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May 22, 2013
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2013, Issue #15
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During the Legislative Session, CCM produces this weekly report to inform members and the Legislature about pending bills that propose (1) new unfunded mandates or (2) mandates relief for towns and cities.
Sometimes even well-intended bills will have negative impacts on residential and business property taxpayers.
- Please feel free to share this report with
other officials in your community. -
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TOWNS & PROPERTY TAXPAYERS
IN DIRE STRAIGHTS
WANT TO HELP? HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO
| Many state legislators understand that towns and cities are facing the worst fiscal crisis since the Great Depression. Municipalities across our state have enacted painful budget cuts and are making preparations for additional cuts. Deep cuts in services and massive layoffs have occurred in Connecticut's central cities - with the prospect of additional cuts and layoffs on the horizon.
The 2013 General Assembly has already passed one costly unfunded state mandate - SB 203 - which will exempt commercial and industrial renewable energy sources on properties from the property tax, making it state-mandated property tax exemption #78. This costly unfunded state mandate will kick in on January 1, 2014, for material installed after that date. Once again, towns and cities are forced to provide yet another exemption to an industry. Just one more example of how municipalities, and their residential and business property tax payers, foot the bill for the State's generosity.
Many in the General Assembly understand the plight of towns and cities and want to help. A primary way to help struggling towns is to oppose costly unfunded state mandates and provide meaningful mandates relief.
There are several bills before both chambers which would have a significant impact on towns and cities - some are bad and NO ACTION should be taken on them; some are good and should be PASSED RIGHT AWAY:
BILLS IN THE SENATE
TAKE NO ACTION on SB 823 & SB 925
SB 823 - MANDATED MENTAL STRESS WORKERS' COMPENSATION BENEFITS
Would mandate the expansion of workers' compensation coverage to employees diagnosed with mental or emotional impairments as a result of witnessing the death or "maiming" of another human being -- regardless if there was any physical injury or use of deadly force by the claimant.
This highly subjective, new unfunded state mandate would place into law unprecedented, extremely ambiguous standards such as "witnessing", "maiming" and "immediate aftermath" that would trigger costly, wage-replacement benefits - for which property taxpayers would have to pay.
According to OFA: "the bill will result in potential costs for municipalities...". Depending on the claims, such additional costs could range from tens-of-thousands to up to $1 million, per claim. This mandate would be applicable to both the public and private sectors.
SB 925 - OFF-DUTY HEART BENEFITS FOR POLICE OFFICERS & FIREFIGHTERS Would mandate workers' compensation benefits for all police officers and firefighters experiencing a cardiac emergency for up to 24 hours after they were on duty or in training.
It would mandate a special presumption under workers' compensation law that such specific employees' heart emergencies are to be considered work-related -- regardless of whether on duty or not.
By doing so, this proposal ignores commonly accepted risk factors of heart emergencies such as smoking, abnormal cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, age, diet, and overall medical history -- and instead, place the burden on hometown officials to prove otherwise. Local officials oppose state-mandated special benefits that presume off-duty illnesses are directly related to job activities.
The fiscal implications of this proposal would be extraordinary. As OFA has concluded, the costs to taxpayers could be "up to $1 million per claim."
SUPPORT SB 1112 and PASS IT RIGHT AWAY
SB 1112 - MODIFICATION OF LEGAL NOTICE MANDATE
Would provide significant relief from a long standing and outdated mandate on local governments by modifying the requirement to post the full text of all legal notices in local newspapers.
Would:
- Allow for publishing notice of the availability of a document in local newspapers, along with a summary and clear instructions as to how to get additional information or the complete text of the public document (municipal office where a hard copy can be obtained, a contact name and phone number that could be used to get more information, and the web address where an online version can be found).
- Require newspapers to have a designated section for all such public notices to be listed in the publications' table of contents. Municipalities spend in excess of several million dollars per year statewide on this outdated mandate.
BILLS IN THE HOUSE
SUPPORT HB 5533 and SB 692 and PASS THEM RIGHT AWAY
HB 5333 - ADJUSTMENTS TO MERS CONTRIBUTIONS
Would allow for adjustments in the contribution rates for members of the Municipal Employees' Retirement System (MERS). The retirement cost burden for MERS participating communities has skewed tremendously onto the municipalities in the last decade. MERS is financed through employer contributions, employee contributions, and fund earnings. Over the past 10 years, the State Employees Retirement Commission (SERC), which is authorized by the Legislature to do so, has increased contribution rates for municipalities participating in MERS 10 times. Employee contributions rates are statutorily set and have never been adjusted. According to OFA, this modest relief proposal would save MERS-participating towns and cities approximately $2.3 million in FY14 and $5.9 million in FY15.
SB 692 - MUNICIPAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING
Would provide towns responsible flexibility by increasing the threshold amount requiring competitive bidding, from $7,500 to $25,000. Savings would be realized on all municipalities due to reduced administrative and advertising costs resulting from fewer contracts and purchases requiring sealed bidding.
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When residents think about the public services that affect their lives, they are generally thinking of services provided by local government: public safety (police and fire, code enforcement), health, education, roads, solid waste and recycling collection, and more. Connecticut's quality of life during these hard times depends on maintaining delivery of these important local services.
Unfunded state mandates stifle towns' abilities to deliver much-needed day-to-day services. The fact is unfunded mandates cause (a) cuts in important services, (b) employee layoffs, and (c) property tax increases. Sometimes providing additional unfunded mandated benefits cause layoffs among the very group of employee receiving the benefit.
Now is the time to simply say "NO" to unfunded state mandates. CCM urges State Legislators to ask themselves: "if the State won't pay for, why should local property taxpayers?"
Towns and cities -- and their property taxpayers -- simply cannot afford the State's generosity.
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For more information, please contact Ron Thomas of CCM. |
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CCM ISSUES "Just The Facts" ON KEY ISSUES
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CCM has published the following fact checks on key issues pending before the 2013 General Assembly:
Oppose SB 923
Support SB 902 and SB 1112
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MANDATES - ALIVE & WELL
| Every year, no matter the fiscal condition of our state and municipalities, many new unfunded mandates on towns and cities are proposed.
Some of these proposals would impose large burdens on local government, some small...ALL of the proposals would further exacerbate the burden on local residential and business property taxpayers. Municipalities are continuously struggling to balance the demands for local services and implement new state mandates with.
Unfunded State Mandates are alive and well, despite the dire situation facing municipalities.
Towns and cities are facing big state aid cuts, in the state budget proposal.
CCM urges legislators to carefully consider the collective impact of partially- and unfunded mandates on towns and cities before acting on any legislation.
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PROPOSED NEW UNFUNDED MANDATES
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HB 5102
File#: 766
Sen. Cal#: 0
Hse. Cal#: 278
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STATE-WIDE MILL RATE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
Would create a state-wide mill rate for motor vehicles. As written, the bill sets up winners and losers among municipalities -- some will gain revenue, some will lose revenue. Also, requires revenue to go to the State to be doled out to municipalities.
The M.O.R.E. Commission is working on a compromise proposal.
Current Location: House Floor
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HB 5113
File#: 393
Sen. Cal#: 0
Hse. Cal#: 261
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POOL SAFETY
Would require two staff members who are certified as lifeguards to be located in the pool area during any swim instruction or school-sponsored swimming event. Also, would require a pool safety plan to be updated prior to the start of each school year.
As formal language is developed, CCM urges taking a balanced approach to ensure public safety is protected while also being sensitive to the potential fiscal impact on towns and cities.
Current Location: House Floor
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HB 5599
File#: 35
Sen. Cal#: 598
Hse. Cal#: 63
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PROVISIONAL BALLOTS - COST SHIFT TO MUNICIPALITIES
Would authorize the use of provisional ballots in state and municipal elections and primaries. However, shifts the burden to print such ballots from the Secretary of the State's office to towns and cities.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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HB 5600
File#: 624
Sen. Cal#: 0
Hse. Cal#: 413
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MANDATED INTERNET ACCESS
Among other things, Section 1 would mandate that towns and cities provide all registrars' of voters offices with Internet access.
Registrar's already have the ability to set their own budgets; such needs should be incorporated into it.
Current Location: House Floor
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HB 5610
File#: 701
Sen. Cal#: 513
Hse. Cal#: 129
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MUNICIPAL ICE CREAM PERMITS
Would require a municipality that issues soft-serve ice cream permits to issue them no later than 7 days after applications have been submitted.
CCM is unaware of any statewide problem that would necessitate this bill. Current language continues to be ambiguous as to whether it could apply to a town or health district, or whether it is referring to ice cream manufacturing permits or peddler permits. The requirement that the issuance or denial of a permit occur within 7 days is an undue burden on municipal employees. It is unclear whether the timeline references business or calendar days. Further, it does not coincide with many other municipal permits that require an average approval period of 30 days.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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HB 5718
File#: 426
Sen. Cal#: 422
Hse. Cal#: 279
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MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TAX ABATEMENTS TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
Would increase costs to towns by decreasing, from $25,000 to $10,000, the threshold for properties to be eligible for a property tax exemption of 50% of the assessed value of certain improvements.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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HB 6015
File#: 399
Sen. Cal#: 0
Hse. Cal#: 267
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9-1-1 FEES
Would prohibit municipalities from charging a fee for making multiple 9-1-1 telephone calls requesting emergency services to be dispatched.
Current language remains ambiguous as to whether it would provide exemptions for certain types of calls/fees.
Current Location: House Floor
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HB 6311
File#: 572
Sen. Cal#: 556
Hse. Cal#: 358
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BREED-SPECIFIC ORDINANCES
Would Prohibit municipalities from enacting breed-specific dog ordinances.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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HB 6320
File#: 14
Sen. Cal#: 0
Hse. Cal#: 39
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MANDATED EXPANSION OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE
Would, among other things, mandate the expansion of health insurance coverage for intravenously administered medications for the treatment or palliation or therapeutic intervention for the prevention of disabling or life-threatening chronic diseases.
Identified by OFA as a "STATE MANDATE" that would impose new costs on towns and cities.
Current Location: House Floor
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HB 6354
File#: 778
Sen. Cal#: 0
Hse. Cal#: 537
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POTABLE WATER MANDATE
Would impose a $200,000 mandate on towns and cities by relieving DEEP of the responsibility to provide potable water to residences and K-12 schools, under certain circumstances. Municipalities and residents would now be burdened with this responsibility.
Current Location: House Floor
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HB 6375
File#: 791
Sen. Cal#: 566
Hse. Cal#: 69
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UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS
Would permit OPM to deny towns and cities state and federal law enforcement grants if uniform crime reports are not properly reported within 60 days.
Current Location: House Floor
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HB 6384
File#: 824
Sen. Cal#: 608
Hse. Cal#: 202
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING STUDENTS
According to the fiscal note for this file, the statewide cost to local governments is $1.6 million statewide -- as a result of the new requirements to identify and track student's primary language.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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HB 6400
File#: 128
Sen. Cal#: 0
Hse. Cal#: 110
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CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS
Would require that municipalities, among others, pay for criminal history records checks for directors and assistant directors of youth camps.
Current Location: House Floor
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HB 6434
File#: 86
Sen. Cal#: 0
Hse. Cal#: 84
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MANDATE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS UNDER STATE OSHA
Would, among other things, mandate that local volunteer fire departments are regulated under the State Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). This proposal is unnecessary as local volunteer departments currently comply with federal OSHA laws and regulations. Furthermore, this proposed mandate would contradict a recent decision by the Connecticut Supreme Court which confirmed that such departments do not fall within the State's OSHA jurisdiction (see Mayfield v. Goshen Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., 2011).
Current Location: House Floor
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HB 6495
File#: 368
Sen. Cal#: 0
Hse. Cal#: 248
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REVISIONS TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE STATUTES
Would make changes to certain DMV statues.
* Section 10 would allow for more flexibility for tax collectors when reporting tax delinquencies or the settlement of delinquencies to the DMV.
* Section 11 would also make changes to the current process used to issue a Q license endorsement for the operation of a fire apparatus.
In addition, would require that the CT Fire Academy adopt standards for the license and that local fire departments test and certify its members for Q license eligibility. This proposal has raised some concerns for some municipal departments and raised potential cost and liability questions.
CCM urges the removal of Section 11 before passage of the bill.
Current Location: House Floor
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HB 6505
File#: 794
Sen. Cal#: 572
Hse. Cal#: 209
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RESTRICTING FEES FOR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Would "allow" municipalities to establish a policy to waive fees for extracurricular activities for students who demonstrate a financial need. Any municipality that does not establish such a policy must waive such fees if a student demonstrates financial need.
It is important to keep in mind that, due to current fiscal constraints on local budgets, the only way that some of these programs are offered at all is if a fee is charged for participation.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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HB 6536
File#: 507
Sen. Cal#: 560
Hse. Cal#: 324
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NEW FEES FOR GENERAL PERMITS
Would allow DEEP to assess annual fees on general permit holders, including municipalities, for the purpose of monitoring compliance with the terms and conditions of the general permit.
The application fee for general permits is meant to cover all costs associated. Adding on an annual fee, for compliance monitoring, would increase costs across to the board for all permit holders.
Please note that this file (File 507) has a bad fiscal note attached to it indicating "None" for municipal impact, when indeed towns and cities are often general permitees and therefore would also be required to pay these annual fees.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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HB 6538
File#: 329
Sen. Cal#: 0
Hse. Cal#: 229
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NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR TREE WARDENS
Would require local tree wardens to complete certain coursework in order to maintain their appointment in this capacity.
This could increase costs to such individuals, which may put a chilling effect on their willingness to take on these positions - which are often voluntary positions.
Current Location: House Floor
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HB 6546
File#: 230
Sen. Cal#: 0
Hse. Cal#: 173
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NEW MANDATE ON HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY
Would mandate health insurance providers cannot impose a coinsurance, co-payment, deductible or other out-of-pocket expense for physical therapy services that is greater than that by a primary care physician for an office visits to an osteopath.
Non-partisan staff at OFA state this proposal "may result in a cost to certain fully insured municipalities...the requirements of the bill may result in increased premiums...".
Current Location: House Floor
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HB 6565
File#: 632
Sen. Cal#: 0
Hse. Cal#: 420
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MANDATED PROHIBITION ON PHASING IN DECREASES GRAND LISTS
Would prohibit municipalities from implementing a strategy of phasing in property revaluation for decreasing grand lists. Local officials need a certain level of discretion and flexibility that can best fit their communities as they navigate this stalled economy. To this end, HB 6565 would deny municipalities the option of phasing in a revaluation on a decreasing grand list and thus, prohibit local officials from possibly lessening the burden of looming property tax shifts. Towns and cities need options as they face the challenges of this fiscal climate - this proposed state mandate would limit such options.
Current Location: House Floor
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HB 6663
File#: 828
Sen. Cal#: 609
Hse. Cal#: 466
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POLICY FOR POLICE MISCONDUCT COMPLAINTS
Would require towns and cities to adopt written policies governing the receipt of complaints from members of the public alleging misconduct committed by law enforcement agency personnel.
The policy would also need to be made available to the public at town hall and on their website (if they have one).
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 4
File#: 596
Sen. Cal#: 433
Hse. Cal#: 0
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EARLY VOTING
Would establish an early voting program, which would increase the duties and responsibilities of local registrars of voters' offices.
Former Attorney General Blumenthal issued an opinion stating that a Constitutional amendment is needed in order to modify the process for statewide elections. In addition, the costs associated with implementation of early voting would be staggering.
CCM urges (1) the establishment of a pilot study to be conducted; (2) allowing for Election Day registration to be fully implemented; and (3) working towards a Constitutional amendment to get voter input.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 383
File#: 557
Sen. Cal#: 407
Hse. Cal#: 596
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PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS -- DE FACTO MANDATE
A de facto mandate, would provide municipalities with the "option" of expanding the municipal tax exemption for one hundred per cent of disabled veterans."
Current Location: House Floor
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SB 387
File#: 49
Sen. Cal#: 108
Hse. Cal#: 0
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MANDATED INCREASES TO MINIMUM WAGES
Would among other things, raise the hourly minimum wage from its current $8.25 to $9.00 on January 1, 2014, and from $9.00 to $9.75 on January 1, 2015.
CCM is concerned that the effective date could blindside towns, which are finalizing budgets. Towns have not budgeted for minimum wage increases that would go into effect in FY 14.
Starting in 2016, would require annual minimum wage adjustments based on increases in the Consumer Price Index for tri-state area urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI), as calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The non-partisan Office of Fiscal Analysis concluded: "
An increase in the state minimum wage will have a fiscal impact on the payroll of state and municipal employees (primarily general workers, summer workers... seasonal workers, student and senior workers)....The bill also increases costs to municipalities that employ minimum wage workers.
It is estimated that the City of New Haven would incur costs of approximately $58,000 in FY 14 and $220,000 in FY 15. The City employed approximately 1,100 workers in 2012 who earned either minimum wage, or earned higher than minimum wage but lower than the hourly rates set in the bill. As an additional example, the Town of Avon would incur costs of $8,000 in FY 14 and $28,000 in FY 15 as a result of the bill. The Town employs approximately 60 seasonal minimum wage workers in its Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 599
File#: 5
Sen. Cal#: 40
Hse. Cal#: 440
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MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR RX DURING AN APPEAL
Would mandate health insurance coverage (specifically, coverage for the cost of filling a prescription) for circumstances when an insured's prescription must be filled despite having filed a grievance or appeal of a claim denial.
According to the Office of Fiscal Analysis, this mandate would impose a new cost on municipalities and "may result in increased premium costs when municipalities enter into new health insurance contracts...".
Current Location: House Floor
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SB 620
File#: 782
Sen. Cal#: 409
Hse. Cal#: 0
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MUNICIPAL AUDITS
Would (a) require the State Auditors to conduct a detailed audit of a municipality and (b) require OPM to develop a Uniform Chart of Accounts.
Implicit in this bill is that towns and cities are wasteful and full of fat - especially towns that receive a significant amount of state aid. Under deep fiscal constraints for years, towns and cities have been reducing services, laying off employees and (grudgingly) raising taxes.
OFA says one audit of a large city could cost the State from $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 820
File#: 813
Sen. Cal#: 228
Hse. Cal#: 0
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INTEREST ON DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES - DE FACTO MANDATE
A de facto mandate, would allow the 'option' to charge 33% less to residents that fail to pay their local property taxes (from 1.5% to 1%, interest per month). Could create a $14.5 million hole in municipal budgets.
Residents and businesses pay higher fees for delinquent state taxes, because towns do not charge a penalty. For example: A person owes $10,000 in back taxes. After one month in arrears, a town would assess a $150 fee. However, for delinquent state income taxes, the person would owe the State $1,100 in fees.
This proposal would provide delinquent taxpayers disincentives to pay property taxes on time.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 823
File#: 53
Sen. Cal#: 109
Hse. Cal#: 0
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MANDATED MENTAL STRESS WORKERS' COMPENSATION BENEFITS
Would mandate the expansion of workers' compensation coverage to all individuals diagnosed with mental or emotional impairments as a result of witnessing the death or maiming of another human being - regardless if there was any physical injury or use of deadly force by the claimant.
This highly subjective, new unfunded state mandate would place into law -unprecedented, extremely ambiguous standards such as "witnessing", "maiming" and "immediate aftermath" that would trigger costly, wage-replacement benefits - that local taxpayers would have to pay for.
According to OFA: "the bill will result in potential costs for municipalities...". Depending on the claims, such additional costs could range from tens-of-thousands to up to $1 million, per claim. This mandate would be applicable to both the public and private sectors.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 857
File#: 340
Sen. Cal#: 256
Hse. Cal#: 0
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LOCAL HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN MANDATE
Would, among other things, prohibit local health insurance policies from requiring anyone covered under them to use any alternative brand name prescription or over-the-counter drugs before using a brand name prescription drug prescribed by a licensed physician.
Identified by OFA as a "STATE MANDATE" on municipalities -- would "increase costs to certain fully-insured, municipal plans...", which "may result in increased premium costs..." on towns and cities.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 858
File#: 32
Sen. Cal#: 93
Hse. Cal#: 379
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MANDATED EXPANSION OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR TELEMEDICINE
Would mandate health insurance coverage for medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment provided through telemedicine. State-mandated expansions of health insurance would increase insurance costs and thus premiums, which would eventually be borne by policy holders, including municipalities.
OFA agrees, concluding that this new mandate "...may result in increased premium costs.." on municipalities.
Current Location: House Floor
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SB 862
File#: 31
Sen. Cal#: 95
Hse. Cal#: 0
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MANDATED EXPANSION OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR LUNG CANCER SCREENING
Would mandate health insurance policies cover certain screening tests for lung cancer.
State-mandated expansions of health insurance coverage would increase insurance costs and thus premiums, which would eventually be borne by policy holders, municipalities. OFA agrees, stating "The coverage requirements may result in increased premium costs..." to municipalities.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 896
File#: 418
Sen. Cal#: 281
Hse. Cal#: 0
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HOMELESS PERSON'S BILL OF RIGHTSHOMELESS PERSON'S BILL OF RIGHTS
Would, among other things, require towns and cities post homeless persons' bill of rights in town halls. SB 896 does not require the posting of the bill of rights in state offices - where many more people would be made aware of the document. SB 896 should be amended to require postings in state offices - or the requirement for towns should be deleted.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 906
File#: 65
Sen. Cal#: 125
Hse. Cal#: 0
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PAYROLL MANDATE
Would mandate towns and cities, among others, make electronic direct deposit of wages to separately distinguish wages and other payments, such as reimbursements.
According to OFA: "potential costs to municipalities vary based on: 1) how municipalities currently report payroll information to banks; 2) their current IT resources; and 3) how they implement the bill."
Simply put, local officials could be forced to cover expenses of costly payroll software upgrades as a result of this new mandate.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 908
File#: 248
Sen. Cal#: 208
Hse. Cal#: 0
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INCREASED LIABILITY & EXPOSURE TO EMPLOYEE LAWSUITS
Would, among other things, allow prospective and current employees to bring a civil suit against municipalities regarding the use of certain criminal background information. This proposal would make the employer liable for damages, attorney's fees, and costs. Existing law, unchanged by this proposal, would still allow the Department of Labor to levy a $300 civil penalty for violations.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 925
File#: 189
Sen. Cal#: 193
Hse. Cal#: 0
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OFF-DUTY HEART BENEFITS FOR FIREFIGHTERS & POLICE OFFICERS
Would mandate workers' compensation benefits for all firefighters and police officers experiencing a cardiac emergency for up to 24 hours after they were on duty or in training.
Thus, it would mandate a special presumption under workers' compensation law that such specific employees' heart emergencies are to be considered work-related -- regardless of whether on duty or not.
By doing so, this proposal ignores commonly accepted risk factors of heart emergencies such as smoking, abnormal cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, age, diet, and overall medical history - and instead, place the burden on hometown officials to prove otherwise. Local officials oppose state-mandated special benefits that presume off-duty illnesses are directly related to job activities.
The fiscal implications of this proposal would be extraordinary, as OFA has concluded the costs on taxpayers could be "up to $1 million per claim."
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 956
File#: 72
Sen. Cal#: 124
Hse. Cal#: 0
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MANDATED EXPANSION OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE
Would, among other things, mandate that health insurance policies cover the diagnosis and treatment of P.A.N.D.A.S.
While sympathetic to the intent of this proposal -- any mandated expansion of insurance coverage will result in increased costs (i.e. premiums). OFA agrees: "the coverage requirements may result in increased premium costs...".
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 961
File#: 194
Sen. Cal#: 196
Hse. Cal#: 0
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ASSESSMENT FARM MACHINERY
Would, among other things, reduce municipal grand lists by expanding the mandatory property tax exemption for farm machinery.
CCM urges removal of Section 2(a) of this bill.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 981
File#: 196
Sen. Cal#: 179
Hse. Cal#: 0
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USE OF PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS AT SCHOOLS
Would further exacerbate the pest and field maintenance problems currently being experienced by local governments with school grounds by expanding the universe of properties that could not be treated with certain products.
CCM, and a broad coalition of municipal and agricultural entities, have long advocated for the creation of a balanced working group/task force to thoroughly examine and vet the facts surrounding field management, and provide recommendations as to how state policy should be structured - to ensure it is crafted in a manner that balances the need for proper and adequate field maintenance and ensure exposure to pest control products are minimized to the greatest extent possible for children and the general public.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 999
File#: 270
Sen. Cal#: 219
Hse. Cal#: 558
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PENALTIES ON SCHOOLS
Would impose a penalty on school districts of $100 per day for failing to transfer student records to a new school of enrollment within 10 business days.
CCM is unaware of any problem that would necessitate this bill.
Current Location: House Floor
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SB 1000
File#: 197
Sen. Cal#: 182
Hse. Cal#: 0
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NEW EXAMS FOR MEETING HIGH SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS
Would require the State Department of Education to establish a program to allow high school students to fulfill their graduation requirements through passing an exam.
Municipalities would be burdened with the costs and staffing associated with administering and proctoring these exams.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 1029
File#: 199
Sen. Cal#: 188
Hse. Cal#: 559
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MANDATED EXPANSION OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR TREATMENTS OF AUTISM
Would mandate the expansion of health insurance coverage for therapy services related to the treatment of autism spectrum disorder.
While sympathetic to the intent of this proposal -- any mandated expansion of insurance coverage will result in increased costs (i.e. premiums). OFA agrees: "The coverage requirements may result in increased premium costs when municipalities enter into new health insurance contracts after passage of the law."
Current Location: House Floor
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SB 1081
File#: 447
Sen. Cal#: 305
Hse. Cal#: 0
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RECYCLING - Section 8 DE FACTO MANDATE
Among other things, (1) Section 3 would provide incentives for municipalities to move toward a "unit based pricing system" for solid waste disposal and (2) Section 8 would establish a municipal option property tax exemption for certain recycling machinery or equipment.
Section 3 should be amended to provide for a later deadline to allow more municipalities to take advantage of this program, should they want to.
Section 8 is a de facto mandate and should be deleted. There should be no more property tax exemptions passed - whether mandated or allowed - to just further shift the burden of such taxes from one taxpayer to another.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 1097
File#: 544
Sen. Cal#: 389
Hse. Cal#: 0
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TEACHER EVALUATIONS
The original language of this proposal would have postponed certain aspects of the Education Reform Act of 2012, including implementation of the new teacher evaluation program and reading assessment and intervention requirements.
However, as voted out of committee, the bill now puts the cart before the horse by requiring implementation of the new teacher evaluation requirements on the local level by July 2013, while requiring the State Board of Education to complete a model program for guidance to local boards by the same date. And the UConn's Neag School of Education won't complete its study on this issue and report back to the state until January 2014.
It makes sense that the Neag School of Education study be completed before requiring local boards to implement the new teacher evaluations. This would provide the State Board of Education guidance in drafting their model program. Then local boards could be required to design and implement an evaluation program.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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HB 5289
File#: 620
Sen. Cal#: 0
Hse. Cal#: 409
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TIMING OF SPECIAL ELECTIONS
Would allow for the combining of special elections with regular elections in certain circumstances.
This could provide a savings to local government for administering the special election, as well as provide for greater voter participation, as it would be held on an already known date.
Current Location: House Floor
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HB 5533
File#: 202
Sen. Cal#: 0
Hse. Cal#: 145
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ADJUSTMENTS TO MERS CONTRIBUTIONS
Would allow for adjustments in the contribution rates for members of the Municipal Employees' Retirement System (MERS). The retirement cost burden for MERS participating communities has skewed tremendously onto the municipalities in the last decade. MERS is financed through employer contributions, employee contributions, and fund earnings. Over the past 10 years, the State Employees Retirement Commission (SERC), which is authorized by the Legislature to do so, has increased contribution rates for municipalities participating in MERS 10 times. Employee contributions rates are statutorily set and have never been adjusted. According to OFA, this modest relief proposal would save MERS-participating towns and cities approximately $2.3 million in FY14 and $5.9 million in FY15.
Current Location: House Floor
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HB 6355
File#: 286
Sen. Cal#: 0
Hse. Cal#: 196
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RECORDING MORTGAGE ASSIGNMENTS
Would, among other things, require each assignor of mortgage debt (bank) to report biannually to the town clerk where the property is located. If the assignment is not recorded in municipal land records, the assignor shall pay the State Treasurer the $53 assignment fee. Of that amount, (1) $36 would be deposited into the State GF for the community investment account, (2) $2 would be deposited into the State General Fund for the historical documents preservation account, and (3) the remaining $15 would be remitted to the host municipality ($11 as general revenue and $4 for the preservation of historic documents and deposited into the town clerk fund).
Current Location: House Floor
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HB 6634
File#: 635
Sen. Cal#: 585
Hse. Cal#: 423
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PILOT PROGRAM COULD PROVIDE MUNICIPAL RELIEF
Would establish a pilot program, in up to 20 municipalities, to explore having certain election-related documentation filed with the State Elections Enforcement Commission.
If this pilot program is successful, implementation could provide relief to local government from this responsibility.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 692
File#: 415
Sen. Cal#: 292
Hse. Cal#: 441
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MUNICIPAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING
Would provide towns responsible flexibility by increasing the threshold amount requiring competitive bidding, from $7,500 to $25,000.
Savings would be realized on all municipalities due to reduced administrative and advertising costs resulting from fewer contracts and purchases requiring sealed bidding.
Current Location: House Floor
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SB 778
File#: 603
Sen. Cal#: 441
Hse. Cal#: 0
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SAVINGS AND EFFICIENCY THROUGH POLLING PLACE CONSOLIDATION
Would allow municipalities, under certain circumstances, to designate polling places other than those used during a general election. Would allow local registrars of voters to achieve a level of savings by consolidating polling places, when appropriate.
It is estimated that a savings in excess of $10,000 could be achieved for a small town.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 815
File#: 109
Sen. Cal#: 150
Hse. Cal#: 445
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FINANCIAL EFFICIENCIES FOR NONEDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Would encourage municipalities and boards of education to consider ways in which to realize financial efficiencies and promote transparency in school budgets: would require a board of finance or board of selectmen to make spending recommendations and suggestions to a board of education regarding how such board of education may consolidate noneducational services and realize financial efficiencies. Suggestions must be made within 10 days of the date the board of education submits its budget estimate. The board of education may accept or reject the suggestions.
Current Location: House Floor
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SB 876
File#: 606
Sen. Cal#: 432
Hse. Cal#: 0
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SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION - ROOF PITCH RELIEF
Among other things, would conform school roof pitch requirements with the state building code.
There has been no data to indicate that this change in roof pitch would hamper the integrity of builings or impact the indoor air quality. Architects, who actually stand to profit more under the current statute, have indicated that the savings potential for this change could be as much as 50% for each roof and that taxpayer dollars should not be spent on a requirement that provides no benefit.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 901
File#: 484
Sen. Cal#: 369
Hse. Cal#: 0
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POST ELECTION AUDIT RELIEF
Would provide relief from costly and time-consuming post-election audits by reducing the threshold, from 10% of all polling places, to 5%.
Such audits were put in place with the roll out of the new electronic voting machines, which have been tried and tested for many years now. Reducing the threshhold would continue to demonstrate the reliability of the machines, with a reduced impact on state and local resources.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 902
File#: 485
Sen. Cal#: 370
Hse. Cal#: 0
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MODIFICATION OF LEGAL NOTICE MANDATE
Would provide significant relief from a long standing and outdated mandate on local governments by modifying the requirement to post the full text of all legal notices in local newspapers.
Municipalities are not seeking complete repeal of the law, but rather a modification that would:
* Allow for publishing notice of the availability of a document in local newspapers, along with a summary and clear instructions as to how to get additional information or the complete text of the public document (municipal office where a hard copy can be obtained, a contact name and phone number that could be used to get more information, and the web address where an online version can be found).
* Require newspapers to have a designated section for all such public notices to be listed in the publications' table of contents. Municipalities spend in excess of several million dollars per year statewide on this outdated mandate.
The costs of this current mandate exceed several millions of dollars each year State wide.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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SB 917
File#: 47
Sen. Cal#: 107
Hse. Cal#: 583
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USE OF PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS AT SCHOOLS
Makes an attempt to provide some relief to local governments for school grounds maintenance by permitting "organic" grub combating treatments, and pesticides that do not have a product label of "caution", "warning", or "danger" indication.
However, according to experts in the field, there is only one product that would fit this narrow allowance and have any effectiveness in our climate - Acelepryn. This would mean that state law would be actively promoting the product of one very lucky manufacturer. Not to mention the fact that grounds managers understand that you cannot utilize the same product over and over, as it loses its effectiveness. Rather, you must rotate product applications. So, this bill would help groundskeepers for only one season.
CCM, and a broad coalition of municipal and agricultural entities, have long been advocating for the creation of a balanced working group/task force to thoroughly examine and vet the facts surrounding field management, and provide recommendations as to how state policy should be structured - to ensure it is crafted in a manner that balances the need for proper and adequate field maintenance and ensure exposure to pest control products are minimized to the greatest extent possible for children and the general public. Unfortunately, this plea has fallen on deaf ears.
Absent this balanced examination and subsequent consensus policy proposal, we will again be back on this same issue year after year, with the competing positions.
Current Location: House Floor
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SB 929
File#: 387
Sen. Cal#: 280
Hse. Cal#: 563
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MODIFICATION OF SCHOOL ROOF PITCH REQUIREMENT
Among other things, as now amended by Senate B, would align the roof pitch requirement for school buildings with that of the state building code.
This modification, from a 1/2 inch requirement to 1/4 inch. will save the State and local governments up to 50% of the cost roof construction -- without any impact on the integrity or indoor air quality of the building.
Current Location: House Floor
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SB 1112
File#: 423
Sen. Cal#: 285
Hse. Cal#: 0
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MODIFICATION OF LEGAL NOTICE MANDATE
Would provide significant relief from a long standing and outdated mandate on local governments by modifying the requirement to post the full text of all legal notices in local newspapers.
Municipalities are seeking reasonable reform that would:
* Allow for publishing notice of the availability of a document in local newspapers, along with a summary and clear instructions as to how to get additional information or the complete text of the public document (municipal office where a hard copy can be obtained, a contact name and phone number that could be used to get more information, and the web address where an online version can be found).
* Require newspapers to have a designated section for all such public notices to be listed in the publications' table of contents. Municipalities spend in excess of several million dollars per year statewide on this outdated mandate.
Current Location: Senate Floor
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"JUST THE FACTS" | |
No spin. No jargon. CCM has launched an aggressive new statewide advocacy campaign to carry through the critical upcoming budget-making process up to the end of the 2013 General Assembly session in June.
The CCM message is concise and straightforward:
** Visit the Webpage **
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| CCM = KEEPING MEMBERS INFORMED | |
CCM's website and Legislative Action Center are designed to ensure critical information is easily accessible for local officials on legislative and regulatory issues of concern.
In addition, CCM is is embracing today's new media outlets as a way to inform members and educate state elected officials and the public on CCM's advocacy efforts. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Along with many items of interest, on our website you will find such things as:
New content is added daily, if you are not already doing so...
** PLEASE MAKE OUR SITE YOUR FIRST STOP EVERY DAY **
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If you have questions concerning this Mandates Report or on any state-local issues, please contact CCM's Public Policy & Advocacy Team:
- Jim Finley, Jr., Executive Director and CEO
- Ron Thomas, Director of Public Policy & Advocacy
- Kachina Walsh-Weaver, State Relations Manager
- Bob Labanara, State Relations Manager
- Randy Collins, Senior Legislative Associate
- Mike Muszynski, Legislative Associate
- George Rafael, Senior Government Finance Analyst
- Kevin Maloney, Member & Public Relations Director
- Quanette Rhodes, Executive Services Administrator
- Carolyn Ryan, Public Policy & Advocacy Administrative Associate
...or via phone at (203) 498-3000.
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