The following are summaries of recent press releases issued by Monroe’s state delegation, which includes senators Jason Perillo and Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox and Rep. Tony Scott:
Perillo advocates for homecare workers
HARTFORD, Conn. — State Sen. Jason Perillo, R-Shelton, the ranking senator on the Human Services Committee, said state officials are moving toward a resolution after nearly 3,000 homecare workers filed complaints with the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) alleging they were not properly paid.
Perillo said he and Sen. Stephen Harding recently met with DSS Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves to discuss concerns raised in a Dec. 15 letter about payroll issues involving personal care assistants (PCAs) and their payroll provider, GT Independence. Workers have reported partial, delayed, or missing pay.
Perillo said DSS attributed the problems to new systems implemented to address fraud within the home care program, which inadvertently affected legitimate workers.
Perillo thanked DSS for its responsiveness and said he plans to introduce legislation in the upcoming session aimed at reducing fraud while ensuring PCAs are paid on time. He said a resolution would benefit workers, the people they care for, and Connecticut taxpayers.
Scott announces two grants
HARTFORD, Conn. — State Rep. Tony Scott, R-Monroe, ranking member of the legislature’s Housing Committee, announced that The Center for Family Justice and Off The Streets Bridgeport will receive funding through the Interest on Real Estate Brokers Trust Account (IOREBTA) Program.
Established in 1992, the IOREBTA Program funds housing-related nonprofits statewide through interest earned on real estate trust accounts and related loan repayments.
Serving on the Housing Advisory Panel, Scott supported recommendations to the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to award $35,000 to The Center for Family Justice and $30,000 to Off The Streets Bridgeport — more than double last year’s allocation.
Scott said the funding will help both organizations continue providing critical services in lower Fairfield County, including support for survivors of domestic violence and assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness.
“These two organizations provide vital services in lower Fairfield County, and I am proud to be able to support their work by bringing awareness to my fellow legislators of the services they provide,” Scott said. “This is the second year the panel has recommended funding for The Center for Family Justice and Off The Streets, and I’m pleased that it’s more than double the previous allocation. This money will go a long way to help their operations.”
Gadkar-Wilcox hails funding for Veterans and First Responder Center
TRUMBULL, Conn. — State Sen. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, D-Trumbull, praised the unanimous approval of $900,000 in state bond funding for the Trumbull Veterans and First Responder Center, authorized by the State Bond Commission. The supplemental funding will support Phase 2 of the project, which has faced rising construction costs.
Once completed, the 5,500-square-foot, multi-use facility will serve veterans, first responders, local organizations, small businesses, and residents throughout the region, offering services such as job training, career development, healthcare access, and community event space.
“This funding is a great example of a strong state and local partnership and I’m proud that we were able to secure this funding to better support the brave men and women who served our country,” said Gadkar-Wilcox. “I am grateful to First Selectwoman Tesoro and Chairman Ray Baldwin for their vision and leadership in getting this tremendous project underway, and to the State Bond Commission for approving these critical funds.”
Trumbull First Selectwoman Vicki Tesoro and Building Committee Chairman Raymond Baldwin Jr. credited their town’s legislative delegation, which includes Gadkar-Wilcox and state representatives Tony Scott, Sarah Keitt and David Rutigliano, and state partners for advancing the project. Officials plan to begin vertical construction in the spring.
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