Fairfield Legislators Hosting Workshop on How to Lower Your Electric Bill

FAIRFIELD– State Senator Tony Hwang (R-28) along with State Representatives Brenda Kupchick (R-132), Laura Devlin (R-134) and Cristin McCarthy Vahey (D-133) are inviting Fairfield residents to an informational workshop about lowering your electric bill.

The Fairfield Legislative Delegation will be having an informative workshop ‘Learn How to Lower Your Electric Bill’. Rate specialists from Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) will be on hand to guide you through the process.

DATE: Thursday, September 15th

LOCATION: Fairfield History Museum, 370 Beach Road in Fairfield

Please bring a recent copy of your electric bill.
For more information, call the Representatives at 800-842-1423 or send an email to Laura.Devlin@housegop.ct.gov Brenda.Kupchick@housegop.ct.gov and Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov and Cristin.McCarthyVahey@cga.ct.gov

Sen. Tony Hwang released the following statement regarding the finalized double-digit health insurance rate increases approved this month by the Connecticut Insurance Department (related article: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/regulators_approve_more_double_digit_rate_increases/ )

“Despite our efforts, despite our testimony, and despite our outrage, rates are going up by double digits.

“That’s unaffordable. That’s excessive. That’s going to hurt Connecticut families and impact access to health care. And that’s truly a shame.

“I thank the many area residents who sent me their comments opposing the rate hikes. I hand-delivered those comments to state insurance officials in Hartford, but they have decided to hike rates by double-digits.

“Ever wonder just how high your rates have jumped, say, in the last decade? For a great many people, it’s been more than 100 percent. These rate increases are unsustainable, the reasons given for the increases are weak, and even garnering basic information about the public hearing required dedication, persistence and time.

“It is clear that the state’s health insurance rate process is broken. It lacks predictability, sustainability and transparency. Just try to predict and plan your future insurance costs in this state. It’s impossible. There is no rhyme or reason to it.

“I will continue to push for bipartisan reforms which will bring transparency and predictability to this broken system. Connecticut should change the specific definitions of what would disqualify insurers from excessive increases. And when proposed health insurance rate increases exceed 10 percent, state public hearings should be mandatory.

“These decisions are frustrating, but we should look to it as a key reason why the system must be fixed.”

A chart detailing the rate hikes can be found at: http://www.ct.gov/cid/cwp/view.asp?a=4059&Q=585062 .

Sen. Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport. He can be reached at 800 842-1421. On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com.

Attached photo:

At an Aug. 3 public hearing in Hartford, Sen. Tony Hwang (at podium) testified against proposed double-digit health insurance rate hikes. Sen. Hwang hand-delivered to state regulators the comments of many area residents who opposed the rate hikes. This month, the Connecticut Insurance Department raised rates by double digits. Sen. Hwang said he will continue to pursue bipartisan reforms to this “broken system.” He can be reached at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov or at 800 8

Sen. Tony Hwang is opposing a proposal by United Illuminating (UI) that would call for a 30 % increase of electric distribution charges to the ratepayer over the next three years.

“Energy costs in Connecticut are the highest in the nation,” Sen. Hwang said. “These potential hikes are unacceptable and unaffordable. A 30 % hike over three years will hurt our most vulnerable residents. I urge consumers to join me in urging that state of Connecticut regulators to turn out the lights on these proposed hikes.”

Consumers can email their comments as soon as possible to dpuc.executivesecretary@po.state.ct.us .

In the email subject line, put: Docket No. 16-06-04. You can also cc Sen. Hwang on the email at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov .

Public hearings will be held (tonight) Thursday, Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m. at Bridgeport City Hall and Monday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at Kennedy Mitchell Hall of Records on 200 Orange Street in New Haven.

Sen. Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport. He can be reached at 800 842-1421. On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com.

During a Sep. 6 ceremony in New Britain, Sen. Tony Hwang was recognized as the 2016 Co-Legislator of the Year by the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut.

The award recognizes Sen. Hwang’s efforts in helping craft legislation which provides wage replacement benefits to all eligible paid and volunteer firefighters diagnosed with specified cancers.

Sen. Hwang, the ranking Republican senator on the Labor and Public Employees Committee, was part of a firefighter working group which consisted of Republican and Democrat legislators, the Connecticut Council of Municipalities (CCM), the Council of Small Towns (COST), municipal leaders and the firefighter unions.

“This is a groundbreaking proposal which protects the men and women who ensure our safety,” Sen. Hwang said. “It was an honor for me to have been asked by critical shareholders to participate in the year-long bipartisan working group which led to the crafting of this important policy. We are helping Connecticut firefighters who are diagnosed and recovering from job-related cancers, and we are doing so without adding new financial burdens on cities, towns, and local property taxpayers.”

Peter Carozza, President of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters of CT (UPFFA-CT) who represents 65 locals and over 4,000 firefighters in Connecticut, presented the award. “This legislation finally gives protection to Connecticut’s firefighters and is long overdue,” Carozza said. Carozza praised the work of the ‘Cancer Legislation Committee’ who worked for months on drafting this legislation and specifically thanked Sen. Hwang and Reps. Michelle Cook and David Rutigliano, who were key members of the working committee.

“With this law in place, firefighters won’t have to worry about losing their insurance or losing their house,” said UPFFA-CT Legislative Director Rick Hart. “This truly was a bipartisan effort and we feel it is a great example of what can be accomplished when labor and municipalities work together to protect their common interests.”

“This legislation is the product of many hours of productive discussions on how to tackle a public policy problem,” Sen. Hwang said. “Our talks brought together different viewpoints in order to bring about common sense solutions. With this proposal, we have accomplished that goal. This legislation is a great example of working together to find valued solutions to help our community.”

Attached photo, left to right: Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut President Peter Carozza, Sen. Hwang and Fairfield Firefighters Association Local 1426 Executive Board President Bob Smith. The Fairfield Fire Fighters Association (www.iaff1426.org) represents the career fire fighters, fire mechanics, and fire master mechanics of the Fairfield Fire Department and the career fire fighters of the Easton Fire Department. Sen. Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport. He can be reached at 800 842-1421 and at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov . On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com.