Month: May 2017
Sen. Moore E-news: Monroe 5th-Grader Wins Essay Contest
Moore Leads Senate Passage of Bill to Protect Children, Increase DCF Transparency
Moore Leads Senate Passage of Bill to Protect Children, Increase DCF Transparency
Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) today brought a bill to the floor of the Senate that would strengthen the state’s ability to protect and provide for its children by increasing the independence and transparency of the state Department of Children and Families.
Senate Bill 894 creates a State Oversight Council on Children and Families in place of the State Advisory Council on Children and Families, and requires the Council to report annually to a joint standing committee of the General Assembly having knowledge of matters relating to children.
“It’s important to have a legislative structure in place as Connecticut moves closer to compliance with the Juan F. consent decree. An independent oversight council with diverse and multi-disciplinary membership will help to strengthen our ability to protect and provide for the most vulnerable children in our state,” Sen. Moore, Co-chair of the Committee on Children, said.
SB 894 will help set child welfare priorities, identify key performance and outcome measures for the well-being and safety of children, and establish a framework for transparency and accountability for publicly funded child welfare programs.
Acknowledging the importance of facilitating conversations between agencies, providers, and advocates that serve children, the Council would consist of 19 members, including government officials, childcare professionals, judicial officials, individuals served by DCF, and other stakeholders. This will help not only to maintain the progress made under the Juan F. consent decree, but will also continue to further improve the systems that serve our most vulnerable children.
The bill passed unanimously in the Senate at 12:44 a.m. Thursday.
Hartley Leads Passage of Legislation to Grow Connecticut Small Medical Businesses
Hartley Leads Passage of Legislation to Grow Connecticut Small Medical Businesses
Bill will allow small medical practices to participate in Connecticut’s Small Business Express Program
Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury), led the overwhelming, bipartisan passage in the state Senate of legislation that will help small medical practices in Connecticut grow and create jobs. Senate Bill 820 seeks to promote physicians and physician offices to participate in the Small Business Express program. This program is designed to provide capital to small businesses so that they can expand in Connecticut and hire new employees.
“Connecticut has a highly advanced and growing health and medicine sector, and we need to do everything we can to support them,” said Senator Hartley, Co-Chair of the Commerce Committee. “Hundreds of Connecticut businesses have already benefitted from the Small Business Express Program, as have the thousands of employees employed as a result of it. This bill brings that same record of success to our state’s small medical practices, who have stated a need for additional access to capital in order to pursue plans to grow and expand.”
At a public hearing on Senate Bill 820, the Connecticut State Medical Society testified that access to capital is often difficult for physicians. This has made it difficult for new medical practices to form and for existing ones to grow. SB 820 would remedy this situation by making low interest loans available to small medical practices.
Established in 2011, the Small Business Express Program has been highly successful at creating and retaining jobs across the state. This program offers grants and loans that can be used to purchase or lease machinery, expand operations, relocate within Connecticut, or for use as working capital. These funds are provided to businesses that are able to create new jobs and retain existing ones while growing their business.
To date, 1,690 companies have qualified for more than $267 million in grants and loans through the Small Business Express Program. Those companies have stated that they expect the funding through Small Business Express has will allow them to retain 18,687 jobs while creating an additional 6,805 jobs.
Now that Senate Bill 820 has passed the Senate, it moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
Hartley Leads Passage of Bill to Allow for More Targeted Investments in Connecticut’s Growing Bioscience Industry
Hartley Leads Passage of Bill to Allow for More Targeted Investments in Connecticut’s Growing Bioscience Industry
SB 962 establishes clear metrics to measure the effectiveness of state dollars used to grow bioscience and precision medicine
Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury) today led the unanimous, bipartisan Senate passage of legislation that will improve Connecticut’s ability to make targeted investments aimed at encouraging growth and job creation in bioscience and precision medicine. Senate Bill 962 calls for metrics to be developed by a private vendor that will help the state measure the impact of its investments. These metrics will be used by Connecticut Innovations to vet bioscience proposals.
“Bioscience and precision medicine are growing rapidly in Connecticut, and we need to be able to move nimbly and make smart investment decisions in order to ensure that this growth continues,” said Senator Hartley, Co-Chair of the Commerce Committee. “We need to ensure that this finite pool of funds is used most effectively in order to ensure the maximum economic impact and job growth. This bill is a critical part of Connecticut’s economic strategy, positioning Connecticut to grow its bioscience sector.”
Senate Bill 962 will establish clear metrics to measure the effectiveness of state dollars being used to support the bioscience and precision medicine sector. These metrics will detail the economic outcomes of state investments, including job creation and multiplier effects.
A 2015 economic competitiveness diagnostic of Connecticut found that the state has great assets and economic drivers in research and development, bioscience and health data. In response to those findings, Senator Hartley and her colleagues on the legislature’s Commerce Committee have worked with stakeholders to develop and pass legislation encouraging further development in these areas. As this industry grows, it is critical that the state know how to best target its financial support in order to ensure maximum job growth and economic impact. Once implemented, Senate Bill 962 will give the state a more accurate picture of industry trends, allowing the Department of Economic and Community Development and its other partners to better target state resources.
Now that Senate Bill 962 has passed the Senate, it moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
Moore Votes in Favor of Bill to Crack Down on Witness Threatening
Moore Votes in Favor of Bill to Crack Down on Witness Threatening
Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) today voted in favor of Senate Bill 980, “An Act Concerning Tampering With a Witness,” which makes it a Class B felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison to “physically harm or threaten to physically harm” a witness or a third person who is involved in a court proceeding.
“We in Bridgeport are no strangers to the harmful effects of witness tampering. Our community still grieves the loss of B. J. Brown, who, along with his mother, was shot to death just two months shy of his ninth birthday after sharing information with police about a crime he witnessed,” Sen. Moore said. “Young B.J. and his mother were both threatened, and the two lived in fear their last days. By strengthening our already existing witness-tampering law, we will send a clear message that we have zero tolerance for such crimes.”
The bill would put threatening or harming a witness on par with crimes like manslaughter, rape, burglary, robbery, money laundering, and human trafficking, which are already Class B felonies punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Currently in state law, it is already a Class C felony (punishable by up to 10 years in prison) to induce a witness to testify falsely, to withhold testimony, to elude the legal summons process, or to make a witness unavailable to testify in any proceeding.
The bill, introduced by Senator Doug McCrory (D-Hartford) on behalf of a constituent, aims to create a tough new penalty for physically threatening or harming a witness in a court trial passed the state Senate today on a unanimous and bipartisan ‘consent’ vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Sen. McCrory submitted the legislation, which passed unanimously in the Senate Wednesday, after a constituent of his was verbally threatened, and her grandson physically assaulted, after the grandson agreed to testify at a murder trial in Hartford.
“There are good people in Connecticut who make a very tough decision to testify in a criminal trial, and those people should be protected if they decide to do the right thing,” Sen. McCrory said. “I think the stepped-up penalties in this new bill send a message to lawbreakers that we take our court process seriously, and we’re not going to put up with any threats to folks who are doing the right thing.”
McCrory’s Bill to Crack Down on Witness Threatening Passes Senate on Unanimous and Bipartisan Vote
Sen. McCrory’s Bill to Crack Down on Witness Threatening Passes Senate on Unanimous & Bipartisan Vote
A bill that state Senator Doug McCrory (D-Hartford) introduced on behalf of a constituent to create a tough new penalty for physically threatening or harming a witness in a court trial passed the state Senate today on a unanimous and bipartisan ‘consent’ vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Sen. McCrory’s bill, Senate Bill 980, “An Act Concerning Tampering With a Witness,”
makes it a Class B felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison to “physically harm or threaten to physically harm” a witness or a third person who is involved in a court proceeding.
The bill would put threatening or harming a witness on par with crimes like manslaughter, rape, burglary, robbery, money laundering, and human trafficking, which are already Class B felonies punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Currently in state law, it is already a Class C felony (punishable by up to 10 years in prison) to induce a witness to testify falsely, to withhold testimony, to elude the legal summons process, or to make a witness unavailable to testify in any proceeding.
Sen. McCrory submitted the legislation after a constituent of his was verbally threatened, and her grandson physically assaulted, after the grandson agreed to testify at a murder trial in Hartford.
“There are good people in Connecticut who make a very tough decision to testify in a criminal trial, and those people should be protected if they decide to do the right thing,” Sen. McCrory said. “I think the stepped-up penalties in this new bill send a message to lawbreakers that we take our court process seriously, and we’re not going to put up with any threats to folks who are doing the right thing.”
Gerratana: Bill Passed Today Will Allow for Nimble, Targeted Investments in Connecticut’s Bioscience Industry
Gerratana: Bill Passed Today Will Allow for Nimble, Targeted Investments in Connecticut’s Bioscience Industry
SB 962 establishes clear metrics to measure the effectiveness of state dollars used to grow bioscience and precision medicine
Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) today led the unanimous, bipartisan Senate passage of legislation that will improve Connecticut’s ability to make targeted investments aimed at encouraging growth and job creation in bioscience and precision medicine. Senate Bill 962 calls for metrics to be developed by a private vendor that will help the state measure the impact of its investments. These metrics will be used by Connecticut Innovations to make smarter, more effective investing decisions.
“Connecticut is poised to become a national leader in the fields of bioscience and personalized medicine,” said Senator Gerratana, Co-Chair of the Public Health Committee. “Legislators, educators, scientists and private business people are collaborating on making our state a bioscience hub. This legislation is a critical to encouraging growth in this sector and helping the scientific breakthroughs made in our world-class research universities be brought to market through successful businesses.”
Senate Bill 962 will establish clear metrics to measure the effectiveness of state dollars being used to support the bioscience and precision medicine sector. These metrics will detail the economic outcomes of state investments, including job creation and multiplier effects.
A 2015 economic competitiveness diagnostic of Connecticut found that the state has great assets and economic drivers in research and development, bioscience and health data. In response to those findings, Senator Gerratana and her colleagues in the General Assembly have worked with stakeholders to develop and pass legislation encouraging further development in these areas. As this industry grows, it is critical that the state know how to best target its financial support in order to ensure maximum job growth and economic impact. Once implemented, Senate Bill 962 will give the state a more accurate picture of industry trends, allowing the Department of Economic and Community Development and its other partners to better target state resources.
Now that Senate Bill 962 has passed the Senate, it moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
Senator Larson’s Crumbling Concrete Bill Debated in Senate, Moves to Next Step
Senator Larson’s Crumbling Concrete Bill Debated in Senate, Moves to Next Step
Senate Senator Tim Larson (D-East Hartford) today saw a bill he authored to help homeowners address crumbling concrete foundations in eastern Connecticut move forward by the Senate to the next step.
The Senate referred the bill to the General Assembly’s Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee for further review.
“This is an historic step forward, as we work to establish a real solution for Connecticut homeowners struggling with the burden of crumbling concrete foundations,” said Sen. Larson, the Democratic Senate chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee. “This problem is bigger than eastern Connecticut and the thousands of homes that have been and will be impacted in our region. The entire state’s real estate market stands to be impacted by this crisis. We must step up to help these families who are living through this crisis through no fault of their own.”
Senate Bill 860, An Act Establishing The Crumbling Foundation Assistance Program and Assisting Homeowners With Crumbling Foundations, would authorize municipalities to establish a program to provide grants to eligible owners of residential buildings for the purposes of repairing or replacing faulty or failing concrete foundations and to fund a program that would assist homeowners with the costs by issuing bonds and accepting donations.
Sen. Larson’s bill gives municipalities the option and ability to use bond funds to grant aid to residents who are affected by this situation. Under this legislation, it would be voluntary for municipalities to choose to use this mechanism, and the flexibility to determine their own formula to distribute aid to residents. Additionally, homeowners, money highlighted by the Attorney General’s office, banks that hold mortgages on these homes, insurance companies and the state and federal governments are encouraged to participate in funding the repairs.
It is estimated that hundreds, if not thousands, of homes in more than 36 towns in Connecticut have been affected by crumbling concrete.
Osten Seeks Federal Recognition of Cadet Nurse Corps Veterans
Osten Seeks Federal Recognition of Cadet Nurse Corps Veterans
State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today led the unanimous and bipartisan Senate ‘consent’ passage of a bill that asks Congress to recognize the members of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps as veterans, thereby assuring them access to all of the various veterans benefits available to America’s other fighting men and women.
“I’ve still got cadet corps nurses living in my district who speak with so much pride about their service to their country,” Sen. Osten told the Senate chamber as she explained the purpose of the resolution. “This is the only group of veterans in America who have not been recognized by Congress. I suggest we pass this bill now, and have Congress recognize these women, before we have to recognize them posthumously. It really is an injustice not to have these veterans recognized.”
The United States Cadet Nurse Corps was established by the U.S. Congress on June 15, 1943, and signed into law by president Franklin D. Roosevelt; its purpose was to ensure the country had enough nurses to care for its citizens at home and abroad during World War II. It was a non-discriminatory program that allowed Native Americans, African Americans, and relocated Japanese Americans to participate The program was open to all women between the ages of 17 and 35, in good health, who had graduated from an accredited high school. Successful applicants were eligible for a government subsidy, paying for tuition, books, uniforms, and a stipend. In exchange, they were required to pledge to actively serve in essential civilian or federal government services for the duration of World War II.
The language of the resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING CONGRESS TO RECOGNIZE WOMEN IN THE CADET NURSE CORPS DURING WORLD WAR II AS VETERANS.
Resolved by this Assembly:
WHEREAS, after the United States entered World War II, the demand for nurses increased dramatically, outstripping supply and creating a nursing shortage; and
WHEREAS, in order to alleviate this critical shortage, a plan was conceived to accelerate the training of nursing students and allow such nursing students to serve during such training; and
WHEREAS, on March 29, 1943, Congresswoman Frances P. Bolton of Ohio introduced a bill in the United States House of Representatives to establish a special government program to facilitate the training of nurses, which bill was passed unanimously by both chambers of Congress, was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 15, 1943, and became effective as Public Law 74 on July 1, 1943; and
WHEREAS, the Bolton Act of 1943 created the Cadet Nurse Corps to be administered by the United States Public Health Service and supervised by the Division of Nurse Education, which division reported to the Surgeon General of the United States; and
WHEREAS, over one thousand nursing schools throughout the United States joined the Cadet Nurse program during its existence, facilitating the training of over 125,000 nurses during World War II and greatly increasing the wartime supply of nurses and care for American citizens on both the home and war fronts; and
WHEREAS, by replacing graduate nurses who had already entered into active duty in the armed forces of the United States, the Cadet Nurse Corps prevented the collapse of nursing care in hospitals throughout the United States, and service members returned from war to a strong health care system and received necessary and quality care from Cadet Nurses; and
WHEREAS, having demonstrated their skill, devotion and patriotism, members of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps deserve the utmost admiration and appreciation of the nation; and
WHEREAS, a former member of the Cadet Nurse Corps is not included in the United States government’s definition of what constitutes a “veteran”, and accordingly such former member is not eligible to receive certain veterans’ benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies; and
WHEREAS, recognizing former members of the Cadet Nurse Corps as veterans would be an appropriate and warranted gesture of commendation and gratitude to women whose service and dedication to their communities and to their nation deserves such a gesture.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Connecticut General Assembly hereby petitions the United States Congress to amend federal law to recognize as veterans those women who served honorably during World War II as members of the Cadet Nurse Corps.