Newsroom - 1999

December 22, 1999

TESTIMONY BEFORE DPUC COMMISSIONER JACK BETKOSKI

I am here once again today to strongly state my outrage at the proposed interim rate increase requested by the Jewett City Water Co. that would raise rates by nearly 60 percent, with the known intent to further increase the customer rates by an additional 60 percent.

According to the water company itself, a typical residential customer of the company will have to face a quarterly increase of $81 per bill if the interim rate increase and the planned rate increase kick in.

This is an outrageous increase that will put a great burden on many citizens of Jewett City. This is simply too high a price to have to pay to bail out a company. This is a self-inflicted wound

It is more than obvious that this company is severely mismanaged. It has boxed itself into a situation in which it is forced to ask for this outrageous rate hike when, with some advance planning, it could have implemented increases more gradually. Further, if it had not been forced to get an 11^th-hour loan to complete payment of the new water treatment facility, which it had procrastinated doing for many years, perhaps the cost to customers could have been lower.

The evidence is not in that this company’s situation even meets the requirements for an interim rate increase.

It might be different if we were talking about the difference between safe and clean water and a potentially dangerous supply. But what we’re talking about here is saving the company’s neck from its creditors. That problem should not be of public concern.

February 11, 1999

MIKUTEL CALLS FOR REFURBISHMENT
OF CONNECTICUT’S “MAIN STREETS”

State Rep. Steven Mikutel (D-Griswold) has proposed legislation to assist small cities and towns with downtown revitalization and economic development.

The bill would establish a pilot "Connecticut Main Street Program" that would assist the downtown economies of five small and medium cities and towns through a comprehensive revitalization strategy that would stimulate economic development within the context of historic preservation.

"Main street has changed since I was a kid," Mikutel said. "It’s no longer the vibrant center of a community’s civic and commercial life it once was. My proposal can help reverse that cycle of dis-investment in downtown and restore confidence in the viability of main street."

Mikutel’s proposal is modeled after the successful "Main Street" program operated by the National Trust for Preservation and would set up a similar pilot program in Connecticut.

"The national main street program has been very successful," Mikutel said. "My program mirrors that program. If it worked on a national level, it will work here in Connecticut."

The plan calls for the enhancement of the physical appearance of commercial districts; consensus and cooperation among groups and individuals that have a role in revitalization; the promotion and marketing of the commercial district’s assets; and the strengthening and expansion of the districts existing economic bases.

Towns could use the money for anything from installing new sidewalks to planting shrubs. The bill would also provide technical assistance from main street consultants. If successful, the program could be expanded to include additional cities and towns.

"I’m very excited about this program," Mikutel said. "We have a chance to really make a difference for some Connecticut towns. The main street program will help towns, small cities, state residents and Connecticut. It’s a win-win proposal."

January 29, 1999

MIKUTEL CALLS FOR INCREASED HIGHER EDUCATION AID
TO MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES

State Rep. Steven Mikutel (D-Griswold) has proposed two bills aimed at making it easier for middle-income families to afford the rising costs of higher education.

Mikutel said his program would help middle-income families because it is not based on financial status alone. Currently, many middle-income families fail to meet income guidelines for educational grants and are unable to provide their children with a college education.

"Middle class families are being priced out of higher education," Mikutel said. "Families have bills, mortgages, property tax, income tax – they are being stretched thin. My proposals don’t require families to be impoverished to get educational aid."

Mikutel proposes creating a state-sponsored low-interest subsidy college fund program for families with a combined income of $100,000 or less. The program would also reduce the interest rate for all college loans to five percent.

Mikutel said current interest rates of about 8.5 percent on college loans are unacceptable.

"That rate is no bargain for middle-income families," he said. "If state policy is to promote education than we need to have a more affordable program. It would be hypocritical to do otherwise."

Mikutel is still working out the details of the program, but said it would be very cost effective and would not require the state to create any new structures for its implementation.

Mikutel’s program would also create an educational tax credit program. Currently the only tax credit against the state income tax is a property tax write off. Mikutel’s bill, which mirrors federal programs, would give state residents with higher education expenses a new tax credit against the state income tax.

"This new tax credit will go a long way in helping families pay for college," Mikutel said. "These programs will give more students the opportunity to have a higher education. This benefits families, it benefits students and it benefits the state of Connecticut."