Sen. Slap Encourages Public to Testify on Bill Opposing Age Discrimination in the Hiring Process
State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) today urged residents to submit their personal testimony in support of a bill that seeks to eliminate age discrimination in the hiring process and which will receive its public hearing via Zoom before the Aging Committee at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9.
Senate Bill 56, which seeks to deter age discrimination by prohibiting questions regarding age in preliminary employment applications, is one of 10 bills that will be heard at the public hearing. It is the third time Sen. Slap has introduced the anti-age discrimination legislation.
“Connecticut is a rapidly-aging state, with the sixth-oldest workforce in the nation. At a time when so many people are out of work, and when so many people may soon be trying to re-enter the job market, we have to ensure that older workers don’t get vetted for jobs based simply on their age. This bill is a great chance to help older workers and make Connecticut a fairer place to live and work, and I hope the public turns out to tell their stories and support this legislation,” Sen. Slap said.
“AARP CT has nearly 600,000 members in Connecticut over the age of 50. Age discrimination is very much a concern for them and even for those younger than our members,” says AARP Connecticut State Director Nora L. Duncan. “In a 2018, in an AARP survey of people age 45 and older, 61% of respondents had either seen or experienced age discrimination, with it impacting African-American women the most. With bipartisan and business support, I hope 2021 is the year that we ban the practice of asking job seekers for age-related information that is, at best, unnecessary and, at worst, discriminatory.”
Individuals who wish to testify via Zoom must register using the online testimony registration form at: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3xwM3m22SrKzR2kQAkgjWg
Registration will close on Monday, February 8, at 3 p.m.; the speaker order will then be listed in randomized order and posted on the Aging Committee website on February 8 at 8 p.m. under “Public Hearing Testimony.”
You can also email written testimony in Word or PDF format to agetestimony@cga.ct.gov, or you can provide verbal testimony over the phone by calling 860-240-0090 and leaving your contact information.
Legislation Prohibiting Discipline Against Schoolchildren for School Lunch Debt Receives Public Hearing in Children’s Committee
Legislation Prohibiting Discipline Against Schoolchildren for School Lunch Debt Receives Public Hearing in Children’s Committee
Today, as legislation that would prohibit discipline against public school children for unpaid school lunch charges and allow any public or private party to make donations toward paying off such debt received a public hearing in the Children’s Committee, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) expressed his optimism that the unfair and cruel practice will no longer impact children.
“When children are impacted by poverty, one of the worst things we can do is compound the pressure they are already under, yet that is exactly what punishing them for school lunch debt does,” said Sen. Anwar. “If a child struggles to pay for school lunch, it is simply wrong to deprive them of food, force them to eat from a different menu or punish them through withholding other services. I’m encouraged that we may be able to reduce school lunch debt itself through donations to further alleviate this problem. I’m happy this bill is receiving the serious discussion it deserves and will continue to advocate for its passage.”
Committee Bill 36, “An Act Concerning School Lunch Debt,” would prevent the punishment or discipline of a student for having outstanding debt in receiving school lunches. This includes restrictions on delaying or refusing to serve a meal to a child, designating specific meal options to a child or any other action against them solely for holding school lunch debt. Students would further be allowed to purchase one meal per day of their choice and schools would develop a procedure to communicate with a child’s parent or guardian about lunch debt involving advice and referrals to local food security resources such as food pantries or food assistance programs.
Additionally, local and regional boards of education would be allowed to accept gifts, donations or grants from any public or private source to pay off unpaid school food charges.
Senate Democrats Support Governor’s Latest Executive Orders
Senate Democrats Support Governor’s Latest Executive Order
Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, and Senator Marilyn Moore released statements supporting the executive orders announced today by Governor Lamont.
“Today’s group of emergency orders from Governor Lamont confirms what everyone in Connecticut understands except Republicans in the General Assembly: our state remains in a state of public health emergency,” said Senate President Martin Looney and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff. “Connecticut needs to remain ready to act nimbly in anticipation of challenges and to protect the public’s health. This pandemic is not over and we cannot let our guard down.”
“We would like to thank Governor Lamont for taking these steps to provide more locations for testing and vaccinations, allow more flexibility for religious gatherings, continue safe voting options, and protect state benefits,” continued Senators Looney and Duff. “We are especially pleased that these orders include a continuation of providing two weeks of paid leave for school employees. We have heard from so many teachers and other staff about the importance of this issue and are pleased to have been able to work with Governor Lamont to extend these benefits.”
“Connecticut was positioned to benefit tremendously from the work of our federal delegation by passing the CARES Act II stimulus bill,” said Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport), Senate Chair of the Human Services Committee. “However, Connecticut needed to remain in a state of emergency in order for today’s executive action to capture all the federal funding that Congress made available. For those thousands of families relying on Medicaid and SNAP this ensures your benefits will not stop during these challenging times.”
Equity Advocates and Labor Chairwomen Robyn Porter and Julie Kushner Introduce Cannabis Equity and Workforce Development Bill
Equity Advocates and Labor Chairwomen Robyn Porter and Julie Kushner Introduce Cannabis Equity and Workforce Development Bill
HARTFORD – Labor Committee Chairwomen State Representative Robyn Porter (D-Hamden) and State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury), in cooperation with members of the cannabis equity group Connecticut United for Reform And Equity (CURE-CT), have introduced legislation outlining a process for establishing an equity focused task force, a permanent cannabis commission, and a long-term cannabis jobs training program.
House Bill 6377 is titled “AN ACT CONCERNING LABOR PEACE AGREEMENTS AND A MODERN AND EQUITABLE CANNABIS WORKFORCE.” It will receive a public hearing on Tuesday, February 9.
“I am honored to introduce a framework to finally tackle the difficult issue of ending the war on cannabis users and entrepreneurs,” said Rep. Porter. “The sister struggles of cannabis equity and labor are one in the same, the search for true economic justice for our communities. Today we stand here united in the truth that there will be no cannabis industry in CT that does not center equity and justice for our communities at every step of the way.”
“As we fight through the COVID-19 pandemic and progress into a recovery period in the coming months, we must make sure that Connecticut’s recovery is equitable for all,” said Sen. Kushner. “We are considering a whole new industry for our state in legal cannabis, which has the potential to create thousands of new jobs. We must get this right from the very beginning. With Labor Peace Agreements and equity provisions we will ensure that these are good jobs with good benefits for all.”
HB 6377 will:
- Require Labor Peace Agreements for all licenses
- Create a workforce development pipeline to be created over 5 years
- Quantify the negative impacts of the war on drugs in order to create a robust equity support system.
- Create a framework for 6 license types: Cultivation, Manufacturing, Retail, Testing Lab, Delivery, and Microbusiness
- Empower local Native American Tribes to open Tribal cannabis establishments
- Allow for increased Research at the UConn Cannabis Sciences department
- Allow for adults over the age of 21 to grow up to 6 plants at home
“The state of Connecticut must address the damage it did to our communities through its participation in the war on drugs,” said Jason Ortiz, President of the Minority Cannabis Business Association and Hartford resident. “The conversation around legalizing cannabis will best happen through strong leadership from communities of color, and frankly our approach will create more revenue, generate more jobs, and empower more entrepreneurs than any previous version of legalization in the state.”
“When we started the fight for equity in cannabis here in Connecticut, we committed to not supporting any bill that failed to address the harm caused by the war on drugs in Black and Brown communities. I am pleased that we finally have a bill that begins to repair that harm and will be integral in the creation of a fair and equitable cannabis industry in our state,” said Kebra Smith Bolden, President of CURE-CT and Owner of Cannahealth, a medical marijuana patient card service. “Thank you to Chairwomen Porter and Kushner and to all of the future cosponsors and coalition members for their commitment to racial and economic justice.”
Energy & Technology Committee Leaders Relieved to See Comcast Delay Use of Data Caps in Northeast, but More Action Needed
Senator Needleman Happy as Nearly $500 Million in Federal Emergency Relief Funds Released in Effort to Reduce Educational Disparities, Including $3.651 Million in Local Funds
Today, the leaders of the Energy & Technology Committee, including Senate Chair State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), House Chair State Representative David Arconti (D-Danbury) and Ranking Members State Senator Paul Formica (R-East Lyme) and State Representative Charles Ferraro (R-West Haven), said they were relieved to see Comcast’s announcement that it will drop all data caps impacting customers in the Northeast until July. The Comcast policy change was announced shortly before Connecticut Attorney General William Tong held a press conference Wednesday morning on the Capitol steps, decrying the late-2020 imposition of the caps and calling for their removal.
“While this temporary rollback is undoubtedly good news for tens of thousands of Connecticut residents put under increased stress by data caps being imposed while many are working from home and just as many children are learning from home, we must continue to apply pressure to Comcast and its fellow internet service providers,” said Sen. Needleman. “In the middle of a pandemic, this move is nearly indefensible, but even in good times, ISPs have been known to impose data caps as a means to increase revenue more than protect their services. It’s good that Comcast delayed its data caps for six months. It would be better if ISPs didn’t impose customer-unfriendly policies at all.”
“A temporary roll back is a good short-term solution, but our committee is committed to finding policies that will permanently address this concern,” said Rep. Arconti. “Now, more than ever, broadband internet service is critical to our personal and professional lives. We must protect our consumers against any predatory plan that hinders the ability to access work and education. This is a vital resource that should be regulated as such and that includes providing PURA with the necessary staff to do that.”
“I’m glad to see that Comcast reached a common sense solution to suspend data caps which would have added additional hardships for their pandemic-beaten customers,” said Sen. Formica. “Internet service is now more important than ever for Connecticut families. Comcast’s decision to choose people over increasing profits will enable Connecticut ratepayers to attend class, to ‘go to work’ and make that call to a loved one instead of forcing them to miss these important events simply to avoid a fee increase. Now, the Connecticut Legislature should follow Comcast’s example and work collaboratively to avoid increasing the financial demands on its residents and businesses by raising taxes.”
“I am pleased to hear that Comcast will rollback its data cap imposition on Connecticut residents,” said Rep. Ferraro. “This will certainly come as good news to the many residents who are working from home as well as the many children who due to the pandemic are also in the home doing distance learning. I realize that this is a 6 month moratorium but it is my hope that going forward that ISPs will realize imposing such data caps are extremely consumer unfriendly.”
On Wednesday, Comcast announced it would suspend the data caps it imposed on 12 Northeastern states beginning in January, partially in response to announcements made by state Attorneys General including AG Tong and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. The data caps, which are in place in most other parts of the country, are designed to limit a customer to 1.2 terabytes of data per month, which represents 1,200 gigabytes of data. If a user goes above that total, they are charged $10 for each additional 50 gigabytes used, up to $100 extra per month. Comcast said it will reimpose the caps in July with more transparency provided to customers when the caps return.
The data caps’ imposition in the middle of a global pandemic drew scorn from critics, many of whom noted working from home and remote learning have been adopted by millions around the country in response to the threat of COVID-19. With digital video conferencing, streaming video and many more technologies using more data as new breakthroughs in delivery are found, data caps stand to hit consumers in their wallets at a time they are already struggling.
Legislators Join Together to Urge the Importance of Investing in Connecticut’s Middle Class and Working People
Legislators Join Together to Urge the Importance of Investing in Connecticut’s Middle Class and Working People
Today, numerous state legislators, including State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) and State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury), joined together to advocate for bold action and for Connecticut to ensure investments in the state budget and in the state’s future, people and programs. The facets that define our communities and allow our residents to thrive are at risk without serious focus on reducing income inequality, finding revenue to fortify state programs and efforts to invest in education, workforce development, health care, housing and vital public services.
With the COVID-19 pandemic only further widening the gap between those with and without – working families facing poverty, food insecurity, job loss, educational disparities and pressing housing issues now more than ever – thousands of families are being pushed to the brink, making state resources more vital than ever.
Adding insult to injury, current structures result in hedge fund managers paying far less in taxes than teachers, nurses and grocery store workers, the essential workers who have kept the state going as the pandemic rages. Giving Connecticut residents a more reliable tax system, ensuring everyone pays their share and everyone receives the help they need, is the solution.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the significant flaws of our systems, exposing every gap that disadvantages some but not all of us,” said Sen. Anwar. “Now more than ever, we need to fight for the everyday people of Connecticut, fighting to make sure everyone in our state has the same opportunities and resources that will allow them to succeed and thrive.”
Sen. Kushner joined a distinguished group of legislators including State Representative Robyn Porter (D-New Haven), State Representative Quentin Phipps (D-Middletown) and State Representative Kate Farrar (D-West Hartford) in Wednesday’s call to action, joined by community members who shared their personal stories about struggling with heath care and housing in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Denise Rogers, of Hamden, spoke Wednesday to give her story of survival and recovery from COVID-19 after losing her husband to the virus in the spring of 2020. Rogers, diagnosed as a COVID-19 “long hauler” with side effects including brain fog and fatigue, pleaded for the public to know there is a recovery gap among survivors, as she is still fighting for worker’s compensation, as she was likely infected on the job as a bus driver.
“It’s a fight for many of us, and it’s still an uphill battle out here,” Rogers said. “We need your help.”
Gavin Guerra, an independent filmmaker from Weston, expressed he has struggled with the COVID-19 pandemic in a different way. As a gig worker moving from project to project, Guerra said he lost health insurance around the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring him to go on COBRA health care. To ensure his daughter, who has autism and Crohn’s disease, receives quality care, the cost is more than $30,000 per year solely on premiums. Health care reform and investment are key, he said, to help many families like his avoid this extreme financial pressure.
Significant investments are necessary to protect and preserve the resources supporting our communities. Among the priorities mentioned by the legislators include municipal aid, especially in fully funding the Payment in Lieu of Taxes, or PILOT, program that reimburses cities and towns for state-owned and other tax-exempt properties. Other important resources advocated for include both grade-level and higher education, with the Education Cost Sharing formula, full funding of Alliance District grants and universal pre-kindergarten programs, as well as providing protection for state and community colleges by closing budget deficits and funding the Program for Free Community College.
Even more pressing is the need to address health care, with recommendations to expand Husky and commit to long-term care and state-run direct care mental health and housing services, and to expand the Temporary Rental Housing Assistance Program and build new affordable housing units, they added. They further advocated to send stimulus payments to those who have lost their jobs, double property tax credits for property owners and expand the Earned Income Tax Credit, all of which would directly benefit and reduce financial strain on those in need.
To put such changes in place and restore tax relief for working families and middle-class families, legislators suggested changes to tax codes ranging from digital ad revenue taxes for companies with annual revenue over $10 billion; a property tax on market value portions of homes valued over $1.5 million; reduce estate tax exemptions; increase corporation business tax rates for corporations; impose new surtaxes on income of more than $500,000; and raise individual income tax rates for individuals earning more than $500,000 per year and $1 million per year. These suggestions and recommendations are intended for state legislators, including Governor Ned Lamont, to consider in the 2021 legislative session.
Senator Lopes says the Over $24 Million in Emergency Relief Funds is an Important Step in Reducing Educational Disparities in Local Schools
Senator Lopes says the Over $24 Million in Emergency Relief Funds is an Important Step in Reducing Educational Disparities in Local Schools
Today, State Senator Rick Lopes (D-New Britain) said that the release of $492.43 million in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds throughout Connecticut, including over $24 million in funds for New Britain, Berlin, and Farmington schools was vital in ensuring that our schools have sufficient resources amid the Covid crisis.
That funding is dedicated to targeting and reducing educational disparities among students that have been further exacerbated from the pandemic, with possible uses including additional classroom supports, intensive tutoring and enhanced summer school programming.
“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted students across Connecticut, especially those who are facing housing insecurity or have limited internet access,” said Sen. Lopes. “These relief funds will provide students with needed support and give schools resources to close gaps in educational opportunity the pandemic has widened. Thank you to the Connecticut federal delegation for securing this funding and advocacy for the needs of our state’s future leaders and innovators.”
In the 6th Senate District, New Britain schools received $22,902,450; Berlin schools received $641,868; and Farmington schools received $1,019,624.
Connecticut received $492.43 million in funding in the latest allotment, increasing total Emergency Relief Funds received to just over $600 million. Part of the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 90 percent of the funding will be allocated to municipal education groups, while a remaining 10 percent will be used for state-level activities.
Approved uses of the funds include coordinating improved COVID-19 response, prevention and preparation efforts; addressing learning loss among students, including groups seen to experience increased learning loss such as low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness and children and youth in foster care; addressing individual schools’ needs; improving sanitation on school campuses; and improving indoor air quality in schools while reducing risk of environmental health hazards, among others.
Sen. Lopes represents New Britain, Berlin, and parts of Farmington. He is a small business owner and former housing coordinator for the Middletown Chapter of the American Red Cross, with a Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) from UConn. He is the Co-Chair of the Housing Committee and Vice Chair of the Aging Committee.
Sen. Slap Welcomes $492 Million in Emergency Federal Education Relief for Connecticut, Including $7 Million For Four Area Towns
Sen. Slap Welcomes $492 Million in Emergency Federal Education Relief for Connecticut, Including $7 Million For Four Area Towns
State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) today welcomed the receipt of $492.43 million in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds for Connecticut, including $7,093,406 in federal funding for schools in the four 5th State Senate District towns he represents.
The federal funds, which are part of the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, must be used to reduce educational disparities that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local funding incudes:
- Bloomfield, $1,743,911
- Burlington (along with Regional School District 10), $330,456
- Farmington, $1,019,624
- West Hartford, $3,999,415
“I don’t know of a single parent, including myself, who does not value public education and who doesn’t want the best for their child, especially in these very trying circumstances during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic,” Sen. Slap said. “Once again, state and federal spending is helping to smooth the rough edges of online learning and all the accompanying inequities and challenges that come with it. I’m grateful for this infusion of much-needed federal spending, and I’m sure local school boards will determine the best way to make the most of this money.”
Approved uses of the federal funds include coordinating improved COVID-19 response, prevention and preparation efforts; addressing learning loss among students, including groups seen to experience increased learning loss such as low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness and children and youth in foster care; addressing individual schools’ needs; improving sanitation on school campuses; and improving indoor air quality in schools while reducing risk of environmental health hazards, among others.
Sen. Cohen Welcomes $492 Million in Emergency Federal Education Relief for Connecticut, Including $2.9 Million for Six Area Towns
Sen. Cohen Welcomes $492 Million in Emergency Federal Education Relief for Connecticut, Including $2.9 Million for Six Area Towns
State Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford) today welcomed the receipt of $492.43 million in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds for Connecticut, including $2.9 million in federal funding for schools in the 12th State Senate District that she represents.
The federal funds, which are part of the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, must be used to reduce educational disparities that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local funding incudes:
- Branford, $1,346,787
- Guilford, $522,780
- Madison, $344,797
- North Branford, $288,074
- Killingworth (along with the reginal school district), $201,928
- Durham (along with the regional school district), $194,700
“The impact of this global viral pandemic is deep and broad and seems never-ending. Fortunately, governments at the state and federal levels are stepping in with money that is absolutely essential to ensuring public health, economic vitality and continuity for our educators and young learners,” Sen. Cohen said. “As a former board of education member and the mother of three, I know how needed these school relief funds are, and I’m confident our local school systems will put this money to good use for both staff and students.”
Approved uses of the federal funds include coordinating improved COVID-19 response, prevention and preparation efforts; addressing learning loss among students, including groups seen to experience increased learning loss such as low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness and children and youth in foster care; addressing individual schools’ needs; improving sanitation on school campuses; and improving indoor air quality in schools while reducing risk of environmental health hazards, among others.
Club Permit and Nonprofit Club Permit Fees Act Voted Out of General Law Committee, Heads to Senate
Club Permit and Nonprofit Club Permit Fees Act Voted Out of General Law Committee, Heads to Senate
Today, the General Law Committee passed a bill that would reduce permit fees for non-profit clubs. The fees had been inadvertently raised by the sweeping overhaul of the state’s liquor statutes in 2019. This bill will allow for an adjustment to the annual fee for a café permit for prior holders of club permits and nonprofit club permits and allows the Department of Consumer Protection to refund anyone who paid the $2,000 fee the difference.
Senator James Maroney (D-Milford), Chair of the General Law Committee, led the discussion in the General Law Committee meeting today following Thursday’s public hearing.
“This is a huge effort in helping those who have not paid or have already paid their annual fee for this year,” said Sen. Maroney. “Those who have paid will be reimbursed. I have heard from many non-profit clubs that they are struggling with closures and the increased permit fees. This will hopefully help them so they can continue to invest in our communities with the savings.”
“It is with gratitude that so many of our elected representatives understand that The American Legion and our brother Veterans Service Organizations are non-profits and use our funds to support our communities, state, and nation,” said Tom Flowers, Chairman of the Ct. American Legion Legislative Affairs Committee.
The coronavirus pandemic provided hardship on businesses including cafes around the state. Under this bill, an annual fee for a cafe permit will be two thousand dollars. The annual fee for a cafe permit for a prior holder of a club permit or a nonprofit club permit will be $815, which is lower than the annual fee of $2,000 that currently holds now, reducing annual permit fees for club and nonprofit clubs.
The bill, an ACT CONCERNING CLUB PERMIT AND NONPROFIT CLUB PERMIT FEES, known as SB263, now heads to the senate.