Aundré Bumgardner

• Prevents a tax increase that would otherwise take effect this fall by continuing to classify commercial vehicles as motor vehicles, and clarifying current law, which allows municipalities to establish mill rates on motor vehicles that are lower than mill rates on real property and personal property other than motor vehicles
• Promotes transparency and competition in municipally administered school construction projects by restoring a ban on construction managers self-performing subcontracting work
• Makes Connecticut a more attractive place for innovative financial services companies to establish a significant presence by expressly allowing banks holding a certain charter to accept and hold non-retail deposits and secure deposit insurance from the FDIC and by updating the name of that charter
• Reduces the administrative costs of the state’s publicly available retirement savings program by authorizing the State Comptroller to enter into cooperative agreements with other states that have similar programs
• Provides more certainty to the state’s vibrant insurance industry by establishing that the annual assessment on domestic insurance companies to fund certain insurance-related state offices and programs should be calculated based on those companies’ total taxes, prior to any adjustment for tax credits, from the year immediately preceding the prior calendar year instead of the prior calendar year itself
• Relieves employers, including tax-exempt organizations, that kept employees on payroll throughout the pandemic and received the federal Employee Retention Credit from the burden of interest payments attributable to the timing and complexities of a new federal program rather than any willful underpayment by the taxpayer
• Supports the preservation and redevelopment of historic properties by streamlining the process by which the State Historic Preservation Office reviews those properties
• Amends the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority to permit the Authority to acquire water companies outside its current service area

By passing this bill in special session now, we prevented a tax increase this fall and got other minor and timely adjustments signed into law. 

REPRESENTATIVES BUMGARDNER, CONLEY, AND ARNONE APPLAUD ALLIANCE DISTRICT FUNDING FOR GROTON AND ENFIELD

 One-time total allocation of $500K to cover ECS funding shortfall

 
State Representatives Aundré Bumgardner (D – Groton, Stonington), Christine Conley (D – Groton, New London), and Tom Arnone (D-Enfield) are praising a one-time total allocation of $500,0000 to Alliance District Schools Groton and Enfield to cover a decrease in Education Cost Sharing (ECS).
 
Enfield will receive $275,000 and Groton will receive $225,000 after the Connecticut State Department of Education, Governor Ned Lamont, and Lt. Gov Susan Bysiewicz, together allocated the one-time disbursement from the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER).
 
The Alliance District Program was established in 2011-12 and designed to foster relationships between the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) and identified schools with some of the state's lowest accountability outcomes. The program specifically allocates an annual increase in ECS funding for the district to pursue bold, innovative strategies that increase student outcomes dramatically while also closing the achievement and opportunity gaps.
 
Both Groton and Enfield were considered overfunded under the ECS when they were identified and had been receiving less funding since 2018.
 
“This is a testament to the importance of collaboration between our local boards of education, superintendents, the CSDE, our state leaders, and our legislative delegation coming together to produce a positive result for our incredible schools," Rep. Bumgardner said. "This ARP ESSER allocation will provide critical funding to support our Groton students.”
 
"As Alliance Districts, we are always looking for ways to improve the academic and personal outcomes for our students," Rep. Conley said. "This funding will greatly enhance those efforts. "We would like to thank CSDE Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker, Governor Lamont, and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz for this generous funding and recognition of the commitment we have to our students' success every day."
 
"I would like to thank Governor Lamont, and Lt. Governor Bysiewicz for their commitment to ensuring our students stay on the path to success in the classroom," Rep. Arnone said. "I would also like to thank Commissioner Russell-Tucker for her tireless work supporting our students."

As you are likely aware, this is a nationwide issue. It is also a technology-driven crime committed, at times, by organized rings in which the criminals steal Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card information by installing electronic devices on ATMs or store point-of-sale (POS) terminals to capture card information, which is commonly referred to as skimming. The Secret Service and its law enforcement partners have observed an increase in nationwide POS and ATM skimming-related activity over the past 18-24 months.
 

In response to this issue, in late December 2022, Congress passed a law to protect and replace SNAP benefits stolen via card skimming, card cloning, and other similar methods. This law created a pilot program that requires states to replace such benefits that were stolen between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2024. States can now use federal funds to provide replacement benefits following the procedures in their approved state plan. Per federal law, replacement benefits cannot exceed the actual amount stolen or the household’s benefit allotment amount for the two months immediately preceding the theft, whichever is less.

Connecticut, through DSS, was one of the first states in the nation to implement a replacement benefit plan, having done so in June 2023. DSS has continuously worked to inform our SNAP recipients about this issue through multi-channel education and awareness campaigns that provide tips for recipients to keep their benefits safe including:

• Avoid simple PINs. Number combinations such as 1111, 1234, or 9876 may be easy for others to guess.

• Keep your PIN and card number secret. Do not share your PIN or card number with anyone outside your household. Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN on a card reader.

• Beware of phishing. DSS and EBT customer service will never call or text to ask for your PIN or card number.

• Change your PIN often. Change your PIN at least once a month, right before your benefits are added to your card. Contact EBT Customer Service at 1-888-328-2666.

• Check your EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges. If you see any, change your PIN right away to stop the thief from making new purchases. Report suspicious activity to us.

• A new EBT card can be requested. If you feel your benefits have been stolen, or your identity has been compromised, you can request a replacement EBT card. Contact the EBT Customer Service at 1-888-328-2666. DSS is also working with our federal partners, SNAP retailers, and EBT vendors to review additional measures available to us to prevent these fraudulent situations, including chip cards, card locking, and mobile payments. DSS also reports suspected skimming events to our federal partners who are responsible for investigating and prosecuting SNAP theft and fraud.

The New London Day did a recent story on the issue and also included alternatives for residents in the meantime. Please click on the link below.

Wrong Way Detection Installation at Exit 85 Northbound Off-Ramp from I-95 to Bridge Street in Groton

CTDOT is announcing that a wrong-detection installation will be performed at the Exit 85 northbound off-ramp from I-95 to Bridge Street in Groton on Friday, May 24, 2024.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that a wrong-way detection installation will be performed at the Exit 85 northbound off-ramp from I-95 to Bridge Street in Groton on Friday, May 24, 2024. The project involves excavating and relocating a wrong-way detection system at the Exit 85 northbound off-ramp from I-95 to Bridge Street in Groton.

RAMP CLOSURE INFO:

Motorists can expect a temporary sidewalk and right-lane closure to occur at the Exit 85 northbound off-ramp from I-95 to Bridge Street in Groton. Traffic will be directed to use the left lane at the Exit 85 northbound off-ramp to access Bridge Street in Groton. Variable message boards will be set up approximately one (1) week before the start of this project. Crash attenuator vehicles and signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone. The work schedule for this project is from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday.

Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area.

Sincerely,

Aundré Bumgardner
State Representative