Good news for seniors from the CT State Capitol:

Your voices were heard!

On Jan. 8, state lawmakers passed a bipartisan plan to restore funding for the Medicare Savings Program.

We are doing what is right for seniors throughout Connecticut

This bipartisan plan restores funding for Medicaid coverage to tens of thousands of low-income seniors.

It restores funding for Medicaid coverage to disabled people on Medicare.

This action will provide predictability and stability while giving peace of mind to Connecticut seniors and our most vulnerable residents.

Listen to my radio interview on WICC – AM 600 

Watch my video from the General Assembly here: http://ctsenaterepublicans.com/2018/01/watch-medicare-savings-program-funding-restored/#.WlZLja6nHIU

I will continue to advocate for policies and organizations in Hartford and our communities which protect seniors, the disabled, our children and our vulnerable and at-risk populations.

At the same time, I will work tirelessly with Democrats and Republicans state and federal legislators in a bipartisan manner to address the state’s budget deficit.

We will work to create a Connecticut ecosystem that is predictable, sustainable and transparent.

We must stay vigilant about our state finances and pension liabilities.

I will make the tough choices and control state government spending in a responsible way.

Stay in touch by visiting www.SenatorHwang.com and following me on Facebook and Twitter.  Contact me anytime atTony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov and at 800-842-1421.

Please watch my update and spread the word to CT seniors.

At the State Capitol, I will continue to protect our most vulnerable residents.

Contact me with questions at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov – thank you!

NO…  to EVERSOURCE’s Energy Rate Increase Request

By State Senator Tony Hwang

The region’s largest utility provider is proposing a multimillion dollar rate hike over the next three years.

If approved, this would cost Eversource ratepayers, on average 6.79 percent more, in a state that already has some of the highest electric delivery rates in the country.

The three-year rate request lists a $255 million increase for year one, followed by a $45 million hike in year two, then $36 million more in year three.

I am opposed to the proposed increase request and I continue to demand greater responsiveness and respect to and for the consumer.

I will fight for our consumers.

We need policies which keep Connecticut residents in Connecticut, not drive them out.

Our seniors.

Our vulnerable residents.

Our working families.

And our millennials – our future workforce and our future job creators.

I spoke out against double digit health insurance rate hikes last year.

And I spoke out against the suggested Home Heating Oil tax.

And I spoke out against the proposed 30 % UI energy rate hikes in 2016.

And now I’m speaking out against these proposed Eversource rate hikes as well.

These hikes, if approved, will add an extra $150 a year to people’s electricity bills.

I urge consumers to join me in urging that state of Connecticut regulators to turn out the lights on these proposed hikes.

When you contact state officials, ask them where predictability has gone.

Also, ask them where transparency has gone.

Without predictability, sustainability and transparency, we have an unfair situation which hurts Connecticut families.  How does an elderly person on fixed income, struggling families and our most vulnerable population endure that outrageous cost increase?  They cannot and we need to protect them.

My larger objective is to find alternative solutions in creating a more sustainable, renewable and affordable energy ecosystem into the future, rather than the current business model of escalating costs and placing undue cost burden onto consumers.

This is madness and it has got to stop.  Current energy costs in Connecticut are the highest in the nation.  These potential hikes are unacceptable and unaffordable.

But in the meantime:

Please spread the word to friends and neighbors as to how they can weigh in.

Are you tired of rate hikes?

Join me in speaking out and contact the CT Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA)

1)         Send a brief email to Pura.ExecutiveSecretary@ct.gov saying “NO” to rate hikes

2)         Attach my email: Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov and I will hand deliver to the state agency

3)      Put PURA Docket No. 17-10-46 in the subject line.

Public Hearings for testimony are scheduled for:

• Jan. 24, 6 p.m., 10 Franklin Square, New Britain.

• Jan. 30, 6 p.m., Government Center, Stamford.

• Jan. 31, 6 p.m., Branford Fire Department, Branford.

• Feb. 6, 6 p.m., Council Chambers, New London.

Eversource Application LOI (CLP Rate Case) 10.27.17 final