State Rep. Rochelle to Hold Coffee Hour Feb. 21

State Rep. Rochelle to Hold Coffee Hour Feb. 17

Valley Lawmakers Want to Hear from You

Klarides-Ditria Posts Weekly Update

Klarides-Ditria Attends Education Meeting "Teachers or students not feeling safe in a classroom is something that we need to fix... Read More 2019 Major Issues Report Click to read the Office of Legislative Research 2019 Major Issues Report. Read More

Snowstorms & Extreme Cold Safety  FEMA safety tips during Winter Storms and Extreme Cold. Read More Major policies opposed by businesses loom in Democrat-controlled legislature That includes support for a $15 minimum wage (or higher, if possible) and creating a paid family medical leave program for private employees... Read More

FOLLOW STATE REP. NICOLE KLARIDES-DITRIA Questions? Contact 860-240-8700

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)

Coffee Hour with Local Lawmakers

Local Lawmaker to Host Derby Coffee Hour

Join Valley Lawmaker for Coffee And...

Valley Legislative Forum Cancelled

Valley Lawmakers to Host Legislative Update

Klarides-Ditria Kicks off 2018 Legislative Session

Dear Neighbors,   We officially started the 2018 legislative session last week. Please WATCH my brief update from my office in Hartford.   As always, please feel free to contact me at 860-240-8700 or by email at Nicole.Klarides-Ditria@housegop.ct.gov.   Sincerely, State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria

Valley Lawmakers to Host Seymour Town Hall Meeting

State Rep. Gentile Discusses Budget

Wednesday June 8, marked the official end of the regular 2017 legislative session. But there is still work to be done.

 

The legislature will now go into special session to discuss and approve of a two-year state budget. 

 

Passing a bipartisan budget has always been my hope. Regardless of political party, the legislature needs to go into special session with a sense of urgency and pass a responsible budget that helps strengthen our state and local economies, and reflects the priorities of the people of Connecticut. I don’t believe that failure to agree upon a responsible budget is an option.

 

Good ideas are not exclusive to a political party. I am hopeful that my colleagues across the aisle will drop all political campaign rhetoric, and work in a collaborative manner to meet the challenges we all face.

 

I truly believe our future is stronger when both parties work together, so it is my hope that we can put our political differences aside and talk openly and honestly about the budget and what needs to be done. 

 

House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, and House Majority Leader Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, have set the stage for Democrats and Republicans to come together to have these conversations.

 

And we must have these conversations and work towards a solution and agree on what’s best for the districts we represent, as well as the state.

 

When I walk into special session, I will continue to fight for a budget that will protect hardworking families, hospitals, and education, not only in the 104^th District, but for the State of Connecticut, as well. I will fight for a budget that promotes job growth and encourages economic development. And, I will fight for a budget that ensures our tax dollars are being spent as efficiently as possible. 

 

This is about forging a path for a stronger Connecticut, with policies that work for all of us. I will be working with all of my colleagues to accomplish this. I hope that we will all come into special session ready to work together to put forth a responsible budget that reflects the priorities of our districts and our state.

 

Rep. Gentile, a Democrat, represents the 104th House District, which includes parts of Ansonia and Derby.

 

(This is a press release from Gentile's office)

State Rep. Gentile Gets Leadership Position

State Representative Linda M. Gentile (D-Derby/Ansonia) has her 2017 legislative committee assignments.

 

The committees are: Commerce, Higher Education & Employment Advancement and Planning & Development.

 

“I am looking forward to continuing my work in the area of brownfields and economic development on Commerce,” said Gentile. She added that “I’m excited to be back with P&D where I will seek sensible regional efficiencies

that reduce costs for local cities and towns. And my reappointment to Higher Education gives me the chance to guide the realignment of our community college system, ensuring that our young people are better prepared for the

workplace upon graduation.”

 

In addition to Commerce, Higher Ed. and P&D, Rep. Gentile’s duties include work on the Joint Legislative Management Committee. And, Gentile retains

the title and responsibilities of Deputy House Speaker.

 

House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz and House Majority Leader Matt Ritter

announced the committee assignments.

 

 

Crisco says state poised for growth in stem-cell field

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, co-chair of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee and vice-chair of its Commerce Committee, said today Connecticut is poised for economic growth in the near future to coincide with an ongoing expansion of stem cell and genetics research in the state.  
Crisco was among those briefed Tuesday on the topic at a special Legislative Office Building forum.

He said Connecticut’s investments in genomic and stem cell research are setting the stage for a new generation of high-tech jobs and economic growth, centered on the research underway at Yale, Wesleyan, and the University of Connecticut.

“The work underway by scientists at Yale and UConn has already resulted in new patents and innovations that are likely to translate into new jobs in the field of bioscience and personalized medicine,” Crisco said. “Connecticut is well positioned to attract the type of private sector investment necessary to capitalize on our public investments in research and development.”

 Crisco said Tuesday’s forum was convened by the legislature’s Appropriations Committee.

 “Our decisions to invest modestly and steadily in this emerging field are expected to return additional dividends as a direct result of last year’s move to bring the Jackson Laboratory to the state to continue its stem cell and genomics research near and in conjunction with the UConn Health Center in Farmington,” Crisco said.

 “Jackson Labs is scheduled to break ground soon after the first of the year as additional, bricks and mortar evidence of growth and economic development in this relatively new sector of our economy.”

This information was provided by Crisco's office.

Crisco supports education reform bill

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, today voted with a Senate majority for a comprehensive package of public education reforms deemed a priority for the session. Crisco said the bill begins the lengthy process of reform with a goal to provide Connecticut children and families a chance to capitalize on all the opportunities inherent in a good education.

Crisco said the bill represents compromise among many of the governor’s original proposals, priorities of legislative leaders, and suggestions from stakeholders: teachers, administrators, parents, reform advocates, and policy experts.

“As an integral part of a sustained economic development strategy, public education reform is properly placed in the spotlight this year,” Crisco said. “These meaningful changes address everything from school readiness for young children, to the turnaround of failing schools, to teacher certification and evaluation standards, all with the goal of preparing students for the 21st century’s global marketplace.”
Crisco highlighted several landmark reforms and initiatives among the lengthy and painstakingly negotiated legislation:

• 1,000 new school readiness slots, recognizing the undeniable value of early childhood education.
•  At least 20 new or expanded school-based health clinics, understanding that a healthy mind depends upon a healthy body.

• At least 10 new Family Resource Centers, to involve more families in their children’s education.

• Two new literacy initiatives, because reading proficiency is the foundation of learning in every discipline and subject area.

• Direct intervention of the state Department of Education at under-performing schools, utilizing School Governance Councils comprised of administrators, teachers, parents, and other local talent.

• Incentives for and evaluations of ever-improving, professional teachers and administrators, acknowledging and respecting that no one is better suited to improve student achievement than the teachers who lead Connecticut’s classrooms and the principals and superintendents who lead Connecticut’s schools and school districts.

•  Modest funding increases for vocational/technical and vocational/agricultural schools, charter and magnet schools, and a kindergarten through 8th grade science initiative, with a move to a uniform accounting system to better track school funding and accurately gauge per pupil costs from district to district.

The above release was provided by Crisco's office.

Crisco wins Senate vote for study of pediatric disorder's causes, treatment

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, Senate chair of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, Monday ushered through the Senate his bill to compel a study of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS).
Crisco said language of the bill requires an exploration of the ‘research on, diagnoses made and treatments prescribed’ for the syndrome.

He said PANDAS seems to be caused by strep or other infections, when antibodies made to fight the infection mistakenly attack instead the portion of the brain that controls thought and muscle function.

“The incidence of PANDAS, while still rare, is increasing at an alarming rate and compounding our concern is the suddenness with which it strikes: I read about one case in which parents sent their child to school one morning without a worry and then were called mid-morning about their child’s acute case of PANDAS,” Crisco said. “This bill will launch an examination of this phenomenon with results due back to the General Assembly by next January 1.”

Crisco explained one of the first obstacles to a complete understanding of PANDAS is the fact there is no test for the condition but rather, doctors use a combined diagnosis of up to five individual criteria.

“PANDAS cannot be treated with antibiotics as most other infections are treated because in this disorder the infection isn’t the culprit – the antibodies are,” Crisco said.
 “Another unsolved aspect of the puzzle is seemingly arbitrary susceptibility to PANDAS: the condition seems related to streptococcal or other infections but will not develop in every child who winds up with a strep infection.”

“In order for our state to better understand this emerging condition and prepare itself to help residents stricken by it we simply have to learn more about it and this initiative sets in motion that exploratory phase,” Crisco added. “This bill received the approval of three separate legislative committees and I’m delighted with today’s favorable Senate vote – I now call upon our counterparts in the House for their prompt review and approval.”


This information was released by Crisco's office.