In that capacity, Peggy was as a featured panelist at a High School Registration Summit hosted by the League of Women Voters of the U.S. on April 14 in Washington, DC.

The event, supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts, highlighted strategies and best
practices for increasing voter registration rates among high school students. The group was briefed on successful efforts by the League and Project Vote to increase political
participation rates among underrepresented youth for the 2010 midterms. The High School Registration Project included school voter registration drives in five states: Arizona, California, Florida, Texas and Virginia.

Reeves addressed the conference regarding her state’s efforts to increase high school registrations and civic participation levels of 18 to 24 year-olds. Since 1987, Connecticut has mandated that local registrars of voters conduct voter registration drives in public high schools. Students who are 16 or 17 years of age may also serve as poll workers during primary and general elections.

John Kalamarides

His proposal has been called courageous and honest by both Republicans and Democrats. There are no gimmicks: no “kicking the can down the road,” no increases in borrowing. He will reorganize, combine, and eliminate many agencies. He has declared the State will use GAAP accounting, so no longer will revenue be brought forward and expenses
pushed out to the next budget year. Everyone has to share in the sacrifice. He has put it forth without bombast or threats. He has given us all—individual voters, small business owners, corporate officials, union members, and all our elected local and state representatives—some time to ponder his plan. And he has taken the plan on the road to sell it to the voters of the State.

As we look at the State government budget, there are several facts we need to recognize. First, government is not a corporation. While we should expect that it is well-managed, it does not and should not have profit centers that will make it or break it on how well they do. Government is meant to serve the people. Second, we do not want to privatize large portions of the government like roads, buildings or the Corrections Department. We have seen just a few years ago how costly the failure of the State emission testing program was. Third, it was a Republican governor who in 1997 made a 20 year pact with the State employee unions. Finally, Governor Malloy did not make these problems. He is declaring an end to them by proposing a real fix.

Our local state representatives (Senator Toni Boucher, Representatives Gail LaVielle and John Hetherington) have stated they do not like the Governor’s budget because it proposes new taxes. They would rather bring the 2011-2012 State budget back to 2008 spending levels. But what should be cut? Nursing homes that serve people who have no funds? UCONN where students are rushing to attend to save money? State employees, who are being asked to give up $1 billion this year, when their share of the $19 billionbudget is $5 billion?

It’s my opinion that our representatives can no longer just complain they don’t approve of the budget. That’s not why Wilton sent them to Hartford. They were sent to represent all of us and to participate in solutions to our problems. Therefore, they have a responsibility also to offer realistic alternatives if they want to criticize parts of the
budget. If the budget is cut, what specifically should be cut? If we do not tax one area, where do they suggest we should tax?

I think it is time for our representatives, if they are not happy with Governor Malloy’s budget, to present their own meaningful and realistic solutions to solve the $3.3 billion deficit. I challenge them to produce a line-by-line budget that solves the State’s problems. Please tell us what you would suggest. Wilton deserves nothing less.

State Rep. Peggy Reeves and award-recipient Bruce Hampson

“This award is an honor that is shared with the members of the Wilton Energy Commission and with the members of the High School Renovation Building Committee,” said Hampson who received the award in part because of his work overseeing the state of the art energy conserving features at Wilton High School.

Hampson added, “The bottom line is that although we have added 200 tons of classroom air-conditioning and provide four times the fresh air than when the high school was built, we are using less energy and consequently emitting less greenhouse gases than before the renovation.”

Hampson was also honored for implementing an EPA Energy Star benchmarking of all municipal and school buildings, which led to a combined electrical use reduction of 12.2% from 2007 through 2009, for a cost savings to the Town of Wilton of approximately $150,000. He was also recognized for his work promoting clean energy, including creative campaigns to increase signups for the CT Clean Energy Options program that earned Wilton a free solar photovoltaic system under the Clean Energy Communities program.

State Representative Peggy Reeves, who represents Norwalk and Wilton in the Connecticut General Assembly, accompanied Hampson to yesterday’s ceremony along with members of the Wilton Energy Commission, the Superintendant of Schools, Dr. Gary Richards, and the former Chair of the Wilton Board of Education, Karen Birck.

“I am so proud of what Bruce has accomplished and am honored to be with him here today,” said Reeves. “The Town of Wilton has actually reduced its carbon footprint as a direct result of Bruce and the Wilton Energy Commission’s work”

The Climate Change Leadership Awards Program is an annual program developed by the Governor’s Steering Committee on Climate Change to recognize individuals and organizations that have taken exemplary action in the past year to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. The Governor’s Steering Committee, established in 2003, is charged with leading a collaborative effort to develop and implement the Connecticut Climate Change Action Plan and the Connecticut Global Warming Solutions Act.

Representative Peggy Reeves is serving her first term representing most of Wilton and part of Norwalk in the 143rd Assembly District. Representative Reeves sits on the legislature’s Government Administration and Elections, Judiciary and Transportation Committees.

Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” played as Senate-nominee Dick Blumenthal ascended the podium.

And the Nominees are…

• U.S.Senate: Richard Blumenthal
• Governor: Dan Malloy
• Lt. Governor: Nancy Wyman
• Secretary of State: Denise Merrill
• Attorney General: George Jepsen
• State Treasurer: Denise Nappier
• State Comptroller: Kevin Lembo

Wilton Dems Convention Tweetcast Makes Splash

Delegate Thomas Dec live-tweeted the convention on behalf of the WDTC. Tom posted 60 tweets and photos documenting the activities on the floor as events unfolded. This “tweetcast” was picked up and “re-tweeted” by the New Canaan Democrats, as well as two aggregators of political tweets (USDemocrats and CanadaDems) and several progressives from around the state. Leveraging this network, Tom’s live convention coverage reached over 4,000 twitter users!

• Read Tom’s WDTC State Convention tweetcast
• View Tom’s photos from the floor

Convention Slideshow

Delegate Sharon Lewis Grace, past Wilton DTC Chair and Secretary, is also a darn good photographer! She captured the highlights of the convention, as seen from the floor.

• View as slideshow »

State Representative Peggy Reeves, who represents Norwalk and Wilton in the Connecticut General Assembly, voted against the 2011 state budget supported by Governor Rell and a majority of state lawmakers.

“Although today’s legislation balances the state budget through fiscal year 2011 with no tax increases, and no cuts in municipal aid, it still relies too heavily on borrowing,” said Reeves. “With the issuance of $956 million in bonds, we are using an energy efficiency program paid for by all electric ratepayers and we will be authorizing the continuance of another surcharge on consumers’ electric bills that would have expired. In addition we are making a third deferral of contributions–this time $100 million–to the state employee pension fund, growing an unfunded pension liability that is among the worst in the nation.”

Reeves added, “This budget protects funding for municipalities and implements cuts across a host of state agencies–measures I supported. But, at the same time, this budget takes millions from funds designed specifically for open space, farmland preservation and renewable energy. We cannot continue to tell Connecticut’s residents that we are going to spend money for one thing and then just use it whenever the state coffers run low.”

The budget moves $5 million from the Community Investment Act (CIA) fund–designed to support open space and farmland preservation–to the general fund. It also takes 35% of the CT Energy Efficiency Fund for the next eight years.

Reeves also voted a few days ago against raising the state income tax on certain Wall Street bonuses of $500,000 or more. Although this measure passed both the House and State Senate, Governor Rell is expected to veto the legislation. The bill does not have enough votes to override her veto.

Reeves added, “I understand that there is much frustration about the TARP money, but penalizing Connecticut employees of selected firms just does not make sense and will most likely be ruled unconstitutional.”

Representative Peggy Reeves is serving her first term representing most of Wilton and part of Norwalk in the 143rd Assembly District. Rep Reeves sits on the legislature’s Government Administration and Elections, Judiciary and Transportation Committees.

Rep. Reeves explained that the bill (HB 5442) gives members of the armed services the ability to receive absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots from municipal clerks electronically, by fax, or email.

State Representative John Hetherington (R-New Canaan/Wilton), the ranking Republican on the legislature’s Government Administration and Elections’ Committee, also rose in strong support of the legislation noting that, since the Civil War, our state has consistently supported the right of those serving in the military to cast absentee ballots.

“Ensuring that troops posted so far from home are able to cast a ballot in a timely manner is the very least we can do,” said Rep. Reeves, who served for many years as the Registrar of Voters in Wilton. “The brave men and women who are serving us so proudly should not be disfranchised because of sporadic mail service in combat zones.”

In addition, the bill allows U. S. citizens age 18 and older, born outside the U. S. but whose parent or guardian was a Connecticut resident immediately prior to leaving the country, to register and vote in a federal election using a presidential or overseas absentee ballot. Current law does not allow them to do so.

“Many Wilton residents move overseas for a job assignment, to serve in the military, or other reasons only to discover that their children born overseas are not permitted to vote. I am pleased that we were able to resolve this oversight in the law.”

The bill next moves to the State Senate for their consideration. It must then receive the signature of the governor to become law.

Representative Peggy Reeves is serving her first term representing most of Wilton and part of Norwalk in the 143rd Assembly District. Rep Reeves sits on the legislature’s Government Administration and Elections, Judiciary and Transportation Committees.

Wilton resident & CT Medical Society President Dr. Kathleen LaVorgna and State Rep. Peggy Reeves

Rep. Reeves Sponsors Rate Approvals Act

Rep. Reeves and Dr. LaVorgna met at the annual Connecticut State Medical Society meeting for legislators at the capitol. Reeves is sponsoring An Act Concerning Rate Approvals for Individual Health Insurance Policies (SB 194), which would require a public hearing of any proposed rate increases by an insurer.

“Health insurance companies like to blame physicians for what they say are rising costs, but they are the ones with profits in the billions,” said Dr. LaVorgna. “It’s high time health insurance companies justify the double-digit increases they impose. “Many patients struggle to get the care they need paid for by their insurer. I don’t know any physician who’s getting paid more now by a health insurance company than they did in the past.”

“Doctors just want to provide the best possible care for their patients. It’s important that we at the legislature do everything possible to make sure that nothing stands between doctors and their patients when it comes to making medical decisions,” said Reeves. “Insurers must justify their requests for increased premiums and their arbitrary denials of care.”

Representative Peggy Reeves is serving her first term representing most of Wilton and part of Norwalk in the 143rd Assembly District. Rep Reeves sits on the legislature’s Government Administration and Elections, Judiciary and Transportation Committees.

Representative Reeves signed on to sponsor legislation after hearing from many constituents about Anthem’s attempt to increase rates 32% on individual policies last summer. Under public pressure, the Insurance Department held a public hearing and approved a rate hike of 16-20%– costing residents thousands of additional dollars in insurance premiums.

Rate Increase Effect Our Neighbors…

“I heard from a Wilton woman who is 41, in good health and has no pre-existing conditions whose insurance premiums went from $436.34 to $765.30 per month – an increase of 75%,” Representative Reeves told the state legislature’s Insurance Committee at a public hearing yesterday.

…and Stifle The Growth of Small Businesses

“I am also appearing on behalf of small business owners in my district. The recent increases on individual policies disproportionately affected small businesses that are locked out of larger pools,” added Representative Reeves. “If we want to keep jobs in Connecticut and attract more jobs, we need to lower the cost of doing business in this state. Our small businesses are being squeezed by skyrocketing health insurance costs. I urge this committee to pass legislation that will help reign in these increases.”

Change Proposed in CT Law Regulating Rate Increases

Currently, Connecticut law allows insurance company requests for premium increases to go into effect after 30 days if no action is taken by the state Insurance Department. There is no requirement for a public hearing or approval of these requests by the Insurance Department.

An Act Concerning Rate Approvals for Individual Health Insurance Policies (SB 194) eliminates the Insurance Department’s ability to allow rate hikes to take effect without a public hearing. The bill also requires insurance companies to disclose documentation in support of rate increases for public scrutiny, limits reasons for a rate increases, and puts burden of proving that an increase is “reasonable” on the insurer. The legislation will also empower the Attorney General and the state Healthcare Advocate to intervene in rate cases and appeal rate decisions to the Superior Court.

About the Citizen’s Election Program

Reps. Peggy Reeves & Holder at the Feb. 4th meeting in Stamford on this issue sponsored by Common Cause CT

In 2005, the state legislature passed a landmark campaign finance reform program, the Citizen’s Election Program, which provides state grants to qualified candidates, limits campaign contributions to $100 or less and bans contributions from lobbyists and state contractors.

Funding for the CEP comes from the proceeds of sales of abandoned property in the custody of the state of Connecticut – not from taxes.

The Bad Old Days

Before enactment of this program, special interests and big donors had too much influence over the legislative process. Corruption reached the highest levels of government, ensnaring a former governor, state treasurer, assistant treasurer, chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, and a candidate for Secretary of the State.

Five years ago, progressive legislators in the House — with full support from Gov. (M. Jodi) Rell, our state officials, good government groups, and the State Elections Enforcement Commission — tackled the corruption problem by developing an innovative and nationally-acclaimed “Clean Elections” program that severed the unhealthy alliance between legislators and the lobbyists and PACS who backed their campaigns.

Why It Matters

Instead of spending my time raising large amounts of money from special interest groups outside my district, I had the wonderful opportunity to focus on the issues that were important to me and to my constituents, when I first ran for state representative. Although the program is optional, more than 75 percent of the General Assembly candidates in 2008 ran under the Citizens’ Election Program, and 80 percent of those elected to serve participated in the program.

Thanks to the program, there are now more women serving in the state legislature — 34 percent in the House — than there have been in decades.

Now the CEP is in jeopardy because of a ruling from the District Court striking down parts of the campaign finance law related to minor party candidates. Legal questions about this decision are now being considered by the court, but we can and must act now to fix the problematic sections of the law in order to safeguard its most important parts.

What We’re Doing About It

I was pleased that the governor, in her State of the State address, called for lawmakers to “act quickly to fix and preserve the public financing law that so many of us championed and that takes special interest money out of campaigns.” The legislature agrees.

The chairs of the Government Administration and Elections Committee, on which I sit, have proposed a bill to address the court’s concerns and have scheduled a public hearing on Feb. 22 to hear comments and debate possible solutions.

The proposal, House Bill 5022, would reduce spending grants to some of the candidates and eliminate grants to unopposed candidates.

More important, the proposed legislation addresses the District Court’s concerns for the treatment of minor party and petitioning candidates.

Our State Can Continue To Be An Example for the Nation

Campaign finance reform is also being debated on the federal level. In fact, proposed legislation currently in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Fair Elections Now Act, is based on Connecticut’s system of campaign finance reform.

What’s right for Connecticut is right for the nation. Consider the huge amounts of money that candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate must raise. Do you want your federal lawmakers even more beholden to special interests? Public financing for congressional campaigns may be the only way we level the playing field in light of the recent Supreme Court ruling which gives unions and corporations the ability to spend unlimited amounts of money to advocate for the election or the defeat of a candidate.

I believe that there are worthy programs in desperate need of funding in our state. But we’re talking about buying and selling our democracy. In hard economic times, the public should feel confident that legislators are casting their votes with the public interest in mind — not the interests of corporations, state contractors, and unions.

How You Can Help

I welcome the opportunity to talk about this issue or other concerns you may have.

I can be reached at my legislative office in Hartford at 1-800-842-8267, or via e-mail at peggy.reeves@cga.ct.gov.

State Rep. Peggy Reeves represents the 143rd District (Wilton & Norwalk)