Bridgeport Lawmakers Welcome State Bonding for Purchase of Body Cameras for Bridgeport Police

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Webmaster

Bridgeport Lawmakers Welcome State Bonding for Purchase of Body Cameras for Bridgeport Police

HARTFORD, CT – State Senator Marilyn Moore, State Senator Dennis Bradley, Rep. Jack Hennessy, Rep. Steven Stafstrom, Rep. Chris Rosario, Rep. Charlie Stallworth, and Rep. Andre Baker announced today that the State Bond Commission is expected to approve funding for the purchase of body cameras and digital data storage devices for the Bridgeport Police Department next week.

“The timing for this funding could not be better in light of the miscommunications between our police and our community,” said Sen. Moore. “These cameras will help support the police in the way of transparency and give the community solid proof of what transpires during incidents. Increased transparency is good for the people of Bridgeport and our public safety officers.”

The Bridgeport Police Department will be reimbursed $1,150,449 for the purchase of body cameras and video storage devices. Last August, the department launched a body and dashboard camera program in an effort to strengthen trust between police and the public. Training was put in place for all 255 patrol, traffic, K-9 and Tactical Narcotics Team officers. Also, 97 dashboard cameras were installed in police vehicles. Bridgeport lawmakers agreed this is the right move to make.

“I commend Governor Ned Lamont for this investment in a tool, body cameras for law enforcement, which will protect civilians and police,” said Sen. Bradley (D-Bridgeport). “Body cameras provide the public with transparency, and can work to improve the relationship and trust some members of the community have with law enforcement. Body cameras also protect law enforcement against false claims. This is a necessary tool our community will benefit from.”

“I am pleased to see that Bridgeport is moving forward with the purchase of body cameras. I led passage of the 2017 legislation authorizing state reimbursement for this purchase in response to constituents seeking increase transparency and police accountability,” said Rep. Steven Stafstrom (D-Bridgeport), House chair of the Judiciary Committee. “This funding will help protect both residents and police officers in our communities.”

“In the relatively short amount of time they have been in use, body cameras have been a key investigative tool in a number of important cases,” said Rep. Chris Rosario (D-Bridgeport). “I thank the governor for supporting this funding for Bridgeport and consider it a good investment that will have a positive impact on overall public safety.”

“Body cameras are an effective means of offering not only security to our community, but true accountability to the officers,” said Rep. Charlie Stallworth (D-Bridgeport). “The approval of these funds for Bridgeport would be essential to building a feeling of safety throughout the city. I thank the Bond Commission for reviewing this important item and I hope that it will move forward.”

“With funding to support body cameras for Bridgeport police officers, we can offer a feeling of safety for all residents,” said Rep. Andre Baker (D-Bridgeport). “I urge the Bond Commission to vote in favor of this essential protection. The importance of obtaining approval for these funds cannot be understated.”

“I am glad to see the Bridgeport Police Department invest in promoting transparency and forging relationships with the community. Body cameras are a useful tool that hold law enforcement accountable, but also become essential pieces of evidence,” said Rep. Jack Hennessy (D-Bridgeport). “Recorded footage can also be useful in training to develop more effective officers. I am glad to see the State Bond Commission grant funding for this technology.”

The State Bond Commission is scheduled to meet on April 2, 2019 at 10:30 am in Room 1E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

Bradley Holds Press Conference with Mayor Ganim, Councilman Newton, II and Community Leaders to Address Opening East End Police Substation

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Webmaster

Bradley Holds Press Conference with Mayor Ganim, Councilman Newton, II
and Community Leaders to Address Opening East End Police Substation

State Senator Dennis Bradley (D-Bridgeport) stands alongside Mayor Joe Ganim and City Councilman Ernest Newton, II in front of the closed East End Police Substation. (Thursday, March 28, 2019)

BRIDGEPORT, CT – Today, State Senator Dennis Bradley (D-Bridgeport) held a press conference with Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, Bridgeport City Councilman Ernest Newton, II and community leaders to discuss the urgent need to open the Police Substation on the East End of the city. Sen. Bradley said preventative measures need to be implemented to stop violent crime and gun violence in the city. He said he would like to see the East End Police Substation open before the beginning of the summer.

“We have a substation here that we’ve built, and as chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee, I want to make sure we work with the mayor and City Council to get the funding necessary to have this substation open,” said Sen. Bradley. “We cannot stop at the substation however; we need to see foot patrol here from our Bridgeport Police Department. This requires a team effort and I am committed to working collaboratively to ensure every Bridgeport individual and family is safe.”

“I appreciate the leadership provided by Sen. Bradley to make public safety a top priority in Bridgeport’s East End and to seek funding to sustain a substation in this community,” said Mayor Ganim. “I look forward to supporting these efforts with Chief Armando “AJ” Perez to provide an increased police presence in this neighborhood as soon as possible.”

Mayor Ganim and Councilman Newton, II agreed the substation would help immensely in stopping violent crime and gun violence in the East End. Sen. Bradley added community policing, with officers who know and care for the neighborhoods they patrol, are imperative to creating a safer East End.

“We need people who don’t just look like us, but also understand us and our community,” said Sen. Bradley. “This requires officers getting out of their police vehicles and getting to know the people of the East End. It is time for us to lock arms as a community and say enough is enough. We don’t want to have any more memorials or marches. We need to put an end to this.”

Sen. Bradley, Mayor Ganim and Councilman Newton, II were joined by members of the community in front of the now closed East End Police Substation on the corner of Stratford Ave and Sixth Street. Sen. Bradley and Councilman Newton, II agreed that with improvements being made in the city and East End, safety must be a top priority in order to ensure these improvements can have a lasting positive impact on the city.

“We will never attract businesses if they do not feel safe. If they feel the community is not safe, they will not invest in it. We need to give them the assurance we will not tolerate unsafe streets in Bridgeport,” said Councilman Newton, II. “I want to thank Sen. Dennis Bradley for taking time out of his schedule to come and support this community,”

“We know we are going to make great strides here in the East End and a large part of this progress has to require safety,” said Sen. Bradley. “We need to ensure that our residents and businesses here are safe in order to enable people from outside of our community to join us in enjoying the progress we’ve made in Bridgeport.”

Sen. Osten Applauds State Investment In Local Bridges And Other Statewide Transportation

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Webmaster

Sen. Osten Applauds State Investment In Local Bridges And Other Statewide Transportation

HARTFORD – State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) said today she is pleased to announce that among the $190 million in Connecticut transportation infrastructure improvements slated to be approved by the State Bond Commission next week is money for bridge repairs in three small towns in eastern Connecticut.

The projects and their repair costs are:
Lebanon, Goshen Hill Road bridge over the Exeter Brook, $412,300
Ledyard, Stoneybrook Road bridge over Billings Avery Brook, $141,140
Lisbon, School House Road bridge over an unnamed brook, $166,916

“The safety of the public traveling over these bridges in these small towns cannot be overstated. The work has to be done, and a lot of towns don’t have the resources to do this work on their own. That’s where the state steps in to help local taxpayers and town officials” Sen. Osten said.

“By the same token,” she added, “Connecticut is investing nearly a fifth of a billion dollars next week in transportation upgrades all across the state. This money helps keep our existing infrastructure in workable condition, but at some point we’re going to have to move beyond that to secure a larger and more reliable revenue stream to make larger, long-term improvements.”

On Tuesday, April 2 at 10:30 a.m. in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, the State Bond Commission is poised to approve:

$69 million to resurface 442 lane-miles of roadway this summer
$48.9 million for “Fix-it-First,” interstate highway, and state bridge improvements projects
$30 million in town aid road (TAR) grants to cities and towns for local road projects
$21.8 million for various local bridge repairs in 19 different cities and towns
$20 million to upgrade the Cos Cob Bridge in Greenwich, which carries the Metro North Railroad over the Mianus River
$55 million in grants to cities and towns for various municipal projects
$20 million for the Crumbling Foundations Assistance Fund
$2.6 million for police body cameras and media storage
$800,000 for improvements to the state Veterans Cemetery in Middletown

Sen. Slap To Host Capitol Tour Over Spring Break

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Webmaster

Sen. Slap To Host Capitol Tour Over Spring Break

HARTFORD – Looking for something to do on Spring Break?

On Thursday April 11, from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., state Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) will host a tour of the Legislative Office Building and the State Capitol in Hartford.

That’s spring vacation week for many schools. If you, your children or any family members want to learn about the history of Connecticut’s State Capitol, see the spectacular architecture and ornate decorations, or perhaps even sit in the “wishing chair” carved from the original Charter Oak tree, please call Sen. Slap’s office at 860-240-1436, or email his legislative aide at kate.hamilton@cga.ct.gov.

Senator Moore Leads Passage of Two-Generational Family Success Cabinet Bill

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Webmaster

Senator Moore Leads Passage of Two-Generational Family Success Cabinet Bill

HARTFORD, CT – On Tuesday, the Human Services Committee passed Senate Bill 1080, “An Act Concerning a Two-Generational Initiative,” a bill that would establish a first in the nation executive cabinet focused on promoting economic success across generations. Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) is Senate chair of the committee.

The “two-generational approach,” or 2GEN, is an approach that seeks to disrupt cycles of intergenerational poverty while transforming how government works. 2GEN requires moving away from bureaucratic, siloed thinking and towards innovation – towards collaborating across agencies and sectors, sharing data, leveraging existing resources to drive down costs, and advancing economic self-sufficiency for the whole family. The approach recognizes the role that racial and socioeconomic inequity plays in exacerbating cycles of poverty and authentically engages parents and families as partners in the work.

Senate Bill 1080 would establish a first in the nation 2GEN cabinet in the executive branch and a mechanism to encourage legal data sharing within and between agencies. The 2GEN cabinet, named the Two-Generational Family Economic Success Cabinet, would create a space for agency Commissioners to move quickly and collaboratively to develop whole family approaches to economic self-sufficiency, achieve measurable outcomes for families, and promote systems change in government. The Cabinet would be comprised of the thirteen major state agencies that intersect with Connecticut families.

“This is a great step towards addressing the social and economic barriers that affect too many families and children in our communities,” said Senator Marilyn Moore. “We must look at parents and children as a unit, not in isolation from each other. Establishing this cabinet will encourage cooperation among various stakeholders in Hartford and ensure that parents and children are getting the resources they need to succeed, be self-sufficient, and lead healthy and productive lives.”

In 2015, Senator Moore sponsored legislation, “An Act Concerning a Two-Generational School Readiness and Workforce Development Pilot Program,” that, when enacted, made Connecticut the first state in the nation to have a comprehensive, statewide 2GEN initiative in law. Connecticut has since served as a national model for how the 2GEN approach can disrupt cycles of intergenerational poverty and promote innovation in government. In June 2017, Senator Moore, along with the Connecticut Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, hosted representatives from Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s office who visited to learn more about Connecticut’s 2GEN program. Governor Hogan signed an executive order in March 2017 establishing a 2GEN Commission and pilot program in Maryland.

2GEN seeks to weave together support services and offer them at one, centralized location. Often when parents need access to support services, they need to go through multiple channels to receive the help they need. For example, if a parent is searching for child care, transportation, or a job, they may interact with the Office of Early Childhood, the Department of Education, the Department of Labor, the Department of Social Services and the Department of Transportation, all at the same time. Through a 2GEN approach, the parent has a single point of contact to access all of those services at once. Five municipalities in Connecticut currently offer services through a 2GEN approach.

“This legislation will strengthen and build upon the success that 2GEN has already had in Connecticut,” said Senator Moore. “People’s lives have already been positively impacted through this program. Creating a cabinet dedicated to the 2GEN initiative will increase that impact and allow us to reach more parents and children throughout the state, ensuring that more families rise up the economic ladder.”

The bill now awaits a vote by the Senate.

Sen. Needleman, Rep. Orange Welcome State Bonding for Colchester Bridge Replacement

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Webmaster

Sen. Needleman, Rep. Orange Welcome State Bonding for Colchester Bridge Replacement

State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Colchester) and State Representative Linda Orange (D-Colchester) announced today that the State Bond Commission is expected to approve funding for an important bridge replacement in the 33rd District when it meets April 2 in Hartford.

“The State of Connecticut’s investments in our state’s transportation infrastructure is vital to ensure our municipalities don’t suffer significant setbacks. I’m heartened by the State Bond Commission’s decision to allocate funding to repair the Paper Mill Road Bridge,” said Sen. Needleman. “This bridge replacement project has been delayed several years due to questions of funding, and I’m happy we will be able to answer those questions with this funding approval.”

“We must ensure that our bridges and roads are well-maintained and safe for travel, and I am pleased to see the State Bond Commission award funding for this project, which I have worked on for several years,” said State Representative Linda Orange, D-Colchester. “This road provides access to the Norton Paper Mill, which the Town of Colchester has begun to convert into a public park. This is a property with tremendous potential, and renovation of the bridge is essential.”

“The Town of Colchester is grateful that the State Bonding Commission will vote to fund that portion of the Local Bridge Program that will pay for 50 percent of the Paper Mill Bridge Reconstruction Project,” said Colchester First Selectman Art Shilosky. “The Town of Colchester has previously allocated its portion of the cost over the last two years and now that the project is fully funded, we can move forward on this much needed repair.”

The State Bond Commission is expected to approve a $150,000 grant to Colchester under the Local Bridge Program for the replacement of the Paper Mill Road Bridge, which crosses over the Jeremy River. Those funds will be matched by local funding.

This bridge replacement is part of nearly $250 million in transportation infrastructure repairs to be approved by the Commission, with additional funding going to town aid for roads and road resurfacing, vehicle bridge repairs, repairs for the Cos Cob Railroad Bridge, and further municipal grants.

Slap E-news: Succeeding with Technology; Speaking at World Water Day; Looking for Something To Do on Spring Break?

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Webmaster

Senators Anwar, Cassano Welcome State Bonding for Crumbling Foundation Assistance Fund

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Webmaster

Senators Anwar, Cassano Welcome State Bonding for Crumbling Foundation Assistance Fund

State Senators Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) and Steve Cassano (D-Manchester) announced today that the State Bond Commission is expected next week to approve $20 million in funding for the Crumbling Foundations Assistance Fund, the second of five annual allotments to be made through 2022. The fund is designed to provide financial relief to the many homeowners in north, east and central Connecticut whose homes are compromised by the presence of the mineral pyrrhotite in their concrete foundations.

“I am thankful to the Bond Commission for putting this $20 million forward for the victims of the crumbling foundation disaster,” said Sen. Anwar. “We have an obligation as a state to help those who are losing their homes right in front of their eyes. I look forward to advocating for further opportunities to fulfill the promises that have been made to victims of crumbling foundations and I would like to thank Governor Lamont for recognizing this important issue.”

“I commend Governor Lamont for this significant investment in addressing the problem of deteriorated concrete foundations,” said Sen. Cassano. “This funding will go a long way towards repairing and replacing these deficient structures. I’m glad the state is stepping up and providing relief for those who have been impacted by this epidemic.”

The Crumbling Foundation Assistance Fund, incorporated in 2018, is intended to help provide relief for those whose homes have been found to contain pyrrhotite in their concrete foundations. That mineral, which has been found in a number of homes across dozens of states, causes concrete to gradually erode and degrade over the course of decades after exposure to water and oxygen. Homes built between 1983 and 2015 have been found to contain pyrrhotite, which causes irreversible damage and requires the replacement of an existing foundation with a new one, which can cost homeowners more than $150,000.

The Crumbling Foundations Solutions Indemnity Company, Inc. is currently accepting applications will issue grants to owners of buildings with crumbing foundations. Owners can receive grant money; owners receiving financial assistance through insurance can receive reduced grants. The state has pledged to contribute $100 million to the fund over the course of five years.

Senator Anwar Tours J.E. Shepard Companies, Discusses Hemp Legalization With Leaders

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Webmaster

Senator Anwar Tours J.E. Shepard Companies, Discusses Hemp Legalization With Leaders

J.E. Shepard Companies president Tim Shepard, left, talks to South Windsor Mayor Andrew Paterna, State Senator Saud Anwar and NuWay Tobacco Company President Raymond A. Voorhies Tuesday at J.E. Shepard Co. headquarters.

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT – This week, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined the leaders of the J.E. Shepard Companies to tour their facilities, afterward discussing the positive impacts that hemp legalization could potentially have not just for farmers, but for Connecticut manufacturers and businesses as a whole.

After taking a tour of J.E. Shepard’s Sullivan Avenue facilities Tuesday, viewing the creation of wrappers and binders for machine-made cigars and edible gold glitter among many other products, Sen. Anwar joined J.E. Shepard President Tim Shepard and South Windsor Mayor Andrew Paterna, as well Nuway Tobacco Company President Raymond A. Voorhies and J.E. Shepard Chief Financial Officer Tom Kirby, for an extended discussion on the potential benefits of hemp legalization.

Several current bills are in discussion in the state legislature concerning the possible legalization of industrial hemp and production of hemp in Connecticut, and hemp legalization is a priority for Senate Democrats this legislative session. Hemp, which contains less than 0.3 percent THC content and was removed from the Controlled Substances Act last year, has more than 25,000 possible uses in various industries, including fibers, textiles, paper, construction and cosmetic products. If made legal, it could provide immediate benefits to a variety of Connecticut businesses, in addition to the more than 100 farmers across the state currently interested in growing the plant.

As J.E. Shepard Companies produce a wide variety of products in the manufacturing and environmental centers, it could benefit from this legislation, Shepard said. Additional opportunities connected to legalization, such as the hemp byproduct CBD commonly used in the medical field to alleviate some ailments, provide further opportunities for business growth, for instance as an ingredient in some of the company’s edible products.

“We are not only speaking to farmers about this issue, but manufacturers who are excited about the opportunity for Connecticut to allow industrial hemp growth and manufacturing,” said Sen. Anwar. “This will lead to new opportunities for farmers and manufacturers alike, leading to economic growth and chances to increase employment, and it will expand access to new and better products for consumers, for instance when manufacturers can begin creating new, edible products infused with CBD for pain relief.”

“We’re hoping, with these conversations, that we can put together a package so all of this can happen in South Windsor,” said Mayor Paterna. “Bringing new jobs to our town and increasing our manufacturing base is our goal.”

“I’m excited about the opportunities hemp holds for growth of existing industries,” said Shepard. “The manufacturing industry is ready to move on industrial hemp as soon as it’s authorized by the state of Connecticut.”

Statement from Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney with regards to the Transportation Committee

Posted on March 26, 2019 by Webmaster

Statement from Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney with regards to the Transportation Committee:

“Ten state senators serve on the Transportation Committee in the 2019-2020 legislative term. Ten state senators served on the Transportation Committee in the 2017-2018 legislative term. Furthermore, section 15.1 of Mason’s Manual of Legislative Procedure states that objections in the same vein as Rep. Candelora’s do not impair the validity of a statute. The work of the Transportation Committee stands. We have spoken with the Senate Republicans and we believe the issue is moot.”