Pints & Politics on Tap at Derby Brewery

Valley Bells will be Ringing

Valley Lawmakers Want to Hear from You

Klarides Sisters Support Bill to Help CT Federal Workers

HARTFORD - State Representatives Themis Klarides and Nicole Klarides-Ditria have voted in favor of public-private partnership with banks that will aid Connecticut federal employees who are currently not receiving pay because of the Federal Government shutdown.

 

Under the bill, affected employees are eligible for up to three loans from banks, each equal to their monthly after-tax pay, up to $5,000, less unemployment benefits. The bill prohibits interest on the loans for 270 days after the shutdown ends.

 

Rep. Klarides said, “I am proud to support the emergency legislation to assist federal workers in Connecticut most adversely affected by the continuing partial government shutdown. This is a bipartisan response that will positively affect hundreds of workers and their families.”

 

"Not paying federal workers who help protect our national security is something we can't just sit back and watch happen," said Rep. Klarides-Ditria. "I wish lawmakers in Washington D.C. would open government back up, but in the meantime, Connecticut federal workers can be rest assured that they can pay their bills. We should continue to keep the pressure on our federal delegation to work together and compromise to locate a way to get our Federal Government open."

 

The bill also authorizes municipalities and municipal subdivisions to establish a tax-deferment program for such employees’ real and personal property or motor vehicles taxes, or water or sewer rates, charges or assessment payments; and

 

In addition, if federal law or guidance allows them to do so, authorizes such employees to receive unemployment compensation benefits (generally, federal employees that must work without pay during a shutdown are ineligible for unemployment benefits).

 

(This is a press release from Press Secretary Spencer Rubin)

 

Valley Lawmakers Sworn-in for New Term

 

HARTFORD - State Representatives Themis Klarides, Nicole Klarides-Ditria and Senator George Logan took their oath of office on Wednesday, January 9^th, commencing the 2019 legislative session.

“The start of the new legislative session offers us all a chance for a clean slate and renewed opportunities to do the hard work and produce the best outcomes for the people of the state of Connecticut. I am optimistic that we can accomplish great things and complete our work on time,’’ House Republican Leader Themis Klarides said.

“It’s an honor representing the 105th district in the General Assembly,” said Rep. Klarides-Ditria. “I am hopeful that the new administration will work collaboratively with Republicans and Democrats this session. We all know the many issues impacting our state and we should all be putting our heads together to find the best possible solutions that will move our state in a better direction.”

 

“I’m excited to begin my second term as state senator.  It is an honor to serve the taxpayers of the 17th Senate District.  Please contact me George.Logan@cga.ct.gov with any questions or comments.  Sign up for my State Capitol email alerts at www.SenatorGeorgeLogan.com and friend me on Facebook.  I am fighting for you, the taxpayers.  I am trying to make Connecticut more affordable, and I want to hear from you.” 

The lawmakers will be entering a “long session”, which will run from January 9th to June 5th. During the long session, the lawmakers are able to propose legislation and will be tasked with framing a two-year state budget.

 

(This is a press release from House Republicans)

Local lawmakers to Ring Salvation Army Bell

Derby RTC Endorses Candidates

Sen. Logan

DERBY – The Derby Republican Town Committee gathered on September 5, 2018 to fully endorse the candidates representing the towns and cities of Derby, Ansonia, Seymour, Naugatuck, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Hamden, Woodbridge and Orange.

Attorney Joseph Jaumann is seeking election to the 104th District.  Joe joins Senator George Logan, House Republican Leader Themis Klarides  and State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria all seeking re-election this November.

Jaumann

 “Joe Jaumann’s election in the 104th and the re-election of this team will represent a clean sweep for Republicans in the Valley and renewed hope for our residents. We are proud to support this slate who will continue to fight for our taxpayers in Hartford, putting the hard working families of Connecticut at the forefront by supporting the legislative policies needed to turn our state around” stated Derby Republican Town Committee Chairman Sam Pollastro.



State Reps. Themis Klarides and Nicole Klarides-Ditria

House Passes Sports Helmets Safety Bill Introduced by Klarides Sisters

 

HARTFORD - Yesterday, the House unanimously passed legislation, introduced by House Republican Leader Themis Klarides and State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, which will provide consumers with better information regarding the safety of sports helmets.

 

The Klarides sisters brought this legislation forward after, Jason Klein of Force3 Pro Gear, a local Derby business, expressed his frustration that his company and others were unable to share their helmet safety test results with the public.

 

According to Klein, sports safety helmets are tested by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment. The NOCSAE helmet standard uses a pass/fail threshold to determine whether or not a helmet meets the standard performance criteria. The NOCSAE pass/fail threshold is 1200 Severity Index units or SI. A helmet must test below 1200 SI in all 16 designated and random impact locations, including impacts at a helmet in ambient, high and low temperatures.

 

Klein said in testimony, "There’s been no place for an athlete or parent seeking helmet safety information to turn and no way for them to compare results with other helmets currently on the market."

 

Rep. Klarides and Klarides-Ditria said in a joint statement, "Helmet manufacturers should be able to tell the public that their protective equipment is tested and safe. We want to thank Jason for bringing this forward. This legislation will keep athletes of all ages safe."

 

The bill now heads to the Senate.

 

(This is a press release from Spencer Rubin/CT House Republicans)

Local Lawmakers Honor Firefighters at State Capitol



HARTFORD - House Republican Leader Themis Klarides, left, State Reps. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, right, and Linda Gentile, center, joined local Fire Chiefs at the State Capitol on Wednesday for Fire Service Day. In back row, pictured left to right, Orange Fire Chief Vaughan Dumas; former Derby Fire Chief Chuck Stankye III; former Orange Fire Chief Kenneth Mitchell; former Beacon Falls Fire Chief Jim Trzaski

(This is a press release from Spencer Rubin/House Republicans)

 

Klarides Sisters Renew Call to Provide Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans

HARTFORD - House Republican Leader Themis Klarides and her sister State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria are continuing to fight to pass legislation that helps disabled veterans.

 

House Bill 5231 will allow municipalities, with their legislative body's approval, to freeze property taxes on homes owned by certain disabled veterans and their spouse or surviving spouse.  To be eligible, the veteran must have a service-connected disability and either the veteran or spouse must have lived in Connecticut for at least one year.

 

House Republican Leader Themis Klarides said, "In these difficult economic times, we are aware that municipalities are struggling financially. That is why this bill was written to provide towns and cities an option to offer this opportunity rather than mandate it."

 

Rep. Klarides continued, "Veterans who are injured as a result of their service live on fixed incomes and freezing their property taxes will help make living in our state more affordable."

 

Rep. Klarides-Ditria added, "Letting our local governments decide to freeze taxes for disabled veterans is something they should be allowed to do. Disabled veterans deserve this tax relief, and I will continue to fight to get this legislation passed."

 

The Veterans' Affairs Committee passed this legislation unanimously. Before the bill can become law it must pass both the House and Senate.

 

(This is a press release from Spencer Rubin, State of CT House Republicans)

Valley Lawmakers to Host Forum in Derby

Local Lawmakers Help Families in Need

 In photo, left to right, State Rep. Nicole Klarides Ditria, Angelica Papastavros, State Senator Eric Berthel, House Republican Leader Themis Klarides, Salvation Army Board of Directors Chairman Bob Van Egghen

 

 

SEYMOUR- Local lawmakers recently helped ring the bell for the Salvation Army to make the holidays a lot brighter for Valley families in need.

 

The money raised during the hour period will be donated to programs that will help local families in need. Additionally, Walmart has guaranteed that they will match the donations to the Salvation Army collected by lawmakers throughout the state up to $25,000. 

 

Annually, the Salvation Army assists approximately 25 million Americans helping provide food, shelter, disaster relief, rehabilitation centers, anti-human trafficking efforts, and many other programs. The Red Kettle Campaign was started in 1891, and has become a well-recognized tradition that has raised millions of dollars to help those in need.

 

To donate or inquire about becoming a bell ringer, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org. Residents can also text CTREP to 71777 to make a donation.

Klarides Family Spreads Holiday Cheer around the Valley

State Rep. Themis Klarides (center, playing Santa) recently paid a visit to Griffin Hospital in Derby and area senior centers to spread some holiday cheer. Klarides was accompanied by her helpers, from left, nephew Cade Klarides-Ditria, sister state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, Spencer Rubin from CT House Republicans and Greg Butler, GOP press person. The Klarides sisters are carrying on a longstanding tradition started by their father, Peter, who visited patients at the holidays.

Bells Will be Ringing...

Valley Lawmakers Appalud Passage of Opioid Bill

State Representatives Linda Gentile (D-104), Themis Klarides (R-114) and Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R-105), are pleased to announce passage in the House of HB7052, a far-ranging bill which continues efforts to address opioid addiction.

“This comprehensive bill is so desperately needed to address the ever growing opioid crisis that we have been experiencing over the last several years,” said Rep. Gentile. “This crisis has impacted virtually every state in our country, including Connecticut. It has affected families of every socio-economic class and we have seen a number of deaths right here in our Valley communities. No family should ever have to face such senseless, tragic loss. It is my hope that this bill will reduce these untimely deaths and reverse this heartbreaking trend of opioid addiction.”

“Opioid abuse and overdose has overwhelmed society and demands that we take action to combat this scourge. Every week we read and hear about overdose deaths. Everyone knows someone who has been lost to this epidemic, and we need to wake up and take steps so that makes sense and will result in positive results,’’ House Republican Leader Rep. Klarides said.

“The opioid crisis has hit our communities and the state of Connecticut extremely hard,” said Rep. Klarides-Ditria. “This legislation takes proactive steps to educate the public and children about the dangers of opioid abuse and will help us halt the spread of the opioid crisis. All of us in Hartford, Republicans and Democrats, are working together to find solutions to curb this disease once and for all.”

Three of the more integral parts of the bill, AAC Preventing Prescription Opioid Diversion and Abuse are:

· Require that prescriptions be transcribed electronically to safeguard against over prescribing
· Reduce the maximum number of days for a prescription from seven to five for minors
· Allow patients to request drugs other than opioids to be prescribed.

Klarides said that these are common sense ideas that will address the explosion of opioid abuse and overdose that has affected every segment of society in recent years.

The bill passed 146-0 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Valley Lawmakers to host Small Business Forum

Valley Lawmakers to Host Town Hall Meeting

Have a Cup of Coffee with Valley Lawmakers

Klarides Sisters Ring the Bell for Charity

SEYMOUR - State Rep. Themis Klarides, Republican House Leader (pictured left), and her sister, Deputy First Selectman and state Rep.-Elect Nicole Klarides-Ditria rang the bell for the Salvation Army Wednesday, Dec. 21 outside the Stop & Shop on Franklin Street.

All donations left in the famous red kettle will directly benefit those in need this holiday season.

State Rep. Themis Klarides to hold Business Friendly Forum Oct. 7