Al Paolillo

Nearly six years after Fort Hale Park pier was leveled by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, state Rep. Al Paolillo joined Senate President Martin Looney and community leaders at a grand opening of the newly built pier.

The General Assembly's Environment Committee passed an amended bill banning hunting in New Haven between Interstates 95 and 91, designating that area between the Quinnipiac and Mill rivers as a state refuge for wildlife. The issue was developed after area neighbors brought the issue to Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney's and state Rep. Al Paolillo's attention.

Momentum for expanding casino gaming in Connecticut is growing after a bill that would allow MGM Resorts International to build a casino in Bridgeport cleared a legislative hurdle. Under this proposal, MGM would build a workforce development and training program in New Haven to support the casino.

The state Bond Commission approved $1 million in state funding for the r'kids Family Center in New Haven. This funding will be used to create a dedicated visitation space and additional childcare and programming space for the children and families.

The Secretary of the State's office will facilitate a voter registration drive that helps newly-arrived Puerto Rican families in Connecticut register to vote.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing to deepen the channel in New Haven Harbor from 35 feet to 42 feet. While New Haven's port is the largest in the state, it is not deep enough to accommodate larger vessels which now have to off-load outside the channel.

This month, I was honored and humbled to join state Rep. Juan Candelaria, local leader Jhonathan Rivera and Joey Rodriguez to distribute donated gifts to nearly 300 children at John C. Daniels School. Many of these children were among the 180 youth who relocated to New Haven from Puerto Rico.

Connecticut families, currently on the wait-list, can start enrolling in the Care 4 Kids program, the state’s primary child care support program. Care 4 Kids helps low- to moderate-income families in Connecticut pay for child-care costs.