The regular work schedule for this project is 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. No work will be performed during the Memorial Holiday weekend (Friday - Monday). Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone.

"I encourage people to use alternate routes so they don’t get stuck or delayed,” said Rep. Perone.

The work is scheduled to be completed by May 30th, but Perone noted that there could be modifications or extensions to this schedule due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions.

Rampart Road over I-95 in Norwalk had been closed to traffic so various safety improvements could be made.

Perone noted that there could be a delay in the street reopening due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions.

“25% of women are sexually assaulted at college and many of these assaults are going unreported. Today’s bill helps to ensure that students are given information about what constitutes assault and encourage victims to step forward to get help,” Rep. Perone said.

The bill requires colleges to adopt policies on sexual assault and domestic violence, including information about a victim's rights to notify law enforcement, how to receive campus assistance in making the notification and how to obtain restraining orders.

It also requires colleges to outline disciplinary procedures, including clear language advising students that victims can request that disciplinary proceedings begin promptly, that they may be accompanied to proceedings by an advisor or support person of their choice, and that they may keep their identities confidential as permitted under state or federal law.

Rep. Perone pointed out that many of the provisions in the bill are already required under a federal law known as the Clery Act. The Clery Act requires colleges and universities to publish an annual report that discloses campus crime statistics and school policies related to crime and reporting. It also requires campuses to issue “timely warnings” when they become aware of a crime or series of crimes that could impact the college community.

According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice, students decline to report sexual assaults because they fear reprisal (40%), they do not want other people to find out (47%), they don’t believe the incident is serious enough to report (65%), or they don’t know how to report it (14%).

The bill goes next to the Senate.

“As hard as it is for many highly skilled, well-educated Connecticut residents to find work, they are now confronted with want ads stating that workers should not even apply for advertised jobs just because they are unemployed,” said Rep. Perone who sits on the Finance Committee. "This bill will explicitly prohibit employers and employment agencies from discriminating against job seekers by advertising job openings only to people who are currently employed.”

Perone said the bill would make it illegal for employers and employment agencies from advertising job openings only to people who currently have jobs.

Last July, the National Law Project conducted a one month study and found 125 online ads requiring job applicants to be currently employed.

New Jersey passed a similar bill last year and a number of states are currently considering like legislation. The bill now heads to the full legislature for consideration.

The Constitutional amendment would eliminate the requirement for electors to vote for legislative and statewide offices solely on Election Day and remove restrictions on absentee voting—allowing registered voters to vote by absentee ballot, without having to provide an excuse, such as being out of town on Election Day.

“Voting is an essential part of our democracy and we have a responsibility to provide voters with a simple and easy way to participate in our democratic process—and today’s bill does just that,” said Rep. Perone.

According to the Office of the Secretary of the State, 35 states that have implemented early voting or no-excuse absentee ballots have experienced higher voter turnout and less pressure on election officials on Election Day.

Perone said complications of modern life make it hard for many voters to get to the polls between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on only one single day. He also noted that it is rare for someone to work close enough to their polling location to easily vote during the work day.

“Many Norwalk residents work in New York City and face time constraints and unpredictable commuting times. Amending our state constitution allows us to remove restrictive language regarding absentee voting and allow more Connecticut residents to have a voice in our electoral process,” said Perone.

The resolution sets the foundation for allowing the legislature to change the way elections are conducted in Connecticut, particularly relating to the use of absentee ballots and early voting rules.

A resolution to amend the state Constitution must be passed by at least ¾ of the members of the House and Senate in order to go before voters as a ballot initiative in the 2012 election. Since the resolution received approval from less than ¾ of House members it will be taken up again in the 2013 Legislative Session where a simple majority will allow the amendment to appear on the 2014 general election ballot.

“Gas prices have risen 15% since the beginning of the year. We have taken action today that will provide relief at the pump from these oppressive gas prices. And all savings will go directly to Connecticut consumers—not the big oil companies,” said Rep. Perone.

Rep. Perone explained that the legislation specifically prohibits oil wholesalers and distributers (those who pay the gross receipts tax) from passing on anything purporting to be based on the tax for the portion of any sales price over $3.00 per gallon.

Large wholesalers in violation of profiteering statutes have much greater impact on consumers than individual retailers, so the legislation specifically grants the commissioner of the Department of Consumer authority to impose CUPTA fines of up to $10,000 upon large gasoline wholesalers and distributors who are in violation of profiteering laws.

The state’s petroleum profiteering law was also amended by today’s legislation to include an automatic trigger, based on extreme wholesale price increases, for price gouging protections to go into effect.

The bill, which is now headed to the governor for his signature, institutes similar profiteering protections in regards to home heating oil.

“This is a smart investment by the state. Cleaning up brownfields is good for the environment—and key to our economic recovery,” said State Representative Chris Perone. (D-Norwalk). “This grant will help create jobs immediately and lays the foundation for economic expansion.”

The funding will help pay for the clean-up and reconfiguration of the old Norwalk Company building on North Water Street, paving the way for a mixed-use development project at the site. The Norwalk grant as part of the DECD’s awarding of $16 million in loans and grants for brownfield projects throughout the state.

“This grant is great news for Norwalk because it marks the start of a redevelopment project that will create jobs, boost the economy and result in a cleaner environment,” State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) said.

“Cleaning up brownfield sites makes for cleaner, more vibrant communities and this project will be no exception.”

The DECD awarded $500,000 for the brownfield remediation related to the Norwalk Company redevelopment project. The funding still has to be approved by the state Bond Commission.

“If you are expecting a return from the state this year and you did not supply your banking information for direct deposit—you will receive a debit card,” said Perone. “I want to make sure that folks are on the look out for these debit cards. I’m concerned that some people might inadvertently think the debit card is just another credit card offer or something, and toss it away.”

The state Department of Revenue Services (DRS) announced earlier this week that all state tax refunds less than $10,000 will be issued as debit cards unless people requested to have their refunds directly deposited into their bank accounts when they filed.

Perone will be working to change DRS policy to allow people to receive checks in the future if they wish, but in the meanwhile he is concerned that people might not understand how to use these cards and could inadvertently be charged fees.

“People must activate their cards before they use them,” said Perone. “And there could be fees imposed depending on how they use their cards—please be careful.”

Please visit www.ct.gov/DRS and click on the Debit Card FAQs icon on the left side of the page or call
1-800-382-9463 for more information.

Financial aid counselors and college staff will be available to talk from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and give one-on-one advice about financial aid and planning for college. In Norwalk a forum will be held at Norwalk Community College.

Perone said that participating in College Goal Sunday gives students and their families a great first step on the pathway to college. It gives the students and families an opportunity to learn about preparing for college and financial aid in a comfortable setting, he added.

Perone said that in a single afternoon, students and their families can become familiar with college entrance requirements, learn about planning for college and obtain on-site assistance in filling out financial aid applications. In addition, there will be information about the benefits of attending college, student support services, areas of study and different degree programs. Spanish interpreters will be available.

For more information about the event, call (888) 277-2270, email info@collegegoalsundayct.org or visit the website: www.collegegoalsundayct.org.

Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone. The regular work schedule for this project is 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning).

"This bridge project, while only scheduled for one evening, could really impact residents. I encourage folks to use alternate routes next Tuesday evening so they don’t get caught with delays,” said Rep. Perone.

“This is a huge boon for our economy and exactly what we need to be doing as a state. Growing our bioscience industry—an industry growing at over ten percent annually--means more good-paying jobs in Connecticut,” said Perone. “Over the last 20 years, our state has paid a real opportunity cost by not getting behind these types of initiatives. I look forward to working with Governor Malloy in making Connecticut a destination for bioscience firms and helping our exiting firms expand and remain job-creators.”

As a member of the Majority Leaders' Job Growth Roundtable, Perone has long been a champion at the statehouse for legislation making it easier for businesses to invest and create jobs in the state. He has sponsored a number of bills over the past few years to jump-start job creation and lay a foundation for long-term economic growth including legislation passed during October’s special jobs’ session that allowed the JAX deal to happen.

Perone added, “This is about more than jobs. The state will reap the benefits of successful research through the agreement with JAX that which entitles the state to royalty proceeds on patents.”

“When we invested in bioscience, we knew we were investing in an industry that would pay dividends in the future,” said Governor Malloy. “But the pace at which we were able to generate interest from a world-renowned research institute–which is what JAX is– speaks volumes about the potential that exists in our research triangle. Reinventing Connecticut is a broad idea that revolves around one central principle – creating jobs and spurring our economy. The agreement we reached today will do just that.”

The highlights of the agreement include:

• A commitment from JAX to create at least 300 positions within 10 years, of which 90 or 30% of the total number of employees, whichever is higher, will be senior scientist positions. The average annual wage of employees will be equal to 125% of the Connecticut average wage. Loans will not be forgivable until 300 employees are in place at the required average annual wage for at least six months.

• JAX will give preference to Connecticut residents when hiring if they meet all job qualifications. Connecticut vendors will be given preference when cost-effective and scientifically sound. JAX will enter into a Community Workforce Agreement for construction of the facility.

• JAX and the state have entered into a unique intellectual property (IP) sharing agreement that will give Connecticut Innovations (CI) 10% of any net royalty proceeds from IP up to $3 million and 50% of any net royalty proceeds above $3 million starting in the 10th year and running for 15 years. During the first 10 years, if JAX monetizes IP through transfer of the IP, CI will have the same sharing arrangement described above.

Once JAX Genomic Medicine is fully developed over 20 years, the institute will employ 600 scientists and technicians in 250,000 square feet of state-of-the-art lab space. The total 20-year capital and research budget for the institute is projected to be $1.1 billion, of which the State of Connecticut has approved $291 million: $192 million in a secured, forgivable construction loan and $99 million in grants for research and related activities. The Jackson Laboratory will raise the balance of $860 million through federal research grants, philanthropy and service income.  The facility is expected to support 6,800 permanent jobs.

Connecticut Innovations (CI) will lend $145 million construction loan and a $46.7 million loan for fit-out in the new facility, both of which will be forgivable if certain hurdles are met.  In addition, CI will provide $99 million in grants over a 10-year period to support research and other related activities.

As part of the project, JAX will enter into a collaborative research agreement with UCHC providing for the pursuit of research related to system genomics and personalized medicine and the sharing of the faculty resources.  The agreement provides for collaboration in supporting 10 Principal Investigators and allows UConn and JAX to share in any royalty proceeds derived through their collaborative IP efforts.

When 600 jobs are created, the land will be conveyed to JAX.

According to a PriceWaterhouseCoopers study, the personalized medicine industry currently is worth $284 billion in sales per year in the United States, and it is growing by 11 percent annually.

Also attending today’s event were Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner Catherine Smith, JAX President and CEO Edison Liu, University of Connecticut President Susan Herbst, and other lawmakers.

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution and National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center whose mission is to discover the genetic basis for preventing, treating and curing human disease, and to enable research and education for the global biomedical community

Earlier this week, the FCC voted unanimously to require television stations, cable providers and satellite operators to guarantee that commercials have the same average volume as the programs they accompany.

“We have all had the experience of watching something on television when all of a sudden a commercial comes on at an ear shattering volume. It turns out that loud commercials have been the top complaint to the FCC for years,” said Perone. “Consumers will no longer have to put up with that. The volume of television commercials can no longer be louder than regular programming,”

Perone, who was appointed to the FCC-IAC earlier this year, said the new consumer protections go into effect in a year, giving television providers until Dec. 13, 2012, to comply.

“I am honored to be selected by Chairman Genachowski and the Commission for appointment to the IAC,” Perone said. “Given the importance of providing access for all Americans to telemedicine, business-to-business collaboration, e-government and distance education, being part of a group which will be making recommendations about how to facilitate these goals is something I look forward to.”

The IAC is composed of 15 officials of municipal, county, state, and tribal governments, including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The principal focus of the IAC during its upcoming two-year term will be the implementation of expanded broadband adoption and deployment, pursuant to the FCC’s National Broadband Plan released in March 2010

In 2007 Perone authored a bill to create the Connecticut Broadband Internet Coordinating Council in Connecticut whose mission it has been to assess trends and developments in the state's efforts to develop a state-wide, world-class digital/communications infrastructure.

"Improving access to the resources of high-speed digital communications is important for quality of life issues for our residents, and will have an impact on our efforts to create jobs and grow the economy in Connecticut," said House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden). "Representative Perone’s strong background and interest in broadband infrastructure will be an asset to the work of the FCC's Advisory Committee.

“This legislation makes it clear that Connecticut is determined to attract business to our state as well as grow and develop the industries we currently have. But just as significantly, this legislation marks an important break from the past in how the state approaches business development. This is the first deliberate, coordinated effort to create a vibrant, pro-growth economy by investing in small business, cutting out regulatory red tape and incentivizing innovation,” said Perone.

Perone said one of the key components of today’s Jobs Bill (HB 6801) is the Small Business Express Package making $50 million a year available to small businesses through incentives, grants and loans.

The Jobs Bill also contains short and long-term strategies to help ensure Connecticut’s workforce matches business demand by aligning programs at the state’s vocational high schools, community colleges and universities with the needs of employers, including manufacturing and technology companies.

Some of the key provisions of the Jobs Bill include:

• Cutting the business entity tax
• Streamlining the business permitting process
• Consolidating and increasing the tax credit for new hires
• A second “First Five” program
• Remediating old industrial sites/brownfields
• Computer upgrades to foster seamless communication between business and the state
• Investments in roads and bridges
• Replenishing the Manufacturing Assistance Act (MAA)
• Main Street commercial centers improvement initiative

In addition, the legislature approved Jackson Laboratory’s plan to build a $1.1 billion research facility at the UConn 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 (DECD), the project is expected to create over 660 positions at Jackson Laboratory in Farmington within 20 years. DECD 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.

The 16-1 vote against the resolution came during a meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce Standing Committee, on which Rep. Perone serves as Vice Chairman.

That panel is in San Antonio, Texas, this week as part of NCSL’s annual meeting, and its membership includes state legislators from across the country. The sole vote in favor was the resolution’s sponsor, Texas State Representative Dan Flynn.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was signed into law in July 2010, and protects consumers and prevents some of the risky and predatory practices by the financial services industry that led to the nation’s economic crisis. Had it passed, Tuesday’s resolution would have been sent by the committee to Congress, urging it to repeal the year-old law.

"There was consensus around the table that, while this law may not be perfect, it is critical to bringing about some much-needed consumer protections while keeping our nation’s economy on more stable footing,” said Rep. Perone “Tuesday’s vote would have had national implications. I urged my colleagues to understand that we do not yet have enough data to tell what is working and that there are some components that have yet to be enacted. And repealing it would deny protection to millions of Americans from higher debit card fees and exotic financial products that would expose them to undue financial risk."

Perone added, “Had this resolution passed, it would have given a clear signal to Dodd-Frank opponents in congress that the states are 100% behind a repeal of the act. Thankfully it didn't turn out that way.”

“We need to create as safe a learning environment for our children as possible,” said Perone. “Cyberbullying is becoming far too common either through texting or posting insults on Facebook or through other online channels and damages children's self-esteem.”

The bill (SB 1138) would expand Connecticut’s anti-bullying law to include acts of bullying, harassment and intimidation that use websites, social networks or mobile phones and that undermine other students’ education.

Connecticut currently requires each board of education to develop and implement a prevention and intervention strategy to address bullying that includes provisions on reporting, investigation, notification and intervention. The current law also permits provisions addressing bullying outside of the school setting if it has a direct and negative impact on a student's academic performance or safety in school.

Perone mentioned that when he met with a group of Jefferson Elementary School students earlier this spring that the overwhelming majority were concerned about cyberbullying.

“Much of the discussion regarding cyberbullying has focused on the high school level, yet after meeting with the kids at Jefferson it was clear to me that the issue of cyberbullying was something they were very concerned about. It is more widespread than people first believed,” said Perone.

In the past few years, more and more states have enacted bans on cyberbullying. The bill now heads to the governor who is expected to sign the bill into law.

“This bill sends a strong message to businesses that Connecticut is open for business,” said Perone. “We have spent the past year listening to business leaders, economists and many others who told us how we could improve what we started last year with the roundtable. This is about long-term economic growth—by making Connecticut a leader in emerging growth industries that offer good jobs.”

The legislation (HB 6525) is a product of the Majority Leaders’ Job Growth Roundtable of which Perone is a member.  Incentives for entrepreneurship and innovation, infrastructure, and education are all contained in the bill.

Specifically, the Job Growth Roundtable’s recommendations reflected in the bill include:

• Investing in business growth - Positions Connecticut to be an innovation leader by driving technology-based economic development and manufacturing reinvestment

• Student loan reimbursement for green tech degrees - Students can qualify for up to $2,500 or 5 percent of annual tuition for 4 years.

• A manufacturing reinvestment fund - Expands and protects manufacturing base through new tax-preferred account where machinery, equipment or facilities can be purchased. Up to $50,000 can be used by 50 manufacturers with 50 or less employees for up to 5 years to reinvest and grow their businesses. Account disbursements are taxed at only 3.5 percent.

• An innovation network created in government – DECD will organize technology leaders and entrepreneurs, to increase the state’s innovation competitiveness using incentives and financial support to strengthen the bond between universities and industry. In partnership with federal research funds, increases corporate-sponsored research and establishes an innovation accelerator linking universities, corporations to start-up technology companies. Strengthens technology transfers and entrepreneurship activities at UConn and links angel networks and incubators.

Perone, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), has long been a champion at the statehouse for making it easier for businesses to invest and create jobs in the state. Last year, Perone sponsored sweeping economic development legislation to jump-start job creation, while laying a foundation for long-term economic growth.

Private First Class David R. Fahey, Jr., a Norwalk resident, was one of the seven Connecticut soldiers’ killed in the last year who were added to the Wall of Honor.

The names of the seven were read aloud and their photographs were hung on the Wall of Honor joining the 49 heroes previously lost in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I feel privileged to stand with Private First Class Fahey’s family today as we remember the sacrifice he and so many others have made defending our freedom.”

The bill which passed 38 to 14 in committee would require retailers—even if they have no physical presence in Connecticut—to collect state sales tax if they make retail sales in the state.

“I voted against this tax because under the interstate commerce clause, attempts to collect sales tax are unconstitutional without Congressional approval.” Perone said. “This is a complex issue and I believe there should be, if online sales were to be taxed, a simplified streamlined approach of tax collection at the federal level. I don't believe that it is in the best interest of Connecticut to impose this tax unless all 50 states require online retailers to charge sales tax.”

Overstock.com and some smaller online retailers announced earlier this week that they are leaving the Connecticut market for online advertising, because of the proposed internet tax.

Amazon and Overstock.com have refused to do business with “affiliates” in states, like Colorado and Illinois, which have passed similar legislation. Perone noted that states which have passed such bills have not seen any real economic benefit to date and some states, including New York, have been dragged into lengthy court battles with online retailers.

“I believe this tax puts jobs in jeopardy,” said Perone. “We have already had one very large online retailer and many smaller ones end their relationships with our state’s businesses and more will follow if we force them to collect sales tax.”

According to the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis an “internet tax” would only generate about $9.4 million in revenue—a miniscule amount in Connecticut’s $19 billion annual budget. The bill will make its way to the full State House of Representatives for a vote in the coming weeks.

Perone has long been a champion at the statehouse for making it easier for businesses to invest and create jobs in the state. Last year, Perone sponsored sweeping economic development legislation to jump-start job creation, while laying a foundation for long-term economic growth. Incentives for entrepreneurship and innovation, infrastructure, and education are all contained in the bill.

He also serves as Vice Chairman of the Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

“I commend Governor Malloy’s bold leadership and focus on creating good quality, new jobs in Connecticut,” said Representative Perone. “Our entire state economy benefits by supporting research and development projects like this. This project will create jobs in the short term—and more importantly, in the long term.”

“This proposal represents a new way of thinking about the UConn Health Center and the way in which it can be leveraged to create new jobs now and sustain economic growth and public health innovation down the road,” said Governor Malloy. “It’s not just a medical and dental school or just a hospital—we have to think about the campus in its entirety and its potential to help Connecticut become a leader in a bioscience economy.”

Highlights of the jobs initiative include:

• Providing 3,000 construction jobs annually from 2012 through 2018.
• The generation of $4.6 billion increase in personal income by 2037, including the creation of 16,400 jobs.
• Doubled federal and industry research grants to drive discovery, innovation and commercialization.
• Increased access to high quality health care.
• Graduate and retain more physicians and dentists to meet forecasted workforce shortage and meet increased demand for health care services resulting from health care reform.
• Strengthen and stabilize UCHC’s finances.

Perone is a member of the Majority Leaders’ Jobs Growth Roundtable, which was formed in 2010 by legislative leaders to spur business development and job creation in the state.

Last year, Perone sponsored sweeping economic development legislation based on the roundtable’s recommendations to jump-start job creation, while laying a foundation for long-term economic growth. Incentives for entrepreneurship and innovation, infrastructure, and education are all contained in the bill.

He also serves as Vice Chairman of the Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

“One out of every four Connecticut high school students is bullied each year. And more and more of this bullying is happening via Facebook, text messaging and instant messaging,” said Perone. “The world is changing and we need to make sure that we are doing everything possible to keep our kids safe.”

Perone’s legislation (SB 1138) would expand Connecticut’s anti-bullying law to include acts of bullying, harassment and intimidation using the Internet or mobile phones.

Connecticut currently requires each board of education to develop and implement a prevention and intervention strategy to address bullying that includes provisions on reporting, investigation, notification, and intervention. The current law also permits provisions addressing bullying outside of the school setting if it has a direct and negative impact on a student's academic performance or safety in school.

Perone noted that when he met with a group of Jefferson Elementary School students last week that the overwhelming majority were concerned about cyberbullying.

"Much of the discussion regarding cyberbullying has focused on the high school level, yet after meeting with the kids at Jefferson it was clear to me that the issue of cyber-bullying was something they were very concerned about. It is more widespread then people first believed,” said Perone.

Currently six states have enacted laws addressing cyberbullying.

The bill was overwhelmingly approved by the legislature’s Education and Judiciary Committees, and in the coming weeks will make its way to the full legislature for consideration.

State Representative Chris Perone, Deputy Majority Leader of the Connecticut House of Representatives, is serving his fourth term representing Norwalk’s 137th Assembly District.

The forum, sponsored by the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, was held at Norwalk City Hall and focused on strategies to keep people in their homes while representing themselves through the foreclosure process.

“We continue to face tough economic times as we find ways to deal with our statewide budget deficit,” Donovan said. “In the meantime, we are reaching out to homeowners who are having difficulty with their mortgages. This program is an alternative to consider for those who want to keep their homes from being foreclosed.”

The forum highlighted resources and assistance available through the Connecticut Fair Housing Center. Mediation classes are being offered across the state. Topics discussed ranged from home loan modification and negotiating a home exit strategy to housing counselors and demystifying the process. An 80-page manual, which walks homeowners through the foreclosure process and includes all forms needed for court, was distributed. To date, some 5,000 owners have kept their homes thanks to this mediation process.

“Facing foreclosure is devastating to families, communities and the economy,” Morris said. “We are trying to provide necessary tools to help homeowners who are facing this crisis. It is my hope that as more people learn about how this program works that we will have many taking advantage of it.”

“Norwalk families facing foreclosure deserve a chance to save their homes,” said Rep. Perone. “It is outrageous that so many families are facing the threat of foreclosure, but we have created programs to help Connecticut homeowners.”

“The Connecticut Fair Housing Center is the only non-profit organization in the state that provides legal assistance and resources, free of charge, to homeowners facing foreclosure,” said CFHC Staff Attorney Jeffrey Gentes. “One in 13 Connecticut homeowners is either 90 days behind on their mortgage or in foreclosure. It is critical that we continue to support and educate people about resources like the Foreclosure Mediation Program so that we can prevent as many foreclosures as possible.”

For assistance with foreclosure, please contact:

Connecticut Department of Banking
Foreclosure Assistance Hotline: 1-877-472-8313
www.ct.gov/dob

Connecticut Fair Housing Center
Phone: (860) 247-4400
www.ctfairhousing.org

Housing Development Fund
Phone: (203) 798-6527
www.hdf-ct.org

Neighborhood Housing Services of Waterbury
Phone:  (203) 753-1896
www.nhswaterbury.org

Community Action Center of Danbury
Phone: (203) 744-4700www.cacd-caa.org

"In addition to the new ideas in this bill, a part of this bill is a continuation of the work we began last year on the roundtable. We've had about eight months or so to hear from business leaders, economists and other stakeholders who told us how we could improve upon what we created,” said Perone.

Perone, a member of the Commerce Committee, noted that the legislation (HB 6525) builds on legislation he sponsored last year to jump-start job creation. This year’s legislation:

• Reduces the minimum investment for the state’s angel investor tax credits from $100,000 to $25,000
• Provides a tax-free savings mechanism for manufacturers to accumulate capital for machinery and facility purchases or training and developing their workers
• Extends historic preservation tax credits to more types of structures, including government buildings
• Provides matching grants to tourism districts for marketing and promotion funded by increases in the sales tax revenue generated by specified tourism-related businesses
• Allows businesses receiving funds from public colleges and universities to qualify for pre-seed funding

The bill also contains a number of energy conservation initiatives, including a requirement that at least 25% of the state’s heavy fleet is converted to liquefied natural gas by 2015. It reestablishes sales tax exemptions for hybrid passenger cars with 40 miles per gallon EPA gas mileage ratings, new motor vehicles powered exclusively by a clean alternative fuel, and equipment used to convert motor vehicles to clean alternative fuels. The state will also establish a program to provide financing for installing solar energy systems.

The bill now will make its way to the full House of Representatives for consideration in the coming weeks.

“I'm delighted that this funding is on its way to Norwalk,” said Perone. “Repairs to the East Avenue Bridge are a key part of our region’s long range transportation plan to ease congestion on our roads and make commuting easier for Norwalk residents.”

$1.6 million in federal funding has also been approved for the project to ease traffic and make the area more pedestrian friendly. This project will create or retain approximately 91 construction related jobs.

The State Bond Commission meets Friday, March 25 at 10:30 a.m. in room 1-E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

Norwalk's Rep. Chris Perone at the Majority Leaders' Jobs Growth Roundtable meeting at the state capitol.

Rep. Perone was appointed to the NCSL Committee in late 2009 by Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden), and named vice-chair by NCSL President and Massachusetts State Senator Richard Moore.

The committee works to protect the interest of states in federal decisions regarding electronic commerce, banking, insurance, securities and other financial services issues, interstate commerce and taxation of electronic transactions, telecommunications and interstate business activity taxes.

“Rep. Perone will be leading the committee during a period of great challenge for state legislatures—a time when legislatures strive to innovate on dozens of policy fronts and a time of significant challenges for states in the federal system,” said Sen. Moore.

“Strong leadership at the state level is crucial if we want Connecticut to have a voice in shaping national public policy,” said Rep. Perone. “I look forward to working with lawmakers from around the country to minimize the financial impact that unfunded federal policies can have on our state budgets”

NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves legislators and staff of the nation’s 50 states. NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues. For more information, visit www.ncsl.org.

“I’m delighted that Norwalk is receiving funding for the Aquarium and these important cultural institutions,” said Perone. “It is important to remember that there is a $9.30 net return to the state and local economy for every dollar the state gives out through the Commission on Culture & Tourism.”

Norwalk’s Aquarium will receive $39,423 and the Stepping Stones Museum for Children will receive $19,577 in Marketing Cooperative Grants to promote tourism in Connecticut through media advertising. The money may be used for billboard advertisements, inserts in magazines, and the development of an online advertising campaign.

Smaller grants to help stabilize the groups and attract additional private sector funding have been awarded to the Center for Contemporary Printmaking ($1,803), the Norwalk Symphony Society ($12,190), the Norwalk Youth Symphony ($1,373) and Shakespeare on the Sound ($6,049). The funds may be used for capital projects, operations, programming or to build their endowments.

“Would you get on an airplane if you didn't know which way it was heading? Connecticut's existing capacity to gather comprehensive data on its investments in new and established companies is incomplete and needs to be more rigorous,” said Perone. “When Connecticut makes investments it gathers performance data, yet it hasn't got the ability to analyze the impact of our investments, factor-in the external forces that drive growth and then calibrate its economic policies to keep us on a jobs growth trajectory. Connecticut Business Analytics would create a real time, accurate economic picture with which business and policy makers would be able to make better informed decisions.”

Perone’s legislation would establish a committee to work with the state’s Office of Policy and Management (OPM) and Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to design an up-to-date database (Connecticut Business Analytics) of recent investments in fast-growing, new companies and established companies with changing strategies, so the state can take advantage of trends and quickly adjust economic programs to support these businesses.

DECD is the state's lead agency for the development and implementation of policies, strategies and programs designed to enhance Connecticut's communities and business and housing environments. OPM serves as the governor’s budget office and provides support  for  state agencies and municipalities in implementing policy decisions.

Perone has long been a champion at the statehouse for legislation making it easier for businesses to invest and create jobs in the state. Last year, Perone sponsored sweeping economic development legislation to jump-start job creation, while laying a foundation for long-term economic growth. Incentives for entrepreneurship and innovation, infrastructure, and education are all contained in the bill. The bill also helps small businesses get access to capital by creating a small business loan pool, and provides opportunities for training and rehiring of the recently unemployed.