Official news source of the Connecticut state Senate Democrats http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/ Copyright 2009 Connecticut Senate Democrats en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:26:06 -0500 info@senatedems.ct.gov Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:24:44 -0500 info@senatedems.ct.gov FeedForAll Mac v2.1 (2.1.0.1); http://www.FeedForAll.com/ Connecticut Senate Democrats' News (Audio) Official news source of the Connecticut state Senate Democrats Connecticut Politics, Connecticut Senate Democrats, state legislature, Donald Williams, Democrat Connecticut Senate Democrats info@senatedems.ct.gov info@senatedems.ct.gov no After several years of debate, the General Assembly approved legislation that expands the state's so-called bottle bill, an effort that will increase recycling rates and remove litter from Connecticut's landscape. Environment Committee co-chair Ed Meyer discusses the new bill and other efforts to increase recycling that will benefit local municipalities. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-091120.mp3 Senate Democrats Connecticut Meyer recycling environment FDA800EE-3E6B-450C-97D8-DA52B93266BB-5141-00001637A77C126F-FFA Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:25:31 -0500 Expanded Beverage Bottle Recycling After several years of debate, the General Assembly approved legislation that expands the state's so-called bottle bill, an effort that will increase recycling rates and remove litter from Connecticut's landscape. Environment Committee co-chair Ed Meyer discusses the new bill and other efforts to increase recycling that will benefit local municipalities. 5:33 recycling, bottle-bill, Meyer, Connecticut Connection Senate Democrats clean Senator Gary LeBeau, co-chair of the General Assemby's Commerce Committee, continues his discussion on the state of employment and the economy in Connecticut in the second of a two-part series. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-091104.mp3 Senate Democrats Connecticut Gary LeBeau economy employment 7E649291-BFF1-489C-9E48-D1756FA0B179-3942-00001888DBE4DDCA-FFA Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:08:09 -0500 A Conversation About Jobs and the Economy, Pt. 2 Senator Gary LeBeau, co-chair of the General Assemby's Commerce Committee, continues his discussion on the state of employment and the economy in Connecticut in the second of a two-part series. 4:38 employment, economy, LeBeau, Connecticut Connection Senate Democrats clean Senator Gary LeBeau, co-chair of the General Assemby's Commerce Committee, discusses the state of employment and the economy in Connecticut in the first of a two-part series. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-091026.mp3 Senate Democrats Connecticut Gary LeBeau economy employment D9D7AEEA-E64D-41A8-8BCE-EB43ECDE36A7-939-000006793CF6A87E-FFA Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:40:22 -0400 A Conversation About Jobs and the Economy, Pt. 1 Senator Gary LeBeau, co-chair of the General Assemby's Commerce Committee, discusses the state of employment and the economy in Connecticut in the first of a two-part series. 4:36 employment, economy, LeBeau, Connecticut Connection Senate Democrats clean Senator Paul Doyle played a key role in crafting the probate court consolidation plan, which will cut the number of probate courts in operation in the state from 117 to 54. He discusses the recently adopted plan and its improved level of service for Connecticut's citizens. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-090925.mp3 Senate Democrats Connecticut Paul Doyle probate court 54 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:21:12 -0400 Probate Court Reform in Connecticut Senator Paul Doyle played a key role in crafting the probate court consolidation plan, which will cut the number of probate courts in operation in the state from 117 to 54. He discusses the recently adopted plan and its improved level of service for Connecticut's citizens. 3:53 probate, Connecticut, Doyle, court Connection Senate Democrats clean Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney discusses the cuts and revenue increases that make up the recently approved 2-year budget for the State of Connecticut, and how Governor Rell was consistent in one area: avoiding responsibility. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-090902.mp3 Connecticut Looney Governor Rell budget B35B83C1-13F2-401C-A744-0B083EC4A555-6189-00001AB1B5E611A0-FFA Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:50:17 -0400 2-Year Budget Approved Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney discusses the cuts and revenue increases that make up the recently approved 2-year budget for the State of Connecticut, and how Governor Rell was consistent in one area: avoiding responsibility. 5:12 Connecticut, Governor Rell, Looney, budget Connecticut Senate Democrats no Senator Joseph Crisco discusses the recent vote to override the governor's veto of the SustiNet bill and why the SustiNet Health Plan is so important to our physical health as well as the health of our economy. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-090724.mp3 Connecticut healthcare sustinet Crisco 7BA47C5D-56A5-4ED3-AD81-1537511E10D7-859-00000468FDE3DE12-FFA Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:48:22 -0400 SustiNet Health Plan Senator Joseph Crisco discusses the recent vote to override the governor's veto of the SustiNet bill and why the SustiNet Health Plan is so important to our physical health as well as the health of our economy. 3:51 Joe Crisco, Sustinet, Connecticut, healthcare Connecticut Senate Democrats no Senate President Pro Tempore Donald Williams speaks at a rally outside the State Capitol as several hundred people protested against budget cuts in health care and other services that would hurt seniors, low-income residents and people with disabilities. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-090624.mp3 Connecticut budget healthcare AARP 4AEC2F9A-A111-484E-B30B-C668AC05104A-3702-000012485B017E80-FFA Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:24:15 -0400 Rally Against Budget Cuts Senate President Pro Tempore Donald Williams speaks at a rally outside the State Capitol as several hundred people protested against budget cuts in health care and other services that would hurt seniors, low-income residents and people with disabilities. 3:51 Donald Williams, budget, governor, Connecticut, politics, AARP, healthcare Connecticut Senate Democrats no Explaining that the governor "basically bonds and gambles our way out of this problem," Senator Toni Harp discusses what the governor's representatives have and have not put on the table and why there has been no budget agreement to date. She also makes the case for the personal role the governor needs to take for serious progress to be made in reaching a budget agreement. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-090604.mp3 Connecticut 3469721E-C331-4621-BA5A-88291DB3343C-1640-00000C2DB8BC3422-FFA Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:24:42 -0400 Resolving the Budget Crisis Explaining that the governor "basically bonds and gambles our way out of this problem," Senator Toni Harp discusses what the governor's representatives have and have not put on the table and why there has been no budget agreement to date. She also makes the case for the personal role the governor needs to take for serious progress to be made in reaching a budget agreement. 4:03 Toni Harp, budget, governor, Connecticut, politics Connecticut Senate Democrats no Senator Jonathan Harris, co-chair of the Public Health Committee, discusses legislation setting new standards for chain restaurant menus in Connecticut to promote healthier food choices. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-090521.mp3 Connecticut restaurant obesity Jonathan Harris menu labeling 9D0BB0B7-2D56-4F81-81A1-06F61A75D5BD-555-000002C442916CE1-FFA Thu, 21 May 2009 12:27:55 -0400 Restaurant Menu Labeling Senator Jonathan Harris, co-chair of the Public Health Committee, discusses legislation setting new standards for chain restaurant menus in Connecticut to promote healthier food choices. 3:08 Jonathan Harris, restaurant, menu labeling, obesity, Connecticut Connecticut Senate Democrats no There are over 250 auto dealers in Connecticut, and nearly 20 have closed since the beginning of this year. Senator Donald DeFronzo introduced a bill designed to protect Connecticut auto dealers from termination of their franchise agreements. speaks on the floor of the Senate before passage of http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-090508.mp3 Connecticut auto dealers DeFronzo franchise 62E70091-EA7D-4341-B0E7-56BE5B5E0373-1224-00000C62138B5DF2-FFA Fri, 08 May 2009 10:58:21 -0400 Protecting Auto Dealers There are over 250 auto dealers in Connecticut, and nearly 20 have closed since the beginning of this year. Senator Donald DeFronzo introduced a bill designed to protect Connecticut auto dealers from termination of their franchise agreements. In this Podcast, Senator DeFronzo speaks on the floor of the Senate before passage of the bill. 3:08 Donald DeFronzo, Connecticut, autodealers, franchise Connecticut Senate Democrats no Senator Eric Coleman talks about moving forward with "Smart Growth" and regional cooperation to help municipalities save money while maintaining servces. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-090414.mp3 Smart Growth Eric Coleman Connecticut municipality 7359C11E-603E-4FB1-8DA2-C0990E30E5D7-20845-000064EFD3583F66-FFA Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:34:17 -0400 Smart Growth Senator Eric Coleman talks about moving forward with "Smart Growth" and regional cooperation to help municipalities save money while maintaining servces. 3:45 smart growth, eric coleman, connecticut, municipality Connecticut Senate Democrats no Senator Donald Williams participated in the announcement of a free dental clinic to be held April 17 and 18 in New Haven. Put on by the Connecticut Mission of Mercy, the group hopes to build on the overwhelming success of last year's clinic. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-090326.mp3 Donald Williams Dental Clinic Mission of Mercy healthcare 07DA790E-6F59-45B1-A6E6-B64830A755EC-1457-000007C448EE6F83-FFA Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:35:31 -0400 Free Dental Clinic Senator Donald Williams participated in the announcement of a free dental clinic to be held April 17 and 18 in New Haven. Put on by the Connecticut Mission of Mercy, the group hopes to build on the overwhelming success of last year's clinic. 4:05 Dental, healthcare, free dental, Connecticut, Williams Connecticut Senate Democrats no Senator Bob Duff discusses proposed legislation to expand Connecticut's Foreclosure Mediation Program. He's also interested in seeing participation in the successful program mandatory. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-090313.mp3 Foreclosure Senate Democrats Bob Duff Mortgage Connecticut 3BD82ABB-2E43-4E10-A8F2-841616229205-754-00000480BB8F0E58-FFA Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:26:34 -0400 Foreclosure Mediation Program Senator Bob Duff discusses proposed legislation to expand Connecticut's Foreclosure Mediation Program. He's also interested in seeing participation in the successful program mandatory. 3:34 Duff,Mortgage,Foreclosure,Connecticut,Banking Connecticut Senate Democrats clean Senator Donald DeFronzo discusses the possibility of returning highway tolls to Connecticut due to the need to raise more funds for transportation projects. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-090225.mp3 Senate Democrats Connecticut Transportation Donald DeFronzo 431E7FE6-22FB-42FC-8F53-0253D1BFCBCF-22456-0000AA8F35B38598-FFA Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:48:41 -0500 The Return of Tolls? Senator Donald DeFronzo discusses the possibility of returning highway tolls to Connecticut due to the need to raise more funds for transportation projects. 4:27 DeFronzo,Senate Democrats,Connecticut,tolls,transportation Connection Senate Democrats clean Senator Edith Prague discusses her goal to make Connecticut the first state to require employers of 50 or more employees to provide paid sick time for their workers. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-090211.mp3 Senate Democrats Connecticut Labor Edith Prague 64 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:50:53 -0500 Paid Sick Leave Senator Edith Prague discusses her goal to make Connecticut the first state to require employers of 50 or more employees to provide paid sick time for their workers. 2:57 Edith Prague,Senate Democrats,Connecticut Connection Senate Democrats clean Freshman Senator Anthony Musto looks forward to helping tackle the many challenges facing the state, including job creation, education and health care reform. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-090127.mp3 Senate Democrats Connecticut Musto 63 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:59:53 -0500 Freshmen Takes on Challenges Freshman Senator Anthony Musto looks forward to helping tackle the many challenges facing the state, including job creation, education and health care reform. 3:24 Musto,Senate Democrats,Connecticut Connection Senate Democrats clean Senator Toni Harp, co-chair of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, discusses the challenges facing the Connecticut legislature in working to form a state budget during the current economic recession. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-090106.mp3 Senate Democrats Connecticut Budget Crisis Toni Harp 62 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:47:02 -0500 2009 Budget Outlook Senator Toni Harp, co-chair of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, discusses the challenges facing the Connecticut legislature in working to form a state budget during the current economic recession. 3:26 Budget,Harp,Senate,Democrats,Connecticut Connection Senate Democrats clean Senator Gary LeBeau says focusing on key businesses and 21st century manufacturing can help Connecticut get through the difficult economy. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-081216.mp3 Senate Democrats Connecticut economy 61 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:45:28 -0500 Connecticut's Economy Senator Gary LeBeau says focusing on key businesses and 21st century manufacturing can help Connecticut get through the difficult economy. 3:13 economy,Senate Democrats,Connecticut,LeBeau Connection Senate Democrats clean Senator Eric Coleman explains new legislation that seeks to provide protections for tenants living in properties that are facing foreclosure. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-081125.mp3 Senate Democrats Connecticut tentants foreclosure 60 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:45:18 -0500 Foreclosed Property Tenant Protection Senator Eric Coleman explains new legislation that seeks to provide protections for tenants living in properties that are facing foreclosure. 2:58 foreclosure,Senate Democrats,Connecticut,Coleman Connection Senate Democrats clean Senator Donald Williams sits down with HealthFirst Connecticut Authority co-chair Margaret Flinter to learn about recent public hearings held throughout Connecticut and get an update on the Authority’s work as they approach their deadline to submit recommendations to the legislature. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-081024.mp3 Senate Democrats Connecticut healthcare HealthFirst 59 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:45:02 -0400 HealthFirst Connecticut Update Senator Donald Williams sits down with HealthFirst Connecticut Authority co-chair Margaret Flinter to learn about recent public hearings held throughout Connecticut and get an update on the Authority’s work as they approach their deadline to submit recommendations to the legislature. 4:30 healthcare,Senate Democrats,Connecticut,Williams Connection Senate Democrats clean Senator Bob Duff, Senate chair of the Banks Committee discusses the availability of student loans in the midst of the national credit crisis. The news is better than one might expect. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pods/sdnews-081001.mp3 Senate Democrats Connecticut student loans credit 58 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:44:51 -0400 The State of Student Loans Senator Bob Duff, Senate chair of the Banks Committee discusses the availability of student loans in the midst of the national credit crisis. The news is better than one might expect. 4:15 student,loans,Senate Democrats,Connecticut,Duff Connection Senate Democrats clean