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
STATE AID TO FARMINGTON
In spite of a difficult budget year, I worked to ensure that state aid to Farmington was protected for FY16. I voted for state aid increases in FY17 to $6.7 million, a 24% increase since FY14. In September, the Governor reduced the budget allocation for cities and towns, including Farmington, which I will work to restore next session.
This funding from the state is a significant contribution that supports town services, and helps to keep our local property taxes down. Without this state assistance, Farmington residents would see an approximate 2 mill increase in the tax rate.
FARMINGTON TRAIL PROJECT
The final piece to complete the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail project in town will come with the grant by the State Bond Commission to construct a 2.2 mile long, 12’-wide paved multi-use trail on a former railroad right-of-way.
TOWN TO GET “THAT CRAZY CORNER” LOT
I worked to pass a bill that directs the CT Department of Transportation to sell the remaining land in the old Parsons dealership lot on Rt. 4 to Farmington after their road improvement project is completed. This will allow the town to determine the best use for this “gateway” property.FIRE TRAINING FACILITY GRANT
Farmington received a $200,000 grant from the State Bond Commission to begin the construction of a new firefighter training facility in Farmington, to be shared with the Town of Avon. This project will become a reality thanks to the dedicated efforts of many volunteers, contributors, public safety personnel and community leaders. It will enable the firefighters of Farmington and Avon to more fully develop the skills and safety precautions necessary to protect themselves and our communities.FUNDING FOR LIBRARY MEDIA LAB
In order to create a Library of the Future, Farmington received a $57,000 state grant to build a Makerspace and a Media Lab to address the current and emerging needs of their citizen-customers.
LOWERING MUNICIPAL COSTS
This year we encouraged municipalities to participate in the Intertown Capital Equipment Purchasing Incentive Program. Many Connecticut municipalities have found that purchasing and sharing certain pieces of equipment and items in bulk can lower costs and save taxpayers money.
NEW CT VETERANS PROGRAMS
The new Women Veterans’ Program helps connect female veterans to services and the Veterans to Agriculture Program allows tax credits to vets working in agricultural production. The Military Retirement Income Tax Exemption fully exempts federally taxable military retirement pay from the state income tax. Call 860-616-3600 or visit www.ct.gov/ctva for more information. I also introduced a bill to help veterans access the most successful programs available in public higher education under Operation Academic Support for Incoming Service Members centers - the Veterans’ OASIS program.
STUDENT LOAN RATES LOWERED
To address the increasing cost of higher education, we established the Office of the Student Loan Ombudsman to regulate student loan servicers and help borrowers navigate the loan process. The Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) took steps to increase college affordability with its lowest fixed interest rate yet, 4.95%.
Visit www.chesla.org to learn more.
CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH
In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy, we created a group to monitor how we address the health needs of children. The new Children’s Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Health Plan Implementation Advisory Board will bring experts together to help our state better protect the well-being of young children.
VARIABLE ELECTRIC RATES
We took an historic step in protecting Connecticut residents, particularly the elderly, from certain practices of electricity providers. Retail electric providers can no longer offer variable rate contracts to customers or automatically renew existing contracts. Electric providers must also conform with existing laws that require proper notification to customers with expiring contracts.
COMPARING HEALTHCARE COSTS
A new statewide health information exchange website, administered by the Department of Social Services, will help consumers find health information and comparative price and quality online. We also placed a cap on certain “facility fees” for outpatient services at hospital-based locations and required providers to give patients cost notices for
non-emergency services.
MEDICAID COVERAGE INCREASE
Medicaid coverage is expanded to include more over-the-counter drugs and other products, a savings for consumers!