- Rell, Coutu Hail Signing of Defibrillator Bill at Norwich Free Academy
Canterbury Public Schools was fortunate to receive an AED vi... by Ray Sulich - Rell, Coutu Hail Signing of Defibrillator Bill at Norwich Free Academy
great work...this will save more lives...over 7000 children ... by pwickham - Coutu Promotes "No Tax Increase" Budget, Urges End to Wasteful Spending
Hi Chris: Keep up the good work. Even though you are not ... by Chief Tetreault - Chris Coutu Sworn in as State Representative
Representative, I met you at the NU Vets MRE cookoff for yo... by Matt Nowack - Coutu Congratulates "Model Citizen" and Student
congratulations on recognizing such terrific individuals---w... by Marcia Orcutt - SCAM ALERT: Watch Out for People Calling You About Delivery of Jury Notices
Very good Chris. It's good we get this word out. Not only wa... by Kevin Pescatello - Chris Coutu Sworn in as State Representative
Chris, Please come to the Dairy Farm Breakfast, Wed. Ja... by Paul Miller
- Chris Coutu Sworn in as State Representative (2)
- Rell, Coutu Hail Signing of Defibrillator Bill at Norwich Free Academy (2)
- SCAM ALERT: Watch Out for People Calling You About Delivery of Jury Notices (1)
- Coutu Promotes “No Tax Increase” Budget, Urges End to Wasteful Spending (1)
- Coutu Congratulates “Model Citizen” and Student (1)
Rep. Coutu Hails Move to Protect Fire School Training Facility
Hartford- Representative Coutu (R- Norwich) hailed the Bond Commission’s authorization of $500,000 to acquire property that hosts the Eastern Connecticut’s Fire School training facility.
This property, located at 34 Lafayette Street in Willimantic, has been leased for more than five decades and is home to the only firefighter training facility east of the Connecticut River. The owner of the property recently passed away creating concern the property would be sold and the training facility forced out.
“I’m thrilled we are able to acquire this land and preserve the firefighter training facility that is so necessary to the region,’ said Coutu.
“One of the core functions of government is to provide public safety- if we lose this facility we lose the only Firefighter training center in eastern Connecticut. That just isn’t an option.”
Coutu, a volunteer firefighter in Norwich, said today was a culmination of bi-partisan letters and conversations he had with the Governor’s office to voice his support of this project.
Coutu Pushes Legislation to Assist Schools
Hartford- This legislative session Representative Christopher Coutu (R- Norwich) attempted to pass landmark legislation that would utilize a small portion of legislative mailing funds to support 67,000 students that attend independent schools across Connecticut.
His proposal, offered as an amendment, would create a tax credit for corporate donations to scholarships for low to middle income families. This would encourage individuals and businesses to support local nonpublic academic institutions.
The idea stems from the fact that many nonpublic schools in Connecticut are struggling to remain open in the poor economy. Recently, six large non-public schools including the Norwich Diocese’s St. Joseph’s announced in Norwich will close its doors in June. Over the past 10 years, over 20 schools have closed and thirty thousand less students are in the non-public school system.
“It’s a shame that because of the current economic situation, students and parents in Connecticut are seeing options and opportunities become limited,” Coutu said. “It is unfortunate that elected officials in Hartford do not recognize that a small portion of funds from their mailing privilege could help educate 67,000 students. Makes me question their priorities and commitment to real educational reform…”
Coutu says the proposal, if passed into law, would be a small step in helping an education system that saves the state, taxpayers and municipalities $700 million a year by keeping these students from moving into municipal schools.
“We are aware that currently it is proposed that up to 2000 teachers may be let go. If these schools continue to close we will see an influx of students into the public school system, the burden would be great and we would all feel that burden with increase in number of students per classrooms and taxes,” Coutu added.
