HOUSE DEMOCRATS • BETSY RITTER • NEWSROOM - 2006
Newsroom - 2006
December 26, 2006
State Representative Betsy Ritter (D-Waterford, Montville) has been named Vice Chair of the legislature’s Public Health Committee by House Speaker James Amann (D-Milford). The committee oversees all matters relating to the Department of Public Health, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the Department of Mental Retardation. It is also concerned with all other matters relating to health, including emergency medical services, nursing homes, pure food and drugs, and controlled substances, including the treatment of substance abuse.
“I am honored that Speaker Amann has appointed me to serve as Vice Chair of this important committee,” Rep. Ritter said. “Nothing is more important than ensuring that our state has an adequate and safe public health environment for all of our people. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues on these matters.”
Speaker Amann said, “When it comes to the issues relating to public health, Betsy is among our best champions. In only her first term she has impressed her colleagues by her dedication and ability to work with many people. She is a tremendous asset to our caucus and we look forward to a productive session.”
Rep. Ritter will also serve on the Appropriations Committee and on the Energy and Technology Committee. She will begin serving her second term in the General Assembly on January 3.
October 4, 2006
State Representative Elizabeth Ritter (D-Waterford) and Representative Tom Reynolds (D-Ledyard) received the “Legislative Champion Award” from the Connecticut Community Providers Association for “outstanding legislative advocacy on behalf of community providers.” They were honored during an award presentation and reception at the Norwich office of ARC of New London County, a non-profit serving the needs of those with developmental disabilities.
Rep. Ritter and Rep. Reynolds were honored for their outstanding support for the Private Provider Indexing Initiative. The initiative aims to increase compensation rates paid by the state to private providers to enhance the quality and continuity of care afforded to the community. Programs implemented by private providers include those for people at homeless shelters, people with mental illness and mental retardation, and employment programs that help move people from welfare to work.
“Human service providers are an important asset to our communities. These providers earn approximately 40 percent less than state employees performing the same work. Our private providers deserve to be compensated fairly for their hard work," Rep. Ritter said.
“Nonprofits are expected to meet the needs of our most needy and vulnerable populations, yet they are not given the resources to attract and retain the best employees and to deliver superior services,” Rep. Reynolds stated.
Both representatives expressed their support for full implementation and funding of the Private Provider Indexing Initiative with cost-of-living adjustments tied to the increases the state provides for its own employees.
May 2, 2006
The Montville Delegation said the state budget approved by the House of Representatives contains increased state dollars for Montville, no new taxes and makes long term investments that will save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in the long term.
“I am pleased to see additional property tax relief coming to the towns, added property tax credits, business tax relief, and economic development incentives for the region,” said Rep. Ritter. “This budget leaves the state in a good position to weather the future declining federal funds as well as give our economy the best opportunity for growth.”
“The budget goes a long way in helping the towns and the state provide vital services to citizens,” Rep. Ryan said. “The increased property tax credit will help property owners with increasing home ownership costs.”
Residents will see a reduction in their state income tax liability with an increase in the property tax credit to $500. The credit can be applied against property taxes paid on cars or homes.
Montville will see an increase of $234,583 in state aid (including ECS, PILOT, TAR and other statutory grants) over and above what the governor proposed in her February budget address. Other major investments were made in the HUSKY children’s healthcare program as well and in job creation and economic development initiatives.
The current state budget surplus of about $660 million was used mainly to pay down long term debt, increase the balance in the Rainy Day Fund and fully fund the teachers’ retirement fund through 2007. Additional surplus dollars were also used to increase state aid to cities and towns.
Tax cuts for business include the elimination of the corporate tax surcharge for 2007 and a phase out of the property tax paid on manufacturing equipment.
January 9, 2006
State Representative Elizabeth Ritter (D-Waterford, Montville) will greet constituents at the Waterford Public Library for monthly office hour sessions. Residents of the 38th district are invited to meet with Rep. Ritter on Thursday, January 19th from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM in the basement conference room.
The Waterford Public Library is located at 49 Rope Ferry Road in Waterford.
Rep. Ritter is serving her first term in the Connecticut General Assembly. She serves on Appropriations; Energy and Technology; and, Public Health Committees.
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