CSFA Legislative Update from Leon Collins, June 6th, 2017
No Budget Passed
It appears that the Connecticut General Assembly will not be able to agree on a budget before the close of the legislative session at midnight on Thursday, June 8th.
New Fire EMS Caucus
However, the best news is that two legislators, Representatives Boyd and Ohler, have re-organized a Fire EMS Caucus in a bipartisan effort to give us greater support among our state’s legislators. Both of these legislators are Volunteer Firefighters.
Rep. Boyd is a Democrat from the 50th District representing Pomfret, Eastford, Brooklyn, Union and Woodstock).
Rep. Ohler is a Republican from the 54th District representing Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salibury, Sharon and Torrington.
So far, the following legislators have volunteered to participate on the Fire EMS Caucus:
- William Buckbee (R) New Milford
- Kim Rose (D) Milford
- Christie Carpino (R) Cromwell, Portland
- Gary Byron (R) Newington
- Ben McGorty (R) Shelton, Stratford, Trumbull
- David Arconti (D) Danbury
- J.P. (R) Sredzinski Monroe, Newtown
- Mitch Bolinski (R) Newtown
- Michael Winkler (D) Vernon
- Scott Storms (R) Windsor, Windsor Locks
- Jay Case (R) Colebrook, Goshen, Torrington, Winchester
- Linda Orange (D) Colchester, Lebanon, Mansfield, Windham
- Anna Dauphinais (R) Killingly, Plainfield
- Rob Sampson (R) Southington, Wolcott
- Tom Delnicki (R) South Windsor
- Cathy Abercrombie (D) Berlin, Meriden
- Henry Genga (D) East Hartford
- Linda Gentile (D) Ansonia, Derby
I sent individual notes of thanks from CSFA to every legislator who has signed on so far. Please reach out to the legislator from YOUR town or district and let them know we appreciate his or her participation in this effort to help the Fire Service.
The “Apparatus Bill” Goes to the Senate
The most notable action this week for legislation we have been tracking is that the “Apparatus Bill” (H.B. 7047) is now on the Senate Calendar after successfully passing the House by a healthy margin.
Also, there is no news regarding funding sources for the “Cancer Bill” (Public Act 16-10) nor is there news regarding funding for the operating budgets of the Region Fire Schools.
The expectation is that legislators will return later in June to work on the state budget during a Special Session. We will continue efforts to have funding for the Region Fire Schools included in the state budget.
Sincerely,
Leon Collins
Legislative Representative
The Connecticut State Firefighters Association
49 Midwood Road
Branford, CT 06405
(203) 494-7842 voice and text
(203) 481-1446 fax
collins@csfa.org email
http://csfa.org website
CSFA Online 2017
