Month: March 2019

Senator Haskell Lauds Governor Lamont’s Amended Education Proposal, Credits Collaborative Approach

HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) lauded Governor Ned Lamont’s announcement that he has amended his proposal regarding the promotion of shared services in Connecticut, removing any language that would mandate school regionalization and instead emphasizing options for collaborative cost savings. This change comes after public opposition to earlier proposals and discussion between Sen. Haskell and Gov. Lamont on this important issue.

The Governor’s office announced Wednesday that its new proposal addresses concerns raised by Connecticut’s communities. It encourages collaboration and shared services among schools while taking into consideration constituents’ wishes against forced consolidation. The Governor’s new legislation uses school construction bonds, among other funds, to incentivize cost savings, but it does not force regionalization. Revised language in the Governor’s proposal emphasizes that the bipartisan commission on shared services will include appointees from six different regions of the state, ensuring geographic diversity and real representation on this important issue. It also underlines that any recommendations made by that commission would not be binding, and eliminates consideration of redistricting or forced regionalization.

“The truth is that our students and teachers are not getting the adequate resources they need in the classroom,” Gov. Lamont said. “Sharing certain back-office administrative services and purchasing costs is more efficient for certain schools, and my bill is intended to highlight and incentivize those efficiencies. I’ve also heard the concern that school districts need independence to make the decisions they feel are best. My revised proposal seeks to strike that balance through a collaborative process that preserves the feisty independence of our towns while providing them the tools they need to accomplish our shared vision of focusing resources on the classroom.”

Sen. Haskell has opposed legislation mandating regionalization since it was announced earlier this year, and he credits the Governor’s amendment to open collaboration. Sen. Haskell met several times with Gov. Lamont and his administration, and the Governor visited Sen. Haskell’s district to meet with municipal leaders about this issue.

“I applaud Gov. Lamont for clarifying his approach toward school collaboration, and I am happy to see he understands the concerns of my constituents,” said Sen. Haskell. “At his budget address, the Governor said he would approach public policy with an open mind. He asked that instead of running to a microphone every time we disagree, we sit down and have a conversation. I did just that because I think that’s what real representation looks like. Our constituents aren’t well served when we simply say no. I’m grateful for all of my constituents who made their voices heard. I listened to their passion and knowledge and brought their perspective with me to Hartford. I look forward to continuing this discussion for the best possible outcome for our students. This is exactly what democracy looks like.”

Senator Haskell Votes for Voting Rights, Gun Violence Prevention, Immigration Rights

HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) voted for the progression of important legislation through several committees, moving it forward to the House and Senate floors. The pieces of legislation, several of which were introduced by Sen. Haskell, would allow for increased access to voting across Connecticut, put protections in place to prevent gun violence and establish a right to legal representation for immigrants undergoing federal removal proceedings.

The Government Administration & Elections Committee on Wednesday voted to advance several bills that would expand voting rights across Connecticut, including early voting, no-excuse absentee ballots and modernizing our election procedures. Senate Bill No. ___, introduced by Sen. Haskell, would allow voters to request an absentee ballot through a secure portal on the Secretary of State’s website. A second bill would give voters greater opportunity to make their voices heard by bringing early voting to Connecticut.

“As vice-chair of the Government Administration & Elections Committee, I am excited to have the opportunity to vote to advance these bills, which would make democracy more accessible,” said Sen. Haskell. “Given the serious issues we’re tackling in Connecticut, we need more voices engaged and involved in the discussion of public policy. Only 11 states don’t permit early voting, including Connecticut. We also require residents to jump through hoops to vote absentee. In my view, the solution is simple. If people can register to vote online, they should be able to request an absentee ballot online.”

Additionally on Wednesday, Sen. Haskell voted in the Judiciary Committee for several bills designed to reduce and prevent gun violence in Connecticut, moving them closer toward becoming law. Among the legislation approved were bills that would require firearms to be stored in locked safes while kept in homes with children and motor vehicles, require those openly carrying firearms to show permits to police if requested, and ban “ghost guns,” which do not have serial numbers and require homemade assembly.

“This legislation is built to reduce the number of lives tragically lost to gun violence every year across our state,” said Sen. Haskell. “According to Connecticut Against Gun Violence, keeping a gun locked lowers the risk of injury or death of children and teenagers by 73 percent. I applaud the Judiciary Committee for taking these issues seriously and working to keep our state safe. These bills are common sense. They keep firearms in secure locations, ensure gun owners remain responsible and help us fight back against new threats that pose a public safety risk. I’ve heard from families who have lost loved ones due to gun violence who support them. I’ve heard from police chiefs who support them. We must do what we can to save every life we can.”

The Judiciary Committee additionally moved forward legislation that supports the rights of immigrants by giving them access to legal counsel in federal removal proceedings and strengthening standing legislation to protect against overreach by enforcement officers.

“Connecticut’s state motto translates to ‘that which transplants sustains.’ It’s time we live up to that mission statement that recognizes the crucial role that immigrants of all ages play in the social and economic vibrancy of Connecticut,” said Sen. Haskell. “This bill puts protections in place so that immigrants will receive representation when they may be unable to represent themselves, and it closes loopholes in our current laws that can unfairly put these individuals at risk of deportation. I’m proud to live in a compassionate community and am honored today, as I am every day, to bring those values to Hartford.”