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Rochelle lauds legislation to create government efficiencies

State Rep. Kara Rochelle

HARTFORD - State Rep. Kara Rochelle (D-Ansonia, Derby) is praising legislation that focused on saving money and making government more efficient. 
The two-year, $43 billion budget passed in July came in under the spending cap by $200,000 in Year One and $5 million under in Year Two, along with additional spending cuts in executive branch expenditures and with 1,000 current vacant positions to remain unfilled.

Also of note:

• The state's Rainy Day fund will be at an all-time high of $2.9 billion, to protect against future recessions. 
• More than $450 million in state employee healthcare cost savings was created along with more than $5 million in contract savings.
• The budget addressed Teachers' Pension liabilities by establishing a $380 million trust fund and re-amortizing.
• The legislature also rejected the Governor's proposed shift of teachers’ pension costs to municipalities which would have put an added burden on local budgets.

“Creating savings in our budget, putting funds towards past debts, shoring up our Rainy Day Fund and enacting legislation to further create efficiencies and save taxpayers money is just good policy,” Rochelle said. “I am proud to have supported these efforts this year.”

A closer look at bills passed earlier this year related to government efficiency:

SB945, AN ACT CONCERNING THE INNOVATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR NONPROFIT PROVIDERS OF HUMAN SERVICES - provides a financial incentive for nonprofit providers to offer cost-efficient and innovative state-funded human services.

HB7308, AN ACT REQUIRING A REVIEW OF AGENCY PROCEDURES, POLICIES AND REGULATIONS CONCERNING BUSINESS REGISTRATION, LICENSING AND PERMITTING - creates a one-stop online business portal to help businesses efficiently access resources through state agencies, keep licenses and permits up to date and more while using a single online account.

HB7192 AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL AND REGIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND EFFICIENCIES - takes steps towards streamlining local government to make towns operate more efficiently and cost-effectively to be able to provide high quality services to the public.

SB682 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A REWARD PROGRAM FOR STATE EMPLOYEE REPORTING OF WASTEFUL PRACTICES - offers a financial incentive for state employees who report wasteful spending within the government agency.

This is a press release from Rochelle's office.

Liberty Bank, Ansonia Rotary team to help Christ Church food pantry

*From Carol Pendagast on Facebook: 
Volunteers needed Dec. 7 to help with a large food delivery to the food pantry at the church.