The following updates have been provided by local legislators.

Fasano, Yaccarino Co-sponsor Veteran-Friendly Legislation

State Senator Len Fasano (R-North Haven) and State Representative Dave Yaccarino (R-North Haven) are cosponsoring legislation to support Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.

The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 2, would allow the Department of Administrative Services to give a 15 percent price preference to veteran-owned micro-businesses bidding on state contracts. It would also give every new veteran-owned small business established on or after July 1, 2016 an exemption from the first $250 business entity tax payment.

This bill includes ideas that were proposed to the legislature in 2010 by North Haven veteran Anthony Pileggi. Lawmakers worked with Pileggi to draft legislation and propose an early version of the idea to provide a state contracting preference for veteran-owned businesses. Pileggi, a Vietnam War veteran, was a North Haven architect who advocated for legislation to support veteran-owned businesses. Pileggi passed away in 2013.

Fasano testified in support of the legislation at the Capitol. He commended lawmakers for raising the bill this year and remembered the hard work of Pileggi.

“I applaud lawmakers for working to better support veteran-owned small businesses,” said Sen. Fasano. “A proposal to establish this type of price preference was originally brought to my attention back in 2010 by Anthony Pileggi, a Vietnam War veteran and architect from North Haven. Anthony worked with local lawmakers to propose similar legislation in the past. Sadly, Anthony passed away in 2013, but I know if he were here with us today he would be extremely happy to see his idea finally move forward and garner bipartisan support.”

Yaccarino, who serves as ranking member of the state’s Veterans Committee that raised the bill, also applauded his colleagues for working together to advance the legislation this year.

“I am incredibly proud of the legislature’s efforts to garner support for small businesses and particularly, businesses owned by those who worked to serve and protect our country,” said Rep. Yaccarino. “I began working on this project after being elected to office in 2011 and I have been proud to champion efforts to help our veterans ever since.”

Rep. Yaccarino Supports Legislation to Help Connecticut Veterans

Ranking member of the General Assembly’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee, State Representative Dave Yaccarino joined members of the committee to vote in favor of additional legislation that would seek to assist Connecticut’s veterans. He voted in favor of the following legislation:

S.B. 205 (Raised) – An Act Concerning Women Veterans, this would bolster awareness of women veterans’ issues and address their specific needs by expanding opportunities for outreach and support by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

H.J. 25 – Resolution Recognizing Blue Water Navy Veterans, this is a resolution recognizing Blue Water Navy Veterans who served during the Vietnam War and were exposed to Agent Orange.

H.B. 5471 (Raised) – An Act Concerning Unused Tuition And Fee Waivers At Public Institutions Of Higher Education And Family Of Veterans And Members Of The Connecticut National Guard, this would allow the spouse, son or daughter of a veteran or member of the National Guard to receive a tuition or course enrollment fee waiver for up to four semesters when such veteran or member is entitled to such waiver but has received fewer than eight semester’s worth of the waiver.

“I am proud of the strides Connecticut has made to help the over 200,000 veterans in Connecticut, and although we have worked diligently to end homelessness amongst our veterans, there is more to be done and I will continue to keep you informed,” said Yaccarino.

“Our veterans, the men and women who fought to protect our freedom should not only have access to basic health needs, but should also receive the help they need to succeed.”

The legislation was voted out of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee unanimously and will head to the state Senate and House of Representatives for a full floor debate and vote.

North Haven Legislators Oppose Minimum Bottle Pricing

Senator Len Fasano and Representative Dave Yaccarino recently spoke out against Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s proposal to eliminate minimum bottle pricing in Connecticut. The two North Haven lawmakers testified in opposition to the governor’s bill at a public hearing in Hartford on Feb. 23.

Local package store owners are opposing the governor’s proposal which could hurt small businesses and benefit large retail chains with the removal of minimum bottle pricing.