House Republican Press Release

February 22, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. CAFERO TO HOLD NORWALK TOWN MEETING AT STAR ON PROVIDER CARE

SPOTLIGHT ON NON-PROFIT SERVICES FOR DISABLED, NEEDY

NORWALK – Deputy House Republican Leader state Rep. Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., of Norwalk will lead a town hall meeting on Feb. 28 at the STAR Inc. Lighting the Way organization to highlight issues affecting thousands of non-profit service providers statewide.

The Norwalk-based STAR which helps infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities, will be the site of the event that will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cafero said he wanted to educate the public about the potential threat to non-profit service providers in the wake of recent legislation that would have limited private sector services that support thousands of disabled people.

Family members, friends and advocates for those with development disabilities are urged to attend. STAR is located at 182 Wolfpit Ave. in Norwalk. For more information about the town meeting contact Katie Banzhaf at 203-846-9583.

Cafero pointed out that Gov. M. Jodi Rell twice vetoed a bill that would have put agencies like STAR in jeopardy because of amendments that were attached to a state contacting reform bill.

“We need to educate the public about what this type of legislation would have done to the non-profits,’’ Cafero said. He said that if it had became law, thousands of non-profits would have been hurt or put out of business and families that depend on these services would have been left to fend for themselves.

Cafero said advocates for the developmentally disabled and families need to speak out against attempts to undermine the non-profits if the bill is raised again. Cafero added, “Even though it failed twice last year I believe there will be further attempts to undermine the non-profits’ ability to care for some of our most needy.’’

The key provisions in the bill would have made it virtually impossible for the state to contract with agencies such as STAR. The law also would have driven up operating costs to the point where they would either have to drastically cut staff and services or face the prospect of getting out of the business altogether.