The women’s suffrage movement started decades, even generations before the 19th Amendment was ratified. The movement’s supporters comprised of both men and women alike. Suffragists lectured, wrote, conducted rallies, lobbied governing officials, practiced civil disobedience, brought challenges to court, ran for office, organized marches and used many forms of peaceful demonstration and public education to further their cause. It was August 26th of 1920, through the final certification of the 19th Amendment that a women’s right to vote was indisputably recognized by the U.S. Constitution.

This was one of the finest moments in our country’s history and that’s we celebrate that today.

The state legislature passed quite a few bills this legislative session concerning Connecticut Seniors. One of particular importance I’d like to highlight today is Public Act 10-73 “An Act Concerning Medicaid Long-term Care Coverage for Married Couples.” Health care is complicated and there’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer. Not to mention, health care is also expensive, a fact everyone knows. Many of you have different health care needs than your spouse. As senior citizens, sometimes this necessitates the difficult decision for you or your spouse to be put into the long-term care of a nursing home while the other remains alone.
  
To qualify for Medicaid coverage, most married couples find themselves in a place where they are painfully losing much of what they’ve acquired throughout their lives in order to qualify for Medicaid nursing home coverage. For the spouse who remains in the couple’s home while their partner enters long term care, the emotional and financial problems can leave him or her lonely, humiliated and feeling stripped of familiar comforts while facing a time of trial.
 
The state legislature recognizes the difficulties Medicaid eligibility places on remaining spouses. Through the legislation we passed this session, we attempted to reduce that burden for spouses of Medicaid nursing home patients. Eligibility rules were simplified and the non-nursing home spouse is now allowed to keep almost $110,000 worth of certain assets while indirectly lessening spousal eligibility requirements.
 
While this legislation simplified the Medicaid rules and made them somewhat more user-friendly, the process is still unique for each individual case. Medicare is still a complicated program designed to meet individual health and financial needs, so be sure to seek professional legal or financial advice and guidance when navigating the Medicaid and nursing home eligibility requirements.
 
Feel free to contact my office or speak up when you see me around the Senior Center if you have any questions relating to this legislation or to state government in general. You can call me at home (860) 528 3564, call my office in Hartford 1-800-824-1423 or email me (bill.aman@cga.ct.gov).
I’d love to hear from you.

From left to right: Eagle Scout Andrew Paradis and Rep. Aman

This past weekend, Rep. Aman attended South Windsor resident Andrew Paradis’ Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony and reception.
Congratulations to Andrew for rising to the rank of Eagle Scout!

From Left to Right: Harish K. Pandya (President, IAOGH), South Windsor resident Rachna Khanna, Rep. Bill Aman and South Windsor resident Rita Ahluwalia

Representative Bill Aman Celebrates India Independence Day at the State Capitol

State Representative Bill Aman of South Windsor celebrated India Independence Day at the State Capitol, Sunday, August 15th with the India Association of Greater Hartford (IAOGH). Rep. Aman was a featured guest speaker at the celebration along with the Attorney General and former Governor Kevin Sullivan.

Robert "Bob" Derosa from DPUC speaks with a woman about energy efficiency at the South Windsor senior picnic.

SOUTH WINDSOR – State Representative Bill Aman and two representatives from the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC), Sally McCartin and Robert Derosa, informed attendees at the annual South Windsor summer Senior Picnic on Thursday, July 22 in the Enes Community Senior Center of ways to be green this summer. Representatives from DPUC handed out reusable bags with tips on energy efficiency, consumption reduction and government assistance programs.

“Many of us have heard about government programs like ‘Cash for Clunkers’ or rebates being offered for increasingly energy efficient homes, but a lot of people don’t realize the State of Connecticut is offering a variety of different assistance programs and rewards for being green,” said Rep. Aman.

Hundreds attended the annual picnic and asked questions of Rep. Aman and the DPUC representatives. With energy costs in Connecticut being some of the highest in the country, many people asked how to save on energy costs and how the government could help consumers. Most were surprised to learn about their potential savings and the many government programs available.

“Helping the environment is the right thing to do and better for us all in the long run. At the end of the day, being green saves green. With a few little every day habits or home investment, it’s easy to join the thousands trying to make the environment a better place to live for us all,” said Rep. Aman.

The Enes Community Center is located at 150 Nevers Road. For those who were unable to attend but would like to know about green energy initiatives or any information relating to state government, please contact, Representative Bill Aman, at 1-800-842-1423 or email Bill.Aman@cga.ct.gov.

This was featured in the Hartford Courant.

Many of us have heard about government programs like “Cash for Clunkers” or rebates being offered for increasingly energy efficient homes, but did you know the State of Connecticut is offering assistance or rewards for being green?

This month, I’ll be hosting Sally McCartin of the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) at the regularly scheduled Senior Picnic at the South Windsor Enes Community Senior Center on Thursday, July 22, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. 

We will have a display with information where you can learn about energy efficiency programs, rebates, government assistance, electric car initiatives, renewable energy, fuel assistance and many other helpful initiatives available right here in Connecticut. Each visitor to the DPUC booth will have a chance to ask questions and receive a small free gift to take home. There’s much to learn, but being green isn’t rocket science.

Right here in Connecticut, we have our very own programs to encourage conservation and energy efficiency. The programs range from heating assistance, rebate programs, weatherization initiatives, fuel assistance, to free educational information. In addition to the government programs, there are simple every-day tricks and do-it-yourself projects you can do to lower energy costs and consumption. Did you know a do-it-yourself project could even be tax deductible?

Energy efficiency saves the environment and will ultimately save on your bottom line. Our energy costs here in Connecticut are some of the highest in the country. With the cost of energy continually on the rise, these small investments could equal a lifetime of savings. 

Helping the environment is the right thing to do and better for us all in the long run. At the end of the day, being green saves green. With a few little every day habits or home investment, you can join thousands trying to make the environment a better place to live for us all. Join us July 22nd at the Enes Community Center to learn what Connecticut is doing for you.

The Enes Community Center is located at 150 Nevers Road. If you are unable to attend but would like to know about green energy initiatives or any information relating to state government, please feel free to contact me, Representative Bill Aman, at 1-800-842-1423 or email me at Bill.Aman@cga.ct.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.

State Rep. Bill Aman will be available to meet with constituents on Wednesday, July 7th, from 7:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. in the South Windsor Library. Constituents are welcome to stop by to talk about any issues, questions or concerns related to state government.

Copies of the Major Acts of 2010 will be available for constituents interested in having a summary of the major legislation of the 2010 legislative session.

If you would like a copy of the Major Acts of 2010, please contact Representative Bill Aman’s office at 1-800-842-1423 or email Bill.Aman@cga.ct.gov to request a copy and have it sent to you.

The South Windsor library is located at 1500 Sullivan Ave, in South Windsor.

On the last day of session the General Assembly voted on a budget adjustment plan to close a gaping budget deficit of over $700 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010. I did not approve of this budget, nor of other recent budgets because they were balanced through gimmicks and borrowing. This plan came from deal forged between the Democratic leadership and the Governor’s office. To close the budget hole, the plan relied heavily on one-time Federal stimulus money, bonding revenue, and emptied our state’s rainy-day fund. This one-time fix approach to budgeting ignores the real problem: we’re spending more than we make! And our long-term plans continue this problem. This year’s budget was patched, but the hole will remain in next year’s and future budgets.

I believe it is wrong to borrow to cover current expenses instead of controlling spending. My grandson and his generation are going to be paying for our lack of fiscal responsibility. Recent headlines already show the state’s credit rating is in danger, resulting in a higher interest cost on future capital projects. Fitch Inc. is an international leader in credit ratings and recently downgraded Connecticut’s credit, citing an over reliance on debt to cover expenses.

One of the gimmicks implemented this year is that Connecticut residents can now expect their monthly electric bills to contribute $141 million annually to the state coffers. Put simply, part of your energy bill will now be used to cover state expenses. Another gimmick is that the 2011 budget plan underfunds the state employee pension fund by $200 million. Postponing the required contribution will only cost Connecticut taxpayers more in the long run.

On April 15th several of my colleagues and I proposed a different budget adjustment plan that erased the deficit, included pro-job initiatives, consolidated agencies, preserved municipal and school aid and contributed to the state employee’s pension fund without raising taxes.  This plan was based on commonsense principles that you and I use with our own family budgets, such as not spending more than you make and not borrowing more money than you can afford to pay back. Our basic concept was that most state agencies would operate at the same funding level they received in 2009. It would be up to each agency to determine how to operate without increasing its spending.

The solution to Connecticut’s financial crisis will not be easy. State government services are very labor intensive. To reduce cost increases, the state workforce will need to be reduced. Lines will be longer and some services will have to be eliminated. I do not advocate a layoff of state employees, but do support a strict hiring freeze and increased flexibility in the reassignment of jobs.

Residents often tell me, “just raise taxes on the rich – they can afford it.” But when asked to define “rich” it is always at a level higher than what their income is. Last year Connecticut increased the income tax on earnings over $500,000 per year which includes small businesses; however, this did not produce the revenue necessary to balance the state budget. If the state legislature decides to balance the budget through taxation, it will need to be a broad-based tax increase that you will pay.

Next January, the new governor and state legislature will be confronted with a projected $3.2 billion budget deficit. These are difficult times, but there is certainly hope. There are better ways to do things, but each time we put off making these hard decisions, the harder and more painful it will be to balance the budget when the crisis forces us to act.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please call me at home (860-528 3564), email me (bill.aman@cga.ct.gov), stop and see me during my office hours at the library, take my online survey at www.RepAman.com, or speak up if you see me around town. I’d really like to hear from you.

(pictured left to right) Scoutmaster Randy Olson with Kevin Leslie, Brian Mora and Rep. Aman

Article courtesy of Stephen Leslie and the Hartford Courant’s reader submitted articles.

Troop 186 of South Windsor recently awarded the Eagle rank to Brian Moran and Kevin Leslie, the 74th and 75th Eagles in troop history. Brian and Kevin joined Boy Scouts at the same time in 2003, and have traveled much of the Eagle trail together since that time.

Brian is a senior at South Windsor High School. He is a 4 year member of the Chamber Symphony, the indoor and outdoor track team, and the National Honor Society. He will attend Georgetown in the fall and major in political science or economics. Brian’s leadership positions in the troop included patrol leader, assistant patrol leader, and troop guide. His favorite activities were the Klondike Derby and canoeing the Delaware Water gap. His Eagle project involved clearing a walking trail along the Wapping Brook and constructing a nature blind to for others to observe the wildlife on the trail.

Kevin is also a senior at South Windsor High School. He is a captain on the Lacrosse team and belongs to the Future Business Club. He enjoys cooking, sports, and video games. He will attend St. John’s University in the fall, planning to major in Hospitality Management. In Scouts, Kevin served as senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, and patrol leader. His favorite activities were whitewater rafting in Maine and the Troop visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. His Eagle project was to raise money for and distribute lifesaving Files for Medical Information, to facilitate providing critical medical information to fire, police or medical personnel in an emergency.

Troop 186 congratulates both Brian and Kevin on their accomplishments!

This weekend, May 22nd and 23rd, entrance and parking fees for the 107 state parks and 32 state forests will be waived. This includes free admission to the Dinosaur State Park exhibit center in Rocky Hill.

If you enjoy letterboxing at the state forests, a commemorative anniversary stamp will be located in the letterboxes of all state forests. Letterboxes are plastic containers hidden in a specific natural location within the state forest. A set of clues is given to those visitors searching for the letterbox location. Once found, a stamp and stamp pad are located inside the plastic container for visitors to stamp into their personal record books. For more information about letterboxing or to received clues visit www.ct.gov/dep/forestry.

Historians attribute the founding of the state to 1635 because it marked the year that Windsor, Wethersfield and Hartford were settled and thus established Connecticut as a colony. For more information about the year long 375th Anniversary celebration or to find out more about other anniversary events, visit www.CT375.com.