Month: September 2017

Senators Moore and Gomes Stand Up for HCC Students, Call on Malloy to Veto Republican Budget

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Senators Moore and Gomes Stand Up for HCC Students, Call on Malloy to Veto Republican Budget

BRIDGEPORT— Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) and Senator Ed Gomes (D-Bridgeport), and representatives Steve Stafstrom and Jack Hennessey, gathered with students at Housatonic Community College today to denounce the deep cuts across to higher education included in the Republican budget passed by the General Assembly last week.

The Republican plan eliminates scholarships for 15,000 of the Connecticut’s neediest students. In the 2016-17 Academic Year there were 751 Bridgeport, 320 Stratford, 128 Trumbull, and 57 Monroe students who received the Roberta Willis Scholarship. That financial assistance would be phased out under the Republican plan.

“The higher education funding that’s being cut in the Republican budget will make devastating, long-lasting impacts on the lives of students at Housatonic and universities across the state. Legislators can fight for you, but it’s important for students and families to stand up and say ‘we will not tolerate these cuts to education.’” Sen. Moore said. “The state has invested in Housatonic and programs like their highly successful Advanced Manufacturing Center— of which over 92 percent of students who graduated last year got jobs in the Advanced Manufacturing field— and if these budget cuts in the Republican plan go through, all that money will go down the drain.”

“This Republican plan cuts into the people who need these scholarships and resources the most. These are students who will stay in Connecticut, start their own businesses, pay taxes, and make significant contributions to our communities,” Sen. Gomes said. “An investment in education is also an investment in jobs, in business growth, and a vibrant economic future. It’s time for us to stand up for institutions of higher learning in this state and say ‘no’ to the Republican budget cuts.”

“My family grew up, we didn’t have a lot of money and I’m trying to change that cycle, break the poverty cycle, and have future for myself and without financial aid I wouldn’t be able to do that,” said Sara Husain, a Biology student at HCC. “I’ve been going to Housatonic for the past two years and I have nothing but great things to say about this school. It’s an incredible school. The teachers care a lot about what they’re teaching and I’ve had nothing but an amazing two years. I couldn’t imagine not going to school. Through education, we can make a better community a better future. Students at Housatonic are the future, even though we don’t seem like we are.”

Deep Cuts to Higher Education

The Republican budget would cut approximately $93M from the CSCU system over the next two years.

  • Republican reductions would be a state that is less prepared to meet the workforce needs of tomorrow. Over 95 percent of our students are from Connecticut and stay here after they graduate. At a time when Connecticut’s major employers are increasing their demand for a highly skilled workforce, we must continue to educate students interested in manufacturing, healthcare and information technology.
  • Elimination of state financial aid would make our institutions more costly and less accessible to the 85,000 students we serve, particularly those who are funding their own education, are first generation, and underrepresented students of color.

While the phasing out of the Roberta Willis scholarship fund would deny access to higher education for almost 15,000 of the state’s neediest students. This budget would force severe cutbacks and elimination of essential services such as academic advising, counseling, physical and mental health referrals.

Sen. Moore E-news: Republican Budget Raises Taxes, Makes Devastating Cuts to Education and Jobs Programs

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Senator Bye E-News: Republican Budget Raises Taxes, Makes Devastating Cuts to Jobs, Education and Local Institutions

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Senator Osten and East Hartford Legislators Denounce Short-Sighted Republican Budget

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Democratic Legislators Condemn Republican Budget for Shortchanging Crumbling Foundations

SOUTH WINDSOR—At the home of a South Windsor resident affected by a crumbling
concrete foundation, Democratic state Senators Tim Larson (D-East Hartford), Steve Cassano (D-Manchester), Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) and Democratic state Representative Jeff Currey (D-East Hartford) urged Governor Dannel P. Malloy to veto a proposed Republican biennial state budget which provides less than one-half of the aid for homeowners with foundation problems than the Democratic budget provides.

Democratic legislators spoke at the home of John Enderle of South Windsor. Enderle purchased his home about 25 years ago and began noticing cracks in his basement about five years ago. He says he has received a repair estimate in excess of $200,000. “The issue of crumbling foundations is going to be a financial drag on the state until this issue is resolved,” Mr. Enderle said. “People need to come together as leaders and figure out the best solution for homeowners and the state.”

“I’m angry that after all this time and effort was put into bipartisan legislation that Republicans have turned their backs on their neighbors with crumbling foundation problems. They apparently can’t put their money where their mouth is,” said Sen. Larson, who represents the affected towns of South Windsor, East Hartford, East Windsor and Ellington. “The Democratic budget alternative is not a perfect solution, but it’s a start in the right direction, in a better direction for folks with crumbling foundations. It really does create a framework for fixing this problem.”

“Homeowners with crumbling foundations have gone too long without answers, and they deserve a comprehensive solution. The Republican proposal is a weakened, watered-down version of the Democratic plan,” Rep. Currey said. “The Republican plan contains less financial aid, it reduces oversight, and it puts the Governor’s office in charge of remediation funds. Our proposal calls for the creation of an independent and highly regulated captive insurance company where homeowners have a seat on the board of directors. I believe we can do better, and I will push for a budget that includes more aid and protections for homeowners.”

Several Republicans voted this year in committee to institute an annual $12 surcharge on homeowners’ insurance policies to create a pool of funding for homeowners with crumbling foundations, and other Republican legislators co-sponsored a bill calling for a $100 annual surcharge on homeowners’ insurance policies. But in the end, Republicans didn’t include any of that assistance in their state budget proposal.

Instead, the Republican budget includes just $2.7 million per year for two years for a “Collapsing Foundations Interest Rate Reduction Account,” and another $20 million per year in state bonding for a total Republican assistance package of $45.4 million.

In contrast, the Democratic budget includes $10 million per year in state bonding for five years, plus a $12 annual surcharge on homeowners’ insurance policies per year for five years that raises another $10 million per year, for a total Democratic assistance package of $100 million—more than twice the Republican budget funding level. The Democratic budget also directs the state Department of Housing to seek $60.8 million in federal funding for a potential Democratic aid package to homeowners of $160.8 million—more than three times the Republican budget funding level.

“Talking about helping homeowners is easy in March, April and May, but it takes real effort and a real commitment to see this funding through to your actual budget proposal. Apparently there was a breakdown along the way on the Republican side,” said Sen. Osten, who is the Democratic Co-Chair of the Appropriations Committee and who represents the impacted towns of Hebron, Columbia and Franklin. “Fixing this problem is going to take state spending. The private sector, banks and insurance companies have thrown up their hands and walked away. It’s up to us, and the Democratic budget is clearly the better option for helping homeowners.”

“I think there is a desire on the part of Republicans to help affected homeowners, because this really is a problem that, while localized in some respects, has statewide consequences. But in order to help you have to provide more than just $40 million or $50 million,” said Sen. Cassano, who represents the affected communities of Manchester, Glastonbury, Bolton and Andover. “We’re looking at hundreds if not thousands of homes with repair bills of $200,000 each. We could close in on a billion dollars pretty quick.”

“The crumbling foundation disaster is not a partisan matter, but I was shocked to see there’s a significant difference between the Republican and Democratic budgets,” said Dr. Saud Anwar, who is a member of the South Windsor Town Council’s Crumbling Foundations Subcommittee. “The Republican budget strips the resources for victims by about two-thirds and fails to do anything sustainable in addressing this disaster. For the people suffering and watching their foundations weaken and crumble, lip service and token efforts are no longer enough. Between the two budgets, the Democratic budget is far better.”

Senator Larson and East Hartford Legislators Denounce Short-Sighted Republican Budget

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Democratic Legislators Condemn Republican Budget for Shortchanging Crumbling Foundations

At the home of a South Windsor resident affected by a crumbling
concrete foundation, Democratic state Senators Tim Larson (D-East Hartford), Steve Cassano (D-Manchester), Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) and Democratic state Representative Jeff Currey (D-East Hartford) urged Governor Dannel P. Malloy to veto a proposed Republican biennial state budget which provides less than one-half of the aid for homeowners with foundation problems than the Democratic budget provides.

Democratic legislators spoke at the home of John Enderle of South Windsor. Enderle purchased his home about 25 years ago and began noticing cracks in his basement about five years ago. He says he has received a repair estimate in excess of $200,000. “The issue of crumbling foundations is going to be a financial drag on the state until this issue is resolved,” Mr. Enderle said. “People need to come together as leaders and figure out the best solution for homeowners and the state.”

“I’m angry that after all this time and effort was put into bipartisan legislation that Republicans have turned their backs on their neighbors with crumbling foundation problems. They apparently can’t put their money where their mouth is,” said Sen. Larson, who represents the affected towns of South Windsor, East Hartford, East Windsor and Ellington. “The Democratic budget alternative is not a perfect solution, but it’s a start in the right direction, in a better direction for folks with crumbling foundations. It really does create a framework for fixing this problem.”

“Homeowners with crumbling foundations have gone too long without answers, and they deserve a comprehensive solution. The Republican proposal is a weakened, watered-down version of the Democratic plan,” Rep. Currey said. “The Republican plan contains less financial aid, it reduces oversight, and it puts the Governor’s office in charge of remediation funds. Our proposal calls for the creation of an independent and highly regulated captive insurance company where homeowners have a seat on the board of directors. I believe we can do better, and I will push for a budget that includes more aid and protections for homeowners.”

Several Republicans voted this year in committee to institute an annual $12 surcharge on homeowners’ insurance policies to create a pool of funding for homeowners with crumbling foundations, and other Republican legislators co-sponsored a bill calling for a $100 annual surcharge on homeowners’ insurance policies. But in the end, Republicans didn’t include any of that assistance in their state budget proposal.

Instead, the Republican budget includes just $2.7 million per year for two years for a “Collapsing Foundations Interest Rate Reduction Account,” and another $20 million per year in state bonding for a total Republican assistance package of $45.4 million.

In contrast, the Democratic budget includes $10 million per year in state bonding for five years, plus a $12 annual surcharge on homeowners’ insurance policies per year for five years that raises another $10 million per year, for a total Democratic assistance package of $100 million—more than twice the Republican budget funding level. The Democratic budget also directs the state Department of Housing to seek $60.8 million in federal funding for a potential Democratic aid package to homeowners of $160.8 million—more than three times the Republican budget funding level.

“Talking about helping homeowners is easy in March, April and May, but it takes real effort and a real commitment to see this funding through to your actual budget proposal. Apparently there was a breakdown along the way on the Republican side,” said Sen. Osten, who is the Democratic Co-Chair of the Appropriations Committee and who represents the impacted towns of Hebron, Columbia and Franklin. “Fixing this problem is going to take state spending. The private sector, banks and insurance companies have thrown up their hands and walked away. It’s up to us, and the Democratic budget is clearly the better option for helping homeowners.”

“I think there is a desire on the part of Republicans to help affected homeowners, because this really is a problem that, while localized in some respects, has statewide consequences. But in order to help you have to provide more than just $40 million or $50 million,” said Sen. Cassano, who represents the affected communities of Manchester, Glastonbury, Bolton and Andover. “We’re looking at hundreds if not thousands of homes with repair bills of $200,000 each. We could close in on a billion dollars pretty quick.”

“The crumbling foundation disaster is not a partisan matter, but I was shocked to see there’s a significant difference between the Republican and Democratic budgets,” said Dr. Saud Anwar, who is a member of the South Windsor Town Council’s Crumbling Foundations Subcommittee. “The Republican budget strips the resources for victims by about two-thirds and fails to do anything sustainable in addressing this disaster. For the people suffering and watching their foundations weaken and crumble, lip service and token efforts are no longer enough. Between the two budgets, the Democratic budget is far better.”

Looney E-News: Republican Budget Raises Taxes, Makes Devastating Cuts to Education and Jobs Programs

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Winfield and Connecticut Solar Companies Call for Veto of Republican Budget

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Winfield and Connecticut Solar Companies Call for Veto of Republican Budget

Solar Companies have stated that cuts made in the recently-passed state budget will force them to slow, stop or reverse their job growth in Connecticut

photo of Senator Winfield.

Senator Winfield and representatives from Connecticut’s growing solar industry raised the alarm about damaging cuts made to Connecticut’s solar industry in the version of the state budget passed last week. The Republican budget slashes funding to the CT Green Bank. As Co-Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, Senator Winfield has worked with PosiGen, Aegis Solar, and other solar companies to expand access to green energy and encourage growth in the solar industry. In recent conversations with the leaders of Connecticut’s solar industry, Senator Winfield has become increasingly alarmed that the cuts made in the recently-passed state budget will result in lost job creation in one of the strongest-growing industries in the country, hurting possibilities for business expansions in Connecticut’s clean energy sector.

The Green Bank mobilized $1 billion total dollars into Connecticut’s clean energy economy using public-private partnerships. This has created 13,000 total jobs (job-years of activity), mostly with local energy improvement contractors. Over 220 megawatts of clean, renewable energy have been generated through these projects. If the Green Bank is de-funded, Connecticut will likely see a migration in contractor and project activity to other states.

The Republican budget, which passed last week, makes multiple cuts to the Connecticut Green Bank. The budget reduces funding for the Green Bank by $13 million in FY 18 and another $13 million in FY 19. It also diverts $10 million in RGGI Auction Proceeds, one of the key funding sources for the Green Bank, in FY 18, and another $10 million in FY19. This amounts to a net reduction of $46 million to clean energy and energy efficiency programs over the biennium.

“Promoting green energy is vital for both the health of our environment and our economy,” said Senator Winfield, Co-Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee. “These cuts threaten to halt the growth in this sector, which has been growing and creating good-paying jobs for Connecticut residents. I am very concerned that should these cuts be enacted, we will start to lose these jobs and potentially risk having the solar companies leave Connecticut for states that are more supportive of growing the green energy economy.”

“PosiGen has a unique approach to solar energy efficiency. We focus on low income home owners. We focus on people that have not had the ability to access solar and a lot of other energy efficiency programs in the past. We came to Connecticut solely because the Connecticut Green Bank Approached us and said we think that there’s an inequality In the state, and we want to make sure that all the families in Connecticut have access to solar energy efficiency,” said Tom Neyhart, CEO of PosiGen. “My concern is that a company like mine, which already has 45 employees here and is adding another 15 new employees and another location wouldn’t come to Connecticut without the Connecticut Green Bank. If the funding is cut back, we’re not sure we could continue that expansion.”

“Connecticut Green Bank has programs are what is driving the industry in Connecticut, which is a thriving and expanding renewable energy industry. These programs, were they threatened, would be a direct impact on my business. I wouldn’t be able to support the employees that we have now or the installations that we’re doing. So any threat to those funds would have a direct impact on the ability of my business to continue operation and conducting business in Connecticut,” said Chris Lenda, Owner and Founder Aegis Solar.

“I’m a commercial project manager for this company, so I get to see the local farmers, the manufacturers, the schools, the distributors who benefit from this. Not only do I benefit from it for having a job, but I also get to employ local subcontractors, like site developers or roofing companies who all benefit from putting solar on these local businesses. So not only does it affect local homeowners, it also helps our communities and our local businesses. I think it’s in our best interests to keep this money within the Connecticut Green Bank so they can keep doing what they’re doing. They’re doing a great thing for the State of Connecticut,” said Brandon Pizzoferrato of C-TEC Solar.

About the Connecticut Green Bank

The Connecticut Green Bank was established by the Connecticut General Assembly on July 1, 2011 as a part of Public Act 11-80. The Green Bank’s success in accelerating private investment in clean energy is helping Connecticut create jobs, increase economic prosperity, promote energy security and address climate change. In 2017, the Connecticut Green Bank received the Innovations in American Government Award from the Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center for Democratic Governance and innovation for their “Sparking the Green Bank Movement” nomination. For more information about the Connecticut Green Bank, please visit www.ctgreenbank.com.

Senator Duff E-News: Alert: Let’s Work on a Real Bipartisan Budget

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Senator Larson and East Hartford Legislators Denounce Short-Sighted Republican Budget

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Senator Larson and East Hartford Legislators Denounce Short-Sighted Republican Budget

“The Republican budget that recently passed the General Assembly is devastating for both the state of Connecticut and East Hartford residents. We want to move our state forward, but it is clear that this proposal leaves many Connecticut residents behind.

“This has frequently been referred to as a no-tax increase budget—this is dishonest. According to the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis, it contains $840 million in tax increases over two years. The proposal drastically slashes the earned income tax credit, increasing taxes for many working families.

“East Hartford’s students would be the hardest hit. It seems Republicans are taking a page from the Betsy DeVos playbook, slamming our schools while shifting money to wealthier communities. This proposal cuts or eliminates programs that provide funding to higher-need school districts such as East Hartford, including the Commissioner’s Network grants, Alliance District funding, and Priority School District grants. It eliminates funding for the K-3 Literacy Initiative that Langford and Norris Elementary Schools participate in—one of Connecticut’s most effective literacy programs to date.

“Despite repeated calls on both sides of the aisle to make our state more attractive to young people, the proposal inexplicably attacks higher education. Combined cuts of $309 million to UConn and UConn Health would force the closure of regional campuses and potentially the Health Center. Surging tuition costs would put a UConn education out of reach for many students.

“The Governor has promised to veto the Republican proposal, giving the legislature an opportunity to renegotiate a truly bipartisan budget that treats all of our towns and residents fairly. We remain committed to reaching a balanced budget agreement that puts Connecticut on a path to fiscal stability.”

State Sen. Tim Larson, State Reps. Henry Genga, Jason Rojas, and Jeff Currey

Standing Against the Devastating Republican Budget

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Standing Against the Devastating Republican Budget

Connecticut’s future depends on smart investments in our economy and a strong education system.
Over the past several months, Senate Democrats have been working diligently to pass a state budget that invests in Connecticut’s future and makes honest spending cuts and structural changes to pay down past debts.

Unfortunately, the Republican state budget that passed the Connecticut General Assembly betrays all of these principles. Republicans abandon our urban cores and economic drivers, slash higher education funding and eliminate jobs programs that help middle class families and manufacturers. Even with these cuts, the budget still relies on fake savings and is unbalanced.

Senate Democrats are committed to doing what is right for this state. That is why we are ready to work together to pass a budget that does not hurt our residents, devastate our higher education system or rely on unrealistic savings.

Please sign our petition and stand with me against these devastating cuts and tax increases. Together we can build a stronger future for Connecticut.

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The Republican budget:

Raises Taxes Over Half a Billion Dollars

  • Raises taxes on people who own a home
  • Raises taxes on people who own a car
  • Raises taxes on 44,000 teachers an average of $1,500 per year
  • Raises taxes on 200,000 low- to moderate-income working people
  • Raises taxes on hospitals
  • Raises taxes on businesses
  • Raises taxes on sports fans and concert goers
  • Raises taxes on homebuyers
  • BUT cuts taxes for the super-rich

Makes Devastating Cuts to Education, Jobs Programs and Local Institutions

  • Decimates UConn with an unprecedented cut of $309 million that will dramatically increase costs to students and could shut down academic departments, local branches, and some Division I sports
  • Cuts funding and scholarship opportunities to public and private colleges
  • Ends funding for manufacturers to train workers and provide new jobs
  • Eliminates the Small Business Express program which has helped hundreds of Connecticut small businesses
  • Kills green jobs and stifles an emerging market by taking $46 million from the Connecticut Green Bank and other clean energy and environmental initiatives.
  • Puts dark money and lobbyist money back into Connecticut politics by eliminating the Citizens Election Program
  • Dismantles tourism districts hurting a critical economic driver for the state
  • Robs the state pension fund