Senator Marilyn Moore Releases Statement Regarding Inauguration of President Biden
Today, State Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) is working to raise awareness on the health disparities raised by the coronavirus pandemic in relation to Black and brown people. Senator Moore has written a letter to Commissioner Deidre Gifford in an effort to come up with a better solution to vaccinate people in Bridgeport. Bridgeport does not have a health director and therefore; nobody is assigned to ensure the Bridgeport Community is receiving sufficient knowledge about the COVID vaccine or sign up to receive the vaccine.
“There is definitely something wrong here,” said Sen. Moore. “Urban centers like Bridgeport have high percentages of Black and brown people who were left behind in the early days of testing. Now, when we should be considering the most vulnerable populations that suffer from health inequity, we are last. We should look at the vaccination process through a racial equity lens, not just age.”
According to the CDC, race and ethnicity are risk markers for other underlying conditions that affect health including socioeconomic status, access to health care, and exposure to the virus. Black or African American people are 1.4 times more vulnerable to getting COVID-19. The amount of hospitalizations is at a rate of 3.7 times more than those who are white, and the death rate of someone who is Black or African American is 2.8 times higher. Access to health care affects a person’s health risks. With a lack of care for underlying conditions, people are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19.
Senator Moore has committed to assessing legislation within the general assembly and any actions through a racial equity lens. She will be asking how major legislation plays into racial disparities and if there will be any racial implications set forth by new pieces of legislation. Sen. Moore has requested the CT Department of Public Health to assign a qualified, trained health professional to the City of Bridgeport immediately.
The letter written by Sen. Moore is attached.
Senator Needleman Tours Hope Partnerships Lofts at Spencer’s Corner, Aimed to Redevelop Town Property and Provide Affordable Housing
Senator Needleman Tours Hope Partnerships Lofts at Spencer’s Corner, Aimed to Redevelop Town Property and Provide Affordable Housing
On Friday, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) took a tour of The Lofts at Spencer’s Corner, a recent redevelopment project in Centerbrook created by the HOPE Partnership in hopes to simultaneously revitalize a central commercial property key to the town and provide affordable housing to the region. Friday’s tour, hosted by HOPE Partnership Operations Manager Loretta McCluskey and Board of Directors President Dave Carswell, explored the mixed-use property, which has apartments ranging in size from one to three bedrooms on its second and third floors and a combination of retail and office space on the first floor.
“It is wonderful when a group of volunteers come together to take on projects that will have long-term benefits for the community,” said Sen. Needleman. “The HOPE Partnership should be lauded for its efforts in not only bringing new, revitalizing development with both residential and business opportunities to the heart of Centerbrook but expanding access to affordable, sustainable housing, something our region needs. I’m looking forward to seeing new neighbors and families take up residence in both its housing and business spaces.”
The HOPE Partnership’s work to redevelop with the intent of increasing access to affordable housing is based off studies and reports from sources like the Center for Housing Policy, which found affordable housing development does not negatively impact nearby property values; in fact, in many cases, they increase those values by injecting new economic investment in a community, it said. The National Low Income Housing Coalition reported that 100 new affordable rental homes could generate $12 million in local income, more than $2 million in tax revenue and government funding and 160 jobs in a community in just one year. This is especially important as some Middlesex County towns see more than half of all renters burdened by rent, in other words spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing each year.
The Lofts at Spencer’s Corner, located on Main Street in Centerbrook, is the HOPE Partnership’s latest property, in addition to its success developing affordable housing with Old Saybrook’s Ferry Crossing townhouse project, which offers 16 homes to families earning less than 80 percent of median area income and was completed in 2012. It is also working to develop a 35-unit project in Madison with 24 affordable housing units.
Caption: State Senator Norm Needleman, HOPE Partnership Operations Manager Loretta McCluskey and Board of Directors President Dave Carswell at The Lofts at Spencer’s Corner.
Senator Anwar Confident as Housing Committee Votes to Draft Three Proposals as Committee Bills
Senator Anwar Confident as Housing Committee Votes to Draft Three Proposals as Committee Bills
As the Housing Committee voted to draft three proposals he introduced as committee bills today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) was confident in their ability to provide stronger protections and better standards of living across Connecticut. Among the proposed bills introduced by Sen. Anwar are efforts to establish a “right to housing” in Connecticut, create opportunities for workforce housing development across the state and give additional protections to individuals who have suffered family violence or sexual assault.
“We need to provide better housing in our state, as access to housing is indicative of success and lack of access harms countless individuals,” said Sen. Anwar. “Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in a stable environment, which is why I am confident that we can create a better future in Connecticut for those struggling with housing insecurity. We can, and should, provide better resources for our friends and neighbors in the community. I look forward to supporting the right to housing, development of workforce housing and efforts to provide victims of violence with increased security.”
The three bills proposed by Sen. Anwar include:
- Establishing the “right to housing,” which includes but is not limited to the rights to housing affordability for members of the public, developing further rehousing assistance for people who become homeless, and protecting individuals from housing loss.
- Establishing a workforce housing development program in opportunity zones and other parts of the state by using tax credits, fee waivers and property tax abatement.
- Protecting victims of family violence or sexual assault by allowing persons with valid orders of protection to replace their home’s locks or request their landlord change the locks to their home.
Senator Needleman, Senator Formica Discuss Energy & Technology Priorities On Lee Elci Show, Now Available On-Demand
Senator Needleman, Senator Formica Discuss Energy & Technology Priorities On Lee Elci Show, Now Available On-Demand
This past Monday, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) and State Senator Paul Formica (R-East Lyme) joined Lee Elci’s talk show on Radio 94.9 News Now for an extended, detailed discussion of the Energy & Technology Committee’s 2021 priorities and focuses. The Senators came together in a bipartisan fashion to discuss pressing issues driving their decisions and thoughts as the 2021 legislative session begins in earnest.
“I’m glad I was able to join Senator Formica and Lee to discuss this session’s many focuses,” said Sen. Needleman. “From the cost of energy to pursuing renewable sources of generation to looking into company and corporate practices, the Energy & Technology Committee is dedicated to tackling a number of vital and important issues in the coming months. I think Monday’s conversation helped us ensure we’re focused on what matters most – what’s best for the people of Connecticut.”
“Thank you to Lee Elci for opening up an hour of his show to discuss energy issues in Connecticut with Senator Needleman and me,” said Sen. Formica. “The important and challenging work of the state’s Energy & Technology Committee continues to attempt to balance generation and supply in a bipartisan way to benefit the citizens and ratepayers of Connecticut. It was great to share part of that process with the listeners of the Lee Elci show. I look forward to further, in depth conversations on energy.”
Monday’s discussion on the Lee Elci Show is available on-demand in recorded format on Elci’s SoundCloud page, located here. On the January 25, 2021 broadcast, available here, the discussion between the Senators and Elci begins at around roughly the 2-hour 58-minute mark.
Duff Joins National Coalition Calling on Congress to Conserve 30% of Land, Water, and Ocean by 2030
Duff Joins National Coalition Calling on Congress to Conserve 30% of Land, Water, and Ocean by 2030
Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) joined over 400 state and local officials from 43 states in calling on the United States Congress to set a federal goal of conserving 30% of the nation’s land, water, and ocean by 2030. The implementation of a national 30×30 goal, in partnership with conservation efforts and environment protection policies here in Connecticut, is a crucial step in avoiding our worsening nature crisis.
A national 30×30 goal would have several major benefits from maintaining food and water security to supporting the long-term growth of the outdoor recreation industry.
“Strong action on conserving our natural resources and protecting wildlife is in the best interest of our state and country,” said Sen. Duff. “Even more, a national 30×30 goal will make our outdoor recreation businesses more resilient so they can continue to create jobs in the local communities they reside in and serve.”
“Over the last four years we saw a stream of anti-environment actions by the Trump Administration that endangered our land, water sources, and wildlife,” continued Sen. Duff. “With President Biden and a new Congress, we have a chance to enact meaningful policies that will protect our forests, shorelines, and oceans for future generations.”
The national coalition of state and local officials pressed Congress to incorporate several aspects into setting a federal goal, including:
- Support locally-led conservation and utilize the local expertise of the communities within the areas sought to be protected
- Honor the sovereignty of tribal nations by helping indigenous tribal communities fulfill their visions and priorities for the stewardship of natural, cultural, and historic resources
- Support private conservation through policy-makers respecting private property rights and increase support for voluntary conservation efforts of private land-owners, water users, working waterfronts, and the private sector
The final aspect raised in the letter is a demand that a national 30×30 goal be guided by science underscoring the deep body of knowledge that scientists can lend to communities and leaders in helping to decide how to protect our ocean, waters, and lands.
Looney Introduces Two Consumer Protection Bills on Prescription Drugs
Looney Introduces Two Consumer Protection Bills on Prescription Drugs
Bills have a public hearing today in the General Law Committee
Today, the General Law Committee will hold a public hearing on two consumer protection bills regarding prescription drugs introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), SB 262 AN ACT REQUIRING MANUFACTURERS OF BRAND NAME PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO PROVIDE SAMPLES OF SUCH DRUGS TO MANUFACTURERS OF GENERIC PRESCRIPTION DRUGS and SB 269 AN ACT CONCERNING THE AVAILABILITY OF GENERIC PHARMACEUTICALS.
SB 262 is similar to Maine’s LD 1280 which passed in 2018. It would require that brand name pharmaceutical manufacturers that are present in the state comply with federal law and make available, at a fair market price, samples of their drugs to generic manufacturers. It would require that drugs distributed in Connecticut be made available for sale to an FDA-approved generic drug manufacturer who is seeking to develop a more affordable alternative. In addition, the bill would authorize the Attorney General to bring legal action against pharmaceutical manufacturers who do not comply with this law. In past years there appeared to be some inaccurate information that was spread regarding similar legislation. Under this legislation the name brand manufacturer must SELL the drug at a fair market price; it does NOT require that the name brand manufacturer provide the samples at no cost to the potential generic maker. Currently the federal government posts a list of companies that deny this access to generic makers.
“Denying generic drug manufacturers access to samples appears to be a fairly common strategy used by name brand drug manufacturers to delay generic entry into the market,” said Senator Looney. “This bill is one step toward increasing access to affordable prescription drugs.”
SB 269 would ban “pay for delay” agreements between name brand pharmaceutical companies and potential generic makers. Under these contracts, the potential generic manufacturer receives a benefit for not producing a generic product. Often this process begins with the name brand company filing a patent infringement suit against the generic company and the suit then produces a settlement that includes a pay for delay contract under which the branded pharmaceutical company pays the generic company to keep its generic pharmaceutical off the market for a period of time. Thus, under this scheme, the generic maker whose business is supposed to be manufacturing lower cost generic alternatives instead receives a profit for not manufacturing anything. The branded company retains its status as the sole manufacturer and can continue to charge an inflated price.
According to a 2010 Federal Trade Commission study, pay for delay contracts were estimated to cost patients $3.5 billion every year. Last year California became the first state in the nation to ban these pay for delay contracts and SB 269 is based on the California law.
“This practice would seem anti-competitive on its face and this bill would create a presumption that such contracts are anti-competitive and illegal unless the parties can prove otherwise,” said Senator Looney. “Rep. Jim Wood, a sponsor of the California measure, noted that the pay for delay contracts result ‘in a loss for patients who deserve access to less expensive drugs and for all of us who end up paying more for health care and, in turn, health care premiums.’ As our constituents continue to face hardships caused by the high price of prescriptions drugs and the unaffordability of health insurance premiums we must do all we can to address these issues. This legislation would be a meaningful step toward lowering prescription drug prices in our state.”
Senator Looney has submitted testimony to the General Law Committee explaining the need for these two bills. The full testimony with citations can be found here.
Senator Haskell Encourages High School Students to Complete FAFSA
Senator Haskell Encourages High School Students to Complete FAFSA
Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport), Senate Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, encouraged high schoolers across the state to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Submitting this financial aid form will help students learn what financial assistance may be available as they pursue a degree. To qualify for priority consideration, Connecticut students must complete the FAFSA by Feburary 15th. They can do so by visiting studentaid.gov.
Sen. Haskell added that completing the FAFSA will be easier than ever before, as Congress recently voted to dramatically reduce the number of questions and streamline the process for students and their families. Additionally, Connecticut public and private colleges and universities are providing students and their families with virtual information sessions regarding how to complete this application and similar financial aid forms. General information sessions will continue through February 7, with additional ones to be scheduled in the future if necessary, and can be accessed at this link. Additionally, students and families will be able to reserve one-on-one appointments with admissions and financial aid officers for direct help with the application process.
“There is literally no downside to completing the FAFSA,” said Sen. Haskell. “We know that FAFSA applications declined significantly in Connecticut in 2020, matching a national trend. If we help more students to fill out this form and learn what federal aid opportunities might be available to them, we’ll bring back more federal dollars from Washington and help more students achieve their potential.”
The schedule for remaining virtual sessions includes two daily events at 4 and 5:30 p.m. on the following dates:
- Sunday, January 31
- Tuesday, February 2
- Wednesday, February 3
- Sunday, February 7
Students are asked to prepare their social security number, a 2019 tax return, W-2 or income records, current bank statements, any business and investment records and proof of U.S. residence.
To register for a listening session, students can click here.
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Senator Needleman Supports Raising Bill to Address Data Cap Limits
Senator Needleman Supports Raising Bill to Address Data Cap Limits
Just as the issue of internet utility providers imposing restrictive data caps on customers yet again becomes pressing and frustrating statewide and beyond, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), chair of the Energy & Technology Committee, today supported the committee’s effort to raise a bill addressing the issue.
“In December, the leaders of the Energy & Technology Committee spoke out against Comcast’s proposed data caps, noting the financial cost they give customers with little, if any, service benefit,” said Sen. Needleman. “We know this predatory practice is largely intended as a financial incentive for companies. For Comcast, and other companies, to implement such a program is them seeking to profit off their customers, who often have few if any alternatives. And for the cap to go into effect in the middle of a pandemic driving increased data usage is cruel. We plan to take action against these data caps this year with solutions that provide customers with real solutions.”
This renewed focus on data caps by the committee, with specific legislation to come in the next weeks, comes as the restrictive practice takes on new significance in Connecticut and beyond. While many internet service providers implement data caps, Comcast recently expanded its 1.2-terabyte data cap into Connecticut at the beginning of this year. That means Comcast customers who use more than 1,200 gigabytes of data on one service will have to either pay an additional $10 for every 50 extra gigabytes of data they use or upgrade their plans to more expensive monthly ones.
While research by industry vendors found that just under 10 percent of internet customers use more than a terabyte of data per month, that number has likely risen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced children and adults alike to shift daily routines from schools and workplaces to home offices and kitchens on digital devices. A Zoom group meeting can use as much as 2.4 gigabytes of data per hour, while watching a high-definition two-hour film on Netflix can use up to 6 gigabytes of data, and digital technology is only using more data as advances continue to be made.
Additionally, data caps can be considered a source of revenue for companies, even as company leaders may claim they protect internal systems. Earlier in 2020, when Comcast waived its data cap for customers, it boasted its network handled the increased usage, which questions why reimposing such a cap is necessary at this time.
Statement of Senator Cathy Osten on the Future of Gaming in Connecticut
Statement of Senator Cathy Osten on the Future of Gaming in Connecticut
State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) issued the following statement in advance of today’s 1 p.m. Public Safety and Security Committee’s informational hearing on present and future trends in gaming:
“For the past few years the Public Safety Committee has held these types of informational meetings to bring members up to speed on current trends in gaming, and I think that’s especially important this year considering our new committee membership.
“But today’s meeting is especially important for another reason: we are at a crossroads here in Connecticut regarding the debate about the future of online gaming, who will conduct it and how. To me, the answer is simple: our two tribal nation partners, the Mohegans and the Mashantucket Pequots, have earned the right to operate sports betting in Connecticut because they are our longstanding, homegrown business partners who employ thousands of state residents and who have provided over $9 billion in revenue to Connecticut since the creation of our gaming compacts 30 years ago.
“More importantly, the tribes have the legal right to operate any form of Class III gaming in Connecticut, such as online sports betting. Now Connecticut has to make a decision: is Connecticut going to continue our nation’s disgraceful trend of breaking every compact that the United States government has ever made with a sovereign nation of America’s first people? Or is Connecticut going to be the first government that stands by its compact with a sovereign nation, and expand and update that contract in a legal and moral and respectful and mutually beneficial manner? That is really what we are debating today. I know where I stand.”