Carpino: 2013 Legislative Session Wrap-up

I want to give you some of the high and lowlights of the just concluded the 2013 legislative session.

In an attempt to expand the highly successful Small Business Express program that I supported in 2011, we passed additional pro-jobs legislation, which increases the existing program to include companies with up to 100 employees, and provide additional funding to meet the demand from small businesses.

Another measure passed this session phases in a requirement to offer property tax exemptions for businesses that use renewable energy sources to provide power for their business which will keep the cost of doing business in Connecticut a little lower for some companies.

We established a school safety infrastructure council to establish statewide safety standards and administer a $15 million grant program to help districts conduct security assessments and implement capital improvements. I already sent the Board of Education detailed information so Portland can apply for the funding.

We also focused our effort on establishing a comprehensive mental, emotional and behavioral health plan for children that ensures access to the care families need. We developed a new system to coordinate voluntary in home visitations to diagnose and help identify appropriate intervention strategies and treatments, as needed for families with children who suffer from severe depression, substance abuse challenges or special health care needs. In addition, we increased resources for pediatricians and childcare providers.

A bi-partisan group of female legislators co-sponsored a bill to strengthen penalties against sex and human traffickers. We learned this awful crime happens right here at home. The bill increased existing penalties and authorized the forfeiture of money and property used in or obtained or derived from the commission of crimes involving human and sex trafficking.

In an endeavor I began in January, a bill I authored on childhood obesity obtained support and final passage in both chambers. The taskforce will examine opportunities to stop the spread of this emerging health epidemic.

A major energy reform package passed that will help the state continue to meet its world-leading renewable energy goals while also taking innovative steps to reduce the cost of electricity across the board for resident electric ratepayers, especially those on fixed incomes.

Furthermore, we passed some very supportive and substantial laws for veterans this session. Now, a Vietnam era veteran who left high school early to serve in the Vietnam War may receive a high school diploma. Another proposal guarantees ever Connecticut community has a designee to serve as a resource for our veterans and assist them with benefits and programs. And a third bill helps veterans’ transition into the workforce and educational institutions.
I also found myself fighting against an attack against our children. I helped block a very bad piece of legislation that would have decreased the drug-free zones around schools and daycare centers from 1,500 feet to 300 feet, and allowed drug dealers much greater access to our children.

Some of the bad pieces of legislation that passed in spite of my no vote were:
1. A state budget that continues Connecticut’s stroll down a very dangerous fiscal path, which includes requiring the state to borrow $750 million in order to pay day-to-day expenses and increases spending by nearly 10% over 2 years.
2. A new law, which I found offensive to all law-abiding citizens, requires the DMV to issue valid Connecticut driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants who reside in the state. It provides an incentive for felons to move to Connecticut because there is no attempt to determine if there is a criminal record for the applicant outside Connecticut’s boundaries.
3. The opportunity for negative campaigning in Connecticut and more special interest money into state elections. Cromwell and Portland residents want clean and open government based on issues-this law goes in the wrong direction.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 1-800-842-1423 or by e-mail at Christie.Carpino@housegop.ct.gov.