Month: May 2019

Senator Anwar Releases Statement After Attending Tuesday Stop The Bans Rally

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Senator Anwar Releases Statement After Attending Tuesday Stop The Bans Rally

HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) issued the following statement after attending Tuesday’s “Stop The Bans” rally on the State Capitol’s front steps. The emergency rally comes as part of a national day of action in response to recent restrictive bans on abortion and abortion access passed and discussed in states including Alabama, Georgia, Ohio and Mississippi.

“It is hard to believe that in 2019, we are having conversations that we addressed as a society more than 40 years ago,” said Sen. Anwar. “We have a collective responsibility to make sure everyone’s rights are protected and, in the state of Connecticut, we need to send a strong message that we will not allow the rights of women to be restricted. As a physician, I strongly feel the healthcare decisions made between a woman and her physician are between them, and legislators have no business interfering in their personal decision.”

 

Senator Anwar Joins Senate Passage To Create Certification Program For Community Health Workers

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Senator Anwar Joins Senate Passage To Create Certification Program For Community Health Workers

HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined the Senate’s passage of legislation that would create a certification program for community health workers. Starting in 2020, this program will ensure public health workers who organize access between communities and healthcare and social services are certified to perform that role adequately.

“I am excited at the passage of the bill that will create a certification program for community health workers, or CHWs,” said Sen. Anwar. “The CHWs are public health outreach professionals from the community who have a deeper understanding of a community’s experience, language, culture, and socioeconomic needs, who can serve as liaisons between community members and health care and social service providers and can help with care coordination of the communities. They will help strengthen the communities overall health, especially the underserved segments in our State.”

Senate Bill No. 859, “An Act Concerning Community Health Workers,” would create a certification program for public health professionals who work to support their communities through connecting individuals with healthcare and social services and educating individuals on health knowledge and self-protection. The Department of Public Health would be charged with creating a certification program by the start of 2020, though details on education level, training or fee requirements are not certified in the bill.

The bill previously passed the Public Health and Appropriations Committees and received support in public testimony from dozens of professionals as well as the Office of Health Strategy, Department of Public Health, Connecticut Hospital Association, Connecticut Nurses Association, Connecticut Public Health Association and the Community Health Center Association of Connecticut. Supporters mentioned benefits from the bill that range from creating a framework that could lead to a more sustainable model of funding for community health workers in the future to improving health outcomes for Connecticut residents.

 

Senator Looney Toll Announcement Statement

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Senator Looney Toll Announcement Statement

“The Senate Democratic caucus remains committed to developing a responsible, long-term plan to invest in Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure and broad-based economic development,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Looney. “I want to thank Governor Lamont, Senator Leone, and Representative Lemar for their work on this major issue and I look forward to continuing this discussion in a special session. I am hopeful that a special session will allow for us to find a bipartisan solution to solving Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure problems and thereby promote economic development.”

 

Sen. Osten Statement on High Cost of Republican ‘Prioritize Progress’ Plan

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Sen. Osten Statement on High Cost of Republican ‘Prioritize Progress’ Plan

HARTFORD – State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) issued the following statement today on the non-partisan Office of Fiscal Analysis cost estimate of the Connecticut Republicans’ Senate Bill 1121, their “Prioritize Progress” road and bridge repair proposal:

“The cost of the Republican proposal to even begin fixing our backlog of necessary road and bridge repairs is so outrageously expensive as to be a non-starter.

“OFA has determined that the Republican $21.7 billion borrowing plan – let’s call it what it is – will end up costing Connecticut taxpayers a total of $35.4 billion over 30 years when you add in another $13.7 billion in interest charges. That’s nearly $3,400 in interest charges alone for every man, woman and child in Connecticut. For a family of four, that’s more than a year of tuition, room and board at a Connecticut state university.

“The Republican argument that Connecticut should continue to borrow more money, and not less, or that Connecticut should sacrifice investments in economic development, local school construction or higher education improvements for the sake of a campaign talking point, that argument falls flat from a political party with a history of decrying borrowing and ‘putting things on the credit card.’ This fiscal note must be a real bucket of cold water for them.

“The Republican proposal is especially untenable when you consider that the cost of electronic tolls for Connecticut residents over the same time period is only about one-third the cost of the Republican alternative. Poll after poll shows public support in Connecticut for electronic tolls if the money is used for road and bridge repair and congestion mitigation, and that’s exactly what we plan to do. I think today’s report from OFA has ended any argument for the Republican option and has only confirmed the wisdom and fiscal responsibility of e-tolls on limited highways.”

The full OFA analysis can be found here: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2019&bill_num=1121

Sen. Osten Statement on CBIA Opposition to Tolls

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Sen. Osten Statement on CBIA Opposition to Tolls

HARTFORD – State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) issued the following statement today in reaction to the CBIA’s stated opposition to instituting tolls in Connecticut, despite its admission that its own members believe that tolls are an acceptable method of funding much-needed highway and bridge repairs:

“Today, to its everlasting shame, the Connecticut Business and Industry Association surrendered its role as a representative of Connecticut’s business community. The CBIA should be the public policy servant of Connecticut businesses. It is not representing its members’ wishes.”

Senator Abrams Leads Senate Passage To Create Certification Program For Community Health Workers

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Senator Abrams Leads Senate Passage To Create Certification Program For Community Health Workers

HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Mary Daugherty Abrams (D- Meriden, Middlefield, Rockfall, Middletown, Cheshire) led the Senate’s passage of legislation that would create a certification program for community health workers. Starting in 2020, this program will ensure public health workers who organize access between communities and healthcare and social services are certified to perform that role adequately.

“By ensuring that community health workers are certified, showing the extent of their hard work and proving they are prepared and ready to help their communities, we acknowledge the extent of their hard work and contributions to their communities,” said Sen. Abrams. “Community health workers are public health outreach professionals with in-depth understanding of their communities’ experience, language, culture and socioeconomic needs. They serve as liasons between community members and health care and social service providers and provide a range of services, including outreach, advocacy and care coordination. At least nine states have training and certification programs already, including our neighbors Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Studies show that every dollar invested in community health workers returns between $1.12 and $2.40 in returns on financial investment. I’m looking forward to this legislation reaching the House floor.”

Senate Bill No. 859, “An Act Concerning Community Health Workers,” concerns creating a certification program for public health professionals who work to support their communities through connecting individuals with healthcare and social services and educating individuals on health knowledge and self-protection. The Department of Public Health would be charged with creating a certification program by the start of 2020.

The bill previously passed the Public Health and Appropriations Committees and received support in public testimony from dozens of professionals as well as the Office of Health Strategy, Department of Public Health, Connecticut Hospital Association, Connecticut Nurses Association, Connecticut Public Health Association and the Community Health Center Association of Connecticut. Supporters mentioned benefits from the bill that range from creating a framework that could lead to a more sustainable model of funding for community health workers in the future to improving health outcomes for Connecticut residents.

 

Moore Honored With Bridgeport Generation Now Civic Hero Award

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Moore Honored With Bridgeport Generation Now Civic Hero Award

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HARTFORD, CT – On Friday, May 17, Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) was honored with the Civic Hero Award at the first annual Bridgeport Generation Now fundraiser. The organization defines a civic hero as someone who works to make a difference in the civic life of the Bridgeport community and practices intersectionality, collective action, openness, ethics, and love.

“I’m honored to be recognized with this award,” said Senator Moore. “Bridgeport Generation Now is an innovative movement that hones the power of grassroots organizing. This new, non-partisan organization engages in extraordinarily important education in the community on civic engagement. I am truly impressed by the values of Generation Now and I work hard to personify what they stand for.”

“It’s exciting to see young people speaking up and advocating for increased civic engagement, more accountability from their elected leaders, and a more just and equitable Bridgeport community,” Senator Moore continued. “I’m looking forward to helping them advance their mission and message in any way I can.”

Bridgeport Generation Now is a nonpartisan, grassroots social action network that empowers and unites communities by increasing civic engagement. The organization encourages residents and youth to take an active role in strengthening Bridgeport and focuses on policy research, civic and political education, and community organizing.

Cohen-Introduced Legislation to Allow Cideries with a Manufacturers Permit to Sell Hard Cider by the Glass Passes State Senate

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Cohen-Introduced Legislation to
Allow Cideries with a Manufacturers Permit to Sell Hard Cider by the Glass Passes State Senate

HARTFORD, CT – State Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford) applauded the state Senate’s passage of legislation she introduced a bill that will enable cideries that hold a manufacturer’s permit to sell their hard cider by the glass. Additionally, this legislation will allow those with a manufacturer’s permit to also hold a catering liquor permit to allow for the catering of their products offsite. Sen. Cohen, the co-chair of the Environment Committee led debate on the floor which ultimately led to a bipartisan passage by a 26-7 vote.

“This pro-business legislation will create opportunities and update an antiquated liquor law,” said Sen. Cohen. “By providing the option for those that hold a manufacturer’s permit to also hold a liquor catering permit, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to try Connecticut-made products at various events and venues. Additionally, allowing cideries to sell their product by the glass provides equity in an industry where wineries and breweries already have the ability to sell by the glass”

Senate Bill 1000, “An Act Concerning Apple Assessments” also responds to the request of the Department of Agriculture (DoAg) in collaboration with the Connecticut Apple Marketing Board to create equity around apple assessments. Apple growers who produce in excess of 1,000 bushels pay a fee based on their yield. This fee is used to market and promote Connecticut-grown fruit and encourage tourism at orchards. An imbalance occurs and the top six growers pay the bulk of the advertising while all orchards reap the benefits. All growers came together in agreement that the minimum assessment should be $100 for those producing over 1,000 first sale units.

“This piece of the bill was born of a cooperative effort between DoAg and the apple growers across the state,” said Sen. Cohen. “These important contributions result in essential marketing and exposure for the apple industry and thus positive economic outcomes for apple producers across the state.”

Prior to passage in the Senate, this legislative proposal advanced out of the Environment Committee by a 20 to 8 vote. It now heads to the state House of Representatives for further action. If signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont, this law will go into effect on July 1, 2019.

Sen. Maroney Supports Senate Passage of Bill to Raise Connecticut’s Minimum Wage

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Sen. Maroney Supports Senate Passage of Bill to Raise Connecticut’s Minimum Wage

HARTFORD, CT – This week, state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) applauded the passage of a bill designed to raise Connecticut’s hourly minimum wage to $15 an hour in five yearly steps by June 1, 2023 – a change that will benefit a third of a million state residents, or nearly a third of Connecticut’s workforce.

The legislation passed by a 21-14 vote and now awaits a signature from Governor Ned Lamont to become law. The bill previously passed the state House of Representatives by an 85-59 vote.

After June 1, 2023, the bill would index Connecticut’s hourly minimum wage to changes in the federal Employment Cost Index. The first minimum wage increase will take effect on October 1 of this year.

“Our nation currently has the third lowest minimum wage of all the developed countries,” said Sen. Maroney. “As the cost of living rises, we must do something to ensure people can earn an honest living and take care of themselves and their families. Additionally, this minimum wage increase will not hinder the growth of our state’s economy. Research shows that the minimum wage should be between 50 and 60 percent of the median income for the area. Raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2023 will keep up with our state’s median income increases and will not put our state’s businesses at risk.”

Increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour is a popular public policy with Connecticut residents: an August 2018 Quinnipiac University poll of more than 1,000 Connecticut residents found that nearly two-thirds (63%) support increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour, including 73% of women, 67% of people over age 67, 65% of people ages 18-24, 56% of unaffiliated voters, and 33% of Republicans.

SUMMARY:

House Bill 5004, “AN ACT INCREASING THE MINIMUM FAIR WAGE,” increases Connecticut’s hourly minimum wage from the current $10.10 per hour to:

  • $11.00 on October 1, 2019
  • $12.00 on September 1, 2020
  • $13.00 on August 1, 2021
  • $14.00 on July 1, 2022
  • $15.00 on June 1, 2023

Tip Credit:

Current state law provides a “tip credit” to employers of hotel and restaurant staff and to bartenders who customarily receive tips. The tip credit allows employers to count these employee tips as a percentage of their minimum wage requirement, thus reducing the employer’s share of the minimum wage — as long as the tips make up the difference.

The new minimum wage bill freezes the employer’s share of these employees’ minimum wage requirement at their current values ($6.38 for hotel and restaurant staff, and $8.23 for bartenders), but the bill also requires the tip credit’s value to correspondingly increase to make up for the difference between the employer’s share and the bill’s minimum wage increases. Thus, it allows employers to count these employees’ tips towards the difference between the employer’s share and the increasing minimum wage, as long as the tips make up the difference.

Training / Youth Wage:

Today’s minimum wage bill also addresses the issue of so-called training or youth wages. Starting October 1, 2019, the bill changes the “training wage” that employers may pay to learners, beginners, and people under age 18. Current state law generally allows employers to pay these employees as low as 85% of the regular minimum wage for their first 200 hours of employment. Today’s bill eliminates the training wage exceptions for learners and beginners, and now limits the training wage only to people under age 18 (except for emancipated minors.) Thus, today’s bill requires learners and beginners who are at least age 18 to be paid the full minimum wage.

Today’s bill also requires the training wage to be the greater of $10.10 or 85% of the minimum wage, and it allows employers to pay the training wage to people under age 18 for the first 90 days, rather than 200 hours, of their employment.

ECI Indexing:

Starting on January 1, 2024, and on each January 1 every year after that, the bill requires the minimum wage to be adjusted by the percent change in the federal Employment Cost Index (ECI) for all civilian workers’ wages and salaries over the 12-month period ending on June 30 of the preceding year, as calculated by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A history of the ECI can be found here: https://www.bls.gov/ncs/ncspubs.htm#tabs-2

Sen. Maroney Highlights Funding for Veteran Job Training and Job Placement Program in Democratic State Budget

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Sen. Maroney Highlights Funding for Veteran Job Training
and Job Placement Program in Democratic State Budget

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MILFORD, CT – This week, state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) toured Bead Industries and met with manufacturing industry professionals to highlight a program he introduced this legislative session which will help veterans receive quality job training and find good manufacturing jobs. The Military to Machinist Program has also been included in the proposed Democratic budget.

“I am pleased to see that this program will be funded under the proposed Democratic budget,” said Sen. Maroney. “Making the transition from a military career to a civilian career can be very difficult and this program aims to not only make that transition easier, but also to ensure that our veterans are thriving in new manufacturing careers. This legislation will also help the manufacturing industry in Connecticut by introducing a pool of qualified, eager employees to further strengthen our state’s manufacturing industry and economy.”

The Democratic budget will provide $250,000 each year for the Military to Machinist Program. The Democratic budget passed the Appropriations Committee and Finance Committee mandated committee deadline.

Under Senate Bill 968, the Military to Machinist Program will accomplish the following:

  • Assist veterans in earning an advanced manufacturing certificate from a qualifying certificate program of an institution of higher education.
  • Certificate holders will also be aided in finding employment with any eligible business* in the advanced manufacturing field.
  • In addition, the bill creates a special Veterans Platform to Employment program that will assist long termed unemployed veterans in gaining employment.

*Connecticut businesses in good standing regarding state and local tax payments are considered eligible businesses.

Steven Kennedy the Connecticut Team Leader at the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Joe Carbone, President and CEO of The Workplace which will run the program, both agreed the prospects for this program are limitless. Carbone said this legislation will be advantageous to the manufacturing industry in Connecticut.

“Manufacturing is experiencing resurgence and employers require a skilled and knowledgeable workforce. This initiative will provide veterans with industry specific skills needed to succeed in manufacturing careers,” said Carbone. “Teamwork, communication and critical thinking skills are essential to manufacturing and we will help veterans demonstrate their skills and talents translate from military service.”

Kennedy added that many veterans will benefit greatly from this program, making the transition from a military career to a civilian career more seamless and less arduous.

“The transition from the military can be incredibly challenging. In addition to losing the strong social support provided by a military unit, the hard skills that some veterans gain during their military service do not necessarily translate well to civilian careers,” said Kennedy. “We are very glad to see SB 968 enjoying bipartisan support, in recognition of the great value that veterans can add to any market when they receive the proper training. Our returning veterans have a demonstrated commitment to service and have demonstrated the ability to adapt and excel under extremely difficult circumstances. Connecticut’s high-tech manufacturers have consistently expressed a need for skilled workers, and taking advantage of veterans’ skills and experience can allow veterans to build their futures here in Connecticut while continuing to drive our state’s economy forward. We applaud the Veterans’ Affairs Committee for pushing this bill forward and urge the Senate and House to adopt it.”

The bill awaits state Senate action after passing the Veterans’ Affairs Committee in a bipartisan, unanimous vote on March 12.

Other Highlights of the Democratic State Budget

Investing in Workforce Development

  • Provides greater funding than the Governor proposed for several workforce development programs including:
    • Jobs Funnel Programs ($632K each year)
    • Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative ($1.1 M each year)
    • Healthcare Apprenticeship Initiative ($500K each year)
    • Connecticut’s Youth Employment Program ($1 M each year)
    • Cradle to Career ($100K each year)
    • Pilot Re-Entry Program ($800K each year)
    • Veteran Machinists Training ($250K each year)

Advancing Education

  • Increases funding for K-12 education by tens of millions of dollars from FY 19 ($42 million in FY 20 & $80 million in FY 21)
  • Fully funds the ECS formula as required under the ten year phase-in adopted by the bipartisan budget in 2017.
  • Increases funding for community colleges from FY 19 ($8 million in FY 20 & $10 million in FY 21)

Supporting Connecticut Families

  • Includes funding to support the implementation of an increase in the minimum wage
  • Funds the creation of a Paid Family Medical Leave program
  • Funds a public health care insurance option for families and small businesses

Safeguarding Seniors

  • Provides funding for the Center for Medicare Advocacy ($300K in each year)
  • Increases funding for Meals on Wheels ($475K in each year)

Other Investments

  • Includes funding for Juvenile Justice Outreach ($11.7 M in FY 20 and $10.2 M in FY 21)
  • Funds services for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities including employment and day services for new high school graduates ($6.3 M in FY 20 and $14.6 M in FY 21) as well as individuals aging out of the Department of Children and Families and residential schools ($3 M in FY 20 and $5.7 M in FY 21)
  • Preserves funding for mental health and substance abuse grants ($1.6 M in each year)
  • Provides funding for caseload growth in the Birth to Three program ($1.4 M in FY 20 and $2 M in FY 21)
  • Includes funding for a new State Trooper Class in FY 20
  • Provides funding to staff Welcome Centers and restore the hours of operation at the Rest Areas on our highways