Jeff Currey

NEWS FOR THIS WEEK

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Last Friday night, the House approved the needed adjustments to the FY2017 budget that closed the deficit through spending cuts, without raising taxes, borrowing, or tapping the Rainy Day Fund. I had anticipated providing you with an update and overview, but with the state bonding bill and the Governor's Second Chance 2.0 legislation impacting the budget, I will provide an update after these bills come before us for a vote.

On Thursday, May 19, the Commission on Children held a Two-Generational Interagency Working Group Meeting. As the Co-Chair of this group, I am working hard to promote sustainable two generational school readiness & success and workforce readiness & success programs for our low income families, changing the cycle of poverty to one of prosperity. Here I am below with Commission on Children Executive Director Elaine Zimmerman (right) and Director of Development and Special Projects Joan Barere (left.)

Also on Thursday, I attended South Windsor's Crumbling Foundations Committee meeting where Rep. Bill Aman (R-South Windsor) and I discussed bill HB 5180, which requires documentation of the name of the individual that provided and installed a concrete foundation as well as an opportunity for those found to have defective foundations to request a reassessment from their municipality’s assessor’s office. To find out what you can do if your home is affected by crumbling foundations, click here.

On Wednesday, May 18, I attended East Hartford High School's Top Twenty Dinner at Rentschler Field to honor the school's 2016 top twenty graduating seniors. This honor is the result of the students' consistent efforts over their four years of high school and I have no doubt that a bright future lies ahead for each of them. Congratulations to all these students and their families!

On Monday, Pratt & Whitney unveiled its newest engine Airbus A320neo, which will make air travel cleaner, quieter and greener. About 1,000 employees from United Technologies Corporation Middletown and East Hartford facilities were able to tour the plane that day. The engine offers a 50 percent reduction in regulated emissions and 16 percent reduction in fuel consumption.

I also want to let residents know that this week, Progressive Insurance teamed up with the CT Veterans’ of Foreign Wars to give away refurbished vehicles to veterans in need. If you or someone you know is a veteran who is need for a vehicle, apply here. The deadline for submission of completed applications is AUGUST 12, 2016 and must be received by email to: OFCT@VFW.NECOXMAIL.COM or by mail to: VFW, P.O. BOX 429 ROCKY HILL, CT 06067. I am proud to support this program.

The East Hartford Education Association, in partnership with the Health and Wellness Fair, will be hosting the "Books For Your Brain," event this Saturday, May 21, at the East Hartford Town Green from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. One free book will be given for each child. Children will also have the opportunity to make their own bookmark and have their face painted!

Also on Saturday, May 21, there will be a car wash at Illing Middle School Car from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to benefit the Illing Middle School Baseball Team and the National Junior Honor Society. I invite residents to come out to Illing Middle School, located at 237 East Middle Turnpike in Manchester to support both the baseball team and NJHS!

The CREC International Magnet School in South Windsor will partner with The Faith, Hope & Joy Foundation to host the organization's second annual Charity Kids Fair on May 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event, which will take place at the school, located on 625 Chapel Road in South Windsor, will be a fun filled day of fair games, food and music. All proceeds will go towards medical clinics for those living in poverty. I encourage all to attend!

IN THE NEWS

The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the National Defense Authorization Act Thursday. According to U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the billions of dollars authorized in defense spending is expected to directly benefit Connecticut manufacturers and workers. Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky and Electric Boat will have a lot of work coming their way. When these companies grow, so does Connecticut’s economy.

Secretary of State Denise Merrill Tuesday unveiled a new system this week that allows businesses to do all of their incorporation online. This new function will allow the roughly 30,000 new LLCs and corporations that are formed every year, to go through the process online. It is expected to yield savings on printing and labor. To read more about this new system, click here.

Also on Tuesday, the Federal Reserve announced that U.S. industrial production in April posted the biggest increase since November 2014 as utility output surged. It seems Connecticut’s new focus on manufacturing is starting at the perfect time! To read more about industrial production, click here.

Connecticut has stepped up its efforts to find ways to develop abandoned industrial sites, organizing a first-ever conference to bring together state and local officials, developers, property owners and others. Connecticut has become a national leader in the redevelopment of brownfield sites. Refashioning urban sites improves the beauty of our communities and takes development pressure off the state's valuable open spaces.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS:
Tuesday:
Regulation Review Committee Meeting, LOB 1E, 11a.m.

Wednesday:
Public Health Committee, Public Hearing on E-Cigarettes, LOB 1D, 10 a.m.
Spending Cap Commission Meeting, LOB 1E, 10 a.m.

Thursday:
Office of the Lt. Governor: Wall of Honor Ceremony (CONCOR), 4 p.m.
2Gen Pilot Site Meeting, LOB 2C 10 a.m.

Friday:
Office of Policy &Management: State Bond Commission Meeting, LOB 1E, 10:30am