Senator Needleman Named AARP’S 2021 Affordable Utilities Champion
Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) celebrated the news that the AARP named him its 2021 Affordable Utilities Champion. The award was bestowed upon Sen. Needleman in recognition of his work on the General Assembly’s Energy & Technology Committee in fighting for the average ratepayer – among other recent successes, Sen. Needleman was able to spearhead the passage of the Take Back Our Grid Act, which added new regulations and customer-benefitting practices to state energy practices after the destructive damage of Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020 caused power outages of more than a week in parts of the state.
“It is an honor to receive this award from the AARP, which to me is a reminder that there is always more to do to make utilities more affordable in Connecticut,” said Sen. Needleman. “In my work on the Energy & Technology Committee, I’m aware I’m representing millions of state residents and I want to make sure they are getting high-quality service for an affordable price, a goal that is more important now than ever before.”
“AARP thanks Senator Needleman for his leadership on the Energy and Technology Committee,” said AARP Connecticut State Director Nora Duncan. “His efforts have ensured that electric ratepayers are better protected from the unscrupulous practices of bad actors in the third party electric supplier market and from unwarranted rate increases from our utilities.”
Democrats Announce Rules for Increased Public Access to General Assembly
Democrats Announce Rules for Increased Public Access to General Assembly
HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), House Speaker Matt Ritter (D-Hartford), and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) announced the remote access rules for the beginning of the 2022 legislative session of the General Assembly beginning Wednesday, February 9. The remote rules will be revisited throughout the session.
Public Hearings and committee meetings that are held for organizational purposes, raising bills or voting on resolutions will be held remotely during the month of February. This policy will be reviewed in late February.
- A decision on committee meetings that vote on (Joint Favorable) bills, will also be made towards the end of February.
- During Zoom public hearings, members of the public will once again be able to testify remotely from the safety and convenience of their home.
“The General Assembly’s pandemic response has resulted in more ease of access over the past two years,” said Sen. Looney. “As elected representatives of the people we are always sensitive to the need for transparency and accessibility.”
“We fully expect to revisit this as more data comes in toward the end of the February and into March. It’s important to be flexible and follow the numbers. Data will drive our decisions,” Speaker Ritter said.
“The past two years have presented unimaginable challenges for the people of Connecticut,” said Sen. Duff. “Democrats adapted our rules and procedures to ensure people still have the unprecedented access to members of the General Assembly that has been the bedrock of Connecticut politics for generations. This year will be no different and will allow for the record-breaking public participation to continue as we begin the 2022 legislative session.”
- Thanks to the option for members of the public to testify about proposed bills via Zoom from the comfort of their home, car, or office, the amount of public hearing testimony submitted to the Judiciary Committee increased by 44% from 2017 to 2021, from 1,500 pieces of pre-pandemic, in-person public bill testimony submitted in 2017 to 2,162 pieces of remote-only public bill testimony submitted in 2021 during the pandemic.
- The number of public hearings held by legislative committees in pre-pandemic 2019 and pandemic 2021 remained essentially unchanged: 163 in-person public hearings in 2019, and 157 online public hearings in 2021. Public hearings for the legislature’s three most important committees – Judiciary, Appropriations and Finance – actually increased by 10% from 2019 to 2021. Public Health Committee public hearings increased 25% from 2019 to 2021.
“I’ve received calls from constituents informing me that with the remote public hearings they have been able to testify for their first time in their lives on proposed legislation,” Sen. Looney said. “The only complaints I have heard come from Republicans and others who want to make some sort of public spectacle out of their testimony, usually for partisan political reasons.”
“With remote testimony, from my experience on the Finance Committee, people have been able to call in from their cars, from their place of work, to testify on a bill,” said Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford), who is Senate Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. “People who have never even been in this building before have suddenly had the chance, thanks to the remote option, to testify and make a difference.”
- “Like my colleagues in the Senate Democratic Caucus I welcome the ability for the public to provide remote testimony,” said Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven), Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee. “The process could be intense prior to the rules change allowing for remote public hearings, particularly for legislators and the staff of the Judiciary Committee as hearings in that committee are frequent and long in duration. Remote access has increased hearing length but we see that as a good thing. It means that people who would testify but don’t have the luxury of taking a whole day to do so now can. It means those who would testify but don’t have transportation may do so. Remote hearings increased access to participate in our democracy. So we view it as leaning into what we believe in: a fairer, more transparent and more democratic process.”
- The number of votes taken in state Senate increased in 2021, or remained essentially unchanged, from previous, non-pandemic years. The Senate took 481 votes in 2021 (the “long session”) compared with 444 votes in 2019, 472 votes in 2017 and 485 votes in 2015.
The number of bills passed in the state Senate in 2021 remained essentially unchanged from the pre-pandemic long session of 2019: 286 bills passed in 2021, compared to 296 bills passed in 2019.
Democrats Announce Rules for Increased Public Access to General Assembly
Democrats Announce Rules for Increased Public Access to General Assembly
HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), House Speaker Matt Ritter (D-Hartford), and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) announced the remote access rules for the beginning of the 2022 legislative session of the General Assembly beginning Wednesday, February 9. The remote rules will be revisited throughout the session.
Public Hearings and committee meetings that are held for organizational purposes, raising bills or voting on resolutions will be held remotely during the month of February. This policy will be reviewed in late February.
- A decision on committee meetings that vote on (Joint Favorable) bills, will also be made towards the end of February.
- During Zoom public hearings, members of the public will once again be able to testify remotely from the safety and convenience of their home.
“The General Assembly’s pandemic response has resulted in more ease of access over the past two years,” said Sen. Looney. “As elected representatives of the people we are always sensitive to the need for transparency and accessibility.”
“We fully expect to revisit this as more data comes in toward the end of the February and into March. It’s important to be flexible and follow the numbers. Data will drive our decisions,” Speaker Ritter said.
“The past two years have presented unimaginable challenges for the people of Connecticut,” said Sen. Duff. “Democrats adapted our rules and procedures to ensure people still have the unprecedented access to members of the General Assembly that has been the bedrock of Connecticut politics for generations. This year will be no different and will allow for the record-breaking public participation to continue as we begin the 2022 legislative session.”
- Thanks to the option for members of the public to testify about proposed bills via Zoom from the comfort of their home, car, or office, the amount of public hearing testimony submitted to the Judiciary Committee increased by 44% from 2017 to 2021, from 1,500 pieces of pre-pandemic, in-person public bill testimony submitted in 2017 to 2,162 pieces of remote-only public bill testimony submitted in 2021 during the pandemic.
- The number of public hearings held by legislative committees in pre-pandemic 2019 and pandemic 2021 remained essentially unchanged: 163 in-person public hearings in 2019, and 157 online public hearings in 2021. Public hearings for the legislature’s three most important committees – Judiciary, Appropriations and Finance – actually increased by 10% from 2019 to 2021. Public Health Committee public hearings increased 25% from 2019 to 2021.
“I’ve received calls from constituents informing me that with the remote public hearings they have been able to testify for their first time in their lives on proposed legislation,” Sen. Looney said. “The only complaints I have heard come from Republicans and others who want to make some sort of public spectacle out of their testimony, usually for partisan political reasons.”
“With remote testimony, from my experience on the Finance Committee, people have been able to call in from their cars, from their place of work, to testify on a bill,” said Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford), who is Senate Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. “People who have never even been in this building before have suddenly had the chance, thanks to the remote option, to testify and make a difference.”
- “Like my colleagues in the Senate Democratic Caucus I welcome the ability for the public to provide remote testimony,” said Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven), Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee. “The process could be intense prior to the rules change allowing for remote public hearings, particularly for legislators and the staff of the Judiciary Committee as hearings in that committee are frequent and long in duration. Remote access has increased hearing length but we see that as a good thing. It means that people who would testify but don’t have the luxury of taking a whole day to do so now can. It means those who would testify but don’t have transportation may do so. Remote hearings increased access to participate in our democracy. So we view it as leaning into what we believe in: a fairer, more transparent and more democratic process.”
- The number of votes taken in state Senate increased in 2021, or remained essentially unchanged, from previous, non-pandemic years. The Senate took 481 votes in 2021 (the “long session”) compared with 444 votes in 2019, 472 votes in 2017 and 485 votes in 2015.
The number of bills passed in the state Senate in 2021 remained essentially unchanged from the pre-pandemic long session of 2019: 286 bills passed in 2021, compared to 296 bills passed in 2019.
Democrats Announce Rules for Increased Public Access to General Assembly
Democrats Announce Rules for Increased Public Access to General Assembly
HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), House Speaker Matt Ritter (D-Hartford), and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) announced the remote access rules for the beginning of the 2022 legislative session of the General Assembly beginning Wednesday, February 9. The remote rules will be revisited throughout the session.
Public Hearings and committee meetings that are held for organizational purposes, raising bills or voting on resolutions will be held remotely during the month of February. This policy will be reviewed in late February.
- A decision on committee meetings that vote on (Joint Favorable) bills, will also be made towards the end of February.
- During Zoom public hearings, members of the public will once again be able to testify remotely from the safety and convenience of their home.
“The General Assembly’s pandemic response has resulted in more ease of access over the past two years,” said Sen. Looney. “As elected representatives of the people we are always sensitive to the need for transparency and accessibility.”
“We fully expect to revisit this as more data comes in toward the end of the February and into March. It’s important to be flexible and follow the numbers. Data will drive our decisions,” Speaker Ritter said.
“The past two years have presented unimaginable challenges for the people of Connecticut,” said Sen. Duff. “Democrats adapted our rules and procedures to ensure people still have the unprecedented access to members of the General Assembly that has been the bedrock of Connecticut politics for generations. This year will be no different and will allow for the record-breaking public participation to continue as we begin the 2022 legislative session.”
- Thanks to the option for members of the public to testify about proposed bills via Zoom from the comfort of their home, car, or office, the amount of public hearing testimony submitted to the Judiciary Committee increased by 44% from 2017 to 2021, from 1,500 pieces of pre-pandemic, in-person public bill testimony submitted in 2017 to 2,162 pieces of remote-only public bill testimony submitted in 2021 during the pandemic.
- The number of public hearings held by legislative committees in pre-pandemic 2019 and pandemic 2021 remained essentially unchanged: 163 in-person public hearings in 2019, and 157 online public hearings in 2021. Public hearings for the legislature’s three most important committees – Judiciary, Appropriations and Finance – actually increased by 10% from 2019 to 2021. Public Health Committee public hearings increased 25% from 2019 to 2021.
“I’ve received calls from constituents informing me that with the remote public hearings they have been able to testify for their first time in their lives on proposed legislation,” Sen. Looney said. “The only complaints I have heard come from Republicans and others who want to make some sort of public spectacle out of their testimony, usually for partisan political reasons.”
“With remote testimony, from my experience on the Finance Committee, people have been able to call in from their cars, from their place of work, to testify on a bill,” said Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford), who is Senate Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. “People who have never even been in this building before have suddenly had the chance, thanks to the remote option, to testify and make a difference.”
- “Like my colleagues in the Senate Democratic Caucus I welcome the ability for the public to provide remote testimony,” said Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven), Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee. “The process could be intense prior to the rules change allowing for remote public hearings, particularly for legislators and the staff of the Judiciary Committee as hearings in that committee are frequent and long in duration. Remote access has increased hearing length but we see that as a good thing. It means that people who would testify but don’t have the luxury of taking a whole day to do so now can. It means those who would testify but don’t have transportation may do so. Remote hearings increased access to participate in our democracy. So we view it as leaning into what we believe in: a fairer, more transparent and more democratic process.”
- The number of votes taken in state Senate increased in 2021, or remained essentially unchanged, from previous, non-pandemic years. The Senate took 481 votes in 2021 (the “long session”) compared with 444 votes in 2019, 472 votes in 2017 and 485 votes in 2015.
The number of bills passed in the state Senate in 2021 remained essentially unchanged from the pre-pandemic long session of 2019: 286 bills passed in 2021, compared to 296 bills passed in 2019.
‘Staring Into the Storm’ – Energy & Technology Chairs to Host Energy Forum on Electric Grid Resiliency February 1st
‘Staring Into the Storm’ – Energy & Technology Chairs to Host Energy Forum on Electric Grid Resiliency February 1st
As weather, fluctuating demand, and ever-changing market conditions create increasing vulnerability in the electric grid, it’s critical for leaders to examine the needs of the future to learn what steps to take today to be ready for forthcoming events. Therefore, the Chairs and ranking members of the Energy & Technology Committee, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), State Representative David Arconti (D-Danbury), State Senator Paul Formica (R-Old Saybrook) and State Representative Charles Ferraro (R-West Haven) will convene a forum on energy, “Staring Into The Storm: Our Grid’s Present And Future,” on February 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Late last year, warnings that Connecticut’s electric grid could be severely compromised during an extended cold snap were just the latest sign that we need to reexamine our state’s energy policies and procedures,” said Sen. Needleman. “I want to avoid a scenario like the one following the devastating Texas winter storm of February 2021, where extended power outages caused by cold weather led to significant suffering and the loss of life. It’s critical we look at where we are now, where we’ll need to be in the future, and what we need to do to get there.”
“Our objective is to dig into the available information and data,” Sen. Needleman continued, “with a focus on identifying problems to prepare the state for future needs and challenges. This forum will give energy experts an opportunity to make presentations directly to the committee chairs, other legislators on the committee and industry professionals.”
“Connecticut residents expect and deserve a reliable energy grid,” said Rep. Arconti. “This forum is a chance for stakeholders and ISO-NE to put ideas on the table as we work together on this critical issue.”
The forum, scheduled virtually due to the current COVID-19 wave, will be livestreamed on CT-N. Topics to be examined include: market design, grid reliability and how Connecticut can move closer to net zero carbon emissions from our electric grid.
Senator Cohen Named Connecticut Coordinator for National Environmental Group
Senator Cohen Named Connecticut Coordinator for National Environmental Group
GUILFORD – The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators has selected state Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford) as its 2022 Connecticut ‘State Lead,’ charged with coordinating relevant, in-state environmental public policy events and growing NCEL’s network of state legislators who will assist in advancing environmental issues all across America.
“NCEL’s State Leads are vital to promoting cross-state collaboration on environmental policy,” said Jeff Mauk, Executive Director of NCEL. “Having a legislator in each state to help facilitate NCEL’s work is invaluable, as they can introduce legislators to emerging environmental topics and facilitate introductions with peers across the country, creating new avenues for cooperation and sharing lessons learned.”
“I’m honored that the NCEL has recognized my environmental work and my environmental responsibilities here in Connecticut and has charged me with bringing people together for the betterment of Connecticut’s air, soil and water,” Sen. Cohen said. “More and more, environmental policy is also business policy, and transportation policy, and energy policy, so it’s important that we work across party lines, share ideas at the local and national levels, and come up with workable solutions for both our environmental challenges and our environmental opportunities.”
Sen. Cohen is Senate Chair of the legislature’s Environment Committee. Since she was elected in 2018, Sen. Cohen has worked tirelessly on behalf of Connecticut’s environment. While she worked with colleagues to pass important legislation securing offshore wind, solar net-metering, banning fracking waste and the creation of the state’s water plan, most recently Sen. Cohen led the passage of the plastic bag ban, an update to the bottle recycling bill, a ban on PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam and food packaging, shellfish restoration laws, as well as creating sewage “right to know” laws. Sen. Cohen also created and co-chairs the state legislature’s bipartisan Coastal Caucus, which is a group of lawmakers who focus on the issues affecting coastal towns, cities and waterways.
Created by and for state legislators, the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators is a nonprofit that organizes over 1,200 environmentally committed state legislators from all 50 states and both major parties. NCEL provides venues and opportunities for lawmakers to share ideas and collaborate on their environmental priorities while embedding notions of equity and justice every step of the way.
Democrats Announce Rules for Increased Public Access to General Assembly
Democrats Announce Rules for Increased Public Access to General Assembly
HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), House Speaker Matt Ritter (D-Hartford), and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) announced the remote access rules for the beginning of the 2022 legislative session of the General Assembly beginning Wednesday, February 9. The remote rules will be revisited throughout the session.
Public Hearings and committee meetings that are held for organizational purposes, raising bills or voting on resolutions will be held remotely during the month of February. This policy will be reviewed in late February.
- A decision on committee meetings that vote on (Joint Favorable) bills, will also be made towards the end of February.
- During Zoom public hearings, members of the public will once again be able to testify remotely from the safety and convenience of their home.
“The General Assembly’s pandemic response has resulted in more ease of access over the past two years,” said Sen. Looney. “As elected representatives of the people we are always sensitive to the need for transparency and accessibility.”
“We fully expect to revisit this as more data comes in toward the end of the February and into March. It’s important to be flexible and follow the numbers. Data will drive our decisions,” Speaker Ritter said.
“The past two years have presented unimaginable challenges for the people of Connecticut,” said Sen. Duff. “Democrats adapted our rules and procedures to ensure people still have the unprecedented access to members of the General Assembly that has been the bedrock of Connecticut politics for generations. This year will be no different and will allow for the record-breaking public participation to continue as we begin the 2022 legislative session.”
- Thanks to the option for members of the public to testify about proposed bills via Zoom from the comfort of their home, car, or office, the amount of public hearing testimony submitted to the Judiciary Committee increased by 44% from 2017 to 2021, from 1,500 pieces of pre-pandemic, in-person public bill testimony submitted in 2017 to 2,162 pieces of remote-only public bill testimony submitted in 2021 during the pandemic.
- The number of public hearings held by legislative committees in pre-pandemic 2019 and pandemic 2021 remained essentially unchanged: 163 in-person public hearings in 2019, and 157 online public hearings in 2021. Public hearings for the legislature’s three most important committees – Judiciary, Appropriations and Finance – actually increased by 10% from 2019 to 2021. Public Health Committee public hearings increased 25% from 2019 to 2021.
“I’ve received calls from constituents informing me that with the remote public hearings they have been able to testify for their first time in their lives on proposed legislation,” Sen. Looney said. “The only complaints I have heard come from Republicans and others who want to make some sort of public spectacle out of their testimony, usually for partisan political reasons.”
“With remote testimony, from my experience on the Finance Committee, people have been able to call in from their cars, from their place of work, to testify on a bill,” said Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford), who is Senate Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. “People who have never even been in this building before have suddenly had the chance, thanks to the remote option, to testify and make a difference.”
- “Like my colleagues in the Senate Democratic Caucus I welcome the ability for the public to provide remote testimony,” said Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven), Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee. “The process could be intense prior to the rules change allowing for remote public hearings, particularly for legislators and the staff of the Judiciary Committee as hearings in that committee are frequent and long in duration. Remote access has increased hearing length but we see that as a good thing. It means that people who would testify but don’t have the luxury of taking a whole day to do so now can. It means those who would testify but don’t have transportation may do so. Remote hearings increased access to participate in our democracy. So we view it as leaning into what we believe in: a fairer, more transparent and more democratic process.”
- The number of votes taken in state Senate increased in 2021, or remained essentially unchanged, from previous, non-pandemic years. The Senate took 481 votes in 2021 (the “long session”) compared with 444 votes in 2019, 472 votes in 2017 and 485 votes in 2015.
The number of bills passed in the state Senate in 2021 remained essentially unchanged from the pre-pandemic long session of 2019: 286 bills passed in 2021, compared to 296 bills passed in 2019.
Senator Matt Lesser Releases Statement After Announcement Made by Newington Registrars of Voters
Senator Matt Lesser Releases Statement After Announcement Made by Newington Registrars of Voters
This morning, state Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) is releasing a statement after the Newington Registrars of Voters announced they are submitting a new plan and abandoning previous plans to slash the number of polling places.
“I am relieved that Newington’s Republican and Democratic Registrars of Voters announced at a meeting last night that they are abandoning plans to shutter 5 of 8 of the town’s polling places,” said Sen. Lesser. “The right to vote is the most fundamental right in a democracy. Newington’s elected leaders heard loud and clear that the public cares deeply about voting rights.”
Last week, Sen. Lesser joined Rep. Gary Turco, town residents, and voting rights activists in raising alarm about the surprise proposal, which would have disproportionately impacted the elderly and people with disabilities. Newington Registrars have since announced that they will be submitting a new plan, which will be posted on the town website.
“I will pay close attention to the new proposal to review any impact on the right of Newington residents to vote,” said Sen. Lesser. “This isn’t over.”
This upcoming legislative session, Sen. Lesser is planning to re-introduce the Connecticut Voting Rights Act, which he first introduced in 2021, that would provide additional safeguards against local redistricting efforts and polling place changes that limit the right to vote.
State Senator Dennis Bradley to Introduce Bill in Honor of Lauren Smith-Fields
State Senator Dennis Bradley to Introduce Bill in Honor of Lauren Smith-Fields
HARTFORD – State Senator Dennis Bradley (D-Bridgeport) is planning to introduce a bill this upcoming legislative session that requires police in Connecticut to notify immediate family within 24 hours of a person dying.
This bill Sen. Bradley will be introducing honors Lauren Smith-Fields, a 23-year-old social media influencer, who died unexpectedly on December 12, 2021. Smith-Fields’ parents say they had been trying to get in touch with Smith-Fields and didn’t find out about her death until they discovered a note on her front door from her landlord two days later.
“Not only did a family have to endure a tragedy of losing their daughter, but they have come to learn they weren’t informed of her death properly,” said Sen. Bradley. “I am dedicated to implementing a proper solution as justice for Lauren Smith-Fields. No family should have to suffer improper ways of notification of such a devastating moment.”
Under the upcoming Lauren Smith-Fields’ bill, it will require police to notify immediate family within 24 hours of a person dying or to make a clear, present, and documented attempt to make such contact. Immediate family includes the deceased’s spouse, parents or guardian, siblings, and aunts or uncles, in that respective order.
The legislative session is expected to begin February 9.
SEN. COHEN VOTES FOR NEW STATE POLICE UNION CONTRACT
SEN. COHEN VOTES FOR NEW STATE POLICE UNION CONTRACT
HARTFORD – State Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford) joined her colleagues in the state Senate today in the bipartisan approval of a new, four-year Connecticut State Police labor union contract that will boost police trainee pay, provide a $3,500 bonus this year, and deliver 2.5% pay raises each year, along with a multitude of other police benefits.
This is the second state police union contract that Sen. Cohen has approved in the past four years; she also approved the 2019 Connecticut State Police union contract providing substantial increases to pay and benefits.
“As Connecticut sees more and more state employees retiring, we need to take steps to re-fill these positions so that the public is protected and well-served. That’s what we did with the SEBAC state employee contract last year, and that’s what we’re doing with the State Police union contract today,” Sen. Cohen said. “I’m happy to vote to ensure that our state’s law enforcement officers are well-compensated and have the benefits they need to remain safe and effectively perform their duties.”
The Connecticut State Police labor union contract – which was negotiated by Governor Ned Lamont and approved today by the state legislature – covers the four fiscal years from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2026. In late December, 94% of state troopers voted to approve their labor union contract.
“This four-year agreement will enhance the state’s ability to recruit and retain the most qualified troopers, and it ensures that those who risk their lives daily are fairly compensated for their responsibilities and the dangers required of their profession,” State Police Union Executive Director Andy Matthews said at the January 18 public hearing on the contract.
The new agreement offers a 2.5% general wage increase in 2023, 2024, and 2025, with a wage reopener clause for 2026. State Police trooper trainee pay will jump from $50,000 this year to $65,638 in 2024 and then to $67,279 in 2025 and beyond – a 35% pay increase. Full-time State Police employees will receive a $3,500 lump sum payment this year, and State Police employees with the most years of service will receive an additional 2% lump sum payment.
There are nearly a dozen other beneficial changes in the new State Police labor union contract, including:
- Adding Juneteenth Independence Day as a paid state police holiday, with overtime.
- Increasing the safety shoe & equipment stipend to $150
- Adding a new, annual $500 health and wellness stipend
- Increasing the uniform cleaning stipend to $650
- Adding a new $100 monthly hazardous duty stipend for employees assigned to the Fire Explosion Investigations Unit
- Increasing the education tuition reimbursement fund to $90,000
- Increasing the training fund set-aside to $50,000
- Increasing the Field Training Officer (FTO) compensation to 2 hours per shift
- Adding a new, annual $500 lump sum payment for Bachelor of Arts or Master’s degree, which covers about a third of the State Police employees
The Connecticut State Police force currently stands at 877; it once had a mandated State Police force of 1,248, but that number has not been met for over a decade.
Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner James Rovella said Connecticut is currently graduating new State Police trooper classes of 30 to 40 officers – which is the national average – about twice a year. The next class is scheduled to graduate in April, with the next class after that beginning in May.
The museum’s web site notes that The Henry Whitfield House is a physical reminder of the European settler colonialism of the 1600s, as well as the Colonial Revival era of the 1800s-1900s that celebrated and glorified European ethnocentricity and superiority. The museum is striving to confront the facts about the site’s history in order to acknowledge past injustice, recognize how that injustice manifests in society today, and work towards an equitable future for all people.