Month: February 2019

Statement From Senator Lesser on the Federal Government’s Inability to Protect Student Loan Borrowers

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Statement From Senator Lesser on the Federal Government’s Inability to Protect Student Loan Borrowers

Today, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) released the following statement in regards to a report that the US Department of Education failed to supervise companies it pays to manage the nation’s federal student loans. The report also claims the office of Federal Student Aid rarely penalized companies for breaking the rules.

“This is exactly why we wrote Connecticut’s Student Loan Bill of Rights,” said Sen. Lesser. “These student loan companies are out of control and effectively unregulated. Secretary DeVos and the United States Department of Education are derelict in their duty to oversee student loans and protect borrowers. Even worse, the Trump administration is trying to shut down the efforts of states like Connecticut to police these loans. Their efforts are misplaced and irresponsible and I urge the Connecticut Department of Banking, Attorney General Tong and Governor Lamont to do everything possible to continue to protect Connecticut’s Student Loan Bill of Rights and state regulation of student loan servicers.”

Sen. Lesser was the principle author of the nation’s first Student Loan Bill of Rights, which was signed into law in 2015. The Student Loan Bill of Rights licensed student loan servicers and provided consumer protections for student loan borrowers. Sen. Lesser’s model is one other states have adopted to provide consumer protection for students and their parents.

About Matt Lesser: State Senator Matt Lesser was first elected in 2018 to represent the ninth Senate District which consists of Cromwell, Middletown, Newington, Rocky Hill and Wethersfield. Prior to being elected to the State Senate, he was a State Representative for the city of Middletown. He has been a principle author of Connecticut’s Student Loan Bill of Rights, the first in the nation, a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing waste and a major workplace safety law later adapted as a national standard. He has been honored by the Connecticut chapter of the AARP and has been named a champion by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters.

Cohen Tours Women-Owned Small Business, Talks Public Option

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Cohen Tours Women-Owned Small Business, Talks Public Option

photo of Senator Cohen.

NORTH BRANFORD, CT—Today, State Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford) toured the Pennsylvania Globe Gaslight Company (Penn Globe), a woman-owned small business, to talk about the importance of the public option and workforce development.

Penn Globe designs and manufactures energy saving and sustainable lighting for indoor and outdoor venues. Penn Globe uses LED, Induction, HID, CFL and natural gas light sources for its light fixtures.

“We need to be doing all we can to help Connecticut manufacturing companies such as Penn Globe continue their success stories,” said Sen. Cohen. “By providing resources and programming, such as a workforce pipeline, placing trained workers in perfect-fit jobs, or alleviating the burdens to a bottom line by creating lower-cost, better quality health insurance packages, we can ensure the growth of these valued businesses.”

To assist small businesses in achieving those goals, Sen. Cohen has proposed legislation to provide a public option for healthcare specifically to small business employees. Senate Bill No. 134, “AN ACT OPENING THE STATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN TO SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYEES,” advanced in the legislative process and will have formal language developed for it.

The Insurance and Real Estate Committee and Human Services Committee held a joint informational session this week with health insurance professionals to discuss best practices for implementing a public option. Sen. Cohen said this is legislation our state needs.

“I am thrilled to see committees working to advance these important legislative initiatives,” said Sen. Cohen. “We should be working together to make Connecticut an attractive destination for businesses. We get there by listening and having conversations with our existing companies.”

Senators Join Constituents in Support of “Central Connecticut Loop Trail” Bill

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Senators Join Constituents in Support of “Central Connecticut Loop Trail” Bill

Today, State Senators Mary Daugherty Abrams (D-Meriden, Middlefield, Rockfall, Middletown, Cheshire), Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) and Norm Needleman (D-Essex) joined constituents at a Transportation Committee public hearing to support legislation that would not only create a new trail through their districts, but connect more than 100 miles of Connecticut trails.

The Transportation Committee’s Wednesday hearing concerned Senate Bill No. 775, “An Act Concerning the Creation of the Central Connecticut Loop Trail,” introduced by the three Senators. This legislation, if approved, would amend the general statutes to require the Commissioners of Transportation and Energy and Environmental Protection to jointly coordinate and authorize funding for the planning, designing and construction of a trail from East Hampton through Portland, Middletown, Meriden and Cheshire, facilitating multimodal access through the Meriden railroad station.

By creating that trail, the legislation would additionally create a new, longer trail, the “Central Connecticut Loop Trail,” by combining the Air Line Trail, which runs in two pieces from East Hampton to Putnam and the Massachusetts border, and the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, which runs north-south from Suffield to New Haven.

“This bill wouldn’t just provide constituents with a new trail for their use, but connect two of Connecticut’s largest trails together in the process,” said Sen. Abrams. “The resulting trail would be more than 100 total miles and stretch across much of the state, creating a new attraction that will show off Connecticut’s natural environmental beauty while supporting health and wellness for its users both locally and state-wide. It would also allow residents to bike or walk to work in some situations, giving them increased choice of transportation.”

“Showcasing the beauty of our state and doing so in a way which can benefit the well-being of our residents and create lucrative opportunities for businesses as well is a win-win,” said Sen. Lesser. “I’m happy to stand alongside Senator Abrams and Senator Needleman on this legislation which will have a positive impact on so many in our respective districts and state.”

“The Central Connecticut Loop Trail would also serve as an economic benefit for the state and its towns, standing as both a tourist attraction and a feeder into Main Streets,” said Sen. Needleman. “Runners, bikers and walkers will come from far away, with trailside businesses ready to fix their bikes and provide them with food and drinks, and at the end of the day, they’ll be right in the heart of Connecticut, which will surely lead them downtown for dinner or shopping on Main Street.”

The National Recreation and Park Association said in 2016 that trails don’t just allow for more exercise, but improve socialization along the way, further benefiting health. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection added last year that trails serve to preserve and create open spaces, encourage healthy lifestyles, create new opportunities for recreation and transportation, bolster local economies and protect the environment.

Senators Join Constituents in Support of “Central Connecticut Loop Trail” Bill

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Senators Join Constituents in Support of “Central Connecticut Loop Trail” Bill

photo of Senators Lesser and Abrams.

Today, State Senators Mary Daugherty Abrams (D-Meriden, Middlefield, Rockfall, Middletown, Cheshire), Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) and Norm Needleman (D-Essex) joined constituents at a Transportation Committee public hearing to support legislation that would not only create a new trail through their districts, but connect more than 100 miles of Connecticut trails.

The Transportation Committee’s Wednesday hearing concerned Senate Bill No. 775, “An Act Concerning the Creation of the Central Connecticut Loop Trail,” introduced by the three Senators. This legislation, if approved, would amend the general statutes to require the Commissioners of Transportation and Energy and Environmental Protection to jointly coordinate and authorize funding for the planning, designing and construction of a trail from East Hampton through Portland, Middletown, Meriden and Cheshire, facilitating multimodal access through the Meriden railroad station.

By creating that trail, the legislation would additionally create a new, longer trail, the “Central Connecticut Loop Trail,” by combining the Air Line Trail, which runs in two pieces from East Hampton to Putnam and the Massachusetts border, and the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, which runs north-south from Suffield to New Haven.

“This bill wouldn’t just provide constituents with a new trail for their use, but connect two of Connecticut’s largest trails together in the process,” said Sen. Abrams. “The resulting trail would be more than 100 total miles and stretch across much of the state, creating a new attraction that will show off Connecticut’s natural environmental beauty while supporting health and wellness for its users both locally and state-wide. It would also allow residents to bike or walk to work in some situations, giving them increased choice of transportation.”

“Showcasing the beauty of our state and doing so in a way which can benefit the well-being of our residents and create lucrative opportunities for businesses as well is a win-win,” said Sen. Lesser. “I’m happy to stand alongside Senator Abrams and Senator Needleman on this legislation which will have a positive impact on so many in our respective districts and state.”

“The Central Connecticut Loop Trail would also serve as an economic benefit for the state and its towns, standing as both a tourist attraction and a feeder into Main Streets,” said Sen. Needleman. “Runners, bikers and walkers will come from far away, with trailside businesses ready to fix their bikes and provide them with food and drinks, and at the end of the day, they’ll be right in the heart of Connecticut, which will surely lead them downtown for dinner or shopping on Main Street.”

The National Recreation and Park Association said in 2016 that trails don’t just allow for more exercise, but improve socialization along the way, further benefiting health. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection added last year that trails serve to preserve and create open spaces, encourage healthy lifestyles, create new opportunities for recreation and transportation, bolster local economies and protect the environment.

Senators Join Constituents in Support of “Central Connecticut Loop Trail” Bill

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Senators Join Constituents in Support of “Central Connecticut Loop Trail” Bill

photo of Senators Lesser and Abrams.

Today, State Senators Mary Daugherty Abrams (D-Meriden, Middlefield, Rockfall, Middletown, Cheshire), Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) and Norm Needleman (D-Essex) joined constituents at a Transportation Committee public hearing to support legislation that would not only create a new trail through their districts, but connect more than 100 miles of Connecticut trails.

The Transportation Committee’s Wednesday hearing concerned Senate Bill No. 775, “An Act Concerning the Creation of the Central Connecticut Loop Trail,” introduced by the three Senators. This legislation, if approved, would amend the general statutes to require the Commissioners of Transportation and Energy and Environmental Protection to jointly coordinate and authorize funding for the planning, designing and construction of a trail from East Hampton through Portland, Middletown, Meriden and Cheshire, facilitating multimodal access through the Meriden railroad station.

By creating that trail, the legislation would additionally create a new, longer trail, the “Central Connecticut Loop Trail,” by combining the Air Line Trail, which runs in two pieces from East Hampton to Putnam and the Massachusetts border, and the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, which runs north-south from Suffield to New Haven.

“This bill wouldn’t just provide constituents with a new trail for their use, but connect two of Connecticut’s largest trails together in the process,” said Sen. Abrams. “The resulting trail would be more than 100 total miles and stretch across much of the state, creating a new attraction that will show off Connecticut’s natural environmental beauty while supporting health and wellness for its users both locally and state-wide. It would also allow residents to bike or walk to work in some situations, giving them increased choice of transportation.”

“Showcasing the beauty of our state and doing so in a way which can benefit the well-being of our residents and create lucrative opportunities for businesses as well is a win-win,” said Sen. Lesser. “I’m happy to stand alongside Senator Abrams and Senator Needleman on this legislation which will have a positive impact on so many in our respective districts and state.”

“The Central Connecticut Loop Trail would also serve as an economic benefit for the state and its towns, standing as both a tourist attraction and a feeder into Main Streets,” said Sen. Needleman. “Runners, bikers and walkers will come from far away, with trailside businesses ready to fix their bikes and provide them with food and drinks, and at the end of the day, they’ll be right in the heart of Connecticut, which will surely lead them downtown for dinner or shopping on Main Street.”

The National Recreation and Park Association said in 2016 that trails don’t just allow for more exercise, but improve socialization along the way, further benefiting health. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection added last year that trails serve to preserve and create open spaces, encourage healthy lifestyles, create new opportunities for recreation and transportation, bolster local economies and protect the environment.

Senator Haskell Announces Legislation to Improve Service on Metro-North

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Senator Haskell Announces Legislation to Improve Service on Metro-North

Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) announced that he has submitted two new bills to the General Assembly intended to improve Metro-North train service. If enacted, these proposals would provide wireless internet access on trains operating on the New Haven line and provide relief to riders boarding the train in New Canaan. Haskell also highlighted his determination to reduce travel time and improve reliability.

“The New Haven Line supports near-record numbers of riders today, with more than 40 million total trips taken in 2017, and yet the experience of riding the train has deteriorated in several important ways,” said Sen. Haskell. “From Amtrak to Megabus to most commercial airlines, travelers have come to expect WiFi while commuting. On one of the busiest commuter networks in the country, it’s crucial that we make the daily trip economically efficient for those traveling to and from work. This bill would provide commuters an opportunity to work while riding the train.”

Senate Bill No. 163, “An Act Concerning Wireless Internet Availability on the New Haven Line of the Metro-North Commuter Railroad,” would require Metro-North to provide high-quality, complimentary wireless Internet access to riders of the New Haven train line.

“When Boston’s commuter rail service supports Wi-Fi service, Connecticut is placed at a competitive disadvantage. Employers tell us that improving our outdated infrastructure is crucial to revitalizing our economy. Realtors tell us that potential buyers look closely at the commuting experience before investing in our community. We cannot afford to allow Metro-North to remain stuck in the past,” said Sen. Haskell. “Connecticut commuters deserve better than to be forced to rely on frankly unreliable phone service.”

Senate Bill No. 448, “An Act Authorizing Bonds of the State for the Construction of a Canopy Covering The Platform at the Talmadge Hill Train Station in New Canaan,” would authorize state bonds to provide a grant-in-aid to construct a canopy to provide protection against the elements at the Talmadge Hill Train Station in New Canaan.

“We cannot in good faith encourage public transportation while asking commuters to wait in the rain for their train,” said Sen. Haskell. “I hear constantly from both Democrats and Republicans in New Canaan that the experience of commuting to Manhattan must improve in order to bolster New Canaan’s real estate market. Most other Metro-North train stations offer canopies that prevent riders from getting soaked. I’m working hard to have one built for my constituents in New Canaan.”

As a member of the transportation committee, Haskell is ready to work with Fairfield County legislators from both sides of the aisle to modernize infrastructure and provide commuters with greater reliability.

“It’s simply unacceptable that the train from Westport to Grand Central has gotten slower since 1950, not faster,” said Sen. Haskell. “Now that we’ve passed a transportation lockbox, it’s time to make long-term investments in our infrastructure that will allow us to speed up trains and reduce daily delays. The New Haven-Grand Central line is a crucial economic corridor for the state of Connecticut, and investment in these commuters is long overdue.”

Connecticut Farm Bureau, Bishop’s Orchards, Support Cohen’s Cider Bill

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Connecticut Farm Bureau, Bishop’s Orchards, Support Cohen’s Cider Bill

GUILFORD, CT—Today, the Connecticut Farm Bureau and Bishop’s Orchards gave their support to State Senator Christine Cohen’s (D-Guilford) bill which will allow holders of a manufacturers permit for cider to sell apple wine and hard cider by the glass and bottle and also to sell and serve food on the permitted premises.

“This bill proposal will allow Bishop’s Orchards, as well as other cideries, the opportunity to not only manufacture hard cider, but also have the option of selling by the glass,” said Sen. Cohen. “We have breweries across the state conducting business in this manner and shouldn’t prevent sales for cider. I’m happy to help by introducing legislation that will promote commerce in the 12th district and the State of Connecticut.”

If enacted, Senate Bill No. 539 “AN ACT CONCERNING THE SALE OF CIDER AND FOOD BY HOLDERS OF A MANUFACTURER PERMIT FOR CIDER,” will create economic opportunities for businesses like Bishop’s Orchards, according to co-owner and winemaker Keith Bishop. He said Sen. Cohen has been an ardent supporter of local businesses.

“This legislation will give us a better opportunity to serve more customers and make us a more attractive destination for consumers,” said Bishop. “I thank Sen. Cohen for her leadership and attentiveness to her community and ask that all other legislators follow her lead in supporting this proposal. Sen. Cohen knows that Bishop’s stewardship of over 200 acres of crops is important to our town, and direct sales to the public of our crops are important to our economic sustenance. All of the wines and hard ciders we make are from fruit we grow on our farm.”

Sen. Cohen reiterated the importance of supporting local business and said with the growing popularity of hard ciders and apple wines, passing this legislation will help similar businesses across the state

“Helping businesses succeed is vital to a healthy economy,” said Sen. Cohen. “I was made aware that our current laws were creating significant encumbrances preventing Bishops from expanding upon their business plan. They were rightfully exploring opportunities to expand with market changes based upon a product they were manufacturing—hard cider. Yet, because of an antiquated statute that perhaps didn’t have the foresight that hard cider would become popular, Bishops was unable to sell in a certain manner.”

Connecticut Farm Bureau Executive Director Bryan Hurlburt said he fully supports this legislation. He said Sen. Cohen’s efforts are consistent with, and supportive of, the Connecticut Farm Bureau’s agenda and will best serve the economic and agricultural health of the state and 12th District.

“Creating more opportunities for all local producers of cider is a Connecticut Farm Bureau priority for this legislative session,” said Hurlburt. “We know that consumers are demanding more access to locally grown, and produced, ciders; and this will help this new market grow and thrive—supporting farms with a better value-added opportunity across the state. We thank Sen. Cohen for proposing this bill and will work to ensure that all legislators understand the importance of this proposal and what it means for Connecticut farmers.”

On January 24, Senate Bill No. 539 was referred to the General Law Committee to determine if the proposed legislation will advance in the legislative process. It has been included to legislation concerning the Liquor Control Act and will have a public hearing on February 28.

About Christine Cohen: Sen. Cohen was first elected in 2018 to represent the 12th Senate District which consists of Branford, Durham, Guilford, Killingworth, Madison and North Branford. Christine is a small business owner; the proud owner of Cohen’s Bagel Company.

Senator Abrams Enews: Upcoming Public Hearing on Connecting the Air Line and Farmington Canal Heritage Trails

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Statement From State Senator Matt Lesser Condeming Racist Flyer

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Statement From State Senator Matt Lesser Condeming Racist Flyer

Today, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) released the following statement condemning “Hoffman’s Guns for the Good Guys” for an offensive flyer the Newington business posted on its’ Facebook page.

“This disgusting, racist flyer in no way represents the Newington that I know and love,” said Sen. Lesser. “White supremacy and human trafficking are shameful stains on our society, not a cheap marketing gimmick or a joke. This language is hurtful and further victimizes and ostracizes innocent people. They should apologize immediately.”

Stamford Advocate: Connecticut highway tolls: How much could drivers pay?

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