Serving the Community
Sen. Tony Hwang (center) on Nov. 22 joined with community volunteers at the annual Bridgeport American Jobs Center Thanksgiving lunch to helped serve the lunch to area residents. The Jobs Center provides services to unemployed and underemployed individuals in the greater Bridgeport region seeking jobs and job search assistance at no cost. The Jobs Center can be reached at (203) 455-2700. On the web: www.cthires.com . Sen. Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport. He can be reached at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov and at 800 842-1421. On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com .

10-year Anniversary of Innovation and Research

Says goal is to “establish a thriving ecosystem of new businesses and high value jobs”

Sen. Tony Hwang on Nov. 10 joined his friend Dr. Haifan Lin, the Eugene Higgins Professor of Cell Biology and Director of Yale Stem Cell Center, along with prominent medical researchers from across the nation to mark the 10-year anniversary of the Yale University Stem Cell Center and to celebrate its medical accomplishments.

Yale University leadership, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro also offered words of praise and support.

“I am so proud to celebrate Connecticut’s world leadership in stem cell innovation and research, and I am honored to be joined by so many amazing and brilliant scientists to celebrate the Center’s first decade,” said Sen. Hwang, who is co-chair of the legislature’s bipartisan Life Sciences Caucus. “The work done here improves medical care and the quality of life in our community. It also provides and economic multiplier effect for high-value jobs and business growth.”

Sen. Hwang said his focus at the State Capitol continues to be on policies which spur scientific research and grow jobs in the state’s bioscience industry.

“The Center’s existence is a win-win for Connecticut,” Sen. Hwang said. “High-tech jobs are being created, biotech spinoff companies have emerged, and our state’s status as a leader in scientific research has been bolstered.”

“Our shared goal here in Connecticut must be to establish a thriving ecosystem of new businesses and high value jobs,” Sen. Hwang added. “Yale Stem Center is one of many success stories in Connecticut, and we must pass pro-growth policies in Hartford to ensure future success stories.”

Sen. Hwang can be reached at 800 842-1421 and at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov . Sen. Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport.

STRATFORD, CONN. – State Senator Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford), State Senator Tony Hwang (R- Fairfield) and State Representative Laura Hoydick (R-Stratford) joined the Governor, Monday, October 31, at a ceremonial bill signing to commemorate the adoption of legislation that approved the state’s agreement with Lockheed Martin. The deal will keep Sikorsky Aircraft’s worldwide headquarters in Connecticut through 2032. The company is poised to retain and grow approximately 8,000 jobs and is located in Stratford.

“The bill signing marks an important bipartisan effort to keep good-paying middle-class jobs here in the greater Stratford community,” said Sen. Kelly, who represents the towns of Stratford, Shelton, Seymour and Monroe. “We have an incredibly talented workforce that builds helicopters better than anywhere else in the world. These efforts will help overcome the economic issues Sikorsky was facing so that we can maintain and expand the presence of one of our biggest local employers.”

“This legislation will save thousands of good manufacturing jobs, keep Sikorsky in Stratford, and benefit scores of Connecticut small businesses in the vendor supply chain,” Sen. Hwang said. “It also serves as a warning to every state lawmaker that we’ve got to make our business climate less expensive. That requires more predictable, more sustainable, and more transparent economic policies. That requires lower taxes. That requires the elimination of burdensome regulations and red tape. Only then can we create the stable ecosystem that all businesses deserve.” Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport.

“Sikorsky, which began in Stratford, is recognized as the world leader in helicopter manufacturing,” said Rep. Hoydick. “Sikorsky’s presence is critically important to Stratford and the surrounding towns’ tax base but it is an economic catalyst to the downstream supply companies which provide materials and resources to Sikorsky. It was an honor to join the Governor at the bill signing and I look forward to the good jobs that this deal will produce in the future.”
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Photo 1 – State Senator Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford), State Senator Tony Hwang (R- Fairfield) and State Representative Laura Hoydick (R-Stratford) joined the Governor, Monday, October 31, at a ceremonial bill signing to commemorate the adoption of legislation that approved the state’s agreement with Lockheed Martin to keep Sikorsky Aircraft’s headquarters in Connecticut.

The funding, which comes from the state’s Interest on Real Estate Broker’s Trust Account (IOREBTA), will help provide area residents with assistance in foreclosure proceedings, financial counseling and housing remediation. Established in 1992, IOREBTA is not funded by Connecticut taxpayers. Under the program, real estate brokers deposit residential and commercial escrow funds into interest-bearing accounts with the purpose of providing mortgage assistance for low- or moderate-income families or persons with downpayments or any other appropriate housing subsidies. The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority serves as the fiduciary for the funds.

Operation Hope runs homeless shelters for men, women and families, a community kitchen and a food pantry. It also owns or operates 46 units of affordable, supportive housing.

Operation Hope’s Executive Director Carla Miklos said, “We are so appreciative for this funding, and we thank Tony and Brenda for their tireless support of our mission. For many years, we have not made it onto the list of non-profit awardees. We see this year’s selection as a testament to the good work we are doing every day for the underserved in our communities.”

Sen. Hwang and Rep. Kupchick, who serve as Ranking Members of the state legislature’s Housing Committee, praised Operation Hope on its efforts to help families in-need.

Sen. Hwang said, “Carla Miklos and her staff help to stabilize the American Dream for families in our communities. That stability helps put families back on the right track. We’re so pleased to announce this funding, because we know it will provide lasting dividends and help get people out of poverty.”

Rep. Kupchick said, “Operation Hope is about empowerment. This funding will help lift families up and make a real difference in the lives of people who truly need it. I’ve been volunteering with the Operation Hope for many years and have witnessed firsthand their compassion and results. I’m proud of the work Carla Miklos and the amazing staff at Operation Hope do toward their mission of not only ending homelessness, but for also working to prevent it.”

Operation Hope can be contacted at (203) 292-5588.

Attached photo, left to right: Operation Hope Board Member Michael Rosten, Rep. Brenda Kupchick, Sen. Tony Hwang, Operation Hope Executive Director Carla Miklos, and Operation Hope Director of Development Jennifer O’Neill.

Fairfield lawmakers today issued the following statement regarding the state’s decision to hike rail and bus fares Dec. 1 despite vocal opposition from lawmakers and angry commuters:

Sen. Tony Hwang said, “This fare increase is just another tax on the backs of the working middle class in our state. This added financial burden comes with no additional infrastructure or rail service improvements, and that is unacceptable. It also comes on top of two record-setting tax hikes in five years. Combined with rate increases in utilities and health insurance, this fare increase might just be the last straw that breaks the back of Connecticut taxpayers. That truly is a shame, but I will say this: I was proud to stand alongside state lawmakers, tireless commuter advocates like Jim Cameron, and fed up taxpayers in opposition to this hike. We came together at the fare hike public hearing to send a clear message: No Fare Increases. Our unified, reasonable voice of opposition obviously was not heard by state transportation officials. That’s just terribly disappointing and frustrating, but it won’t deter us from re-doubling our efforts to be a strong, persistent voice for commuters and taxpayers. It will only motivate us to work harder in demanding that the people of Connecticut get heard.”

Rep. Laura Devlin said, “The decision to move ahead with these fare hikes without even acknowledging the opposition of a group of bipartisan legislators and the voices of almost 1,800 individuals these fares would hurt, is incredulous. This is the same arrogance we see in Hartford when it comes to discussing the state’s finances and budget. I can tell you the people I represent have had enough of the never-ending hits they are taking through tax hikes and fees. The majority party and Gov. Malloy need to stop balancing the budget on rosy revenue projections, then being forced to make ill-advised budget decisions when the revenue never ends up meeting what they say want to spend. Not including this increase, Metro North fare hikes have gone up over 20% in recent years with no tangible service improvements or infrastructure investments.”

Rep. Brenda Kupchick said, “We will not let this decision stand unchallenged, I and other legislators plan to propose legislation in January to repeal these rail fare hikes, the people of Fairfield and Southport deserve better than subpar rail service at a higher cost. The proposed fare increase is a direct result of the $37 million in cuts imposed on the DOT by the Malloy administration as part of the 2016-2017 revised state budget that was passed by majority legislators last May.”