$1 Million for Maple Avenue Safety Improvements & Goodwin Park Entrance

December 20, 2024

I am honored to serve as Vice Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee. I will break down why this role is important as we approach the new legislative session.

I am very happy to announce the City of Hartford will receive $1 million in state bond funds. I'll dig deeper into how this investment will improve public safety in the 6th District.

Thousands of individuals in need will get an early Christmas present this year. I'll dig deeper into how Connecticut is canceling $30 million dollars worth of medical debt.

These are the sections in today's email:

  • New Leadership Role
  • $1 Million for Safety Enhancements
  • Funding to Renovate Playhouse on Park
  • Remembering Al Marotta 
  • Medical Debt Relief
 
New Leadership Role

I’m looking forward to the upcoming legislative session and would like to share a big announcement! I am honored to serve as the new Vice Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee.

I take this new responsibility very seriously and am committed to working collaboratively to address the energy challenges we face. I would like to thank House Speaker Matt Ritter and House Majority Leader Jason Rojas for entrusting me in this role.

 
$1 Million for Safety Enhancements

I applaud the State Bond Commission for approving $1,000,000 in funds to improve public safety on the Maple Avenue Streetscape and to upgrade the Goodwin Park Entrance. This investment will go toward continued renovations on Maple Avenue from Preston Street to the Goodwin Park entrance.

Crews plan to realign Freeman Street and South Street as they enter onto Maple Avenue. That intersection has a long history of crashes, and the new safety enhancements will make a huge difference.

This state funding is a commitment to protecting our community and enhancing the quality of life. These projects will make our streets safer for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians while fostering a welcoming environment that benefits all who live, work, and play there. Many thanks to Governor Ned Lamont, the State Bond Commission, community advocates, and everyone else for making this funding possible.

The project design is set to be complete and out to bid in the Spring of 2025.

 
Funding to Renovate Playhouse on Park
Playhouse on Park of West Hartford is receiving $100,000 in state bonding to renovate the building's offices, dressing rooms, and storage spaces. The organization provides community wide access to high-level entertainment.
This investment is a true win for the arts! It not only enhances the experience for the talented performers and dedicated staff but also ensures the theatre remains a vibrant hub for our community.
 
Remembering Al Marotta

I would like to give my condolences to the family of former State Representative and Hartford Deputy Mayor Alphonse “Al” Marotta, who passed away at the age of 90. Al was committed to helping people every day and was an icon across our city, especially in the Italian American community.

Al was always the voice for many Italians and businesses in South Hartford on Franklin Avenue. He helped them understand written communications due to language barriers and was instrumental in introducing “al fresco” dining to allow businesses to serve to their customers outside.

While he worked for the City of Hartford, Al played a huge role in getting sidewalks installed on Airport Road, improving EMS response times, lobbying the state to mandate more equitable auto insurance rates for urban drivers, securing funding for two state-of-the-art senior centers, and much more.

Al worked for 35 years for the State of Connecticut as an engineer in the Department of Transportation. There, he served several roles including president, vice president, and treasurer of the Connecticut State Employees Association where he helped 40,000 state employees with benefits and other causes.

Family and friends are invited to say their goodbyes at the Giuliano-Sagarino Funeral Home at Brooklawn on Friday from 4 P.M. – 7 P.M. in Rocky Hill. The funeral service will be held Saturday at 9:30 A.M. at Corpus Christi Church in Wethersfield.

 
Medical Debt Relief

More than 22,000 people in Connecticut can expect some or all of their medical debt to be eliminated, thanks to a major state initiative in partnership with the national nonprofit organization Undue Medical Debt.

Residents do not need to apply for this medical debt relief, nor can they request it. Those whose debts have been identified for relief will receive a branded letter from Undue Medical Debt detailing which debts have been eliminated. These letters will be sent out through the U.S. mail, starting December 23, 2024.

Click HERE to view a sample of the letter recipients will soon receive in the mail.

Undue Medical Debt collaborates with state and local governments to leverage public investments, negotiating with hospitals and other providers to eliminate large, bundled portfolios of qualifying medical debt. This initiative specifically targets patients whose income is at or below four times (400%) the federal poverty level, or who have medical debt that constitutes 5% or more of their income. Because these medical debts are acquired in bulk and pertain to individuals who are least able to pay, they can be purchased at a fraction of their face value.

In this initial round, the state allocated approximately $100,000 from its share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. With this investment, Undue Medical Debt successfully negotiated with a secondary market partner, such as a collections agency, and a national provider to acquire approximately $30 million in qualifying medical debt for Connecticut residents.