Sen. Needleman Commends Committee Advancement of Bill to Increase Nursing Home Staffing Levels

Posted on March 26, 2019 by Webmaster

Sen. Needleman Commends Committee Advancement of Bill to Increase Nursing Home Staffing Levels

HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) applauded the Human Services Committee’s advancement of legislation to increase nursing home staffing levels. The bill made it out of the Human Services Committee by a unanimous vote. It will go to the State House of Representatives and State Senate floor for further action. Sen. Needleman commended the committee for moving this legislation forward. He said this legislation will provide peace of mind for Connecticut families with loved ones in nursing homes.

“I think it is essential that we ensure that nursing homes are staffed adequately to deliver the best possible care for our family members and friends that depend on their services,” said Sen. Needleman.

If passed, Raised Senate Bill 1079, “An Act Concerning Nursing Home Facility Minimum Staffing Levels,” will require that all nursing homes have the staff needed to provide a minimum of three hours of direct care to each nursing home resident every day. This includes at least two hours and 15 minutes of care provided by registered nurses aides and at least 40 minutes of medical care provided by licensed nurses.

Nursing homes that experience increased costs due to increasing staffing levels will not be left to fend for themselves. The Department of Social Services will adjust nursing homes’ Medicaid rates and provide payment retroactive to the date of the increased costs for any nursing home that sees costs rise due to complying with this proposed legislation. Payment will be made within a reasonable period. Sen. Needleman said this is common sense legislation which will ensure Connecticut’s nursing homes can continue to offer quality care to our loved ones.

This legislation is a Democratic caucus priority as evidence continues to show a link between sufficient nurse staffing levels and improved patient outcomes. Studies also show nurse burnout, job dissatisfaction and staff turnover are hurting hospitals’ bottom lines and patient satisfaction. This legislation will ensure nurses can be at their best each shift, patients receive optimal care; families can rest easy knowing their loved ones are being taken care of, and nursing homes are in prime position to thrive in Connecticut.

Maroney Joins Bipartisan Milford Delegation to Give Testimony in Favor of Yale New Haven Health Systems Purchase of Milford Hospital

Posted on March 26, 2019 by Webmaster

Maroney Joins Bipartisan Milford Delegation to Give Testimony in Favor of
Yale New Haven Health Systems Purchase of Milford Hospital

ORANGE, CT — Today, State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) joined State Representatives Kim Rose (D-Milford), Charles Ferraro (R-Orange, Milford, West Haven), and Kathy Kennedy (R-Milford and Orange) to give public testimony to the Office of Health Strategy in favor of allowing the asset purchase agreement of Milford Hospital by Bridgeport Hospital/Yale New Haven Health Systems.

“For almost a century, Milford Hospital has been a pillar in our community, caring for us and our neighbors, and employing our friends and family,” said Sen. Maroney. “This partnership is necessary to save Milford Hospital and the jobs of its hard-working staff, who work tirelessly to save the lives of individuals in our community every day.”

Without this purchase agreement, it is likely the Milford Hospital, which is one of the largest employers in Milford, would be forced to close. The purchase agreement would establish a partnership with Bridgeport Hospital/Yale New Haven Health Systems which will equal more job opportunities, expansion of clinical services and streamlined care throughout the region, thanks to a single integrated electronic medical record system.

Under this partnership, Milford Hospital staff will become part of the new, integrated hospital with Bridgeport Hospital. Inpatient/outpatient care will continue from the Milford Campus. The partnership will establish financial stability and job security for employees. It will enable Milford Hospital to chart a course for growth, strengthening its’ ability to serve members of the community. Lawmakers said this is a win-win for patients, the hospital, region and Milford community.

“So many people in our community rely on and need the services offered by Milford Hospital,” said Sen. Maroney. “A strong Milford Hospital means a strong and healthy community. This partnership strengthens our community and our entire region as well. ”

“I am pleased to stand with my colleagues today in support of the merger of Milford Hospital and Bridgeport Hospital/Yale New Haven Health Systems,” said Rep. Rose. “Milford Hospital employs many of our residents and offers critical care services to our community. This merger will ensure that we retain jobs and can continue to offer premier medical services to our community.”

“I am happy to have had the opportunity to testify with the Milford delegation regarding the proposed Milford Hospital merger,” said Rep. Kennedy. “The most important part of this planned merger is making sure Milford Hospital has long-term financial stability going forward. Seeing so many hospital employees, volunteers and community members come out in support shows not only the importance of Milford Hospital to the community, but also the pride of its employees towards their community and their work.”

“Milford Hospital is an important asset for area residents,” said Rep. Ferraro. “Losing Milford Hospital would have a significant impact on our communities. The transfer of ownership will save hundreds of jobs, protect the retirements of former employees, and means area residents can get quality healthcare right in our backyards. I hope this transfer is approved.”

Anwar E-news: Unite Against Hate; Debt-Free College; Crumbling Foundations; Face the State

Posted on March 26, 2019 by Webmaster

Senator Anwar, Representative Currey, Mayor Leclerc Learn About Coca-Cola’s Economic Growth, Health and Recycling Initiatives

Posted on March 26, 2019 by Webmaster

Senator Anwar, Representative Currey, Mayor Leclerc Learn About Coca-Cola’s Economic Growth, Health and Recycling Initiatives

State Sen. Saud Anwar and State Rep. Jeff Currey are taken on a tour of Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Northern New England bottling plant by Bryan Misenheimer, plant manager.

EAST HARTFORD, CT – This week, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-East Hartford), State Representative Jeff Currey (D-East Hartford) and East Hartford Mayor Marcia Leclerc received a tour of East Hartford’s Coca-Cola bottling plant. During their trip through the facility, they learned about the more than $50 million Coca-Cola invested into its East Hartford and soon-to-come South Windsor locations and discussed legislation currently considered in the State Capitol.

Monday’s visit at the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Northern New England centered around the facility’s $65 million in investments in the 3rd District, including a $43 million sales and distribution center in South Windsor. That new center allows for the company to expand its East Hartford Production Center by investing in a $22 million can production line there. Not only will this generate more local tax revenue in South Windsor, increasing the town’s annual intake by more than $100,000, but it will lead to new jobs at the facilities. These investments come after Coca-Cola spent an additional $18 million on a new automation system in 2015 at the plant, designed to create new efficiencies in order collection and distribution.

Discussions during the tour covered several issues legislators are deliberating, including a proposed tax on sugary drinks and a proposed expansion of the state’s bottle bill. Sen. Anwar, a medical doctor, mentioned the tax on sugary drinks in response to health concerns, with the discussion turning toward Coca-Cola’s increased focus on low- and no-calorie beverages. These alternatives to sugary drinks are becoming increasingly popular among consumers and meet the company’s efforts to provide consumers with choices for their benefit, officials said.

Environmental and recycling initiatives are also growing at Coca-Cola. Last year, CCNNE said, it recycled nearly 12 million pounds of bottle materials and nearly 9.5 million pounds of aluminum at its facilities. Sen. Anwar and Rep. Currey discussed continuing and new models of environmental protection growing at the company’s plants.

“It was wonderful to see the results of economic collaboration and shared efforts between the towns of East Hartford and South Windsor,” said Sen. Anwar, “both in how they kept jobs in our region and helped existing businesses grow.”

“I appreciate Coca-Cola extending the opportunity to visit once again with our newest state senator, Saud Anwar,” said State Representative Jeff Currey (D-East Hartford, South Windsor, Manchester). “Both the production plant and sales center offer numerous jobs and economic growth for the district, both in East Hartford and South Windsor. It was helpful to gain more knowledge on the work Coca-Cola is currently doing as we continue to consider legislation up for review during this session.”

“We’re here to showcase Coca-Cola as a premier employer and business for the community in the Greater Hartford area,” said Mayor LeClerc. “Coca-Cola is doing great things for the environment and sustainability. They’re also exploring new products to add to their offerings with reduced sugar. We know Coca-Cola’s footprint in the area is positive as a great employer and production company.”

“We’re always happy to have local elected officials into our facilities because we feel it’s one of the best ways to show people what we do as a business and how we contribute to the community,” said Nick Martin, director of public affairs and communications for Coca-Cola Northern New England. “We had some really good conversations about the products we’re offering these days and had a chance to see the breadth of the portfolio, especially the low- and no-sugar products that consumers are trending more towards now. The final piece was a discussion around recycling and sustainability. This facility is a zero-waste facility that does a lot of recycle all of the materials that come through here. As a company, we’re doing a lot to make sure our cans and bottles are recovered responsibly and given new life so they have a second use.”

Sen. Kushner’s Bill Protecting CT’s Air Quality Approved By Environment Committee

Posted on March 25, 2019 by Webmaster

Sen. Kushner’s Bill Protecting CT’s Air Quality Approved By Environment Committee

HARTFORD – The Environment Committee gave unanimous and bipartisan approval today to a bill introduced by state Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) that provides air quality monitoring assistance to towns like Sherman, Kent and New Fairfield that may have their air quality affected by the Cricket Valley Energy Center in New York.

Senate Bill 585, “AN ACT CONCERNING AIR QUALITY MONITORING IN TOWNS NEAR THE CRICKET VALLEY ENERGY CENTER,” now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. The bill passed on the last day of the regular committee meeting schedule of the Environment Committee.

“We need to establish some baseline air quality measurements in nearby towns so we know what air quality we have now, and how that air quality might be degraded in the coming years,” Sen. Kushner said regarding the need for her bill. “If there’s a problem, we’ll know about it, and we will have the facts to take action and protect public health.”

Western Connecticut residents are concerned about possible air pollution from the 1,110-megawatt Cricket Valley Energy power plant that is being built in Dover Plains, New York – less than 10 miles from the Sherman Town Green, and less than 20 miles from New Fairfield Town Hall.

The plant, powered by natural gas, is expected to go online in mid-November.

Since the Cricket Valley project was a New York State project, the residents of Kent, Sherman, New Fairfield and other adjacent Connecticut towns weren’t aware of it until after the project had been approved and construction began.

Even Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection(DEEP) officials concede that the Cricket Valley Energy plant will contribute more pollutants into the air in at least a 50-mile radius of the plant – they just don’t know exactly where, and how much.

The bill calls for DEEP to provide technical assistance and support “to any municipality that purchases, leases or is provided the use of air monitoring equipment for the purpose of establishing an air quality baseline in such municipality and determining any effect on such baseline by the Cricket Valley Energy Center in the State of New York.”
That assistance may include information on the best practices for establishing a baseline, guidance on the siting and placement of air quality monitors, information concerning the best maintenance and practices required to assure the accuracy of air quality monitors, proposed schedules for data retrieval, and reviewing the results.

If approved by the House and Senate and signed into law by the governor, the bill would take effect October 1 of this year.

New Bill Seeks Review of Dyslexia Instruction in CT

Posted on March 25, 2019 by Webmaster

New Bill Seeks Review of Dyslexia Instruction in CT

HARTFORD – A bill championed by state Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) to analyze state laws governing dyslexia instruction and teacher training passed the Education Committee today on a unanimous and bipartisan ‘consent’ vote and now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration.

Senate Bill 1067, “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO ANALYZE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LAWS GOVERNING DYSLEXIA INSTRUCTION AND TRAINING,” was co-sponsored by Sen. Osten and by 19 other Republicans and Democrats.

The bill calls for the creation of an 11-member state task force to examine if and how Connecticut schools are complying with existing state laws regarding teacher instruction on how to detect dyslexia and the literary interventions for those students.

The bill also allows the task force to make various recommendations regarding dyslexia.

“As many as 20 percent of our population show some symptoms of dyslexia, such as poor spelling or writing or inaccurate reading, so an analysis of the impact of laws governing dyslexia instruction and Connecticut’s teacher prep and other programs is the appropriate thing to do,” Sen. Osten said. “It’s crucial that we determine what Connecticut is doing well, and what more needs to be done, so we can better serve our school children and their parents.”

If approved by the full House and Senate and signed into law by the governor, the task force report is due by January, 2020.

Senator Needleman, Representatives Maclachlan and Carney to Host Community Conversation in Westbrook

Posted on March 25, 2019 by Webmaster

Senator Needleman, Representatives Maclachlan and Carney to Host Community Conversation in Westbrook

WESTBROOK, CT – State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Westbrook) and State Representatives Jesse MacLachlan (R-Westbrook) and Devin Carney (R-Westbrook) will hold a Community Conversation event with the public on Wednesday, April 3. The event is scheduled to be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Westbrook Town Hall’s Multimedia Room, located at 866 Boston Post Road in Westbrook.

Sen. Needleman and Reps. MacLachlan and Carney will discuss the state budget with members of the public, among a number of other important legislative issues.

“Getting out into the community is so important, as I can hear from the public first-hand about what issues impact them the most,” said Sen. Needleman. “There are a number of significant topics this legislative session, including bills dealing with school regionalization, which deserve our attention. I’m looking forward to sitting with Representatives MacLachlan and Carney to hear directly from Westbrook.”

“I look forward to hearing from residents about some of the hot button issues including tolls, the forced regionalization of schools and the several tax increase proposals,” said Rep. MacLachlan. “It’s important for residents to have the opportunity to share their thoughts about legislation that will have a significant impact on their daily lives.”

“The 2019 legislative session is well underway and many people have been asking about topics ranging from the budget, taxes, tolls and school regionalization,” said Rep. Carney. “I am grateful that residents continue to take advantage of these types of events, am looking forward to discussing these and many other issues with folks in Westbrook on April 3rd alongside Senator Needleman and Representative MacLachlan. I encourage all residents to attend this event or to reach out to my office with any legislative concerns.”

Senator Moore Supports The Creation of a Two-Generational Family Success Cabinet

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Webmaster

Senator Moore Supports The Creation of a Two-Generational Family Success Cabinet

HARTFORD, CT – Yesterday, the Human Services Committee held a public hearing and heard testimony on 3 bills. One of the proposals was Senate Bill 1080, “An Act Concerning a Two-Generational Initiative,” a bill that would establish an executive cabinet focused on promoting economic success across generations. Senator Marilyn Moore is chair of the committee.

The bill would establish a Two-Generational Family Economic Success Cabinet and would work to achieve measurable outcomes for families through coordinated efforts with other agencies. The goals would be to drive savings, reduce redundancy, boost impact, and advance racial and socio-economic equity. Cabinet members would include the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary’s designee, and the Commissioners of Early Childhood, Education, Children and Families, Social Services, Public Health, Economic and Community Development, Administrative Services, Housing, Transportation, Correction, and Labor, or each commissioner’s designee.

“Establishing this cabinet is an innovative solution towards improving the health and economic well-being of families,” said Senator Marilyn Moore. “Taking a two-generational approach allows us to look at the family unit in a holistic way and strengthens family voices in the process. Communities succeed when parents and children thrive and this cabinet will help the state to better support and protect our families.”

Senator Moore Applauds Passage of Bill Prohibiting On-Call Shift Scheduling

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Webmaster

Senator Moore Applauds Passage of Bill Prohibiting On-Call Shift Scheduling

HARTFORD, CT – Today, the Labor and Public Employees Committee passed Senate Bill 764, “An Act Prohibiting ‘On-Call’ Shift Scheduling,” a proposal that would prohibit the unfair practice of ‘on-call’ shift scheduling. Senator Marilyn Moore is a co-sponsor of the bill.

“On-Call” shift scheduling is an employment policy which requires hourly workers to hold their days and hours open in case they may be required to work, with no guarantee or promise that they will be needed. Despite setting aside their time, if employees are not called into work, they are not paid. This bill would require employers to let employees know twenty-four hours in advance whether or not they are needed for a scheduled shift. In Connecticut, nearly 250,000 workers are employed in this type of job.

“I’m glad that we are finally taking a step towards ending this unfair and irresponsible policy,” said Senator Moore.
“The unpredictability of this type of schedule puts a strain on working families and adversely affects women and people of color. Too many families are living paycheck to paycheck and in a state of uncertainty. Passing this legislation is the morally right thing to do.”

The bill now awaits a vote by the Senate.

Maroney Legislation to Make College Affordable, Accessible Receive Bipartisan Committee Support

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Webmaster

Maroney Legislation to Make College Affordable, Accessible Receive Bipartisan Committee Support

HARTFORD, CT – The Higher Education and Employment Committee voted to advance three of State Senator James Maroney’s (D-Milford) bills to the Senate floor. Sen. Maroney’s bills aim to create nontraditional pathways to earning a Bachelor’s Degree, and to make college more affordable and accessible. Sen. Maroney said the key is innovation.

“When I was on the campaign trail, I promised to be innovative in cultivating ways to ensure everyone has a chance to be successful in the 14th District and our state,” said Sen. Maroney, who is a member of the committee. “This legislation makes good on those promises and seeks innovative ways to provide opportunities to our citizens to better themselves. I commend my friends on both sides of the aisle in the committee for supporting this legislation and moving them forward.”

The following bills advanced:

SB 435 – “An Act Establishing a Tax Credit for Employers Making Education Loan Payments for Employees,” received bipartisan support, passing unanimously. This legislation will establish a tax credit for employers who make education loan payments for their employees. Student loan debt is crushing many young people across our country and state and the ripple effect is harming our economy. Currently, the average college graduate in our state owes over $38,000 in student loan debt. To alleviate the crisis of exorbitant student loan debt, this legislation will incentivize employers who make student loan payments for their employees by providing a tax credit. The tax credit will be equal to half of the amount of the monthly loan payment made and multiplied by the number of months the employer made payments during that taxable year.

SB 607 – “An Act Concerning Apprenticeships Pathways to Earning a Bachelor’s Degree,” received bipartisan support and passed unanimously. In addition to creating apprenticeship pathways to receiving a Bachelor’s Degree, there will also be some coursework for students. The foundation of this legislation is all about opening up the pool of individuals who can earn a Bachelor’s if they determine college in the traditional sense is not for them. By 2025, over 70% of the jobs in Connecticut will require a post-secondary credential. This is crucial legislation to ensure our young people can thrive in this rapidly evolving economy.

SB 746 – An Act Establishing the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Foundation and Creating a Business Tax Credit passed by a convincing 16-6 vote. This bill will establish the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Foundation and create a business tax credit. Businesses that donate to the foundation will receive a 50 percent tax credit. Tax credits will be capped at $27 million. The Roberta B. Willis Scholarship is a need-based grant program with 31 participating higher education institutions, including the University of Connecticut, the University of New Haven, Quinnipiac University and Gateway Community College. Priority for the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship is given to individuals who are least able to afford college expenses.