State Senator
Matt Lesser
Deputy Majority Leader
Your Independent Voice
- Representing
- Cromwell,
- Middletown,
- Newington,
- Rocky Hill,
- Wethersfield
HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) participated in a press conference to remind residents of the importance of filling out the Census, a town hall in Newington to hear constituents’ concerns, and received an award from the AARP.
State Senator Matt Lesser answers questions from constituents as State Representatives Kerry Wood (D-Rocky Hill) left and Gary Turco (D-Newington) look on. (Friday, March 15 2019).
NEWINGTON, CT – Sen. Lesser was joined by State Representatives Kerry Wood (D-Rocky Hill) and Gary Turco (D-Newington) for a town hall at the Newington Senior and Disabled Center, which covered a wide range of topics. Sen. Lesser said he looks forward to these opportunities to reach out to constituents and hear their needs and concerns.
“It is incredibly important to keep open the lines of communication to hear from constituents,” said Sen. Lesser. “Today’s town hall was phenomenal. There was an incredible turnout and wonderful questions. There were a lot of concerns about the rising cost of healthcare and what we can do to protect seniors from the high costs of prescription drugs. We had a wide ranging, civil discussion.”
Among health insurance, constituents who packed the auditorium of the Newington Senior and Disabled Center, also inquired about protections for individuals who have been sexually assaulted, tolls and taxes. Sen. Lesser said having these conversations with constituents, and getting their input, is vital for government to work as it should.
“It is really important and necessary to hear from the people I work for in order to make sure I’m serving them and they are aware of what I’m up to,” said Sen. Lesser. “That is why I am committed to going all around the Ninth District to listen to people and to make sure that I am doing everything I can to represent everyone in this great district.”
State Senator Matt Lesser poses with AARP Advocacy Volunteer Patricia Lang after receiving the 2018 AARP Legislative Achievement Award. (Friday, March 15, 2019).
Prior to the lively discussion, Sen. Lesser was awarded the 2018 Legislative Achievement Award for being an affordable utilities champion by the AARP. Volunteer Advocate Patricia Lang presented Sen. Lesser with the award for his work on getting control of seniors’ utility prices when he was a State Representative. He said he is thrilled to receive the honor and is still passionate about protecting seniors from rising utility rates.
“I’m honored,” said Sen. Lesser. “One of the biggest issues for seniors in the state is that we have some of the highest electric prices in the country. I’m also concerned about the recent water price hikes. I worked with the AARP against utility rate increases and efforts to raise electric prices. I can’t thank them enough for their work on this issue.”
State Senator Matt Lesser speaks about the importance of filling out the Census at the Middletown Council Chambers. (Friday, March 15, 2019).
MIDDLETOWN, CT – Sen. Lesser (D-Middletown) joined Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and other local officials at a press conference to stress the importance of filling out the Census. Sen. Lesser said everyone filling out the Census is imperative for the funding of vital programs.
“What we’re talking about is very simple: Whether or not we count,” said Sen. Lesser. “There are people who want us to count and people who don’t want us to count. In the past, there have been times we have not counted. Back in the year 2000, there was a substantial undercount in the city of Middletown. That undercount resulted in the city getting reduced legislative representation, we lost education funding and we even lost a number of package stores that we were statutorily allowed to open. This impacts everything.”
Over $675 billion dollars of federal funding is distributed every year based on Census data. It is estimated Connecticut received over $10 billion in federal funding last year based on Census data. Some of the program funded are as followed: