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.

In a result that augurs well for November, Coach David Borglum’s team prevailed over the Wilton Republicans at the 2010 Frivolity Bowl by a resounding 23-0.

A town tradition that began in the 1960s, the Frivolity Bowl is annual softball game held between the Wilton Democrats and Republicans every July 4. With the 2010 win, the Wilton Democrats narrowly lead the almost 50-year series.

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.

Peggy represents the 143^rd state house district which includes most of Wilton and part of Norwalk.

Nomination Noted Community Roots & Legislative Successes

Paul Burnham of Wilton and Amanda Brown of Norwalk nominated Peggy for re-election. Mr. Burnham emphasized Peggy’s deep roots in Wilton, as a 30-year resident, and her husband Bob’s roots in Norwalk where he grew up in the West Rocks neighborhood.

Mr. Burnham praised Peggy’ success in working with the Democratic majority, citing estate tax reform as a good example of the way in which Peggy was able to provide an important perspective to leaders in the state legislature.

Peggy was instrumental…in making the estate tax less punitive.–Paul BurnhamMr. Burnham noted, “Peggy was instrumental in the efforts to turn Connecticut’s estate tax from being one of the most punitive in the nation to being one of the least. This, in a legislature where many Democratic representatives have almost no constituents who can expect their estates to be subject to any tax–and yet Peggy was somehow able to get these representatives to understand how important this issue was to us, her constituents, and to the State in general.”

Norwalk Delegate Applauds Commitment to Constituent Services

Amanda Brown of Norwalk seconded the nomination. Ms. Brown admired Peggy’s compassion for people and her effective constituent services. Representative Reeves is known for her kindness and her focus on understanding the concerns of the residents in her district. In her acceptance speech, Peggy echoed this theme by confirming that her first priority is listening to her constituents. She takes pride in answering each and every email or phone call personally.

Rep. Reeves Pledges to Keep Fighting for Area Residents

Peggy believes that, despite the economic crisis, the cost of delivering services can be reduced without compromising the quality of our life. Government “exists not to meet the bottom line or make a profit, but to provide for those who can’t help themselves, while encouraging those who can compete to flourish in the marketplace.”

Turning to transportation and energy, Peggy pledged to continue the fight for a transportation system that works, including mass transit. “Unfortunately, we have recently seen all too clearly what happens when we are dependent on drilling for fossil fuels for our energy needs. We must not only conserve but we must develop renewable energy sources, including wind, solar and hydropower.” Peggy pledged to work to override Governor Jodi Rell’s veto of the Energy Bill, which Peggy co-sponsored.

She also vowed to continue to fight for transparent elections and truth in political advertising. “If corporations and unions are no longer prohibited from using their general treasury funds to make election-related independent expenditures, then the citizens deserve to know who is buying the influence. We can demand stockholder approval of any independent expenditure, and also demand that the CEO of any company stand behind any ad promoting the success or defeat of a candidate. That is why I introduced H.B. 5471-An Act Concerning Independent Expenditures.”

We need to develop our own research triangle to attract businesses to our state.–Peggy ReevesAdditionally, Peggy wants to focus on innovative steps toward job creation in Connecticut. “I continue to believe that we are blessed in this state with so many natural resources: the beauty of our parks and forests and coastline; the vibrancy of our cities and the warmth of our small towns and neighborhoods.&rdquo

“More importantly, we are blessed with the resourcefulness of our residents. Using that Yankee ingenuity, and the great colleges and universities we have in this state with their research facilities and their highly-educated workforce, we need to develop our own research triangle to attract businesses to our state.”

State Rep. Peggy Reeves

Wilton and Norwalk Democrats who reside in the 143rd Assembly District will be gathering at Cranbury Chapel (Newtown Avenue & Frank Street, Norwalk) on Tuesday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. to nominate Peggy Reeves to run for another term in the State Assembly.

At the recent Wilton Democrats Spring Breakfast, Rep. Peggy Reeves (D-143rd) said she’s enjoyed her time in Hartford and would love to go back for another term.

“It has been an amazing experience – the best job I’ve ever had,” she said. Ms. Reeves reminded her constituents she helped raise the threshold for the estate tax – which she described as “onerous and burdensome” from $2 million to $3.5 million.

Why We Support Peggy

In a recent interview with the Wilton Bulletin, Wilton Democratic Town Committee Chairman John Kalamarides praised Peggy:

“Peggy’s really grown in position as state representative for the 143rd District,&rdquo he said. “What excites us is that she really has moved into working closely with the leadership of the state House. She has their ear. She tells them what to do. She tells them how she feels. She’s working with the top 30 legislators – powerful positions. Her position is going up in the minds of other legislators.”

“But at the same time, Peggy is really in touch with all the individuals in Wilton and Norwalk whom she serves,” he said. “She’s on the phone with people all the time. She is probably working 60 to 70 hours a week, making that commute to Hartford. She jokingly told us with a big laugh that she earns 39 cents an hour. But it doesn’t make a difference. She said, ‘John, I really love this job.’ We’re pleased about that.”

“She really considers every issue that she’s going to deal with, considers her constituents and makes the choice,&rdquo he said. “If there is extra money in Hartford for something we shouldn’t be paying for, she’s going to make sure it gets out of the budget,&rdquo he said.

Mr. Kalamarides said Ms. Reeves introduced a “number of bills” including a bill on Lyme disease and a bill that helped raise the threshold of the estate tax from $2 million to $3.5 million.

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.

State Representative Peggy Reeves, Marcia Spivak, and Jean Rexford are hosting a brunch in support of Attorney General Richard Blumenthal – Candidate for U.S. Senate.

The brunch will be held on Sunday, June 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the home of Monica and Burton Spivak, located at 35 Wicks End Lane in Wilton.

All supporters are welcome. Suggested contributions are $150 per individual.

Please RSVP to Joe Kelley.

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.

Rep. Peggy Reeves, WDTC Chair John Kalamarides, and Majority Leader Denise Merrill

At the March 3^rd meeting of the Wilton Democratic Town Committee, State Representative Peggy Reeves of the 143^rd Assembly District introduced Denise Merrill, currently the majority leader of the CT House of Representatives, who is running for the office of CT Secretary of State.

Denise Merrill has been State Representative for Mansfield and Chaplin for 17 years, and is currently House Majority Leader; she previously chaired the Appropriations Committee. Before entering public service, she was an attorney and teacher specializing in developing curricula on constitutional issues.

Merrill sees the position of Secretary of State as having the two-fold obligation of promoting involvement in civic life by ensuring fair and accurate elections and helping to create jobs by streamlining the corporate registration process for companies doing business in the state. Her focus, if elected, would be on modernizing the corporate registration process, which currently has no online mechanism.

Merrill strongly supports the Citizen’s Election program, noting that it engendered the biggest change in Hartford in decades, by ushering in a wave of representatives like Peggy Reeves, who can focus solely on serving their constituents, rather than raising money from special interests.

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.