Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff Elected to Serve on National Conference of State Legislatures’ Executive Committee
Tampa, FL – Lawmakers from around the country elected Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) to serve on the 2021-2022 NCSL Executive Committee at the National Conference of State Legislatures’ (NCSL) 2021 Legislative Summit in Tampa.
“I am proud to be a part of the leadership of a well-respected organization like the National Conference of State Legislatures,” said Senator Duff. “Our country needs to see that elected officials from both parties can work together to solve problems. NCSL is the go-to resource for state legislators from around the country. I’m proud to give Connecticut a voice on this important national committee.”
The NCSL Executive Committee is the governing body of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Comprised of 63 elected members, the Executive Committee drives the organization by supervising and controlling the affairs of the Conference, its committees and publications, as well as deciding the organization’s ultimate positions on public policy.
“We are pleased to have Senator Duff’s expertise on NCSL’s Executive Committee,” said NCSL President and Hawaii Speaker Scott Saiki. “Senator Duff’s participation in NCSL over the years has been a key part of the organization’s success.”
The Executive committee meets four times a year to oversee the development and implementation of NCSL policies.
Senator Duff has been an active member of NCSL throughout his tenure as a state legislator and has served on NCSL’s Task Force On Cybersecurity and Foundation for State Legislatures Board.
Senator Anwar Releases Statement Regarding Announced Pratt & Whitney Property Sale
Senator Anwar Releases Statement Regarding Announced Pratt & Whitney Property Sale
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) released the following statement regarding Pratt & Whitney’s announced sale this week of a 300-acre former airfield site likely to be used for warehousing and distribution, according to local news reports:
“This week’s news is extremely welcome for the East Hartford and regional community,” said Sen. Anwar. “The economic benefits of this land sale and potential development promise significant local benefits, taking land and putting it to good use in the community while spurring job growth that will benefit local markets and households. I look forward to seeing plans for the site move forward.”
Sen. Cohen Named “2021 Legislator of the Year” By the CT Farm Bureau for Her Work on Connecticut Agriculture and Aquaculture
Sen. Cohen Named “2021 Legislator of the Year” By the CT Farm Bureau for Her Work on Connecticut Agriculture and Aquaculture
HARTFORD – State Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford) has been named the “2021 Legislator of the Year” by the Connecticut Farm Bureau for her work in passing legislation that allows for continuity and expansion of the state’s rich tradition in agriculture and props up small businesses that are our farms across Connecticut.
Besides important updates to statutes pertaining to hemp growth, ensuring that the Community Investment Act maintains vital funding and scaling-up the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program, Sen. Cohen led bills that allow for the siting of anaerobic digesters on farms – which turn animal waste and food scraps into a usable biogas – and one that redefines ”farmland” under state law to include underwater farmlands used for aquaculture, reducing local property tax bills for farmers.
Sen. Cohen is Senate Chair of the Environment Committee, which has cognizance over matters relating energy, conservation, recreation, pollution control, fisheries and game, state parks and forests, water resources and flood and erosion control, farming, dairy products and domestic animals.
The Connecticut Farm Bureau is the state’s largest and oldest agricultural organization, with more than 3,000 members around the state who advocate for agriculture and farmers and work to preserve Connecticut’s rural landscape.
Sen. Cohen’s award was given at last week’s annual Connecticut Farm Bureau meeting, which was conducted online.
“Christine Cohen is dedicated to making farms and farming better in Connecticut, as evidenced by her hard work in passing new laws that can make our farmlands more profitable and more productive and for bringing Connecticut’s healthy aquaculture industry into the 21st Century with a common-sense change in the state definition of farmland to include offshore oyster beds and other underwater farming,” said Connecticut Farm Bureau Executive Director Joan Nichols. “Connecticut farmers have a real champion in Senator Cohen, and we are proud to recognize her with this year’s Legislator of the Year Award.”
“Growing up in Connecticut, and living by the shore, I have a real appreciation not just for the beauty of our farmland here in Connecticut, but also for the role that farming plays in maintaining a clean and safe environment and keeping us nourished,” Sen. Cohen said. “I’m honored to have received the Legislator of the Year Award from the Connecticut Farm Bureau. They are an organization whose advocacy for Connecticut agriculture I deeply admire, and together we were able to pass numerous pieces of legislation this year to support Connecticut’s diverse, vibrant and ever-growing agricultural economy. They are a valuable and tireless partner in achieving legislative success, and I want to thank each and every member of the Connecticut Farm Bureau for their tireless support on behalf of the agriculture community. I look forward to continuing our work together.”
The Connecticut Farm Bureau cited two prominent bill proposals that were deciding factors in presenting this year’s award to Sen. Cohen. They were:
- Senate Bill 930, “AN ACT CONCERNING FOOD WASTE DIVERSION AND ANAEROBIC DIGESTION FACIITIES” and House Bill 6503, “AN ACT CONCERNING THE SITING OF ANAEROBIC DIGESTION FACILITIES ON FARMS.” These bills encourage the siting and permitting of anaerobic digesters. In 2015 – the last time the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection conducted a statewide waste characterization study – food waste from homes and businesses nearly equaled paper waste as the largest percentage of all trash: 22.3% food waste versus 23.1% paper waste. There’s twice as much food waste than plastic or construction debris in our garbage trucks, six times more than metal and nine times more than glass. Food waste is very heavy and absent separation, incredibly costly to haul. Food waste is the fastest-growing segment of Connecticut’s solid waste stream, but it’s also the largest portion of waste that can be recycled. Additionally, we have cattle farmers in Connecticut that see a significant amount of methane release due to manure production. Instead of releasing the environmentally dangerous methane to our atmosphere, farmers can harness the gas and use it for energy production. Anerobic digestion facilities can turn food and animal waste to a methane-rich biogas, which can be used to generate heat, create electricity, or fuel vehicles.
-
Senate Bill 840, “AN ACT CONCERNING CONNECTICUT’S SHELLFISH RESTORATION PROGRAM AND THE CONNECTICUT SEAFOOD COUNCIL,” which re-defines the state’s definition of “farmland” to include underwater farmlands used for aquaculture. This would allow shellfish and seaweed farmers to take advantage of Connecticut’s Public Act 490 law, passed in 1963, and have their underwater shell fishing beds and “maritime heritage land” assessed at their ‘use’ value, rather than their ‘fair market’ value, which would result in lower annual local property taxes. Connecticut’s shellfish industry has more than 70,000 acres under cultivation, generates in excess of $30 million in sales annually and employs 300 jobs statewide. The bill will expand the Shellfish Restoration Program and reconstitute the Connecticut Seafood Development Council in order to better promote Connecticut seafood products and examine market opportunities.
West Hartford Legislators Join Gov. Lamont To Announce Purchase Of Former St. Brigid School
West Hartford Legislators Join Gov. Lamont To Announce Purchase Of Former St. Brigid School
Site to be converted into the new Elmwood Community/Cultural Center
WEST HARTFORD – State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) today joined Governor Ned Lamont and other state and local officials to announced that the town has finalized the purchase of the former St. Brigid School on Mayflower Street and will use state bonding to convert the former school into a new Elmwood Community and Cultural Center.
West Hartford has budgeted $6 million for the project over the next two years in its Capital Improvement Program; the state will reimburse West Hartford taxpayers at least $2.5 million of the project cost. Last July, after Sen. Slap and other West Hartford legislators advocated for the project, the state Bond Commission approved $2.5 million to help West Hartford acquire the property and conduct a feasibility study and various preconstruction services.
“I’m so pleased that the entire West Hartford legislative delegation worked together and with Mayor Cantor and town leaders to make this happen,” Sen. Slap said today. “This project will improve West Hartford’s ability to deliver top-notch services for seniors, youth and civic groups while also allowing for strategic development and grand list growth at the former Elmwood Senior Center.”
“West Hartford continues to grow and thrive, and the Elmwood Community Center is an important component of ensuring that the town’s residents have a place for community engagement and civic participation,” Gov. Lamont said. “I am glad that the state is able to partner with the town on the acquisition and development of a new location for the community center so that it can continue meeting the needs of the people of West Hartford well into the future.”
West Hartford will convert the 8-acre site into the new Elmwood Community and Cultural Center, serving teens, seniors, and a diverse community. The current Elmwood Community Center, located at 1106 New Britain Avenue, was built in 1920 and no longer meets the town’s programming and space needs. The new location at 100 Mayflower Street will enable West Hartford to expand the services it offers and allow room for future growth. Municipal leaders also hope to eventually house the Faxon Branch Library in the new facility.
Joining Sen. Slap and Gov. Lamont today were state Representatives Kate Farrar, Tammy Exum and Jillian Gilchrest, West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, and others.
“The current Elmwood Community Center is a cherished space in our community, but the building’s age and upkeep does not meet today’s diverse needs,” Rep. Farrar said. “The town’s recent purchase of the former St. Brigid School site will pave a path forward to establish a new community center that will improve West Hartford services in a state-of-the-art facility. I am proud to see this once-in-a-generation opportunity is closer to becoming a reality for our Elmwood neighborhood.”
“We sincerely appreciate the financial support from the state for this extraordinary opportunity for the town to vision and build a new space to serve our diverse and vibrant community. We want to either repurpose or build a space that serves our youth, seniors, families and celebrates our whole community not just for today but for the generations to come. We are committed to making this new Community Center a model of cost-effective, sustainable, and green building design,” Mayor Cantor said.
Sen Slap Kicks Off CT Foodshare’s Annual “Turkey and a Thirty” Campaign
Sen Slap Kicks Off CT Foodshare’s Annual “Turkey and a Thirty” Campaign
BLOOMFIELD – State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) today joined Connecticut Foodshare President Jason Jakubowski, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and state Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt to kick off Foodshare’s annual “Turkey and Thirty” campaign, its annual tradition of raising food and funds to meet its goal of providing 50,000 Thanksgiving turkeys to Connecticut families this year.
Connecticut Foodshare is welcoming donations of frozen turkeys and nonperishable foods at its warehouses in Bloomfield, Bridgeport, and Wallingford, as well as at several food drives it will host across the state. Residents are also encouraged to make an online monetary donation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Connecticut Foodshare says food insecurity has grown by an estimated 14% to affect almost half a million people, including 131,000 children.
“For 40 years Foodshare has been a part of the Connecticut community, helping neighbors in need and really filling in the gaps when it comes to food insecurity. The past few pandemic years have been especially bad, and that makes this year’s Thanksgiving turkey drive all the more important,” Sen. Slap said. “It’s a great time of year to share and think of others. So many people are being put to the test right now – physically, mentally and financially – and people can’t deal with those challenges if they’re hungry.”
To learn more about this season’s event, please visit: https://p2p.onecause.com/ctfoodshare-turkeyandthirty/page/faq-contact
Connecticut Foodshare is the food bank serving all of Connecticut; last year, Connecticut Foodshare distributed enough food to provide nearly 47 million meals through a network of more than 700 community-based hunger relief
programs, including food pantries, community kitchens, and emergency shelter. More than 8,000 volunteers work at Connecticut Foodshare giving 62,000 hours of service.
Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Committee to Hold Public Safety Hearing and Public Hearing
Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Committee to Hold Public Safety Hearing and Public Hearing
The Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention advisory is set to hold to hearings to help put an end to gun violence in Connecticut. This group advisory, a result of legislation written by state Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport), will be holding a public safety hearing on November 5 and a public hearing on November 17. Sen. Moore created this committee and wrote it into Senate Bill 1, Public Act 21-35, which passed during the 2021 legislative session.
Senator Moore is passionate about putting an end to gun violence that takes place across cities in Connecticut, specifically the young children who are in the crossfire. Senator Moore has worked tirelessly to implement gun violence intervention programs across the state that will help minimize youth gun violence and has helped to secure funding through various initiatives that will help create, implement, and evaluate a plan to build statewide coalitions for cities most impacted by gun violence.
“What an honor it is to see my hard work come to fruition,” said Sen. Moore. “To begin with an idea on paper and to have a full committee formed to work on a solution about something I am passionate about is rewarding. This is just the beginning to putting an end to gun violence in our state. We will continue to work on educating our youth and this committee’s efforts will work to identify what in particular we can do as a society to put an end to gun violence.”
On Friday, November 5, The Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Advisory Committee will be holding a public safety hearing where they will be hearing from public safety, law enforcement, emergency first responders, criminal justice representatives, and violence prevention professionals. The Committee is seeking to learn the effective gun violence reduction strategies and programs your organization utilizes to help to enhance public safety and reduce community and gun violence
On Wednesday, November 17, The Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Advisory Committee will be holding a public hearing via zoom and are looking to hear from members of the public, grassroots organizations, community-based organizations and local violence prevention activists on what lessons and lived experiences the committee can reflect upon. They will be seeking recommendations on how to reduce community and gun related violence.
All testimonials are limited to a maximum of three minutes. Those interested in testifying should pre-register by contacting Dr. Pina Violano at pina.violano@cga.ct.gov by November 12th . A ZOOM link will be sent out upon registration.
Individuals who are unable to attend the public hearing and are interested in submitting written testimony, can do so by providing a PDF document to Dr. Pina Violano at pina.violano@cga.ct.gov by 5:00PM November 12th.
The Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Advisory Committee establishes a gun violence intervention and prevention advisory committee for the purpose of advising the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health and human services on the establishment of a Commission on Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention to coordinate the funding and implementation of evidence-based, community-centric programs and strategies to reduce street-level gun violence in the state. The committee will:
- Consult with community outreach organizations, victim service providers, victims of community violence and gun violence, community violence and gun violence researchers and public safety and law enforcement representatives regarding strategies to reduce community violence and gun violence.
Identify effective, evidence-based community violence and gun violence reduction strategies.
Identify strategies to align the resources of state agencies to reduce community violence and gun violence.
Identify state, federal and private funding opportunities for community violence and gun violence reduction initiatives.
Develop a public health and community engagement strategy for the Commission on Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention. By January 1, 2022, the committee shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the public health and human services committees. The committee shall terminate on the date that it submits such report or January 1, 2022, whichever is later.
New England Brewing Co. to Move from Woodbridge to West Haven
New England Brewing Co. to Move from Woodbridge to West Haven
State Senator James Maroney, Representative Dorinda Borer, Representative Charlie Ferraro, Mayor Nancy Rossi, Marty Juliano from the New England Brewing Company, and Phil Pappas, Head of the Craft Brewers Association announced the expansion of New England Brewing Company. New England Brewing Co. will be moving from Woodbridge to West Haven where the Savin Rock Convention Center is. With this move to a waterfront location in West Haven, it will create up to 100 jobs and double guest capacity.
“To see the success of craft breweries in the state is gratifying and I have great hope for this brewery coming to West Haven,” said Sen. Maroney. “New England Brewing Company is great community partners to a number of different organizations and that’s what West Haven is about. Its about community and to bring this brewery here, it brings me great joy to welcome them.”
“I’m very excited about this announcement and I think West Haven needed some good news,” said Mayor Rossi. “My plan always was never to sell one of the most beautiful pieces of property West Haven owned, but instead it will be a long-term lease. We will have a beautiful brand-new brewery and I look forward to the day of cutting the ribbon. West Haven’s first brewery will be among the top brewery destinations in the northeast and bring tens of thousands of visitors to our city.”
“We’re very excited to share the news of New England Brewing Company’s relocation and expansion to the beautiful waterfront property in West Haven,” said Pappas, Head of the Craft Brewers Association. “As one of CT’s first craft breweries and leaders in the states brewing industry, this is a well-deserved expansion project. Our brewing industry represents 124 craft breweries, having a $3 billion economic impact in the state, and employs over 18,000 people, having New England Brewing as the forefront of what local breweries can accomplish is humbling to be a part of. I can’t wait to be sitting on the patio with a Sea Hag in hand watching the sunset.”
“We’ve been looking for the right place to move our brewery for a few years now, and not just to any city, but the right place, so we’re excited to share that we’ll be moving New England Brewing Company here to West Haven,” said Juliano. “As someone who grew up in town, I’m excited to be bringing a new production facility, taproom, and event space to this beautiful waterfront property. There’s so much tourism in craft beer right now, so we’re excited to be bringing that to the city West Haven and welcome residents to an exciting space in town! We’re thankful to Senator Maroney, Mayor Nancy Rossi, and the entire city’s support and warm welcome of New England Brewing Company and are excited to welcome West Haven residents and our loyal customers to our new space next year.”
“While today’s announcement regarding the New England Brewery’s intention to open a West Haven location at the long vacant Savin Rock Convention Center is pending final approval from the West Haven City Council, one can’t help but to be excited for our beloved city,” said Rep. Ferraro. “To begin with it would provide the city with much needed revenue in the form of a long-term land lease. Additionally, a tear down and rebuild will remove a long overdue repair that would have cost our city over a million dollars instead we will get a brand new 52,000 square foot building. New England Brewery is a good neighbor who has a history of philanthropic donations and who has offered minority scholarships. Finally, for me it is especially satisfying since I was involved in the original effort to locate a brewery there two years ago and given the fact that my childhood home was located a mere 200 yards from the location.”
New England Brewing Co. is not just known for the quality of their beers but their contributions they make to the community as well. The brewery is known for their contributions to the Closer To Free Ride and this past year they raised over $200 thousand that will be going to the Smilow Cancer Center. The Brewery also is known for sponsoring scholarships to Sacred Heart to help local students get access to education.
The plan is to build a production facility, a taproom, and events space. The production facility will be about 35,000 square feet, with a preliminary design to be about 52,000 square feet total for the entire brewery. The space will hold upwards of 1,000 people and it is estimated to offer 75 to 100 jobs. The West Haven City Council is set to vote on this brewery next week.
Senator Anwar Joins Congressman Larson, Senator Blumenthal for Unveiling of Federal ‘Social Security 2100’ Legislation
Senator Anwar Joins Congressman Larson, Senator Blumenthal for Unveiling of Federal ‘Social Security 2100’ Legislation
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) for the unveiling of “Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust.” The legislation has nearly 200 cosponsors and has received more than 100 endorsements from advocacy groups. Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, State Representative Jillian Gilchrist (D-West Hartford) and State Representative Amy Morrin Bello (D-Wethersfield) also joined the federal leaders. Congressman Larson is chair of the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee.
Social Security 2100 represents an increase in Social Security benefits for seniors who need them now more than ever. It includes a 2% bump in benefits for all beneficiaries, would adjust the cost-of-living adjustment formula to better protect against inflation, protects low-income workers by setting the new minimum benefit at 25% above the poverty line and repeals provisions that currently penalize public servants, among other changes. It would further apply the payroll tax to wages above $400,000, which would only impact 0.4% of wage earners; extends the depletion date of benefits to 2038 and establish a social security trust fund to protect benefits.
“Social Security has long been a promise – pay into it now, and receive benefits when you become eligible,” said Sen. Anwar. “And every time our federal leaders do not act, the promise becomes weaker, and may potentially be broken in the future. I’m grateful to Congressman Larson and Senator Blumenthal for their foresight and tenacity in introducing this legislation that will ensure Social Security remains available for all generations who need it – and it is only becoming more necessary as time passes.”
“Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust will expand benefits and strengthen Social Security. The pandemic has only underscored what we already knew and has exacerbated systemic inequities — current benefits are not enough! 5 million seniors are living in poverty due to longstanding discrimination in the labor force that affects mostly people of color and women. These are our sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, and neighbors. For too long, Congress has forsaken its duty to enhance benefits. With 10,000 Baby Boomers a day becoming eligible, and with Millennials needing Social Security more than any generation, the time for Congress to act is now,” said Congressman Larson.
“Social Security is a sacred commitment made to all Americans and a promise that must be fulfilled. As seniors and individuals with disabilities struggle to afford the costs of food, housing, and prescription drugs, this bill expands benefits and protections for millions of Americans. The Social Security 2100 Act will keep this vital lifeline solvent and ensure our nation’s bedrock social insurance program provides current and future beneficiaries with a quality standard of living,” said Senator Blumenthal.
“Almost two-thirds of retirees rely on Social Security for a majority of their income,” said Lt. Governor Bysiewicz. “Now is the time to take bold action and address these issues, and now is the time to keep our seniors and retirees out of poverty by providing them with the dignity and security that they deserve. I want to thank Congressman John Larson, a champion for seniors in our state and across the country as he fights to protect and strengthen Social Security benefits.”