Sen. Fonfara Stands with Batchelder Community, Urges Hartford BOE to Vote Against Closing School

Sen. Fonfara Stands with Batchelder Community, Urges Hartford BOE to Vote Against Closing School

Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford) today addressed members of the Hartford Board of Education to urge them to reconsider Hartford Schools Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez’s plan to close Batchelder School and allow him and others to work with the board on alternatives to the closure.

The four-hour hearing took place in the Batchelder auditorium where hundreds of students, parents, teachers, alumnae and neighbors raised questions about the role of the school as an anchor in the community, the reasoning for the closure and the short timeframe between when the proposal was announced and when a vote will be taken. With Sen. Fonfara were Hartford community activist Hyacinth Yennie and State Representative Edwin Vargas.

Watch Sen. Fonfara’s full remarks here.

Middlebury Legislators Announce Upcoming Office Hours

Middlebury Legislators Announce Upcoming Office Hours

Event to be held Tuesday, January 23rd

State Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury), Senator Eric Berthel (R-Watertown) and State Representative Anthony D’Amelio (R-Middlebury) have announced that they will hold office hours meetings on Tuesday, January 23rd in Middlebury. The office hours will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Shepardson Community Center, located on 1172 Whittemore Road in Middlebury.

“In-district office hours are an invaluable opportunity to meet directly with constituents in preparation for the 2018 legislative session. I look forward to our conversation,” said Senator Hartley.

“Please spread the word to taxpayers,” said Senator Berthel. “Bring your concerns to us. We are your voices at the State Capitol. We continue to do all we can to improve the quality of life in Middlebury and throughout Connecticut.”

“I look forward to meeting with constituents to discuss the upcoming legislative session and ways to make our state even better,” Representative D’Amelio said. “When Senator Hartley, Senator Berthel and I hear directly from constituents, we’re able to can bring more local voices to the process.”

Sen. Hartley’s upcoming office hours schedule is as follows:

  • Tuesday, January 23, 2018 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
    Shepardson Community Center
    1172 Whittemore Road, Middlebury
  • Friday, January 26, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
    Naugatuck Town Hall
    229 Church Street, Naugatuck

State Senate Democrats Slam Trump Administration’s Decision to Limit Access to Women’s Health Care Providers

State Senate Democrats Slam Trump Administration’s Decision to Limit Access to Women’s Health Care Providers

Members of the Connecticut Senate Democratic Caucus blasted today’s Trump administration directive allowing states to block women’s health care providers from receiving Medicaid funding.

“Putting shameless, extreme right-wing politics before women’s health has become one of the sad hallmarks of the Trump administration,” said Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “Today’s decision by the administration will only place at risk the lives of countless women and deny health care to those in need.”

“With President Trump and Vice-President Pence in the White House, Connecticut legislators, now more than ever, need to step up to protect women’s health care,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “Last year, the battle over women’s health issues returned to Connecticut in a big way. At every turn, Democrats in the Senate fought back against forces determined to undermine the progress we have made in our state.”

Recognizing the continued threat to women’s health care at the national level, Senate Democrats led passage of legislation that allows legislators to address any federal funding cuts to women’s health programs within 90 days.

“Women should make, and they should be supported when they make, their own medical decisions about their own bodies. HHS today turned back the clock on women’s rights and their right to choose what is appropriate for them” said state Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague).

“Rest assured, despite today’s HHS directive, we in Connecticut stand ready to do everything we can to protect a woman’s right to reproductive healthcare,” said state Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford).

“The Trump Administration’s attacks on women’s health care never stop! These despicable decisions put the health and lives of American women in jeopardy. In Connecticut, we will stand up and protect women’s health care and fight the unrelenting actions of this disastrous administration,” said state Senator Mae Flexer (D-Danielson).

“It’s outrageous that the Republicans in Washington are cutting funding for Planned Parenthood,” Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) said. “The services they provide meet a critical need for millions of women across the country and thousands here in Connecticut. A reduction in their funding will be devastating for women’s healthcare.”

State Senate Democrats Slam Trump Administration’s Decision to Limit Access to Women’s Health Care Providers

State Senate Democrats Slam Trump Administration’s Decision to Limit Access to Women’s Health Care Providers

Members of the Connecticut Senate Democratic Caucus blasted today’s Trump administration directive allowing states to block women’s health care providers from receiving Medicaid funding.

“Putting shameless, extreme right-wing politics before women’s health has become one of the sad hallmarks of the Trump administration,” said Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “Today’s decision by the administration will only place at risk the lives of countless women and deny health care to those in need.”

“With President Trump and Vice-President Pence in the White House, Connecticut legislators, now more than ever, need to step up to protect women’s health care,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “Last year, the battle over women’s health issues returned to Connecticut in a big way. At every turn, Democrats in the Senate fought back against forces determined to undermine the progress we have made in our state.”

Recognizing the continued threat to women’s health care at the national level, Senate Democrats led passage of legislation that allows legislators to address any federal funding cuts to women’s health programs within 90 days.

“Women should make, and they should be supported when they make, their own medical decisions about their own bodies. HHS today turned back the clock on women’s rights and their right to choose what is appropriate for them” said state Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague).

“Rest assured, despite today’s HHS directive, we in Connecticut stand ready to do everything we can to protect a woman’s right to reproductive healthcare,” said state Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford).

“The Trump Administration’s attacks on women’s health care never stop! These despicable decisions put the health and lives of American women in jeopardy. In Connecticut, we will stand up and protect women’s health care and fight the unrelenting actions of this disastrous administration,” said state Senator Mae Flexer (D-Danielson).

“It’s outrageous that the Republicans in Washington are cutting funding for Planned Parenthood,” Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) said. “The services they provide meet a critical need for millions of women across the country and thousands here in Connecticut. A reduction in their funding will be devastating for women’s healthcare.”

Electric Boat Official Joins Senator Osten for Tour of Norwich Apartments

Electric Boat Official Joins Senator Osten for Tour of Norwich Apartments

photo of Senator Osten.

NORWICH—State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) hosted Electric Boat Vice-President of Human Resources Moira Dunn on a tour of the new Lofts at Ponemah Mills apartment complex in Norwich in an effort to promote the apartments to EB as potential living space for its thousands of future submarine workers.

Sen. Osten recently met with EB executives who asked Sen. Osten to try and secure state aid for job training and infrastructure investments as well as their need for affordable, area housing for the 4,000-plus new employees EB will hire over the next several years.

“When I went down to Electric Boat a few weeks ago to meet with EB President Jeff Geiger, I asked him what he thought he needed from the state in the way of economic development, and if there were any the challenges they are facing. He said affordable housing for their future workforce,” Sen. Osten said. “I mentioned that I know of an old mill in Norwich that has been rehabilitated into apartments and has many of the amenities that I believe young millennials would appreciate, and I invited Moira to tour Ponemah Mills. The thousands of new employees that Electric Boat plans to hire are going to need somewhere to live.”

Dunn and Sen. Osten, along with Fin O’Neill, who is director of operations with mill developer Onekey LLC, toured the apartment complex today for over an hour, beginning with the outdoor grilling area with fire pit and Adirondack chairs to the indoor bar, mini movie theater, exercise studio with sauna and steam room, and into the various 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartment layouts that feature wiring for high-speed Internet, smoke alarms, washers/dryers, stainless steel appliances, central air and heat, maple cabinetry and ceiling fans. Ponemah Mills is located right off I-395 and along the Shetucket River.

“It’s a terrific building,” Dunn said. “It seems just like the type of place our employees would want, whether it’s the first place they are living or some place they are moving up to.”

“My idea is to market the Norwich region,” Sen. Osten said. “This is a region for good jobs, for good housing, and it’s got good communities to live in. It’s the total package.”

Senator Hartley E-News: Join Me at Open Office Hours in Middlebury, Naugatuck and Waterbury

Looney E-News: I Want to Hear from You

Sen. Gerratana E-news: I Want to Hear from You

Sen. Moore E-News: I Want to Hear from You; Upcoming Community Conversation in Trumbull

Senator McCrory E-News: I Want to Hear from You