Around the 34th!

Last week was a whirlwind of meetings - and a lot of good news!  Lots of folks are expressing support and enthusiasm for my exploratory campaign for State Representative.  I am very grateful for my good friends and neighbors.
On Thursday my step dad, Vinny Jacobson, and I attended the St. Patrick’s Day luncheon at the Senior Center in East Hampton. Senior Center assistant Kecia Hemphill greeted and welcomed us to the Center, and very kindly answer a few questions that Vinny had as he registered as a user for the first time. Vinny was registered in just minutes; it was very simple.

The range of services the Center offers to seniors is extensive.  For a complete list, check out the Town website or the Senior Center blog.  I am especially looking forward to Thursday Setback in East Hampton – and improving on our initial effort! A woman in her 90’s named June was quite the competitor! Some very caring and thoughtful folks run this facility - if you have not already benefited from this great resource, I encourage you to check it out.
On Saturday the Chowder Cook-Off in East Haddam, held on the patio of La Vita Gustosa, attracted a large crowd.  This fun event is run by the Town’s Economic Development Commission and has raised thousands of dollars, which is directly returned to the community via donations to many different non-profit organizations.  Defending chowder champion La Vita lost the honor this year - by just ONE vote to Foxhopyard's On the Rocks Restaurant. Kudos to the EHBA for their 2^nd annual Business Expo, held across the street inside The Gelston House.  My daughter enjoyed a complimentary massage by Stillwater’s owner, Kathy Monte. We saw many old friends, including American Landscaping owner Tom Walsh and Maryla Radziszewski, owner of MoreFIT, LLC. For a listing of the businesses that participated, check out the EHBA website. Both Iso Dedusaj from the Gelston House and Lorenzo and Jacqueline Cacace of La Vita Gustosa deserve a special shout out for hosting this event, which is FREE of charge every year.  Lastly, thanks to all who support the Chowder Cook-Off and to Deb Mathiasen for her 9^th year as one of the key coordinators!
Legislative Round-Up

•  The ‘Sunday Sales’ bill has made it out of committee and the provisions that were so upsetting to small package store owners were eliminated from the bill.  Latest info here.

•  The Collective Bargaining bill, which would have allowed daycare and personal care providers to unionize, became one of the Governor's executive orders-when failing to get approval by the House. Now, it is being challenged by Yankee Institute. Latest info here.

•  The Minimum Wage proposal was modified from its original proposal by the Governor.  The bill does NOT remove the tip exemption.  It increases the minimum wage 0.50 cents an hour the first year, another 0.50 cents the second year, and is then indexed for inflation.  The bill now goes to both houses of the legislature.  Latest info here.

•  The ‘Cap the Gas Tax’ bill finally has some bipartisan support (Democratic representatives are supporting a temporary, one-year measure that would reduce the current price of a gallon of gas by a whopping penny and a half).  It’s a start, I guess.  I sincerely hope this cap is permanent and not temporary – and does not escalate a year from now, as it does in the Democratic proposal. Latest infohere.

•  The ‘Repeal of the Death Penalty’ is out of committee and is sure to trigger an emotional debate during the rest of the session.  Gov. Malloy has indicated he will sign the bill into law if and when it reaches his desk.  Latest info here.

•  The ‘Medical Marijuana’ is also out of committee.  This year’s proposal looks more promising than the past.  Advocates and opponents will debate the merits over the next month. Latest info here. 

The schedule for the upcoming week is jam packed as well.  Today, I attended a luncheon with the Conservative Women’s Forum.  If that group sounds familiar to you, it may be because they were recently in the news.  Co-founder Cynthia David of Essex received threatening phone messages from a senior CT-DEEP official, who was recently fired for his disgraceful actions. Today’s speaker was Fergus Cullen from the Yankee Institute and Rob Simmons, who was recently elected as their Chairman. It was a lively discussion and great to meet so many ladies throughout the Connecticut River Valley.

Later this week, I’ll be attending the Colchester RTC meeting, the 6^th Grade NHRMS Blood Drive, and the Honor the Vets event held in East Hampton.  For more information on any of these activities, visit my official Facebook page. I am especially looking forward to see some old classmates who will be performing in the Sticks Goff House Showlapalooza at the Goff House Museum on Friday evening. It should be a great time and it's FREE, hope to see you there.