Month: March 2018
Sen. Moore Testifies to Protect Bridgeport Homeowners from Wrongful WPCA Foreclosures
Sen. Moore Testifies to Protect Bridgeport Homeowners from Wrongful WPCA Foreclosures

HARTFORD, CT— Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) today delivered testimony to the General Assembly’s Planning and Development Committee in support of House Bill 5509, legislation that would protect Connecticut homeowners from unfair and abusive Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) proceedings and charges that sometimes result in wrongful home foreclosures.
Sen. Moore has received numerous complaints from homeowners in Bridgeport who say that the local WPCA is using predatory and discriminatory billing tactics. Based on investigative work by Sen. Moore’s office into the procedures for collection of overdue WPCA bills, it is clear that attorney fees and collection costs contribute to foreclosures more than the actual delinquent sewage bill does. The WPCA has initiated foreclosure proceeding on seniors, veterans, and low income people. In Bridgeport alone, there were 666 leans on homes as a result of WPCA in 2015.
The WPCA and outside attorneys can profit from this practice.
“I will not stand for city homeowners being targeted and having their lives destroyed so the WPCA can profit at their expense,” Sen. Moore said. “Even more troubling, the foreclosures seem to disproportionately affect African-Americans, Latinos, senior, veterans, and low-income people in the Bridgeport area. People should be given an honest chance to pay their sewer bills.”
The bill would:
- Prohibit an accessor from purchasing properties they have any involvement with
- Designate the WPCA as a public utility and to come under the authority of the Public Utilities Regulation Authority (PURA)
Public Health Committee Hears Bill to Address Opioid Overdose Crisis
Public Health Committee Hears Bill to Address Opioid Overdose Crisis
Public Health Committee Co-Chair Senator Terry Gerratana (D—New Britain) today announced her support for Senate Bill 172, which would phase in a comprehensive opioid treatment program at the Department of Correction.
“Overdoses claimed more than 1,000 lives in Connecticut last year. This is a public health crisis,” said Sen. Gerratana. “Last year, more than half of the people we lost to overdose were previously incarcerated. Yet the Department of Corrections does not have the resources to offer evidence-based, medication-assisted treatment to most individuals.
We have a moral duty to do better.”
“Treating inmates for this addiction will save money by reducing future health care costs, preventing unnecessary deaths, and leading to a reduction in crime,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney in written testimony. “This bill represents smart and compassionate policy,”
Senate Bill 172 would require the Department of Correction to phase in a comprehensive medication-assisted treatment program for incarcerated people with opioid-use disorder over the next four years. Today, even though more than 50 percent of overdose deaths occur among the previously incarcerated, most incarcerated people have no access to this evidence-based treatment.
The Department of Correction operates a small pilot program in four facilities to provide treatment. The program has successfully treated nearly 1,000 inmates. Those who are unable to join the pilot program due to its limited size, however, are forced to stop treatment. In nearly all cases, individuals who would like to start treatment in jail or prison are not given that opportunity.
Providing access to medication-assisted treatment in prison is an emerging national model. Rhode Island was the first state in the country to create a comprehensive medication-assisted treatment program in its correctional facilities in 2016, and it saw a 61 percent decrease in post-incarceration overdose deaths in the first six months. The Presidential Commission on Combating Drug Addiction, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration all recommend providing medication-assisted treatment in correctional facilities.
Medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, is the gold standard for opioid-use disorder treatment nationally. Individuals on MAT for opioid-use disorder receive methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, along with other psychosocial supports, to reduce their cravings and help them to function successfully in society. The latest studies have found that individuals who receive treatment are 85 percent less likely to die of overdose on release and have a 15-25 percent lower recidivism rate than untreated individuals.
Bridgeport Senators and Representatives Deliver Unified Testimony in Favor of Casino
Bridgeport Senators and Representatives Deliver Unified Testimony in Favor of Casino

The entire Bridgeport state legislative delegation spoke in a powerful show of unity today in support of permitting an open, competitive process to expand casino gaming into Bridgeport and bring 7,000 new jobs to the Park City.
Senator Marilyn Moore, Representative Ezequiel Santiago, Representative Andre Baker, Representative Steve Stafstrom, Representative Charles Stallworth, Representative Christopher Rosario, and Representative Jack Hennessy together testified during a public hearing of the General Assembly’s Public Safety and Security Committee in support of House Bill 5305, which would create an open, competitive bidding process for new casino expansion in Connecticut. (Full testimony attached)
“The bottom line is that we who represent Bridgeport want the best deal for our city. We want jobs and economic development, not 10 years from now, but now. Allowing Connecticut to expand gaming could bring thousands of jobs to our city.” Sen. Moore (D-Bridgeport) said. “And if we do end up deciding to expand casino operations off tribal land in Connecticut, then the fairest and most transparent way to do that would be through a gaming commission, as is done in other states.”
As a member of the committee, Senator Ed Gomes is not permitted to testify, but he too spoke in favor of the competitive process and echoed the delegation’s testimony.
“It’s Bridgeport’s time,” Sen. Gomes (D-Bridgeport) said during the meeting. “Our people are suffering and we’re going to fight tooth and nail to bring these jobs to Bridgeport.”
“If Connecticut is going to expand casino gaming, we need to make sure we get the best deal and only an open competition can guarantee that,” said state Rep. Stafstrom (D-Bridgeport). “The prospect of thousands of jobs for our community and tens of millions of dollars in new tax revenue cannot be ignored. I am proud to stand united with my delegation colleagues in support of the prospect of more development and growth for our city and the entire Bridgeport region.”
“Our city’s unemployment rate exceeds the state average, and a tax base in desperate need of sustained growth and I know that attracting new industries in essential,” Rep. Rosario (D-Bridgeport) said. “We need jobs in Connecticut, and our economy needs help and the possibility of a commercial casino, which could help our city, our region and our entire state, merits careful review. We should not settle for anything short of the best deal possible. This is a decision with ramifications for our entire state—that’s why the decision shouldn’t be delegated, or narrowed arbitrarily, or shrouded in mystery and uncertainty. Connecticut residents deserve nothing less.”
“This part of Bridgeport is one of the last undeveloped areas in the East Coast. We have an opportunity to grow and develop that area with the rest of Fairfield County,” said state Rep. Baker (D-Bridgeport). “This project will not only help attract new business ventures to the city and create countless job opportunities for the region, but it stands to become an important cornerstone of our community.”
“Connecticut’s future is dependent upon the vibrancy of its cities. It is vital that we continue to invest in Bridgeport’s development so that the state’s largest city can be the economic engine Connecticut needs to move forward. We are shovel-ready for our future,” said state Rep. Hennessy (D-Bridgeport).
“Jobs—good jobs that pay a living wage—that is what we are talking about here,” Rep. Stallworth (D-Bridgeport) said. “Residents of Bridgeport have been waiting for opportunity to knock. Well, opportunity is here and we will not let the state lock the door and walk away.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Looney: Strengthen Our Democracy by Making Voting More Convenient for Connecticut Workers and College Students
Senate President Pro Tempore Looney: Strengthen Our Democracy by Making Voting More Convenient for Connecticut Workers and College Students
In testimony submitted today to the Government Administration and Elections Committee, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) warned that with voting rights under attack across the nation, now more than ever Connecticut needs to protect everyone’s right to participate in our democracy, and he advocated for a constitutional amendment allowing early voting and a bill expanding polling places to additional college campuses.
Both proposals are included in the Democratic Values Agenda, released earlier this year by the Senate and House Democratic Caucuses.
“Voting is one of the most sacred rights we have as a democracy. However, access to the ballot box did not come to where it is today without numerous changes to our nation’s laws and Constitution,” wrote Senator Looney. “Ultimately, the expansion of enfranchisement has strengthened our democracy. I believe early voting is the next step in this long history.”
At least 37 states and the District of Columbia allow voters some access to early voting. More than one-third of the United States now casts ballots before Election Day.
“Early voting will help us increase voter participation and help ensure that Connecticut’s elected officials, like me, are hearing from everyone who wishes to cast a ballot,” Senator Looney continued. “Connecticut needs to catch up with its fellow states and provide its residents with better access to the ballot box.”
Additionally, Senator Looney submitted testimony in favor of H.B. 5420, An Act Requiring Additional Polling Places at Institutions of Higher Education During State Elections
“College campuses are where students get their housing, work, education, and meals—it is time that they also serve as a place where they can cast a ballot,” Senator Looney wrote.
Connecticut state statute sets forth numerous rules and regulations for towns in determining the place for holding elections. Sec. 9-168 dictates that the legislative bodies of towns may determine the sole voting locations for the municipality. Sec. 9-169 allows towns to divide up the municipality into voting districts, allowing for multiple voting districts.
Other statutes go further to ensure accessibility for voters at these locations. Rules ensure accessibility for the physically disabled and determine parking locations for the handicapped, infirm, and elderly.
“While these statutes and others are sufficient for many municipalities and voting populations, they do not go far enough for a special segment of our population: college students,” continued Senator Looney. “College students living at or near campus are a unique concentration of our population. By nature of the average college education, this population is highly transient, usually without reliable transportation and often in an area completely unfamiliar to them. Most college students are unable to travel off campus or even know what lies off campus.”
Senator Larson Statement Regarding Casinos
Senator Larson Statement Regarding Casinos
“We heard testimony today in the Public Safety Committee on House Bill 5305, which would repeal legislation and stop the progress made by our two tribal casinos in their effort to save jobs. I’ve been around for a while and this continues to remind me of when Robert Kraft promised to bring the New England Patriots to Hartford in the late 1990’s. I’m disappointed that we continue to offend our tribal partners in this process. I have deep concerns about the MGM casino proposal and I will not support legislation that puts Connecticut jobs at risk.”
Statement from Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney Regarding Comments Made by Senator Fasano
Statement from Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney Regarding Comments Made by Senator Fasano
Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) today released the following statement defending Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) from intemperate and unfounded statements made by Len Fasano, the leader of the Senate Republican Caucus:
“If you look at the votes on civil unions, same sex couple adoption, codifying the State Supreme Court gay marriage ruling and protections for gender identity, it could arguably give rise to an inference of bias,” said Senator Looney. “I believe that Senator Fasano’s comments are completely uncalled for and are a personal attack that is beneath the traditions of the State Senate. This is the third time in less than a week that Senator Fasano has verbally attacked senators specifically by name in order to deflect attention from the fact he and the Republicans in the Senate are preparing to block the confirmation of an historic and highly qualified nominee.”
Sen. Moore E-News: Fighting Wrongful Home Foreclosures
Senate President Pro Tempore Looney Hails House Vote to Confirm Justice McDonald as Chief Justice, Promises Up or Down Senate Vote Before the End of the Month
Senate President Pro Tempore Looney Hails House Vote to Confirm Justice McDonald as Chief Justice, Promises Up or Down Senate Vote Before the End of the Month
Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) today hailed the House of Representative’s bipartisan vote to confirm Associate Justice Andrew McDonald as Chief Justice of the Connecticut State Supreme Court.
“I commend the House of Representatives for approving the nomination of Justice McDonald on a bipartisan vote,” said Senator Looney. “Justice McDonald is a brilliant and thoughtful jurist. The Senate will hold an up or down vote before the end of March. Based on the merits of his nomination, Justice McDonald should be our next Chief Justice. It remains to be seen if the Senate Republicans will choose a partisan path in order to reject this thoroughly qualified and historic nominee.”
Senator Looney will announce a session date in the coming days.
Senate President Pro Tempore Looney Responds to Senator Fasano’s Intemperate and Offensive Statements Concerning Justice McDonald’s Nomination
Senate President Pro Tempore Looney Responds to Senator Fasano’s Intemperate and Offensive Statements Concerning Justice McDonald’s Nomination
Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) today released the following statement regarding statements made by Senator Len Fasano, the leader of the Senate Republican Caucus, concerning Associate Justice Andrew McDonald’s nomination as Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court:
“Senator Fasano is clearly feeling the pressure. He is desperately trying to deflect attention from the fact that he and the Senate Republicans are marching in lockstep with Donald Trump, Mike Pence, and Mitch McConnell, and are preparing to block the confirmation of an historic and highly qualified nominee.
“Senator Fasano and I have been friends for a long time and we’ve been attorneys for a long time, and I know that he knows the old lawyers’ saying: ‘When the facts are on your side, pound the facts. When the law is on your side, pound the law. When neither the facts nor the law are on your side, pound the table.’ We should send someone to check on Senator Fasano’s table.”