Sen. Needleman Introduces Legislation, Hears Testimony on Small Business COVID-19 Relief
Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) introduced legislation to the Commerce Committee discussed during a public hearing that would provide financial relief to small businesses dealing with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation in question would protect businesses’ unemployment insurance payments, exempt them from sales tax on key purchases and ensure their best interests are considered in development of future regulations.
“We all know the hardest-hit of all during the pandemic are small businesses,” Sen. Needleman said. “Too many have suffered extreme financial burdens, and many have closed. We owe it to the men and women who put their lives into their work to protect them, and their investments and livelihoods, from any further damage. These common-sense steps will prevent surprise costs and put money back into businesses, allowing them to better survive until this pandemic ends.”
Senate Bill 711, “An Act Concerning COVID-19 Relief For Small Businesses,” was introduced by a coalition of Democratic State Senators including Sen. Needleman. If voted into law, it would have three important benefits for small businesses:
- Small businesses with less than 100 employees cannot have unemployment insurance premiums increased due to increased claims due to COVID-19 and insurers cannot use increased claims due to COVID-19 when calculating businesses’ losses compared to competitors.
- Small businesses would be exempt from sales tax when purchasing personal protective equipment to protect employees.
- Agencies reviewing or potentially changing regulations must develop an economic impact statement and an assessment seeing how those regulations would impact small businesses before they are potentially introduced.
Sens. Anwar and Cassano Excited by Possibilities of Amazon Leasing Former Manchester Warehouse
Sens. Anwar and Cassano Excited by Possibilities of Amazon Leasing Former Manchester Warehouse
In response to news announced today that Amazon will lease a significant portion of a former warehouse complex on the border of Manchester and East Hartford, State Senators Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) and Steve Cassano (D-Manchester) today said they were excited about the possibilities of the move for local employment and business opportunities. In addition to Amazon, the complex additionally houses Stop & Shop’s parent company and J.C. Penney, its former main tenant, indicating growth in local warehousing.
“Amazon is the latest company to expand operations locally, further adding to the benefits we’ve derived from Stop & Shop and J.C. Penney already there,” said Sen. Anwar. “Our local community will benefit from this move not just in the increased local employment and improved local logistics but in the positioning of our region as a draw for warehousing due to its proximity to many major destinations in the Northeast. It bodes well for the future of the Logistics Center @ Rentschler Field as well, as that future development will only further bolster local warehousing prowess.”
“On top of the jobs this move will make, we cannot forget the importance of this local resource continuing to be used,” said Sen. Cassano. “For years, we worried about what would happen if J.C. Penney left Manchester. While they have indeed reduced their presence, it only allowed more companies to move to our region, which will provide positive economic benefits for the larger community. I’m excited by what this means for the future and hope the good news continues to snowball on behalf of the entire Manchester caucus. On a personal note, this has a special connection for me as well – the morning after my initial election as Deputy Mayor of Manchester in 1977, we held our first meeting with J.C. Penney to discuss what would eventually become this warehouse.”
Amazon will lease 350,000 square feet of the 2-million-square-foot warehouse complex located on Tolland Turnpike, with the complex already hosting Stop & Shop parent company Ahold Delhaize and J.C. Penney. The Amazon announcement is expected to bring 600 jobs to the region; it was facilitated by property owner Winstanley Enterprises, which has invested tens of millions of dollars into renovating the warehouse.
This is the latest promising regional news regarding warehousing, with more likely to come. Amazon already operates a warehouse in Windsor and is constructing a delivery station as well, while Pratt & Whitney announced last week it is marketing 300 acres of its property at Rentschler Field in East Hartford to be developed as “The Logistics Center @ Rentschler Field.”
Senator Dennis Bradley Releases Statement Following News of Closures of People’s United Banks in Stop & Shop Locations in Bridgeport
Senator Dennis Bradley Releases Statement Following News of Closures of People’s United Banks in Stop & Shop Locations in Bridgeport
This morning, Senator Dennis Bradley (D-Bridgeport) is releasing a statement following news of Bridgeport-based lender People’s United Bank closing several of their Stop & Shop locations over the next few years. People’s United currently operates 84 Stop & Shop branches in Connecticut including the Brookside Stop & Shop Branch in Bridgeport on Main street and the Fairfield Avenue Stop & Shop Branch on Fairfield Avenue.
“Banks play a critical role in the prosperity and accessibility of economic opportunity,” said Sen. Bradley. “Many people benefit from easy access to banks and locating them in readily convenient areas is crucial. With the closure of these locations, it creates barriers to economic opportunity that are essential to the city of Bridgeport.”
In the Connecticut Community Reinvestment act, it is enacted in CT statute 36a-37a that banks and other credit unions are required “to satisfy their continuing and affirmative obligation to help meet the credit needs of their communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods..” and with the removal of these locations, the city will be burdened again following many cases of economic segregation.
Senator Haskell Introduces, Testifies in Favor of Legislation to Improve Veteran Services
Senator Haskell Introduces, Testifies in Favor of Legislation to Improve Veteran Services
Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) testified in front of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee regarding legislation he introduced that would connect Connecticut veterans with the critical resources available to them. His bill would simply add two questions to public-facing forms used by state agencies, inviting veterans to identify themselves and ask for help. This would allow Connecticut’s Department of Veterans Affairs to quickly connect with local veterans and provide necessary support services.
“Veterans put their lives on the line to protect our quality of life, but too often we look the other way as they struggle with the return to civilian life,” said Sen. Haskell. “Our state has made some wonderful resources available to veterans — now we need to ensure those resources are put to good use. This bill would simply ask state agencies like the DMV or the State Police to determine if a veteran needs assistance from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. With 20 veterans a day dying from suicide nationally, we cannot wait another moment before providing a helping hand to those who served us.”
Senate Bill 385, “An Act Requiring All State Agencies To Include Certain Questions Relating To Veteran Status On State Forms,” would require state agencies to add two questions to forms: “Have you served in the military?” and “Do you need any assistance?” If the person asked responds yes, they are then referred to the state and federal agencies responsible for the wellbeing of veterans.
This legislation is intended to help veterans receive assistance that is currently available but underutilized. Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans see a 60 percent greater risk of suicide than non-veterans, and the greatest risk for suicide comes three years after a veteran leaves service, according to the federal Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Federal and state intervention can help prevent this daily loss of life. From 2017 to 2018, suicide rates declined 2.4 percent among veterans who accessed VA health care; other veteran groups saw those rates climb 2.5 percent.
In 2018, 47 Connecticut veterans died by suicide. With experts fearing further losses as a result of this isolating pandemic, this legislation takes on a new urgency this year.
In 2015, Michigan passed similar legislation. The state’s “reintegration” bill for veterans supplied them with lists of service organizations upon their returns home from service.
Senator Needleman Supportive of ‘Reasonable’ Budget Proposal Released Wednesday
Senator Needleman Supportive of ‘Reasonable’ Budget Proposal Released Wednesday
Responding to Governor Ned Lamont’s release of a biennial budget proposal for the 2021-22 fiscal period, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) released the following statement:
“While I still need time to dig deeper, at first pass, the Governor’s budget proposal is a reasonable starting point for Connecticut,” said Sen. Needleman. “With the state still struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, this provides the necessary resources to help through this difficult period and begins to lay the groundwork for an economic recovery. I know conversations will continue and changes may yet be made, but the long and short of this budget is it supports our most immediate and pressing needs, looks both to the present and the future and doesn’t include any major tax increases, which protects all those financially impacted by the pandemic. I’d like to thank Governor Lamont and his team for their hard work in putting this budget together.”
Documents regarding the two-year budget proposal released today can be accessed at this link.
Senator Anwar: ‘This Budget Does Not Meet the Moment’
Senator Anwar: ‘This Budget Does Not Meet the Moment’
Today, responding to Governor Ned Lamont’s release of a biennial budget proposal for the 2021-22 fiscal period, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) released the following statement:
“The budget proposal that has been presented by the Governor’s team does not meet the moment,” Sen. Anwar said. “It ignores the clear and immediate needs of many vulnerable people in our state. We are living in unprecedented times, living in a once-in-a-century event that has killed more than 7,200 people in our communities. We hear of more every day, and for many who have died, I am taking care of many of them. They are real people.
Unemployment is now higher than in the 1930s, with some 200,000 workers without jobs, the majority of them women. We have higher numbers of people at risk of becoming homeless. We have pressing health care, education, higher education, housing and small business protection needs. This is the time for recovery planning, to invest in the people of our state so we can come back. Our education is underfunded; some industries will not return to pre-pandemic levels, and we need new training and development for those workers.
We also need to recognize health-equity challenges before the pandemic were among the highest in the country and the pandemic has only further shown this disparity is further impacting residents of our state, and it may become a scar for them forever. Asset-limited, income-restrained employed are increasing rapidly in the pandemic, and who will speak for them?
This is not a time for the status quo; this is a time for transformative leadership. If we do not effectively intervene, history will judge us harshly. I know many of my colleagues and I are ready for a conversation making sure no one in Connecticut is left behind. This budget would leave many of them behind.”
Statement From New Britain Legislators on Slow Local Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout
Statement From New Britain Legislators on Slow Local Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout
Representatives Robert Sanchez (D-New Britain), Manny Sanchez (D-New Britain, Newington) and Senator Rick Lopes (D- Berlin, Farmington, New Britain) issued a statement today on their concerns about a slow vaccine rollout in New Britain.
“We are concerned that New Britain falls near the bottom of municipalities in Connecticut with the lowest administration of COVID-19 vaccines to date. Given the current shortage of vaccine supply, we must double our efforts to reach communities that have historically faced challenges – especially as supplies increase. Governor Lamont has called for an equitable distribution of COVID-19 resources, however the statistics prove some communities are being grossly underserved in this pandemic. We will continue to work with state and local officials and organizations to improve New Britain’s standing with vaccine coverage.”
Senator James Maroney Releases Statement in Response to Governor Lamont Budget Proposal
Senator James Maroney Releases Statement in Response to Governor Lamont Budget Proposal
Today, in response to Governor Ned Lamont’s release of his biennial budget proposal, Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) released the following statement:
“The Governor’s state budget proposal is just the beginning,” said Sen. Maroney. “I am eager to work with the Governor and my fellow colleagues to further refine and improve the budget. I am thrilled with the investments that are slated to be made in education and workforce development while helping to re-build a better Connecticut that works for all following the ravages of the pandemic.”
Senator Matt Lesser Releases Statement Following Governor Lamont Proposal of Affordable Healthcare
Senator Matt Lesser Releases Statement Following Governor Lamont Proposal of Affordable Healthcare
Today, Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) is releasing a statement following Governor Lamont’s proposal known as, An Act Creating the Covered Connecticut Program to Access to Affordable Healthcare.
“As a veteran small business owner, it’s clear that Governor Lamont understands that Connecticut needs bold action to make health insurance more affordable right now, in the pandemic, to speed the recovery and improve health equity. His proposal to create the Covered Connecticut program to lower insurance premiums and deductibles is an important and positive move. I look forward to reviewing his prescription drug proposal and agree that we need to do more to lower sky rocketing drug prices. His plan currently does not offer support for struggling small businesses and non-profits, nor does it clearly expand Medicaid or health care options for immigrant communities, and I continue to believe those are essential elements that should be included in any eventual health reform.”
Yesterday, Senator Lesser, along with Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, Representative Sean Scanlon, and State Comptroller Kevin Lembo, unveiled health care reform legislation, SB 842, An Act Concerning Health Insurance And Health Care In Connecticut, that would make health insurance more affordable for families, individuals, and small businesses.
Senator Anwar Hears Testimony, Gives Support to Crucial Health Care Reform Legislation
Senator Anwar Testifies in Support of Crucial Health Care Reform Legislation
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) listened to testimony while standing strongly in favor of crucial health care reform legislation during a public hearing in the Insurance & Real Estate Committee. The legislation, if approved, would make health care more affordable for families and small businesses, expanding health coverage, reducing premiums and deductibles on AccessHealthCT, the state’s health care insurance exchange, and create new, affordable options for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, non-profits and labor unions.
“We know there are many in our state struggling economically, we know there are many needing better health care in our state as well, and we know we need to deliver them relief,” said Sen. Anwar. “This plan will lower costs for consumers everywhere. It will ensure more in our state can access and receive the care they need when they need it. It will benefit our small businesses, allowing them, and their employees, better care for better costs. It is a step forward for our state at a time where we cannot afford to do anything but progress.”
Introduced today by State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown), Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), State Representative Sean Scanlon (D-Guilford) and State Comptroller Kevin Lembo in a morning press conference, Senate Bill 842, “An Act Concerning Health Insurance And Health Care In Connecticut,” would transform health insurance and health care in the state, benefitting numerous workers and employers alike.
The bill is specifically designed to strengthen the Affordable Care Act and address the health insurance affordability crisis exacerbated by the pandemic. Even before COVID-19 shown a spotlight on health equity, the uninsured rate for those just above the poverty level was already rising in Connecticut.
Eligibility for HUSKY, Connecticut’s Medicaid program, will also be expanded. Subsidies would be offered to people who purchase coverage on the health care exchange, a policy that has worked in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland and other states. The bill will reduce uninsured rates in Connecticut and address the affordability of health care. The bill would also allow immigrants, working people with disabilities including those recovering from COVID-19, and people with chronic medical conditions the ability to purchase affordable coverage. It also coordinates unemployment insurance and health coverage to ensure that individuals who lose their jobs do not experience gaps in coverage.