Month: November 2017

Larson: Renters’ One Step Closer to Receiving Rebate Checks

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Larson: Renters’ One Step Closer to Receiving Rebate Checks

Older and disabled renters are one step closer to receiving their state rebate checks after the state senate voted 34-0 to fix technical issues with the Connecticut Renters’ Rebate Program. The bill was immediately transmitted to the House of Representatives where it is expected to pass on Wednesday.

The Connecticut Renters’ Rebate Program provides rebates to older adult or totally disabled renters whose incomes do not exceed certain limits. The biennial state budget passed last month set aside $12.685 million in 2018 and $13.666 million in 2019 for the program, which has traditionally been managed through the state Office of Policy and Management (OPM) in the executive branch.

“Supporting programs that serve our older and disabled citizens in Connecticut, like this renters rebate initiative, has always been and continues to be a priority for me,” Senator Tim Larson (D-East Hartford) said. “I’m pleased the Senate was able to handle this quickly so this program can continue helping thousands of citizens stay in their communities.”

Estimated FY 17 Renters’ Rebate Program Payments in Sen. Larson’s Senatorial District:

  • East Hartford: $525,306
  • East Windsor: $90,044
  • Ellington: $56,816
  • South Windsor: $90,175

Qualified individuals can apply to their local assessors once a year between April 1 and October 1 for state reimbursement for rental payments that they made in the preceding calendar year. Persons renting an apartment or room, or living in cooperative housing or a mobile home, may be eligible for this program.

Renters’ rebates can annually be up to $900 for married couples and up to $700 for a single person. The rebate amount is based on a graduated income scale and the amount of rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made in the year prior to the calendar year in which the renter applies.

Renters’ rebate recipients are generally 65 years old or older, or 18 years old and permanently and totally disabled; they must also meet a one year state residency requirement.

Moore: Renters’ One Step Closer to Receiving Rebate Checks

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Moore: Renters’ One Step Closer to Receiving Rebate Checks

Older and disabled renters are one step closer to receiving their state rebate checks after the state senate voted 34-0 to fix technical issues with the Connecticut Renters’ Rebate Program. The bill was immediately transmitted to the House of Representatives where it is expected to pass on Wednesday.

The Connecticut Renters’ Rebate Program provides rebates to older adult or totally disabled renters whose incomes do not exceed certain limits. The biennial state budget passed last month set aside $12.685 million in 2018 and $13.666 million in 2019 for the program, which has traditionally been managed through the state Office of Policy and Management (OPM) in the executive branch.

“Connecticut’s rebate program helps some of our most vulnerable citizens live independently,” Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) said. “I’m glad we were able to address this hiccup quickly so that older and disabled renters can once again continue to benefit from this worthy program.”

Qualified individuals can apply to their local assessors once a year between April 1 and October 1 for state reimbursement for rental payments that they made in the preceding calendar year. Persons renting an apartment or room, or living in cooperative housing or a mobile home, may be eligible for this program.

Renters’ rebates can annually be up to $900 for married couples and up to $700 for a single person. The rebate amount is based on a graduated income scale and the amount of rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made in the year prior to the calendar year in which the renter applies.

Renters’ rebate recipients are generally 65 years old or older, or 18 years old and permanently and totally disabled; they must also meet a one year state residency requirement.

Sen. Looney: Renters Are One Step Closer to Receiving Rebate Checks

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Sen. Looney: Renters Are One Step Closer to Receiving Rebate Checks

Older and disabled renters are one step closer to receiving their state rebate checks after the State Senate voted 34-0 to fix technical issues with the Connecticut Renters’ Rebate Program. The bill was immediately transmitted to the House of Representatives where it is expected to pass on Wednesday.

The Connecticut Renters’ Rebate Program provides rebates to older adult or totally disabled renters whose incomes do not exceed certain limits. The biennial state budget passed last month set aside $12.685 million in 2018 and $13.666 million in 2019 for the program, which has traditionally been managed through the state Office of Policy and Management (OPM) in the executive branch.

“The Connecticut Senate took action today to ensure that qualified seniors and renters with disabilities will soon receive their renters’ rebate check in the mail,” said Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “The Renters’ Rebate Program helps thousands of residents make ends meet and I am pleased to have worked with Democrats and Republicans to make certain that the program continues.”

Qualified individuals can apply to their local assessors once a year between April 1 and October 1 for state reimbursement for rental payments that they made in the preceding calendar year. Persons renting an apartment or room, or living in cooperative housing or a mobile home, may be eligible for this program.

Renters’ rebates can annually be up to $900 for married couples and up to $700 for a single person. The rebate amount is based on a graduated income scale and the amount of rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made in the year prior to the calendar year in which the renter applies.

Renters’ rebate recipients are generally 65 years old or older, or 18 years old and permanently and totally disabled; they must also meet a one year state residency requirement.

Senators Looney and Fasano Statement on November Consensus Revenue Estimates

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Senators Looney and Fasano Statement on November Consensus Revenue Estimates

Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven) released the following statement regarding the November 2017 consensus revenue estimates for the Connecticut state budget released today.

“These numbers are disappointing but not unexpected. It’s clear that now is the time to give cooperation and collaboration a chance to build on the bipartisan budget passed into law last month, which makes important long term systemic reforms. Many of these structural changes may not result in an instantaneous change, but rather will begin the process to improve financial management and eliminate this type of volatility and unpredictability in the future. We will continue to examine this report, monitor these numbers closely and remain committed to working together to make adjustments to the budget if needed in the coming months.”

Energy and Technology Committee to Hold Hearings on State Utility Companies’ Storm Response

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Energy & Technology Committee to Hold Hearings on State Utility Companies’ Storm Response

Energy & Technology Committee Co-Chair Sen. Gary Winfield (D-New Haven), his co-chairs, and ranking members of the committee today announced that they will hold two hearings regarding the state utility companies’ response to the storm that took place on October 29 and 30, 2017, which resulted in power outages across the state.

The first informational hearing will take place on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 2:00 pm in Room 1D of the Legislative Office Building and will include invited speakers and municipal officials.

A second public hearing is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, November 28, 2017 to give the public an opportunity to share their experiences and concerns about the state utility companies’ storm response, as well as an opportunity for the utility companies to provide further details on storm response procedures.

November 15 Informational Hearing:

WHO: Senator Gary Winfield, Senator Paul Formica, Representative Lonnie Reed, Representative Laura Hoydick, invited speakers and municipal officials.

WHAT: Initial informational hearing regarding CT utility companies’ storm response and preparedness.

WHEN: Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 2:00 pm

WHERE: Room 1D, Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford

More information about the second hearing to take place on Nov. 28 will be shared later this week.

Senator Winfield in the News: Students rally for “clean” DREAM Act

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Students rally for “clean” DREAM Act

Two hundred immigrants and allies from across the state gathered on Thursday night near the New Haven Green to demand that the U.S. Congress pass a “clean” Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, or DREAM Act,—one without add-ons that would threaten other undocumented immigrants—before the end of the year.

State Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven, told the crowd it is important for community members to show support for immigration issues. “It makes a lot of sense to me that we as a community act as a community on these issues,” Winfield said. “I just want to be out here to be an ally that shows their face.”

Read the full article at the Yale Daily News.

Senator Winfield E-News: Care 4 Kids Reopens

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Senator Duff E-News: Honoring Connecticut’s Veterans on Veterans Day

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Looney E-News: Honoring Connecticut’s Veterans on Veterans Day

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Bye Helps Announce New MDC Consumer Advocate

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Bye Helps Announce New MDC Consumer Advocate

photo of Senator Bye.

State Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford) today joined Consumer Counsel Elin Swanson Katz and state Representative Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) to announce that attorney David Silverstone of West Hartford has been named as the first Independent Consumer Advocate for Metropolitan District Commission consumers.

Silverstone was the first person to serve as Connecticut’s Consumer Counsel, from 1974-77, and he then served as the first Consumer Advocate for the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA) from 1980-89. Silverstone later served as the President and CEO of RWA from 2001-08.

“I’m so happy and proud that we’ve arrived at this day, and I think Attorney Silverstone is an excellent choice. I’m counting on him to be a strong advocate for all of MDC’s consumers,” Sen. Bye said. “We have an independent consumer advocate today because MDC’s customers refused to stand idly by when they saw issues of concern. Consumer voices matter, and when the community speaks out, it makes a difference.”

“I’m excited by the opportunity to advocate on behalf of the consumers of the Metropolitan District Commission.,” Silverstone said. “My roots are in consumer advocacy, and I bring those experiences and my knowledge of the water industry to this position. I look forward to meeting with, and learning from, the consumers of the district.”

Silverstone’s appointment is the culmination of an effort by legislators and consumer advocates to ensure that MDC water consumers are represented in MDC proceedings so that the consumer’s perspective may impact MDC decision-making.

Earlier this year, under the leadership of Sen. Bye, Rep. Slap, and state Representative David Baram (D-Bloomfield), the legislature passed and Governor Malloy signed into law Public Act No. 17-1, “An Act Establishing an Independent Consumer Advocate for Metropolitan District of Hartford County Consumers.”

The bill has several important components, including:

  • Creating an independent consumer advocate on the MDC to provide the public with information about MDC policies, ordinances, agenda, motions and votes, hearings, and other substantive information dealing with water and sewer management and operations of the MDC so that the public and municipal officials are aware of matters impacting their towns and fellow residents.
  • Preventing MDC-member towns from having to cover the cost of non-payments by other towns. Instead, the bill requires the state to withhold any payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) grants to a city or town, or withhold any state payments to help reduce automobile taxes, if that city or town fails to pay its sewer use assessment to the MDC.
  • Expanding both the uses and the timelines that the MDC can issue bonds (borrowing) for. Right now, the MDC can only get six-month loans for water projects. The new bill expands that timeframe to three years, and adds sewer projects and other working capital to the list of items they can borrow for.

“The creation of the consumer advocate was part of the very first public act of the 2017 legislative session and was passed swiftly and unanimously by the legislature. Today is another important step in strengthening the voice of MDC consumers,” Rep. Slap said today. “They deserve an independent advocate who will improve oversight, accountability, and transparency. Consumers should be able to have as much trust in the MDC’s governance as they do in its water.”

“Attorney Silverstone has more experience than anyone else in the state when it comes to establishing an independent consumer advocate office,” Katz said. “He will bring needed transparency to the MDC process and provide a strong voice for MDC water consumers. Confidence in the water system is essential for both the community and the MDC.”