Month: December 2019

Senator Haskell Joins CSCU Leaders at Launch of Pledge to Advance Connecticut

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Senator Haskell Joins CSCU Leaders at Launch of Pledge to Advance Connecticut

EAST HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) joined Connecticut State Colleges and Universities leaders including CSCU President Mark Ojakian and lawmakers including Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee co-chair Representative Gregg Haddad (D-Mansfield) as they officially launched PACT, or the Pledge to Advance Connecticut, Connecticut’s program providing free community college to students. PACT, part of the 2019-2020 biennial budget and adopted as policy by the Board of Regents for Higher Education today, will make Connecticut’s 12 community colleges tuition and fee-free for thousands of students.

“PACT is the culmination of so much hard work, and I’m so proud that it’s now an official promise made to Connecticut’s future students,” said Sen. Haskell. “As college education costs continue to rise, we need to protect our students from financial harm and provide businesses with the skilled workforce they need to succeed. This is an incredible resource that will create a new educational pathway and opportunity for so many students. I’m grateful to my colleagues in the legislature and in the CSCU system for making affordable higher education a reality for thousands of students.”

“PACT is a powerful message to potential students in Connecticut that education is attainable—and that we are investing in the future of our state,” said President Ojakian. “PACT will make access to Connecticut’s community college system even more affordable—while maintaining excellence in education. It is our pledge to support the state’s advancement— with productive citizens and skilled workers prepared to fill the jobs of the 21st century economy. At a time when we face a student debt crisis in the United States, this represents a great opportunity for potential students to access a high quality education close to home with no out-of-pocket costs.”

PACT will support students beginning in the fall 2020 semester who fit five criteria. They must be graduates of Connecticut high schools, be full-time attending college for the first time, complete an application for federal financial aid and accept all awards, remain in good academic standing and apply and register by July 15, 2020 for priority consideration.

Students meeting those criteria can attend any community college in Connecticut for up to three years free of mandatory tuition and fees related to eligible programs. Awards are limited to fall and spring semesters and are available regardless of family income. PACT awards go into effect after all other sources of financial aid, though student loans, work-study programs and financial assistance for non-tuition and fees expenses are not considered financial aid. Students with eligible costs covered by existing financial aid can receive awards of a minimum of $250 per semester.

To learn more about the program, visit ct.edu/pact.

Duff Appoints Nadine Nevins to Task Force Studying Debarment Procedures and Limitations on the Awarding of State Contracts

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Duff Appoints Nadine Nevins to Task Force Studying Debarment Procedures and Limitations on the Awarding of State Contracts

HARTFORD, CT – Today, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) announced that he has appointed Nadine Nevins to the Task Force Studying Debarment Procedures and Limitations on the Awarding of State Contracts.

“Nadine brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this task force,” said Senator Duff. “Throughout her legal career, Nadine has worked to ensure that individuals and workers are treated with fairness and respect. I’m confident that her voice will help to ensure these procedures are evaluated and implemented fairly.”

Ms. Nevins has worked for Connecticut Legal Services, a nonprofit law firm focused in benefits and employment law, since 1985. She began as a Staff Attorney in the Bridgeport office and became Managing Attorney in the Stamford office in 1990. She has been a Managing Attorney in the Bridgeport office since 1995. Throughout her tenure, Ms. Nevins co-created and managed the Stamford Day Laborer Wage Clinic for six years. She is a founding member of the Bridgeport Re-Entry Roundtable and co-creator of a Pardons Clinic in Stamford.

“I ran Connecticut Legal Services’ clinic for low-wage workers for 6 years,” said Ms. Nevins. “Wage theft is a huge problem for many of our clients, especially those in construction. I look forward to working with the Task Force to study ways to ensure that employers who cheat workers out of their wages do not receive lucrative state contracts.”

The Task Force Studying Debarment Procedures and Limitations on the Awarding of State Contracts was established in 2019 by Special Act 19-11.

The task force needs to submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the Labor and Public Employees Committee by February 1, 2020.

Ms. Nevins received her B.A. with honors from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center in 1983. She is admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut and the United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

Duff Appoints Founder & CEO of the Women’s Business Development Council to the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Authority Board of Directors

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Duff Appoints Founder & CEO of the Women’s Business Development Council to the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Authority Board of Directors

HARTFORD, CT (December 19, 2019) – Today, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) announced that he has appointed Fran Pastore to the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Authority (PFMLIA) Board of Directors. Ms. Pastore is the Founder and CEO of the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC).

“Fran is a tireless advocate for women’s economic development,” said Senator Bob Duff. “Her voice and expertise working with small business owners will be a great addition to the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Authority Board of Directors. This legislation sends a message that Connecticut values its workers and is a great place to live and raise a family and I’m confident that the PFMLIA Board of Directors will administer the program in a thoughtful way.”

Ms. Pastore is a devoted catalyst of women’s economic equity across the country and around the globe. In addition to her work with WBDC, Ms. Pastore was appointed to and served a three-year term on the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC), an independent source of counsel to then President Obama, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). In conjunction with the U.S. State Department and the University of Connecticut’s Office of Global Affairs, Ms. Pastore has taught women business owners in Costa Rica and has shared her expertise with women through partnerships with The Center for Creative Leadership in Ethiopia and the Akilah Institute for Women in Rwanda.

“As a leader in the women’s business community in the state, this initiative is very important to me and the many women entrepreneurs and business owners which WBDC works with throughout the state,” said Ms. Pastore. “I am very proud of our state leadership for having the vision to address this issue of which the majority of those affected are women and, more specifically, women of color. I know that members of the PFMLIA will be judicious, thoughtful and mindful of all small businesses in carrying out our initial mission and implementing of the program.”

The Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Authority Board of Directors was established in 2019 by Public Act 19-25. The board consists of 15 members who will be responsible for establishing and administering Connecticut’s recently adopted paid family and medical leave program.

Ms. Pastore received her B.A. from Pace University. Currently, she serves on the Board of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), is a member of the YMCA Greenwich Leadership Council, and the Global Advisory Board for the Akilah Institute for Women in Kigali, Rwanda. She recently served on Governor Lamont’s Transition Team as Co-Chair of the Jobs and Economy Policy Committee.

Senator Anwar Supports and Speaks on the State and Hospital Association Agreement

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Senator Anwar Supports and Speaks on the State and Hospital Association Agreement

HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) supported and voted to approve the agreement between the state of Connecticut and the state hospital association.

“In the last few years, the state hospital association and the state of Connecticut have disagreed on taxes and Medicaid payments, requiring leadership to commit to resolve,” said Sen. Anwar. “This required creating win-win strategies so that taxpayers and hospital systems, which not only care for patients but are one of the largest employers in the state, both benefit. As the agreement has been made, it required legislators to weigh in and vote on this agreement. I spoke about the importance of a collaborative relationship for the well-being of our state rather than adversarial relation. We need to create predictability in Medicaid payments so budgeting can take place within health care systems without issue.”

Sen. Anwar said that the current agreement does not discuss the need for hospitals and health care systems to invest in the local communities, and the preventive management of the people in the region. That means legislators also need to address this and make sure that the hospitals’ workforces are treated in a fair manner. They will also need to address medical debt collection practices. Sen. Anwar looks forward to addressing those issues in future conversations.

The passage of the negotiated agreement and the accompanying legislation results in a seven-year plan that creates fiscal predictability for both the State of Connecticut and hospitals. In addition, it includes Medicaid rate increases each year for the length of the agreement. The passage of this agreement and the legislation resolves the $4 billion in legal claims for which the state was potentially liable.

 

Sen. Lesser Releases Statement in Response to U.S. Appeals Court Striking Down ACA Mandate

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Sen. Lesser Releases Statement in Response to U.S. Appeals Court Striking Down ACA Mandate

HARTFORD, CT – Today, state Senator and Senate Chair of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) released the following statement in response to the decision by a panel of the fifth circuit court of appeals to strike down the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act.

“This reckless partisan decision by a right wing panel of judges, prompted by President Trump, puts the healthcare of tens of millions of Americans into jeopardy,” said Sen. Lesser. “That includes vital protections for people with preexisting conditions. Here in Connecticut all options are on the table as we consider our next steps to protect the healthcare of Connecticut residents. This decision, if allowed to stand and carried to its logical conclusion, could be disastrous for our state. This should light a fire under the legislature and Governor Lamont to act quickly on health reform.”

About Matt Lesser: Sen. Lesser was first elected in 2018 to represent the ninth Senate District which consists of Cromwell, Middletown, Newington, Rocky Hill and Wethersfield. Prior to being elected to the State Senate, he was a State Representative for the city of Middletown. He has been a principle author of Connecticut’s Student Loan Bill of Rights, the first in the nation, a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing waste and a major workplace safety law later adapted as a national standard. He has been honored by the Connecticut chapter of the AARP and has been named a champion by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters.

Greenwich Legislative Delegation Praises Approval of State Grants for Local Projects

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Greenwich Legislative Delegation Praises Approval of State Grants for Local Projects

GREENWICH – Greenwich’s state legislative delegation of state Senator Alex Bergstein and state Representatives Livvy Floren and Steve Meskers today praised State Bond Commission approval of state grants for two local projects.

One of the grants includes $1,966,452 through the Connecticut Department of Housing’s Flexible Housing Program for grant-in-aid to The Hill House, Inc. The grant will assist with rehabilitation of the 38-unit Hill House Congregate Housing facility, which provides living space to low-income elderly and disabled residents.

The second item will provide $586,717 in state assistance to the Greenwich Library through the State Library Board. The board is permitted to grant up to 50 percent of the total construction costs up to $1 million for each approved project within the limits of available appropriations. The total project cost is estimated to be $1,173,435 and includes remodeling and expansion of the children’s area.

In addition to these specific grants, the State Bond Commission today also approved $5 million for open space and land conservation grants to municipalities, nonprofit land conservation organizations, or other entities.

“Investing in land conservation, particularly in areas that directly impact our watershed, is smart environmental policy and smart economic policy,” notes Sen. Bergstein. “These investments in land conservation protect the natural resources which benefit and sustain our entire state.”

Connecticut has a conservation goal of protecting 673,210 acres or 21% of its total land area, as open space by the year 2023. As of June 30, 2019, the target for open space was 75 percent complete.

“It was wonderful to see the library grants allocated; the eight projects were fully vetted and awarded funding through an open and competitive process. Mr. Kendall Wiggin, our state librarian for the past 21 years, has always worked tirelessly on behalf of all libraries, and I know he is delighted to see this funding occur before he retires in January,” said Rep. Floren. “We are so grateful to the governor and to Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno. The commissioner visited Hill House during the first weeks of her tenure; she met with residents, staff, trustees and volunteers, and was impressed by the model of congregate living for low- income seniors and those with disabilities. Her professionalism, vision and compassion are truly remarkable.”

“The Greenwich Library funding item continues a major overhaul and remodeling project to transform the facility for modern day needs. This installment will allow the construction of a new children’s room that will be doubled in size with bookshelves at safer, kid-friendly levels,” Rep. Meskers said. “It is also important to have adequate, moderate-income housing to meet the needs of Greenwich residents, and the funding item for congregate housing will be a major step forward. I thank Governor Lamont for prioritizing this funding for Greenwich in this round of bonding.”

Looney and Paolillo Submit Testimony in Opposition to Special Permit for Putrescible Waste

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Looney and Paolillo Submit Testimony in Opposition to Special Permit for Putrescible Waste

Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Representative Al Paolillo (D-New Haven) submitted testimony to the New Haven City Plan Commission in opposition to a special permit to allow for the acceptance of putrescible municipal solid waste at All American – Murphy Street Recycling in New Haven. The text of the testimony is below.

Testimony of State Senator Martin Looney and State Representative Al Paolillo
New Haven City Plan Commission Public Hearing

Re: Agenda #1563-10,19 Wheeler Street
December 18, 2019- 7 P.M.

This joint testimony is being submitted in opposition to agenda item 1563-10, specifically concerning a special permit to allow for the acceptance of putrescible municipal solid waste at 19 Wheeler Street, New Haven – All American – Murphy Street Recycling.

While we understand the company wanting to expand its capacity and the materials it can receive, we strongly do not believe there is any added economic benefit for the company or the city that outweighs any of the negative quality of life or environmental impacts for our area. In fact, allowing more waste into our area may only limit additional economic development and the numbers of companies willing to locate here for future expansion.

We have both heard from numerous constituents who have many serious concerns about allowing for this expansion of activities and the expanded type of organic and sanitary waste that can be accepted at this facility. One of these concerns is that the facility is within very close proximity to the Quinnipiac River (several thousand feet), which brings alarm about any kind of runoff or pollution that could occur. Whenever we consider environmentally sensitive areas like the Quinnipiac River, which we have made great strides in protecting, we must be smart and strategic about what we approve to be in close proximity no matter how small or large the risk. As caretakers of the environment, we all have the responsibility to “Do no harm.”

There are so many other safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives than shipping in this type of waste so close to a body of water. Currently, all New Haven trash is required to go the trash authority on Middletown Avenue under flow control, which we think is a better alternative plan that keeps taxpayer costs under control. Allowing for putrescible trash to be brought to this facility will likely lead to outside garbage being brought into our community from other towns and not even serve New Haven, which will only bring in more traffic, pollution and serve as a disincentive for any other businesses and economic development.

These same concerns can be asserted regarding churches, residential neighborhoods and other businesses nearby. We must also take account of atmospheric emissions run off and potential harm to access to safe and clean air and underground drinking water. Not only can potential pollution arise from this type of waste being brought to the area, but also from the increased truck traffic and noise pollution, in what is already a high traffic area and one of the most environmentally burdened places in New Haven. Just last week there was a community impact forum on the expansion of Tweed where we are left asking ourselves how much impact can one neighborhood absorb and raising the issue of fairness regarding environmental justice.

The site at 19 Wheeler Street already is allowed to accept construction and demolition waste, oversized non-putrescible waste and recyclables. We are not against the continuation of that use. However, expanding to putrescible, organic and sanitary waste brings with it an expanded set of other circumstances, impacts and concerns.

More than anything this proposal sends the wrong messages about what we are prioritizing. For all the strides we have made to protect our environment, bring in economic development and beautify our neighborhood, this development moves in the opposite direction. We respectfully ask that this request for a special permit to accept putrescible waste at 19 Wheeler Street not be granted. Thank you.

Sen. Cohen, Rep. Candelora Applaud State Funding for North Branford Police Cameras

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Sen. Cohen, Rep. Candelora Applaud State Funding for North Branford Police Cameras

NORTH BRANFORD — State Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford) and state Representative Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) today applauded the State Bond Commission’s release of $54,707 to North Branford to pay for body-worn police cameras, thereby capping their bipartisan work to have the state reimburse North Branford for equipment it purchased in 2018.

“With financial timelines not coinciding with the state reimbursement deadline, North Branford found themselves footing 100 percent of the bill for the cost of body-worn police cameras. Representative Candelora and I sought to relieve this financial burden by introducing legislation to extend that deadline for the town. Today, the State Bond Commission approved $54,707 for North Branford,” Sen. Cohen said. “I am proud we were able to deliver for North Branford’s police and its taxpayers. We worked in a bipartisan manner to ensure this legislation crossed the finish line unanimously, helping the people of North Branford. This is truly a state government success story.”

“This is great news for North Branford, which saw its effort to receive full reimbursement through a state grant program fall victim to a timing-related technicality,” said Rep. Candelora. “Municipal budgets are tighter than ever, and local property taxpayers can pay a heavy price when their communities fail to receive money they expected from the state. I’m happy to have worked with Senator Cohen to help North Branford avoid a real headache.”

A few years ago, the legislature expanded a state grant program that reimburses municipalities for police body cameras by offering 100 percent reimbursement for those purchased in Fiscal Year 2017-2018, which ended on June 30, 2018. The reimbursement rate then dropped to 50 percent for cameras purchased after July 1, 2018. North Branford entered into a camera contract in FY17-18 and budgeted for the full reimbursement, but the state’s budget office denied the town’s reimbursement request because the bill was actually paid the bill in July 2018. North Branford officials, however, had already booked the camera expense for FY17-18 and were expecting a 100% state reimbursement.

This year, Sen. Cohen and Rep. Candelora successfully introduced and passed bipartisan legislation (House Bill 6754) to extend the time to August 31, 2018 for towns to be eligible for 100% state reimbursement.

Senator Anwar Joins Ticketnetwork Leaders as Company Announces $15 Wages for All Employees

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Senator Anwar Joins Ticketnetwork Leaders as Company Announces $15 Wages for All Employees

SOUTH WINDSOR – Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined TicketNetwork leaders as they announced the company will now pay all employees a minimum of $15 per hour. This initiative, which company leaders said would benefit about 125 employees, comes months after Connecticut lawmakers began the process of raising the statewide minimum age to $15. The minimum wage grew to $11 per hour on October 1 and will increase by an additional $1 every 11 months through 2023.

“All too often, doing the right thing rarely makes the news. We need to celebrate the great things individuals do, and TicketNetwork has done a great thing today,” said Sen. Anwar. “TicketNetwork’s leaders know that an employee receiving fair wages for their work is a more productive and effective employee. The benefits TicketNetwork employees will receive from this pay increase will benefit their families and their daily lives, and that additional financial independence and strength they will benefit from is exactly why my colleagues and I pushed for a minimum wage increase. More than 300,000 people will receive that same empowerment in the coming years. I’m proud of TicketNetwork, not only because it’s a valuable neighbor in the local community, but because today it reaffirmed its dedication to taking care of our fellow neighbors locally and regionally by committing to its workforce.”

“We are thrilled to be in a position to reward our staff for excellent work being done across all of our various departments,” says TicketNetwork CFO Chris Hummer. “While costly on paper, this decision puts TicketNetwork in an excellent position to attract talented early-career workers, as well as retain existing staff who might otherwise be enticed by other opportunities in different markets.”

TicketNetwork’s wage increases impact every employee making less than $19 per hour, which represents an estimated 125 employees at its headquarters, the company said. Employees making under $14 per hour will receive wage increases to $15; those making between $14 and $19 will receive $1 hourly increases. This is expected to cost the company $250,000 additionally per year. TicketNetwork employees who spoke Wednesday said they will be able to access better healthcare, will no longer have to work overtime to save up for important life achievements, and can more readily afford higher education with the higher hourly rates.

In May, legislators approved the first minimum wage increase in Connecticut since 2014. In 2014, the minimum wage was $8.70; in 2019, before October 1, it was $10.10, matching the federal minimum wage. After 2023, the minimum wage will be indexed to changes in the federal Employment Cost Index. About 330,000 workers in Connecticut, roughly one third of the state’s workforce, are expected to benefit from the higher wage.

The press conference took place with a backdrop of cardboard boxes full of clothing, as TicketNetwork also announced Wednesday that its employees voted to eschew a large company holiday party in favor of those funds going toward a clothing drive. The company and workers will donate more than $20,000 to individuals in nine different regional communities.

 

Looney, Duff Statement on “Shockingly Obscene” Comments from CT Republican Candidate

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Looney, Duff Statement on “Shockingly Obscene” Comments from CT Republican Candidate

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) released the following statement in response to comments made by Republican Connecticut Congressional candidate Robert Hyde regarding United States Senator Kamala Harris.

“In the era of Trump this is the kind of person that feels emboldened to run for office. These sexist and shockingly obscene comments have no place in our public discourse.”