STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Mike D'Agostino
Serving the 91st Assembly District
Legislative Office Building, Room 4000
Hartford, CT 06106-1591
Capitol: 800-842-8267
Michael.DAgostino@cga.ct.gov
Dear Neighbor,
The 2014 legislative session ended recently and I want to update you about what we have been up to in Hartford. Each year brings a new set of challenges, and the 2014 session was no different. This year was a short three-month session, but I am proud of the work that we got done in such a short period of time. This newsletter highlights some of those accomplishments, including the UI tree-trimming bill that many of you worked so hard to pass.
In addition to these legislative highlights, I want to note the fact that Hamden will receive a combined $34,442,644 in direct state aid. This includes money for our schools, our infrastructure and to make up for the taxes that Quinnipiac does not pay for the property that it owns. (As many of you know, we are working on that issue as well: if the university purchases a private home and then rents it out to students, it should pay taxes like any other landlord in town). The combined aid that we secured for the town is approximately $1.9 million more than last year. It is still not as much as we should be getting, however, and I’ll be back next year to make sure that Hamden is not ignored.
In addition to that direct funding, I am pleased to have obtained four state grants to build and maintain playgrounds, totaling $180,000. The funds will go toward playground improvements at three Hamden elementary schools, West Woods School, Bear Path School, and Shepherd Glen School, as well as for a new play area for the preschool program at the Alice Peck School. These play spaces allow children to be active during the school day, which studies have shown increases their concentration in the classroom and helps them to learn valuable social skills while also getting the exercise they need for a healthy life.
I hope you find this, and the rest of the information in this newsletter helpful. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me if I can ever be of help to you or your family. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your representative.
Sincerely,
