House Republican Press Release

April 20, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Harkins to Speak at Sacred Heart University on `Learn Here, Live Here` Program

Members of the House Republican caucus will be giving a presentation on the GOP ‘Learn Here, Live Here’ initiative on Monday, April 23 at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. Details are listed below:

What:  “Learn Here, Live Here” Road Show

Who: State Rep. John Harkins (R-Stratford), State Rep. Toni Boucher (R-Wilton);

Dr. Gary Rose, Sacred Heart University

When: Monday, April 23, 2:30 p.m.

Where: University Commons Room 108, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield

What is “Learn Here, Live Here?”

• H.B. 5490 is a unique affordable housing program that encourages home ownership, promotes college education and helps stem the ongoing “brain drain’’ of young people heading out of our state.
• ‘Learn Here, Live Here’ is an initiative that creates a growing trust fund which young adults can access up to 10 years after graduating. The state would collect income taxes from college graduates who could then use that money to help participants buy their first home. 
• An estimated $10 million could be deposited into the accounts initially and that would increase as more graduates take advantage of the plan.

Speakers will present the plan in detail, and then take questions from the audience/media. Please contact me at marc.dillon@cga.ct.gov or (860) 240-8700 for more information.