Dear Neighbors,
My first legislative session has come to an end. Although I came into office mid-session after the deadline to introduce new legislation, I immediately got to work persuading colleagues to support or modify bills that were already in the works to benefit New London.
I served on the Human Services, Insurance & Real Estate, and Appropriations Committees. In all three committees we discussed very important legislation with some bills getting passed and signed into law while others did not. That means there is more work to be done.
As I prepare for next year’s legislative session, I invite you to share your ideas and concerns. Please feel free to call my office at 1-800-842-8267 or email me at Anthony.Nolan@cga.ct.gov.
Sincerely,
| New London Budget Summary | Fiscal Year 2020 Aid |
|---|---|
| Education Cost Sharing | 27,533,840 |
| Adult Education | 1,156,287 |
| PILOT: State-Owned Real Property | 397,802 |
| PILOT: Colleges & Hospitals | 4,620,940 |
| Municipal Stabilization Grant | 1,112,913 |
| Mashantucket Pequot & Mohegan Fund Grant | 1,667,837 |
| Total State Funds To New London | 36,489,619 |
Education
- New London education funding increased by $1.2 million for FY 19-20, and $2.4 million for FY 20-21
- Required public schools to add African-American, Black, Puerto Rican, and Latino studies to their curriculum starting in 2021-22
- Set an annual hiring goal of 250 new minority teachers and administrators across the state
- Required the Board of Regents to develop a plan for Debt Free Community College to help more students pursue higher education degrees in CT
Seniors
- We continued the phase-in of the income tax exemption for Social Security and pension income
- Increased funding for vital programs like Meals on Wheels
- Rejected asset limit tests on the Medicare Savings Program
- Expanded access to Medicaid by raising the income limit to 155% of the federal poverty level
Supporting Small Business
- Eliminated the Business Entity Tax starting next year
- Created tax credits for employers who help employees with student loans
- Expanded Angel Investor Act incentives to encourage investment in small businesses
Other Important Budget Items
- Protects the Care4Kids program
- Re-opens highway rest stops
- Increases access to health care
- Provides a tax credit to craft beer breweries
- Incentivizes purchasing a zero-emission car to reduce greenhouse gases
- Expands income limits for Husky A from 150% to 155%
- Keeps the “Passport to the Parks” fund
- Establishes a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Health and Human Service Network
2020 Census
Next year is the 2020 Census count. This the first time you will be able to go online to be counted, but you will also be able to participate by mail. The Census happens once every 10 years, and there are many reasons why it is so important that you participate:
- Federal and state dollars are decided based on population size and density
- Representation in government is based on population numbers
- Population size can help bring dollars to your local community to improve current and future public transportation, including buses and trains
- Population size can attract businesses and jobs
- Census numbers can help your community with public improvements if your area has traffic congestion, elderly people living alone or overcrowded schools
Paid Family Leave
In the event of a medical emergency, Paid Family and Medical Leave allows employees to care for themselves or a loved one without having to face the threat of financial ruin. The program will provide replacement wages so that patients and caregivers can take time off and make ends meet. If you or your family has an emergency, there will now be financial peace-of-mind. I was proud to vote in favor of giving working families the support they deserve.
Fight for $15!
No one who works full time should live in poverty. Connecticut’s minimum hourly wage will increase to $11 on October 1, 2019. After that, it will gradually increase to $15 by 2023 for more than 300,000 Connecticut workers to help fight the dangerous increase in income disparity that has significantly hurt our middle class and working poor.
Protecting Renters
A new law will protect tenants from absentee and neglectful landlords. The legislation gives cities and towns the ability to fine property owners who fail to disclose their own residential address. So if a rental property falls into disrepair, placing residents at risk, municipalities will be able to contact the landlord and seek a resolution. Landlords must be held accountable for the condition of their properties.
Keeping People in Their Homes
Foreclosures have affected many Connecticut homeowners from wealthy communities to inner cities. We are helping families stay in their homes by extending the state’s Foreclosure Mediation Program for people facing tough times. The program requires mortgage lenders to use mediation to avoid foreclosures. Since the beginning of the program in 2008, it has helped nearly 30,000 homeowners reach settlements, allowing them to keep their homes.