Local lawmakers to host coffee hour at Valley Diner in Derby

DERBY - State Sen. Jorge Cabrera, D-Hamden, and state Representatives Kara Rochelle, D-Ansonia/Derby, Nicole Klarides-Ditria, R-Beacon Falls, Derby, Seymour, and Mary Welander, D-Orange, Woodbridge, Derby, will hold an in-person Legislative Coffee Update Aug. 20 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Valley Diner, 636 New Haven Ave.

Residents will be able to connect with the legislators in an approachable and relaxed setting to discuss their thoughts, concerns, and questions on the issues that matter most.

This is part of Rochelle's twice monthly coffee hour events to connect with residents of Ansonia and Derby to learn more about the issues they care about and provide an update on issues Rochelle is working on in Hartford.

Residents who would like more information about the event should contact Rochelle by emailing her at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov. If they need immediate assistance, residents can call her office at 860- 240-8585.

This is a release from state Rep. Kara Rochelle's office.

Cabrera, Rochelle to hold office hours at Copper City Bar & Grill in Ansonia

ANSONIA - State Sen. Jorge Cabrera, D-Hamden, and state Rep. Kara Rochelle, D- Ansonia, Derby, will hold in-person Legislative Office Hours from 6 -7 p.m. Aug. 16 on the back patio of Copper City Bar & Grill, 82-84 Main St.

 

Residents will be able to connect with the legislators in an approachable and relaxed setting to discuss their thoughts, concerns, and questions on the issues that matter most.

 

This is part of Rochelle's twice-monthly coffee hour series to connect with residents of Ansonia and Derby to provide an update on what she is working on in Hartford and converse about the issues that matter most to people in the community.

 

Residents who would like more information about the event should contact Rochelle by emailing her at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov. 

For immediate assistance, residents can call her office at 860-240-8585.

This is a press release from Rochelle's office.

 

Reminder: Pints & Politics tonight at BAD Sons Beer Co. in Derby

Lawmakers to ring bell for Salvation Army at Stop & Shop in Ansonia

Local legislators to hold Derby Town Hall Meeting

Valley lawmakers to host Derby Town Hall Meeting

Klarides-Ditria, Logan talk tolls, taxes at Beacon Falls Pizza Palace

Contributed photo

BEACON FALLS - State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria and state Sen. George Logan Tuesday held a Pizza & Politics night at Beacon Falls Pizza Palace. 

Residents packed the upstairs of the pizza restaurant to ask questions and to hear from their lawmakers about what is happening at the State Capitol. 

The conversation and questions were mainly focused around tolls and the proposed tax increases by Gov. Ned Lamont and legislative Democrats. 

Klarides-Ditria and Logan told residents that this was one of the largest crowds to attend a meeting in Beacon Falls and thanked everyone for attending and getting involved. 

Klarides-Ditria said, "Stopping tolls and higher taxes is possible but we need the help of every single person in this room. We need residents to get vocal and to contact their state representatives and state senator and the governor to tell them not to pass tolls or more tax increases. 

"I will continue to stay vocal and will share your stories with my colleagues in Hartford." 

Logan added, “This is ‘Crunch Time’ at the State Capitol. This is the time to raise our voices as taxpayers and tell elected officials to keep their hands off our wallets.  

"Call the Senate Democrat Office at 800-842-1420. Call the House Democrat Office at 800-842-1902. 

"Klarides-Ditria and I are fighting for you in Hartford, and we need you to get active today if we are going to stop tolls and a massive tax increase.”

Gov. Ned Lamont has proposed 53 tolling gantries to hit his number of raising $1 billion in revenue. In addition, the governor is proposing to expand the sales tax to include items and services such as accounting services and non-prescription drugs. 

The lawmakers mentioned that on March 15, the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee will be having a public hearing on the governor's budget proposal and residents can submit testimony at fintestimony@cga.ct.gov. 

On March 20 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the lawmakers will also be hosting an informational forum on tolls at Derby City Hall. 

Residents can contact the lawmakers with questions, concerns, or ideas by emailing Nicole.Klarides-Ditria@housegop.ct.gov, George.Logan@cga.ct.gov or calling 860-240-8700 or 860-240-8800.

This is a release from Spencer Rubin, press secretary. 

Valley Republican lawmakers take oath of office

State Sen. George S. Logan, R-Ansonia, center, at swearing-in ceremony last week.

House Republican Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, left, and state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, R-Seymour.


HARTFORD - State Representatives Themis Klarides, Nicole Klarides-Ditria, and state Sen. George S. Logan took the oath of office Jan. 9 at the start of 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 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 at 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 Jan. 9-June 5. 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 the Connecticut General Assembly.

Reminder: Coffee hour slated Friday at Valley Diner in Derby

Valley lawmakers to hold Woodbridge, Derby Town Hall meeting

Coffee hour with Valley lawmakers in Derby rescheduled

Capitol Conversation with Valley lawmakers slated in Shelton

SHELTON - The New Haven Manufacturers Association and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce will host a Capitol Conversation with the Valley Legislative Delegation April 4.
The event will be held from 7:30-9 a.m. at PerkinElmer, 710 Bridgeport Ave. 

From a Facebook event page:

"Due to the security requirements at PerkinElmer, advance registration is required for this event. No walk-ins will be permitted.

"With the Legislative session in Hartford in full swing, please join us for a conversation with the members of our local Valley Legislative Delegation about the status of the state budget and other issues impacting the Valley business community. Legislators are reaching out to hear from you about your priorities. 

"This special forum will be held in the new Conference Center at PerkinElmer in Shelton. Although free to attend, due to security requirements pre-registration is required (no walk-ins)."
"Coffee and light refreshments will be provided. Free to attend."

Klarides sisters renew call to provide tax relief for disabled veterans

State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, R-Seymour, left, and House Republican Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby./ Contributed photo

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."

She 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 Connecticut House Republicans' office.

Klarides sisters' proposed bill a home run for protecting athletes

From left: state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, Jason Klein, House Republican Leader Themis Klarides./ Contributed photo 

HARTFORD - House Republican Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, and state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, R-Seymour, joined the President and CEO of Force3 Pro Gear Jason Klein to pitch a new law, Senate Bill 434, to the General Law Committee. 

The bill will help protect athletes and give consumers more information about the protective equipment they are purchasing.

"As a Connecticut company creating this breakthrough technology, we have a great story to tell, but unfortunately the non-profit organization that currently sets the safety standards for equipment used in Little Leagues and high school athletics, prohibits our company from sharing with the public our outstanding safety data," Klein said.

According to Klein’s testimony, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (also known as “NOCSAE”) was formed in 1969 to commission research directed toward injury reduction. Little League and high school athletics through their respective rules require protective equipment used in baseball and softball to meet standards set by NOCSAE. 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 added, "We are prohibited from sharing our severity index results with the public. In fact, 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."

Themis Klarides said, "Concussions are a serious issue and providing athletes at every level with the best protective equipment should be everyone's top priority. I am shocked that these standards are not readily available to the consumers already. 

"We are asking lawmakers to step up to the plate and pass this bill to make athletes safer and consumers more knowledgeable about the equipment they are purchasing."

Klarides-Ditria said, "As a parent of a student-athlete, an Athletic Trainer, and a lawmaker, I think this bill is a home run and will help prevent concussions from occurring. We want to give parents and athletes all the information available about the safety of the protective equipment they are purchasing. 

"Consumers should know that a certain helmet they are buying is not as safe as another helmet brand."

The bill now awaits action by the General Law Committee before it can be voted on by the full General Assembly. 

To learn more about Force3 Pro visit www.force3progear.com. 

This is a press release from state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria's office.

Reminder: Valley lawmakers to hold meeting today at Derby City Hall

Valley lawmakers to hold meeting at Derby City Hall

Logan wishes Gentile well in her upcoming retirement

HARTFORD - State Sen. George S. Logan, R-Ansonia, today issued the following statement upon learning that state Rep. Linda Gentile, D-Ansonia, will not seek re-election to the state House of Representatives. 

"Linda is a well-respected, hard-working and fair-minded legislator. She is someone I admire, and we have worked well together on a host of issues to try to improve the lives of Ansonia and Derby residents. Linda has represented the 104th District with class, and I know I speak for many when I thank her for her 14 years of state service. I wish her all the best in the future.”

This is a press release from Logan's office.

Valley lawmakers ring bell in Seymour for The Salvation Army

Pictured from left: state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, Angelica Papastavros, state Sen. Eric Berthel, House Republican Leader Themis Klarides, Salvation Army Greater Valley Advisory Board chairman Bob Van Egghen./ Contributed photo

SEYMOUR- State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, state Sen. Eric Berthel, and House Republican Leader Themis Klarides raised more than $150 for the Salvation Army during the holiday season. 
They ran the bell for the annual Red Kettle Campaign in December outside the Seymour Stop & Shop. 

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

Each year 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.

This is a press release from Nicole Klarides-Ditria's office.

Klarides sisters collect items for veterans center in W. Haven

State Rep. Themis Klarides, second from right, and state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, right, with staff from the Errera Community Care Center in West Haven./ Contributed photo

WEST HAVEN - House Republican Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, and state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, R-Seymour, wrapped up their annual veterans drive Tuesday, dropping off boxes full of donated clothes, comfort items, and games to the Errera Community Care Center, 114-152 Boston Post Road. 

“We want to thank the Valley residents who helped us collect these much-needed items for veterans,” they said. “We must always remember those who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms, and work to ensure that veterans never go without a roof over their head, food on their plate or access to high-quality health-care." 

The lawmakers continued, "Our doors are always open to veterans that need assistance navigating state government. 
"We also encourage veterans to visit the Errera Community Care Center whose dedicated staff provides excellent services and care." 

According to the Errera Community Care Center, the facility helps serve veterans struggling with mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders, homelessness, and/or aging. 

For more information or to donate items or gift cards to the Errera Community Care Center, visit www.erreraccc.com. 

This is a press release from Klarides-Ditria's office.

Logan, Klarides to ring bell for Salvation Army at Ansonia Stop and Shop