces to announce and demonstrate their support of the Friend of the Court Brief. The legislators’ brief argues that the Constitution gives broad power to the federal government to act in cases where a national solution is necessary. The Affordable Care Act capitalizes on state innovations by setting a minimum coverage floor and giving states considerable policy flexibility.

“I’m proud that we in Connecticut are supporting the Affordable Care Act which has already lowered health care costs and expanded health insurance coverage for many state residents,” said Rep. Johnson.

The Affordable Care Act has already provided benefits to children with pre-existing conditions, who can no longer be denied health insurance; individuals who cannot be kicked off their policies when they get sick; and young adults who can stay on their parents’ policies until age 26. More residents will save money on their health care when the law is fully implemented in 2014.

The show of support for the Affordable Care Act in Connecticut was part of a larger demonstration of support for the law across the nation this week, as over 500 state legislators representing all 50 states signed on to the Friend of the Court Brief defending the law. The brief will be filed this Friday and was prepared in conjunction with the Working Group of State Legislators for Health Reform (a national group of state legislators working to advance health reform and implement the Affordable Care Act) and the Constitutional Accountability Center.

The full text of the Friend of the Court Brief will be available at: www.progressivestates.org/ACAamicus

“We can not allow a repeat of what happened following Irene and the October Nor’easter where significant numbers of residents were without electricity, phones, heat or water for over a week,” said Rep. Johnson. “Today’s recommendations are an important step in the right direction. I’m working on legislation to help ensure a much better response to future storms—especially by the state’s utility providers.”

Rep. Johnson was one of the first lawmakers to call on the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to review Connecticut Light and Power’s response to Hurricane Irene. In September she held a forum in Windham for residents to discuss how Irene impacted them and hear their suggestions about how utility companies can better respond in the future.

The Two Storm Panel was created to review the preparedness, response and recovery efforts of Irene and the October Nor’easter. The eight member group, with backgrounds in the military, disaster relief, municipal government, non-profit and labor sectors, released a report today containing 82 recommendations including:

• The need to develop reasonable performance standards for utility recovery and restoration after storms, and link recoverable costs to these standards;
• Additional emergency response training and exercises for municipalities, utilities and the state;
• Standards should be more clearly developed for backup power requirements and communication infrastructure hardening for wireless telecommunications;
• Increased collaboration between municipalities, state resources, electric utilities and telecommunications service providers with respect to tree trimming;
• The need for improved worst-case planning and staffing by the state’s utilities;
• Connecticut’s infrastructure needs to be better hardened to withstand natural disasters, and such work should begin as quickly as possible;
• Increased communication and planning between municipalities and utilities before a storm or disaster is imminent;

Increased communication between labor and management in all utilities is strongly recommended.

Rep. Johnson said she was particularly pleased that the Panel recommended that the state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security work with municipalities to develop improved emergency response plans.

“Today’s bill is good news for Windham residents and our small business owners. It increases state support for smaller companies and provides tax credits to firms that hire new workers—and firms that hire veterans or the unemployed will be given additional credits, ” said Johnson.

Johnson said one of the key components of today’s Jobs Bill (HB 6801) is the Small Business Express Package making $50 million a year available to small businesses through incentives, grants and loans. It also shortens the time it will take businesses to get permits from the state.

The Jobs Bill also contains short and long-term strategies to help ensure Connecticut’s workforce matches business demand by aligning programs at the state’s vocational high schools, community colleges and universities with the needs of employers, including manufacturing and technology companies.

Some of the key provisions of the Jobs Bill include:

• Reducing the business entity tax
• Increasing the tax credit for companies which hire new workers
• Extending the“First Five” program to five additional companies
• Remediating state-owned industrial sites/brownfields to make them attractive to developers
• Investments in local roads and bridges
• Replenishing funds for the Manufacturing Assistance Act (MAA)
• Expanding the small town Main Street commercial centers improvement initiative

In addition, the legislature today approved the deal with Jackson Labs to build a $1.1 billion, state-of-the-art research facility at the UConn Health Center campus in Farmington. The State of Connecticut will invest $291 million and Jackson Labs 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 new positions at Jackson Labs 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. Most importantly, it represents a critical step in establishing Connecticut as a global hub for genomic research, attracting companies and world-class minds dedicated to the pursuit of diagnostic and therapeutic medical breakthroughs.

There will be a discussion on the topic of making your business more energy efficient and saving money in the process from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

At 6:00 p.m. there will be a session for residents on how they can lower their utility bills by making their homes more energy efficient.

WHAT: Energy Efficiency Forum

WHEN: Tuesday, October 25th, 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Willlimantic Town Hall, Bellingham Auditorium, 979 Main Street, Windham, CT

Four committees of the General Assembly-Energy & Technology, Public Safety, Labor & Public Employees, and Planning & Development-will hold hearings on September 19th and 26th to hear from representatives and workers from electric, phone and internet companies, along with municipal officials and members of the general public.

"Eastern Connecticut really got hit hard by the storm. Windham residents want answers-and they deserve answers-about why CL& P took 8 days to restore power to some families and businesses in town, "said Johnson. "These hearings will be an opportunity to understand why our electric, phone and internet providers took so long to respond and to ensure that they are ready for the next storm."

Johnson, who sits on the Energy and Technology Committee, held a forum with Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) at Willimantic Town Hall last evening for residents to discuss how Tropical Storm Irene impacted them and suggestions about how utility companies can better respond in the future.

"I want to thank the many residents who shared their storm stories with us last night," said Johnson. "There is time set aside for the public to testify at the legislature about the storm and courage folks to participate. People may also submit official testimony using Facebook and Twitter if they cannot make it to Hartford."

House Democrats have set up Facebook and Twitter accounts at /www.facebook.com/pages/After-Irene-CT/262762473747233 and http://twitter.com/#!/AfterIreneCT to accept public comments and suggestions about experiences with the storm and the state's readiness for and response to it.

On September 19th, the hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. with representatives of CL&P, UI and municipal utilities, followed by municipal representatives and officials from telephone, cable and wireless utility companies. The hearing will conclude at 4:30 p.m.

On September 26th, members of the public will have the opportunity to appear before the committees beginning at 9:00 a.m., followed by union representatives and the electric utility companies. Members of the public will have an additional chance for comment before the hearing closes that afternoon.

As of Friday afternoon, much of Windham was still without power.

Rep. Johnson's letter to Authority Chairman Kevin DelGobbo is attached as a PDF file.

Dr. Huang, Medical Director of the Taipei Medical University Hospital, joined breast cancer specialists from Massachusetts at today’s summit. It was coordinated by Nancy M. Cappello, Ph.D., President and Founder of Are You Dense, Inc., a breast cancer information clearinghouse and advocacy organization. Dr. Cappello is a breast cancer survivor.

“I’m proud that Connecticut has become a leader in ensuring that insurers cover earlier screenings,” said Rep. Johnson. “In my first term we passed a law requiring doctors to inform their patients if they have dense breast tissue and advise them about supplemental screening tests when they have their annual mammograms. This year we expanded the law to require insurers to cover additional screenings for women with dense breast tissue.”

This year, Rep. Johnson introduced legislation on the House floor to require insurance coverage of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for breast cancer screening after a woman is found to have dense breast tissue and she is determined to be at increased risk for breast cancer due to family history or prior personal history. This is consistent with recommendations of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the American Cancer Society, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

The new policies will go effect in January. Currently Connecticut requires that insurance policies cover baseline mammograms for women age 35 to 39 and yearly mammograms for women age 40 or older.

“There was no appetite among Democrats to allow any cuts to municipal aid,” said Haddad, a member of the Appropriations Committee. “Towns are strapped, local budgets have been set - any cuts would cause property taxes to go up. It was unacceptable on all fronts.”

“I refused to support any package that cut state funding to Windham, which would have devastated our community,” said Johnson. “It was unfair to have left our towns wondering and waiting about state aid while a new budget agreement was reached. I’m pleased that we were able to fully restore all state funding.”

The governor recommended the cuts as part of a revised budget that became necessary in the wake of state employee union rejection of a $1.6 billion labor concession package. The lawmakers believe negotiated labor savings is still the preferred outcome and remain hopeful the unions will ultimately ratify the agreement.

Mansfield stood to lose at least $455,915, Windham $267,104 and Chaplin $51,958 from a combination of road funds and PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) reimbursements for hosting state property, colleges and hospitals. A total of $54.4 million in town aid was restored statewide, requiring the governor to find alternate savings to make up the difference.

The new 30,000 square-foot facility set on 2.5 acres will be home to various hospital services and dozens of primary care physicians, medical oncologists, physical therapists and rehabilitators, laboratory workers, orthopedic surgeons and general surgeons.

Groundbreaking on the project is expected to commence later this summer, with completion expected in the fall of 2012. The State Bond Commission is expected to approve the funding when it meets at 10:30 a.m. this Friday, June 24, in Room 1-E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

“Eastern Connecticut’s economy benefits by supporting research and development projects like this. This project will create jobs in the short term and, more importantly, in the long term,” said Rep. Johnson. “I want to thank Governor Malloy for his commitment to this project and creating good jobs in the region.”

“Like Bioscience Connecticut in Farmington, the construction of new space for Windham Hospital will provide construction jobs in the near-term, and sustained economic growth in the longer-term as doctors and others move to the area to open their practice,” Gov. Malloy said. “This new building serves an economic purpose, as well as an important public health need, and I’m pleased to be with Senator Williams, Representative Johnson and others to support this.”

“This is another in a series of targeted investments in Connecticut’s future that immediately provides more than 100 construction jobs while setting the stage for future growth. It ties-in perfectly with Governor Malloy’s UConn medical center investment and my recent announcement of a technology park at the University of Connecticut in Storrs,” Sen. Williams said. “Our state population is aging. America is aging. Jobs in the medical industry are going to be a hot commodity in the years to come and Connecticut will be well-positioned to serve those needs.”

“Windham Hospital is very grateful to Governor Malloy and Senator Williams for their leadership in making an investment that is strategically important to the hospital,” said Dick Brvenik, President and CEO of Windham Hospital. “Most importantly, this project will benefit the patients we serve while advancing the hospital’s future success and our region’s overall economic vitality and well being. We want to recognize Don, in particular, who has been a  true friend of Windham Hospital and our community for many years and who is so deeply committed to high-quality, affordable health care for all residents of eastern Connecticut and our entire state.”

“Residents throughout northeastern Connecticut depend upon the comprehensive medical services available at Windham Hospital so I’m delighted by the prospect for these expanded and enhanced services,” said state Sen. Edith Prague (D-Columbia). “I'm grateful to Governor Malloy and other members of the Bond Commission for what I expect will be their favorable consideration and approval of this project.”

The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that between 2008 and 2018, the professional and business services sector and the health care and social as­sistance sector are anticipated to grow at more than twice the annual average for all industries and will add the most employment nationwide, with 4.2 million and 4.0 million additional jobs, respectively.

Windham Hospital, founded in 1933, is a non-profit, acute-care community hospital serving 19 eastern Connecticut towns. It has 131 beds, conducts nearly 4,000 surgeries annually, and its emergency department has been ranked among the top 1 percent of hospitals nationwide for patient satisfaction.

Johnson, vice chair of the state legislature’s Insurance & Real Estate Committee, introduced this legislation after  the Mettell Family who lost their son Joshua, a first grade teacher at Natchaug School, in a fatal motor vehicle accident contacted her about the difficulty that their attorney had in getting the accident report from the police.

“It concerned me that this was not an uncommon occurrence,” said Johnson. “Regularly victims and their families could not obtain accident reports from the police. On a number of occasions lawsuits had to be filed just to force the accident reports to be released.”

Johnson’s legislation (HB 6484) simply modifies current state law so that accident records will be available to people, including their attorneys and family members, who were involved in an accident within 30 days of the accident.

Johnson added, “This bill is a simple change that will make it much easier for victims and their families to get hold of essential information and help move cases through the system more quickly, efficiently and fairly.”

Johnson, who is Vice Chair of the legislature’s Insurance & Real Estate Committee, discussed the need to lower the cost of health insurance for the state’s small businesses.

“If we want to keep jobs in the state and attract more jobs, we need to lower the cost of doing business in Connecticut. Our small businesses are being squeezed by skyrocketing health insurance costs,” said Johnson. “That’s why we are working at the capitol to give our small businesses access to quality health insurance at lower rates by allowing them to join the state employee health insurance plan.”

Johnson was referring to legislation (HB 6308) that would allow small businesses, municipalities, and non-profits to voluntarily join the state employee health insurance plan. Similar legislation was approved by the General Assembly in 2009, but was strongly opposed by Republicans and vetoed by Governor Rell. The lawmakers are optimistic with a new governor that the legislation will become law this year.

The state lawmakers discussed other health insurance reforms being considered at the legislature this year including legislation (HB 6305) implementing the SustiNet Plan which coordinates the state’s healthcare spending to improve quality and slow cost growth. It also leverages the strength of the state’s existing healthcare programs and federal dollars to create a non-profit health insurance choice for municipalities, private employers and households.

“Improving access to quality, affordable healthcare is an ongoing challenge and one of government’s most basic and important responsibilities,” said Haddad. “This forum is a great way to let people know about how we are trying to provide more efficient delivery of healthcare services at a lower cost.”

Another bill (HB 6323) would update the state’s insurance laws to allow Connecticut residents to take advantage of several consumer protections contained in the new federal health care law, including an expansion of coverage for dependents through age 26, prohibitions on pre-existing conditions for children and unreasonable lifetime coverage limits.

State Representative Betsy Ritter (D-Waterford/Montville), the House Chair of the legislature’s Public Health Committee, joined the area legislators at the forum.

“I am delighted to participate with my colleagues in this forum to share information about healthcare laws currently before the legislature,” Ritter said. “It's critically important that Connecticut moves now to take maximum advantage of federal funds from healthcare reform and use these funds to increase access to quality, affordable healthcare for our residents. Community discussions are always a wonderful forum to share information, opinions, and feedback to help us make better decisions.”

Legislation (SB 1204, SB 921, HB 6323) is also moving forward to establish a health insurance exchange in Connecticut, which will better organize the health insurance marketplace to help individuals and small businesses access more options, easily compare plans, and use economies of scale to secure competitive rates for quality insurance.

Why? The USDA is lowering the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) which is used to calculate a household's benefit amount. This is a federal requirement

 In the winter of 2009 the USDA allowed Connecticut to increase the SUA to $720 due to the high cost of heat the previous winter.  In November, DSS worked with the USDA to delay the decrease until January 1st, and a coalition of Northeast anti-hunger groups (including EHC!) worked with our Congressional teams to get the USDA to hold off on the decrease for the winter.  Congresswoman DeLauro (CT) and Congressman McGovern (MA) spearheaded a letter signed by the entire northeast delegation and Senator Sanders (VT) spearheaded the Senate side.  The decrease was delayed until April 1, 2011.

On April 1st, the SUA will be $662 or an average of a $10- $20 drop in benefits for some people - not all.

There is a good chance that the SUA will be increased again, in the future, but for now, this is the harsh reality for many.

For more information please go to DSS website. 
Please visit our online benefit calculator to verify SNAP benefits for anyone currently receiving them.

Every month, hardworking people all over Connecticut lose their health insurance coverage when they lose their jobs, when their employers stop offering it, or when they can no longer afford to pay for it.

Towns have to choose between cutting programs or maintaining health benefits for their employees. Folks end up declaring bankruptcy because they are uninsured and cannot pay for medical procedures. Small businesses either have to eliminate health insurance coverage or hire fewer people because of the high premiums.

Recently, Ron Robillard wrote in the Chronicle about his costly health insurance policy that forces him to pay for the first $4,000 in medical expenses before his prescription coverage begins to pay his medical costs. Even after spending $4,000, he still pays hundreds of dollars to fill individual prescriptions.

Robillard challenged anyone covered by the state health insurance plan to share the pain of his costly health insurance with him. I have been an advocate of health care affordability since President Clinton was first elected in 1992.

Our country's battle to make health insurance affordable to all has been a century long battle and we are on the verge of reversing the trend of higher insurance rates and higher medical costs.

One solution to Robillard's problem is the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership bill, which is a plan to allow small businesses, municipal employees and non-profits to purchase health insurance through the state employee plan The Healthcare Partnership is a way to provide quality health insurance to more people, while saving money for small businesses and taxpayers.

The Healthcare Partnership is bulk purchasing for health care. The sheer size of the large pool drives down administrative costs and squeezes out waste.

Under new federal rules, insurance companies are required to spend 80 cents of every premium dollar on health care—not administration or profit. The state employee plan is much leaner—96 cents of every dollar go to health care.

The plan could be even more efficient. Imagine the negotiating power we would create if we added 100,000 municipal workers and small business employees to the pool. It's the same reason many of us shop at warehouse stores like Costco or Sam's Club—a larger group of customers means lower costs.

I have talked to many small business owners who do not even have health insurance for themselves or their families. They are one major medical issue away from bankruptcy and losing their businesses.

Several small business owners have told me how stunned they were when they joined a business organization believing that it would solve their health insurance problem, only to discover the business organization's insurance plan is unaffordable or provides inadequate coverage.

The Healthcare Partnership would also allow employers to offer more options to their employees. If employers are able to offer health insurance, they usually offer one or maybe two health insurance plans to employees.

Joining the state plan means they could offer the same choice of plans that the state offers its employees.

When people are uninsured or under-insured, we all pay for their medical costs, whether in the emergency room or on our growing Medicaid or Husky rolls.

Many small businesses want to do their part but in this insurance market, their options are limited.

The Connecticut Healthcare Partnership bill was passed by our state legislature two years ago, but was unfortunately vetoed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

I am confident with a new governor we will make the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership a reality this year giving Ron Robillard and hundreds of thousands of other Connecticut residents an affordable insurance option.

“Working families should not have to pay to pay expensive rates to have their taxes prepared plus extra charges for so-called instant refunds,” said Johnson. “These programs are a great alternative.”

 Free tax preparation services are available from now through April 15 through the Access Community Action Agency for low to moderate income filers. Trained, IRS certified volunteers can help residents get the biggest return to which they are entitled, at no charge, and have their refunds deposited directly into their accounts.

Tax preparers are trained in the newest tax laws and are able to advise the filers of available tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Educational Credits. For more information on the Earned Income Tax Credit or on locating free income tax preparation assistance dial 2-1-1 or visit www.211ct.org/taxes.

Taxpayers with a 2010 income of up to $58,000 can also use the IRS Free File program which offers free access to commercial tax preparation software. Visit www.IRS.gov/efile to prepare, complete and e-file federal and state tax returns at no cost.

Taxpayers may visit the IRS website, www.IRS.gov , and click on the “Free File” icon. Users will find a list of Free File Alliance member companies and may either choose the one that fits their needs or utilize the “help me find a company” tool. After selecting a company, taxpayers will be transferred to the company's website to prepare, complete and electronically file their federal income tax returns. Three of the 19 participating software companies also offer services in Spanish.

 The State of Connecticut is among 38 states which allow taxpayers the ability to also file their state returns from the IRS site. Just click on the link marked “Federal/State e-file options” in the lower right hand side of the www.IRS.gov/efile page.

“The current health insurance system costs too much and leaves out too many people,” said Johnson. "The Health Care Partnership bill will lower health care costs and expand health insurance choices by giving the state’s small businesses and citizens a competitively priced health insurance option.”

The bill (HB 6308) would permit municipalities, non-profits and small businesses to purchase employee health insurance through the state employee plan, creating a large pool of insured lives with increased bargaining power and lower costs.

“Small businesses and municipal budgets have been hit hard by the skyrocketing cost of health insurance,” said Johnson. “The proposed reforms would give more Connecticut residents—small businesses, individuals, non-profits and municipal employees—access to quality health care at lower rates.

Among the health insurance reforms being considered is legislation (House Bill 6308) that would allow small businesses, municipalities, and non-profits to voluntarily join the state employee health insurance plan.

Another bill (House Bill 6323) would update the state’s insurance laws to allow Connecticut residents to take advantage of several consumer protections contained in the new federal health care law, including an expansion of coverage for dependents through age 26, prohibitions on pre-existing conditions for children and unreasonable lifetime coverage limits. It also establishes Connecticut’s health insurance exchange, which will better organize the health insurance marketplace to help individuals and small businesses access more options, easily compare plans, and use economies of scale to secure competitive rates for quality insurance.

The committees are also considering legislation (House Bill 6322) that would permit the Department of Social Services to purchase drugs through the state employee prescription drug plan—a streamlining measure that will eliminate purchasing redundancies and increase purchasing power—a savings of at least $66.5 million.

Additional legislation (House Bill 6305) would implement the recommendations of the SustiNet Board of Directors, an 11 member board established in 2009 to create a plan to expand access to quality healthcare coverage for Connecticut residents, including:

• Implementing delivery system and payment reforms to move toward a more coordinated, patient-centered, evidenced-based approach to healthcare that improves quality and slows cost growth.

• Integrating these improvements first over publicly-administered health plans, including state employees and retirees, Medicaid and HUSKY beneficiaries to bring savings to taxpayers.

• Leveraging the power of existing state programs and federal dollars to provide a new health insurance choice for municipalities, private employers and households.

Residents who ate dinner at Fred’s Brickhouse Café in Willimantic Sunday might have been surprised to see a familiar face greeting and serving them.

A fundraiser organized by the Windham Democratic Town Committee on behalf of the Windham No Freeze Hospitality Center brought local and state politicians to Willimantic to serve food and greet residents at the local eatery, located in the Price Rite shopping plaza.

On Sunday, folks dining were greeted by Connecticut’s newest senator, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., as well as local and state leaders.

All of the tips made by servers went to the shelter at 1110 Main St., a facility that opened in 2003 and provides shelter, food and various toiletry items to those in financial need.

No Freeze Executive Director Leigh Duffy said more than $1,500 in tips was donated to the shelter from Sunday’s event.

“It’s (the shelter) the ultimate safety net for people in this area,” said U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, who was at the event but was not a waiter. “People with nowhere else to go are protected by the elements in this program.”

Courtney was joined by State Comptroller Kevin Lembo, Blumenthal, State Rep. Susan Johnson, D-Willimantic, Windham Mayor Ernest Eldridge and Susan Eastwood, who recently ran unsuccessfully against State Sen. Tony Guglielmo, R-Stafford Springs.

Of those individuals, only Johnson, Eldridge and Eastwood served food at the event.

“It takes me back to the days when I used to wait tables,” Johnson said.

Duffy said the shelter doesn’t get any funding from the State, making it important to hold fundraisers like the one on Sunday to keep it running.

“It’s a very good local cause,” Duffy said. “It’s nice to have politicians come together.”

A brochure about the program states the shelter has served more than 1,000 Windham County residents since opening seven years ago.

The shelter is open November through April each year from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m. and office hours are Monday through Friday from 1 to 4 p.m.

Its aim is to keep folks off the streets when the weather get dangerously cold.

Blumenthal and other politicians expressed the importance of fundraisers like this at a time when the economy is unstable and more and more people are losing their jobs.

“It’s a cause that benefits people who are most vulnerable,” Blumenthal said.

“A lot of people are struggling who even have homes,” Eldridge said. “It’s not getting any better.”

Blumenthal, a regular marcher in the Willimantic Boom Box Parade, a local Fourth of July celebration, said he loves coming to events in Willimantic and came all the way from the Stamford/Greenwich area to support the cause.

Blumenthal said he was touched by the number of people who had come out to support the shelter Sunday.

“A picture’s worth a thousand words,” Blumenthal said. “That picture is worth a thousand words.”

Many locals from towns outside of Willimantic, including Storrs, Ashford and Lebanon, were among those attending the event.

Two individuals enjoying dinner were Jeremy Haddad and Joe Haddad of Storrs, Duffy’s sons. The two were sharing a meal with Barry Boyle, president of the Windham branch of Habitat for Humanity.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been to a fundraiser like this,” said Joe Haddad, who enjoyed a Veginator sandwich Sunday.

Tom Pawlowski of Lebanon, a good friend of Fred’s Brickhouse owner Fred Sinclair, agreed with Haddad.

“It’s a unique idea for a fundraiser,” Pawlowski said. “It mirrors what they should be doing (as politicians).”

Like Jeremy Haddad, Loretta Wrobel of Ashford had also ordered a Veginator.

Wrobel said she has never lived in Willimantic, but considers it her “adopted city.”

“I think Willimantic is a very exciting city,” Wrobel said, noting that events and businesses like Cafemantic in the city are helping the Thread City come “into its own.”

Windham Democratic Town Committee Chairman Dawn Niles said the committee holds a fundraiser for the shelter every year, but this year it introduced the concept of having politicians serve food to the people.

“The idea is that the politicians will generate more tips than people would normally do,” Duffy said.

Duffy acknowledged that the number of homeless people has increased due to the tough economy.

In the past month, 65 people come through the shelter, an increase of about 7 percent from this time last year, Duffy said.

“I’m surprised it’s that little (of an increase),” Eldridge said.

Lembo said he was “struck by” the number of people who are now getting food from the food pantries who once served at them.

Lembo said it is important for him and the other politicians to prioritize with minimal public funding.

“We need to focus our resources in a way that helps the community,” Lembo said.

At this time, the shelter needs a variety of items, including paper towels, toilet paper, shower shoes, pillows and ear plugs.

Ongoing needs include the following items: sweatpants, shaving cream, gift cards to local food venues, plastic utensils and laundry detergent.

Those interested in donating can send contributions to the Windham No Freeze Project, P.O. Box 46, Willimantic 06226. For more information, call the shelter office at (860) 450-1346.

The legislature’s Insurance Committee has oversight over all matters relating to insurance and real estate law in Connecticut.

“I am honored that Speaker Donovan appointed me to serve in this important position,” Rep. Johnson said. “At a time when too many Connecticut families and small businesses are facing skyrocketing health insurance premiums the work of this committee has never been more important.”

Johnson added that she was particularly honored to have been chosen for a committee leadership position in only her second term.

Rep. Johnson will also serve on Education, Energy and Technology, and Finance Revenue and Bonding Committees.