Senator Haskell encouraged by State Grant Funding to Remediate Blighted Property in Redding
Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) was encouraged to see the state commit grant funding to a Redding property that has been blighted and vacant, helping assess the property for the purpose of putting it back into productive use. As part of $19 million in state grants awarded by Governor Ned Lamont’s administration for blighted property assessment and remediation, Redding’s former Gilbert and Bennett Manufacturing Company site will receive $200,000 for assessment.
“I’d like to thank Governor Lamont and his administration for making this vital investment in other Georgetown community,” said Sen. Haskell. “The Gilbert and Bennett site is has tremendous potential, and with this grant the town can learn exactly what needs to be done in terms remediation. I’m excited to see what the future has in store for this historic property.”
The Gilbert and Bennett Manufacturing Company site, a former wire mill, has sat vacant for years and has experienced issues previously in redevelopment. It previously was the center of operations for Gilbert and Bennett Manufacturing Company The town will be able to begin a site appraisal with the $200,000 grant, reviewing work that has been done and work left to be done to prepare the property for future redevelopment.
State Senator Marilyn Moore Celebrates Grant to Rehab Sikorsky Memorial Airport and Funding for Bridgeport Wastewater Project
State Senator Marilyn Moore Celebrates Grant to Rehab Sikorsky Memorial Airport and Funding for Bridgeport Wastewater Project
Today, State Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) is celebrating a $7 million grant approved on the July Bond Commission’s Agenda. This grant announced by Governor Lamont will fund pavement rehabilitation on Runway 11-29, fence installation, as well as an environmental assessment and initial design of additional revenue-generating opportunities at Bridgeport’s Sikorsky Memorial airport.
“This major funding will not only enhance the physical appearance of the airport but further boost the economy and the experience of each passenger traveling to and from Sikorsky,” said Sen. Moore. “I thank Governor Lamont for his push to include this particular grant in July’s Bond Agenda. This will influence residents in our state to appreciate all that Bridgeport has to offer.”
In addition to the Governor’s announcement, charter operator Tailwind has received FAA approval to conduct scheduled shuttle service between Long Island, Boston, to New York City and the region – including Bridgeport’s Sikorsky Memorial Airport. This service will allow for more affordable one-way fares designed to reduce peak rush hour in the Bridgeport area.
Sikorsky Memorial Airport is a public airport in Fairfield County, Connecticut, owned by the city of Bridgeport.
Furthermore, Senator Moore is also excited for funding released by the State Bond Commission that will support vital public water systems in our state. Over $2.2 million dollars will be allocated from the Clean Water Fund State Account and will be disbursed to drinking water projects including the West Side Wastewater Treatment Plan in Bridgeport.
“Clean water is fundamental for a person’s health and our environment,” said Sen. Moore. “Residents in Bridgeport can now rest assured their drinking water will continue to be filtered and regulated and safe for consumption or recreational use.”
The West Side Wastewater Treatment project has been completed and Bridgeport has fulfilled its loan repayments. These repayments are typically used to pay debt service on bonds issued by the Clean Water Fund but due to the restructuring of the Fund, the money will be available for the purpose of meeting the state match for the Drinking Water Program.
Youth-Centered Event on Violence Prevention, Mental Health, and Community Empowerment to be Held at Windsor’s Hopewell Baptist Church
Youth-Centered Event on Violence Prevention, Mental Health, and Community Empowerment to be Held at Windsor’s Hopewell Baptist Church
Hopewell Baptist Church Youth & Young Adult Leaders is holding “We Hear You, Let’s Talk About It,” Empowering Our Future Leaders to Speak Up & Speak Out. A community forum to engage and empower young people to share their viewpoints on violence prevention, mental health, and learn how to channel their perspectives in speaking out against social injustices and inequalities. The event is produced by Francine Entertainment & Marketing.
The event will take place on Saturday, June 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. outdoors at Hopewell Baptist Church (280 Windsor St. Windsor, Connecticut). As part of the engaging and informative community event there will be free food and prizes, with music provide by DJ Bigg Mann of Hot 93.7FM and a step show. Rain date is June 27 from noon to 4 p.m.
To register for the free event, click here.
The Saturday event is open to all youth and young adults – local community, Hartford County, high school or college age, etc. – and adult attendees are welcome to bring their children.
There will be a panel discussion, with Q&A, during the event to help facilitate the conversation among attending youth and young adults from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
A press conference with the panelists and event organizers will be held at 12:00 p.m. prior to the start of the panel discussion.
Panelists include elected officials, educators, community advocates, and leaders in the judicial system including:
- State Senator Douglas McCrory
- Chief State’s (CT) Attorney Richard Colangelo
- The Honorable Dawne G. Westbrook, Superior Court Judge State of Connecticut
- Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Gail P. Hardy
- Hartford Police Department Sergeant Steven Austin
- Roxanne Ellis-Denby LCSW, President of the National Association of Black Social Workers (CT) Cofounder “A Mind’s Journey” Therapeutic & Trauma Agency
- UCONN Professor Dr. Michael Mallory Jr., Transformative Leader & Educational Influencer
- Bro. Kelvin X. LoveJoy, Lead Community Organizer at the Blue Hills Civic Association
- Mayor Luke Bronin of Hartford
- Mayor Don Trinks of Windsor
The discussion will be moderated by Francine Austin, CEO of Francine Entertainment & Marketing.
This discussion around mental health comes at a time when more than 25% of high school students said their emotional and cognitive health had become worse according to a statistic cited by the Kaiser Family Foundation from a June 2020 survey conducted by America’s Promise Alliance. A February 2021 study between NBC News and Challenge Success reported 32% of students cited mental health as a major source of stress in fall 2020. In addition, only 35% of students said they were quite or very confident about their ability to manage stress.
Also, youth and young adults make up a significant part of deaths due to guns in Connecticut. About 10 percent of people in Connecticut who were killed by guns between 2010 and mid-2020 in the state’s three largest cities were 25 years old or younger, according to a 2020 CT Post report. The City of Hartford experienced over several shooting incidents in the first couple weeks of May 2021, according to the Hartford Police Department. The number of shootings for both weeks this year was higher compared to the same weeks in 2020.
During the discussion, the panelists will talk about available educational opportunities where participants can receive career development and gain a greater understanding of the legislative and judicial process. Insights into how public policy is crafted and the judicial process operates will help young people participating in these educational opportunities have a stronger idea of how they can navigate those systems and enact changes to lessen inequalities.
The event is held in collaboration with Walgreens, George W. Crawford Black Bar Association, Hartford Chapter NAACP, Wilson Gray, YMCA, Legacy Foundation, Warden Carl Robinson Foundation, Blue Hills Civic Association, Judicial District of Hartford, Capital Community College, UConn Law School, Hartford Police Department, and Hartford Communities that Care.
Individuals with questions can contact: francine1austin@gmail.com or 860-655-6322.
Eighth-Most Congested Highways In Country, Increased Wear On Pavement – Sen. Haskell Draws Attention To Key Infrastructure Report Further Emphasizing Need To Invest In Roads
Eighth-Most Congested Highways In Country, Increased Wear On Pavement – Sen. Haskell Draws Attention To Key Infrastructure Report Further Emphasizing Need To Invest In Roads
If it seems local commutes have gotten more congested and the quality of key highways is declining, that’s because they are, according to the latest TRIP report on transportation infrastructure in Connecticut and the country. The report, compiled by the national transportation research nonprofit, finds that Connecticut has the eighth-most congested urban interstates in the United States, with those roads seeing some of the highest rates of wear in the country. This report draws attention to the state’s increasing need for transportation infrastructure overhauls, repairs and rehabilitation, said State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport), Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee.
“The report makes crystal clear that congestion and decay in our infrastructure network is holding Connecticut back,” Sen. Haskell said. “As the Senate Chairman of the Transportation Committee, I’m eager to reverse this trend, put people to work and bring our highways and bridges into the 21st century. We can’t continue complaining about traffic jams unless we’re also willing to do something about them.”
In Connecticut, during peak hours, as many as 63% of urban interstate highways are congested during peak hours, according to travel statistics compiled by TRIP and prepared by federal authorities. That’s the eighth-highest rate in the United States – all while Connecticut interstates see the 12th highest rate of daily interstate travel per urban lane-mile, seeing nearly 1,000 more daily travelers on roads compared to the national average.
Additionally, the TRIP report found Connecticut tied for the eighth-most structurally deficient bridges in the country, with 3% of all bridges and structures in the state receiving such a designation. These figures and rates are all slated to increase in coming years, especially wear and tear – after travel declined significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, rates have rebounded nearly entirely in recent months.
Wear and tear issues are especially concerning on highways, which continue to see significantly high rates of travel. The issue is not limited to structure integrity either; breakdowns and issues on highways add tens of billions of dollars to the cost of freight transportation and lead to the emission of as much as 67 million tons of excess carbon dioxide emissions every year, posing threats to product costs and increasing rates of pollution that can impact public health.
In response to these issues, TRIP suggests significant increases in federal spending to preserve the structural integrity of Connecticut highways, including foundational reconstruction where necessary, system right-sizing and addition of highway capacity where needed. One place where Connecticut’s highways are in good shape is their safety, however; the report found Connecticut interstates’ designs make them nearly 2.5 times safer to travel on than non-interstate routes, with safety features estimated to save 51 lives in 2019.
To read TRIP’s full report on American transportation needs and highway infrastructure work, please click here; for more information on TRIP, please click here.
Looney Statement on Resignation of Senator Kasser
Looney Statement on Resignation of Senator Kasser
HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) released the following statement regarding the resignation of state Senator Alex Kasser (D-36):
“Senator Kasser was a highly talented member of the Senate Democratic caucus and was respected by all of her colleagues in the General Assembly. She was a strong and effective advocate for her constituents and also had a passionate commitment to policies to benefit the entire state. She will be missed at the Capitol, and I wish her the very best in the future both personally and professionally.”
Seven Days a Week COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Opens in Waterbury
Seven Days a Week COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Opens in Waterbury
Today, state Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury) joined legislative and city officials for standing up a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic which will be open seven days a week.
“Targeted and continuous community outreach such as this new vaccination clinic will help protect Waterbury families against the virus,” said Sen. Hartley. “I am grateful for the strong partnership between state, local, and community stakeholders to ensure that vaccines are accessible for all residents.”
The no-cost vaccination clinic is located at 910 Wolcott Street, Waterbury, which formerly served as the site of a Payless Shoes. On-site vaccinators will be from Community Health Center, Waterbury Hospital, and Griffin Hospital.
Vaccination Clinic Open Hours:
- Monday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Tuesday: 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Wednesday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Thursday: 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Friday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Sunday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. (June 27, July 11, and July 25) and 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (July 4, July 18, and August 1)
Over 45% of Waterbury residents of all ages have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccines, as of June 16, according to the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
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Abre clínica de vacunación COVID-19 siete días a la semana en Waterbury
Hoy, la senadora estatal Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury) se unió a los funcionarios legislativos y de la ciudad para organizar una clínica de vacunación COVID-19 gratuita que estará abierta los siete días de la semana.
“El alcance comunitario específico y continuo, como esta nueva clínica de vacunación, ayudará a proteger a las familias de Waterbury contra el virus”, dijo el Sen. Hartley. “Estoy agradecida por el sólido consorcio entre las partes interesadas estatales, locales y de la comunidad para garantizar que las vacunas sean accesibles para todos los residentes”.
La clínica de vacunación sin costo está ubicada en 910 Wolcott Street, Waterbury, que anteriormente servía como sitio de Payless Shoes. Los vacunadores en el lugar serán del Centro de Salud Comunitario, el Hospital Waterbury y el Hospital Griffin.
Horario de atención de la clínica de vacunación:
- Lunes: 12 pm – 8 pm
- Martes: 2 pm – 8 pm
- Miércoles: 12 pm – 6 pm
- Jueves: 2 pm – 8 pm
- Viernes: 12 pm – 8 pm
- Sábado: 9 am – 3 pm
- Domingo: 8 am a 12 pm (27 de junio, 11 de julio y 25 de julio) y de 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (4 de julio, 18 de julio y 1 de agosto)
Más del 45% de los residentes de Waterbury de todas las edades han recibido al menos una dosis de vacunas COVID -19, desde el 16 de junio, según el Departamento de Salud Pública de Connecticut
Thousands of people in Connecticut will be added to Obamacare coverage. Democrats broaden health care access as expanded state role again falls short
Thousands of people in Connecticut will be added to Obamacare coverage. Democrats broaden health care access as expanded state role again falls short
To read the original article visit: https://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-conneticut-health-insurance-20210621-7t7gmnk5hfep7bvwzzukekt4fq-story.html
Democrats who control the General Assembly have advanced a top priority of broadening access to health care even as their plan for a greater state role in providing insurance ran aground in the face of stiff business opposition.
Legislation enacting Connecticut’s two-year budget includes a “Covered Connecticut” program that expands access to subsidized health care for those with household income of up to 175% of the federal poverty level, or $45,850 for a family of four and $22,330 for an individual, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The state Office of Health Strategy will be required to expand coverage to dental benefits and nonemergency transportation by July 1, 2022.
The cost is expected to be $8 million in the state’s 2022 budget year beginning July 1 and $17.3 million 2023 for the expansion that assumes about 31,000 people enroll by the end of the 2023 budget year.
The state assumes a 50% federal reimbursement and continuation of the American Rescue Plan Act subsidies approved by Congress and President Joe Biden in March. Costs would be about 10% more if Congress does not extend the increased health insurance subsidies.
The budget provision will make health insurance free for individuals below that threshold by combining Medicaid with expanded subsidies, said Sen. Matt Lesser, co-chairman of the legislature’s insurance committee. Expanding access to Connecticut’s health insurance exchange was a priority of the Democratic majority who said many residents are making too much for Medicaid but too little for subsidized health insurance, leaving them exposed to crippling medical costs.
Legislation also will provide universal access to health care for children up to age 8, regardless of their immigration status.
The result of is that “tens of thousands of people are going to have coverage who wouldn’t,” said Lesser, a Middletown Democrat.
“I wish we had gone bigger but this is an innovative step,” he said. “It’s making the Affordable Care Act truly affordable.”
Senate Republican leader Kevin Kelly said the legislature missed an opportunity to cut health care costs rather than rely on Medicaid.
“Medicaid is by no measure a gold standard in health care,” the Stratford lawmaker said.
With more people on Medicaid, physicians will compensate for the discounted medical care by charging more for patients in their private practice, driving up costs, Kelly said.
Republicans have instead called for benchmarking, a practice they say would reduce health care costs by setting prices on procedures and using data to identify savings.
Max Reiss, Gov. Ned Lamont’s spokesman, said commercial reimbursable rates, not just Medicaid, will apply.
Comptroller Kevin Lembo and legislative Democrats were again turned back as they tried to advance a so-called public option that would have extended to individuals and small businesses access to an insurance pool now tapped by municipalities. Legislation collapsed under strong opposition from the insurance industry, a big player in Connecticut, other businesses and Gov. Ned Lamont.
“We’re home to a big chunk of the industry and I get it,” said Lesser, D-Middletown. “It’s not a surprise to me there are a lot of people making an awful lot of money denying health care to people.”
Susan Halpin, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Health Plans, said the decision “to partner with the private sector to expand health care coverage on the exchange was the right move for Connecticut.”
“We commend the governor and Democrats and Republicans who saw through the false promise of public option and supported Connecticut’s economy instead,” she said.
Lesser said small business owners have been left behind by a marketplace that’s in a “state of failure.”
Andy Markowski, a spokesman for the National Federation of Independent Business, an advocacy group, said small-business owners would like more options in a market with a limited number of carriers.
The most recent entry is Cigna Corp., which announced in April it will launch a health insurance policy July 1 for businesses with up to 50 employees.
Markowski said health insurance costs are the “No. 1 concern” for owners and employees. The focus should be “on plans that are affordable, flexible and predictable,” he said.
“Unfortunately, what we’ve seen in predictability are premium increases approved,” Markowski said. “Some are nominal. Some are significant, with 10% or more.”
Sen. Haskell Joins State, Federal Leaders To Unveil The TIME FOR CT Plan, Improving Rail Service In Connecticut
Sen. Haskell Joins State, Federal Leaders To Unveil The TIME FOR CT Plan, Improving Rail Service In Connecticut
STRATFORD – Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport), Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee, joined state and federal leaders to announce the “TIME FOR CT” Plan, aimed at modernizing rail service throughout the state of Connecticut. The plan will reduce travel time between New Haven and New York by up to 10 minutes this year and 25 minutes by 2035.
State and federal leaders who joined the event at Stratford’s Metro-North train station included Governor Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and Sen. Haskell’s Transportation Committee co-chair State Representative Roland Lemar.
“TIME FOR CT” is an $8-$10 billion investment program that, with funding, will improve the frequency and reliability of train service throughout Connecticut. It aims to reduce commuting time by finding ways to enhance current services such as upgrading rail tracks, enhancing signal systems, replacing and repairing bridges, expanding capacity and improving customer experiences by acquiring new rail lines. The program’s benefits include:
- Saving 10 minutes of travel time by 2022
- Reducing travel time by 25 minutes by 2035
- Cutting carbon emissions by attracting more people to public transit — the New Haven Line generates 80% less CO2 emissions per passenger mile than cars
- Providing a more modern fleet with WiFi, work tables, and access to Penn Station and Grand Central
- Upgrading our signal system to enable maximum speeds of 100 mph
- Generating an estimated 45,000 direct construction jobs over 15 years
“What is more valuable to commuters than their time?” said Sen. Haskell. “10 minutes may seem like a small start, but do the math: 5,240 minutes per year adds up to over 3 days. This plan is about giving back time — time to have dinner with a spouse or tuck kids into bed. It’s also time for Connecticut to recognize that investments in public transit are investments in cleaner air and cleaner water. It’s time for Connecticut to understand that transportation is a central part of the equation as we seek to attract businesses and families to our state. It’s time for Connecticut to decide we’re not just going to complain about our aging infrastructure, we’re going to do something about it.”
“Connecticut is home to the most used commuter rail line in the country, and it is a key component of our economic growth, supporting the ability of thousands of people every day to get to their jobs and earn a living,” Governor Lamont said. “But our aging infrastructure is not only slowing our travels, it’s slowing our economic growth. Nobody wants to live and work in a place where they spend hours stuck in their daily commutes. Faster trains and faster highways mean more jobs. The actionable items we put in TIME FOR CT will make these needed improvements a reality.”
“When Governor Lamont appointed me, he charged me with getting the trains to New York faster,” Commissioner Giulietti said. “The Connecticut Department of Transportation did the research and analysis and developed this foundational and transformational plan. We’re grateful to Governor Lamont, who has kept the pressure on, and to our partners, who are essential to moving this forward.”
“Revolutionizing our state’s transportation infrastructure is a crucial part of the Connecticut comeback,” Lt. Governor Bysiewicz said. “TIME FOR CT is a bold step towards fast, reliable, and environmentally sustainable transportation in our state while also creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs. I commend Governor Lamont and Commissioner Giulietti for their vision and leadership on bringing world-class transportation to Connecticut, and our federal partners for all they do to champion our infrastructure priorities in Washington.”
“Faster and more reliable rail service is crucial to our state’s economic growth,” Senator Blumenthal said. “This transformational plan is exactly what Connecticut and our nation needs right now. Congress must act now and commit to making funds available to speed train service on the New Haven line, moving it into the 21st century. I commend Governor Lamont for his vision and will continue to fight for funding to improve our rail infrastructure.”
“I am thrilled to join Governor Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Transportation in celebrating the New Haven Line speed enhancement and capacity study, TIME FOR CT, through which we can realize travel time savings by as early as next year,” Congresswoman DeLauro said. “With this plan and our strong federal, state, and local partnerships, we will be able to make robust improvements in Connecticut’s rail service that increase safety and foster sustainable economic growth. As chair of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue working to increase federal investments in Connecticut’s transportation system to develop safe, reliable, fast rail service throughout the state.”
“There are so few opportunities available to us to make dramatic improvements, generational investments or to realize a transformative vision,” State Representative Roland Lemar, house chair of the Transportation Committee. “We have that opportunity before us now and we, as a state, cannot miss this moment or we will spend the next generation regretting our inability to be bold and commit to this plan. I am thrilled to be joined by our national, state and local leaders who recognize the opportunity we have and are all stepping forward to seize it.”
Senators Haskell, Kushner Cheer State Bond Commission Funding Approval for Bethel Business Park
Senators Haskell, Kushner Cheer State Bond Commission Funding Approval for Bethel Business Park
State Senators Will Haskell (D-Westport) and Julie Kushner (D-Danbury), along with Bethel First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker, today cheered the State Bond Commission’s approval of funding to support critical infrastructure in Bethel. Specifically, the Bond Commission will provide funding for the Clarke Business Park expansion to support local job growth.
“Job growth and infrastructure improvements are closely intertwined, and this project delivers on both fronts,” said Sen. Haskell. “I’m grateful that Governor Lamont has agreed to fund the expansion of the Clarke Business Park, as I know this will pave the way for companies to thrive in Bethel. Thanks to the steadfast advocacy of local leaders like First Selectman Knickerbocker, this opportunity for growth will receive the public investment it deserves.”
“The expansion of the Clarke Business Park has been on hold for some time now because of the unexpectedly high cost of adding water and sewer lines there, but we can’t not develop a business park, because that’s jobs and tax revenue for Bethel,” said Sen. Kushner. “So the State of Connecticut has stepped in to help. This project will provide better infrastructure to better serve the people of Western Connecticut. It’s a wise decision and I thank the governor and Bond Commission for focusing on this important endeavor.”
“I want to thank Senators Haskell and Kushner for their dedication in pursuit of this funding, as well as Governor Lamont for his support,” said Bethel First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker. “This will help us finally realize a decades-long goal to bring more jobs to the Bethel community. Especially now, as we work to recover from the job losses caused by the pandemic, it has never been more urgent that we move forward with this project.”
Among the Bond Commission’s expected approvals in the agenda for its July 23 meeting is the release of $635,017 for Bethel to expand the Clarke Business Park to cover site construction costs for the development of 17 acres and four new commercial lots.
The Danbury News-Times reported that the expansion has been delayed for a few years due to funding issues. The funding released is expected to cover about half of the project’s cost.
Sens. Duff, Maroney Vow to Continue Fighting For Data Privacy Removed From Implementer Bill
Sens. Duff, Maroney Vow to Continue Fighting For Data Privacy Removed From Implementer Bill
HARTFORD – Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) today criticized the removal of data privacy and consumer privacy protections in the state budget implementer bill and vowed to introduce legislation next session to address the issue.
Senate Bill 1202, the budget implementer bill for the biennial state budget, was amended by the House of Representatives early Thursday morning to remove the staff funding in the state attorney general’s office to affect those consumer protections.
“The Connecticut and United States constitutions prohibit illegal searches, yet private companies are allowed to surveil us every day,” said Sen. Maroney, who as Senate Chair of the General Law Committee introduced legislation this year regarding consumer privacy. “This section of the implementer bill as an opportunity for us to fight that surveillance by big tech. This issue has always been about rights and responsibilities: the right of consumers to protect their data, and the responsibility of companies to respect their customers’ privacy wishes. With this implementer change, we have chosen to protect out-of-state corporations over the privacy rights of our own state citizens/.”
“We have a crisis of consumer privacy in this country. Our various electronic devices are listening to us, watching us, and big tech is profiting off of every keystroke we make. At this point consumers have no expectation of privacy, and it is literally the Wild West out there,” Sen. Duff said. “When you have multiple lobbyists being paid millions of dollars to defeat bills like this, you know we are facing an uphill battle. When lobbyists win, consumers lose. But we are going to fight this fight, and I know that eventually right will win.”
In February, Sen. Maroney introduced Senate Bill 893, “An Act Concerning Consumer Privacy,” which would have created a consumer data bill of rights and required big-tech companies to clearly state what data is being collected, how it’s being used, and why – and consumers would have the right to see that data, fix any errors in it, or delete it all.
The bill received favorable votes in three committees, but was never voted on by the legislature. More than 60 lobbyists were hired to kill that legislation, and 11 of the lobbying firms were paid over $1.8 million to kill data privacy (AT&T spent more than $600,000 by itself).
“Senator Duff and I will bring this bill back next session,” Sen. Maroney said. “Connecticut residents will be the winners when we bring back and pass a stronger bill.”