STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Susan Johnson
Serving the 49th Assembly District
Legislative Office Building, Room 5007
Hartford, CT 06106-1591
Capitol: 800-842-8267
Susan.Johnson@cga.ct.gov
PROTECTION FROM PREDATORY ENERGY RATES
This law responds to complaints regarding third party energy providers and confusing energy bills. Many consumers who expected to save money on introductory rates from suppliers soon discovered that their rates jumped. This legislation prevents energy suppliers from offering consumers short-term “teaser” energy contracts with low rates, then switching to much higher variable rates. Termination fees will be capped at $50 and a consumer could switch back to the standard rate charged by CL&P within 72 hours. This new law also requires more transparent billing and prohibits deceptive sales practices. Complaints: http://www.ct.gov/pura or 1-800-382-4586
STRENGTHENING THE DO NOT CALL LIST
While we have already 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. This law increases the penalty for violating the do not call list to $20,000. We also added text messages to the Do Not Call List. To find out more about the Do Not Call List please call 1-888-382-1222.
TREE TRIMMING BY UTILITY COMPANIES
In response to concerns expressed about tree-trimming, we passed legislation that gives homeowners more say over whether trees on their property can be trimmed or removed by utility companies. The utilities will need to work more closely with town residents and tree wardens to make these decisions together. The burden will be on utility companies to show the need to trim or remove trees they believe threaten the electricity supply. Now utilities must obtain written consent from the property owner and provide notice to property owners abutting public rights of way.
MAKING OUR SCHOOLS SAFER
We authorized $22 million for another round of school security grants. This program helped many schools, including Windham, add additional security infrastructure last year. Technical schools, charter schools, private schools, and endowed schools will be allowed to access the funds.
HIGHER EDUCATION
The number of Connecticut students whose first language is something other than English continues to grow. A law passed this session hopes to attract more English language learner teachers by expanding the incentive program. The law reduces educators’ costs by allowing students pursuing a bilingual education certificate to apply for a grant.
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. Recently it was announced that under this new funding, Windham will receive 31 new Pre-K slots in the Priority School District category.
SMART START
This competitive grant program will target communities like ours with a need for additional preschool slots. School districts will be able to receive a capital grant of up to $75,000 per classroom for renovation or expansion and up to $5,000 per child (up to $75,000 per classroom) for expenses directly related to learning. These classes must be nationally accredited and serve a majority of students from low-income families.
Rep. Johnson speaks in support of a Smart Start Initiative to move towards universal pre-K and create new early education slots for needy school districts like Windham.
HELPING TO PROMOTE CONNECTICUT BREWERIES
The beer brewing industry has flourished in Connecticut towns like ours, but breweries that also serve food have not been allowed to offer catering services. Breweries that are also restaurants may now offer the same catering services as a traditional restaurant. We also passed legislation to help promote of our state’s breweries and vineyards, with signs marking the “Connecticut Brewery Trail” and “Connecticut Wine Trail.”
SUPPORTING BUSINESS TO GROW AND TRAIN WORKERS
Small manufacturers in Connecticut are an important source of jobs and 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.
GO BACK TO GET AHEAD
Establishes the Go Back to Get Ahead initiative which will encourage Connecticut residents who have some college credits to return to the state’s universities, community technical colleges or Charter Oak State College to complete their degrees. Students who are eligible for the program will be able to receive up to 3 free college courses.
CLEANING CONTAMINATED PROPERTIES
Many Connecticut towns have vacant properties that are contaminated or polluted by previous use. These sites need remediation, to protect our residents from pollution and to allow them to be used again. We acted to implement recommendations from the State of Connecticut Brownfield Working Group, which will make it easier to clean up and develop contaminated properties, especially those acquired by towns, and those where hazardous building materials were removed or abated.
HELPING OUR VETS FIND WORK AND HOUSING
The Veterans’ Opportunity Pilot Program will utilize specialists in veterans employment and homelessness to help non-profit agencies secure work and housing for our vets. Our Department of Labor will manage a statewide network of employment services for veterans and utilize federal grants to lower the number of homeless veterans in our state.
HELP FOR JOBLESS VETERANS
This session we worked to streamline the state licensing process for our job-seeking veterans. Connecticut veterans can now apply their military training toward occupational licenses, including public safety positions and a variety of trades. In addition, college credits can be awarded for specialty training and apprenticeship credits applied to specific trades.
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. Previously, those who had not applied in the last calendar year were not eligible.
PREVENTING AND TREATING CHRONIC DISEASE
Chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, lupus and diabetes, are major causes of illness, death, and poor quality of life in our state. They are also major drivers of health care costs. With proper treatment, many chronic diseases can be prevented or managed. The Department of Public Health (DPH) will develop and implement a plan that will reduce the incidence of chronic disease, improve care coordination, and improve outcomes. This plan will be consistent with DPH’s Healthy Connecticut 2020 plan , the Office of the Healthcare Advocate and the State Innovation Model project to improve healthcare quality and control costs.
As Chairwoman of the Public Health
Committee, Rep. Johnson meets with her Committee Ranking member Rep. Srinivasan and Department of Public Health Staff.