Cathy Osten

Senator Osten Honored By Connecticut Cities And Towns For Her Work Increasing Municipal Aid

State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) was recognized today as a “Legislative Champion” by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) for her work as Senate Chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee in maintaining and increasing municipal aid for Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

CCM is the state’s largest, nonpartisan organization of municipal leaders, representing towns and cities of all sizes from all corners of the state, with 168 member municipalities.

“Senator Osten is a key legislator for towns, and she provides us access and is always willing to work with municipalities to try and find a solution to complex problems,” said CCM Director of Public Policy Brian O’Connor. “As a former municipal leader, Senator Osten has a deep understanding of how towns work, and this insight is invaluable during legislative deliberations.”

“Our cities and towns are the work horses of this state, delivering services and public policies at the grassroots level where people really see it and feel it,” said Sen. Osten, who is the former longtime first selectman of Sprague. “All of those services take money to provide, and I learned a long time ago the important role that state government plays in supporting these services. I’ve never forgotten that. That’s why I am so committed to providing as much state aid to Connecticut cities and towns as possible – to improve the local quality of life while keeping local property tax rates down as much as possible.”

CCM specifically cited these recent budgetary accomplishments by Sen. Osten in naming her their 2022 legislative Champion:

• Increasing funding for Tiered PILOT in FY22 and maintaining the funding in FY23
• Her leadership in securing $8 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that were awarded to municipalities to assist with the 50% match requirement for the 2022 Summer Enrichment Program application.
• Ensuring the Municipal Revenue Sharing Account (MRSA) distributions are made by OPM in a more timely manner.
• Her advocacy in appropriating funds for school HVAC and air filtration upgrades and making them eligible for the school construction grant program.
• Senator Osten championed payments to volunteer fire departments for responses on limited access highways.
• Her work with environmental advocates and municipalities in securing $5 million for the Sustainable Materials Management Grant (SMM) and making the grant permanent.