August 2009 Issue

Capitol address
Legislative Office Building
Room 3200
Hartford, CT 06106-1595

E-mail
Handley@senatedems.ct.gov

On the Web
www.SenatorHandley.cga.ct.gov

Phone
Capitol: 860-240-0441
Toll-free: 1-800-842-1420

The regular session of the General Assembly ended on June 3, but we have been hard at work since then overriding several of Governor Rell’s vetoes and fine-tuning the 2010-2011 biennial state budget in order to best serve Connecticut’s families. Please take a moment to catch up with some recent state developments, and please plan to attend my bigger, better October Senior Fair at MCC!

Overriding Seven Vetoes

Governor Rell vetoed 19 bills this session, the most since former Governor Ella Grasso vetoed 21 bills in 1980. On July 20, I was proud to join in a legislative override of seven of Governor Rell’s more disturbing and indefensible vetoes (the most overrides since 1974), such as her killing the creation of a Bi-State Long Island Sound Commission to prevent the industrialization (Broadwater, Islander East, etc.) of Long Island Sound. I also voted to override the governor’s veto of the SustiNet Health Partnership, which creates a nine-member authority charged with making comprehensive recommendations to the General Assembly for health care reform by January 1, 2011.

Examining Governor Rell’s
Emergency Budgets

Connecticut is currently operating on an emergency, one-month budget crafted under executive order by Governor Rell (with no input from the state legislature). You will note that Connecticut residents endured a wide-ranging series of cuts under Governor Rell’s July budget, including her elimination of military honors at veterans funerals. Her August budget allotment includes similar, harmful cuts such as severely underfunding housing for the elderly and disabled, childhood lead poisoning programs and our highly successful Jobs First welfare-to-work program. These cuts of Governor Rell’s are emblematic of the larger debate that is going on in Hartford right now.

A Bigger, Better Senior Fair

I’ll be holding my annual Senior Fair this year on Friday, October 16, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Manchester Community College in Manchester. While this fair will still offer health screenings, flu shots and a host of other medically related services, I know that there’s a lot of experience and vitality in our older population. To that end, I’m seeking more non-partisan, non-profit exhibitors who can inform Manchester-area seniors about housing and transportation options, travel and volunteer opportunities, arts and sports programs, diet, social networking (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), and more. If you or anyone you know provides such services, please have them call my legislative aide, Josh Wojcik, at (860) 240-0441, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. 

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