May 2009 Issue

Capitol address
Legislative Office Building
Room 2100
Hartford, CT 06106-1595

E-mail
Musto@senatedems.ct.gov

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

Phone
Capitol: 860-240-0558
Toll-free: 1-800-842-1420

Welcome to the first edition of Capitol News. Below, you can learn more about me and about the important issues that I’m working on at the State Capitol.

You can also find more useful information and links at the Senate Democrats’ Web site, including resources for job seekers and for those worried about or facing home foreclosure. And while you're there, be sure to check out my personal Web page and send me an e-mail about what’s most important to you.

Fair Pricing of Gasoline

Gasoline prices across Connecticut are rising — again — and are expected to continue into the summer months. Fairfield County residents fall prey to some of the highest prices in the state solely because of where they live. This year, the legislature is again considering bipartisan legislation to ban the discriminatory practice commonly called zone pricing in order to ensure that all consumers receive a fair price.

The bill has been approved in both the General Law Committee — where I supported it — and the Judiciary Committee, and will soon move to the House of Representatives for consideration. You can track this bill on the General Assembly’s Web site.

Protecting Children, Reforming DCF

Our children are our greatest gifts and our greatest hope. Protecting the well-being of all Connecticut children should be our primary mission. As Senate Chair of the Select Committee on Children, I’m working to pass legislation this year that would greatly expand the role of watchdog groups in overseeing operations at the troubled state Department of Children & Families, as recommended by the legislature’s Program Review & Investigations Committee. Most importantly, I have worked to ensure that DCF and other agencies will work to help those families in need of assistance in these challenging economic times, while still protecting those children subjected to abuse and neglect.

I’m also supporting a bill that will require DCF to annually review all cases and report on the state’s “stuck kids,” including runaways, homeless children, children with permanency plans for living arrangements and children who have undergone psychiatric hospital stays or out-of-state placements.

Eliminating Brownfields,
Improving Our Economy

Contaminated properties, also known as brownfields, present major problems for municipal development across Connecticut. Urban areas like Bridgeport bear the brunt of brownfields’ negative impact because of their long history as the manufacturing centers of our state. That’s why I’m supporting legislation that will clean up brownfields and give municipalities and developers greater options and protections under our law.

Brownfields hold great opportunities for positive growth in our communities. We can boost economic development, reduce property taxes and encourage individuals and families to live and work in our cities. We can remove pollution from our land and make the property usable again. With continued strong bipartisan support, I’m hopeful that this legislation will move forward this year.

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