STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Henry Genga
Serving the 10th Assembly District
Legislative Office Building, Room 4030
Hartford, CT 06106-1591
Capitol: 800-842-8267
Henry.Genga@cga.ct.gov
BUDGET BALANCED, NO NEW TAXES
We adopted a balanced budget on time without any tax increases for the fiscal year 2015, which begins July 1. Increased aid for education and municipalities, along with investments in our children, will help stabilize local property taxes. Additional investments in job creation programs such as STEP-UP, which encourages employers to hire veterans and the unemployed, will help our economy.
COMMITTING UTC TO CONNECTICUT
Connecticut’s largest private employer, United Technologies Corp., will spend up to $500 million over the next five years to upgrade and expand its aerospace research and development and manufacturing facilities, as well as up to $4 billion in research and other capital improvements. Their commitment to keeping their home in Connecticut is not only great for our economy, but also shows that Connecticut is a business-friendly state.
CONSUMER PROTECTION FOR ELECTRICITY CUSTOMERS
This year many residents complained about skyrocketing electricity bills and predatory practices of energy providers. As a result, we added much needed transparency to confusing utility bills and outlawed questionable practices of electricity suppliers.
A state market analysis released in March by the Office of Consumer Counsel estimated Connecticut consumers were overpaying for electricity by an estimated $13.7 million a month. Many consumers, who counted on paying less for energy after signing up for low introductory rates from suppliers, soon discovered that their rates jumped and they were paying more.
Energy suppliers will now be prohibited from offering consumers short-term "teaser" energy 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 UI or CL&P within 72 hours.
More transparent billing practices and faster switching prohibitions of coercive and deceptive sales practices, and enabling a customer to fire a company quickly and easily will empower consumers.
HELPING OLDER WORKERS RE-ENTER THE WORKFORCE
To make it easier for older workers to re-enter the workforce, the Department of Labor and the superintendent of the Connecticut Technical High School System will annually report information regarding traditional and adult students to the legislature’s Education, Higher Education and Labor committees. They will report collected data on all students, including completion rates, what courses were taken, and wage rates for the students before and after they graduated from these programs.
SUPPORTING BUSINESSES TO GROW & TRAIN WORKERS
Small manufacturers in Connecticut are an important source of jobs and the engine of economic growth. We work hard to provide support to these businesses through programs like the Manufacturing Reinvestment Account program (MRA). The MRA is designed to help small manufacturers fund capital investments and train their workers. This year, we made it easier for businesses to take advantage of the program by increasing the number of employees an employer may have to be eligible for the program from 50 to 150.
IMPROVING ACCESS TO UNIVERSAL PRE-K
The newly established Office of Early Childhood will develop a plan to improve access to preschool programs and achieve universal pre-k in Connecticut. In the meantime, 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 to accommodate additional preschool spaces.
STRENGTHENING THE DO NOT CALL REGISTRY
Although technology makes many aspects of our lives easier, it also can lead to new frustrations. Even though we created a Do Not Call List to address unwanted sales pitches at home and on our cell phones, some companies continue to make unwanted calls. We increased the penalty for violating the Do Not Call List to $20,000 from $11,000. In addition, we added text messages to the Do Not Call List.
AN ALTERNATIVE TO FORECLOSURE
Most homeowners at risk of losing their homes would like to avoid foreclosure. This year we established an alternative to foreclosure that can work for both the lender and the homeowner. The homeowner and lender can decide together that avoiding foreclosure is a more efficient (and now realistic) approach to disposing of a home that must be sold for financial reasons. They may then contact a real estate agent to sell the house at market price rather than risking a short sale. This option of sale benefits all parties involved and, most importantly, gives homeowners an alternative to foreclosure.
PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN & MAKING OUR SCHOOLS SAFER
This year we authorized $22 million for another round of school security grants. This program helped many schools around the state add additional security infrastructure last year, with more than $21 million in grants distributed. The state’s technical schools, charter schools, private and endowed schools will be allowed to access the funds. About $2.2 million has been set aside for private schools that will be reimbursed at 50 percent of eligible costs.
RENTERS REBATE PROGRAM
This measure will re-open the Renters Rebate program to eligible seniors and individuals with permanent disabilities to receive partial reimbursements related to rental payments. The increased funding will allow for an additional 12,700 participants.
SEXUAL ASSAULT ON CAMPUS
It is a sad reflection on our society that one in five women on college campuses experience sexual assault, with much of this violence unreported. The courageous young women who have come forward to tell their stories inspired legislation that overhauls how colleges and universities respond to and work to prevent sexual assault. There must be a zero-tolerance policy for sexual violence on campus. Both students and parents should expect a safe learning environment at college.
E-CIGARETTES AND MINORS
E-cigarettes have the potential to become a gateway to smoking for Connecticut
children. This year, we made it illegal for a minor to buy or possess an e-cigarette, and for anyone to sell, give or deliver one to a minor. Violators are subject to some of the same penalties imposed on those who commit similar violations regarding traditional cigarettes.