Month: September 2018
Senator Larson E-News: Running for My Community; Hartford Marathon
Flexer: Bill Cosby “Would’ve Gotten Away with It” in Connecticut
Flexer: Bill Cosby “Would’ve Gotten Away with It” in Connecticut
Senator Mae Flexer (D-Danielson) today released the following statement after Bill Cosby was sentenced to serve three to 10 years in prison for drugging and sexually assaulting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand in 2004:
“I am certainly relieved that justice will be served in this case. However, I am deeply troubled by the fact if this had taken place in Connecticut, Bill Cosby would’ve gotten away with drugging and raping Andrea Constand due to our state’s current statute of limitations laws. There are many reasons why victims don’t immediately come forward, and all victims of sexual assault—like Cosby’s victims—deserve justice and their access to justice should not be limited by politicians.”
Bill Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted Andrea Constand in 2004. In 2015, Pennsylvania authorities arrested and charged Cosby just shy of the state’s 12 year statute of limitations. He was convicted on three counts of aggravated indecent assault. Had the 2004 crime occurred in Connecticut, the statute of limitations would have been just five years and legal proceedings would not have been initiated.
Connecticut’s Time’s Up Act, Senate Bill 132, would have eliminated the statute of limitations for the actions Cosby was found guilty of committing. Unfortunately, although Sen. Flexer led bipartisan Senate passage of the bill last session, it died in the House with no vote.
Senator Gerratana E-news: Fighting the Opioid Epidemic
Looney E-News: Improvements on the Way for Fairmont Park
Senator Duff E-News: Supporting the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum; Norwalk Boat Show This Weekend
Senator McCrory E-News: Investing in Hartford
Senator Osten E-News: Talking With Senior Citizens
Senator Moore Named Top 100 “Most Influential” by Connecticut NAACP
Senator Moore Named Top 100 “Most Influential” by Connecticut NAACP
Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) has been named one of the “100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut” for 2018 by the Connecticut Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
“The NAACP has always been at the forefront of fighting for equity and justice for all Americans. Its mission to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all people and to eliminate race-based discrimination is something I strive for every day as a state senator and as a member of my community,” Sen. Moore said. “To be recognized by them is a true honor.”
Sen. Moore was first elected in 2014 to serve the 22nd State Senatorial District communities of Trumbull, Bridgeport and Monroe. She was elected to a second term in 2016. She is currently the co-chair of the Children and Human Services committees. Her work in the legislature also earned her the appointment of Senate Democratic Co-chair of the General Assembly’s Bonding Subcommittee in April 2018.
As a lifelong Bridgeport resident and community activist, Sen. Moore has been a force in advocating for health equity, living wage, and legislation that supports and protects Connecticut communities. Recognizing the rapid increase in morbidity and mortality rates among low income minority women with breast cancer, Sen. Moore founded and became President and CEO of The Witness Project, which seeks to address and reduce breast cancer mortality.
In addition, Sen. Moore has tackled the war against hunger by serving and being a member of several boards in Connecticut, including, End Hunger CT, Network Support Team Connecticut Food Systems Alliance, and the Food Solutions New England Coalition.
As a result of her unwavering passion and dedication to fighting for food and health equity in Connecticut, the City of Bridgeport has formed the Food Policy Council, which integrates all agencies of the city in a common effort to improve the availability of safe and nutritious food at reasonable prices for all residents, particularly those in need.
Sen. Moore’s accomplishments in improving the quality of life for Connecticut residents have earned her local and national acclaim over the past ten years, including being awarded the Sojourner Truth Award by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, the 2018 Shirley Chisolm Award by the National Congress of Black Women, and the Community Service Award by the Coalition of 100 Black Women Connecticut Chapter.
Sen. Moore was also named a 2018 “Children’s Champions” by The Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance for her work as co-chair of the General Assembly’s Committee on Children.
By working in diverse situations and economies, Sen. Moore has developed the strength and capacity to ensure that her constituents are fairly represented in an increasingly challenging economy.
Sen. Moore is the mother of three children and grandmother of nine. She attended the University of Bridgeport and remains a Bridgeport resident.
New Haven Legislators Welcome $13.5M in State Funds for Local Projects
New Haven Legislators Welcome $13.5M in State Funds for Local Projects
Members of the New Haven delegation today announced that over $13 million in critical state funding for several local initiatives and projects has been approved by the State Bond Commission.
Included on the commission’s agenda is:
- $10 million grant for reconstruction of New Haven Public Works facility
- $2.3 million grant to finance repairs and replacement of various sidewalks throughout the city
- $575,000 grant for improvements to little league baseball fields in Fairmont Park
- $500,000 grant to assist Common Ground School with repayment of debt
- $217,597 grant-in-aid for construction of a playground and splash pad at DeGale Field
- New Haven could also benefit from a state-wide $10 million grant to provide supplemental funding for the Brownfields Remediation and Revitalization Program. The funds will be used to provide grants and low-interest loans to eligible applicants for the remediation of contaminated brownfield sites to bring them back to productive use.
“New Haven’s delegation in continuing to deliver significant funding for critical infrastructure improvements and community-oriented projects,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney. “The funding for sidewalk paving and the Public Works garage will save New Haven taxpayers more than $12 million. I want to than Governor Malloy for his support of these projects and my fellow delegation members for their work in securing this funding.”
“These investments will directly translate to new activities for our children, less brownfields, and a more walkable New Haven, which are important pieces to moving our city forward,” said Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven). “I am proud to have worked with my colleagues in the legislature to bring state money back to our city so New Haven taxpayers don’t have to bear the total cost of these projects.”
“I have been working hard to enhance and maintain locations that focus on safe family activities and DeGale Field was one,” said Representative Toni Walker (D-New Haven). “This $217,597 grant will help refurbish a very popular community park.”
“I am pleased these projects are moving forward,” Representative Alphonse Paolillo (D-New Haven) said. “The Public Works building, in desperate need of repair, will serve the community for years to come after renovations are complete. Additional state funding for citywide sidewalk repairs will promote pedestrian safety along with much needed residential and business infrastructure improvements. I thank the governor, Bond Commission members and my fellow New Haven legislators for their work on obtaining funds for these projects.”
“I want to thank my New Haven legislative colleagues for their help in securing these funds for our city,” Representative Robyn Porter (D-New Haven) said. “All of these projects will help to improve the quality of life in New Haven for children and families. Thanks also to the governor and Bond Commission members for acting on our bond applications.”
“This money awarded by the State Bond Commission is an asset to strengthening New Haven’s infrastructure,” said Representative Juan Candelaria (D-New Haven). “The repairs and replacement to various sidewalks along with reconstruction of the Public Works Facility will improve the quality of life of our residents. I thank the State Bond Commission for investing in our community.”