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Danbury Rep. Carter Advocates For Needs Of Low-Income Workers

DANBURY, Conn. -- State Rep. Dan Carter (R-2) addressed local business leaders at Leadership Danbury to advocate for Connecticut residents classified as ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

Rep. Carter (left) with Stephen Bull, president of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce.

Rep. Carter (left) with Stephen Bull, president of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce.

Photo Credit: Jay Polansky

"Advocacy on the part of local business leaders is more important than ever," said Carter, who represents parts of Danbury, Bethel, Newtown and Redding. "The Leadership Danbury event is an example of what all communities should do to help business leaders engage in their communities and help understand and solve many of the issues in our state."

ALICE earners live in a quarter of state households and earn above the Federal Poverty Level but below the threshold for basic cost-of-living.

“Through the efforts of the Danbury Chamber, not only do business leaders gain valuable leadership insights, but they learn more about the rich history of Danbury,” said Carter. “Through the understanding of the history of Danbury and its people, leaders gain a better understanding of current trends and the issues today." 

Carter represents Danbury, Bethel, Newtown and Redding and serves on the Legislature’s General Law, Education, and Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committees.

“Getting involved in the community opens your eyes to things you’ve never seen before,” said Carter at the Danbury Chamber of Commerce event that was held at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury on Jan. 21. 

Carter spoke at the meeting to discuss current legislative issues and explain his role in Hartford, as well as promote advocacy for initiatives that help the community. 

An example of one of these initiatives is a program administered through the United Way that strives to address financial hardship in Connecticut, especially those recognized as part of Connecticut’s Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) demographic. 

This hardworking 25 percent of the population is struggling to make ends meet, yet extremely vital to the state’s overall social and economic well-being. In fact, 30 percent to 39 percent of residents in Danbury are ALICE-identified, or struggling with poverty. 

Visit this website to see how you can help United Way, and how United Way can help you. Call 2-1-1 for around-the-clock access to a range of health and human services that could make a difference in housing, food, child care, health care and transportation for countless ALICE households. 

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