Month: February 2019

Senator Haskell Adds Support to Senate Democrats’ “A Smart and Responsible Connecticut” Agenda

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

Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Wilton) stood with Senate Democrats as they announced “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, and Sen. Haskell added his endorsement of educational reforms.

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

EDUCATION

Senate Bill 273: An Act Concerning Debt-Free College

“As chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, I’ve spoken to so many business leaders who tell me they have struggled attracting the next generation of workers to start their small businesses, their careers, their families in Connecticut, and a big part of that is our student loan crisis,” said Sen. Haskell. “In Connecticut, 70 percent of our workforce will need some form of higher education beyond high school to meet the needs of our business community by 2025, and yet according to recent estimates, Connecticut has the third-highest average per-capita student debt in the nation. Estimates put our student debt at more than $35,000 a head. This is holding young people back as they make those crucial decisions about what state they want to become residents and taxpayers of.”

Senate Bill 435: An Act Concerning Student Loan Forgiveness

“Not only would this create a more business-friendly environment by reducing our corporate tax obligations, but it will directly empower our next generation of workers,” said Sen. Haskell. “When employers help their employees pay off some of that student debt, it makes the state more attractive to the next generation of young workers. Our agenda has an eye to the future and an ear to the group. We recognize students are the best investment we can make and want to work with the business community to provide the skilled workers they desperately need.”

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

“Our municipalities already often struggle under increasing economic strain, and this bill would relieve that pressure while ensuring our schools can meet the needs of every student,” said Sen. Haskell. “Every week, I talk to superintendents who struggle with the unpredictable nature of special education costs. I also talk to parents of special needs students who understand that the promise of public education applies to all children, no matter their abilities. The state must play a role in realizing that promise and helping towns afford fair and equal schools.”

ECONOMIC COMPETITION & FAIRNESS

Senate Bill 440: An Act Concerning Captive Audience Meetings

“Captive audience meetings should not be allowed in any way, shape or form,” said Sen. Haskell. “They’re an abuse of authority by employers that force employees into meetings that may go against their political or religious views, and those employees have no recourse or protections against them. This bill would change that for the better, ending the unfair practice.”

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

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

Senate Bill 696: An Act Concerning Unemployment Insurance Reform

“Allowing towns and cities to amend their fiscal years gives them increased freedom to organize their finances how they see fit, while unemployment insurance represents an important part of our state’s economic backbone,” Sen. Haskell said. “These reforms will work well toward helping cities, towns and the state at large, giving more ability for municipalities to take budgeting into their own hands and ensuring workers have the means to support themselves while keeping the state’s economy intact.”

Senator Haskell Congratulates Thomas C. Katsouleas On Appointment as 16th UConn President

Today, State Sen. Will Haskell (D-Wilton) congratulated Thomas C. Katsouleas as he was unanimously appointed as the 16th president of the University of Connecticut by the university’s Board of Trustees. Katsouleas, currently executive vice president and provost of the University of Virginia, comes to UConn with deep academic roots in teaching and research and is a skilled plasma scientist and engineer.

“I am elated that UConn will be led into the next decade and beyond by someone like Mr. Katsouleas, who brings with him to Storrs a long and impressive history of scientific and academic success to Storrs,” said Sen. Haskell. “As co-chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, I look forward to working alongside Mr. Katsouleas to invest in UConn’s future and its students, empowering the future of Connecticut’s workforce. I hope that he will direct energy and investment into the crucial branch campuses, including UConn Stamford.”

Katsouleas, who the University said will begin as president on Aug. 1, has been executive vice president and provost at the University of Virginia since 2015. Previously, he served as dean of Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering and as professor of electrical and computer engineering there.

Katsouleas replaces President Susan Herbst, who will leave UConn this summer when her contract ends. Herbst has been president of the school since 2011.

Haskell’s support and congratulations to Katsouleas comes as other Connecticut leaders, including Governor Ned Lamont and UConn Board of Trustees Chairman Thomas Kruger, welcomed him to the university.

“UConn is a vital piece of Connecticut’s economic engine, and I look forward to working with Tom in ensuring that the university and our state’s economic development team, large corporations, small businesses and start-ups alike are working together to help develop a pipeline of talent and an environment that supports business development and economic growth,” Gov. Lamont said.

“Tom’s reputation is one of advocacy and relationship-building, a key attribute for the president of our flagship university,” Lamont added. “I look forward to connecting him with business leaders, our agency commissioners, members of the nonprofit and advocacy community, and others as we work toward a Connecticut that is forward-thinking, strategic and welcoming to new graduates, businesses and entrepreneurs alike.”

“Tom is clearly the right candidate at the right time to lead UConn forward, and we are delighted he has decided to come to Connecticut,” Board of Trustees Chairman Thomas Kruger said Tuesday. “He has a deep and comprehensive understanding of what makes a major research university work and what success looks like. We were drawn to Tom’s vision of what the future of UConn can be and how we as a university can work with the Governor and his administration to help support the Governor’s economic vision for the State.”

“Higher education is the best investment we can make in Connecticut’s future,” said Sen. Haskell. “With Mr. Katsouleas primed to continue President Herbst’s work, I am eager to collaborate on how to connect businesses with the talented workforce that UConn produces.”

Haskell Endorses “A Just Connecticut” Senate Agenda

Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) endorsed the announcement of the Senate Democrats’ “A Just Connecticut,” the first of four legislative agendas for the 2019 legislative session. The series of bills outline the policy proposals from Senate Democrats to reform the state’s criminal justice system, strengthen gun safety protections, and expand voting rights.

The legislative proposals in the “A Just Connecticut” agenda introduced by Sen. Haskell include:

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

“Reforming our criminal justice system is crucial to building a fair and safe society,” said Sen. Haskell. “By preventing temporary restraining orders from expiring after their subjects are released from custody, we can help keep the brave individuals who filed those orders safe. By providing immigrant children, who cannot defend themselves, with legal counsel, we give them increased security and prevent them from being discriminated against in the legal system.”

Senate Bill 689: An Act Concerning Tolling Temporary Restraining Orders (SB 689)
To continue a temporary restraining order after the person alleged to be a threat is released from jail or custody.

• It is possible that a restraining order is issued when the alleged abuser is in jail, or that the alleged abuser is arrested and in jail during the days prior to the hearing. If there is no hearing, which can be complicated by the alleged abuser’s arrest, then the restraining order can expire.
• The bill would toll (delay) the time between issuing the restraining order and the hearing by one day for each day that the alleged abuser is in custody of law enforcement.

Senate Bill 654: An Act Concerning A Right to Counsel for Immigrant Children
To ensure children of immigrants are represented in issues regarding their well-being.

• In FY 2018, there were 971 filings initiated in Connecticut for juvenile deportation proceedings. Largest represented countries of origin were Guatemala (309), Honduras (152), and Brazil (152). 716 of those individuals, or 78 percent, were not represented by counsel.
• California; Washington; and Denver, Colorado have allocated funding for legal representation of immigrants.
• New Jersey recently allocated $2.1 million for legal representation of immigrants.
• The bill would establish a new program to provide legal counsel to undocumented minors. Roughly $800,000 a year would be needed.

“Every day, children in school pledge allegiance to a flag that promises freedom and justice for all,” Sen. Haskell said. “It’s time we live up to that promise. We can never lose sight of the fact that incarcerated people are people, and we must ensure protect dignity and integrity at every stage of the criminal justice system.”

Senate Bill 653: An Act Concerning Open File Disclosure in Criminal Cases
To require prosecuting officials to automatically disclose certain pieces of evidence in criminal cases.

• Adoption of automatic discovery, so that overworked defense attorneys do not need to make requests for the most common document requests. State Attorneys will be required to disclose certain materials.
• Ensuring all materials in the state’s possession, not just the prosecutor’s, are shared with the defendant.
• Requiring all materials with the ability to prove innocence or lessen the penalty of a crime be shared with the defendant before being asked to enter into a plea bargain.
• Discovery standards that are uniform across the state, and do not vary by judicial district.

Senate Bill 691: An Act Concerning Expungement of Criminal Records
To create a system of expungement of criminal records for offenders that have remained crime-free for a significant period following the end of his or her sentence.

• There is a strong correlation between housing and employment and the like hood that a convicted person will reoffend. The sad truth is that a person’s criminal record makes it unfairly more difficult to acquire housing and employment.
• The bill would automatically expunge (destroy) or erase (seal and prohibit public access to) certain criminal records if an offender does not re-offend within a designated number of years from release

VOTING RIGHTS

“Voting is a right, not a privilege. By expanding voting rights, we can bolster our democratic process and make sure every voice has a seat at the table,” said Sen. Haskell. “By giving additional opportunities for voters to head to the polls, citizens of all ages can more easily and effectively cast their ballot in the privacy of a ballot box, and by expanding collegiate access to polling locations, we avoid disenfranchising our younger generations.”

Senate Joint Resolution 14: A Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the State Constitution to Allow for Early Voting
To amend the Constitution of the State of Connecticut to allow for in person voting for a period prior to Election Day.

Senate Bill 266: An Act Concerning Ballot Access for Students on College and University Campuses
To provide polling locations on college and university campuses for students to make it easier for students to vote.

GUN SAFETY

“Ghost guns have no place in Connecticut,” Sen. Haskell said. “Connecticut must serve as a laboratory of change and courage when it comes to strong gun laws. By closing this loophole and requiring firearms to have a serial number, we can empower law enforcement officers to reduce gun violence.”

Senate Bill 655: An Act Concerning Ghost Guns
To ensure the sale of firearms adhere to serial number requirements and to close loopholes contributing to the illegal possession of firearms.

• Without a serial number, law enforcement cannot run a search on a gun, making it impossible to determine chain of custody.
• Bill would close loopholes by banning guns that do not have serial numbers and prohibit the sale of any materials or services that permit the construction of guns outside the regulated marketplace.