STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Gregg Haddad
Serving the 54th Assembly District
Legislative Office Building, Room 4115
Hartford, CT 06106-1591
Capitol: 800-842-8267
Gregory.Haddad@cga.ct.gov
2015 BUDGET IMPROVEMENTS
Connecticut did what many other states struggled to do this year: We created a balanced budget that protects working families, gives more support to our cities and towns, and does not raise taxes. This budget also takes the additional step of protecting us from future financial downfalls by depositing the 2014 budget surplus into our Rainy Day Fund.
We made significant improvements to municipal aid. The chart below shows how the legislature improved the original grant amounts, which were included in the budget adopted last year (FY 15 Original). After making investment in PILOT and other grants the new amount is listed as FY 15 Adjusted.
Gregg joins other officials and Mansfield residents at the ribbon cutting
of the Nash Zimmer Transportation Center.
HELPING SENIORS REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES
To help seniors who would prefer to live in their own homes for as long as possible, we 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 the modifications. PA 14-73
ENCOURAGING COLLEGE COMPLETION
The Go Back to Get Ahead initiative will encourage Connecticut residents who have some college credits, but have not attained either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, to return to the state’s universities or colleges to attain a degree. Eligible students will receive up to three free college courses. PA 14-217
I met with UConn engineering students who came to the Capitol to
learn about the legislature
and share their ideas for innovative projects.
REDUCING UNWANTED CALLS
The legislature increased the penalty for companies that violate the Do Not Call List from $11,000 to $20,000. We also added text messages to the Do Not Call List. To sign up with the National Do Not Call Registry, call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. Registration is free and does not expire. Cell phones can also be registered. PA 14-53
ENCOURAGING CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
Legislation that permits the establishment of “benefit corporations” in Connecticut passed this year, an effort I championed for three years. Unlike other corporate entities, benefit corporations must consider the environment and make a material, positive impact on society in addition to pursuing profits. PA 14-217
I presented Mansfield Middle School students with citations
for the best written essays
entered in my essay challenge.
STRENGTHENING CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS
Early childhood education is critical to a child’s development, providing a solid foundation for future learning. This year, we formally established the Office of Early Childhood. It will administer programs and funding that affect our children from birth until elementary school. This coordinated system will more effectively deliver educational and social services to the children who need them most. PA 14-39
RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE
We recently increased the minimum wage to $10.10, effective by 2017. This boost will occur in three stages, raising the standard of living for thousands of hard-working families in Connecticut who are struggling to make ends meet. Studies show that workers earning the minimum wage spend nearly their entire paycheck with local businesses on basic living expenses. PA 14-1
PREVENTING SEXUAL ASSAULT ON CAMPUS
One in five women on college campuses experiences sexual assault and much of this violence goes unreported. There must be a zero-tolerance policy for sexual violence on campus. The legislature overhauled rules that govern how colleges and universities respond and work to prevent sexual assault. PA 14-11
I was proud to join Governor Malloy as he signed the
Sexual Assault Prevention bill I helped author.
PROTECTING CONNECTICUT FROM FRACKING WASTE
by byproducts of hydraulic fracking for natural gas – we put a three-year moratorium on the storage, disposal and importation of fracking waste in the state. PA 14-200
MODERNIZING WASTE MANAGEMENT
The legislature increased the state’s recycling goal from 25 percent to 60 percent by including source reduction and reuse as well as prioritizing recycling and organic materials management over trash incineration. PA 14-94
DEVELOPING A WATER PLAN FOR CONNECTICUT
This year we took a major step toward a comprehensive and dynamic statewide strategic plan for the supply, distribution, quality, protection and conservation of one of the state’s most vital resources – our water. The Water Planning Council will prepare a state water plan with public input and submit it to the legislature by January 2018. PA 14-163
