Month: January 2018
Senator Osten in the News: Osten is right about preparing for EB growth
The Day Editorial: Osten is right about preparing for EB growth
State Sen. Cathy Osten’s instincts are right. Electric Boat is undertaking a massive increase in hiring, the result of expedited submarine construction. Connecticut should do what it reasonably can to make sure there is a skilled workforce available for not only filling those jobs, but also for the jobs at the 450 subcontractors that feed into EB’s production pipeline.
Read the full editorial at the The Day.
Sen. Bye Casts Vote to Re-Fund Medicare Savings Program for Seniors
Sen. Bye Casts Vote to Re-Fund Medicare Savings Program for Seniors
Responding to the wishes of hundreds of senior citizens in her district, state Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford) voted today to restore $54.5 million in state funding for the Medicare Savings Program, a state-subsidized program that helps poor elderly and the disabled pay for their monthly Medicare Part B premiums and save on their Medicare Part D prescription drug costs.
State officials estimate that as many as 113,000 Connecticut residents were impacted by the cut that was included in the bipartisan budget which passed the General Assembly late last year. Today’s legislative action rescinds that cut and restores MSP funding through June 30, 2018.
“I went throughout my district talking to dozens and dozens of senior citizens, and I want to give a big ‘thank you’ to them for their advocacy on this issue. It was a game-changer,” Sen. Bye said today. “The Medicare Savings Program is a hugely important program for them; it can literally be life-sustaining. So I was happy to cast my vote to restore funding for the MSP. But I will say I wish today’s action was part of a larger legislative action to address our overall mid-year budget deficit. We need a broad, bipartisan plan to address that deficit, not just a piecemeal plan.”
Statements from Senate President Pro Tempore Looney and Senate Majority Leader Duff on the Nomination of Justice Andrew McDonald as Chief Justice
Statements from Senate President Pro Tempore Looney and Senate Majority Leader Duff on the Nomination of Justice Andrew McDonald as Chief Justice
Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) today praised Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s announcement that he will nominate Justice Andrew McDonald to serve as Chief Justice of Connecticut’s Supreme Court.
“Justice Andrew McDonald is a brilliant and thoughtful jurist,” said Senator Looney. “Throughout his distinguished career in public service as Corporation Counsel for the City of Stamford, as State Senate co-chair of the Judiciary Committee, as chief counsel to the governor, and as a member of the State Supreme Court, Justice McDonald has been a trailblazer across all three branches of state government. I commend Governor Malloy for this inspired nomination. I am certain that Justice McDonald will lead the State Supreme Court will honor, dignity and incisive legal analysis.”
“Justice McDonald is the best choice to lead the Connecticut Supreme Court,” said Senator Duff. “Justice McDonald has a first class legal mind. Serving side-by-side in the State Senate and sharing a community with Justice McDonald, I witnessed first-hand his thoughtful approach to legislating. Since joining the state’s highest court, he has continued to serve our state capably with the highest integrity.”
Statements from Senate President Pro Tempore Looney and Senate Majority Leader Duff on the Nomination of Justice Andrew McDonald as Chief Justice
Statements from Senate President Pro Tempore Looney and Senate Majority Leader Duff on the Nomination of Justice Andrew McDonald as Chief Justice
Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) today praised Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s announcement that he will nominate Justice Andrew McDonald to serve as Chief Justice of Connecticut’s Supreme Court.
“Justice Andrew McDonald is a brilliant and thoughtful jurist,” said Senator Looney. “Throughout his distinguished career in public service as Corporation Counsel for the City of Stamford, as State Senate co-chair of the Judiciary Committee, as chief counsel to the governor, and as a member of the State Supreme Court, Justice McDonald has been a trailblazer across all three branches of state government. I commend Governor Malloy for this inspired nomination. I am certain that Justice McDonald will lead the State Supreme Court will honor, dignity and incisive legal analysis.”
“Justice McDonald is the best choice to lead the Connecticut Supreme Court,” said Senator Duff. “Justice McDonald has a first class legal mind. Serving side-by-side in the State Senate and sharing a community with Justice McDonald, I witnessed first-hand his thoughtful approach to legislating. Since joining the state’s highest court, he has continued to serve our state capably with the highest integrity.”
Sen. Gerratana E-news: New Laws That Took Effect January 1, 2018; Stay Warm
Senator Hartley E-News: Join Me at Open Office Hours in Waterbury
Senator Duff E-News: Shellfish Industry is Bouncing Back; New Laws That Took Effect January 1; Stay Warm!
Osten Proposes Submarine JOBS Act
Sen. Osten Proposes Submarine JOBS Act
Sen. Osten seeks to expand manufacturing workforce development & jobs pipeline programs
Wasting no time prior to February’s start of the 2018 session of the General Assembly, State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today announced that she has filed proposed legislation called the Submarine Jobs and Opportunities Building Success Act (JOBS Act) to dramatically increase Connecticut’s investment in defense manufacturing jobs.
Senator Osten is proposing dedicating $100 million in funds over five years for building infrastructure to meet the demand of increased submarine contracts. Senator Osten is also proposing investing $50 million over 10 years in workforce programs, community colleges and high schools that correspond with the demands of defense contracts for submarine design, construction, repair and maintenance.
“Creating an effective jobs pipeline will guarantee a generation of Connecticut workers good jobs and secure futures,” said Senator Osten. “Electric Boat has nearly 450 active suppliers located in Connecticut. It is an undeniable fact that building submarines is big business for hundreds of Connecticut’s small businesses, and ensuring that our state has a highly skilled and well prepared workforce is critically important in order to meet demand.”
“Senator Osten’s Submarine JOBS Act is a landmark and visionary proposal that invests in Connecticut workers, small businesses, students and our largest job creators,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “With Electric Boat poised to build new facilities to accommodate the construction of the Columbia Class submarine and its intention to hire as many as 15,000 workers over the next 15 years, the Submarine JOBS Act will serve as the cornerstone for job growth in the region and across Connecticut.”
“Growing Connecticut’s economy requires us to make smart and strategic investments in job creation,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “Senate Democrats have led the way investing in Electric Boat, Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin, Pratt and Whitney, and CTNext to grow jobs to maintain Connecticut’s competitive advantage. Senator Osten’s proposal will strengthen the backbone of Connecticut’s economy.”
Waterbury Legislators Announce Upcoming Office Hours
Waterbury Legislators Announce Upcoming Office Hours
Events to be held Saturday, January 13th
State Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury), State Representative Jeffrey Berger (D-Waterbury), Representative Larry Butler (D-Waterbury) and State Representative Geraldo Reyes, Jr. (D-Waterbury) have announced that they will hold office hours meetings on Saturday, January 13th in Waterbury. The meeting with Senator Hartley and Representative Berger will take place from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Starbucks on 1250 West Main St. in Waterbury. There will be free parking adjacent to this Starbucks location. The meeting with Senator Hartley, Representative Butler and Representative Reyes will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Starbucks near UConn-Waterbury, located on 118 East Main St. in Waterbury. There will be free parking available in front of this Starbucks on the reserved Starbucks spots, as well as in the Wellmore parking lot on 141 East Main Street.
“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.
“I’m excited to meet residents and have an open and honest conversation about the issues impacting our state and local communities,” Representative Berger said. “I invite everyone to stop by and share their ideas about potential bills, thoughts about state government, or any other concerns they may have.”
“I look forward to visiting with my constituents and listening to their ideas and concerns,” said Representative Geraldo Reyes, Jr. “With another General Assembly session right around the corner, I want to have as many conversations as possible about our future. Accessibility and openness are a critical part of this job.”