Tomorrow @ 11 AM: Looney to Donate 1,000 N95 Masks to Fair Haven Community Health Care
WHO: Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, Fair Haven Community Health Care Chief Executive Officer Dr. Suzanne Lagarde, and members of the Fair Haven Community Health Care staff.
WHAT: Senator Looney will donate 1,000 N95 masks to frontline workers at Fair Haven Community Health Care. The masks were made available by Bruce Morris, former deputy speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives, who leads communications for Connecticut Biotech. Connecticut Biotech is focused on producing safe, comfortable, and more affordable PPEs.
WHEN: Tomorrow, Thursday, December 31 at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Fair Haven Community Health Care, 374 Grand Ave, New Haven – back parking lot.
PARKING: Due to limited patient parking, press is requested to park in the lot at Avellino’s Pizza, 382-394 Grand Ave on the SE corner of James and Grand. FHCHC is right next door.
Senate President Pro Tempore Looney Releases Committee Assignments for 2021-2022 Legislative Term
Senate President Pro Tempore Looney Releases Committee Assignments for 2021-2022 Legislative Term
Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) today released the Senate Democrats’ legislative committee assignments for the 2021-2022 General Assembly.
List sorted by senator: https://bit.ly/2JgYJVW
List sorted by committee: https://bit.ly/37MlHxO
State Senator Saud Anwar Congratulates Connecticut Commissioner of Education Miguel Cardona
State Senator Saud Anwar Congratulates Connecticut Commissioner of Education Miguel Cardona
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) is congratulating the nomination of Connecticut Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona to President-elect Joe Biden’s Cabinet as Education Secretary. Sen. Anwar released the following statement regarding Cardona’s nomination:
“Congratulations to Dr. Miguel Cardona for being nominated by President-Elect Biden to be the next U.S. Secretary of Education! This nomination is a source of pride for the entire state of Connecticut. Dr. Cardona is a former public school teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent. As a former Mayor, I know these are the kinds of public servants that keep local communities running and make the United States (and especially Connecticut) one of the best places to receive an education in the world. Dr. Cardona’s wealth of experience will serve the United States and the Biden Administration well. Once, Dr. Cardona is surely confirmed by Senate, I hope he will consider a plan to cancel Federal student loan debt per the authority unilaterally granted to the Secretary of Education in the Higher Education Act of 1965. This kind of federal relief could save hundreds of thousands of Americans up to hundreds of dollars each month. During this pandemic induced recession we’re in, this is exactly the kind of stimulus we need to revitalize our economy. Congratulations again Dr. Cardona!”
State Senator Daugherty Abrams Congratulates Connecticut Commissioner of Education Miguel Cardona for Presidential Cabinet Nomination
State Senator Daugherty Abrams Congratulates Connecticut Commissioner of Education
Miguel Cardona for Presidential Cabinet Nomination
Commissioner Cardona Was Nominated to Be Education Secretary
HARTFORD, CT – Today, state Senator Mary Daugherty Abrams (D-Meriden, Middlefield, Rockfall, Middletown, Cheshire) applauded the nomination of Connecticut Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona to President-elect Joe Biden’s Cabinet as Education Secretary. Sen. Daugherty Abrams is Vice Chair of the Education Committee and released the following statement regarding Cardona’s nomination.
“Dr. Cardona’s experience at multiple levels in public education, his commitment to providing all students the opportunity to reach their potential and his dedication to service make him an exceptional nominee,” said Senator Abrams, “Beyond his accomplishments, it is who he is as a person and the support of his incredible family and community that will make him an outstanding Secretary of Education. Meriden is so proud!”
Education Committee Co-Chair Doug McCrory Congratulates Commissioner Cardona on Nomination to Serve as U.S. Secretary of Education
Education Committee Co-Chair Doug McCrory Congratulates Commissioner Cardona on Nomination to Serve as U.S. Secretary of Education
State Senator Doug McCrory (D-Hartford), co-chair of the Education Committee and an educator for over 20 years, released the following statement on President-elect Joe Biden’s decision to nominate Connecticut Commissioner of Education Miguel Cardona to serve as the United States Secretary of Education.
“I want to congratulate Commissioner Cardona on his nomination by President-elect Biden to lead the U.S. Department of Education,” said Sen. McCrory. “It has been a pleasure to work with him on growing educational opportunities for all of our state’s students and, recently, celebrating the approval of Connecticut’s Black and Latino studies course curriculum. As a former elementary school teacher and school principal, he understands both the short and long-term needs of teachers, school staff and students. This understanding is evident throughout his tenure as commissioner, especially during the last several months in responding to effects of the pandemic on our students and education system overall.”
Senator Marilyn Moore Releases Statement on Passing of Former Senator Ed Gomes
Senator Marilyn Moore Releases Statement on Passing of Former Senator Ed Gomes
Today, Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) released the following statement regarding the passing of former State Senator Ed Gomes:
“Former State Senator Edwin Gomes passed away at 7:10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 after an auto collision that took place in Bridgeport on Sunday, December 13. Senator Gomes was my lifelong friend and a champion of the people serving as a labor union representative and legislator for most of his life. His colorful life was as big and bold as was his personality. The stories he shared with his friends compared to a Hemingway novel full of every turn and twist of life. He entered politics under the tutelage of the late Charles Tisdale who encouraged him to run for city council and he continued in public service until his retirement from the State Senate in 2018. I am saddened by the loss of my friend and colleague as are the thousands of people who loved and respected him. The community has lost a lion and a giant who gave his time, talent and money without thought of himself. He was a good man.”
Senators Looney, Duff Release Statement on Passing of Former Senator Ed Gomes
Senators Looney, Duff Release Statement on Passing of Former Senator Ed Gomes
Today Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff released the following statement regarding the passing of former State Senator Ed Gomes:
“Ed Gomes was a colleague, a genuine friend, and a man that everyone loved. He was one of the most authentic people to ever serve in the Senate and devoted so much of his life toward fighting for hard-working people of Connecticut. Ed could tell a story like no other whether to humanize the most complex policy question or make everyone in a room burst with laughter. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends and the countless others around the state that knew his great spirit and were better for it.”
State Senator Dennis Bradley Ready for Parts of Historic Police Accountability Bill to Take Effect January 1, 2021
State Senator Dennis Bradley Ready for Parts of Historic Police Accountability Bill to Take Effect January 1, 2021
At the start of the new year, several new laws will be going into effect in Connecticut. Beginning January 1, 2021, pieces of the Police Accountability Law will begin. Over the course of the special session in July of 2020, the Act Concerning Police Accountability, known as HB 6004, was one of four main proposals that were discussed and passed. Several new rules have already gone into effect including tighter restrictions on police searches, a duty to intervene if police witness another officer use excessive force and penalties for civilians who call in an incident based on race.
Senator Dennis Bradley (D-Bridgeport) released the following statement ahead of the new laws going into effect this upcoming January.
“Connecticut has become the National model when it comes to equity in policing and prosecuting of crimes,” said Sen. Bradley. “In order to address historic systemic problems we are overhauling and monitoring practices that have been problematic for communities of color in America for far too long. If this free republic is to survive, we must have the law and law enforcement not be a tool of oppression but rather a ten-foot rod of light that guides the very essence of what we are as a people. “
Pieces of the Police Accountability law that take effect January 1, 2021 include:
- Officers must prominently display their badge and name tag on the outermost layer of their uniform. This applies to police officers who are (1) authorized to make arrests or (2) required to interact with the public daily.
- Departments must conduct behavioral health assessments of all officers at least every five years as a condition of continued employment. The assessment must be conducted by a board-certified psychiatrist or psychologist with experience diagnosing and treating traumatic stress disorder. The person conducting the assessment must give a written copy of the results to the officer and to the administrative head of the unit employing the officer.
- A new reporting requirement will be due to DESPP and will expand on an existing one to include information on efforts to recruit, retain, and promote minority police officers.
- POST new membership structure takes effect. The bill increases the council’s size to 21 members by adding the Connecticut State Police Academy’s commanding officer. Additionally, it makes numerous changes concerning the appointed members. Principally, it (1) reduces the number of gubernatorial appointments from 17 to 11 and adds six legislative appointments and (2) requires representation from additional stakeholders.
Senator Dennis Bradley Releases Statement on Passing of Former Senator Ed Gomes
Senator Dennis Bradley Releases Statement on Passing of Former Senator Ed Gomes
Today, Senator Dennis Bradley (D-Bridgeport) released the following statement regarding the passing of former State Senator Ed Gomes:
“Today, Bridgeport lost a true fighter for our city and people all too suddenly. It will always be an honor to serve in the same seat he once held and sustained with such grace and vigor. It was my hope that I would one day be able to look back and reflect on all that the field of public service has allowed me to do, but with only the acknowledgement and awareness that I stood on the shoulders of giants before me. Senator Ed Gomes committed his life to public service and was loved and revered by our great city. As a city driven by working class people, he dedicated his work and resilience to them. My prayers go out to his loved ones, may he rest in power.”
Sen. Osten Welcomes New Laws Effective January 1
Sen. Osten Welcomes New Laws Effective January 1
HARTFORD — State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today welcomed new laws slated to take effect on January 1, 2021, including lowering taxes on pension income and allowing pharmacists to dispense emergency insulin supplies.
“Despite the fact that we had an abbreviated legislative session this year, we did lay the groundwork for some necessary and positive public policy changes, including one that should save retirees with pensions a bit more money this year and a lot more money in the coming years,” Sen. Osten said. “I look forward to continuing my work for my constituents during the upcoming legislative session to help them get through this pandemic while remaining physically, mentally and financially fit.”
Sen. Osten notes that on January 1, Connecticut will continue its six-year plan to phase-out taxes on pension and annuity income for individuals earning less than $75,000 a year and for married couples earning under $100,000 a year. Starting January 1, 28% of pension and annuity income received in 2020 can be deducted when calculating Connecticut adjusted gross income for state income tax purposes. That is twice the 14% deduction that was in place for the 2019 tax year; in 2022, the deduction climbs to 42%, and it reaches 100% in 2025.
Another new law taking effect January 1 requires pharmacists to dispense a 30-day emergency supply of diabetes-related drugs and devices – with a price cap – for diabetics who have less than a one-week supply of insulin or related equipment. About 10 percent of Connecticut residents – about 275,000 people – have diabetes, which is the seventh-leading cause of death in the state, according to the state Department of Public Health.