HARTFORD — Rep. Timothy D. Larson is pegging his hopes on a bill aimed at getting federal grants to make homes around the state’s airports more soundproof and energy efficient.

Larson, a Democrat from East Hartford who’s executive director of Tweed New Haven Regional Airport, said he got the idea from the airport having to conduct a sound study of the surrounding area.

The Federal Aviation Administration offers subsidies to make homes in airport areas more soundproof, and the federal Energy Department offers similar subsidies for “weatherizing,” or making homes more energy efficient. They often involve the same types of work.

“What I’m trying to do is marry these two programs around the Connecticut airports,” Larson said.

Larson’s brother, U.S. Rep. John B. Larson, D-1st District, and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal helped coordinate the effort from Washington, Larson said. And to boost support, he’s trying to target the work to veterans.

The bill has cleared the legislature’s Commerce, Appropriations, and Transportation committees. On Tuesday, it was sent to the Environment Committee.

Larson’s hopes for the bill were raised last week, when he learned it could be picked for an amendment from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy related to the changeover of airports in the state from the Transportation Department to the quasi-public Connecticut Airport Authority created last year.

An administration official said Wednesday he had decided to attach the governor’s language to another bill.

But Larson said he thinks there’s still a good chance for the bill to clear the General Assembly in the rush of bills before the end of the session next Wednesday.

His pitch: It will increase property values and make the people who live near airports happier.

“If we can make these neighborhoods quieter and more energy efficient all around Connecticut, we really are developing a green technology,” Larson said.

As someone who has the great privilege of serving my community in elective office, I am often reminded of the importance to vote my conscience when faced with a controversial issue. Certainly good advice, but on the question of the death penalty I find my conscience in conflict between my gut and my heart.

My gut tells me that some crimes are so unbelievable and abhorrent that execution seems to be the only appropriate punishment. This was the case during my time as mayor of East Hartford, as one of our police officers was shot at close range and killed but the convicted murderer did not get the death sentence. That experience inspired me to vote for an amendment that would have kept the death penalty for the killing of a police officer, but it did not pass.

My heart tells me first to try to console, but in truth there are no answers when you are sitting and listening to families that have lost someone. These are times that make you wonder if the death penalty is truly a deterrent or if it just further victimizes families as they sit through numerous court appeals which always drag on for years. Even loved ones of homicide victims disagree on whether Connecticut should have a death penalty.

One can also look at the effects of the death penalty from a pragmatic standpoint which exposes how costly and ineffective it can be. After all appeals have been exhausted, the death penalty ultimately ends up costing taxpayers more money than to incarcerate the guilty with absolutely no chance of parole - and still there is likely no execution. Legal public defense bills just for the two Cheshire killers sentenced to death cost taxpayers over $2 million.

In Connecticut the last execution was serial murderer Michael Ross by lethal injection in 2005, but that was only because he waived future appeals and requested to be put to death (he said life in prison was a worse fate). The most recent execution carried out under the full force of the death penalty law was by electric chair in 1960.

My conscience tells me the current law perpetuates a system that torments victims' families with a promise of closure that never comes. It prolongs victims' pain and delays healing while appeals force families to relive their trauma for years.

I've also concluded the death penalty is not a deterrent. If it were, why do states such as Florida, Virginia and Texas where they have strong capital punishment laws also have some the nations' highest murder rates? And, the real possibility always exists, as recent cases using DNA evidence show, that innocent people may be executed.

So, with this all in mind I voted for repeal, replacing the death penalty with a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for capital offenses. When the governor signs this into law, Connecticut will become the 17th state to outlaw the death penalty.

Some will disagree with me and some will agree, but I know I voted my conscience and listened to my heart.

According to the Connecticut Golf Alliance (report attached), the industry contributes $1.1 billion to the state’s economy, supporting over 11,500 jobs. There are 185 operating golf courses throughout the state, most of which are public including many municipally-owned facilities.

“The economic impact of the golf industry goes way beyond the boundaries of the courses themselves,” said Berger. “There are golf equipment dealers, course maintenance, capital improvement projects and a restaurant-café sector all tied to golf.”

Aresimowicz, who coaches youth sports and school teams in Berlin, said the golf community does a great job of supporting and encouraging youth involvement. “From the First Tee youth initiative to the Connecticut State Golf Association’s (CSGA) scholarship program, golf has a proven commitment to engaging young people,” he said. “Kids benefit in many ways from participating in sports and the game of golf in particular can provide some of the best life lessons.”

Former East Hartford Mayor Larson talked about how golf courses play an integral role in the cultural fabric of a town. “Local public golf courses are often a recreation centerpiece, hosting leagues throughout the week, attracting out of town visitors and providing some revenue,” he said. “Many of these facilities have been around for decades, have an associated restaurant and are part of a town’s history that include stories of legendary players and shots.”

Joining the lawmakers were CSGA Executive Director Michael Moraghan, Travelers Championship Tournament Chairman Nathan Grube, TPC River Highlands teaching professional Suzy Whaley who runs the Girls Golf Fair and other community service projects, and David Polk, Director of First Tee Connecticut.

The event coincided with the first Golf Legislative Day at the Capitol and included a variety of golf displays throughout the Legislative Office Building.

The project features a state-of-the-art movie studio production facility where Route 5 converges with I-291. This includes 6 to 8 sound stages, a mill building for set manufacturing, as well as executive and production offices. Ancillary development will include a 150-room hotel, retail, and several restaurants.

“This funding is not only important to our town, but also to the entire region as it will help ensure surrounding infrastructure properly supports the exciting Connecticut Studio project,” Larson said. “This is a major economic development initiative for this area and state support is critical to its eventual success.”

According to the Connecticut Economic Research Center (CERC), the studio is estimated to create 1,500 film production jobs with up to 5,000 jobs to support ongoing operations. During the development phase, over 500 union construction jobs will be created.

Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced the grant earlier this week as part of the state’s $20 million Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) that is used to upgrade infrastructure, strengthen business corridors and improve public spaces. “These projects are part of reinventing Connecticut and making us a stronger, highly competitive, and more vibrant state,” Malloy said.

“I thank Governor Malloy for recognizing the economic benefits of this important project and his commitment to helping it become a success,” added Larson.

The East Hartford lawmakers also praised the legislature for approving the state’s commitment to Jackson Laboratory – a critical investment in a $1.1 billion project that unlocks the potential of thousands of jobs in genomic medicine and the biosciences.

“We all worked together in a bipartisan manner and Connecticut is the winner,” Genga (D-East Hartford) said, referring to the comprehensive jobs bill.

“What we accomplished today can be used as a blueprint for success tomorrow,” Rojas (D-East Hartford, Glastonbury, Manchester) said during the special session of General Assembly. “We need to keep looking for new ways to help companies, especially small business, grow and expand.”

Larson (D-East Hartford, South Windsor) said Connecticut’s legislature, unlike many others across the country, was able to create a bipartisan agenda to support small businesses, grow jobs and spur innovation. “The work we accomplished today will help put Connecticut back to work and usher our state into a new era of science, technology and job creation,” he said.

The lawmakers also lauded the legislature for approving Jackson Laboratory’s plan to build a $1.1 billion research facility at the University of Connecticut Health Center campus in Farmington. The State of Connecticut will invest $291 million and Jackson Laboratory will raise the balance of $860 million for the project.

According to the state Department of Economic and Community Development, the project is expected to create over 660 positions at Jackson Laboratory in Farmington within 20 years. The department 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.

“Connecticut’s investment in bioscience will pay dividends for generations,” Genga said.

“By approving this project, we are sending a clear message to everyone outside of Connecticut that this state is open for business and that we want to be a world leader in the field of bioscience,” Rojas said.

The goal of the comprehensive jobs bill is to jump-start job creation and foster long-term economic growth through small-business incentives, less government red tape, incentives for innovation, economic development tools and workforce development and training.

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

“Small business continues to be the engine that drives our economy,” Larson said. “Investing in the future of Connecticut’s small businesses is essential to our continued economic growth.”

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

Other components of the jobs bill include:

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

“The FAA has funding available for residential noise mitigation and there are a lot of similarities with energy efficiency work such as insulation and sealing air leaks that make it a natural fit,” said Rep. Larson, who is also executive director of New Haven’s Tweed Airport. “So, we’re saying why don’t we also add funding from existing energy efficiency programs and leverage the opportunity to create jobs for our deserving veterans?”

National labor statistics currently show an 11.5% unemployment rate among veterans – over 2% higher than the national unemployment rate. Even more alarming is the 20% of young veterans under age 25 that are out of work.  The proposed Larson-Leone program looks to create an opportunity for the young men and women who served our nation to find employment improving American homes and building value for their local communities.

“Merging noise mitigation with energy efficiency improvements is a win-win for area residents,” said Sen. Leone, program manager at WorkPlace, Inc. in Bridgeport that provides education and job training programs in southwestern Connecticut. “It benefits the community, and it also makes a wise use of federal programs. That shows we can be creative in making the most of what is available for our residents. Due to their training, attitude and discipline, veterans are well suited to a wide variety of jobs, and are very desirable to employers.”

The state lawmakers have been in contact with the office of First District Connecticut Congressman John Larson (Tim’s brother) about using funding sources available under the authority of the U.S. Departments of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection (EPA) with current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funds. They have also contacted the office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy and met with Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Daniel Esty about their proposal.

A 2008 paper entitled A Synergistic Green Approach to Conducting FAA and DOE Residential Retrofit Programs by Jawad Rachami of Wyle in Arlington, Virginia outlined the merits of combining FAA funding from the Residential Sound Insulation Program (RISP) with the DOE/EPA joint Home Performance Energy Star Initiative project. The paper points out that “there are natural synergies between noise mitigation and energy efficiency due to the common techniques and materials used to prevent noise penetration and air leaks” and concludes that the proposed approach “can lead to a mutually certifiable Green end-state, which would contribute to key national goals on environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.” Combining energy efficiency and sound insulation can deliver multiple benefits to communities, including:

• Making homes quieter by achieving indoor levels lower than 45 decibels per FAA guidelines;
• Improving indoor air quality per EPA guidelines and reducing health risks ranging from allergies to serious respiratory illnesses and heart disease;
• Achieving significant cash flow savings for residents from reduced utility bills, which can range between 20 to 50% per DOE program results;
• Reducing the Greenhouse Gas footprint of residential neighborhoods; and
• Creating training and job opportunities for the local workforce.

Tim Larson is hoping Connecticut can host such a pilot program that would employ veterans to perform residential energy efficiency work as part of airport noise mitigation efforts. “It would be great for us to set the stage for a national jobs program where thousands of homes are made healthier and more energy efficient for their occupants and American materials and labor are used to help spark the economy,” he said.

A total of $230,000 for construction of a “catwalk” was contained in legislation that included projects to be overseen by the Department of Transportation. To pay for the project, bonds will be issued through the state’s Special Transportation Fund, which has a dedicated revenue stream that includes a combination of gasoline taxes, Department of Motor Vehicle fees and federal transportation funds.

“This will not only improve public safety at the crossing, but enhance the quality of life for the neighborhood, for those going to the park and for nearby Ann E. Norris Elementary School,” said Larson, a member of the legislature’s Transportation Committee.

Larson added that he would prefer a ground level “at-grade” crossing instead of the bridge-like catwalk design, and plans to look into that option. “A flat walk crossing could be safer and cost less, so it is worth investigating,” he said.

The bill (HB 6351), which was approved by the House of Representatives, gives homeowners an opportunity to participate in the foreclosure mediation program without simultaneously engaging in litigation for up to eight months. The bill also would extend the judicial branch’s mediation program to include owners of properties occupied by nonprofit charitable or religious organizations. Under the current law, the program is restricted to owner-occupants of one-to-four-unit residential properties. The bill also:

• Extends the date for the first mediation meeting to be held from 15 business days to not later than 35 days after a referral by the court.

• During the eight-month hold period, suspends the homeowner’s obligation to respond in the foreclosure action, and prohibits the mortgage holder from making a motion for default or judgment, until 15 days have passed after the mediation period's expiration or termination.

• Specifies new requirements that both the homeowner and mortgage holder are required to present at the first mediation session to accelerate the process.

“For most homeowners, mediation is the first opportunity they have to meet face to face with a representative from their mortgage company,” said Larson. “This legislation enhances what is already a national model for helping people with foreclosure and not to burden them with the extra demands of litigation while they try to work it out with banks.”

In response to the national foreclosure crisis, the General Assembly took action in 2008 to protect and assist homeowners by establishing a Foreclosure Mediation Program that has since become a national model. The program, conducted through the judicial branch, assists lenders and homeowners in negotiating a mutually agreeable resolution of a mortgage foreclosure action through the mediation process. Since the program’s inception, over 9,000 cases have completed mediation and the program has achieved a 79% settlement rate.

In addition, properties in foreclosure often suffer from neglect during the process, and it can be difficult to find a property manager or owner to perform necessary maintenance. This bill enhances municipalities’ abilities in finding property owners or managers of residential properties in foreclosure by requiring their registration with the municipality when the foreclosure process begins.

Connecticut’s residents who are behind in their mortgage or are facing foreclosure on their homes may call the Department of Banking’s Foreclosure Hotline at 1-877-472-8313 toll-free to receive advice and guidance regarding their mortgage problems and their foreclosure case status.

A global economic meltdown beginning in late 2008 caused state tax revenues to plummet and the need for government assistance to dramatically increase as unemployment quickly rose. So, when Dannel Malloy was elected Connecticut's governor in November, 2010 he was handed a state budget deficit of over $3 billion by outgoing Governor Jodi Rell.

To put our state back on solid fiscal ground, Governor Malloy proposed a budget that called for shared sacrifice. My support for this budget was based upon achieving certain goals such as maintaining municipal aid, balancing the budget without borrowing or eliminating vital social service programs, and realizing consolidation and streamlining of state government.

Still, there were also a number of things I didn't like. For example, I would have preferred a higher graduated income tax rate for top tier wage earners to lessen the impact on the middle class. I would have also kept sales tax exemptions on clothing and maintained the property tax credit at $500.

While the governor's original plan was constructed to balance the budget without gimmicks and borrowing, it still needed a lot of work because of the harsh impact it would have on East Hartford and South Windsor residents. Governor Malloy proposed ending the state's funding reimbursement program to towns for tax credits given to manufacturers. Elimination of the Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) program would have cost East Hartford about $3.6 million and South Windsor just over $1 million. After meeting with the governor's budget staff and legislators from impacted town, these potentially lost revenues were restored.

The governor also wanted to eliminate the $500 property tax credit for homeowners, raise the tax on gasoline and add new taxes on coupons, haircuts, car washes and other items we take for granted. Once again, after challenging the wisdom of these taxes, they were dropped and a $300 property tax credit survived.

The bottom line is that, East Hartford will receive an increase of $650,000 in municipal aid for fiscal year 2012 and an increase of $750,000 for 2013. South Windsor will get $207,000 and $242,000 more in these respective years.

In addition, we will have a new Earned Income Tax Credit to provide financial relief to as many as 190,000 low-income workers. This will help offset some of the tax increases imposed by the governor.

In order to achieve a balanced budget there are significant spending reductions, including the consolidation and streamlining of 30 percent of our state agencies. The governor also negotiated a $1.8 billion labor concession package that is good for taxpayers and state's workers. The agreement is currently awaiting ratification from the various state employee unions.

We now have a budget that is truly balanced and does not include borrowing for paying our current expenses or further defer our pension obligations. But unlike budgets that were recently passed in New York and New Jersey, our state budget protects our cities and towns and does not pass the burden on to local property taxpayers.

Supporting this budget was not an easy decision, but given the adjustments we achieved, and considering the alternative plan to slash local aid and critical social services, I believe it was the right thing to do for our state and the residents of East Hartford and South Windsor.

Larson’s bill comes on the heels of his call to revamp the board of commissioners of the East Hartford Housing Authority (EHHA) with people with professional backgrounds in housing and finance to improve board oversight and expertise due to the dire long-term financial problems plaguing the quasi-town agency.

“The mismanagement of the East Hartford authority by the current board has a direct impact on residents, so it is important that tenants are properly represented,” Larson said. “This is about helping to better protect the rights of tenants, which is especially important since many residents of public housing often don’t have an option to live elsewhere.”

Housing authority boards generally consist of five members appointed by a municipality’s legislative body, one of which must be a tenant under state and federal law. Larson said the elected tenant commissioner will have full voting rights, including on issues dealing with proposed rent increases which currently is not allowed.

The legislation specifies that an election would be required if a sufficient number of resident’s petition (10% or 75 tenants, whichever is less). If tenants do not petition, a duly-organized resident council can choose the tenant commissioner. If neither occurs, the appointment reverts back to the municipality, who must consider any candidates recommended by a tenant organization.

Last year, a similar bill was also passed by the legislature only to be vetoed by then Governor M. Jodi Rell. Larson is hopeful this year’s version, which is now before the state Senate, will become law.

East Hartford — State Rep. Timothy Larson is calling for a reorganization of the East Hartford Housing Authority's board of commissioners.

Larson, a Democrat and former mayor of East Hartford, said he doubts that the existing board will be able to lead the housing authority out of its financial crisis. For several years, the authority has faced increasing expenses, insufficient revenue and depleted cash reserves. It also owes more than $1 million to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development after improperly using federal money to finance state housing projects.

The authority's five commissioners should be replaced and the new board should include people with professional backgrounds in finance and housing, Larson said Tuesday.

Another option, he said, would be to ask a housing authority from a nearby community to manage the local agency temporarily "and take this burden off the existing commissioners."

That suggestion is not unheard of by HUD, which monitors the housing authority's use of federal funds that subsidize low-income housing.

Sandra Henriquez, assistant secretary of HUD's Office of Public and Indian Housing, said housing authorities sometimes do admit that they have financial problems and reach out to their counterparts for help.

"In Florida we have a housing authority that is troubled and we got a neighboring authority to run its voucher program and another housing authority to run its public housing program," she said. "Our bottom line is that residents need to be protected."

Larson said he will present his suggestions in a letter to the town council, which is responsible for appointing the authority's board of commissioners.

HUD issued a scathing report this month that questioned the commissioners' ability to carry out their obligations to keep the housing authority financially sound.

HUD's Hartford field office has given the housing authority until May 1 to respond with plans to repay the $1.1 million it owes HUD and to correct years of financial mismanagement.

The housing authority also owes $354,000 to the town for payment in lieu of taxes for tax-exempt property and $104,000 to the state for the mortgage on its King Court complex. Uncollected rent is another problem, increasing from $175,000 in 2006 to $545,000 in 2009, HUD reported.

In calling for management changes, Larson cited the contracts that commissioners approved for union employees in April 2009.

"The contracts they authorized — three-year, 3.5 percent raises with a no-layoff provision — in these economic times are really unconscionable," he said.

Town council Chairman Richard Kehoe said the council will meet next week to review the authority's response to HUD.

Larson said the board should be re-populated with people with professional backgrounds in housing and finance in order to raise the level of expertise and improve oversight of EHHA operations. He also suggested a second option of moving toward a regional model where nearby communities combine resources to save money and provide more efficient services.

“The current board as an entity has been unable to make clear business decisions that will improve the long term stability of the authority,” said Larson. “People who live in public housing deserve better.”

The EHHA board consists of five members appointed by the Town Council for staggered five-year terms.

According to an independent 2009 audit, EHHA had an operating budget deficit of just under $960,000. In addition, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is calling for a return of almost $1 million because federal HUD money was improperly used for state properties under EHHA management.

EHHA manages about 600 federal housing units among eight apartment complexes and 260 state owned units among four complexes. A total of 330 units date back to the 1950s, with the newest units built in 1976.

The lawmakers will be available to meet with residents from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Welling Conference Room on the second floor of East Hartford Town Hall.

They encourage East Hartford residents to stop by, saying open office hours are a great way to meet with people and discuss issues in an informal setting.

In a news conference at the Legislative Office Building, the Japan Society of Fairfield said it was accepting donations on behalf of the Japanese Red Cross.

Even though the earthquake and tsunami are now in the past, the needs of their victims will continue to mount far into the future, said Nakul Havnurkar, a spokesman for the commission.

“It is at moments like this that we realize how close the international community is and how cohesive it must continue to be,” Rep. Tong said. “We must do everything we can to help the Japanese people through this horrible tragedy. They cannot do it alone, and nor could we.”

“This tragedy has devastated one of our closest international allies, and many of us here know families with loved ones in Japan,” said Rep. Larson. “The United States has always been there for friends in need and this is one of those times we need to step up and help in any we can.”

Jack K. Hasegawa, chair of the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, said, “Although the vivid pictures of the devastation wrought on Northern Japan are fading, the need for international aid is increasing. Millions of people are without homes, heating, electricity, clean water and adequate food. These needs will continue to grow, even as the Japanese government and international agencies work around the clock.”

“With such a horrible tragedy that has already had a tremendous human cost, it is important that we are here to support those in Japan who continue to struggle,” Hwang said.

“Our hearts go out to the people of Japan in this hour of need. Disasters of this magnitude are impossible to prepare for – thousands of evacuees are being tested for radiation, are standing in line for food and water, and the search for survivors continues. But the Japanese culture is one of great resiliency. I know we as Americans will rise to the occasion and offer a helping hand. Every contribution, no matter how small, is important,” said Rep. Srinivasan.

If you would like to help, the Japan Society of Fairfield County is accepting monetary donations on behalf of the Japanese Red Cross. In addition to monetary donations, the American Red Cross has deployed a disaster management expert from its Washington, DC headquarters to Japan to assist in relief efforts. You can donate to the American Red Cross through their website or simply by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Rep. William Tong implores residents and businesses of Connecticut to make donations
to help the people of Japan suffering from the recent earthquake and tsunami.
Rep. Tim Larson (right) also urged people to donate to the cause.

Of the $44.2 million proposed cut of the MME Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program, Larson’s hometown of East Hartford would lose about $3.6 million, the largest loss of any town in the state. Larson said it is in large part due to the presence of United Technologies’ Pratt & Whitney division. Waterbury, the home of Berger, stands to lose about $2 million. South Windsor, also located in Larson’s district, would lose just over $1 million.

“If we are to stave off the impact of the governor’s proposal to eliminate these funds for our cities and towns we must come up with viable solutions,” Berger said. “Creating a special fund with dedicated revenue may make sense because we’re dealing with a problem that impacts specific municipalities.”

One option being discussed by a working group of legislators led by Berger, who is House Chair of the legislature’s Commerce Committee and member of the Finance Committee, is to establish a dedicated fund from a combination of revenue derived from proposed increases in sales, real estate conveyance and hotel taxes to help towns affected by the MME PILOT loss.

“It’s not like we can simply send a $3.6 million tax bill to UTC to make up for the loss,” said Larson, a member of the Finance Committee. “I was encouraged by our meeting with the governor’s people and there are a lot of legislators committed to getting this problem fixed before voting on a budget.”

The MME program provides a 100% exemption of local property taxes due on qualified, newly acquired manufacturing machinery and equipment, with the state reimbursing municipalities for a portion of the lost tax revenue. Elimination of MME disproportionately impacts heavy industry cities with larger manufacturing bases.

During a ceremony on the floor of the state House chambers, Nino Pettinato and Laura Sobolewski received a Connecticut General Assembly citation from Reps. Henry Genga (D-East Hartford), Jason Rojas (D-East Hartford, Glastonbury, Manchester) and Timothy Larson (D-East Hartford, South Windsor).

In another ceremony earlier on the Senate floor, Sen. Gary LeBeau (D-East Hartford) gave a citation to the East Hartford lifeguards.

The lifeguards found the girl who had a seizure and stopped breathing July 18 at Drennan Pool in East Hartford. The lifeguards attended to her until emergency medical technicians arrived on the scene and transported her to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center where she was treated for an undisclosed medical condition and eventually released.  

In recognizing the life-saving efforts, Genga presented the citation to the lifeguards and spoke on the House floor. “We have two living heroes here whose quick work and dedication helped save the life of a little girl,” Genga said. 

“The importance of training and staying calm during an emergency really paid off in this situation where Laura and Nick intervened to save a child who was under their watch,” Rojas said. “I and the child’s family couldn’t be more grateful to the both of them.”   

“I’m very impressed with their level of dedication and commitment to safety in our public pools,” Larson said.

Responding to complaints by residents of an neighborhood that the same reckless driver endangered pedestrians month after month, state lawmakers are considering a bill that would crack down on motorists with bad driving records.

A new bill would suspend the license of any driver who racks up multiple summonses for speeding, reckless driving and other moving violations.

On Monday, state Rep. Henry Genga, D-East Hartford, and other co-sponsors of House Bill 6193 made their case to the General Assembly's transportation committee.

They cited frustration by homeowners on Central Avenue in East Hartford last summer who were struggling with a 23-year-old driver known for racing up and down the street in a Honda Civic. Even though police issued him more than a dozen tickets, he never had to forfeit his license.

Current law is too lenient, they argued, because it allows drivers who pile up tickets to simply pay the fines and take a state-ordered four-hour retraining program before heading out on the road again.

"Driver retraining was meant to give people a second chance. But after that, they have to be accountable," Genga said Tuesday.

Genga's proposal would require such drivers to avoid summonses for three years after they finish the retraining class. Otherwise, the motor vehicles department would be required to suspend their licenses for 30 days after the first new offense. A second offense would bring a 60-day suspension, and a third would trigger a 90-day suspension. And in each case, the three-year probation clock would start fresh, Genga said.

State law allows the motor vehicles department to suspend the license of anyone who gets more than 10 points on their record for driving infractions. But some motorists dodge that by paying their fines by mail; a 1995 law blocks the DMV from suspending licenses of people who mail in their payments.

"Clearly, where loopholes exist for repeat offenses without real-life consequences, the assurance of public safety for the citizens of East Hartford, and Connecticut, are at risk," East Hartford Mayor Marcia A. Leclerc told lawmakers.

Melody Currey, who resigned as East Hartford mayor this winter to become state motor vehicles commissioner, said her department is working with police and prosecutors on a review of how it can better deal with multiple violations and suspensions. Lawmakers appear to have a "get tough" attitude about driving violations this year, and the transportation committee already is considering measures to raise penalties on people who drive without insurance or with suspended licenses.

Currently, about 130,000 people — roughly 3 percent of Connecticut's licensed drivers — are under suspension orders, according to the motor vehicles department.

Among the other initiatives being pressed is Sen. John Kissel's bid to double the $117 fine for driving without a front license plate to $234.

Rep. Timothy Larson (D-East Hartford, South Windsor), Rep. Jason Rojas (D-East Hartford, Glastonbury, Manchester) and Sen. Gary LeBeau (D-East Hartford) are co-sponsors of House Bill 6193.

“My concern is that this problem is going to have a negative impact on the lives of residents,” Larson said. “The budget issues aren’t really new revelations and yet as far I know there is no plan to fix the problems. I am willing to see if I can help, but it is unclear if the state has any jurisdiction.”

According to an independent 2009 audit, EHHA is facing an operating budget deficit of over $900,000. In addition, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is calling for a return of $950,000 because HUD money appears to have been illegally used for state properties under EHHA management. Results of a HUD audit are expected in February.

Larson also noted that the 2009 audit pointed to a million dollar increase in maintenance costs in one year, and a depletion of EHHA cash reserve funds. He suggested that staff cuts and consolidation of services may be necessary.

“Without question maintenance of an aging housing stock is increasingly expensive, but a million dollar jump in that line item raises serious questions,” Larson said. “However this gets fixed, I want to make sure it doesn’t come at the expense of the tenants that depend upon the authority for their housing.”

EHHA manages about 600 federal housing units among eight apartment complexes and 260 state owned units among four complexes. A total of 330 units date back to the 1950s, with the newest units built in 1976.

The Banks Committee oversees matters relating to banks, including savings banks, bank and trust companies, savings and loan associations, credit unions, the supervision of the sale of securities, fraternal benefit societies and all legislation dealing with secured and unsecured lending.

“There is no doubt that Connecticut’s economic future will depend heavily on the strength of our banks and financial institutions,” Larson said. “Sustained growth in our financial services industry will help power our recovery in this challenging economic environment.”

Larson was appointed to the position by Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden), who emphasized the importance of the role in building confidence in the economy.

“The Banks Committee will play a critical role in our economic recovery and as a foundation for long-term growth in Connecticut,” Donovan said. “I asked Rep. Larson to help lead the Banks Committee because he has a good feel for business and the issues facing our financial institutions.”

Larson, a Democrat and former Mayor of East Hartford, was elected to his second term in the Legislature this past November. He also serves on the Finance, Revenue & Bonding and Transportation Committees.