2009 Press Releases
November 12, 2009 |
DEPUTY SPEAKER KIRKLEY-BEY: TRANSITIONAL HOUSING IN HARTFORD TO RECEIVE STATE FUNDS |
September 13, 2009 |
UCONN HOSPITAL MERGER: AN UNHEALTHY ALLIANCE - Hartford Courant editorial |
September 1, 2009 |
REP. KIRKLEY BEY PROUDLY ANNOUNCES PASSAGE OF STATE BUDGET SAVING IMPORTANT PROJECTS |
August 21, 2009 |
DEPUTY SPEAKER KIRKLEY-BEY PARTNERS WITH OFFICE DEPOT, DISTRIBUTE BACKPACKS TO CHILDREN IN NEED |
July 17, 2009 |
DEPUTY SPEAKER KIRKLEY-BEY TAKING UNPAID LEAVE TO HELP WITH BUDGET DEFICIT |
June 19, 2009 |
REP. KIRKLEY-BEY WORKS TO SECURE $4 MILLION FOR CHILDREN’S HEALTH |
June 10, 2009 |
DEPUTY SPEAKER KIRKLEY-BEY BACKS MEASURE TO HOLD STATE AGENCIES MORE ACCOUNTABLE |
June 4, 2009 |
DEPUTY SPEAKER KIRKLEY-BEY SECURES FUNDING FOR SCIENCE CENTER |
May 28, 2009 |
DEPUTY SPEAKER KIRKLEY-BEY RECOGNIZED AS CHILDREN’S CHAMPION |
May 21, 2009 |
DEPUTY SPEAKER MARIE LOPEZ KIRKLEY-BEY SUPPORTS SWEEPING HEALTHCARE REFORM |
May 14, 2009 |
REP. KIRKLEY-BEY APPOINTED TO NATIONAL COMMITTEE |
May 5, 2009 |
REP. KIRKLEY-BEY ANNOUNCES LIBRARY HOLDING ADDITIONALPARDON FORUMS |
May 1, 2009 |
REP. KIRKLEY-BEY APPLAUDS 500K IN STIMULUS FUNDS FOR HARTFORD HEALTH CENTERS |
March 9, 2009 |
REP. KIRKLEY-BEY INVITES RESIDENTS TO PARDON FORUM |
February 27, 2009 |
REP. KIRKLEY-BEY URGES RESIDENTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE TAX PREP, PRESCRIPTION DISCOUNTS |
January 29, 2009 |
REP. KIRKLEY-BEY URGES RESIDENTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FORECLOSURE PREVENTION WORKSHOP |
November 12, 2009
Deputy Speaker Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey (D-Hartford) announced that the State Bond Commission approved a $1,000,000 grant from Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) for renovations to the Henry Barnard Home /Saint Elizabeth House in Hartford.
The Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation, a non-profit organization sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, owns the Henry Barnard Home/St. Elizabeth House located at 118 Main Street. It provides transitional housing for homeless adults, a day shelter and a meals program. The recently awarded state funds will be used to assist with renovations and additions to preserve 58 housing units.
“I am pleased we were able to deliver these much needed funds,” said Deputy Speaker Kirkley-Bey. “We are seeing an unfortunate rise in the amount of homelessness as a result of this recession. This is an important first step in helping homeless individuals and families get back on their feet.”
Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey is a Deputy Speaker representing Hartford’s 5th Assembly district.
September 13, 2009
By Marie Kirkley-Bey
Randall Enos illustration Hospitals in Central Connecticut are at risk. Advocates of the proposed merger between the University of Connecticut Health Center and Hartford Hospital continue to talk with legislators about a partnership arrangement that could end up seriously harming Hartford, New Britain and Bristol by directing more than $1 billion of state funds to a private enterprise. As a state legislator representing Hartford, my main concern — beyond the cost — is that a new hospital in Farmington will reduce jobs and diminish health care services for residents of the city.
Hartford Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center and the Connecticut Children's Medical Center are major economic engines for our capital city. All three institutions have admirable commitments to their communities and to UConn. It seems clear to me that by subsidizing a new arm of Hartford Hospital in the Farmington Valley, the state could encourage a dramatic shift in private-pay patients away from our urban and other community hospitals, compromising their economic viability.
Certainly, nothing should be decided until an independent study is done to assess this potential damage to the system and loss of services to those citizens who need them most.
What's more, the proposed partnership between Hartford Hospital and UConn begs the question that the two "university" hospitals could receive a Medicaid reimbursement rate as good as or greater than the current rate at John Dempsey Hospital. If such an increase in Medicaid funding occurred, it would create a large and very troubling disparity between Hartford Hospital/UConn and the state's 27 other hospitals, many of which serve large indigent populations. In a difficult economy, with Medicaid already stretched too thin, this is absolutely the wrong time to risk further increasing disparities.
The Hartford region is blessed to have leading-edge teaching hospitals that collaborate to provide UConn's medical students with excellent training. There are other cities around the country that have met the same challenges we now face by developing models that are collaborative in nature — models that have proved to be tremendously effective and efficient by building on current resources. As we develop a path forward, these models should be studied and best practices adopted.
We need a plan that benefits the entire region and the state.
Make no mistake; strengthening the UConn School of Medicine is a top priority for us all. All the more reason, given everything at stake, we should proceed in a way that makes the most sense. From my perspective, going down a path that favors one hospital while threatening the survival of others is a move in the wrong direction, one that risks shredding Hartford's fragile health care safety net.
I want to see all of us — lawmakers, educators, doctors, hospital administrators, business leaders and advocates — immediately begin to work together to reach an agreement that best serves the medical and academic needs of our state and our communities.
Rep. Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey, D-Hartford, is deputy speaker of the state House of Representatives.
Copyright © 2009, The Hartford Courant
September 1, 2009
Representative Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey (D-Hartford) proudly announced her support for a state budget that supports many of her priorities.
Members of the General Assembly Monday passed a compromise state budget that successfully closes an $8.5 billion budget deficit for the next two fiscal years. The $37.6 billion biennial budget was crafted following extensive negotiations through the weekend with Governor M. Jodi Rell and was passed overwhelmingly in both the House of Representatives and State Senate.
“This budget strikes a compromise deal that should garner full approval,” Rep. Kirkley-Bey said. “I am very pleased it includes many programs and initiatives I have been supporting since the beginning of the budget process.”
The compromise budget includes:
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more than $3 billion in cuts over two years;
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nearly $1 billion in new revenue through a Millionaire’s Tax, where families will pay 6.5% on earnings
over $1 million a year and individuals will pay the same rate for earnings over $500,000 a year;
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A phase out the Estate Tax for most Connecticut families; estates less than $3.5 million will not be taxed.
Cuts in the budget are four times greater than the revenues that will be raised with the Millionaire’s Tax. Those cuts include reductions to state agencies and commissions, government bureaucracy, services that are not working as designed, and programs that are important but not essential in a budget crisis.
The budget avoids funding cuts for cities and towns, critical for local education and stabilizing property taxes.
Rep Kirkley-Bey worked hard to ensure the budget protects important services, including:
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$1.5 million this year and $3.5 million next year for Summer Youth Jobs
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$200,000 for The Connecticut Science Center
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No co-pays for prescription drugs and for Husky health care services
August 21, 2009
Deputy Speaker Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey (D-Hartford) and The Office Depot Foundation are pleased to announce that the Johnson Stewart Community Center was chosen to receive backpacks containing essential school supplies as part of the Foundation’s Ninth Annual National Backpack Program in partnership with the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL).
A formal presentation of the backpacks will occur on Saturday, August 22 at 1:30 p.m. at the Johnson Stewart Community Center at 127 Martin Street, Hartford.
“This is an extremely beneficial program,” Deputy Speaker Kirkley-Bey said. “I am honored to have the opportunity to present these backpacks to deserving students. As we have seen the economy fluctuate over the last year, many parents have struggled to figure out how they will be able to purchase supplies for their children. As another school year begins, public-private partnerships like this are even more important. As Connecticut’s NFWL Education Team Leader, I must commend the Office Depot Foundation on its efforts to make children’s lives easier when it comes to having basic school supplies, which many of us take for granted.”
This year, Office Depot (NYSE: ODP) and the Office Depot Foundation are celebrating the donation of the 2 millionth backpack since this program began in 2001. NFWL has been partnering with the backpack program for four years and this year, the Office Depot Foundation will provide the National Foundation for Women Legislators with more than 18,000 backpacks for distribution by women elected officials in all 50 states.
The Office Depot Foundation will also donate backpacks to children in partnership with the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, the National Court Appointed Special Advocates Association (CASA), the Kids In Need Foundation, City Year, Nourish America, Feed The Children and the Tony Stewart Foundation. These organizations focus on education, domestic abuse, national disaster relief and other vital issues and will assist in distributing backpacks to children across the country and internationally.
“Children who are poor or abused or families who are suffering in this economy shouldn’t have to worry about the stigma of not having school supplies,” Deputy Speaker Kirkley-Bey said. “This is a wonderful program and I look forward to working with the Office Depot Foundation in the future on behalf of the National Foundation for Women Legislators.”
The 2009 backpacks come in five different color schemes, blending orange, blue, red, purple, green and pink. Specially designed to meet the needs of students in grades K-5, the backpacks feature two front pockets and wide, padded straps for comfort and support. Each backpack includes a pencil pouch containing essential back-to-school items such as a ruler, four crayons, a glue stick, a pen, a pencil, a pencil sharpener and an eraser.
Rep. Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey is a Deputy Speaker representing Hartford’s 5th Assembly district.
The National Foundation for Women Legislators is a non-profit, non-partisan organization supporting women legislators from all levels of governance.
The Office Depot Foundation is an independent foundation that serves as the independent charitable giving arm of Office Depot, Inc. helping children succeed in school and in life; enabling civil society (non-profit) organizations to become more efficient and effective; helping people and businesses prepare for disasters, then recover and rebuild afterwards; strengthening local communities through grants, product donations and volunteerism; and encouraging community development through entrepreneurship and economic innovation.
July 17, 2009
Deputy Speaker Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey (D-Hartford) announced that she has voluntarily offered to take a number of unpaid furlough days this year and next year to help address Connecticut’s budget deficit.
"Although this is a very small step in addressing our budget deficit, I believe it is important that we all make sacrifices in these tough times,” said Deputy Speaker Kirkley-Bey. “We asked all unionized state employees and our legislative staff to take unpaid days off. It would be the height of hypocrisy if I was not willing to the same.”
State employees agreed to take seven furlough days over the next two years in exchange for no layoffs during this time. Deputy Speaker Kirkley-Bey will give up eight days of her legislative salary — four days this year and four days in 2010.
Deputy Speaker Kirkley-Bey noted that she has not and will not actually take time off from her legislative responsibilities. “I will continue working to serve the needs of my constituents — it’s not as though I’m planning on skipping committee meetings or not answering constituent calls for four days this year.”
She added, “It just isn’t right to ask folks to do something without doing it myself. All of us in Connecticut need to step up and make some small sacrifices.”
“Connecticut has some of the richest people in the country, but we also have some of the poorest right here in Hartford. There are many people who can afford to pay a bit more so that we do not have to balance the budget on the backs of those who can least afford it.”
Rep. Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey is a Deputy Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives representing Hartford’s 5th Assembly district.
June 19, 2009
Deputy Speaker Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey (D-Hartford) and Hartford City Councilwoman Veronica Airy Wilson announce that the City of Hartford in conjunction with the State Health Department has submitted an application to the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for up to $ 4 million in funding for a five year project to expand early health and mental health services to children birth to eight years old.
“We are excited to announce this highly competitive grant opportunity for the City of Hartford. We thank the Governor for all her help and we are honored to partner with the Department of Public Health to obtain badly needed services for our most vulnerable children,” stated Councilwoman Airy Wilson.
The grant entitled “Project Launch” will build on the existing rich resources for children in Hartford and be integrated into a seamless early intervention system for very young children. The grant will assist Hartford to expand early screening and treatment for parents suffering from depression and other illnesses that might impede their ability to nurture their children. The goal is to integrate services and supports across health, behavioral health, early care, education and family support to provide every child with the resources to ensure healthy development.
“Hartford is blessed with great families and children who need a little help to overcome the barriers of poverty and lack of education that impedes successful parenting. Project Launch offers a great opportunity for all of us to come together as a community to support our children,” stated Deputy Speaker Kirkley-Bey.
Nearly one-third of its 124,554 residents are below the federal poverty level, four-fold bigger than the statewide rate and unemployment is currently at 13%. Children under nine years of age account for 14% of Hartford’s residents and are at increased risk for poor health outcomes.
The grant will be administered by the Hartford Health Department and the Mayor’s Office for the Young Child. The City should know by September 1, 2009 if they are the successful applicant.
Rep. Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey is a Deputy Speaker representing Hartford’s 5th Assembly district.
June 10, 2009
Deputy Speaker Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey (D-Hartford) voted for legislation that created a pilot program use results-based accountability (RBA) to assess some human services programs. The legislation requires a legislative committee to assess selected human service programs using RBA methods.
The legislature’s Appropriations Committee must receive an assessment report about the programs under review by this coming January. The report must include recommendations about whether to continue, expand, or modify the programs being reviewed.
“This will make our state programs more responsible to the communities they serve,” said Deputy Speaker Kirkley-Bey. “RBA is simply a way to see if a program is delivering to the community exactly what it is supposed to deliver.
Deputy Speaker Kirkley-Bey added, “We will be able to make smarter funding decisions. It is simply unacceptable to waste taxpayer’s dollars on programs that do not serve the people as they were intended.”
House Bill 6476, An Act Concerning a Program Review and Investigations Committee Pilot Program Utilizing Results-Based Accountability, was unanimously passed by the state legislature.
Rep. Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey is a Deputy Speaker representing Hartford’s 5th Assembly district.
June 4, 2009
Deputy Speaker Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey (D-Hartford) led passage of legislation in the final hours of the 2009 legislative session to provide the Connecticut Science Center with much needed funds last evening.
“In this tight budget year I am happy to have secured this critical funding to help improve our economy,” Deputy Speaker Kirkley-Bey said. “The Science Center has an immediate positive effect on Hartford's economy by providing much-needed jobs and attracting visitors to Hartford that will benefit our city's struggling economy."
The legislation (Senate Bill 1036) will provide $1.5 million for the Science Center to assist with a water exhibit. The Connecticut Science Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing science education throughout the state of Connecticut, providing learning opportunities for students and adults of all ages, and engaging the community in scientific exploration. It is anticipated that the Science Center, opening June 12 in downtown Hartford, will be both a tourist attraction and an educational institution.
Rep. Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey is a Deputy Speaker representing Hartford’s 5th Assembly district.
May 28, 2009
Deputy Speaker Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey (D-Hartford) was honored with a “Children’s Champion” award by the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance during a ceremony held at the State Capitol today.
The organization gave Kirkley-Bey the recognition because of her strong commitment to improving the educational, health and emotional well-being of young children during the current legislative session.
“I am honored to be recognized by such a distinguished and respected organization,” said Kirkley-Bey. “Children's issues, particularly headstart and early education are real priorities for me. I look forward to working on more legislation that helps our children.”
“We just wanted to take the time to recognize legislators who have worked so hard this session to improve the lives of Connecticut's young children,” said Shaun McNally, CT Early Childhood Alliance executive director. “Especially in this tough economic climate.”
The Alliance is a group of organizations and individuals committed to improving developmental outcomes in the areas of learning, health, safety and economic security for children up to the age of eight.
Rep. Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey is a Deputy Speaker representing Hartford’s 5th Assembly district.
May 21, 2009
Deputy Speaker Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey (D-Hartford) joined with a majority of Connecticut House of Representative members to pass a landmark healthcare legislation package: The Connecticut Healthcare Partnership (HB 6582) and SustiNet (HB 6600) plans. The package will provide new options for municipalities and other eligible groups to significantly reduce their healthcare costs.
The Connecticut Healthcare Partnership opens the state employee health plan to municipal employees, small businesses and non-profits on a voluntary basis and SustiNet establishes the framework for comprehensive healthcare reform.
“This is a great opportunity in a tough economy to provide some real relief to small businesses and towns. Participation in the Connecticut healthcare partnership will yield millions of dollars in savings and provide thousands of residents with access to quality health care,” Rep. Kirkley-Bey said.
“Connecticut can be a national leader in healthcare reform, and the Healthcare Partnership bill is a big step in that direction,” said House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden), the bill’s sponsor and champion. “With our action today, the dream of quality, affordable healthcare is closer to reality for thousands of people in Connecticut.”
The Healthcare Partnership creates a timetable for opening up the state healthcare plan and converts the state health insurance plan from fully uninsured to self insured, eliminating millions of dollars in overhead costs and potentially saving the state $70 million.
SustiNet is a comprehensive plan that lays out a framework for providing high quality coverage, similar to the state’s insurance plan to more residents while containing costs, promoting preventive care and laying the groundwork for federal healthcare reform. House Bill 6600 begins this process by establishing a board of directors charged with developing specific legislative recommendations to achieve the plan’s goals.
By expanding access more residents, including many Connecticut employers and their workers, will be able to purchase comprehensive benefits while cutting their health care costs.
More information on the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership and SustiNet can be found online at www.housedems.ct.gov/healthcare.
Rep. Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey is a Deputy Speaker representing Hartford’s 5th Assembly district.
May 14, 2009
Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) announced that State Representative Marie Kirkley-Bey (D-Hartford) has been reappointed to serve on the National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL) Standing Committee on Human Services and Welfare for 2009-2010.
“I am honored to represent Connecticut on the Human Services and Welfare Committee again, said Rep. Kirkley-Bey. “In today’s economy, the responsibility of government to help people is greater then ever. I look forward to working with my colleagues from around the country as we set policies in our state that protect vital services and programs that help the most vulnerable.”
The committee consists of state officials from all over the United States and focuses on issues like child welfare, child care, Head Start, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, welfare reform, child support, food stamps, and child nutrition, amongst other issues.
“With Marie’s experience, I’m confident she will represent our state well on this committee,” Speaker Donovan stated.
NCSL is a bipartisan organization serving the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues. The leadership of NCSL is composed of legislators and staff from across the country.
Rep. Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey is a Deputy Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives serving her ninth term representing Hartford’s 5th Assembly district.
May 5, 2009
State Representative Marie Kirkley-Bey (D-Hartford) announced that Hartford residents with past convictions are invited to attend Pardon Application Review Sessions.
“This is wonderful chance for people to put the past behind them and move forward in life,” said Rep. Kirkley-Bey. “I want to thank the Connecticut Pardon Team for their tireless devotion and work. We are very fortunate to have them.”
The Hartford Public Library in response to the heavy demand for pardon information and guidance has collaborated again with the Connecticut Pardon Team to bring their free help and support to ex-offenders in the Hartford community. Building on the success of pardon informational sessions held at the Downtown Library over the past three years, additional pardon application review sessions will be offered.
“Rep. Kirkle-Bey and the Hartford Public Library have been some of our strongest supporters,” said Richard and Jacqueline Caron, the co-founders of the Connecticut Pardon Team. “We really appreciate their commitment.”
There are slots available to meet with the Connecticut Pardon Team on Saturday, May 9th at the Downtown branch of the Hartford Public Library. The Library is located at 500 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103. The event is free, but attendees must meet certain requirements and appointments are required. Please call (860) 695-6354 to discuss eligibility or learn more.
There will be another session held on June 20th and additional sessions will be held every three weeks after that through the summer. Please visit www.connecticutpardonteam.org or call toll free 1-866-251-3810 for more information.
Rep. Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey is a Deputy Speaker representing Hartford’s 5th Assembly district.
The Connecticut Pardon Team has provided information and education to thousands of individuals since 2004 which has helped them determine their eligibility to apply for a non-inmate pardon. By raising public awareness of the process of applying for a Pardon, and the procedures surrounding the Pardon Process, they have helped to publicize the process and make it more visible.
May 1, 2009
State Representative Marie Kirkley-Bey (D-Hartford) welcomed an announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that two federal grants totaling $581,946 are coming to Community Health Centers in Hartford.
“Folks really depend on Charter Oak and Community Health, especially in this tough economy,” said Rep. Kirkley-Bey. “Some many of us in Hartford are losing health insurance and are now relying on these community health centers. This money will help the centers serve more people.”
Charter Oak Health Center will receive $314,172 and Community Health Services will receive $267,774 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) signed into law by President Obama. It is part of a $338 million package that is targeted for 1,128 community health centers nationwide.
Funding for expanded services may used for, but are not limited to, adding additional healthcare staff, offering longer hours of center operations or expanding in-house services. It is estimated that Community Health Center will be able to serve an additional 10,000 new patients because of the new federal grant.
Health centers deliver preventive and primary care services to patients regardless of their ability to pay; charges for services are set according to income. Nationally, community health centers served more than 16 million patients in 2007, about 40 percent of whom had no health insurance.
Rep. Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey is a Deputy Speaker representing Hartford’s 5th Assembly district.
March 9, 2009
Representative Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey (D-Hartford) invites Hartford residents who have past convictions to attend a forum to hear about non-inmate pardons.
“There are too many people who are being held back by old convictions,” said Rep. Kirkley-Bey. “Thursday evening is a chance to help move your life forward. I hope people take advantage of this free event and find out if they might be eligible to apply for a pardon.”
The forum will help ex-offenders and their families learn how to apply for expungements and/or provisional pardons. State Senator Eric D. Coleman, State Representative Kenneth P. Green, and State Representative Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey will be special guests at the event hosted by the Connecticut Pardon Team.
The Pardon Forum will be held Thursday, March 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Downtown branch of the Hartford Public Library. The Library is located at 500 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103. The event is free, but registration is required. Please call toll free 1-866-251-3810 or visit www.connecticutpardonteam.org to register or for more information.
Rep. Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey is a Deputy Speaker representing Hartford’s 5th Assembly district.
The Connecticut Pardon Team has provided information and education to thousands of individuals since 2004 which has helped them determine their eligibility to apply for a non-inmate pardon. By raising public awareness of the process of applying for a Pardon, and the procedures surrounding the Pardon Process, they have helped to publicize the process and make it more visible.
February 27, 2009
Representative Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey (D-Hartford) is urging Hartford residents to take advantage of free tax preparation services for low-to-moderate-income tax filers and a discount prescription card program that is available to everyone regardless of income or employment.
“So many of our families in Hartford are struggling in this economy,” said Rep. Kirkley-Bey. “These programs are two small ways for folks to save some money.”
Free tax preparation services are available from now through April 15 at sites around Hartford. People can call the 2-1-1 hotline, offered by the United Way and the CT Department of Social Services, to find out if they qualify and make appointments. Trained, IRS certified volunteers can help them get the biggest return to which they are entitled, at no charge. People who made less than $42,000 in 2008 may also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
“Working Families, especially in this economy, can’t afford to pay exorbitant rates to have their taxes done plus extra charges for so-called instant refunds, said Rep. Kirkley-Bey. “It doesn’t cost anything to find out if this program is for you, so please take a moment and call.”
Rep. Kirkley-Bey is also recommending people look into to the FamilyWize prescription drug discount card, which is available to anyone regardless of income or employment. Consumers may save an average of 20% by using this card and can get prices close to those offered to large insurance plans.
More than 200 participating pharmacies across central and northeastern Connecticut accept the card, which is available at all Kmart and Stop & Shop pharmacies, at many local United Way partner agencies, and in a printable version online.
To print a FamilyWize card or view a list of participating pharmacies, visit www.FamilyWize.org. For a list of local United Way partner agencies, visit www.unitedwayinc.org. For more information about the tax preparation services, please call the 2-1-1 hotline.
Rep. Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey is a Deputy Speaker representing Hartford’s 5th Assembly district.
January 29, 2009
Representative Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey (D-Hartford) is urging Hartford residents to take advantage of a free foreclosure prevention workshop next month. The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, NeighborWorks America and Hope Now have organized a workshop next month for local residents concerned about foreclosure.
“Families across the state are having a tough time with mortgages, falling home prices and the overall economy,” said Rep. Kirkley-Bey. “This workshop is an opportunity for home owners concerned about mortgage payments and foreclosure to find solutions to keep their homes.”
The Foreclosure Prevention Workshop will be held Saturday, February 14, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Homeowners will be able to meet with their loan servicers to discuss their situations. Local housing counselors will also be available to assist borrowers.
The Foreclosure Prevention Workshop is free and open to all borrowers. For more information or to learn if a particular lender will be present at the workshop, please call 1-800-882-1600 or go to www.theinformedhomebuyer.org.
Rep. Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey is a Deputy Speaker representing Hartford’s 5th Assembly district. |
