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I hope this email finds you and yours doing well as the days are getting warmer. It has been a busy week at the capitol where committee meetings and public hearings are in full swing. The House was in session on Monday night where we voted on crucial bills including an extra infusion of funding for special education and tax exemptions for disabled veterans.
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I'm also thrilled to share that the CT Department of Transportation has awarded $3.84 million in funding for the Naugatuck River Greenway in Ansonia between Pershing Drive to Wakelee Avenue/Nolan Field.
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The funding is a part of the federal Transportation Alternatives Program, which is overseen by CTDOT. This program provides funding to municipalities for projects addressing the needs of non-motorized transportation users. These projects include pedestrian and bicycle initiatives and the construction of recreational trails. This increase in funding is necessary to continue the development of the greenway.
The Naugatuck River Greenway is currently being developed and once completed, it will go through all 11 communities and stretch across 44 miles. Current parts of the Greenway are completed and available to use. View the interactive map with which areas are open for use here. I am proud to see more funds awarded to Ansonia to continue the development of this greenway as our cities' green spaces are vital aspects our community.
The CTDOT has awarded $56 million in federal funding from the Transportation Alternatives Program to 14 Connecticut municipalities. I am honored to see a section of the Naugatuck Valley Greenway in Ansonia be awarded this funding and I am eager to see the work on the greenway continue!
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I wanted to bring to your attention HB 7039, An Act Concerning Health insurance. In particular, section 6 in the Statement of Purpose describing HB 7039 includes a bill that I originally introduced, HB 6139, An Act Prohibiting Health Carriers From Using Premiums to Engage In Lobbying Activities.
With the cost of health insurance already being high, your money should go toward healthcare, not the lobbying of the healthcare industry, so I hope you will join me in working to advance this important legislation.
The public hearing is coming up this Thursday, February 27th at 10AM in Room 1E of the LOB, and included below you will find information on how to testify in person, on zoom, and how to submit written testimony. It is my hope that you will be willing to spare some time to testify, as I believe your voice will matter to move these efforts forward.
Register Here
Submit Written Testimony
I hope you will sign up to testify on this bill to prohibit premium payments from going towards lobbying activities on behalf of the industry.
Please don’t hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions.
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| $40M for Special Education Funding |
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| On Monday, I was proud to vote for a bill allocating $40 million in additional funding for current fiscal to special education, giving immediate support to more than 140 school districts in our state, including ours in Ansonia and Derby, and helping to provide the highest quality education for our students.
These critical resources will help ensure students receive the specialized support they need to thrive.
My colleagues and I have heard from cities and towns across Connecticut that special education costs are squeezing local budgets. Students and families are dealing with the repercussions of a broken system, and while the legislature considers long-term solutions for our special education system, we recognized our school districts needed immediate relief.
Our ultimate goal is to achieve systemic reform to ensure sustainable funding in this arena.
Special education remains a legislative priority for House Democrats this session, and moving forward, we will continue looking for solutions to lower costs, strengthen services, and provide more financial support for our education system to make sure every child has access to the education they deserve. |
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| In The News: House Bill 6478 |
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The Hartford Business Journal recently wrote an article about a bill I introduced, House Bill 6478, An Act Prohibiting The Use Of Certain Algorithmic Software To Establish Occupancy Levels And Rental Rates For The Purpose Of Increasing Landlord And Property Manager Profits. This bill would prohibit landlords from using software to inflate rents including any software that.
Attorney Generals across Red and Blue states have teamed up in a lawsuits alleging that algorithmic software is being used to price fix and is in violation of antitrust laws and While the court cases is slowly making its way through the court, I am taking action to ban the use of this software and protect consumers from price gauging.
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| Valley Community Foundation Grants |
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The Valley Community Foundation is encouraging you to help amazing volunteers in the Valley! You can nominate a volunteer or nonprofit that supports civic and community engagement efforts in the Valley for up to $2,500 in community grants.
To be eligible for one of these grants, you must be a community group that serve Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and/or Shelton and have less than 2 full-time or less than 4 part-time staff. Grants can be for new or recurring programs and range from $250 to $2,500. CLICK HERE for eligibility criteria.
You must complete an application online by Friday, March 7 at 5 p.m.
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Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and concerns you may have on Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267. Follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.
All my Best,
Kara Rochelle
State Representative
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