Ansonia Library to present virtual program on creating household budget

ANSONIA - Ansonia Library will host a virtual presentation with Lisa McManus on creating a budget from 11 a.m.-noon  Feb. 10. Join the Zoom meeting by typing in zoom.us in the search bar.

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meeting ID and passcode listed below.

Meeting ID: 986 0575 3567
Passcode: 339187

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This is shared from the Library's Facebook event page.

Abundant Life Fellowship Ministries in Ansonia to host budgeting program via Zoom

 

Learn budgeting in 2 sessions at Ansonia Library

Rochelle responds to Lamont's proposed budget

HARTFORD - State Rep. Kara Rochelle, D-Ansonia and Derby, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Ned Lamont’s two-year proposed budget. 

Kara Rochelle

“Governor Lamont presented to the legislature his version of the budget last week and I want to assure you that in the history of the General Assembly the legislature have never passed a budget as a Governor has presented it.
"I hear the concerns of our residents and this is the first step in a long process of revision. The bipartisan Appropriations and Finance Committee is analyzing the Governor’s proposal and working to produce a budget that reflects the legislature’s priorities. Following that proposal, we can expect additional negotiations that I hope will lead to a balanced, bipartisan budget that benefits the most people,” Rochelle said. 

“I will be critically analyzing each budget proposal to ensure the people of Ansonia and Derby are being fairly considered," she said. "My priority is to continue advocating for the working class, rebuilding the middle class, proper funding for our schools, improving our train service, and spurring economic development, decent wages, tax relief for working class families, reigning in healthcare costs, and building the long-promised Valley Fire School amongst other issues that deeply affect our residents,” Rochelle said. 

“I encourage residents to be in touch, attend my twice-monthly community conversations in Ansonia and Derby, and share your questions, concerns, and ideas for how best to move forward," she said. "I will share with residents via Facebook and Email opportunities to make their voices directly heard at legislative public hearings. I want to thank everyone who has participated so far. I look forward to working hard for all of you over the next several months.” 

The governor’s proposed budget is the first step in a drafting process that typically produces a unified and blended budget from various parties by the end of the legislative session. 

Lamont’s budget can be accessed here: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/2019-Legislative-Proposals.

The Appropriations Committee will hold public hearings at the Legislative Office Building on the following dates, which residents can use as an opportunity to share their thoughts on Gov. Lamont’s budget proposal. 

Thursday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 2C

Friday, March 1 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 2C

To access the calendar, click here. 

This is a press release from Rochelle's office.

Lawmakers pass veto-proof state budget

3 Valley Republicans react to approval

HARTFORD - House Republican Leader Themis Klarides, state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, and state Sen. George A. Logan Thursday announced the final approval of a bipartisan budget that averts Gov. Dannel Malloy’s devastating education cuts to cities and towns and installs structural municipal mandate reform that will provide long-term relief sought by local leaders and the taxpayers they serve. 

House Republican Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby,  said, “This is a day of hope for the people of Connecticut. The budget we have put in place includes historic spending constraints that will hedge against future deficits. While this budget is not perfect, it reflects the core Republican components of spending restraints, less borrowing so that we can finally start living within our means.”

Klarides said the state will be able to close the massive deficit with less than a 1 percent increase in taxes and fees. The bulk of the tax hikes are on cigarette sales and the hospital taxes that will be refunded by the federal government once the state completes its application to the Federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services.

State Rep. Klarides-Ditria, R-Seymour, added, “It has been 117 days without a state budget in place, and over a month since the governor’s reckless executive order went into place. Our communities would have been devastated if the governor continued to control the state finances. 

"As a freshman state representative, I was proud to see Democrats and Republicans work together to craft a budget that makes real structural changes. We still need to make more spending and tax reforms, but this budget moves us in that direction.”

State Sen. George S. Logan, R-Ansonia, said, “This bipartisan budget provides predictable municipal aid so that Ansonia and Derby know what they can count on from the state. This plan averts the deep cuts contained in the governor’s executive order.  It does not shift teacher pension costs onto towns and cities.  We cap state spending and borrowing. We do not increase the sales tax or income tax.  We do not put a tax on cell phones.  We protect funding for individuals with disabilities.  We protect funding for mental health and substance abuse treatment to fight the opioid epidemic.  We protect services for seniors, including the CT Home Care Program, Meals on Wheels and non ADA dial a ride.  It is an honor to represent Ansonia and Derby, and we will always work tirelessly to protect taxpayers.”

The budget features a variety of spending constraints:

 •    Finally, implements an effective cap on state spending;

•    An annual bonding cap of $1.9 billion in borrowing, a half billion less than what Connecticut put on its credit card last year;

•    A revenue cap that prevents the state from spending all the money it expects to take in annually. Somehow we always seem to fall short of revenue projections;

•    A volatility cap that will automatically send any excess revenue to the Budget Reserve Fund.

In addition, the budget also blocked tax increases on income, sales, and hotels and new taxes on cell phones, secondary homes, and restaurants.  

The approved budget also prevented the teacher pension shift to municipalities and will phase-in exemptions of taxes on Social Security, pensions, and estates.   

The budget passed the House 126-23, after several hours of debate, a margin that would overturn another veto by the governor. 

For more information on the bipartisan budget, visit cthousegop.com/budget. 

This is a press release from the House Republicans' office.

Gentile lauds House passage of bipartisan state budget

HARTFORD - State Rep. Linda Gentile, D-Ansonia, Thursday praised the bipartisan state budget ending Connecticut's fiscal crisis and restoring potential cuts for Ansonia and Derby.

State Rep. Linda Gentile

The budget passed the House of Representatives in a 126-23 vote. 

“This truly bipartisan budget is a win for both Ansonia and Derby, who were locked in limbo during the budget crisis,” Gentile said. “In addition to rejecting damaging cuts, this budget does not shift undue financial burdens onto local property taxpayers, invests in job creation efforts along with innovation and manufacturing, protects our community hospitals, and pushes Connecticut in the right direction.”

Under the governor’s executive order, both Ansonia and Derby were set to lose a significant amount of funding in municipal aid for the 2017-18 fiscal year. 
Specifically, Derby was set to lose $1.6 million and Ansonia was set to lose approximately $664,000. Under the bipartisan budget, all of this funding is restored.

“I have heard from town officials and residents that the potential cuts under the governor’s proposal would have been damaging to our communities and I am proud to have worked with members across the aisle to successfully restore them,” Gentile said. 

Additionally, the budget:

• Restores funding for scholarships for low and middle-income students, like the Roberta Willis Scholarship;
• Enacts a state spending and bonding cap;
• Maintains the property tax credit of $200 for seniors and families with dependents;
• Continues investments in job creation programs such as the Small Business Express, Manufacturing Assistance, Innovation Places and Brownfield Remediation.

The budget will now head to the governor’s desk for approval. 

This is a press release from Linda Gentile's office.

Logan shares GOP budget plan for Connecticut

Republicans have unveiled a detailed solution to move Connecticut in a new, sustainable, predictable direction. Our Republican proposal contains no new taxes: No real estate conveyance tax hike No sales tax hike No tax hike on restaurants No tax hike on hospitals No property tax hikes No income tax hikes No tolls or mileage taxes No home heating oil and propane energy taxes. Our plan: Reduces taxes for retirees Restores funding for local education Restores funding for core social services for our neediest residents Provides property tax and educational funding stability for towns and cities Makes structural budgetary changes, such as an enforceable state spending cap, requiring voting on state labor contracts and an effective bond cap Prioritizes progress to upgrade and innovate our transportation infrastructure. All of this will generate a predictable, sustainable and transparent ecosystem where Connecticut businesses can thrive and grow. Time is of the essence to protect our communities and our most vulnerable and at-risk residents! The line-by-line details can be found here: http://ctsenaterepublicans.com/2017/09/our-ct-republican-revised-no-tax-increase-budget-3/#.Wbkm4IKotjo  State Sen. George S. Logan, R-Ansonia, represents the 17th District. This is a press release from his office.

Opinion: Gentile urges bipartisan cooperation on state budget

By Linda M. Gentile

State Representative

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. 

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile 

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 104th 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.

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

This is a press release from the House Democrats' press office. 

Gentile comments on proposed state budget

By Linda M. Gentile

State Representative

104th District

On Wednesday, the governor delivered his annual budget address, proposing significant changes to balance the state’s bi-annual budget. 

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile

It is important to note that the governor’s budget proposal is only a starting point to the process of creating a responsible, balanced budget. 

This proposal has some good ideas, such as increased funding to education and special education, but I also fully acknowledge that there are some areas that need vast improvement and I will work diligently to make sure those areas are addressed. 

I want to emphasize that each proposed change will be carefully assessed for its potential impact on taxpayers and the delivery of services to residents. 

I will make sure that we keep all of the things that hard working families value in mind with this budget.  

Things like, making Connecticut more affordable for seniors, keeping our young people in the state after they graduate, aligning our education system with jobs and employer’s needs, and promoting job growth and encouraging economic development.

Since this is only the beginning, I look forward to working collaboratively with my colleagues across the aisle to craft a budget that protects and preserves all of the important programs, services and issues that we all value. 

I will continue working to ensure that Ansonia and Derby receive the necessary funding needed to properly function and educate and protect our children, schools, and families. As you already know, my priority has always been, and will always be, fighting for the needs of my constituents and protecting hard working families of Connecticut. 

Certainly, there are many hard choices and decisions we, as legislators, will need to make in the coming months to balance the state’s bi-annual budget. 

As we address our challenges, I will continue to work to make Ansonia and Derby a better place to live, work, and raise a family. It is extremely important to me that this budget does the right thing to strengthen our economy and reflect the priority of the people of Connecticut.

As always, I welcome any thoughts, questions, or suggestions concerning the State budget process.

This is an op-ed piece submitted by Gentile, a Democrat. She represents parts of Ansonia and Derby.

Crisco lauds bipartisan vote to solve state budget deficit

Plan preserves funding for hospitals

HARTFORD - On an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote by Democrats and Republicans, state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, Tuesday joined his colleagues in the state Senate and the House of Representatives to approve a deficit mitigation plan to close the Fiscal Year 2016 mid-year budget shortfall of $220 million, which has been caused by lower-than-expected tax revenue collections.

State Sen. Joseph Crisco, Jr.

The compromise legislation – negotiated between Democrats, Republicans and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s office – restores proposed cuts to hospital funding, preserves millions of dollars in state aid to towns, and protects funding for core social services.

The final vote was 33-3 in the Senate and 127-16 in the House.

“The vote today in both chambers on both sides of the aisle is indicative of the fact that we do remember why we were elected to serve: to make life easier for people,” Crisco said. 
“I’m exceptionally pleased that we were able to preserve funding for hospitals like Griffin Hospital. That funding goes a long way toward ensuring that people will continue have adequate access to health care.”

Highlights of today’s bipartisan deficit mitigation package include:

• Closes the state’s $220 million current year (ending June 30, 2016) budget deficit as estimated by the governor’s office and the state comptroller.

• Restores all hospital cuts as proposed by the governor, of which the state’s portion is $31.6 million, and which was being withheld. This funding is partial reimbursement for hospitals’ Medicaid expenses and the care they provide to those most in need.

• Preserves core government services and protects funding for vital social services.

• Eliminates proposed cuts to town aid.

• Replaces the governor’s unilateral rescissions that he proposed on March 16.

• Is made up of approximately 60 percent in budget cuts that can be rolled out into future years for long-term budget savings.


This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Ansonia mayor plans second annual State of City address

Budget surplus announcement expected

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti will hold his second annual State of the City address at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at Ansonia High School.

All residents, taxpayers, and Ansonia-based business owners are invited and highly encouraged to attend.

Mayor Cassetti

The State of the City address provides an opportunity for the mayor and his city department heads to update residents on the progress made in Ansonia over the past year. 

The address will feature presentations from the mayor, Treasurer Judy Larkin Nicolari, Economic Development Director Sheila O’Malley, and Public Works Superintendent Douglas Novak, among others.

“It is my goal to foster an open and transparent city government,” Cassetti said. “The State of the City address offers an opportunity for Ansonia residents to meet their public officials face to face and obtain information in the most direct manner possible.”

This year Cassetti is expected to make several important announcements regarding the financial health of the city. Specifically, it is anticipated that an announcement will be made concerning a budget surplus and growth in the grand list.

“At this time all I will say is that Ansonia’s finances are continuing to improve,“ Cassetti said.

Other featured topics will include economic development. “Ansonia is truly charging forward,” Cassetti said. "I cannot wait to share all the details on Oct. 15."

This is a press release from Mayor David S. Cassetti's office.

Opinion: Ansonia alderman backs budget plan

Mayor's proposal would offer tax relief 

By Lorie Vaccaro

Second Ward Alderman

City of Ansonia

On Tuesday the Ansonia Board of Aldermen will be holding a vote on the 2015-16 budget. 
It’s a proposal I proudly support as Chairman of the Finance Sub-committee and one that fulfills Mayor Dave Cassetti’s election promise of delivering tax relief to residents and business owners. 

Lorie Vaccaro

I want to take this opportunity to share some of the details with Ansonia residents.  

If the budget is approved, taxpayers will see a one-mill tax cut, the second tax reduction in two years.  What does a one-mill tax reduction mean for Ansonia residents? It represents a 3 percent decrease in property taxes.  
In plain language, a house assessed at $200,000 would see property taxes would decrease by about $210.

Yet this budget is more than a one-trick-pony.  Beyond the tax relief, it provides for capital improvements such as the lease of a street sweeper for public works and a replacement vehicle for the fire department, along with upgrades to the animal shelter and planning costs related to a new safety facility.

The proposal also makes contributions to the City’s underfunded pension plan.  In fact, this marks the first year in over a decade that the budget will address the chronically ignored fund.

This is all a result of responsible and strategic fiscal planning on the part of Mayor Cassetti and his finance team.  Consultation with Ansonia’s outside auditing firm has revealed that the City’s general fund is being maintained at an unacceptably high level.  The proposed budget therefore leverages the overfunded reserves to provide tax relief and move Ansonia forward.  

Specifically, our auditors hold that a city’s reserves should be set at about 8 to 10 percent of the overall budget. However, the 2013-14 budget, as set by the prior administration, resulted in general reserve that represents 19 percent of the overall budget!  Moreover, the reserves have been set at an average of 16 percent of the overall budget over the past six years.  

The budget proposal also includes (for the first time) a forward-looking capital improvement plan and forecast of next year’s surplus.
In other words, it’s a well-researched plan built on solid ground.

Vaccaro is chairman of the Finance Sub-committee of the Board of Aldermen.

Valley lawmakers oppose proposed cuts to fire training schools

$35K cut sought for Derby school
Valley legislators submitted testimony to the general Assembly’s Appropriations Committee opposing proposed cuts to the state’s fire training schools.

Included in Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s 2015-17 biennial budget proposal are cuts to the state’s nine fire training schools amounting to $743,899. The proposed cut to the Derby training school is $35,283.

“The Valley Fire Chiefs’ Regional Fire School in Derby provides vital training to first responders in Seymour, Beacon Falls and Derby,” state Rep. Theresa Conroy (D-Seymour, Beacon Falls, Derby) said. “The training they receive in Derby prepares firefighters for real-life emergencies.”
“Five of the seven municipalities in my district are served solely by volunteer fire departments,” said state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge). 

“Many of our region’s firefighters have benefited from the essential training they received at the state's Fire Training Schools. It is critical we do whatever we can to support these schools and the lifesaving practices they impart.”

“Our front line responders are vital to our towns and cities,” state Rep. Themis Klarides (R-Woodbridge, Orange, Derby) said. “We cannot afford to compromise our public safety. The work done at these training facilities is critical to upgrading skills and maintaining certifications, work not replicated anywhere else in the state.’’

Rep. Linda M. Gentile (D-Ansonia, Derby) said, “Our volunteer firefighters save our communities hundreds of thousands of dollars. Their work is vital to our public safety. We have an obligation to make sure that they are trained properly to not only prevent injury to themselves but to others.”

The funding provided to the schools in the state budget covers the operational costs of the regional fire schools. Instructors’ payroll, utility costs and facilities’ maintenance is covered by the state grant.
The proposed cuts would require the schools to increase tuition fees. For example, fees for the Firefighter I program would increase between 300 and 400 percent according to the Connecticut State Firefighters Association – The program, which costs today between $600 and $700, would jump to between $2,000 and $2,700 – a cost that would be borne by municipalities.

“Connecticut should be investing in firefighter training, not cutting it,” Conroy said.
“Emergency responders put themselves in the line of danger; we should stand by them.”

Testimony for the Appropriations Committee on the Governor’s Proposed Cuts for the State’s Fire Training Schools

Feb. 24, 2015

We are writing to members of the Joint Appropriations Committee regarding the proposed cuts contained in Gov. Malloy’s 2015-17 biennial budget to the state’s nine Fire Training Schools. Collectively, we represent the Naugatuck Valley towns and cities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls Seymour and Derby. The cuts for the nine training facilities amount to $743,899.

The proposed cut to the Derby training school is $35,283. On the surface, this specific loss of revenue may not seem like a huge cut in the overall spectrum of the state’s two-year, $40 billion budget. However, the effect of eliminating all state aid for our training sites represents a huge blow to Connecticut’s public safety.

Each year hundreds of firefighters and front line responders receive vital training at the schools and that has proved critical to maintaining and bolstering our emergency response efforts. These training regimens are not duplicated anywhere else in Connecticut. Our individual firefighting units rely heavily upon the facilities to upgrade the skills and certifications of their members.

We believe that the state should be putting more resources into the system, not less, and stand prepared to craft alternatives to the current budget proposal that would be acceptable compromises. Given the current fiscal status of our towns and cities and the uncertain outcomes of our local budget processes, we are concerned that there will not be sufficient municipal revenues to offset the loss of state funds.
Our local emergency responders sacrifice greatly to keep our communities safe; we should honor that commitment.

We urge you as members of the committee to consider an alternative path forward as the budget process unfolds in the coming weeks and months.


State Rep. Themis Klarides 114th District


State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco 17th District


State. Rep. Linda M. Gentile 104th District


State Rep. Theresa Conroy 105th District

This is a press release from CT House Democrats.