Newsroom - 2008

November 21, 2008

REP. SCHOFIELD ANNOUNCES HEATING ASSISTANCE
GRANT APPROVED FOR SIMSBURY SCHOOLS
Simsbury To Receive $59,093

State Representative Linda Schofield (D-Simsbury) announced that a grant has been approved to help pay for school heating costs in Simsbury.

The Appropriations Committee this week approved a formula to distribute $6.5 million in classroom heating assistance that had been set aside earlier this year by the General Assembly and the Governor.

Rep. Schofield said that under the approved plan, Simsbury will receive $59,093.

The funds will be distributed within a couple of weeks on a per-pupil basis.

“I am pleased the Appropriations Committee has voted to approve funding for this school heating plan,” Rep. Schofield said. “It comes at a time when towns statewide are facing financial difficulties and winter temperatures are upon us.”

Lawmakers agreed to use surplus funds from fiscal 2008 to assist nonprofit agencies and schools to cope with rising oil and heating related costs.

Rep. Schofield was recently re-elected to serve a second term in the General Assembly.

October 15, 2008

REP. SCHOFIELD, DEMOCRATIC LEADERS PROMOTE NEW LAW ASSURING HEALTH BENEFITS FOR YOUNG ADULTS ON PARENTS’ PLAN

State Representative Linda Schofield (D-Simsbury), Speaker of the House Jim Amann (D-Milford), Senate President Donald Williams (D-Brooklyn) joined with other Democratic lawmakers today to promote a new law that allows young adults to the age of 26 to remain on their parents’ family health benefits plan.

 Included as a provision in the landmark Health First bill (PA 08-147), the language originated in a bill introduced by Rep. Schofield in the House and Sen. Williams in the Senate. While the legislation takes effect on January 1st, 2009, this is a critical time for families to be aware of the new law because most employers have their open enrollment period starting in November.

“I have talked with many families about this new benefit, but virtually no one is aware of the legislation,” Rep. Schofield said. “Many parents have purchased individual insurance for their adult children to tide them over from graduation until they got benefits through their job. Others are worried because their children are uninsured.”

The legislation enables parents of young adults to elect family benefits under either individual or group policies, and include their children on the benefit plan up until their 26th birthday.

The adult children do not have to be in college, but do have to reside in Connecticut unless they are in school full-time out-of-state. They are not eligible if they are already covered by their own employer’s health benefit plan.

“The availability of this health benefit for adult children represents an important development that extends coverage to uninsured persons,” Speaker Amann said. “We want to make sure that families are aware of this legislation, so they can consider taking advantage of it for their adult children.”

“This new law could not take effect at a more crucial time: the economy is in crisis, health care costs are soaring and the stock market is plummeting,” Sen. Williams said. “This law will offer real help to young adults who may not otherwise have access to affordable health care.”

At least 14 other states have passed similar legislation in recent years, to reduce their numbers of uninsured persons by offering an affordable option at least to this important age group.

October 2, 2008

REP. SCHOFIELD GAINS BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION’S 2008 ADVOCACY AWARD

State Representative Linda Schofield (D-Simsbury) has been honored by The Brain Injury Association of CT (BIAC), earning the group’s 2008 Advocacy Award at a recent ceremony and annual dinner.

This award is given to honor an individual for promoting community inclusion for persons who have sustained a brain injury.

“Representative Schofield has done an exceptional job of accomplishing just that by working closely with the family of a constituent now recovering from a serious brain injury,” Julie Peters, BIAC Executive Director said. “Not only has she helped to ensure that this young man receives the services he needs for optimal recovery, she also played a key role in fighting what she refers to as an inflexible bureaucracy, in order to bring this young man home, where he can receive the care he needs in a setting that is far more familiar and far less expensive."

Rep. Schofield said, "I am honored to receive this award. But, my true reward has been the satisfaction of helping this family. Indeed, the best reward will be seeing this young man move back home again. In Dorothy's immortal words...There's no place like home!"

September 3, 2008

REP. SCHOFIELD, SPEAKER AMANN, REP. MERRILL, SEN. HARRIS CALL ON GOV. RELL TO IMPLEMENT “ConnPACE Plus” PROGRAM NOW
Initiative Provides Seniors with Savings and Bigger Social Security Checks

State Representative Linda Schofield (D-Simsbury), joined by Speaker of the House Jim Amann (D-Milford), State Representative Denise Merrill (D-Mansfield), and State Senator Jonathan A. Harris (D-West Hartford) called on  Governor M. Jodi Rell today to implement a new program called “ConnPACE Plus” which could save seniors over $1,000 a year on Medicare premiums and co-pays and which would result in a minimal loss in federal matching funds.

“At a time when we are all concerned about the ability of low-income seniors and disabled people to pay their home heating bills this coming winter, this infusion of cash directly into their pockets would be an enormous help to them,” Rep. Schofield said.

The proposal was introduced in the regular session earlier this year by Rep. Schofield and House Speaker James A. Amann (D-Milford), but was not passed because no changes were made to the FY 2007-2009 biennial state budget. However, Democrats and Republicans alike have supported the initiative.

“ConnPACE Plus is so significant because the program not only saves seniors money on prescription drugs, but it’s done at minimal cost to the state,” House Speaker Amann said. “ConnPACE Plus is a win for taxpayers, and for seniors.”

“This program is significant because it saves the elderly money on their Medicare costs and their drug co-pays, at a near break-even cost to the state,” Rep. Merrill said. “Taxpayers win and more importantly, low-income seniors win.”

Rep. Schofield explained that Connecticut would sustain only minimal additional costs with this new program because federal funds would be used to substitute for current state costs under ConnPACE.  “Low-income seniors on ConnPACE would be able to save over a thousand dollars a year for Medicare Part B premiums,” she said.

Rep. Schofield explained that the governor and the state Department of Social Services (DSS) could implement the bill even without legislation by adopting an emergency regulation and by submitting a State Plan Amendment to the federal Medicaid administration. 

Sen. Harris noted that DSS represented in both of the last two years that it could actually do this program without legislation. “In light of the economic pressures that seniors are going to be facing with regard to energy and food costs, we have a moral obligation to institute this program with all due haste,” he said.

Rep. Merrill, House Chair of the Appropriations Committee, applauded Rep. Schofield’s efforts on this matter. “This is an example of creative thinking that saves money and adds a benefit to people in need,” she said. “Linda has been a tireless advocate for this program and the people it would help.  Her arguments for moving forward are irrefutable.  We should do it.”

Under the program, eligible seniors and disabled persons would have their part B premiums -- and in some cases their Medicare co-payments -- paid for by a program called the Medicare Savings Program. This would save a low-income senior $1,156.80 per year at the current 2008 Part B premium rate. In addition, the seniors would be entitled to federal Medicare drug benefits with much lower co-payments than ConnPace’s co-payment. Drugs would cost seniors $2.25 for generics and $5.60 for brand-name drugs, compared to the ConnPACE co-payment of $16.25.

There were 37,379 seniors enrolled in ConnPACE as of January, 2008.

July 26, 2008

GRANT POSSIBLE FOR TOWN

SIMSBURY — - The town is expected to receive $350,000 to preserve the Meadow Wood property as open space when the State Bond Commission meets Aug. 4.

The funding will help with the purchase of 75 acres that connect Great Pond State Park and the McLean Game Refuge and it will provide a continuous corridor of preserved open space in the town.

"Protecting sensitive ecological areas and acquiring open space are important ways to keep Connecticut special for the future," Gov. M. Jodi Rell said in an announcement Friday. "Our undeveloped, pristine parcels are natural jewels that must be preserved in order to maintain our state's character."

The funds will help defray the costs of preserving the Meadow Woods land as open space, said Rep. Linda Schofield, who made the request for the funds. "My original request totaled $800,000, which has been broken into two installments. I will continue to work for the second half of the funding in the future."

Great Pond State Park offers hiking and walking trails. The 296-acre forest also serves as a nesting place for a variety of birds and waterfowl. The McLean Game Refuge is a 3,400-acre preserve that contains four hiking trails that wind their way through Simsbury and Granby.

June 20, 2008

SCHOFIELD PRESIDES OVER TARIFFVILLE MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVATIONS

State Rep. Linda Schofield was the guest speaker at the 2008 Tariffville Memorial Day Parade, delivering a moving address at the closing ceremonies at the St. Bernard's Cemetery.

Schofield, who joined First Selectman Mary A. Glassman, Deputy First Selectman John K. Hampton, and Selectman Moira Wertheimer in marching in the parade, was thrilled to be invited to participate in the program.

"I was honored to be chosen by the parade committee. The Tariffville Parade is a wonderful slice of Americana at its best — a celebration of living in small town America, and an homage to those who gave up so much for our liberty," said Schofield.

In her speech, Schofield recounted a personal story of her uncle, a World War II French Resistance fighter, and only survivor of the ambush in this group.

"Every time I visited my uncle, he took me to the memorial at the site of the ambush -and he cried, still feeling the pain of the loss decades after, still feeling guilty for somehow having survived. He taught me the importance of remembering and respecting the sacrifices that made possible our lives of freedom and prosperity."

Hundreds of onlookers lined the parade route before­hand, watching fire and police officers march up Winthrop Street, enjoying music by the Simsbury High School Band.

Also joining the festivities were members of the Tariffville Village Association, as well as local Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops.

Schofield and other town leaders met residents at the annual post-parade ice-cream social, sponsored by the Tariffville Fire Department.

Schofield later joined the Selectmen, U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, and Linda Schwartz, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veterans' Affairs, at the Simsbury Memorial Day Parade.

Schofield has represented the 16th District (Simsbury) in the Connecticut General Assembly since 2006.

June 11, 2008

REP. SCHOFIELD AND FIRST SELECTMAN GLASSMAN
ANNOUNCE DPUC  LOCAL HEARING ON PROPOSED WATER HIKE

State Representative Linda Schofield (D-Simsbury) and First Selectman Mary Glassman are announcing the state Department of Public Utility (DPUC) has scheduled a public hearing in Simsbury on the Aquarion Water Company’s proposed 2.6% rate increase. The DPUC granted Aquarian a 32.45% increase last year.

Rep. Schofield and Glassman objected to DPUC holding only one hearing on the matter in Bridgeport and requested that a hearing be held in Simsbury.

The hearing on the Aquarion Water Company’s rate increase will be held in Simsbury on Thursday, June 26th, in the Program Room of the Library, starting a 7 p.m.  

June 10, 2008

REP. SCHOFIELD SECURES $30,000 IN FUNDING
FOR SIMSBURY PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

State Representative Linda Schofield (D-Simsbury) announced at the Board of Selectmen meeting that she has secured $30,000 in state funds to help pay for local programs and projects in Simsbury.

“I am pleased to be able to announce that $30,000 in funding will be made available to the Town of Simsbury this month for local projects,” Rep. Schofield said. “These are funds secured with the support of Speaker Jim Amann and the projects represent requests from local groups, town officials and residents for assistance in their efforts for various community improvements. Each of these projects will help to make Simsbury a more attractive and functional town for our residents, so I am very happy to be able to help the town with these state funds that became available at the end of this fiscal year.”

The funds for the following projects are:

• $5,000 for the Tariffville to help them to place a Gazebo and benches on the village green. The village association has been raising funds privately and also has a commitment of funds from the town.

• $5,000 for lights at the Town Forest park which is used by the Babe Ruth League. The addition of lights would enable another 210 games to be played each year. The Babe Ruth League is raising most of the funding privately, but still has a way to go to in its fundraising efforts. This will help the league reach its goal.

• $7,000 to repair Eno Memorial Hall, am historic building that is now used for numerous town events. It also houses the senior center and the Public Access TV station. Unfortunately, the building needs a number of repairs and upgrades to meet building and fire codes.

• $3,000 to move the kiosk from in front of the Simsbury Town Hall to the Performing Arts Center site. Playbills and announcements of upcoming events will then be posted on the kiosk, in a place where there are more likely to be seen.

• $10,000 for “Welcome To Simsbury” gateway signs. The town has four major gateways and the funding pays for two signs to be matched by town or private funding for the other two signs.

Rep. Schofield serves on the Insurance, Human Services and Education Committees.

June 8, 2008

'DO-NOTHING' BUDGET RISKS MEDICARE SAVINGS

By CHRISTOPHER KEATING
Capitol Bureau Chief Hartford Courant

It all seemed like a great idea.

Through cost shifts from the state to the federal government under the Medicare prescription drug program, Connecticut senior citizens could have saved some $47 million per year in co-pays and premiums under a new program created by the legislature.

But those savings could be one of the biggest casualties of the state's so-called do-nothing budget. With no action expected by the legislature in Wednesday's special session, the plan — and the savings — would be postponed for at least a year.

"It's rare that you get $47 million of benefits, and it doesn't cost the state [virtually] anything," said Rep. Linda Schofield, a Simsbury Democrat who crafted the program. "It's a great way of leveraging federal money, and one of the things Connecticut doesn't do as well as the other states is draw money back from the federal government."

A registered nurse with a master's degree in public health, Schofield has spent much of her career on health issues. As the state's former director of Medicaid at the Department of Social Services, she was heavily involved in the highly technical world of Medicaid reimbursements. With that knowledge, she was able to find the nuances of the savings that other legislators had overlooked in the popular ConnPACE program.

Known as ConnPACE Plus, the new program would have provided more than $1,500 in savings for seniors through reductions in Medicare premiums and co-pays. For an elderly woman who testified at a public hearing that she takes 14 different medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis and other ailments, the savings would be more than $3,300 a year, Schofield said.

The new program was initially hailed by top Democrats and approved by the budget-writing appropriations committee. But then Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell and the Democrats who control the legislature agreed that the state should make no changes in the second year of the two-year budget that was approved last year.

In the same way, nearly $20 million for early reading success will also not be allocated next year under the current agreement.

"The ConnPACE Plus will not be taken up in the special session," said Larry Perosino, a spokesman for House Speaker James Amann. "It is not part of the budget agreement. The special session is going to focus on legislation that will pass and the governor will sign."

Amann has had dozens of requests for items in the special session, but he has said that he would be "opening a can of worms" if he allows some items to be debated while blocking others. Those include money for nursing homes, nonprofit agencies that perform state services and the early reading success program, among others.

"There are a number of things out there that we wished we could do," Perosino said.

But House Republican leader Lawrence Cafero of Norwalk said that his caucus, too, wants to see savings in the ConnPACE program, and he does not care whether the idea came from a Democrat or a Republican.

"If it's a great idea, let's include it in the budget," Cafero said. "It's common sense. I don't care if it's Santa Claus' idea."

On the last days of the regular session that ended on May 7, the Democratic majority repeatedly blocked the Republican minority from offering its alternative budget. The GOP will try again Wednesday to force a vote on the alternative budget, and Cafero believes there is an opening because the Democrats have agreed to vote on blocking a planned increase in the gross receipts tax on gasoline. Since the tax directly affects the state budget, Cafero says, the Republican alternative is germane and the amendment should be debated. But he said he believes that the Democrats will try to block any vote on the prescription drug-subsidy program.

"They will not do it because they are afraid to open the budget," Cafero said. "It is mind-boggling to me."

April 15, 2008

REP. SCHOFIELD’S SIMSBURY CLEAN-UP DAY
“A GREAT SUCCESS”

If Simsbury’s luster seems a little more highly polished, that’s because a small army of “Linda’s Litter Luggers” were out cleaning up Simsbury’s by-ways last Sunday.  State Representative Linda Schofield (D-Simsbury) with the help of two boy scouts, David Knecht and Chris Catalano, organized a town-wide clean-up to rid the town of litter.  They enlisted the help of over 200 volunteers, who lugged litter from the fields, woods, and gutters alongside over 40 miles of Simsbury streets and bike paths.  Individuals and families came to volunteer, as did groups from Ethel Walker, the Raiders football team, the Simsbury High School Recycling Club, the Tariffville Village Association, the boy scouts, and many other organizations. 

Rep. Schofield said, “Not only did we make Simsbury look a little more charming, we hopefully raised people’s awareness about littering and recycling.  It’s shocking to see the quantity of trash that people throw out of their cars, including a huge number of returnable bottles.  Obviously we need to change people’s habits to encourage appropriate trash disposal and especially to encourage recycling.”  One volunteer commented that it’s embarrassing to see that Simsbury is such a “trashy town.” 

“The deposit on beer and soda cans obviously isn’t enough of an incentive to prevent them from being chucked out the window,” Schofield said.    “And there were tons of other recyclable containers – from plastic milk bottles to glass liquor bottles – out there as well.  We need a more comprehensive approach to preventing littering and promoting recycling, an approach that includes educating, changing habits, and making recycling more convenient.

“I’m very pleased that the Simsbury Parks and Recreation Dept. decided to place recycling containers in the town parks and buildings this summer.  That should help.  And I’m also pleased that the recycling bill I introduced this year has so far been passed by the Environment Committee and funded in the budget.  It would provide for a public education campaign and incentives to recycle, as well as a more convenient approach for collecting all recyclable materials.

“A plastic bottle can take up to 1,000 years to decompose.  I’m glad we won’t have to be looking at these bottles on the side of the road for the next 1,000 years!  Let’s hope we can keep it that way!” 

Chris Catalano noted that the saying about “one’s man’s trash is another man’s treasure” didn’t seem to be holding up.  However, one litter lugger found a $20 bill!

 The tremendous number of beer and even hard liquor bottles raised concerns for many about drinking and driving or perhaps underage drinking.  And one volunteer found syringes.

Mike Paine, who kindly volunteered his company to remove all the trash and recyclables was astonished at the volume of rubbish.  In total the group filled 13 of Paine’s largest trash barrels (95 gallons) with recyclable bottles and cans.  And four dumpsters were filled with trash. 

Volunteers repeatedly suggested doing this on an annual basis and were very pleased with the outcome.  Many echoed the sentiment that it’s a tragedy to see nature defiled with rubbish and that we need an anti-litter education campaign.  Many volunteers brought along their kids to as a step in educating them about litter.

April 11, 2008

DOUBLE DOSE OF RELIEF

Legislators can take a practical step toward helping low-income elderly and disabled residents get their medication for far less money by going along with an innovative plan to expand the state's ConnPACE prescription drug program. The plan would shift costs from the state to the federal government.

State Rep. Linda Schofield, a registered nurse and health care consultant, deserves credit for coming up with the clever idea, which could save 38,000 Medicare recipients as much as $45 million without costing the state more. The program is supported by House Speaker Jim Amann and Rep. Denise Merrill, co-chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, which included the change in its budget.

Though the details are complicated, here's how it would work: Through legislation, the state would raise the income eligibility levels for Medicare Savings programs to match those of the state-paid ConnPACE prescription drug program.

The effect would be to increase the number of people eligible for federal drug benefits and reduce the burden on the state.

Under the program, eligible participants would have their Medicare drug premiums, and in some cases their Medicare co-payments, covered. This would save a low-income senior $1,157 per year at the current rate. In addition, he or she would be entitled to federal Medicare drug benefits with a much lower co-payment.

Yes, that's robbing one taxpayer pocket to fill another. But spreading the burden lowers the cost and gives strapped individuals relief at a time of economic stress.

One woman enrolled in the ConnPACE program, testifying in favor of the bill, provided a real-life example of the potential savings. She takes 14 medications a day for health problems. This is not unusual. Her state-funded ConnPACE co-pay for the drugs is $2,730 a year.

Under the new program, dubbed ConnPACE Plus, she'd pay $533 for the entire year, saving $2,197. In addition, her Medicare prescription drug insurance premium would be paid for her, with the savings going directly into her Social Security check. Her net savings would be almost $3,500 a year.

That's money she could spend on other things, indirectly helping the state economy.

If the numbers work out as advertised, this idea will have other states with prescription drug programs saying, "Why didn't we think of that?"

Copyright © 2008, The Hartford Courant

March 31, 2008

SAVING SENIORS MONEY ON MEDS

by Christine Stuart

When Democrats unveiled their budget last week, they included savings from a new program to help low-income Medicare-eligible seniors get their medications at a lower cost.

They said the program called ConnPACE Plus helps the state leverage federal funds to replace state funds currently being spent on helping seniors get their medications.

The idea developed by Rep. Linda Schofield, D-Simsbury, could save some seniors thousands of dollars. “This is an example of creative thinking that saves money and adds a benefit to people in need,” Rep. Denise Merrill, D-Mansfield, said.

Schofield said the program would help people like an unnamed woman who testified at a hearing on the bill.

She said the unnamed woman takes 14 medications and her co-pays on ConnPACE cost her $227.50 per month, which is $2,730 per year. Under the new ConnPACE Plus program her co-pays would drop to $532.80 per year. She said the woman would see $2,197.20 in savings on her co-pays and another $1,156.80 on her Medicare Part B premiums.

Under the new program seniors could get their drugs for as much as $5.60 for a brand name and $2.25 for a generic, instead of the $16.25 drug co-payment they currently pay in the ConnPACE program.

Speaker of the House James Amann, D-Milford, said the program is a “win-win for taxpayers and seniors,” in the state.
There are currently 37,379 seniors enrolled in ConnPACE.

Democrats said the Department of Social Services will automatically enroll all eligible seniors on the ConnPACE in the ConnPACE Plus program, on Oct. 1, if the program is approved during budget negotiations.

Plus program her co-pays would drop to $532.80 per year. She said the woman would see $2,197.20 in savings on her co-pays and another $1,156.80 on her Medicare Part B premiums.

Under the new program seniors could get their drugs for as much as $5.60 for a brand name and $2.25 for a generic, instead of the $16.25 drug co-payment they currently pay in the ConnPACE program.

Speaker of the House James Amann, D-Milford, said the program is a “win-win for taxpayers and seniors,” in the state.
There are currently 37,379 seniors enrolled in ConnPACE.

Democrats said the Department of Social Services will automatically enroll all eligible seniors on the ConnPACE in the ConnPACE Plus program, on Oct. 1, if the program is approved during budget negotiations.

March 7, 2008

REP. SCHOFIELD AUTHORS MAJOR BILL
PROMOTING AND EXPANDING RECYCLING

State Representative Linda Schofield (D-Simsbury) today spoke out in favor of a major recycling bill that she authored to promote and expand recycling in Connecticut.

Speaking at a State Capitol news conference, Rep. Schofield said, “This bill begins to build the basic infrastructure necessary to enable our citizens to do what they already know is the right thing: to recycle. We can do better. And we must do better.”

Raised Bill 5138 “An Act Concerning Private, Municipal and State Recycling” is scheduled for a public hearing Monday by the legislature’s Environment Committee.

Rep. Schofield was joined by Rep. Richard Roy (D-Milford), Environment Committee House Chair, and Rep. Christopher Stone (D-East Hartford), General Law Committee House Chair, and several other legislators in support of the proposed legislation. In addition, representatives of numerous stakeholder groups were also present, including the Sierra Club, the grocers (represented by Warren Boyle of Simsbury), the trash haulers (represented by Mike Paine of Simsbury), the bottlers, the CT Recyclers Coalition, the Dept of Environmental Protection, and the CT Resources Recovery Authority. These diverse interest groups have not previously agreed on certain other legislative proposals to promote recycling. Their willingness to stand together in support of this proposal spells a better chance for its adoption.

The bill would pilot and evaluate programs that make recycling easier or that incentivize recycling, including “Single Stream”, Recycle Bank, and Pay as you Throw programs. These programs have been implemented with good results in other states:

• Philadelphia is using an incentive program called Recycle Bank that has increased the city’s sustained recycling rate to 92%.
• In Seattle, 40% of all municipal solid waste is recycled because the city requires volume-based pricing for solid waste collection services.
• In San Francisco, after switching to the single-stream approach, the city’s recycling rate climbed to 69%, surpassing California’s mandatory 50% recycling law.

 In addition, the bill:

• Funds a public education campaign to promote recycling and to reduce wasteful or unnecessary use of non-biodegradable products.
• Would require recycle bins to be available wherever trash bins are placed in public spaces.
• Would require the establishment and implementation of sustainability plans in state buildings, which should be setting examples for the public.

Schofield pointed out that Europe recycles twice as much as we do...60% to our 30%. “We generate more trash than any other nation:  3.1 to 4.5 pounds per person per day.  The key to improving our recycling rate is to make recycling as easy and convenient as possible, to eliminate financial disincentives for recycling and even to create financial incentives for recycling,” Rep. Schofield noted.

Dick Roy said "This bill is a significant step forward.  We all agree that we need to recycle more but we have not agreed in the past on solutions.  This bill proposes solutions we can agree on."

Mike Paine expressed “excitement to be involved on the front end of something that will increase recycling and also make recycling easier for the public.”  Warren Boyle added that “This will be a great start.  The legislature should follow this with grants and tax abatements to process this material into usable material and to encourage businesses to manufacture those materials into consumer products.  Trash to jobs and more jobs!”