Month: January 2020

Sen. Lesser Honored By Connecticut Society of Eye Physicians for His Leadership in Improving Healthcare Statewide

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Sen. Lesser Honored By Connecticut Society of Eye Physicians for His Leadership in Improving Healthcare Statewide

Lesser, State Reps. Scanlon and Steinberg Honored by CSEP

PLANTSVILLE, CT – Today, from the Aqua Turf Club, state Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) was honored by the Connecticut Society of Eye Physicians (CSEP) with the society’s 2019 CSEP Star Award.

The senator received the award for his “dedication and leadership to improving healthcare in Connecticut,” according to the CSEP. Sen. Lesser, who is the Senate Chair of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, said he is honored to receive the award.

“If I had known that the first year I wore glasses I’d get an award from the Eye Doctors, I’d have put them on years ago,” said Sen. Lesser. “Healthcare is a right not a privilege, and yet across Connecticut families are struggling to get access to the healthcare they need. Some families lack insurance all together, but an increasing number of families are underinsured, facing high deductibles they can’t afford to pay to get the care they need. Reforming healthcare will never been an easy task, but I’m proud to be in the arena – because states have viral work to do. I’m honored to receive this award from the Connecticut Society of Eye Physicians and work with them towards common sense pro consumer reform.”

Sen. Lesser received the honor alongside the House Chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, state Representative Sean Scanlon (D-Guilford) and state Representative Jonathan Steinberg (D-Westport). During the 2019 legislative session, the state lawmakers led passage of several important pieces of legislation such as the Mental Health Parity Act, an expansion of epinephrine access in public places, and requiring insurance companies to cover the costs of additional tests for women with dense breast tissue, to name a few.

The awards ceremony was part of a larger program which featured lecture’s by respected physicians. The CSEP is the largest state membership association of Eye M.D.’s. Ophthalmologists, or Eye M.D.’s, are medical and osteopathic physicians who provide comprehensive eye care, including medical, surgical and optical care.

According to the CSEP, they are committed to advancing the highest standards of eye care, and to improving and protecting the eye health and vision of our communities, through its continuing education programs. The semi-annual scientific education programs of CSEP are designed for ophthalmologists and their staff to learn about recent advances in the diagnosis and management of eye diseases and conditions, through symposia, scientific papers, posters and videos.

State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) with M.D., and Yale Medicine Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and Visual Science James F. Martone at the Aqua Turf Club in Planstville after the senator received the 2019 CSEP Star Award for his dedication and leadership to improving healthcare in Connecticut, on Friday, January 10, 2020.

Senators Lesser and Abrams Celebrate Announcement of Open Space Land Grant for Acquisition of Middletown Property

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Senators Lesser and Abrams Celebrate Announcement of Open Space Land Grant for Acquisition of Middletown Property

State Senators Mary Daugherty Abrams (D-Meriden, Cheshire, Middlefield, Middletown, and Rockfall) and Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) today cheered the announcement by Governor Ned Lamont that $9.1 million in state grants will be released for the purchase and protection of 24 parcels of land statewide through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program, including more than $60,000 in funding for the local acquisition of 47 acres of land in Middletown.

“Open space preserves important natural resources and provides our communities with beautiful local recreational resources,” said Sen. Abrams. “I am so happy that nearly 50 acres of land in Middletown will become open space, further adding to our incredible forests and preserving local wildlife, most prominently birds of prey. I would like to thank Governor Lamont for his support of environmental protection and the Berlin Land Trust for its efforts in protecting this property.”

“I was proud to work with the Berlin Land Trust in support this proposal over a number of months,” said Sen. Lesser. “Protecting this vital landscape for future generations is a major win for Middletown and the state of Connecticut.”

The project sponsor Berlin Land Trust, Inc. will receive a $63,450 grant to assist with the Lamentation Mountain: Tighe-Baldyga Property Acquisition, located at the north end of Lamentation Mountain and part of the Metacomet Ridge. The poeprty is landlocked by 450 acres of protected land and 190 acres of undeveloped land. It is additionally part of the 330-acre watershed of the Spruce Brook tributary. Its natural resources include an abundance of forestry creating a habitat for birds of prey, hawks and owls. It can be accessed from Lamentation Drive in Berlin through the Mattabesset Trail or from Stantack Road.

Senators Abrams and Lesser Celebrate Announcement of Open Space Land Grant for Acquisition of Middletown Property

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Senators Abrams and Lesser Celebrate Announcement of Open Space Land Grant for Acquisition of Middletown Property

State Senators Mary Daugherty Abrams (D-Meriden, Cheshire, Middlefield, Middletown, and Rockfall) and Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) today cheered the announcement by Governor Ned Lamont that $9.1 million in state grants will be released for the purchase and protection of 24 parcels of land statewide through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program, including more than $60,000 in funding for the local acquisition of 47 acres of land in Middletown.

“Open space preserves important natural resources and provides our communities with beautiful local recreational resources,” said Sen. Abrams. “I am so happy that nearly 50 acres of land in Middletown will become open space, further adding to our incredible forests and preserving local wildlife, most prominently birds of prey. I would like to thank Governor Lamont for his support of environmental protection and the Berlin Land Trust for its efforts in protecting this property.”

“I was proud to work with the Berlin Land Trust in support this proposal over a number of months,” said Sen. Lesser. “Protecting this vital landscape for future generations is a major win for Middletown and the state of Connecticut.”

The project sponsor Berlin Land Trust, Inc. will receive a $63,450 grant to assist with the Lamentation Mountain: Tighe-Baldyga Property Acquisition, located at the north end of Lamentation Mountain and part of the Metacomet Ridge. The poeprty is landlocked by 450 acres of protected land and 190 acres of undeveloped land. It is additionally part of the 330-acre watershed of the Spruce Brook tributary. Its natural resources include an abundance of forestry creating a habitat for birds of prey, hawks and owls. It can be accessed from Lamentation Drive in Berlin through the Mattabesset Trail or from Stantack Road.

 

Haskell Joins Senate Democrats To Announce “A Just Connecticut” Agenda

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Haskell Joins Senate Democrats To Announce “A Just Connecticut” Agenda

Bill proposals aim to reform our criminal justice system, protect consumers, and expand voting rights

Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) joined Senate Democrat leaders including Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), and other members of the Senate Democratic caucus as they announced “A Just Connecticut,” the second of four legislative agendas for the 2020 legislative session from Senate Democrats. The series of bills outlined the policy proposals from Senate Democrats aim to reform our criminal justice system, protect consumers, and expand voting rights.

Among the several criminal justice and consumer protection reforms announced by the caucus, Sen. Haskell discussed a proposal that would increase public access to absentee ballots by making an online application portal, increasing the accessibility and ease of the voting process. Connecticut currently is only one of 11 states not permitting early voting, and there are strict restrictions on access to absentee ballots. Thousands of people who meet the legal threshold to receive absentee ballots still may not be able to access one due to antiquated processes; this legislation would create a centralized application on state websites.

“When a friend of mine in Virginia applied for an absentee ballot, she simply went online. When I did it here in Connecticut, I had to print a form and mail it to my local Town Hall. The current system for absentee ballot applications in our state is outdated and inconvenient,” Sen. Haskell said. “This proposal for an online application platform will go a long way in making sure those who need to vote by absentee ballot can still make their voices heard. It’s a small but important step to improve ballot access.”

The additional legislative proposals in the “A Just Connecticut” agenda discussed today included:

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

More Protections in Family Court
To expand the Civil Gideon pilot program, create a Benchbook for judges, and require proper training based on the Benchbook.

Protecting Victims and Changing Statute of Limitations
To provide an opportunity for victims to pursue justice in civil court for sexual assault through a change in the state’s statute of limitations.

Combating Hate Crimes & Violent Right-Wing Extremism
To finance and create a new department at the Connecticut State Police which will specialize in investigating far right extremist groups and individuals.

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Protecting Net Neutrality
To provide state level protections for a free and open internet.

Stopping Deceptive Collections Practices
To expand the prohibitions on deceptive practices to include any unreasonable burden or
requirement the creditor would place on the debtor in making payments.

Consumer Privacy Act
To allow for consumers to know what personal data and information is collected by companies and the ability to opt-out of the sale of personal information or to delete their information from the business.

Curbing Scam & Spam Robo Phone Calls
To cut spam and scam robo phone calls, emails and text messages and eliminate the ability for scammers to profit off of consumers.

VOTING RIGHTS

Increasing Access to Absentee Ballots
To streamline voting by allowing online applications for absentee ballots.

Read background information on the proposed legislation here.

Senator Haskell Cheers Announcement of $9.1 Million for Land Conservation, Including $1.9 Million for Weston and Wilton Projects

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Senator Haskell Cheers Announcement of $9.1 Million for Land Conservation, Including $1.9 Million for Weston and Wilton Projects

State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) today cheered the announcement by Governor Ned Lamont that $9.1 million in state grants will protect more than 2,400 acres of land for public use through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program. Of that $9.1 million, more than $1.9 million is earmarked for three projects in Weston and Wilton that aim to protect 173.42 acres of land in those towns. This announcement is the culmination of tireless work by towns and organizations for the preservation and protection of open space and watershed land, helping to keep Connecticut’s natural beauty safe for generations to come.

“Open space keeps our community beautiful and preserves our natural resources for the next generation to enjoy. We are fortunate to have so many volunteer and activists working to protect open space, and I’ve heard from many of them over the last year,” said Sen. Haskell. “That’s why I advocated this past year for OSWLA support. I want to thank the Governor and his staff for their support of Connecticut’s natural beauty and I would like to thank The Nature Conservancy, the Aspetuck Land Trust and the Wilton Land Conservation Trust for their hard work and efforts to protect our local environments.”

Three projects in the 26th Senate District received grant funding. They include:

  • Project sponsor The Nature Conservancy will receive $602,000 to support the purchase of 74.16 acres of forest directly adjacent to Devil’s Den Preserve. This purchase of what is known as Weston Farms is part of 15,300 acres of forestland with high conservation value. The forest lies within the watershed of the Saugatuck River and a hiking trail will connect it to the 20-mile Devil’s Den loop trail.
  • The project sponsor Aspetuck Land Trust will receive $625,000 for the 85.86-acre “Fromson-Strassler Acquisition.” Adjacent to the Land Trust’s existing 118-acre Honey Hill Preserve, the land is part of a forest block assemblage of more than 350 acres. The land features 22 acres of wetlands that form the headwaters of the Saugatuck River, with wildlife including eels, fish, amphibians and migratory birds. A trail head and parking area will link the land to regional trails.
  • The project sponsor Wilton Land Conservation Trust will receive $707,000 for the purchase of 13.4 acres at 183 Ridgefield Road. The 13 acres of open field habitat is about a mile from the town’s center, with 12 acres of farmland soils and two acres of forested wetlands. The WLCT plans to create a trail accessible for people with mobility challenges and a wheelchair-accessible gravel parking area, as well as educational opportunities for local school groups including kiosks providing information about the state’s agricultural history.

Senator Anwar Celebrates Announcement of $132,000 Open Space Land Grant for Acquisition of Ellington Property

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Senator Anwar Celebrates Announcement of $132,000 Open Space Land Grant for Acquisition of Ellington Property

State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) today cheered the announcement by Governor Ned Lamont that $9.1 million in state grants will be released for the purchase and protection of 24 parcels of land statewide through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program, including more than $132,000 in funding for the local acquisition of 118.4 acres of land in Ellington.

“Connecticut has long been a leader in environmental protection, and this announcement by Governor Lamont is incredibly exciting,” said Sen. Anwar. “In Ellington, the acquisition of nearly 120 acres of land will support local recreation and give our community the ability to truly enjoy the outdoors as new trails are developed. It’s also reassuring to know that this land will not be developed, helping to preserve local natural beauty. I would like to thank Governor Lamont for his support of our region and the Northern Connecticut Land Trust for its efforts in preserving this land.”

The project sponsor Northern Connecticut Land Trust will receive $132,500 to support the purchase of the 118.4-acre “Wraight Property,” a large tract of undeveloped land located next to the Shenipsit State Forest. Primarily forestland, the property contains a brook feeding the Shenipsit Lake Reservoir. The site can be accessed along frontage on Webster Road, and an abandoned portion of Porter Road will be converted into a two-mile trail providing links to further regional hiking trails.

 

Sen. Flexer Leads Task Force in Unanimous Proposal to Retroactively Eliminate CT’s Statute of Limitations in Civil Sex Assault Cases

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Sen. Flexer Leads Task Force in Unanimous Proposal to Retroactively Eliminate CT’s Statute of Limitations in Civil Sex Assault Cases

HARTFORD – A legislative task force charged with examining Connecticut’s statute of limitations in sexual assault cases today unanimously recommended that the General Assembly change state law and retroactively eliminate the statute of limitations in civil cases involving sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and sexual assault.

State Senator Mae Flexer (D-29th), who chaired the eight-member task force, said a task force report reflecting that change will be submitted to the Judiciary Committee on January 15; the report will recommend this change be raised in a bill by the Judiciary Committee. Sen. Flexer is a member of the Judiciary Committee.

If the bill is approved by the Judiciary Committee, passed by the House and Senate, and signed into law by the governor, Connecticut would become only the second state in America to eliminate the statute of limitations in civil cases involving sexual assault, abuse, or exploitation. Twelve states made changes to their statute of limitations laws in 2019.

“I am gratified that the diverse membership of this task force considered the very compelling testimony of the victims who came from all over Connecticut to speak with us, and that they considered the expert testimony that was also presented,” Sen. Flexer said. “The difference this bill will make if it is signed into law will be huge. It will recognize the years of injustice suffered by many sexual abuse victims in Connecticut and allow them to seek justice and truly begin their own healing process.”

Current Connecticut law allows child sex abuse victims to bring child sex abuse claims forward until 30 years after the age of majority (21); the average sex abuse victim comes forward at the age of 54. This means when many sex abuse victims disclose their abuse for the first time, they discover they have no recourse in our court system. Task force members heard testimony about the experiences of victims from all over Connecticut, including child and young adult victims. Task force members also studied the recent statute of limitations changes in other states, and the relatively low numbers of new cases that resulted from those changes, even where the statute of limitations was completely eliminated.

The eight-member task force included Sen. Flexer, a Superior Court judge, three private-sector attorneys, a member of the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, and a child sex abuse survivor. The Superior Court judge abstained from voting on the final recommendation, citing judicial ethics rules with regard to policy debates.

“There’s a lot of partisan politics nowadays, and for this task force to reach a unanimous decision on this recommendation is a remarkable thing,” said task force member Paul Slager, an attorney who is also president of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association. “The people who testified before us gave compelling reasons for eliminating the statute of limitations for these cases in Connecticut.”

“Most victims have to end up paying for treatment, and this change may help them pay for those treatment services,” said task force member Lynn Laperle, who is a child sex abuse survivor. “It’s not a rarity for victims to have that issue; most victims have those struggles. And the long-term effects are devastating.”

“This change will help a lot of people who have suffered. It will help them deal with their trauma, and it might even help them repay some of the costs they have had to incur to deal with their trauma,” said task force member Lucy Nolan, who is Director of Public Policy and Public Relations for the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence.

 

Senator Haskell Joins Governor Lamont for Launch of AT&T Partnership for High-Speed Connections on the New Haven Line

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Senator Haskell Joins Governor Lamont for Launch of AT&T Partnership for High-Speed Connections on the New Haven Line

NORWALK – Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) joined state leaders including Governor Ned Lamont and business executives from AT&T to announce the launch of a new public-private partnership between the state and the telecommunications company to deploy high-speed connection technology along the New Haven Line, providing those traveling between Connecticut and New York City with a modern, up-to-date commuting experience.

“Commuters have waited long enough for the ability to commute efficiently. I spend a lot of mornings at train stations, chatting with those who sit on the train every morning and every evening. They want to be efficient with their time, and they’re tired of service dead zones along the route to Manhattan. That’s why I’ve fought for improved connectivity since my first day in the Senate, and I’m overjoyed to see this partnership become a reality at no cost to taxpayers,” said Sen. Haskell. “Our commuters need services that match our modern expectations. This gets us that much closer, and helps attract the next generation of workers.”

“Here in Connecticut, we are thinking about infrastructure differently than other states, and that includes access to high-speed internet networks,” Governor Lamont said. “By partnering with telecommunications companies like AT&T and giving them the ability to install their necessary equipment on state property, we can expand internet access to more residents, including commuters of our rail lines. Families will be able to connect with each other more reliably on the train ride to and from work, meaning mom and dad can have a video chat with their kids and the signal won’t stop due to poor coverage. These kinds of investments will boost productivity and significantly contribute to Connecticut’s already high quality of life, all while making the state more attractive to future employers. Once again, this is another example of a public-private partnership we were able to create that will benefit our residents while doing so in a cost-effective manner. I thank AT&T for working with us and taking the initiative on this project.”

“Improving the ability of residents and businesses to connect to high-speed networks is critical in our efforts to spur economic growth and job creation,” Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman said. “Public-private partnerships like this will go a long way to strengthening our state, and I applaud AT&T for their commitment on working with us to make our state an even better place to work and live.”

The state and AT&T, in collaboration, will use the state right-of-way along the rail line available for the installation of small cell nodes, providing better coverage and higher data speeds to customers while traveling. The enhanced services will provide 4G LTE service in the present; in the future, AT&T will have the capacity to upgrade to 5G speeds.

In addition to the partnership, AT&T will continue to work closely with the state Council on 5G Technology, Lamont’s office and the Department of Transportation for enhanced services and expanded 5G availability in Connecticut. Further, more than 100 new rail cars would be purchased as part of the CT2030 proposal, equipped with rooftop antennas that would amplify service throughout the cars.

Senator Anwar Joins Leaders to Celebrate Goodwin College Becoming Goodwin University

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Senator Anwar Joins Leaders to Celebrate Goodwin College Becoming Goodwin University

EAST HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined educational leaders as they announced and celebrated that Goodwin College, after 20 years of educational assistance and excellence, will become Goodwin University effective immediately. This move comes as the former college has seen significant growth in the last two decades, especially in the last 10 years, where enrollment increased by nearly 110 percent.

“Goodwin College has been a source of educational leadership in our community and in the greater Hartford region for decades. Goodwin University will advance that important legacy further,” said Sen. Anwar. “This is an expansion for a campus and an institution that has done so much good work for so many people that will simply serve to advance that good work. This new title and renewed emphasis on innovative learning will serve to support Connecticut’s future workforce needs even more than Goodwin already does.”

“Becoming Goodwin University is a natural progression for our institution, our faculty, our staff, our supporters, and most of all, our students,” said Goodwin University President Mark Scheinberg. “Over the past two decades, Goodwin has evolved from a technology training center into a leading nonprofit institution of higher learning that offers certificate programs as well as associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. Not only does ‘University’ better reflect our range of offerings, it advances our mission to make a quality, career-focused education more accessible to a greater number of students. It also offers new opportunities for focused research that supports access, workforce, and community issues.”

Goodwin University’s transition comes as it has reorganized its five academic departments under three schools; the new School of Nursing and Health Professions, School of Business Technology and Advanced Manufacturing and the School of Applied Liberal Arts and Social Sciences will help faculty members collaborate and develop curricula allowing students to attain more in-depth and well-rounded education.

Goodwin University leaders are excited about this news because it will allow them to further the university’s Universal Design for Learning, which approaches each student as individual learners. The UDK education model allows for increased flexibility in students’ educations and will soon expand into university departments and magnet schools.

This change will only further bolster Goodwin’s history of supporting state industry, with its nursing and manufacturing programs known for their bolstering of those workforces.