Will Serve as Ranking Member of Education Committee

HARTFORD — State Representative Kathleen McCarty (R-38) joined legislative colleagues today, on Opening Day of the 2019 Legislative Session, and was sworn in to her third term at the State Capitol. She will serve for two more years as the House Representative for the 38^th General Assembly District of Waterford and a portion of Montville.

To follow Rep. McCarty’s proposed and supported legislation, visit her website (www.repmccarty.com) and click on the “Legislation” tab, or sign up for her email updates. To follow committee meetings and House debates as they unfold live on Connecticut’s public affairs television network, CT-N, tune your TV to Channel 23, or stream the proceedings online at www.ctn.state.ct.us.

This “long” session allows for bills on a variety of issues to be introduced, debated and voted on in committees and legislative chambers. Most importantly, the General Assembly will be facing significant budget challenges during the 2019 Legislative Session. House and Senate Republican budget priorities for the 2019 session continue to include implementing long-term structural changes to restore sustainability and predictability to the budget, and the “Prioritize Progress” transportation plan to fund and protect transportation dollars without tolls or tax increases.

Rep. McCarty has also received her legislative committee assignments for this term. She has been appointed as Ranking Member of the Education Committee, which has cognizance of all matters relating to the Department of Education; local and regional boards of education and the substantive law of collective bargaining covering teachers and professional employees of such boards; vocational rehabilitation; the Commission on the Arts; and libraries, museums and historical and cultural associations. As Ranking Member of this Committee, Rep. McCarty will lead her caucus members on these issues.

In addition, she will again serve on the Appropriations and Public Health Committees. The Appropriations Committee holds jurisdiction over all appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, including state employees’ salaries, benefits and retirement, teachers’ retirement and veterans’ pensions and collective bargaining agreements and arbitration awards for all state employees. The Public Health Committee deals with programs and matters relating to health, emergency medical services, licensing boards, nursing homes, pure food and drugs, mental health, controlled substances, treatment of substance abuse.

“I am grateful and looking forward to returning to the Capitol for my fifth legislation session,” said Rep. McCarty. “It has been a true privilege and honor serving my district over the past four years. I will continue to work very hard to represent all of my constituents and their best interests during this upcoming term. I am particularly honored to be serving as Ranking Member of the Education Committee. As a parent, former educator and long-standing Board of Education member and chairwoman, I value the importance of a quality education for all of Connecticut’s school children. I am looking forward to working in a non-partisan manner with committee members and other stakeholders to ensure that education is kept in the forefront of public policy. It is essential that all students are prepared for success in meeting the challenges of higher education or the workplace. I will also continue to prioritize and support improvements to healthcare and services to seniors, individuals with disabilities and mental health challenges.”

Rep. McCarty can be reached at Kathleen.McCarty@housegop.ct.gov or 800-842-1423. Constituents can also reach her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/repmccarty.

The 2019 Regular Legislative Session will adjourn at midnight on June 5th.

New legislation effective dates are typically January 1st, July 1st, and October 1st throughout the calendar year. As 2018 comes to an end, we prepare for a number of new laws to take effect starting tomorrow, January 1, 2019.

These new laws may have an impact on you, your business, or our community. I have highlighted some noteworthy new laws below and encourage you to take a look at the full list. Please contact me with any questions or clarifications regarding the implementation of these new laws.

AN ACT CONCERNING DUAL ARRESTS AND THE TRAINING REQUIRED OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL WITH RESPECT TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

This new law, PA 18-5, will reduce the number of dual arrests that occur in domestic violence cases and enhance domestic violence training offered to state and local law enforcement agencies. For a summary, click here.

AN ACT CONCERNING MAMMOGRAMS, BREAST ULTRASOUNDS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF BREASTS

This new law, PA 18-159, redefines mammogram, and eliminates copayments and deductibles for certain breast ultrasounds. For a summary, click here.

AN ACT AUTHORIZING PREGNANCY AS A QUALIFYING EVENT FOR SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIODS FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS

This new law, PA 18-43, permits certain pregnant individuals to enroll in a health insurance policy or plan not later than thirty days after the individual’s pregnancy has been certified by a licensed health care provider. For a full summary, click here.

Please pass this information along to those who may benefit from knowing what to expect in the New Year in the State of Connecticut.

WATERFORD – On December 18th, State Representative Kathleen McCarty (R-38) and State Senator Paul Formica (R-20) rang the bell for the Salvation Army outside the Waterford Wal-Mart to raise money for local residents in need. In just an hour, the lawmakers raised nearly $200 – all of which was donated directly to the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army responds to natural disasters such as wildfires and tornadoes, provides meals and toys to families in need, and conducts research and analyses regarding human needs around the country. They also provide adult rehabilitation, veteran services, elderly services, missing person searches, housing assistance, youth recreation, sponsorship, and support in the fight to end human trafficking.

WATERFORD – State Representative Kathleen McCarty (R-38) and State Senator Paul Formica (R-20) have volunteered for the fourth year in a row to raise money for local residents in need by collecting for the Salvation Army at Walmart on December 18^th. All proceeds collected during the one hour of bell ringing will be donated directly to the Salvation Army.

When: Tuesday, December 18, 2018 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Where: Walmart, 155 Parkway North, Waterford, CT

Last year Rep. McCarty and Sen. Formica’s collection contributed to the more than $260,000 that the House Republican Caucus has raised as a whole for the Salvation Army over the past several years.

The legislators welcome all constituents to stop by the store and help make the fundraising event a success! If you are unable to make it on December 18^th, you can donate directly on the Salvation Army’s website at www.salvationarmyusa.org – where you can also learn of other ways to do good this holiday season; for example, by donating cars, clothing, household goods, airline miles, bonds and stocks, or volunteering for the community.

The Salvation Army responds to natural disasters such as wildfires and tornadoes, provides meals and toys to families in need, and conducts research and analyses regarding human needs around the country. They also provide adult rehabilitation, veteran services, elderly services, missing person searches, housing assistance, youth recreation, sponsorship, and support in the fight to end human trafficking.

For more information on the event, please contact Rep. McCarty at 800-842-1423 or Kathleen.McCarty@housegop.ct.gov or Sen. Formica at 800-842-1421 or Paul.Formica@cga.ct.gov.

Reps. McCarty and Cheeseman Congratulate Dominion Energy and New Apprentices

WATERFORD– In honor of Veterans Day and the state’s “Registered Apprenticeship Week”, Dominion Energy’s Millstone Power Station celebrated the establishment of its first-ever….on station equipment. This certification also allows veterans participating in the training to apply for federal GI Bill benefits. State Representatives Kathleen McCarty (R-Waterford) and Holly Cheeseman (R-East Lyme) were in attendance at the matriculation ceremony on Wednesday to congratulate the four veterans now participating in the program, Benjamin Cregger of Mystic, Jeffrey Fluet of Waterford, Grannis Richardson of Niantic, and Joshua Wilkinson of Westerly, R.I.

According to Millstone Site Vice President John Daugherty, Dominion sees military veterans as an experienced pool of potential employees and feels that this program provides them an “earn while you learn” experience. He also attributes the possibility of making this program happen to the public-private cooperation between Dominion and state and federal government entities.

“This is a memorable occasion to celebrate success for our veterans here at Millstone,”said Rep. McCarty. “It is rewarding to witness top talent being recruited from our United States military through the apprenticeship program at Dominion. Millstone has always been a great community partner involved in mentorship programs and advancing education in collaboration with our local schools. The apprenticeship program is another positive employment training initiative. In addition, with approximately one-third of Connecticut’s military population living here in Southeastern Connecticut, this is an extraordinary program that will continue to bring valuable job opportunities to our local veterans. Congratulations to Millstone, the Department of Labor and our veterans for their participation in the apprenticeship program.” 

 “As a member of the Legislature’s Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, workforce development is of course a great interest and priority of mine,” said Rep. Cheeseman. “I am particularly passionate about supporting our veterans and their families, who sacrifice so much for our freedom and safety, in finding quality employment. We should continue working with the federal government to offer more programs like this one.” 

State Representatives Kathleen McCarty (left), and Holly Cheeseman (far right) congratulate Joshua Wilkinson, Benjamin Cregger, Jeffrey Fluet, and Grannis Richardson all of Dominion Energy for their participation in the Connecticut Department of Labor certified maintenance apprenticeship programs at Millstone Power Station.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is continuing their tree and vegetation removal work in Southeastern Connecticut along I-95 Northbound. The next location will be at the Exit 82A off-ramp in Waterford on Tuesday, November 27th. The rain date will be Wednesday, November 28th.

This exit ramp for the Frontage Road in New London will be closed on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please expect traffic delays. Crash attenuator vehicles and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists around the work zone.

Modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Please maintain a safe speed when driving in this vicinity.

NORWICH – Last weekend, local lawmakers and members of the Legislative caucus on Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) State Representatives Kathleen McCarty (R-38) and Mike France (R-42) served on the “Decisions and Debates: A Legislative Forum on Disability Issues” panel hosted by the Norwich Commission on Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) at the Otis Library.

This forum was held as a part of Disability Awareness Week, a series of educational and cultural events that focus on independence, civil rights and self-determination for I/DD individuals.

Reps. McCarty and France joined State Senators Paul Formica and Cathy Osten at this event to discuss the compliance of local services with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as available access to healthcare, housing, public transportation and educational and employment opportunities. The legislators also touched on key disability-related legislation from this past session and addressed topics likely to come up in 2019. The discussions were moderated by Elanah Sherman, NCPD Chairwoman, and Melissa Marshall, Coordinator of the Connecticut Cross-Disability Lifespan Alliance.

“It is so crucial that we keep advocating for the needs of our I/DD community,” said Rep. McCarty, who co-sponsored Special Act 18-3 and who is a long-time supporter of Camp Harkness, which provides programs to I/DD individuals. “I have held several similar forums in my district to speak with my constituents and local organization leaders. As we continue to find gaps in our services it is important that state spending be prioritized so that funding for critical services such as employment, transportation, and housing that support the ID/D Community, can be protected within available resources.”

“We need to bring regional efforts together to collaboratively ensure mobility and appropriate services for the disabled,” said Rep. France, who voted in favor of Special Act 18-3, which established a task force to study best practices to provide transportation for disabled persons, senior citizens and veterans. “I believe some important first steps include determining how to effectively differentiate a learning disability from a mental illness, expanding ADA-compliant access to state buildings, enabling opportunities to participate in the legal process by providing ADA-compliant jury boxes, determining possible alternative solutions to the Southbury Training Facility, and exploring the option of offering private insurance coverage with sufficient duration of coverage.”

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is beginning a tree and vegetation removal project on I-395 Southbound in Montville and Route 693 (Montville Connector) Northbound & Southbound in Montville and Waterford on Tuesday, October 9th.

Work is scheduled to take place Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. until Friday, October 26th. Please expect lane closures on I-395 Southbound from the Moxley Road underpass to the Junction of State Route 693 in Montville. Lane closures on the Connector will occur between Route 32 and the end of the Connector in Waterford/Montville.

Modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Please maintain a safe speed when driving in this vicinity.

I just received an advisory from Millstone Power Station that I would like to share with you. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Ken Holt, Millstone’s Manager of Communications, at 860-440-0132.

Dear Millstone neighbor,

As a neighbor of Millstone Power Station, you may have noticed increased activity at the station over the past several weeks. These activities are associated with the upcoming regularly scheduled refueling outage on Unit 2. During the course of the outage, we will be using the specialized skills of more than 900 supplemental staff in addition to our full time personnel to perform maintenance and prepare the unit for the next 18 months of operation. The outage is expected to last about a month.

We will be taking Unit 2 off-line later today. As you know, this process requires the venting of steam, which can be noisy. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Please pass this information along to anyone who may be impacted!

HARTFORD – The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) has officially marked 2018 as the Year of the Woman. As such, they are extending honor and gratitude to women who have made a positive difference in their work to assist survivors of domestic Violence in the state. State Representative Kathleen McCarty (R-38), who was nominated by “Safe Futures,” has been selected as one of these honorees and will receive a 2018 First 100 Plus leadership award for her efforts in the domestic violence awareness movement that is working to improve the lives of survivors.

According to the CCADV, domestic violence shelters in Connecticut are operating at 123% capacity with over 50% of the 1,000 children residing there annually being six years of age or younger.

“Organizations like Safe Futures, which work to save lives by protecting the privacy and safety of domestic violence victims, are indispensable in our community,” said Rep. McCarty, who co-sponsored Public Act 17-31, which, as of October 2017, strengthened domestic violence laws by increasing penalties and broadening definitions of violent acts that cause physical, emotional and mental harm. “As a state representative it is my privilege to support and advocate for legislation that protects individuals from all forms of domestic violence. I will continue to support efforts that work to eliminate domestic violence through crisis intervention, support groups and education programs. Knowing how much of a struggle – and how much suffering – families working to rebuild lives shattered by domestic violence or sexual assault go through, it is critical to enact legislation and support domestic violence programs that seek to eliminate violence in our community.”

Rep. McCarty will receive this recognition at the CCADV’s 8^th Annual First 100 Plus Breakfast & Awards Ceremony on November 9^th at the Hartford Marriott Downtown. All funds raised through the ceremony will be utilized to support comprehensive responses, public awareness efforts and the services necessary to meet the complex needs of survivors and their children.