Newly-elected Ansonia High School student government officers congratulated

From the Ansonia Public Schools' Facebook page:

"Ansonia High School would like to congratulate the newly elected Student Government officers for the 2021-2022 school year."

Rochelle shares info on internships at Connecticut General Assembly

 Are you a college student interested in learning more about politics? 

The Connecticut General Assembly Internship Program is accepting applicants for full-time and part-time interns for the 2021 session. Interns will gain hands-on experience working for state elected officials and see firsthand how the legislative process works. 

If you are enrolled in an undergraduate program, contact your campus advisor or click here for more information. 

This is taken from a press release from state Rep. Kara Rochelle, D-Ansonia/Derby. 

Klarides-Ditria offers update on state response to COVID-19 outbreak

Dear Neighbors, I wanted to let you know some recent updates on government’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Early this morning, [Thursday] Gov. Lamont’s administration released a helpful compilation of frequently asked questions tied to the state’s response to this crisis. You can access the document by clicking here, and I’ve also posted it to my web site on my Coronavirus Information page.  Examples of questions include: How do I know if I should be tested for COVID-19, and where do I go to be tested? How do I apply for Unemployment Insurance benefits or get more information about the process and requirements? What options do I have if I do not have health insurance at present? Again, answers to those questions and many more are available in the FAQ document.  Gov. Lamont has also issued his eighth Executive Order in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Actions taken in today's Executive Order include the temporary closure of barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing parlors, and related businesses effective at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2020. The postponement of Connecticut’s presidential primary from April 28 to June 2, 2020. And clearance for restaurants, bars, and private clubs to sell alcohol to be consumed off-premise under certain conditions. You can view the complete list of executive orders by clicking here. In addition to the Executive Order, the administration has taken several other initiatives to provide resources to Connecticut residents at this time of uncertainty. There are now 15 alternative sites in Connecticut that are offering drive-through testing - in addition to the state laboratory. The DOT is enhancing its guidelines along its bus routes to promote passenger safety. Banking Commissioner Perez has also made it clear to residents that their money remains safe in Connecticut's banks and credit unions. Remember, the state maintains a web portal dedicated to providing up-to-date information about the state's response to the outbreak. In order to provide accurate and timely information, my website has a special Coronavirus Information page that includes important local, state and federal links for your convenience. You can access the page at this link and if you have questions that are not answered by those resources, please reach out to me at nicole.klarides-ditria@housegop.ct.gov or 1-800-842-1423. While this is a difficult time for all of us, I want to make sure I share important information on this issue in a timely manner. Please remember to check in with your friends and neighbors to see how they are doing and let them know you are thinking about them. We will get through this together! Sincerely, State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria

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.

Gentile addresses students at Ansonia High School

Contributed photo

State Rep. Linda Gentile, D-Ansonia, Wednesday spoke to the Junior Statesmen of America Club from Ansonia High School about the state government.

JSA is a national organization organized at the local chapter level focused on helping students interested in politics and government, foreign affairs, the law, and education.

"I was so pleased to be invited to speak with this great group of students. They were bright and very inquisitive,” Gentile said. 
“Under the instruction and guidance of their teacher, Mr. Piazza, they are learning about government and the legislative process. Their questions were thoughtful and relative and I only hope that they enjoyed my visit as much as I did."


This is a press release from Gentile's office.

Crisco joins retired veterans at Bethany Town Hall to learn about benefits

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. meets today with retired veterans./ Submitted photo

BETHANY – On a beautiful day in Bethany Town Hall, just days before the start of the Memorial Day weekend, state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, joined approximately 80 retired veterans and their family members to learn about the variety of state and federal veterans aid programs available to keep them healthy and financially secure.

Today's event was sponsored by the VFW Beletzky-Hoppe Post 2448 and the Bethany Human Resources Department and featured a presentation by Anne James, a Veteran Service Officer with the State of Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs.

“As we approach Memorial Day – a day to remember those who have died in service to our country – we also need to remember the millions of military veterans who are still with us, and their family members, and the debt that we continue to owe them for their service and sacrifice,” Crisco said. 
“State and federal governments have done a very good job of caring for our vets, and they need to be aware of these government programs, how they benefit from them, and how to apply for them. That’s what today is all about.”

“All through the year, we are at senior centers, assisted living facilities, anywhere senior veterans might congregate and ask questions about their benefits. We try to show up wherever we can help, all year long,” James said.

She said the most asked-about veterans benefits usually involve money: “service-connected disability compensation,” where a veteran is paid for any injury, wound or illness caused by their military service, and the “VA pension,” which is a needs-based financial support program for honorably discharged wartime veterans age 65 or older who the VA determines are in need of financial aid.

The State of Connecticut also passed several this year to aid local veterans, including giving veteran-owned small businesses additional bidding preferences under state contracting laws, and doubling the size of the property tax break that towns can give to wartime veterans or their surviving spouses.


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.

Shelton officials to host picnic Friday

SHELTON - Mayor Mark A. Lauretti will host a picnic lunch at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the Pavilion on Canal Street. The annual event is an opportunity to network with local business and government leaders.

The event is rain or shine.

Members of Sutter-Terlizzi Post 16, American Legion, will hold a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park.

For information call 203-924-2521.

The picnic is sponsored by the Shelton Economic Development Commission, the Shelton Economic Development Corporation, and Iroquois Gas Transmission System



This information is shared from an online community calendar sponsored by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the New Haven Independent.