Newsroom - 2007

June 28, 2007

REPRESENTATIVE MORIN APPLAUDS BUDGET IMPLEMENTER BILL THAT INCREASES FUNDING FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS

Representative Russ Morin (D-Wethersfield) praised the passage of HB 1500, “An Act Implementing The Provisions of The Budget Concerning General Government,” for it’s extended support of the state’s voluntary fire department personnel.

“I believe that out town’s volunteer fire departments are among the most valuable assets we have,” Rep. Morin said. “These men and women selflessly give of themselves to ensure the well being and safety of us all. We owe it to them to give as much support as possible, and I believe this bill continues to show our commitment to them.”

According to the section seven of the bill, the state is now able to use money within it’s fire school training and education extension account to reimburse municipalities and their fire departments for up to half of the cost of “Firefighter I” certification to help train paid and volunteer personnel. Previously, reimbursement of training funds did not include the “Firefighter I” certification process.

“This bill recognizes the mandated certifications that our volunteer firefighters are required to attain before they can begin to serve, and with ours in Wethersfield being the oldest continuous volunteer Fire Department in the country, this bill will assist the F. D. to offset the cost of training new members and ultimately help in our recruitment of new members,” said Rep. Morin. “Additionally, our local communities should not be expected to shoulder the complete cost of this process. I am very pleased that we were able to ease that burden on them.”

According to the implementer bill these changes will take effect beginning Sunday, July 1st.

June 5, 2007

REPRESENTATIVE MORIN CO-SPONSORS LEGISLATION TO
FUND TEACHER RETIREMENT, SAVE TAXPAYERS BILLIONS

A new bill designed to provide $6.9 Billion to the Connecticut Teachers Retirement Fund (TRF) easily passed through the House of Representatives Monday night. Representative Russ Morin (D-Wethersfield), who co-sponsored the legislation, lauded the legislation for it’s ability to fund the pensions, while saving taxpayers billions of dollars in the long term.

“At the end of the day the bottom line was that the TRF needed to be taken care of, because it’s not going away,” Rep. Morin said. “This bill represents the absolute best-case scenario where we are not only making good on our promises to the group, but saving our residents billions of dollars in the process.”

The legislation will attempt to reduce growth in the TRF’s unfunded liability, which is estimated at $6.9 billion, by allowing State Treasurer Denise Nappier the power to buy pension obligation bonds at attractive interest rates, which permits the state to substitute higher interest for lower interest debt.

With a term of repayment that spans 25 years, the lower interest debt could net taxpayers $2.8 billion.

“This plan really is a historic accomplishment,” said Rep. Morin. “The plan is being called the best deal for taxpayers in recent history, and I am inclined to agree with that sentiment.”

One condition of the bond sale is legislation that commits to fund teachers’ pensions at 100 percent of the actuarial recommended contributions. Complete funding hadn’t been done by the state from 1992-2005.

The final vote on the bill was 145-5. The bill now awaits action in the State Senate.

Russ Morin is a first-term representative from the 28th district town of Wethersfield. He is a member of the Transportation, Environment and Energy & Technology Committees.

June 1, 2007

REPRESENTATIVE MORIN HELPS PUSH BILL TO ESTABLISH HOME CARE OPTION PROGRAM AND TRUST FUND FOR SENIORS

State Rep. Russ Morin (D-Wethersfield) helped push through legislation that will create the first ever elderly “Home Care Program” in the state of Connecticut. The bill, SB 1471, allows seniors to set up individual savings accounts within a trust fund that will permits interest that is earned to be exempt from the state income tax an allows any remaining funds in the account be passed on to their estate following death.

“This bill goes a long way in ensuring that our senior citizens are taken care of monetarily in the golden years,” Rep. Morin said. “By creating this trust fund, the state is telling the elderly that we respect their right to keep the money that they worked so hard to earn through the course of their lives.”

The bill also eliminates a previous cap on the number of people who can participate in a state-funded pilot program that permits seniors to hire their own personal care assistants, as opposed to having to go through a home health care agency.

“It’s very important that we allow our senior citizens to decide who will be assisting them on a daily basis,” said Rep. Morin. “Only they know what’s best for themselves, and forcing them to go through a health care agency was wrong. These citizens are our mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers and they deserve the best care that we can offer them.

State Comptroller Nancy Wyman endorsed the bill saying that by delaying nursing home care for two years could actually save Connecticut as much as $150,000 and give senior citizens better assistance then they otherwise would have available.

The bill passed through the house by a unanimous vote and now awaits action in the Senate.

Russ Morin is a first-term representative from the 28th district town of Wethersfield. He is a member of the Transportation, Environment and Energy & Technology Committees.

May 31, 2007

REP. MORIN VOTES IN SUPPORT OF INCOME TAX
CUTS AND GAS TAX HOLIDAY

State Representative Russ Morin (D-Wethersfield) voted in favor of a tax package in the House of Representatives that combines income tax cuts for 95% of taxpayers in the state and also a three-month long summer gas tax holiday Wednesday afternoon. 

“This tax cut package represents real savings for not only the people of Wethersfield, but the state as well,” Rep. Morin said. “It’s welcome relief that has been a long time coming.”

The package, which passed the House by a vote of 90-58, creates a progressive state tax system that will reduce income taxes on all filers earning up to $272,000.  Additionally the package includes a property tax credit that taxpayers will receive that increases the rate to $1,000 from the current rate of $500, and provides an earned income tax credit to be created for the working poor.

The summer gas tax holiday plans on eliminating the 25-cent per gallon tax on gas through Labor Day. The repeal of the tax aims to relieve the burden of high gas prices consumers have been paying at the pump.

The legislation has been referred to as the biggest overhaul of the income tax system ever in the state.  The bill passed on a largely party-line vote with all of the Republicans in the House voting against the package, thus rejecting middle class tax cuts and their own gas tax holiday proposal.

“This progressive tax package finally puts the state of Connecticut on par with that of our own federal government,” Rep. Morin said.  “It is about time that the state has adjusted its tax structure to acknowledge the needs of working families.”

Russ Morin is a first-term representative from the 28th district town of Wethersfield. He is a member of the Transportation, Environment and Energy & Technology Committees.

May 3, 2007

REPRESENTATIVE MORIN WELCOMES STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
WETHERSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY TEAM TO CAPITOL

Representative Russ Morin (D-Wethersfield) welcomed the Wethersfield High School State Championship hockey team to the Capitol Thursday morning to honor the group’s efforts during the past season. The state championship, the first in the history of the school, was won on March, 17 when the team defeated New Milford High School 3-2.

“I am so proud of all of these student-athletes who, against all odds, brought home Wethersfield’s first ever state championship in hockey,” Rep. Morin said. “Upon hearing of their accomplishment, the least I could do was to invite them to the Capitol today so the whole state could once again recognize this achievement.”

“The team is very appreciative of being at the State Capitol,” head coach Dennis Tulimieri said. “In my mind it’s all about the players and they were extremely dedicated and are very deserving of this honor.”

Also in attendance for the festivities was Wethersfield Town Councilman Matthew Forest, who echoed Rep. Morin in praising the team on this day.

“I think it was an absolutely wonderful event that the state champs could be recognized before the legislature,” Forest said. “This is especially meaningful since it’s the first title in our school’s history and I know how hard the kids worked.”

The team posed for pictures in the House of Representatives Chamber and was greeted by numerous state representatives. Following their introduction they were congratulated by the Speaker of The House James A. Amann (D-Milford), who urged the players to act like champions “on and off the ice.” Every member of the team was also given their own copy of a citation that was read on the floor of the House.

April 30, 2007

REPRESENTATIVE MORIN TO HOST MONTHLY ‘CALL-IN’
TALK SHOW ON PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL 14

First term Representative Russ Morin (D-Wethersfield) announced that he will be hosting a one-hour, call-in talk show on public access channel 14 in Wethersfield beginning in May. The show, tentatively titled “The Morin Report,” will allow residents to directly communicate with Rep. Morin and ask him questions regarding a spectrum of legislative issues.

“I am very excited to begin production of this television program,” Rep. Morin said. “Since I took office in January I have been looking for a way to communicate with my constituents on a large-scale level. This show will provide me with the opportunity to explain to the town of Wethersfield the issues in Hartford that will affect their lives, as well as give me an opportunity to listen to their concerns and obtain feedback.”

The show’s first episode is scheduled to air on May 11. Topics for the first show will include a general introduction to Rep. Morin, the committees he is on and the issues he feels strongly about, and an overview of what the legislature has accomplished so far, and where it still has to go. Future episodes will feature fellow legislators and other distinguished guests.

The show will air consistently on the second Friday of every month and run for an hour beginning at 7 p.m.

Russ Morin is a first-term representative from the 28th district town of Wethersfield. He is a member of the Transportation, Environment and Energy & Technology Committees.

March 19, 2007

REPRESENTATIVE MORIN, SPEAKER AMANN TOUT PROPOSED STATE GRANT FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENT WINDOWS IN WETHERSFIELD

Representative Russ Morin (D-Wethersfield) joined Speaker of the House James Amann (D-Milford) Monday night at the Wethersfield Police Department in the latest of a series of “Energize CT” events aimed at educating residents about what can be done to reduce energy costs through conservation and efficiency.

“It is my hope that this event can be a catalyst to encourage energy conservation on a town-wide basis, as well as to promote the options available to assist our neediest residents,” Morin said.

The Connecticut General Assembly recently proposed a two-year, $150,000 appropriation to Wethersfield in an effort to replace all existing windows in the town’s public buildings with ones that are significantly more energy-efficient.

“If Connecticut is going to take back control of its energy destiny, we must bring the message to residents that conservation is the best, most direct course of action,” said. Speaker Amann. “Energize CT is designed to highlight manageable steps we can all follow to stem the rising costs of electricity. I believe these forums are exactly what our constituents have been clamoring for.”

“This funding, partnering with town resources, will not only update the appearance of the effected buildings, but will save taxpayers money as a result of the efficiency in the window replacements,” Morin added.

In addition to the two lawmakers, representatives from Connecticut Light and Power were in attendance to answer any questions from residents.

February 27, 2007

REPRESENTATIVE MORIN TO REACH OUT TO HARTFORD’S HOMELESS

Representative Russ Morin (D-Wethersfield) and his family will lead a delegation of lawmakers to Hartford’s “South Park Inn” Saturday, March 3rd to help cook a meal for the homeless shelter. The shelter, according to its web site, strives to “assist homeless people to improve their life situation by providing temporary and long-term housing and supportive services. In addition, to advocate for solutions to homelessness.”

“For more than 10 years my family and I have been volunteer meal providers at South Park Inn,” Morin said. “It is extremely rewarding to be able to help others and I hope by having members of the Legislature with me today we can further raise awareness to the plight of the homeless in Connecticut.”

The group, which includes Larry Butler (D-Waterbury), Minnie Gonzalez (D-Hartford), Faith McMahon (D-Windsor), Stephen Fontana (D-North Haven) and Diana Urban (D-Stonington), will begin food preparation at two o’clock. At five o’clock the group will begin serving dinner, which will consist of meatloaf with gravy, mashed potatoes, peas, carrots and a desert.

“I am very pleased that Reps. Gonzalez, Fontana, Urban, McMahon and Butler will be joining me in this worthwhile cause,” explained Morin. “Having this outpouring of support truly speaks to the character of those that are serving in Hartford.”

The South Park Inn first opened its doors in 1982 and as of 2005 was home to 131 children. The shelter is a not-for-profit charitable organization and relies heavily on volunteers – in 2005 alone they saved nearly $40,000 in food costs while cooking 70 percent of all dinner meals.

Rep. Russ Morin is serving his first term representing the 28th Assembly District of Wethersfield.

January 5, 2007

REP. RUSSELL MORIN RECEIVES COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

Speaker of the House James Amann (D-Milford) announced that State Representative Russ Morin (D-Wethersfield) has been named to serve as a member of the Energy and Technology; Environment; and Transportation Committees at the Connecticut state legislature during the 2007 session.

Speaker Amann stated, "Rep. Morin's experience as a leader at the local level will serve him well as he advocates for his community in the legislature. As a member of key committees that will be dealing with some of our top priorities this year, Rep. Morin will play an important role throughout the session."     

"I am looking forward to working with my colleagues on my committee assignments and making contributions that will be beneficial to the people in my district and the state.” Rep. Morin stated.

Rep. Russell Morin was elected to office in 2006 representing the 28th Assembly District.