Capitol News from State Senator Andrew Maynard

August 2009 Issue

Capitol address
Legislative Office Building
Room 3000
Hartford, CT 06106-1595

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

Phone
Capitol: 860-240-0584
Toll-free: 1-800-842-1420

As the summer comes to an end and children get ready to go back to school for another busy year, legislative leaders are working with the governor to craft a two-year state budget for Connecticut that meets our needs without burdening our working families.

In my first edition of Capitol News, you’ll learn about some exciting developments for Shoreline East rail service, how a number of successful programs are helping keep people in their homes during difficult economic times and how you can cut your electric bill by exercising your right to choose.

Andrew Maynard

Expanding Service on Shoreline East

Shoreline East railroad car Connecticut’s Shoreline East rail service has experienced double-digit growth in ridership rates in the last two years. During this same time, I’ve been pushing for the state Department of Transportation to take advantage of this spike in popularity by increasing service on the line.

Late last month, the governor announced plans to expand service to New London by the end of the year. I recently spoke with the commissioner of the Department of Transportation, and have been told that the plan is to add up to 12 additional trains on the weekends and 10 additional trains on the weekdays pending approval from AMTRAK, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Connecticut Marine Trades Association. If implemented on schedule, this would be a tremendous benefit to southeastern Connecticut residents and businesses as well as our important tourism industry.

As we draw closer, I will continue to closely monitor the DOT’s plans to help make sure that the promise of expanded Shoreline East service is finally kept.

Helping Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure

Last year, I supported a comprehensive package of programs designed to help reduce our widespread high foreclosure rates — a move that would help keep people in their homes while working to stabilize our local economy.

foreclosure garaphic Since then, more than 1,700 people have saved their homes through our voluntary mediation program, more than $14,000,000 in fixed-rate loans have been issued and 80 people have received job training that’s helped them avoid foreclosure — all without spending a dollar of the state’s General Fund. This year, I supported legislation that makes foreclosure mediation mandatory and expands our financial assistance programs so that even more homeowners can take advantage of these effective programs.

For more information on the state and federal programs that are available for homeowners facing foreclosure, visit the Senate Democrats’ Online Foreclosure Prevention Guide.

Cut Costs by Shopping for Electricity

energy graphic This August, as the mercury was rising so were our electric bills. The high demand for electricity on hot summer days means that we all pay more to run our air conditioning, fans, refrigerators and other household appliances. However, there’s a way that you can save on your electric costs not only in the summer, but year-round.

Nearly 200,000 Connecticut consumers have reduced their electric costs by exercising their right to electric choice and shopping for a supplier. By shopping for your supplier, you can reduce your generation service charge, or GSC, while still receiving your billing and utility service from Connecticut Light & Power. With more than 1.5 million customers purchasing electricity, however, there are still many households that can realize significant savings by exploring their electric-buying options.

For more assistance, contact the state Department of Public Utility Control’s Consumer Outreach Unit at 1-888-922-3782.