Turco Talk Time


April 14, 2022 

Powers, Duties, Benefits and Classification of First Responders 

I joined Newington resident and public safety dispatcher Ed Patz to talk about HB 5176, a bill that would authorize a study of the powers, duties, benefits and classification of first responders.


March 24, 2022 

Student Loan Reimbursement Program 

I joined Newington resident and University of Connecticut junior Matthew Plourd to talk about SB 250, a bill that would create a student loan reimbursement program for Connecticut residents who attended a Connecticut state college or university.


March 17, 2022 

Expanding Health Insurance Requirements Used to Diagnose Breast Cancer 

I joined Newington resident and breast cancer survivor Jan Kritzman, to discuss SB 358, a bill that would expand health insurance requirements for treatment used to diagnose breast cancer, including mandated coverage with no out-of-pocket cost for detection tests such as mammograms, ultrasounds and MRIs. Jan has worked closely with legislators and is a passionate and tireless advocate!


March 9th, 2021

Insurance Premiums

State Rep. Gary Turco joins Newington resident Vincent Camilli, to discuss HB-5267, An Act Establishing a Personal Income Tax Credit for Long-Term Care Insurance Premium Payments, and HB-5547, An Act Concerning Insurance Premium Rate Increase.

These bills would prohibit the increase of insurance premium rates for long-term care, making it more affordable for individuals in need of long-term care insurance. As insurance rates have continued to increase over the years, it has become increasingly difficult for individuals to pay into long-term insurance coverage, which is often necessary later in life. These bills would not only help provide coverage for the cost of long-term care insurance, but it would also provide tax credit for those paying long-term care premiums.

 

 

March 4, 2021

Health Insurance

State Rep. Gary Turco joins Newington resident Jan Kritzman, to discuss HB-5687, An Act Concerning Health Insurance, Breast Cancer and Breast Health
 
This bill continues efforts to help make the early detection of breast cancer more affordable. Many of vital screenings and tests which early detect breast cancer are delayed due to the out of pocket costs for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance; and this bill would ensure that all women have affordable access. This proactive care is integral to catching cancer in early stages and preventing costly treatments. Furthermore, this bill would establish a program to provide outreach to women of color regarding the importance of breast health and early breast cancer detection. 

March 2, 2021

Tree Liability

State Rep. Gary Turco joins Newington resident Lisa St. Germain, to discuss HB-5356, An Act Concerning a Real Property Owner’s Responsibility for Expenses Incurred When Trees or Tree Limbs Fall on an Adjoining Owner’s Real Property.

Current law directs blame primarily on the individual who receives property damage caused by trees residing on their neighbors property. This bill would make individuals more liable for the damage incurred by falling tree limbs from their property onto their neighbors if they don’t properly maintain the trees.


February 25, 2021 

Right to Repair 

I joined Newington resident Mark Hollis, to discuss HB-5255, An Act requiring Electronic Device Manufacturers to make Available Essential Components of its Electronic Devices to Owners and Independent Repair Service Providers. This bill would give individuals the right to repair their own machinery and electronics. Manufacturers will not longer have the right to require consumers to use their repair services. This is useful for a variety of electronic products ranging from tractors for farming, to phone repairs through a third party service. As a result, this bill will also help create small businesses to independently repair electronics and machinery!


February 23, 2021

Town Planning 

Click below to view my discussion with Newington resident Renata Bertotti, the current Town Planner for Newington, to discuss HB-5480, An Act Establishing a Revolving Loan Program for the Development and Reuse of Existing Properties. This bill would offer business developers in Newington a chance to revitalize existing properties for another purpose. Due to the financial gap, businesses lack the resources to reuse certain properties. This bill would create a state-run financing program that will minimize this financing gap so that buildings can be reused. Not only would this bill allow business developers to receive low interest rates or no interest rate, but it would also help raise property values create new jobs, and bring revenue to Newington.


February 10, 2021

Criminalizing Assaulting Sports Officials

I join Newington resident Stephen Dygas, who is a member of the Hartford Chapter of the Connecticut Board of Approved Baseball Umpires, to discuss HB 5558 and SB 526, An Act Concerning Assault Upon a Sports Official. These bills would make assaulting a sports official or referee a class A misdemeanor or class D felony. Far too often we see spectators and players become frustrated with referees and other sports officials and the situation escalates. This bill would create a stricter penalty for those who assault sports officials and hopefully decrease the number of situations that become violent. 


February 25, 2020

Lowering Insulin Costs

I join Newington resident Theresa Sanderson to discuss HB 5175 and SB 1. Theresa is the administrator of West Hartford Health & Rehabilitation Center, which employs more than 230 employees and just last month, Theresa's 19-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. Supplies and insulin for one month cost more than $400. We must address the high costs and ensure this life-saving medication is available to everyone. 


February 13, 2020

Shining a Light on Human Trafficking

President of the Newington Rotary Club David Tedeschi joins me for this episode of Turco Talk Time to discuss how we can end human trafficking. This is an issue that affects urban, suburban, and rural communities across our state. 


May 31, 2019

Electric Vehicles

Joining me for this installment of Turco Talk Time is Sierra Club volunteer and Newington resident Noah Cross to talk about the importance of supporting initiatives that increase the use of electric vehicles and the positive impact that has on the environment.


May 28, 2019

Elderly Home Care

In this installment of Turco Talk Time, I talk with Newington resident and advocate John Shulansky of EldersChoice, CT about getting safe and adequate care at home for the elderly.


May 10, 2019

Access To Birth Certificates

In this installment of Turco Talk Time, I join with Newington resident Kathy Flaherty to discuss birth certificates and access by adult adoptees.

Senate Bill 972 allows access for those that are 18 years old and over.


May 8, 2019

Aging In Place

Alzheimer’s is a condition that affects many families in Newington and across the state. In this installment of Turco Talk Time I join Newington resident and Registered Nurse Kaitlin Cuas. She discusses her work to get the services to patients in need, activities and techniques that help stave off Alzheimer’s and resources available for patients and families in Newington and the state.


May 6, 2019

Student Loan Debt

In this installment of Turco Talk Time, I join with UConn Political Science Major and Newington resident Jessica Weaver to discuss student loan debt and my House Bill 6472 to provide a tax credit for graduates.


April 30, 2019

Climate Change

Joining me for this installment of Turco Talk Time is Sierra Club volunteer and Newington resident Noah Cross to talk about climate change and the importance of supporting initiatives to help protect the environment.


April 29, 2019

Early Voting

Participation in the electoral process is the foundation of our Democracy. In this installment of Turco Talk Time, I am joined by activist and Newington resident Terry LaPenta to talk about the importance of voting and implementing an early voting process in Connecticut. To sign up for regular updates on early voting send email to: VotingRightsCT@gmail.com


April 24, 2019

First Time Home Buyers Accounts

Joining me for this installment of Turco Talk Time is Real Estate Agent Michele Devanney to talk about first time home buyer savings accounts and how these accounts will help those wishing to purchase a home in the state.

SB 904 was favorably voted out of the Insurance Committee that I am member of and I look forward to seeing it’s continued progress.


April 16, 2019

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and to talk about this issue I was joined by Sarah Gallardo who has been a champion in creating programs that address and help victims of abuse and sexual assault. Thank you to Sarah and to find out about events and ways to help, visit Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence on Facebook.


April 3, 2019

People With Disabilities

People with disabilities are a particularly vulnerable segment of the population – in this Turco Talk Time video I am joined by Executive Director Kathy Flaherty of the CT Legal Rights Project to talk about the work being done to make sure people with disabilities are properly represented in our policy decisions.


March 29, 2019

Youth Financial Literacy

UConn Political Science Major and Newington resident Jessica Weaver joined with me recently on Turco Talk Time to discuss youth financial literacy.


March 20, 2019

Breast Screening Coverage

I had a great time recording my first “Turco Talk Time” video in Newington with breast cancer prevention advocate and Newington resident, Jan Kritzman. Jan is a very knowledgeable and committed advocate on the issue of health insurance coverage for ultrasounds for women with dense breast tissue.

For more information visit AreYouDense.org