Sen. Mccrory Joins Senate And House Democratic Leadership To Announce 2019 Legislative Priorities

Posted on February 4, 2019November 4, 2023 by Webmaster

Sen. Mccrory Joins Senate And House Democratic Leadership To Announce 2019 Legislative Priorities

HARTFORD—State Senator Doug McCrory (D-Hartford) joined Democratic House and Senate leaders today to announce the Democrats’ joint public policy priorities for the 2019 legislative session, a package of family friendly legislation including paid family and medical leave, raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, investing in job training, and making prescription drugs more affordable.

“I’m all about fairness and opportunity, and these bills will provide fairness and opportunity to tens of thousands of Connecticut residents who are suffering now because of low hourly wages, an inability to take time off to care for a sick parent or child, and the need for more job training,” Sen. McCrory said. “These are popular policies, these are necessary policies, and these are the policies that the people of Connecticut want and deserve.”

A September 2018 poll by Alan Newman Research for the AARP of Connecticut found that paid family leave is supported by 85 percent of Connecticut residents. An August 2018 poll by Quinnipiac University found that 63 percent of Connecticut residents support increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour, including 73 percent of women polled.

“These are important quality of life and vital economic policies for our state. The proposals outlined here will build upon the critical policy work we have accomplished in past years and will respond to the priorities of the people of our state,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven).

“The people of Connecticut spoke loud and clear that we need to move our state forward,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “These legislative proposals will build a stronger, more prosperous Connecticut for the middle class and our families. That means paying our residents a fair wage for a hard day’s work, helping them with training to get a new job, giving them access to affordable prescription drugs and helping them if they must take time off from work to care for a sick family member.”

The legislative package includes:

Paid Family and Medical Leave
Senate Bill 1: An Act Concerning Paid Family And Medical Leave
House Bill 5003: An Act Implementing A Paid Family Medical Leave Program
Paid family and medical leave is necessary for a modern workforce. Connecticut families should be able to care for loved ones or themselves in their time of need. No one should have to face the prospect of economic ruin when presented with serious family needs such as caring for a newborn, a spouse, or their parents.

Increasing the Minimum Wage
Senate Bill 2: An Act Increasing The Minimum Fair Wage

House Bill 5004: An Act Raising The Minimum Fair Wage

Raising the minimum wage is long overdue in the State of Connecticut. Numerous large corporations and other states have already taken steps to increase their minimum wage so workers can earn a fair, adequate and ‘livable’ wage. We must do all we reasonably can to help workers support themselves and their families.

More Affordable Prescription Drugs
Senate Bill 4: An Act Concerning The Affordability And Accessibility Of Prescription Drugs

Democrats stand united in the belief that health care is a right not a privilege. Left unchecked, the pharmaceutical industry raises costs on consumers and limits access to prescription drugs. When a person is sick they should be able to get the prescription drugs they need, and this legislation will reduce prescription drug costs.

Job Training & Workforce Pipeline
Senate Bill 5: An Act Concerning A Workforce Pipeline And Job Creation

House Bill 5001: An Act Ensuring That Students In This State Receive High-Quality Skills Training

Building upon the success of the workforce pipeline initiatives from last year, Democrats will expand these workforce development programs. It is critical we have an efficient, effective workforce pipeline to meet the growing needs of Connecticut employers.

A Green New Deal for Connecticut
House Bill 5002: An Act Concerning The Development Of A Green New Deal

Our “Green New Deal” will look to encourage economic growth and job creation through programs focused on improving energy efficiency, expanding renewable energy, ensuring long-term sustainability and strengthening infrastructure resiliency. This will help us transition to a much-needed climate-safe economy and move us closer to the ultimate goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Support for Small Businesses
House Bill 5005: An Act Supporting Local Businesses

We aim to continue to step-up our support of local businesses by streamlining government services and expanding access to capital for small businesses. This will build upon the recent work we did implementing one-stop shopping and a dedicated business hotline at DECD.

Early Voting
SJ 14: Resolution Proposing A State Constitutional Amendment To Permit Early Voting

Democrats believe the more people who are able to vote, the stronger our democracy. Creating early voting in Connecticut will ensure that everyone has the ability to vote and will modernize our voting system.

Needleman Announces Essex Recognized As Connecticut’s Best Small Town By Travel Channel, Fodors

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Webmaster

Needleman Announces Essex Recognized As Connecticut’s Best Small Town By Travel Channel, Fodors

ESSEX—Essex First Selectman and State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) announced today that both the Travel Channel and Fodors Travel Guide have recognized Essex as one of Connecticut’s best-kept secrets, highlighting its beautiful architecture and scenic Main Street.

“Fodors and the Travel Channel see what Essex residents already know about our town,” said Sen. Needleman. “Having lived and worked in Essex for decades, it’s a town I know and love, and it is great that these groups are getting the word out about our beautiful home. This attention will lead to increased tourism, which will benefit Essex shops and restaurants and the local economy.”

Referring to it as a “storybook village,” the Travel Channel called Essex the most charming small town in Connecticut. They recommended Main Street’s restored homes, galleries and boutiques and highlighted its status on the National Register of Historic Places, advertising Essex with a beautiful overhead picture of the town that emphasizes its unique qualities.

Fodors Travel Guide recognized Essex as one of the “12 Most Picturesque Towns in New England” and one of the two best in Connecticut, highlighting its “cozy inns and taverns” and recommending visitors travel through on foot. Fodors lauded Essex’s beautiful harbor and historic architectural diversity, saying “Essex has a lot to offer in the way of small town charm.” From the harbor of the Connecticut River to the town’s partial inspiration of Stars Hollow from the famous television show “Gilmore Girls,” Fodors has discovered what longtime residents already know.

Essex residents have learned the beauty of the Connecticut River Museum and the town’s many attractions. These recent mentions of the town will help others discover its charms, bringing visitors closer to historic and beautiful attractions like the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, which has been in operation since 1868 and travels from Essex to Deep River; the Griswold Inn, which has been in operation since 1776, the year that America was founded; and the Ivoryton Playhouse, which produces seven professional shows year-round in a building more than a century old

Not only does this recent attention establish Essex as one of the best small towns in Connecticut, but it underscores the natural beauty of the whole thirty-third district. Tourists visiting Essex are just minutes away from East Haddam’s Gillette Castle State Park, Old Saybrook’s Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center and Chester’s Selden III ferry, to name a few of the fine attractions in the district, allowing them to experience the best Connecticut has to offer.

About Norm Needleman: State Senator Norm Needleman was first elected in 2018 to represent the 33rd Senate District which consists of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Portland, Westbrook and part of Old Saybrook. Norm is also the First Selectman of Essex, a role he has held for four terms, and the founder of Tower Laboratories, an Essex manufacturing company that employs over 250 people.

Lesser and Colleagues Advocate For Paid Family and Medical Leave

Posted on February 1, 2019 by Webmaster

Lesser and Colleagues Advocate For Paid Family and Medical Leave

MIDLDETOWN, CT—Today, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) joined United States Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut), State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury), State Representative Quentin Phipps (D-Middletown) and Maddie Granato of the Connecticut Campaign for Paid Family and Medical Leave at a press conference at It’s Only Natural Restaurant to discuss the need for paid family and medical leave.

“As a cancer survivor, this is an issue that is personal for me,” said Sen. Lesser. “People should not have to choose between their health and their livelihood. Families who need to spend time at home with their newborn should not have to do so at the expense of a paycheck. We need to pass paid family and medical leave this session. It is our top priority.”

Senate Bill No. 1, “an act concerning paid family and medical leave,” will mandate paid family and medical leave for Connecticut workers. The Labor and Public Employees Committee voted to have formal language developed for Senate Bill No. 1 on January 15.

“We are committed to passing paid family and medical leave this session,” said Sen. Lesser. “It will benefit both the employee and the employer. It will help employers improve retention and productivity. I’m excited to continue to fight to get this passed and provide the residents of Connecticut with paid family and medical leave.”

Currently California, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey mandate paid family and medical leave. Washington D.C. and the state of Washington also passed paid leave. It will go into effect in D.C. and the state of Washington in 2020. Massachusetts will add paid family and medical leave in 2021.

Senator Maroney Enews: Preparing for Frigid Temperatures

Posted on February 1, 2019 by Webmaster

Maroney’s Bills to Make College More Affordable Advance in Committee

Posted on February 1, 2019 by Webmaster

Maroney’s Bills to Make College More Affordable Advance in Committee

Yesterday, (January 31) two of State Senator James Maroney’s (D-Milford) bills regarding apprenticeship programs and expanding the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Program advanced in the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee.

Apprenticeship Pathways to a Bachelor’s Degree

Senate Bill No. 607, “an act concerning apprenticeship pathways to earning a bachelor’s degree,” was voted unanimously to be reserved for the matter of a public hearing. The public hearing will be scheduled at a later date. The bill calls for Title 10a of the general statues to be amended to provide incentives to employers and institutions of higher education to establish nontraditional pathways to earning a bachelor’s degree which incorporates apprenticeships in addition to coursework.

“Getting real-world experience that will assist a student in obtaining their Bachelor’s Degree will build their contacts in their field of study, making it easier to find work in Connecticut after college. It will also build their confidence in their ability to do the job they are studying in the classroom,” said Sen. Maroney. “Too many students are graduating from college with substantial student loan debt. This is a way for a student to earn a degree while working, without accruing any debt.”

Foundation for the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Program

The Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee voted to develop formal language for Senate Bill No. 746, “an act establishing a foundation to receive donations for the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Program.”

The bill will amend title 10a of the general statutes to establish a foundation for the purpose of collecting donations from businesses and individuals for the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Program. Senate Bill No. 746 also would amend chapter 208 of the general statutes to allow a 50 percent tax credit to businesses that donate to the foundation, capping tax credits at $27 million.

“Connecticut has among the highest student loan debt per capita in the country,” said Sen. Maroney. “We need to find creative ways to expand access to higher education for all students.”

The Roberta B. Willis Scholarship is a need-based grant program with 31 participating higher education institutions, including the University of Connecticut, the University of New Haven, Quinnipiac University and Gateway Community College. Priority for the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship is given to individuals who are least able to afford college expenses.

Month: February 2019