Month: February 2019

Cohen, Senate Democrats Announce “A Healthy Connecticut” Agenda

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Cohen, Senate Democrats Announce “A Healthy Connecticut” Agenda

Bill proposals aim to strengthen our health care system, environment and energy system

Today, State Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford) joined Senate Democrats to announce “A Healthy Connecticut,” the third of four legislative agendas for the 2019 legislative session. The series of bills outline the policy proposals from Senate Democrats to strengthen our health care system, environment and energy system.

Sen. Cohen has co-introduced a number of bills to prevent youth vaping, improve our healthcare system, provide a public healthcare option and she has presented legislation to fight opioid addiction.

“It is with great enthusiasm that I stand with my colleagues to introduce proposals promoting a ‘Healthy Connecticut,’ ”said Sen. Cohen. “As a parent, much of this legislation is deeply personal to me. I want to address the alarming numbers surrounding opioid addiction, protect our youth from the harmful targeting and effects of vaping and ensure families are provided for by addressing the rising costs of healthcare. These legislative proposals aim to do just that and I am proud to support an agenda that will tackle these important issues.”

The legislative proposals in the “A Healthy Connecticut” agenda include:

HEALTH CARE

Senate Bill 397: An Act Prohibiting the Sale of Flavored Electronic Nicotine Dispensing Systems at Retail Establishments

  • Vape products are the most commonly used among American youth. 3.6 million youth vaped in 2018 including 1/5 high school students and 1/20 middle school students. According to the CDC there has been a 78 percent increase in e-cigarette usage by high schoolers.
  • Vaping products play an important role in helping adult cigarette users turn to less harmful products, but they also pose a major threat to our youth, especially considering the tobacco industry has used them to target children, partially using flavored products to draw them in.
  • Stanford University studied vape company JUUL’s marketing from 2015-2018, determined it was “patently youth oriented,” pulling flavored products removes a weapon from their arsenal.
  • This bill would ban the sale of all flavored vaping products other than tobacco, mint and menthol flavors.

Senate Bill 375: An Act Concerning Nursing Home Facility Minimum Staffing Levels

  • There is a growing body of evidence that demonstrates a link between adequate nurse staffing and better patient outcomes. Furthermore, studies also conclude that insufficient staffing causes nurse burnout, job dissatisfaction and turnover which diminish patient satisfaction and hospitals’ bottom lines.
  • Last year, Kaiser Health News analyzed daily payroll records from more than 14,000 nursing homes around the United States and found that most had fewer nurses and caretaking staff than they had reported to the government for years. Medicare previously had been rating each facility’s staffing levels based on the homes’ own unverified reports, making it possible to game the system.
  • Only accurate, transparent reporting of actual direct care nurse staff levels can assure residents that their vulnerable family members are receiving the appropriate amount of care. Patients should not have to experience a negative outcome for their family to realize they are being inadequately cared for.
  • This bill would require that nursing homes disclose the actual number of direct care staff providing care to residents, and make this information accessible to patient families, in an accurate and understandable manner.

Senate Bill 769: An Act Concerning The Prevention of Opioid Use Disorder

  • There has been a steady increase in total overdose deaths among residents from 357 deaths in 2012 to 1,038 deaths in 2017. In 2016, Connecticut ranked 11th among all states in highest rate of overdoses, with 27.4 deaths per every 100,000 people.
  • This bill would require the Alcohol and Drug Policy Council to provide the Public Health committee with specific recommendations that will assist in expanding access to substance use disorder treatment services and detoxification.

Senate Bill 750: An Act Concerning Mental Health prevention and treatment of undergraduate and graduate students

  • Studies have shown that the problem of low treatment seeking behaviors in college students may be addressed by the use of technology. Traditional as well as non-traditional students report that they do not seek help because of limited time or because they worry about what others may think.
  • Technology-based programs for screening as well as for treatment would have the advantage of providing anonymity and could be available at any time and may be cost-effective. Studies have shown that such an approach increased the rate of help-seeking behavior among at-risk students.
  • This bill would require institutions of higher education to establish programs for the prevention and treatment of mental illness for undergraduate and graduate students.

Senate Bill 770: An Act Concerning Mental Health Prevention and Treatment for All Children

  • As we learn more and more about mental health treatment we recognize the need for early detection and treatment options in our children.
  • This bill would increase training and education of mental health awareness and understanding including best practices on how to get help at the elementary school level.
  • In addition, the bill would enable students in middle schools and high schools to have an option of obtaining a mental health first aide certificate.

Senate Bill 4: An Act Concerning The Affordability and Accessibility of Prescription Drugs

  • It is critical for the state to look at prescription drug prices, review them and determine how we can offer an affordable and accessible option to people. Often prescription drug costs can be lowered by increasing the availability of cheaper generic drugs to more people.
  • This bill would have the Insurance Commissioner consider affordability in reviewing health insurance premium rate filings.

ENVIRONMENT

Senate Bill 588: An Act Prohibiting Off-Shore Drilling in Connecticut’s coastal areas

  • In recent months the Trump Administration has moved to open nearly a billion acres off of the Atlantic, Pacific and Artic coasts to offshore oil and gas drilling.
  • On Tuesday February 5th both chambers of the New York legislature approved a ban on offshore drilling in areas controlled by the state.
  • This bill would ban offshore drilling for oil and/or natural gas in Connecticut’s coastal zone and territorial waters to minimize adverse environmental effects and economic effects related to tourism.

ENERGY

Senate Bill 469: An Act Concerning Utility Response Times For Restoration of Electric Service and Utility Minimum Staffing Levels

  • In the last several years, the response times by utility companies to perform repair work after storms, and the resulting delays in restoring power to Connecticut residents and business owners, have spiked.
  • At the same time, companies like Eversource have reduced repair staff and equipment, often replacing their employees with private contractors who may not arrive in Connecticut until well after the damage is done. Without adequate staffing, Eversource wastes customer time and keeps their homes in the dark and their businesses unable to operate.
  • This bill would establish minimum staffing levels for utility line crews and related utility employee positions in order to improve utility response times for restoration of electric service after power outages.

Senator Haskell Endorses Senate Democrats’ Health Care Agenda

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Senator Haskell Endorses Senate Democrats’ Health Care Agenda

Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Wilton) voiced his support for the healthcare reforms detailed during the Senate Democrats’ “A Healthy Connecticut,” the third of four legislative agendas for the 2019 legislative session to strengthen our healthcare system, environment and energy system.

While all of those proposals are vital to building a better future for Connecticut, Sen. Haskell highly endorsed healthcare proposals that would directly address the opioid crisis and prevent youth and teen access to vaping products.

HEALTH CARE

Senate Bill 769: An Act Concerning The Prevention of Opioid Use Disorder

“From 2012 to 2017, the opioid death rate in Connecticut tripled. That’s nearly 700 parents, children, friends and neighbors we’ve lost due to these drugs. In 2016, our state ranked 11th in the country with an overdose rate of 27.4 deaths per every 100,000 people,” said Sen. Haskell. “We owe it to those we’ve lost and those who we risk losing next to fight against this epidemic. By expanding access to substance use disorder treatment services and detoxification, we can increase the number of people receiving much needed help and address an issue that touches nearly every family.”

Senate Bill 397: An Act Prohibiting the Sale of Flavored Electronic Nicotine Dispensing Systems at Retail Establishments

“When the Surgeon General declared youth vaping to be an epidemic in December, it became clear that we must do something to fight for our future generations. More than 3 million young people vaped in 2018, including 20 percent of high school students and 5 percent of middle school students, and the CDC says e-cigarette use has jumped in high schools by 78 percent,” said Sen. Haskell. “Vaping products help adult cigarette users turn away from those products, but as tobacco companies increasingly target them toward our youth—using flavored vaping products as a draw—we must be proactive in reducing youth exposure to tobacco products.”

This bill would ban the sale of all flavored vaping products other than tobacco, mint and menthol flavors.

Other legislation discussed Thursday includes:

Senate Bill 375: An Act Concerning Nursing Home Facility Minimum Staffing Levels

This bill would require that nursing homes disclose the actual number of direct care staff providing care to residents, and make this information accessible to patient families, in an accurate and understandable manner.

Senate Bill 750: An Act Concerning Mental Health prevention and treatment of undergraduate and graduate students

This bill would require institutions of higher education to establish programs for the prevention and treatment of mental illness for undergraduate and graduate students.

Senate Bill 770: An Act Concerning Mental Health Prevention and Treatment for All Children

This bill would increase training and education of mental health awareness and understanding including best practices on how to get help at the elementary school level.

Senate Bill 4: An Act Concerning The Affordability and Accessibility of Prescription Drugs

This bill would require the Insurance Commissioner to consider affordability in reviewing health insurance premium rate filings.

ENVIRONMENT

Senate Bill 588: An Act Prohibiting Off-Shore Drilling in Connecticut’s coastal areas

This bill would ban offshore drilling for oil and/or natural gas in Connecticut’s coastal zone and territorial waters to minimize adverse environmental effects and economic effects related to tourism.

ENERGY

Senate Bill 469: An Act Concerning Utility Response Times For Restoration of Electric Service and Utility Minimum Staffing Levels

This bill would establish minimum staffing levels for utility line crews and related utility employee positions in order to improve utility response times for restoration of electric service after power outages.

Duff Admonishes Board of Ed Chair Barbis for Actions Toward NAACP

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Duff Admonishes Board of Ed Chair Barbis for Actions Toward NAACP

Norwalk, CT—Today, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) released the following statement in regards to the recently revealed attack on the NAACP by Norwalk Board of Education Chair Mike Barbis:

“The actions of Mr. Barbis and some members of the Norwalk Board of Education are not an isolated incident, but part of a pattern of behavior that mistreats and diminishes the African-American community in Norwalk. The fact that this was only revealed through a Freedom of Information request, since it was allegedly originally denied by Mr. Barbis, is deeply troubling. Mr. Barbis is Chair of a Board of Education which is responsible for setting policy for an ethnically diverse school district. Despite this fact, Mr. Barbis continues to be less than sensitive to Norwalk’s minority students, parents, teachers, administrators and community leaders. The history of unduly singling out leaders of this community continues and needs to stop.

“At a certain point we have to say enough is enough.”

Bradley’s Bill To Ensure Fair Investigations Following Complaints Made Against Police Advances

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Bradley’s Bill To Ensure Fair Investigations Following Complaints Made Against Police Advances

Today, State Senator Dennis Bradley’s (D-Bridgeport) bill to establish a state office to investigate complaints made against police officers advanced in the Public Safety and Security Committee.

“This legislation will ensure that investigations into civilian complaints made against police officers are fair,” said Sen. Bradley. “Residents in my district and the state should not feel as if the system is working against them when they file a complaint against a law enforcement official. Furthermore, law enforcement will benefit from this legislation by it removing the impression of an investigation being tainted due to the police essentially investigating themselves.”

If enacted, Senate Bill No. 402 will remove the investigation process from individual police departments when complaints are made against them. This proposed legislation will be the subject of a public hearing to be scheduled at a later date.

“The harsh reality is some people in my district, and others in the state, have a fear and distrust of law enforcement due to discriminatory practices by some police officers,” said Sen. Bradley. “We appreciate and value the hard work and sacrifice our law enforcement officials put forth every day on the job. My goal with this legislation is not to drive a wedge farther between the people and the police, but provide transparency and trust. A strong, safe community must have trust between law enforcement officials and the people.”

Sen. Haskell, Rep. Steinberg To Discuss Plastic Bag Ban Bill At Compo Beach Saturday

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Sen. Haskell, Rep. Steinberg To Discuss Plastic Bag Ban Bill At Compo Beach Saturday

State Senator Will Haskell (D-Wilton) and State Representative Jonathan Steinberg (D-Westport) will join members of the Reusable Bag Alliance this Saturday afternoon at Compo Beach in Westport to discuss their proposed bills that would ban single-use plastic bags across the state.

“The environment plays a vital role in the daily lives of everyone in Connecticut, and we should take every step possible to protect it,” said Sen. Haskell. “Single-use plastic bags pose a threat to wildlife and clutter our parks and streets, not to mention the devastating impact they have on ocean life if they enter bodies of water. By banning the use of these bags, we can fight to pull waste out of our landfills and protect the natural beauty of our state.”

“I was proud to vote for banning plastic bags as a member of Westport’s RTM ten years ago,” said Rep. Steinberg. “I’ve been trying to get the state to do so ever since and I hope this is the year. Westporters have proven that you can change behaviors—virtually all of us have made the shift to reusable bags. Connecticutters can do it, too.”

Senate Bill No. 236, “An Act Prohibiting the Use and Distribution of Plastic Single-Use Bags,” introduced by Sen. Haskell, would prevent retail businesses from using those bags in packaging their products with the stated purpose of protecting the state’s natural environment. House Bill No. 6433, “An Act Prohibiting the Use of Disposable Single-Use Plastic Bags and Promoting the Use of Reusable Bags,” introduced by Rep. Steinberg, would do the same, also promoting reusable bags to shift consumer behavior. A third piece of legislation, House Bill No. 6256, “An Act Concerning Single-Use, Plastic Bags,” introduced by Rep. Kim Rose (D-Milford), would ban single-use plastic bags and require a 15-cent fee on paper and reusable bags.

Why ban plastic bags? While they seem light and easy to use, the world uses up to one trillion plastic bags every year, with less than 5 percent of that plastic recycled, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. If the bags reach waterways and stream into the ocean—and more than 18 billion pounds of plastic do just that annually, National Geographic reported—they pose a direct threat to turtles, seabirds and fish. More than half of all dead turtles found in the world have at least some plastic in their stomachs, according to the EPA.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, plastic bag bans and restrictions are becoming increasingly popular in states across the country in response to single-use plastic bags’ adverse effect on the environment. California, Hawaii and major cities including Boston, Massachusetts and Seattle, Washington have entirely banned the bags.

The Reusable Bag Alliance includes members of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Bring Your Own Connecticut, the Connecticut Food Association, the Surfrider Foundation and other organizations. Saturday’s press conference will discuss legislation introduced by Sen. Haskell and state representatives to eliminate bag pollution and promote reusable bags in Connecticut, and will feature town officials from surrounding communities, including some who have proposed town-wide bag bans.

“CCE applauds Rep. Steinberg, Rep. Rose and Senator Haskell for their efforts, and we call on the CT General Assembly to eliminate single-use shopping bags in Connecticut once and for all,” said Louis Burch, CT Program Director at Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

“We know that we cannot clean our way out of the plastic pollution mess,” said Jack Egan, volunteer chair for the Surfrider Foundation Connecticut Chapter. “We need regulation, and that regulation categorically needs to eliminate low grade plastic production at its source by getting rid of thin film plastic bags and adding a fee on all other bags at point of sale to urge shoppers to bring their own reusable bags.”

The event is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9 at Compo Beach, located at 60 Compo Beach Road in Westport. In the event of rain or snow, the event will be rescheduled for Sunday, Feb. 10.

About Will Haskell: State Senator Will Haskell was first elected in 2018 to represent the twenty-sixth Senate District which consists of Westport, Wilton, Ridgefield, Redding and parts of Bethel, New Canaan and Weston. Prior to being elected to the State Senate, he worked for the Democratic National Committee, and helped launch the Free Speech Project, an academic endeavour based at Georgetown University, his alma mater. He has previously worked for the Connecticut Office of the Public Defender, the Capitol Hill offices of Congressman Jim Himes and Senator Chris Murphy, and Hillary for America.

Waterbury Legislators Announce Upcoming Office Hours

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Waterbury Legislators Announce Upcoming Office Hours

Events scheduled for Saturday, February 9 and Saturday, February 23

State Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury) and State Representative Ronald Napoli (D-Waterbury) will hold office hours on Saturday, February 9 at the Thomaston Savings Bank.

“District office hours provide an additional opportunity to meet with my constituents during evenings and weekends, a time which is hopefully more convenient for them,” said Senator Hartley. “I look forward to getting direct input from constituents regarding their issues of interest and policy questions.”

“Spending time with my constituents discussing important issues that affect their families and future is very important to me,” said Rep. Napoli. “As a new legislator, it’s important that I’m accessible to the people I represent in government. Currently, I am working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as we tackle important issues facing our State. Therefore, holding regular office hours allows me to have a personal conversation with my constituents so I can best represent their values in Hartford. “

Senator Hartley’s upcoming office hours schedule is as follows. Additional dates will be announced as they are scheduled:

Waterbury
Saturday, February 9
9:00—11:00 a.m.
Thomaston Savings Bank
985 Watertown Avenue, Waterbury, CT

Naugatuck (with Sen. Logan, Reps. Rebimbas and Labriola)
Saturday, February 9
12:00—2:00 p.m.
Naugatuck Town Hall, Hall of Burgesses
229 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT

Waterbury (with Rep. D’Amilio)
Saturday, February 23
9:00—11:00 a.m.
Montiero’s Restaurant
161 Fairfield Ave, Waterbury, CT

Waterbury (with Reps. Butler and Reyes)
Saturday, February 23
11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m.
Starbucks
118 East Main Street, Waterbury, CT

Statement from Sen. Moore on Comments by Tim Stewart

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Statement from Sen. Moore on Comments by Tim Stewart

“This comment is insulting not only to women but to men as well. We are all someone’s son or daughter and we should be disgusted with this language. Is this what we can expect as women rise in politics at both the federal and state level? It is disappointing considering a man who once represented a city that is at least half women. Shame on you.

This kind of bigoted and sexist response is exactly what we’ve come to expect from some Republicans under Donald Trump who leads the pack.”

Senator Marilyn Moore represents the 22nd Senatorial District which consists of the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, and Monroe. She serves as chair of the Human Services Committee and as the representative of the Senate Democratic Caucus on the newly formed Governor’s Council on Women and Girls.

Senator Needleman Backs Senate Democrats’ “A Smart And Responsible Connecticut” Agenda

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Senator Needleman Backs Senate Democrats’ “A Smart And Responsible Connecticut” Agenda

Bill proposals aim to strengthen our economy, economic competitiveness, and education system.

HARTFORD, CT—Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) backed the Senate Democrats’ announcement of “A Smart & Responsible Connecticut,” the second of four legislative agendas for the 2019 legislative session. The series of bills outline the policy proposals from Senate Democrats to strengthen our economy, economic competitiveness, and education system.

The legislative proposals in the “A Smart & Responsible Connecticut” agenda introduced by Sen. Needleman include:

ECONOMIC COMPETITION & FAIRNESS

Senate Bill 598: An Act Concerning The Growing, Cultivation, Production and Processing of Hemp

“Legalizing hemp production would be a direct boon to the farmers and businesses of Connecticut, giving them access to a resource that for too long has been unfairly been blocked away despite its numerous known uses,” said Sen. Needleman. “We can easily support the more than 100 farmers interested in growing hemp while providing our industries with new and better materials to work with.”

Senate Bill 665: An Act Concerning Establishing Competitive Sports Wagering at Casinos and Off-Track Betting Sites on Certain Sporting

“Sports gambling provides a new opportunity for Connecticut to gain access to additional tax revenues while taking the practice away from the black market,” said Sen. Needleman. “It would benefit and bolster our casinos and give our state an influx of tax dollars.”

Senate Bill 423: An Act Concerning Establishing the Connecticut Transportation Authority

“A Connecticut Transportation Authority would be a way for Connecticut to ensure its most pressing transportation needs are directly addressed,” said Sen. Needleman. “The authority could provide direct and improved oversight toward our roads, our trains and our buses, helping push Connecticut’s transit needs to the forefront of important discussions.”

Senate Bill 440: An Act Concerning Captive Audience Meetings

“Prohibiting these required meetings from employers, which all too often employ unfair and aggressive tactics toward employees, would assist Connecticut’s workforce greatly,” said Sen. Needleman. “I know that employees who no longer face retaliation for speaking out against these practices will be more confident in their rights and more comfortable in their jobs.”

EDUCATION

Senate Bill 637: An Act Concerning Reimbursement for Special Education Costs

“This is an easy way for us to protect our schools and our municipalities without losing sight of what’s most important—our future generations,” said Sen. Needleman. “This legislation would give us an opportunity to provide schools with additional funding they can use to support modern education with even more strength than before.”

Senate Bill 435: An Act Concerning Student Loan Forgiveness

“Businesses and workers alike would benefit from student loan forgiveness programs, keeping our skilled young workers in the state and providing our companies with a new way to attract the young workers they need,” said Sen. Cassano. “This bill would benefit our economy, not just by providing new opportunities for business growth but by giving those who are struggling with student loan debt a way to escape it.”

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Senate Bill 526: An Act Concerning Allowing Municipalities to Amend their Fiscal Years
Senate Bill 696: An Act Concerning Unemployment Insurance Reform

“These bills will provide important protections to our municipalities and our financial systems, giving our cities and towns more freedom and flexibility while ensuring our unemployment insurance fund remains solvent so it can continue supporting our workforce.”

Senator Abrams Endorses Senate Democrats’ “A Smart and Responsible Connecticut” Agenda

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Senator Abrams Endorses Senate Democrats’ “A Smart & Responsible Connecticut” Agenda

Bill proposals aim to strengthen our economy, economic competitiveness, and education system.

Today, State Senator Mary Daugherty Abrams, (D- Meriden, Middlefield, Rockfall, Middletown, Cheshire) endorsed Senate Democrats’ announcement of “A Smart & Responsible Connecticut,” the second of four legislative agendas for the 2019 legislative session. The series of bills outline the policy proposals from Senate Democrats to strengthen our economy, economic competitiveness, and education system.

The legislative proposals in the “A Smart & Responsible Connecticut” agenda endorsed by Sen. Abrams include:

ECONOMIC COMPETITION & FAIRNESS

Senate Bill 496: An Act Concerning The Legalization, Taxation and Regulation of the Retail Sale and Recreational Use of Cannabis

“I support the legalization of marijuana,” said Sen. Abrams. “When marijuana already has numerous approved medical uses, proper oversight, regulations and restrictions on its use would protect public safety while growing a new industrial opportunity. And far too many people have faced serious criminal punishment for simply possessing the drug, a nonviolent crime. We can put an end to that.”

  • The bill would allow adults who are 21 or older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and individuals cultivating marijuana at home would be allowed to possess a limited number of six plants.
  • The bill would include automatic expungement and re-sentencing for conduct that would now be legal and allowing for expungement and re-sentencing for other marijuana offenses.

Senate Bill 598: An Act Concerning The Growing, Cultivation, Production and Processing of Hemp

To permit the growing, cultivation, production and processing of hemp in the state.

“As of last year, hemp has been removed from the Controlled Substances Act, and its industrial use has so many benefits we owe it to our state to legalize it,” said Sen. Abrams. “The economic benefits that could be reached by hemp legalization would be a great boon to farmers and businessmen across the state. Hemp’s wide-ranging uses could benefit the textiles, paper, construction, cosmetic and food and beverage industries, among others, and as such legalizing it would directly benefit our economy.”

Senate Bill 665: An Act Concerning Establishing Competitive Sports Wagering at Casinos and Off-Track Betting Sites on Certain Sporting

To allow the wagering on the results of certain sporting events.

“Sports gambling has long been conducted on illegal terms across the country,” said Sen. Abrams. Legalizing it would only legitimize it, pulling it out of the darkness.”

Senate Bill 423: An Act Concerning Establishing the Connecticut Transportation Authority

To create a Connecticut Transportation Authority that would oversee operations and prioritize transportation projects.

“Creating a Connecticut Transportation Authority would give this state important oversight of transportation, helping us look forward to new opportunities to provide important projects that impact those needing them most,” said Sen. Abrams. “Everyone in Connecticut travels, whether by car, train or bus, and ensuring their best interests are being looked after will strengthen our state.”

Senate Bill 764: An Act Concerning Prohibiting On-Call Shift Scheduling for Employees

Senate Bill 440: An Act Concerning Captive Audience Meetings

“Workers deserve fair employment, and both of these bills strike back against that,” said Sen. Abrams. “On-call shift scheduling puts workers in limbo, preventing them from living their lives, sometimes called in for short periods of time, other times forced to wait all day for no pay, often unable to properly arrange for childcare, injecting instability into their lives. Captive audience meetings hold the underlying threat of an employee knowing their employer could punish them if they don’t do what is asked of them, which can sometimes involve political or religious views being forced upon them. These bills will put a stop to that.”

EDUCATION

Senate Bill 273: An Act Concerning Debt-Free College

Senate Bill 435: An Act Concerning Student Loan Forgiveness

“The cost of college has continued to increase with little relief for students, tuition spiking by the year,” said Sen. Abrams. “Even after students graduate, student loans can follow them for years or decades; some people believe they will die without paying off their loans. That’s a system that we cannot allow to continue and a drag on our economy. Debt-free college and student loan forgiveness programs represent important first steps toward relieving the pain and stress of these important issues that have harmed students for too long, and they could have the additional ability to keep them in our state after graduation, helping us compete against other states.”

Senate Bill 637: An Act Concerning Reimbursement for Special Education Costs

To provide the necessary funding for special education costs incurred by school districts.

“Special education costs continue to rise, and our school districts that already work hard to meet the needs of every student should be able to do so without unreasonable impact to their budgets,” said Sen. Abrams. “This legislation would provide us with a simple and valuable reversal of that issue, giving us the chance to do right by our schools and our students.”

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Senate Bill 526: An Act Concerning Allowing Municipalities to Amend their Fiscal Years

Senate Bill 696: An Act Concerning Unemployment Insurance Reform

“Protecting our municipalities and our current systems is vital to the financial future of Connecticut,” said Sen. Abrams. “These policies, which would put money, freedom and flexibility back in the hands of our towns and cities, could lead to significant change and improvement around our state. By allowing for amendments to the federal fiscal year and keeping our unemployment fund solvent, we protect Connecticut’s economy and future-proof it for years to come.”

Maroney’s Bill To Incentivize Innovation Among Nonprofit Human Service Providers Advances

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Maroney’s Bill To Incentivize Innovation Among Nonprofit Human Service Providers Advances

Yesterday, (February 5) State Senator James Maroney’s (D-Milford) bill to incentivize nonprofit providers of human services that use innovative approaches to make state dollars go farther to assist clients advanced in the Human Services Committee.

“This is legislation that will financially strengthen our state’s much-needed nonprofit human service providers,” said Sen. Maroney. “Bolstering these crucial services that work to rid our state of poverty, enrich the lives of people in need and ensure every person in our state has the chance to contribute and be successful will benefit our state. This is a tough time for nonprofit organizations. Working with short staffs and cutting programs are all a harsh reality for our state’s nonprofit human service providers. Through this legislation, we can offer financial relief and encourage innovation among our nonprofit human service providers.”

Senate Bill No. 492, “an act concerning an innovation incentive program for nonprofit providers of human services,” will receive a vote to have formal language developed for it at a later date. If enacted, nonprofit providers of human services will be able to retain and reinvest leftover funds from their contracted term amount if they are able to find innovative ways to deliver care that both improves outcomes and reduces costs.