Month: September 2019

Sen. Osten: New Data Shows Manufacturing Pipeline Making a Difference in Eastern CT

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Sen. Osten: New Data Shows Manufacturing Pipeline Making a Difference in Eastern CT

State Senator Cathy Osten (D- Sprague) said today that new data released this week at the Eastern Workforce Investment Board meeting and at the Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance annual meeting shows investments in workforce pipeline training are paying off handsomely for eastern Connecticut: the region saw manufacturing job growth increase by 11.3% from 2015 to 2019, which is four times the state average and more than twice the national average.

In fact, two-thirds of all manufacturing employment growth in Connecticut over that time period occurred in the 41 EWIB towns in eastern Connecticut that range from Union and Thompson to Stonington, Old Lyme, Colchester and Coventry.

“Ten years ago, eastern Connecticut had the ninth-worst labor market in America. Now we have the 13th best. That’s a big deal, and it’s because we have used state workforce dollars to increase employment and reduce unemployment,” said Sen. Osten, who is Senate Chair of the Appropriations Committee and a longtime supporter of the legislature’s various manufacturing pipeline initiatives. “I and others have supported and defended millions of dollars in state spending to keep people learning trades and working and making manufacturers profitable in Eastern Connecticut. It has been successful, but we have to continue our investments because the need for manufacturing jobs in Connecticut is great and it’s growing.”

“When you take a step back and consider the regional coordination required to fuel a region that has catapulted to 13 of 380 areas across the country when it comes to manufacturing growth, you get a real appreciation for the dedication of the 30 or so partners that we get to work with for the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative,” said EWIB President and CEO John Beauregard. “The MPI has completed 61 training classes and made 1,500 job placements in the past three years. When the partners selected Senator Osten for their State Legislative Champion recognition, I think we all felt that the sustainability of the initiative was key to our region’s economic future, and Senator Osten was illustrating that understanding through her leadership in Hartford. Collectively, we all share the opinion that we’re just scratching the surface and, with continued funding, we’re looking for similar results in the future.”

“Our Board is very appreciative of the State of Connecticut for its investment and commitment to the MPI,” said Mark Hill, EWIB Chief Operating Officer. “State investments have allowed our team to take the program to another level to benefit our community and workforce. Eighty percent of our placements are people without formal manufacturing experience, yet employers report they perform extremely well on the job. These people are getting an opportunity thanks to the leadership of the State of Connecticut. The MPI has proven adept at finding talent and producing a ‘win-win’ for our employers and jobseekers”.

The Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board (EWIB) is a non-profit agency mandated through the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. The EWIB oversees a network of workforce-related programs funded from a variety of sources including the operations of the region’s American Job Centers.

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, which evaluates the regional workforce investment system. The private sector majority Board is comprised of representatives from regional businesses, state agencies, organized labor, and local educational institutions. The EWIB works to identify the changing needs among employers and workers in its 41 town service delivery area. It develops a strategic consensus among community leaders to align training programs to meet the needs of local employers in a manner that keeps Eastern Connecticut at the forefront of industry and technology. It also is expanding the MPI across other Connecticut regions, most recently into the New Haven area.

Duff Appoints Norwalk Chief of Police to Task Force to Study Police Transparency and Accountability

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Duff Appoints Norwalk Chief of Police to Task Force to Study Police Transparency and Accountability

Today, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) announced that he has appointed Chief Thomas Kulhawik to the Task Force to Study Police Transparency and Accountability. Chief Kulhawik is the Chief of the Norwalk Police Department. The appointment is effective immediately and expires on December 31, 2020.

“Tom’s distinguished career of service with the Norwalk Police Department make him a great addition to the Task Force to Study Police Transparency and Accountability,” said Senator Duff. “It is critical that police departments across the state look to further ensure transparency and accountability, and I’m pleased that Chief Kulhawik will be able to contribute his voice and expertise towards achieving this goal.”

Chief Kulhawik has served as an officer with the Norwalk Police Department since 1983. He began as a patrol officer and was promoted to Detective in 1987, Sergeant in 1995, Lieutenant in 2000, Deputy Chief in 2007, and Chief of Police in July 2012. He has worked in all aspects of the department including patrol, narcotics, general investigations, and community policing.

“I thank Senator Duff for this appointment,” said Chief Kulhawik. “I am honored to have been asked to be a member of this Task Force. It is a very important topic and one which is also extremely important to me. I look forward to working with the other members over the next few months.”

The Task Force to Study Police Transparency and Accountability was established in 2019 by Public Act 19-90. The task force consists of 10 members who are appointed by the Speaker of the House and Senate President, as well as the undersecretary of the Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division, or the undersecretary’s designee, the Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, or the commissioner’s designee, and the Chief State’s Attorney, or the Chief State’s Attorney designee who are all non-voting members.

The task force needs to submit a preliminary report by no later than January 1, 2020, and a final report by no later than December 31, 2020, which should include its findings and any recommendations for legislation. The task force will terminate on the date it submits its final report or by December 31, 2020.

Chief Kulhawik received his B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Phoenix and his M.P.A from Post University. He graduated from the Connecticut Police Academy in October 1983 and attended an FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar in 2007 and the 58th session of the Senior Management Institute for Policing in 2014.

Senator Moore Supports $1 Million Small Cities Grant to Improve Trumbull Housing

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Senator Moore Supports $1 Million Small Cities Grant to Improve Trumbull Housing

Today, State Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) supported the announced release of over $1 million in grant funding that will assist renovations of a 36-unit housing rental project in Trumbull. The Governor’s office announced the grant Thursday as part of $13 million released to modernize and rehabilitate housing in towns across the state.

Trumbull will receive $1,072,234 in grant funding for the renovation of the Henry Stern Center, a 36-unit congregate housing rental project. Those renovations will include energy-efficient heating and ventilation upgrades and new equipment to reduce energy consumption including an energy efficient boiler, new individual unit temperature controls, a fresh air ventilation system and heat pump systems to better provide heat and air conditioning to all building spaces. The project will also include bathroom accessibility improvements.

“I welcome this grant funding, which will directly benefit the Trumbull community,” said Sen. Moore. “These buildings are decades old, and they require significant upgrades; the grant funding will provide a better quality of life to everyone living there. I thank the Governor and his administration for their hard work in securing this funding.”

According to the Connecticut Post, the Stern housing complex dates back to 1970, and this funding is key to support residents of the 36 units, who have difficulties performing daily activities.

Senator Hartley, Representative Simmons Receive Legislative Partner Award From New Haven Chamber of Commerce

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Senator Hartley, Representative Simmons Receive Legislative Partner Award From New Haven Chamber of Commerce

NEW HAVEN – State Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury) and State Representative Caroline Simmons (D-Stamford) were awarded the Legislative Partnership Award Thursday by the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. As part of the Chamber’s 2019 Business Leadership Awards Luncheon, an event that annually recognizes local individuals and businesses for their exemplary leadership skills, the legislators received the award for their work in passing landmark legislation which will streamline the Property Transfer Act.

“I am grateful to the Chamber in awarding myself and Representative Simmons with this prestigious honor,” said Sen. Hartley. “We are dedicated to improving business and environmental prospects that can spur development in our communities. We recognize that achieving that goal requires significant collaboration between the regulated and business communities.”

Sen. Hartley and Rep. Simmons were recognized Thursday for their work and partnership in the Transfer Act Working Group. This group, which will meet through February 2020, is chaired by Sen. Hartley with the goal of clarifying the state’s Property Transfer Act, which has become outdated. The existing Transfer Act is intended to address environmental clean-up; however with changing technology and environmental processes, the act in many instances, results in a negative effect on economic growth. By modernizing the Transfer Act, legislators hope to spur significant business development and growth by removing complicated guidelines.

Sen. Abrams, Cheshire Superintendent Solan Address Vaping Epidemic, Call For More Action In 202

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Sen. Abrams, Cheshire Superintendent Solan Address Vaping Epidemic, Call For More Action In 2020

CHESHIRE – Today, State Senator Mary Daugherty Abrams (D- D-Meriden, Middlefield, Rockfall, Middletown, Cheshire), Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, stood with Cheshire Superintendent Jeffrey Solan and American Cancer Society Connecticut Government Relations Director Bryte Johnson to call for legislators to respond to the advancing vaping epidemic. With more than 500 individuals nationwide developing serious lung damage as a result of vaping, and at least seven deaths in six states attributed to vaping, Sen. Abrams called for legislation that would ban flavored vaping products, among other additional controls, to be addressed in the 2020 legislative session.

As Chair of the Public Health Committee, Sen. Abrams helped introduce legislation in 2019 that would raise the age of access for tobacco products from 18 to 21 and would ban flavored vaping products. Raising the age of access, also known as “Tobacco 21,” passed, but the flavored vaping ban did not.

“If we don’t act quickly, it is our children who will be paying the price for this in our lifetimes,” said Sen. Abrams, who said she supports a potential executive order by Governor Ned Lamont to place controls on vaping sales. In Massachusetts, Governor Charlie Baker issued a four-month moratorium on sales of all e-cigarette products. She continues to support a ban on flavored vaping products and would support legislation limiting where vaping products can be sold, up to banning vaping products entirely.

“I am a former high school administrator, and when I began, I saw what this was doing in our schools with our young people,” said Sen. Abrams. “Since that time, in a 2018 survey of youth tobacco use, seniors reported a 50 percent growth in their use of vaping. It’s become exponentially more important that we address this crisis and protect our youth. Vaping, particularly with flavors, has targeted them because if they can get them at a young age, they’ll be addicted for life. This is a life-altering, life-threatening situation that we must be just as aggressive in responding to as they are in marketing. We do not know what is in the vaping products, and we don’t need to find out before taking action. More than 500 injuries and illnesses have been reported nationwide – 16 percent are children under the age of 18. When vaping first came out, it was advertised as a way to get off tobacco. In fact, that’s not the case. It’s not been proven whether it’s safer than tobacco. The FDA has not released results and is not regulating it. Parents need to have all of that information.”

“Educators across America are deeply concerned by the number of young people unwittingly turning to vaping thinking it’s a healthy alternative to smoking,” said Superintendent Solan. “Like many school systems, Cheshire has committed incredible resources to educate students, and the community, about the dangers of vaping. Anything that can be done to make vaping less alluring and more difficult for children is something I will always support. As a parent and an educator, I really appreciate this legislation moving forward and thank all of our legislators in advance for giving this topic the time and attention it deserves.”

“This topic will be debated heavily in the upcoming session and I wanted to commend the Public Health Committee, its chairs Sen. Abrams and Representative Steinberg, as well as all other proponents of legislation regulating e-cigarettes,” said Johnson. “The state needs to act now. The FDA needs to act now. Another issue that needs to be discussed is that the state woefully lags in tobacco control funding. We have not funded tobacco control outside of enforcement since 2015. This problem has exploded in part because of that. Parents, teachers, students are looking for educational information and we need to fund those programs.”

Sen. Abrams announced Thursday she will host a forum on vaping at Cheshire Town Hall’s Council Chambers on October 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The forum is designed to discuss the topic and hear from local parents, students, educators and others who have personal experience with vaping to better inform the community.

 

Senator Duff Announces New Tax Cuts for Seniors

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Senator Duff Announces New Tax Cuts for Seniors

HARTFORD, CT – TODAY, at the Norwalk Senior Center Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) announced new tax cuts for seniors in the recent state budget that will go into effect on Tuesday, October 1.

Seniors who make $75,000 or less per year in retirement will owe zero state income tax on their Social Security earnings in April 2020. This also applies to married couples who make less than $100,000 per year. Pension and annuity income will be partially exempt from state income tax and 14% of this income is exempt in 2019, for next April’s taxes. 28% of this income will be exempt the following year and the tax cut will increase every year until 100% is exempt in 2025.

Senator Anwar Shares Safety Tips, Pest Control Scheduling Amid Risk of Eastern Equine Encephalitis

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Senator Anwar Shares Safety Tips, Pest Control Scheduling Amid Risk of Eastern Equine Encephalitis

With increased local risk of contracting the virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis, also known as EEE after the confirmation that a mosquito in South Windsor was infected with it, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) advises residents of the 3rd Senate District to take precautions and protect themselves. While rare in humans, this year has seen increased EEE activity state-wide, emphasizing the need to take precautions. According to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, a mosquito trapped on Burgess Road tested positive for the virus on Sept. 17.

While normally considered rare, with an average of seven cases reported per year, EEE, can be seriously life-threatening, according to the DPH. However, there are many ways to lower risk of contracting EEE, with the most prominent being preventing mosquito bites. The DPH recommends taking the following precautions to reduce risk of EEE:

  • Use insect repellent. This product, when used as directed, can protect all individuals from insect bites.
  • Cover up when outside, wearing long sleeves and long pants.
  • Prevent insects from entering your home using air conditioning, window screens or door screens.
  • Limit outdoor exposure of infants and children.

Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control advises that mosquitos are most active in the early morning and evening. If possible, limit time outdoors during those periods of time. The EEE threat will remain active until nightly temperatures drop low enough for frost, which generally occurs in early-to-mid October.

Due to the increased risk of EEE, several local towns and schools have additionally made adjustments to regular schedules to keep residents safe. According to news reports, South Windsor already started spraying pest repellants in local parks and may administer the repellants around schools. The town also announced that all outdoor town facilities and parks will close daily at 5:30 p.m. until the “first hard frost of the season,” and that town and education officials consulted the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to determine effective treatment for parks and schools. The Parks Department announced it will treat standing water and detention basins in town in addition to planned mosquito spraying.

Other towns across the state have already worked to use pest repellants and reschedule outdoor activities to earlier in the day to avoid exposing students during periods of high insect activity. For more information, please contact your local town hall.

 

In Light of EEE Deaths, Coalition of Senators and Representatives Led by Sens. Needleman and Formica Asks Governor to Study Spraying Pesticides in Heavily Impacted Areas

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In Light of EEE Deaths, Coalition of Senators and Representatives Led by Sens. Needleman and Formica Asks Governor to Study Spraying Pesticides in Heavily Impacted Areas

HARTFORD – Today, in light of continuing concerns over the spread of the virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis, a coalition of legislators led by State Senators Norm Needleman (D-Essex) and Paul Formica (R-East Lyme) addressed a letter to Governor Ned Lamont, requesting for his administration to review and consider selective use of mosquito pesticides in areas with high EEE activity. This week, a second Shoreline resident passed away after contracting EEE; the elected officials believe more could be done to protect the public before the threat fully subsides.

“I am heartened by this bipartisan effort to help protect Connecticut residents,” said Sen. Needleman. “While we are grateful for the efforts the Governor’s administration has taken to address this crisis, we believe that selective use of pesticides within reason could help prevent future infections among the public. With weeks until the first frost, it’s not enough to simply ask people to stay indoors. If this effort could save even a single life, especially in our more vulnerable populations, it would be worthwhile.”

Legislators who signed the letter include State Senators Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) and Heather Somers (R-Groton) and State Representatives Tim Ackert (R-Coventry), Devin Carney (R-Old Saybrook), Christie Carpino (R-Cromwell), Holly Cheeseman (R-Niantic), Christine Conley (D-Groton), Joe de la Cruz (D-Groton), Mike France (R-Ledyard), Robin Green (R-Marlborough), Irene Haines (R-East Hampton), Jesse MacLachlan (R-Westbrook), Kathleen McCarty (R-Waterford), Anthony Nolan (D-New London), Linda Orange (D-Colchester), Emmett Riley (D-Norwich), Kate Rotella (D-North Stonington) and Kevin Ryan (D-Montville).

Recognizing the administration’s efforts so far to inform and educate the public about the virus, including releasing information about preventing exposure to the disease, the lawmakers feel the recent fatalities make a more urgent response necessary. While the threat will subside naturally upon the approach of the first frost, officials note that statewide low temperatures are not likely to drop below 40 degrees through mid-October, leaving individuals at risk.

Citing a Hartford Courant article noting the state previously sprayed during a concerning outbreak in 1996, the officials asked Governor Lamont to review the potential effectiveness of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection using aerial insecticide to reduce mosquito populations. At the same time, legislators recognize that they do not wish to create unnecessary panic, simply stating that if such an effort saves a single life, it would be worth undertaking.

The text of the full letter follows:
____________

Dear Governor Lamont,

We are appreciative of your administration’s efforts to far to inform and educate the public about the dangers of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and how they can best protect themselves from mosquitos. The virus itself, while normally rare, appears to be spreading at a faster and further rate than normally seen; being cautious and letting our state’s residents know what practices to avoid is a key step toward preventing its further spread.

While we recognize that prevention is an important step of keeping the public safe, we are also concerned about the volatility of the virus. With two constituents on the Shoreline having already passed away after contracting EEE, we feel that it may not be enough to simply advise the public to avoid times when mosquitos are most active. Weather reports indicate that statewide low temperatures are not expected to drop below 40 degrees through at least the next two weeks; waiting for a first frost to naturally kill mosquitos is a luxury we may not be able to afford. In that time, more individuals will be at risk of contracting the virus.

We hearby would like to request that the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection review the potential effectiveness of selective aerial insecticide spraying in areas of the state with high concentrations of EEE. According to the Hartford Courant, in 1996, the last time the state experienced a significant outbreak of the virus, aerial spraying was deployed in impacted regions of the state. With several weeks remaining until the outbreak will naturally end, we believe this spraying would give additional peace of mind to families across Connecticut.

In saying this, we recognize that we do not wish to cause unnecessary panic. The risk of EEE remains low and we understand that numbers are declining. At the same time, if further prevention efforts can save even one more life or prevent even one individual from becoming sick, we believe they would be valuable and worthwhile. Every one of our constituents deserves security in light of this public health risk.

Sincerely
State Senator Norm Needleman
State Senator Paul Formica
State Senator Cathy Osten
State Senator Heather Somers
Stare Representative Devin Carney
Stare Representative Holly Cheeseman
Stare Representative Linda Orange
Stare Representative Kevin Ryan
Stare Representative Irene Haines
Stare Representative Christie Carpino
Stare Representative Anthony Nolan
Stare Representative Jesse MacLachlan
Stare Representative Kathleen McCarty
Stare Representative Joe de la Cruz
Stare Representative Christine Conley
Stare Representative Kate Rotella
Stare Representative Mike France
Stare Representative Emmett Riley
Stare Representative Robin Green
Stare Representative Tim Ackert

Department of Revenue Services Changes Interpretation of ‘Grocery Tax’ After Pressure From Senate

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Department of Revenue Services Changes Interpretation of ‘Grocery Tax’ After Pressure From Senate

Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) applauded an announcement made late last week by the Department of Revenue Services, stating the department was revising its initial interpretation of language included in the 2019-2020 biannual state budget. Recently referred to by members of the media as a “grocery tax,” the language in question intended to increase the 6.35 percent tax levied on prepared foods in restaurants and grocery stores to 7.35 percent. After the DRS broadened the scope of the language to include many items never intended to be taxed, the department made revisions in response to queries from government officials.

“This language in the state budget was never intended to create a ‘grocery tax,’ and as such, we told state leaders and the DRS to reassess it. Their interpretation couldn’t have been farther from what we envisioned,” said Sen. Needleman. “I am grateful for my colleagues joining me in asking for a change in policy, as the Governor’s administration rightly listened to us and reverted the ‘tax.’ Connecticut’s sales tax rarely involves groceries, and we intend to keep it that way. We do not tax groceries, unlike 14 other states, because we need to protect Connecticut families and keep money in their pockets.”
Earlier this year, legislators worked to develop a slight increase in the “meals tax,” increasing the charge on prepared meals from 6.35 percent to 7.35 percent. This language was intended to only increase that charge on a meal or product sold at an eating establishment, caterer or grocery store. When reviewed by DRS, the language was misinterpreted due to the use of the word “grocery store” and applied to a wider group of food products than intended. According to a letter sent by DRS Commissioner Scott D. Jackson on September 19, the DRS misread the intent, as the General Assembly’s language and intent “did not expand the applicability of the tax.”

This is the second time this year Senator Needleman fought back against a proposed “grocery tax.” Late last year, the bipartisan Commission on Fiscal Stability and Economic Competitiveness made a recommendation to the Governor’s office of taxing groceries 2 percent. This is a proposal that Senator Needleman does not support.

Department Of Revenue Services Changes Interpretation Of ‘Grocery Tax’ After Pressure From Senate

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Department Of Revenue Services Changes Interpretation Of ‘Grocery Tax’ After Pressure From Senate

Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) applauded an announcement made late last week by the Department of Revenue Services, stating the department was revising its initial interpretation of language included in the 2019-2020 biannual state budget.

Recently referred to by members of the media as a “grocery tax,” the language in question intended to increase the 6.35 percent tax levied on prepared foods in restaurants and grocery stores to 7.35 percent. After the DRS broadened the scope of the language to include many items never intended to be taxed, the department made revisions in response to queries from government officials.

“My colleagues and I passed a budget that did not impose this new tax, and we told the administration to follow the letter and the spirit of the law. In response to our letter and other activism across the state, the administration fixed this error and called off the tax,” said Sen. Haskell. “Connecticut is not in the business of taxing most groceries. Since the sales tax was enacted in 1947, nearly every single one of the groceries my constituents buy in the local supermarket have not been subject to the sales tax. That’s because we know families work hard to put food on their table, and we’ve got to make sure every generation can afford to live in Connecticut. On top of that, we all know regressive taxes hit low-income families and seniors on a fixed income the hardest.”

Earlier this year, legislators worked to develop a slight increase in the “meals tax,” increasing the charge on prepared meals from 6.35 percent to 7.35 percent. This language was intended to only increase that charge on a meal or product sold at an eating establishment, caterer or grocery store. When reviewed by DRS, the language was misinterpreted due to the use of the word “grocery store” and applied to a wider group of food products than intended. According to a letter sent by DRS Commissioner Scott D. Jackson on September 19, the DRS misread the intent, as the General Assembly “did not expand the applicability of the tax.”

This is the second time this year Senator Haskell fought back against a proposed “grocery tax.” Late last year, the bipartisan Commission on Fiscal Stability and Economic Competitiveness made a recommendation to the Governor’s office of taxing groceries 2 percent. This is a proposal that Senator Haskell does not support.