Capitol News from State Senator Don Williams

April 2009 Issue

Capitol address
Legislative Office Building
Room 3300
Hartford, CT 06106-1595

On the Web
www.SenatorWilliams.cga.ct.gov

Phone
Capitol: 860-240-8634
Toll-free: 1-800-842-1420

Thanks for reading the first edition of my monthly E-mail newsletter! I’m working hard on your behalf to help Connecticut get through this economic crisis and I hope you find this newsletter a convenient way to get updates.

In the coming weeks, I will join other legislative leaders for budget negotiations with Governor Rell, with hopes of coming to agreement on a plan to balance the largest deficit Connecticut has ever seen. I believe we must use a balanced approach to close the deficit and am very concerned that Governor Rell will ultimately support reducing funding for education, health care, and alternative energy. To learn more about what’s involved in the state budget process, visit our Guide to the Connecticut State Budget.

Protecting Connecticut Dairy Farmers

With Peter Orr of Fort Hill Farm in Thompson and Daisy the dairy cow at a press conference in front of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. I’m working hard to try and help farmers from Northeastern Connecticut this legislative session. Just weeks ago I joined Peter Orr of Fort Hill Farm in Thompson and Daisy the dairy cow at a press conference in front of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

According to the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association, dairy farmers are currently losing nearly 90 cents on every gallon of milk they sell to wholesalers due to a combination of high costs of production and a historically low federally-mandated milk price that they receive.

There are several proposed bills under consideration that would help the dairy industry in Connecticut. For more information on the campaign to save the dairy industry in Connecticut visit www.ctmilk.org.

Working for Connecticut Families

Finally, I am proud to announce that on May 7 I will be receiving the 2009 Family Legislator of the Year Award — given by the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies. I’m looking forward to speaking at the event and updating advocates on the progress we’ve made in several important areas: child nutrition, health care for children, and toy safety.

Announcing plans at a toy store in 2008 to introduce legislation putting teeth behind recalls of children's products, including toys. I'm pleased to report that legislation is now law.