Governor Rell announced on Friday that she has established a Health Care Reform Cabinet, comprising officials from several state agencies, to ensure that state-administered health programs and other key elements meet the goals and requirements of the recently passed national health care reform law.

Rell stated that "The national law is such a massive and unprecedented piece of legislation that, in some cases, it will take years until uninsured individuals begin to see the affects. We can be proud that Connecticut is a national leader in providing affordable and accessible care and this Cabinet will ensure that state-run programs complement national reform."

Connecticut was the first state to seek significant reimbursement under new federal law by converting state-administered general assistance (SAGA) to Medicaid.

Other state programs that are likely to benefit from the national law are:
- HUSKY (Healthcare for Uninsured Kids and Youth): Serves 260,000 children and teenagers and 126,000 parents, caregivers, and pregnant women.
- Charter Oak Health Plan: Serves 14,000 previously uninsured adults of all incomes.
- Health Reinsurance Association
- SustiNet
- Healthy Start
- Municipal Employees Health Insurance Program
- CT Homecare Program
- CONNPace
- CONNMap and
- Refugee Medical Assistance

The Health Care Reform Cabinet will be led by Cristine Vogel, deputy commissioner of the Department of Public Health, who oversees health care access. It will include commissioners or their designees from the Departments of Public Health, Social Services, Insurance, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Developmental Disability Services, Children and Families, Revenue Services, Economic and Community Development, Information Technology and the Office of Policy and Management and the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority.

The tasks of the Cabinet are to provide transparent access to information, pursue federal funds for a temporary high-risk insurance pool, create a consumer-friendly health insurance purchasing exchange and review insurance industry reforms to ensure Connecticut is ready for the final implementation of the national law in 2014.

WARREN, Conn. (March 18, 2010) – Justin Bernier, Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in Connecticut’s 5th District, will hold a reception and dinner at the Roosters Tail Inn in Warren on Monday, March 22.
The event is hosted by Ms. Barnes Brooks, Mr. Craig Nelson, and Mrs. Marsha Bobalik Smith. A meet-and-greet reception will begin at 6 p.m. followed by a sit-down dinner at 7 p.m. for which tickets are $50. Please RSVP to Megann O’Malley at (860) 351-5805or via e-mail at rsvp@bernierforcongress.org.
The Roosters Tail Inn is at 11 Cornwall Road in Warren. Justin Bernier is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and a former member of Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s cabinet. For more information, visit www.bernierforcongress.org .

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont will be a guest of the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce at 5 p.m. Monday, March 1, as part of the Chamber's ongoing series of meetings with top candidates for statewide office in 2010.

It comes a few days after Torrington's Democratic City Committee voted to endorse Dan Malloy, one of Lamont's main rivals for the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

The meeting will take place at the Chamber's offices at 333 Kennedy Drive in Torrington.

Who, besides Susan Bysiewicz and Jodi Rell, isn't running for governor?

That might be the question to ask after the flurry of news over the past few days about more candidates jumping into the race.

On the Democratic side, potential candidates now include:

- Ned Lamont, the millionaire failed 2006 U.S. Senate candidate.

- Dan Malloy, former mayor of Stamford and failed 2006 Democratic primary candidate.

- Mary Glassman, first selectman of Simsbury and failed 2006 lieutenant governor candidate.

- Michael Jarjura, mayor of Waterbury.

- Jim Amann, former Connecticut speaker of the House.

- Gary LeBeau, state senator from East Hartford.

- Rudy Marconi, first selectman of Ridgefield.

- Juan Figuerora, health care activist.

And on the Republican side:

- Tom Foley, millionaire former ambassador to Ireland who was a candidate for U.S. Senate before switching to the governor's race after Rell dropped out.

- Michael Fedele, our sitting lieutenant governor.

- Lawrence DeNardis, former U.S. Congressman from Hamden.

- Nelson "Oz" Griebel, a Simsbury businessman.

- Mark Boughton, mayor of Danbury.

Also mentioned as potential candidates on the Republican side are state Senate Minority Leader John McKinney and former U.S. Congressman Chris Shays.

A new poll is out showing that 5th District Congressman Chris Murphy would trounce U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman if he challenged him in 2012.

The same poll, however, shows that Gov. M. Jodi Rell would handily beat both of them if she were to jump into the race.

Murphy, presently gearing up for a re-election campaign to his seat in the 5th District, has made it clear that he is interested in running for the Senate in two years.

Connecticut Federation of Republican Women
Media Release
For immediate release
From: Maral Austin Johnson, Corresponding Secretary, 1-860-658-7962 between 6 AM – 11 PM
Re: Sat., May 30th , 12-2 PM Annual Meeting and Luncheon at the Inn in Middletown, CT.
During the weekend after Memorial Day, on Saturday, May 30, the Connecticut Federation of Republican Women will hold its Annual Meeting and Luncheon from 12 - 2 PM at the Inn in Middletown, 70 Main Street, Middletown, Connecticut.
Members, potential members, friends and neighbors from all over Connecticut are encouraged to form companionable carpools to attend. Gentlemen are welcome to congregate with others of like minds, to tender moral support and consider attainment of GOP victories.
Invited guests include: the Hon.M. Jodi Rell, Governor; Republican National Committeewoman Patricia Longo; Republican State Party Chairman Chris Healy; Republican State Party Vice Chairwoman Lisa Carver; the Hon. Christopher Shays; the Hon. Nancy Johnson; the Hon. Rob Simmons; State Senator Toni Boucher; State Representative Lawrence Cafaro; State Representative Marilyn Giuliani; Republican officials and legislators, Guest Speaker David West, author of "Reality Check".
The lunch includes gourmet-prepared chicken or salmon entree, side dishes, salad, dessert, coffee or tea at a charge of $35 per person and a cash bar for those who wish it.
Checks should be made payable to "CFRW" and mailed to Judy Davies, CFRW Treasurer, 332 Joshuatown Rd., Lyme, CT, 06371, specifying entrée choice. Davies may also be reached at (860) 526-9828. Space limitations make early reservations prudent. Dues may also be paid at the door, including those for At-Large memberships. Exit 15 off Route 9 leads to the 70 Main Street destination. Parking spaces are in close proximity to the Inn.
Each club has traditionally brought gifts or favors suitable for door prizes, etc. Any questions about this, or other matters, may be directed to CFRW President Kathleen McCarty at (860) 442-2903 in Waterford, CT.

By RONALD DEROSA/Register Citizen Staff

HARTFORD — Gov. M. Jodi Rell signed a bill Friday that will allow municipalities to delay the implementation of their property revaluations until 2011.

The S.B. 997, which passed the State House of Representatives this week and the State Senate last week, was co-sponsored by two Torrington-area legislators, state Sen. Kevin Witkos, R-8, and state Rep. Michelle Cook, D-65. Torrington was one of a few cities in the state — along with Washington, Woodbury and Monroe — that has received an overwhelming amount of complaints against Waterbury-based Total Valuation, who completed the full physical revaluation as required by law this year. The towns have been seeking a way to delay having to hand the results in to the state.

"I’m glad the governor moved on it as quickly as she did," Cook said.
With the passing of the legislation — titled An Act Concerning A Municipal Option To Delay Revaluation — the city has the option to completely delay implementing the revaluation until 2011, beginning July 1. The move gives Torrington the option to throw out the 2008 data collected by Total Valuation, instead relying on figures from the 2007 computer-based revaluation, said Mayor Ryan Bingham.

"We’re clearly going to have to redo it, sooner than later," Cook said. "But I think that’s for (the city) to work out at the city level. They know more about which would be best to go."
From the Torrington perspective, the city still is withholding $100,000 from Total Valuation as sanction for not meeting deadlines, and the Board of Assessment Appeals is still going through some 1,400 appeals filed in recent months.

The city is now having Corporation Counsel Ernestine Weaver review the new legislation due to an amendment added that allows for regionalizing, Bingham said. Also, the city still waits formal notification from the state Office of Policy and Management regarding a request for a one-year postponement, the mayor said.

If OPM allows for the postponement, then the city can get through all the necessary appeals and use all of the information gathered in 2008 for 2009’s Grand List, Bingham said.
The vote comes down, however, to City Council on how it wants proceed, he said. Should the council decide it does not want to use the 2008 numbers at all, then the city can wait until 2011 to do the process all over again, Bingham said.

"We would have to notify OPM as a courtesy because they would have to put our municipality on the list for 2011," the mayor said. "They would keep track of when our revaluations are due. We wouldn’t need their permission to throw at the numbers, now that S.B. 997 is passed and signed by the governor."

Governor M. Jodi Rell has announced she has nominated state Representative Kevin M. DelGobbo of Naugatuck to be a Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control.
DelGobbo (R-70), 44, has served in the state House of Representatives since 1997 and is the ranking Republican on the Appropriations Committee. He also serves on the Energy & Technology and Public Safety committees.
"Kevin brings an enthusiasm and – importantly – a tremendous understanding of Connecticut’s energy needs to the Department of Public Utility Control," Governor Rell said. "I have had the pleasure of working with him for many years on these kinds of issues and I know he really does ‘get it.’ He ‘gets it’ when it comes to the ability of our working families to pay the expenses of heating and lighting a home. And he ‘gets’ the intricate connections that underlie the issues – the economic and social reasons why we must ensure now that our state has an adequate power supply for the 21st century."
DelGobbo, who was named Lawmaker of the Year in 2008 by the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits, the Connecticut Association for Home Care & Hospice and the Connecticut Water Works Association, has been heavily involved in legislation dealing with energy and telecommunications issues.
Governor Rell included DelGobbo among the advisors who helped her draw up her Connecticut Energy Vision for a Cleaner, Greener State, a comprehensive strategy first announced in 2006. The Energy Vision outlines specific steps and goals for energy planning, including adding renewable electric generating capacity and increasing production and use of biofuels in transportation motor fuels.
DelGobbo also helped write the Energy Independence Act of 2005, which was intended to reduce energy costs and encourage conservation as well as spur greater development of "distributed generation" – small power plants, often supplying a single industrial or commercial site such as a factory, that can add their power-making capacity to the grid when demand is at its highest.
The DPUC regulates the rates and services of Connecticut’s investor-owned electric, natural gas, water and telecommunication companies and is the franchising authority for the state’s cable television companies.
In wholly regulated utilities such as gas and water service, the DPUC must balance the public’s right to safe and reliable service at reasonable rates with the provider’s right to a reasonable profit on its investment.
When it comes to competitive services such as telecommunications, the DPUC’s job is to ensure fairness among the competitors so customers reap the price and quality benefits of competition and are protected from unfair business practices.
DelGobbo, who was re-elected to a seventh term in November, will not take the oath of office as a legislator in January. His nomination to the DPUC is to the position reserved for a utility customer advocate.
"As a lawmaker Kevin has spent more than a decade advocating on behalf of his constituents," Governor Rell said. "He understands very well the constraints they face, especially when it comes to the costs of basics like heat and lights. His focus, like mine, will be on increasing our generating capacity and increasing our transmission capacity, while balancing the costs with the abilities of people to pay."

Governor M. Jodi Rell has announced that the state Department of Labor has begun notifying more than 18,000 unemployed people that they may be eligible to extend their federal jobless benefits seven more weeks.
"With the holiday season upon us, this is welcome news for those struggling to feed families, pay mortgages and keep their homes warm," Governor Rell noted. "These serious economic times make it essential that our unemployed residents have economic stability while searching for new employment."
The Governor said the DOL mailed letters Thursday and Friday to individuals who have exhausted their extended federal compensation that had been extended 13 weeks this past summer. The letters provide instructions on how to apply for a seven-week extension.
State Labor officials say it now takes an average of 16 weeks to find a new job, compared with 13 weeks last year. The state has issued nearly $650 million in regular unemployment insurance benefits this year and more than $105 million in federal extended benefits.
"While I have confidence that Connecticut will weather this economic storm, providing unemployment benefits is one of the most important things we can do to help our citizens get through this difficult time," the Governor said.
State Labor Commissioner Patricia H. Mayfield said with the state's unemployment rate at 6.5 percent, her agency is processing about 80,000 unemployment claims each week, a 50 percent jump over last year.
"Fortunately, Governor Rell has authorized our agency to implement changes that are improving our ability to process claims and help our citizens," Commissioner Mayfield said.
Under Governor Rell's direction the DOL is expediting claims by taking the following steps:
* Extending call center hours from 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.
* Opening an Emergency Resource Center with staff dedicated to answering questions on the federal extension
* Increasing staff by temporarily hiring 15 DOL retirees with experience in claims processing; using DOL volunteers on a temporary basis to process claims; and training 20 temporary workers
Commissioner Mayfield advises residents to wait for their letters of notification to arrive before calling the agency. She also said that claims will be processed faster if individuals file using the DOL's Web site at www.ct.gov/dol <http://www.ct.gov/dol> rather than mailing back the application being sent with the notification letter.
Residents with questions about the federal extension can also call a toll-free number: 1-877-522-6711, which is staffed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell today announced that in anticipation of a federal stimulus package she has directed state agencies to identify those infrastructure projects, including road, bridge, rail and public buildings and economic development and housing initiatives that have received all necessary permits and, as appropriate, final designs.

"We will be ready to begin these projects as soon as federal dollars are available,” Rell said. “I have said all along that the best economic stimulus is jobs, jobs, jobs. We want these projects to be shovel-ready to get people working as soon as possible.”

The governor has directed the Departments of Public Works, Transportation and Economic and Community Development to prioritize those projects that are ready to be undertaken subject to federal funding. She has written to President Bush, Congressional leaders and the Connecticut Congressional delegation urging timely passage of a second stimulus package that focuses on investments in public infrastructure, Medicaid reimbursement funding and money for unemployment benefits.

The governor is also meeting with President-elect Obama on Tuesday in Philadelphia with other governors to discuss the specific needs of states. Rell said she plans to emphasize that infrastructure monies should be 100 percent federally funded rather than having states provide the traditional 20 percent match.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell today stressed the need for all segments of society to work together creatively to stem youth violence that affects not only the state’s largest cities but every corner of Connecticut.

The governor addressed hundreds of people gathered at Central Connecticut State University for a statewide summit she convened on preventing urban youth violence.
“We knew we needed to develop a coordinated statewide approach to address these tragedies that really do have ripple effects far beyond urban borders,” Rell said. “With each senseless death we lose a little of ourselves as a society – unless we all come together to help.”

The theme of the summit, “Creating Solutions Through Innovative Collaborations Statewide” drew representatives from interfaith groups, schools and community organizations.
“There is certainly no lack of passion on anyone’s part here to begin to turn this around,” Governor Rell said. “Our solutions must be the produce of an integrated approached and a shared commitment.”

The summit featured panel discussions from participants of recent town hall meetings in Hartford, Bridgeport and New Haven. Panelists discussed the impact of youth violence on their communities and possible solutions to the problem.
“We must break this cycle of violence,” Governor Rell said. “We have so much to gain as a society. If we do not, we stand to lose the full potential of the next generation and more of our humanity.”

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that her new interactive state budget Web site has drawn hundreds of responses from taxpayers who weigh in daily with online suggestions for saving money and making state government more efficient.

"The public is speaking loud and clear on how to best use taxpayer money," Governor Rell said. "We developed this Web site to not only give residents a clear understanding of what we are facing in this economy but also to give them a chance to be part of the solution."

The interactive budget Web site, launched October 27, allows taxpayers to review the entire two-year state budget. The site can be accessed by clicking on the "Budget Forum" link in the Governor's Web site at: www.ct.gov/governorrell

The Web site includes links to budgets of specific agencies and aid to cities and towns. There is also a link that provides the latest updates to the state's economy, including Governor Rell's stark announcement earlier this week that the projected deficit has ballooned to $6 billion for fiscal years 2010 and 2011.

A new link added this week titled "View Suggestions" lets the public view many of the taxpayer suggestions. "We have heard from every corner of the state and there is certainly no lack of creativity," Governor Rell said. "Most importantly, there are some sensible ideas that merit consideration." Many of the suggestions focused on the use of a smaller, more efficient state fleet and a reduction or outright ban on personal use of state vehicles. Others have suggested privatizing certain services, such as transit districts, or cutting state employee hours to 35 a week. Other suggestions currently posted on the Web site are:

* Sell beer and wine in grocery stores and on Sunday and double the tax on Sunday sales

* Standardize the state's printing and publication process

* Take a full accounting of all state property and sell the excess

* Ban all-night legislative sessions - conduct business during working hours

* State employees should contribute more to their health insurance

* Light every other street light and outfit them with sensors

* Reduce highway mowing

* Have towns plow state roads in their jurisdiction

* Bring back tolls

* Use synthetic oil in state fleet and push out timeframe for oil changes

* Too many "commissions"

* Eliminate pay raises for a year - act like a private business that could go bankrupt

"The unstable national economy is hitting home - and hard. It is no longer a matter of whether to cut the size of government but rather how deep. My office, our commissioners and state lawmakers have some very hard choices ahead of us to make sure the state lives within its means over the next several months and, even years," Governor Rell said. "This Web site will help keep the public informed of our progress and perhaps generate common sense solutions from the very taxpayers we serve. Connecticut's richest resource has and always will be its people."

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she has asked Connecticut ’s Congressional delegation to join her in pressing for an increase in federal Medicaid reimbursement rates to be included in the second national economic stimulus package Congress will consider in the coming days.

Social services represent the largest component of the $18.4 billion state budget, accounting for about 40 percent of expenditures. Services range from child care, food stamps and heating aid to nursing homes, home health care and services to the elderly. Connecticut ’s expenses are partially reimbursed by the federal government, but the state’s reimbursement rate is set at 50 percent – the lowest possible – so any increase would mean a substantial boost in state revenues.

Dear Connecticut Congressional Delegation:

I know that the campaign season has been long and difficult for all of you and I hope that you have had some time to rest and recover since Tuesday’s election.

Connecticut residents are looking forward to the prospect of new and creative solutions to the serious challenges confronting us. Foremost on their minds – and mine – is the national economy. I know you share my conviction that as Congress returns to work in the coming days there is much that needs immediate attention. High on that list should be passage of a second national economic stimulus package – one geared toward easing the grinding financial pressures on the states and helping put people back to work.

As you know, middle-income families in Connecticut and elsewhere are struggling as never before. They see their energy bills, their food bills and other expenses piling up, while the stock market remains in a slump and businesses large and small fight to keep their heads above water. Many of our largest employers have laid off workers. Even those that have not been forced to cut jobs are predicting lower spending and lower profits.

In Connecticut and all over the country, state governments are pinched between competing demands. Almost every state in the nation is required, either by law or by constitution, to have a balanced budget. Yet almost every state has seen revenues decline as jobs are lost, incomes dwindle and the economy contracts. And, of course, it is when the economy is deteriorating that the demand for state services is at its greatest.

That is why I am writing today to urge you to swiftly enact a comprehensive economic stimulus package for the states.

As you know, I recently wrote Congressional leaders on the same subject, a request that was echoed by Representative Courtney. I stressed that the package should not only include money for unemployment assistance and new infrastructure projects to help create jobs, but should also include money to relieve the pressure that skyrocketing Medicaid costs are placing on states.

I am asking that you pay particular attention to the issue of Medicaid reimbursements. An increase in reimbursements will serve two critical purposes: It will enable us to continue providing both direct services to citizens and indirect services through our network of private and non-profit providers, and it will relieve some of the burden as the General Assembly and I cope with the current budget deficit of more than $300 million.

Connecticut ’s federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) is currently set at 50 percent, the lowest possible reimbursement rate set by the federal government. An increase to 55 percent would mean an additional $125 million in annual revenue to maintain our high-quality health care programs.

Medicaid represents Connecticut ’s most significant public investment in the health and well-being of our population. Our fiscal 2009 Medicaid budget exceeds $3.7 billion, or 21 percent of the entire state budget. This includes nearly $1.5 billion for citizens in long-term care, nearly $800 million for child and care-giver coverage and $334 million for community and home health care services.

Programs ranging from prenatal care and children’s health coverage to community-based home care for elders, coverage for the employed disabled and long-term care for our vulnerable seniors are all supported by federal Medicaid reimbursements. Many Connecticut residents rely on these programs and would be deeply affected if budget realities forced them to be scaled back or eliminated.

None of us want to see these programs become a victim of the very real budget pressures faced by Connecticut and countless other states – and that is yet another reason why an increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates is such a vital component of the stimulus package Congress will be considering.

Working together, we can soften the impact on our working families, our retirees, our senior citizens and the others across this nation who struggle to make ends meet. The mandate revealed in Tuesday’s election clearly sought nothing less. And the future of a great nation clearly demands nothing less.

Sincerely,


M. Jodi Rell
Governor

The every-other-year speculation that Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal will run for governor started basically the day after this year's election.
Maybe - but doubtful - we'll find out if 2010 is finally the year when Blumenthal appears on "Face the State" on WFSB Channel 3 at 11 a.m. Sunday. Topics of discussion, according to the station, will be "Obama's Big Win, Blumenthal in 2010 and the state Republican party."
Conventional wisdom is that, once again, major potential Democratic candidates are somewhat paralyzed in actively seeking the governorship until Blumenthal makes up his mind.
Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, who thought about running last time, and Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, who lost in the primary last time to New Haven Mayor John Destefano, both might fall into that category.
Outgoing Speaker of the House Jim Amann is not in that category - he is openly running for the seat already.
God help the Republicans if Gov. M. Jodi Rell decides not to seek a second full term.
The other factor for major candidates could be U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd's seat, which is up in 2010 also.
Who knows how the mortgage controversy that is increasingly sliming his reputation will impact his decision on whether to run again. Or maybe President-elect Barack Obama, who had once considered Dodd for vice president, will tap him for some cabinet appointment or ambassadorship.
If Dodd quits, Blumenthal might run for the Senate. And would Ned Lamont take another shot, so he could be the junior Senate teammate of his buddy Joe Lieberman?
And you also need to factor in a bunch of bored congressmen possibly being interested in either Dodd's seat or running for governor, including Chris Murphy, Joe Courtney or John Larson.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell has created a Web site with the complete text of the state budget, as she gets ready to guide the Legislature through a solution to a deficit that could be as high as $800 million.

CLICK HERE to check it out. What do you see that could be cut?

Gov. M. Jodi Rell has submitted the following testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. Congress. The Committee held a hearing today, and lawmakers are considering a new economic stimulus package that could be voted on after the Nov. 4 election.


October 29, 2008

The Honorable Charles B. Rangel
Chairman, Ways & Means Committee
U.S. House of Representatives
1102 Longworth House Office Building
Washington , D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Rangel:

As you know, all across our nation states are caught between the rock of budget shortfalls and the hard place of increased demand for services. States – almost all of which are constitutionally or statutorily required to have balanced budgets – are seeing revenues fall dramatically and economic activity slow even as they and their municipalities face increased difficulty in borrowing.

Ordinary Americans are seeing companies to which they have given years of dedicated service make sweeping layoffs in response to precipitous declines in stock price and staggering investment losses. Others – especially senior citizens and workers approaching retirement age – are simply too terrified to even open the statements from their retirement or savings accounts because of the wild Wall Street rollercoaster.

As your Committee meets today, I call upon the panel to approve a national economic stimulus package geared toward the states. This package should include grants-in-aid that could be used for a wide range of activities, from replenishing unemployment insurance accounts, making increased credit available to small business and providing enhanced job training services to new infrastructure projects, “green collar” job programs and other pro-growth, job-creating initiatives.

Additionally, Congress should relieve the unremitting pressure that skyrocketing health care costs are placing on states. As in previous economic crises, Congress should temporarily increase the federal contribution to Medicaid. Connecticut ’s non-profit providers, for example, cannot keep pace with the rising costs and are looking to the state for assistance even as Connecticut ’s personal income and sales tax revenues decline.

I also believe such a stimulus package should give maximum flexibility to the states, rather than imposing a top-down, one-size solution. State governments will be able to target specific industries and business sectors for assistance now and make investments that will position them to succeed when the inevitable economic upturn arrives.

Mr. Chairman, I know you agree that it is time for Congress to help the states. But more than that, it is time to put the “Help Wanted” signs back where they belong – on storefronts, office buildings, construction sites, factories, schools and hospitals.

I appreciate the work of your Committee on this issue. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if I can be of any further assistance.


Sincerely,

M. Jodi Rell
Governor

Gov. M. Jodi Rell has recorded a radio ad backing the candidacy of state Rep. Kevin Witkos, who is running against Democrat Art House for the open District 8 state Senate seat.

The ad, which is running on WZBG FM 97.3, she touts Witkos' effectiveness as a state representative.