Legislative Update

December 15, 2017

I wanted to take a moment to reach out to you as it has been a very busy last couple months. First, the state Department of Social Services has announced it will delay changes to the Medicare Savings Program (MSP). Scheduled to implement income eligibility reductions beginning Jan. 1, DSS has put the plan on hold for at least two months. The DSS action is in response to concerns raised by beneficiaries, advocates, and legislators, and allows time for lawmakers and state officials to develop an acceptable resolution with reduced impact on those who rely on MSP. You can read more in this DSS press release.

I have submitted a signed petition to the Secretary of State requesting that we go back into legislative session to address the Medicare Savings Program and the governor's “holdbacks” in municipal funding which goes in the face of the budget we passed that prioritized our local town and school funding. I continue to work with local First Selectman & Superintendents of Schools to make sure that our needs locally are heard by the top policymakers in Hartford.

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns.

Department of Transportation Readiness – Pomfret

Last week, State Senator Tony Guglielmo and I were joined by Deputy Commissioner Anna M. Barry of the Connecticut Department of Transportation at the new facility in Pomfret. We talked about regional readiness for winter storms, a local DOT issue in Woodstock and citizen concerns regarding state transportation. It was an informative meeting and has established open lines of communication going forward. Also in attendance were local DOT officials, Pomfret First Selectman Maureen Nicholson and State Rep. Danny Rovero.

Proposed Consolidation of Community Colleges

The Board of Regents for Higher Education is voting today on a proposal from President Mark Ojakian to consolidate all of Connecticut’s community colleges into one “Community College of Connecticut” with multiple campuses including QVCC. I am writing a letter to the Chairs of the Higher Education Committee asking them to investigate the proposal and have a public hearing with possible legislative action before final approval. From what I have seen, the plan is big on promises but lacks details. It is entitled “Students First” and I want to make sure that the General Assembly ensures that the student experience is in fact first.

Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame – Congrats to Woodstock’s Tom Pandolfi

I had the pleasure to attend the 2017 Induction Ceremony for the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame last week at the Legislative Office Building. Honored was Woodstock’s Tom Pandolfi for his tireless work and advocacy for all Quiet Corner Veterans. Congratulations Tom!!

Connecticut State Firefighters Association, 2017 Legislator of the Year

Thank you to The Connecticut State Firefighters Association (CSFA) for the recognition as Legislator of the Year. The honor is mine to be able to continue to serve the Fire Service along with Rep. Brian Ohler as co-chairs of the Legislative Fire/EMS Caucus.

In the Media….

Interview with Pat Boyd by Brett Broesder on the Campaign for Tomorrow’s Jobs Podcast. www.tomorrowsjobs.org/podcast/boyd

Charter TV Channel 192 Eye of Connecticut with State Rep. Doug Dubitsky (R-Hampton), Pat Boyd (D-Pomfret) & Mike France (R-Stonington). https://communityaccesstv.viebit.com/player.php?hash=sY9iDFcsQfZD