STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Michelle Cook
Serving the 65th Assembly District
Legislative Office Building, Room 4044
Hartford, CT 06106-1591
Capitol: 800-842-8267
Michelle.Cook@cga.ct.gov
Dear Neighbor:
I am pleased to share with you this update on the recently concluded legislative session. Each year brings a new set of challenges, and the 2014 session was no different. The need to encourage economic growth, help working families and make critical investments for the future of our children, as well as our state, was clear.
Meeting these priorities while also adopting a balanced budget with no new taxes took a lot of hard work, but I am happy to report to you that my colleagues and I were able to achieve our goals.
Investing in manufacturing and technology is important. This year we were able to get funding for our local technical and vocational schools as well as $2.9 million to renovate Torrington High School’s athletic fields. We also received funding to begin the construction of a new Litchfield Country courthouse with building set to begin this summer.
Working in a bipartisan manner, we were able to increase funding for education and enable more children to attend pre-school. We also made additional investments in job creation programs such as STEP-UP, which encourages employers to hire veterans and the unemployed, and will help our economy grow.
Spurring more economic development was also a priority that we met by helping United Technologies Corp. upgrade and expand its aerospace research and manufacturing facilities across the state. This in turn will have a domino effect and help its suppliers and related businesses.
I hope you find the enclosed information helpful and will feel free to call or email me for any reason — legislative or otherwise. It is my pleasure and honor to serve as your state representative.
Sincerely,
State Representative Michelle Cook