Newsroom - 2010

March 4, 2010
Rep. Lewis: State Has A Lot Riding On Census Count

January 13, 2010
Rep. Lewis: Governor Throws Towns A Curve By Withholding State Road Funding

March 4, 2010

REP. LEWIS: STATE HAS A LOT RIDING ON CENSUS COUNT

State Rep. Joan Lewis (D-Coventry/Columbia/Vernon) urged residents to complete and return 2010 Census forms as soon as possible.

Every year, the federal government distributes more than $400 billion state and local governments based on census data. Leaders use this data to guide planning decisions on where to build new roads, hospitals, child-care and senior centers, and schools. Data also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Now more than ever, it is imperative that every person living in our community gets counted in the upcoming census,” Rep. Lewis stated. “I can’t stress enough the importance of getting an accurate count so that we may continue to receive services and hopefully increase benefits to our community.”

Census forms will be delivered or mailed to households this month; households should complete and mail back their forms upon receipt. Census workers will visit households that do not return forms to take a count in person.

Information shared with the Census Bureau is completely confidential. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data.

To save the cost of mailing more detailed information regarding the census, Rep. Lewis would refer constituents to the data on her website at www.housedems.ct.gov/Lewis.

Joan Lewis is serving her fourth term representing the 8th District of Columbia, Coventry and Vernon. She is a member of the Appropriations, Education and Higher Ed. & Employment and Advancement Committees.

January 13, 2010

REP. LEWIS: GOVERNOR THROWS TOWNS A CURVE BY WITHHOLDING STATE ROAD FUNDING

State Representative Joan Lewis (D-Coventry/Columbia/Vernon) called on Governor M. Jodi Rell to release millions in state aid that would fund paving projects and road repairs.

“The towns of the 8th District counted on receiving the funding when they prepared their budget for road projects for the fiscal year beginning in July,” Lewis stated.  “The lack of funding delays or cancels much needed road repairs, and the towns already have a backlog of projects.”

Due to the current budget deficit, the governor has held back $30 million in Town Aid Road (TAR) Grants.  

In the previous fiscal year, the towns received the following TAR grants:

• Columbia - $102,622
• Coventry - $149,131
• Vernon - $205,586

Rep. Joan Lewis is serving her fourth term representing the 8th District of Columbia, Coventry and Vernon. She is a member of the Appropriations, Education and Higher Ed. & Employment and Advancement Committees.