Capitol News from State Senator Don Williams

June 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

Dear Friends,

The first priority for the General Assembly right now is to pass a state budget that addresses our $8.7 billion biennial budget deficit by making real cuts and smart investments. We’ve put more than $2 billion in spending cuts on the table that target government bureaucracy, not the critical investments in education, health care and transportation we need to grow jobs and improve the economy.

Mapping the Damage

Did you know that Governor Rell’s proposed budget would make drastic cuts that could affect your community? Some examples include shutting down the Windham County Superior Court in Putnam, ending operating support for our Family Resource Centers in Killingly, Putnam, North Windham and Willimantic, and cuts to ECSU, Quinebaug Valley Community College and UConn. Visit our interactive Google map that highlights many of the governor’s proposed cuts and details how they would affect every town in the Northeast Corner and across the state.

LIFE STAR on Life Support

budget map Governor Rell also wants to eliminate the state subsidy for the LIFE STAR medical helicopter program, the only one of its kind in Connecticut.

Earlier this month I joined health care professionals and other lawmakers from Eastern Connecticut at a news conference at Backus Hospital to call on the governor to rethink this proposal. More than 500 LIFE STAR flights originate from Backus Hospital every year, providing a lifesaving service to Eastern Connecticut families. This is not a responsible way to balance the budget!

The Cows Are Smiling

row of cows One area where we have been able to work together is on efforts to help Connecticut’s dairy farmers. Legislators and the governor have agreed to invest approximately $20 million over the next two years to help preserve the state’s $1 billion dairy industry. I was honored to stand with local farmers earlier this year at a news conference to pledge my support, and I’m thrilled that we could keep our promise to them: Connecticut’s economy and character are sure to benefit.

Thank you for reading my monthly e-mail newsletter. I will continue to work on crafting a fair and responsible budget for Connecticut, and will keep you updated on the progress.