STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Mike Demicco
Serving the 21st Assembly District
Legislative Office Building, Room 4000
Hartford, CT 06106-1591
Capitol: 800-842-8267
Mike.Demicco@cga.ct.gov
FARMINGTON RECEIVES MORE STATE FUNDS
Farmington will receive an additional $700,000 in PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) funding from the state in the upcoming fiscal year, and an overall increase of almost $800,000 in state grants. This increase from $5.4 million to $6.2 million will help to keep our local property taxes down.
FARMINGTON H.S. FIELD:$500,000 STATE GRANT
Farmington was awarded a $500,000 STEAP (Small Town Economic Assistance Program) grant, to be used for the installation of a new, environmentally-friendly athletic field. FHS student council members and athletes, their families and the Friends of Farmington Field all helped to push this project forward.
SENIOR NEWS
LIVING AT HOME LONGERMost seniors would prefer to live in their own homes for as long as possible. We have taken steps to help make this happen and created a $6 million grant program for home modifications and other assistive technology. The program is open to seniors and individuals with disabilities who are at risk of being unable to live independently without modifications.
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE & DEMENTIATo improve care, we created Alzheimer’s and dementia training for people who provide direct care to patients and for people that help settle estates. Now, EMTs, probate judges, paid conservators, protective services employees, nursing home staff, home health agencies, and assisted living agencies will receive training, along with ongoing education for nursing home administrators.
EDUCATION
PRE-SCHOOL PLAN FOR CONNECTICUTThe new Office of Early Childhood will develop a plan to improve access to preschool programs and achieve universal pre-k in Connecticut. While that plan is being developed and to address the current need, we have increased school readiness reimbursements and added 1,020 new preschool slots. We also created a floor rather than a ceiling for Competitive School Districts, allowing these districts to receive more than the $107,000 grant for additional preschool spaces.
FINISH COLLEGE: “GO BACK TO GET AHEAD”Students will be eligible to take three free courses to finish their degree at a Connecticut state college or university or community college. “Transform CSCU” is aimed at increasing enrollment at the 17 Connecticut state colleges and universities to meet the workforce demands of businesses across the state. The plan includes facility upgrades that will connect classrooms with 21st century technology and give our students the tools and skills to be competitive in the job market and workplace.
CAMPUS SAFETY: SEX ASSAULT EDUCATION & REPORTINGMy colleagues and I took action on behalf of victims and passed a law to educate all students and campus officials on improving their response to and reporting of sexual assault on campus.
CONSUMER PROTECTION
ELECTRICITY CUSTOMERSThis year we protected consumers from predatory energy providers. Energy suppliers will now be prohibited from offering consumers short-term “teaser” contracts with low rates, then switching to much higher variable rate contracts within weeks. Termination fees would be capped at $50 under the law, and a consumer could switch back to the standard rate charged by CL&P and UI within 72 hours.
WATER SUPPLY PROTECTIONSFarmington residents who receive Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) water have seen excessive increases in water surcharges. In response, I introduced legislation to cap fees for “non-member towns” like Farmington, and require representation on the MDC board. This new law will result in MDC water bills being lower than expected along with a more equitable system of governance.
In addition, this year we took a major step towards a comprehensive statewide plan for the quality, distribution, conservation, and oversight of our most vital natural resource – our water. The new Water Planning Council will prepare a state water plan that considers all economic, recreational, and ecological issues.
EMS / 911 SERVICE IMPROVEMENTSThe current Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system, in effect for four decades, prohibits towns from seeking a more efficient ambulance service, except in extreme circumstances.
At the urging of Farmington town officials, I introduced and led passage of a bill allowing towns to petition the Department of Public Health for a change in their EMS provider to improve service and save taxpayer dollars.
VETERANS
SERVICE TRAINING CREDITS FOR JOBS & SCHOOLThis session we worked to streamline the state licensing process and college degree credits for our job-seeking veterans. Connecticut veterans can now apply their military training toward occupational licenses, including public safety positions. In addition, college credits can be awarded for specialty training and apprenticeship credits applied to specific trades.
