Month: February 2023

SEN. KUSHNER LEADS SUCCESSFUL COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF BILL TO PROVIDE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS TO STRIKING WORKERS

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, February 16, 2023

SEN. KUSHNER LEADS SUCCESSFUL COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF BILL TO PROVIDE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS TO STRIKING WORKERS

HARTFORD – State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) today led Democrats on the Labor and Public Employees Committee in the successful passage of a bill that would allow striking workers to begin collecting unemployment benefits after two weeks if the company owner has locked them out of a job.

Senate Bill 938, “AN ACT CONCERNING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR STRIKING WORKERS,” passed on a partisan committee vote of 7-4, with all Republicans opposed. The bill now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration.

“In this post-pandemic world that we live in, with unemployment rates at record lows and business begging for new hires, there’s a new reality that employees and the services they provide and the jobs that they do are valued more than ever. The days of locking out employees on a picket line and trying to starve them into submission on a union contract are over,” Sen. Kushner said. “People don’t go on strike easily, or for petty reasons. It usually only comes about after years of working in untenable conditions and months of behind-the-scenes negotiations. Unemployment benefits after two weeks can help both the worker and the business owner come together by increasing good-faith bargaining and shortening strikes.”

At the public hearing on the bill, committee members heard stories from people who have walked picket lines – sometimes for weeks or months – without earning a paycheck and without any guarantee of even returning to work.

“My name is Jose Anaya and I live in Bridgeport,” one such employee testified. “In April of 2019, as a newly full-time employee at Stop and Shop, I walked out along with over 10,000 of my coworkers in Connecticut and thousands more in New England. I had watched my union leadership bargain for nearly four months before telling us we had no choice but to stand up and walk out. I walked out on strike despite being the only wage earner in my home and without substantial savings to protect me… the loss of eleven days of income is frankly something that took me over a year to catch up from.”

“During the strike I was lucky to have a supportive family and a husband who worked, but losing my wages was hard on us,” Wanda Ferrera of New Haven testified about the time she went on strike against Yale University. “We could call our mortgage company and utilities and say that we were in a time of hardship, but that was only temporary. Unemployment benefits would have helped to carry us through that time.”

New York and New Jersey already have such laws in place: In 2020, New York reduced its waiting period from seven weeks to two weeks in order to collect unemployment, and New Jersey has a 30-day waiting period but is considering legislation to reduce it to two weeks.

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Sen. Rahman Leads Planning & Development Committee As Car Tax Elimination Proposal Receives Public Hearing

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Sen. Rahman Leads Planning & Development Committee As Car Tax Elimination Proposal Receives Public Hearing

Today, State Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester), Senate Chair of the Planning and Development Committee, led the Planning and Development Committee’s public hearing focused on legislation including his proposed bill, which would seek to eliminate the property tax on motor vehicles and seek mechanisms to ensure towns and cities receive necessary and needed funding.

“This bill is the start of a larger conversation that I hope sparks new ideas for the current vehicle property tax,” said Sen. Rahman. “The vehicle property tax is regressive in its current form, and can add prohibitive costs to the budgets of many residents. By seeking a more progressive form of tax, we can ease the cost burden that vehicle property taxes levy on seniors, who are already struggling with bills; our young residents, who can better focus on their education and building their careers; and our workforce, who will have one fewer cost barrier toward moving to, or remaining, in Connecticut. I’m hopeful we can continue having conversations about this important issue and move closer toward a solution amicable to us all.”

Senate Bill 497, “An Act Eliminating The Property Tax On Motor Vehicles And Concerning Mechanisms To Replace The Resulting Loss Of Revenue,” would seek to replace the property tax on motor vehicles with alternative revenue streams including a potential licensing fee on landlords and/or an annual fee on revenue from certain insurance policies. It’s intended to start a larger conversation on the motor vehicle tax, which is regressive in its current form; vehicles are subject to local property tax depending on municipalities, and due to differences between municipalities, a driver in Hartford could pay more than three times what a driver in Greenwich could pay.

A number of constituents testified in support of the legislation, including senior citizens concerned about friends and colleagues moving to other states due to more promising economic conditions and residents concerned about rising costs who noted that cars are not just luxuries but necessities in many parts of Connecticut.

Sen. Marx Releases Statement Following Millstone Power Plant Data Center Announcement

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Sen. Marx Releases Statement Following Millstone Power Plant Data Center Announcement

Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) released the following statement after the announcement that a new data center to be built at the Millstone Power Plant in Waterford will bring new business to the region:

“I’m ecstatic to hear about the development of this new data center, and I am excited by the prospects and benefits it will bring our region – especially as many as 2,000 construction jobs that will be created during its construction, and up to 200 jobs on-site once it’s complete,” said Sen. Marx. “Just as importantly, it could lead to investments up to $230 million to the town of Waterford over the next 30 years, and helps to solidify the future of Dominion in Waterford. This project will provide long-term benefits for Waterford and its neighbors, infusing new opportunities for business growth into the area.”

MANCHESTER DELEGATION CHEERS COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND APPROVAL OF $7.5 MILLION FOR ‘DOWNTOWN FOR ALL’ STREETSCAPE REDEVELOPMENT

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MANCHESTER DELEGATION CHEERS COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND APPROVAL OF $7.5 MILLION FOR ‘DOWNTOWN FOR ALL’ STREETSCAPE REDEVELOPMENT

Today, the Manchester legislative delegation including State Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester), House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, State Representative Jeff Currey, State Representative Geoff Luxenberg and State Representative Jason Doucette, welcomed the Connecticut Community Investment Fund 2030 Board’s approval of $7.5 million to Manchester to fund the redevelopment of the town’s Main Street and Downtown areas, with intent for the redevelopment to benefit pedestrians and bicyclists through enhanced safety.

The CIF2030 said this award will go toward the redesign of Manchester’s Main Street to become more accessible and safer for pedestrians and bicyclists through methods including traffic calming strategies for improved traffic flow and added bike lanes and pedestrian walkways to improve safety.

“When reports of pedestrians and bicyclists hit by vehicles are growing around the state, this funding will help keep Manchester safe and make sure folks can visit Main Street’s library, Town Hall, great restaurants and many businesses with increased safety,” said Sen. Rahman. “It’s a useful and beneficial investment that will serve Downtown Manchester well, and I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and the Investment Fund for their support of our local residents.”

“Investments in pedestrian and bicyclist safety contribute to enhanced quality of life and economic activity in our neighborhoods,” Majority Leader Rojas said. “This is great news for Downtown Manchester and area businesses as well. I thank Governor Lamont and the Investment Fund for prioritizing this funding item and look forward to the improvements ahead.”

“This funding is a victory for the Town and also its residents,” Rep. Currey said. “Improving the safety of our roads and sidewalks makes downtown Manchester accessible for everyone. I am grateful to see this investment for improved safety being made in the heart of the community and excited for residents and visitors to walk, bike and drive on Main Street, knowing the only thing they need to worry about is what shops or restaurants they are going to visit.”

“I am thrilled to see the Downtown For All project on the CIF Agenda and I thank the Board for their support of this worthy initiative, which is so important to the Town of Manchester.” said Rep. Doucette (D-Glastonbury, Manchester). “This funding will be transformational in revitalizing our downtown and will provide much-needed support for the infrastructure related to the library project, which was overwhelmingly approved by Manchester’s voters in 2022.”

“This investment in the heart of Manchester will make our town safer for pedestrians and bicyclists and provide much-needed infrastructure improvements ahead of our new library,” said Rep. Luxenberg, whose district lies solely in Manchester. “I appreciate the support of the Community Investment Fund for this project.”

SEN. MARX INTRODUCES LEGISLATION OFFERING SIMPLE CHANGE TO HELP PREVENT WORKER BURNOUT

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SEN. MARX INTRODUCES LEGISLATION OFFERING SIMPLE CHANGE TO HELP PREVENT WORKER BURNOUT

To counter worker burnout in many fields, which she has experienced firsthand in her work as a nurse, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) has introduced legislation to the General Assembly that seeks to protect workers’ work-life balance and mental health and hoped to prevent burnout. Utilizing a simple change in language, Sen. Marx hopes the bill would close a loophole that can be used in worker scheduling to require staff to work 12 days in a row, outside of intent of language.

Senate Bill 489, “An Act Limiting The Days An Employer Can Mandate An Employee To Work,” would amend state statutes to prohibit an employer from mandating an employee to work more than six consecutive days without a day off during a seven-day week, moving away from language stating “work week” and toward traditional calendar weeks.

“In the past, I’ve worked in positions that followed current law to the letter, but not the intent. Despite legislation that is meant to require employers to give staff at least one day off every week, some schedulers take advantage of the law’s phrasing of ‘work week.’ They’ll stack two six-day work weeks together, so that on a ‘work week’ of Sunday to Saturday, they’ll schedule Monday to Saturday and Sunday to Friday weeks back-to-back, forcing workers to work 12 days in a row without a break,” said Sen. Marx. “This legislation makes a simple change to state statutes; it removes the word ‘work week,’ adjusting the law’s letter to match intent and prevent workers from being mandated to work six days in a row. It’s a simple fix that can provide significant relief to many workers.”

According to the Department of Labor and OSHA, long work hours without breaks can increase the risk of injuries and accidents on the job and can contribute to poor worker health, increased stress and worker fatigue, which increases potential levels of stress and illness a worker may experience.

Most states’ laws, including Connecticut’s, allow employers to require workers to work as many as 12 days in a row without days off. There is precedent for laws such as the one introduced by Sen. Marx; in 2022, Illinois passed revisions to the “One Day Rest In Seven Act” requiring employers to provide workers with one 24-hour day of rest in every seven-day period, making the same change as introduced by this bill.

Sen. Anwar Releases Statement After Stone Academy Closes Three Campuses, Including In East Hartford

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Sen. Anwar Releases Statement After Stone Academy Closes Three Campuses, Including In East Hartford

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, released a statement following the announced closing of Stone Academy’s three campuses in Connecticut. The three campuses, including one in East Hartford, were closed today, the announcement coming after the Office of Higher Education found serious compliance issues including unqualified faculty, improper student clinical experiences and recording attendance in its programs. Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani said Stone Academy also seems to have done poorly in educating some nursing students.

“At a time when we need nurses more than ever, I’m disappointed in Stone Academy’s closing, but I’m also disappointed in Stone Academy’s lack of proper education among nursing students,” said Sen. Anwar. “The Department of Public Health’s priorities are to improve the state’s health care workforce without compromising patient quality of care, including clinical experience. It’s sad whenever an institution closes, but also frustrating that this institution could not keep educational quality up to standard. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to create a strong setup in Connecticut to improve the quality and quantity of health care workers in our state in response to this setback.”

SEN. CABRERA VOTES FOR FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES, EXTENDING STATE BUDGET SAFEGUARDS

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SEN. CABRERA VOTES FOR FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES, EXTENDING STATE BUDGET SAFEGUARDS

HARTFORD – State Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden)voted with his colleagues today to fund free student breakfasts and lunches through the end of the current school year for half a million Connecticut students. The senator also voted to continue for another five years Connecticut’s tough budget safeguards that have allowed our state to build up its largest budget reserve ever, while devoting billions of dollars toward old, unfunded pension debt. The senator said the free meals for students is the correct course of action for the legislature to take.

“Today’s vote to extend the free school meals program through to the conclusion of the school year is great news for children across the state and I’m proud to vote yes,” said Sen. Cabrera. “It is unconscionable to expect children to perform at a high level when they’re hungry. The need for free school meals is a nationwide issue and as the federal program ends, many students still require this essential support. This is the right move to make, as it will continue to provide Connecticut students with nutritional meals to help them thrive each day.”

Free Meals

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government extended its free and reduced-price meals policy to all 50 million public school students nationwide – including those in Connecticut. But, like many federal grants tied to the pandemic, that funding was for a limited time only. The federal funding for free school meals for everyone expired on September 30, 2022, although last spring Democrats set aside $30 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and out it in the state budget to continue providing free school breakfast and lunch to Connecticut students through December 31, 2022.

Now, those funds have run dry. Today’s vote moves $60 million from the Invest CT program and into the Free Meals for Students program to provide free school meals through the end of the current school year, usually around mid-to-late June. Free meals will be provided to more than 500,000 students in all 169 towns.

Budget Safeguards

The senator also voted today to continue the Democrat-led financial restraints that were first put in place in 2017.

Today’s bill will:

  • Continue those 2017 fiscal constraints for at least another five years, until July 1, 2028, and potentially for another five years after that until July 1, 2033
  • Raise the maximum amount of Connecticut’s Budget Reserve Fund – also known as our “Rainy Day Fund” – from 15% of budgetary expenditures to 18% of expenditures – essentially raising Connecticut’s financial cushion from its current $3.3 billion to about $4 billion. Right now, when our budget reserve fund exceeds 15%, any excess state revenues are used to pay off old pension debt. Under the new plan, once the budget reserve fund exceeds 18%, all excess revenue above that will go toward paying off Connecticut’s 70 years of legacy pension debt
  • Provide additional funding to school-based health centers
  • Maintain Connecticut’s current “Revenue Cap” at spending just 98.75% of all funds, instead of continuing with a planned phase-out to 98%. That means that the legislature can only continue to spend 98.75% of all the projected revenue coming into state coffers
  • Change the Bond Allocation Cap base from $2.1 billion to $2.4 billion, meaning that the maximum amount of state bonding (long-term borrowing) that the State Bond Commission can potentially approve in any given calendar year will increase from the current $2.1 billion (adjusted for inflation) to $2.4 billion (adjusted for inflation in subsequent years). Due to Connecticut’s recent budgetary restraint, our state bond ratings increased in 2021 for the first time since 2001, saving taxpayers millions of dollars in annual higher interest costs
  • •Change the Bond Issuance Cap – the amount of state bonds that the state treasurer can sell in any given year – from $1.9 billion to $2.4 billion

SEN. RAHMAN VOTES FOR FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES, EXTENDING STATE BUDGET SAFEGUARDS

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SEN. RAHMAN VOTES FOR FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES, EXTENDING STATE BUDGET SAFEGUARDS

HARTFORD – State Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester)voted with his colleagues today to fund free student breakfasts and lunches through the end of the current school year for half a million Connecticut students, and to continue for another five years Connecticut’s tough budget safeguards that have allowed our state to build up its largest budget reserve ever while putting billions of dollars toward old, unfunded pension debt.

“These two actions will play huge dividends for Connecticut in different ways,” said Sen. Rahman. “They address the needs of our state’s children, ensuring they’re fed and able to learn to the best of their ability, while they also provide our state with continued financial stability. This will make the budget development process more effective, continuing the positive financial trends we’ve seen in recent years.”

Free Meals

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government extended its free and reduced-price meals policy to all 50 million public school students nationwide – including those in Connecticut. But, like many federal grants tied to the pandemic, that funding was for a limited time only. The federal funding for free school meals for everyone expired on September 30, 2022, although last spring Democrats set aside $30 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and out it in the state budget to continue providing free school breakfast and lunch to Connecticut students through December 31, 2022.

Now, those funds have run dry. Today’s vote moves $60 million from the Invest CT program and into the Free Meals for Students program to provide free school meals through the end of the current school year, usually around mid-to-late June. Free meals will be provided to more than 500,000 students in all 169 towns.

Budget Safeguards

The senator also voted today to continue the Democrat-led financial restraints that were first put in place in 2017.

Today’s bill will:

  • Continue those 2017 fiscal constraints for at least another five years, until July 1, 2028, and potentially for another five years after that until July 1, 2033
  • Raise the maximum amount of Connecticut’s Budget Reserve Fund – also known as our “Rainy Day Fund” – from 15% of budgetary expenditures to 18% of expenditures – essentially raising Connecticut’s financial cushion from its current $3.3 billion to about $4 billion. Right now, when our budget reserve fund exceeds 15%, any excess state revenues are used to pay off old pension debt. Under the new plan, once the budget reserve fund exceeds 18%, all excess revenue above that will go toward paying off Connecticut’s 70 years of legacy pension debt
  • Provide additional funding to school-based health centers
  • Maintain Connecticut’s current “Revenue Cap” at spending just 98.75% of all funds, instead of continuing with a planned phase-out to 98%. That means that the legislature can only continue to spend 98.75% of all the projected revenue coming into state coffers
  • Change the Bond Allocation Cap base from $2.1 billion to $2.4 billion, meaning that the maximum amount of state bonding (long-term borrowing) that the State Bond Commission can potentially approve in any given calendar year will increase from the current $2.1 billion (adjusted for inflation) to $2.4 billion (adjusted for inflation in subsequent years). Due to Connecticut’s recent budgetary restraint, our state bond ratings increased in 2021 for the first time since 2001, saving taxpayers millions of dollars in annual higher interest costs
  • •Change the Bond Issuance Cap – the amount of state bonds that the state treasurer can sell in any given year – from $1.9 billion to $2.4 billion

Sen. Maroney Votes For Free School Lunches, Extending State Budget Safeguards

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Sen. Maroney Votes For Free School Lunches, Extending State Budget Safeguards

HARTFORD – State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) voted with his colleagues today to fund free student breakfasts and lunches through the end of the current school year for half a million Connecticut students, and to continue for another five years Connecticut’s tough budget safeguards that have allowed our state to build up its largest budget reserve ever while putting billions of dollars toward old, unfunded pension debt.

“Children need a quality education and they won’t be able to get one if their stomachs are empty,” said Sen. Maroney. “Research shows that children who eat do better in school then if they don’t eat. Free meals for students will significantly reduce the likelihood of students going hungry and allowing them to focus while in the classroom.”

Free Meals

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government extended its free and reduced-price meals policy to all 50 million public school students nationwide – including those in Connecticut. But, like many federal grants tied to the pandemic, that funding was for a limited time only. The federal funding for free school meals for everyone expired on September 30, 2022, although last spring Democrats set aside $30 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and out it in the state budget to continue providing free school breakfast and lunch to Connecticut students through December 31, 2022.

Now, those funds have run dry. Today’s vote moves $60 million from the Invest CT program and into the Free Meals for Students program to provide free school meals through the end of the current school year, usually around mid-to-late June. Free meals will be provided to more than 500,000 students in all 169 towns.

Budget Safeguards

The senator also voted today to continue the Democrat-led financial restraints that were first put in place in 2017.

Today’s bill will:

  • Continue those 2017 fiscal constraints for at least another five years, until July 1, 2028, and potentially for another five years after that until July 1, 2033
  • Raise the maximum amount of Connecticut’s Budget Reserve Fund – also known as our “Rainy Day Fund” – from 15% of budgetary expenditures to 18% of expenditures – essentially raising Connecticut’s financial cushion from its current $3.3 billion to about $4 billion. Right now, when our budget reserve fund exceeds 15%, any excess state revenues are used to pay off old pension debt. Under the new plan, once the budget reserve fund exceeds 18%, all excess revenue above that will go toward paying off Connecticut’s 70 years of legacy pension debt
  • Provide additional funding to school-based health centers
  • Maintain Connecticut’s current “Revenue Cap” at spending just 98.75% of all funds, instead of continuing with a planned phase-out to 98%. That means that the legislature can only continue to spend 98.75% of all the projected revenue coming into state coffers
  • Change the Bond Allocation Cap base from $2.1 billion to $2.4 billion, meaning that the maximum amount of state bonding (long-term borrowing) that the State Bond Commission can potentially approve in any given calendar year will increase from the current $2.1 billion (adjusted for inflation) to $2.4 billion (adjusted for inflation in subsequent years). Due to Connecticut’s recent budgetary restraint, our state bond ratings increased in 2021 for the first time since 2001, saving taxpayers millions of dollars in annual higher interest costs
  • •Change the Bond Issuance Cap – the amount of state bonds that the state treasurer can sell in any given year – from $1.9 billion to $2.4 billion

SEN. MAHER VOTES FOR FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES, EXTENDNG STATE BUDGET SAFEGUARDS

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SEN. MAHER VOTES FOR FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES, EXTENDNG STATE BUDGET SAFEGUARDS

HARTFORD – State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton)voted with her colleagues today to fund free student breakfasts and lunches through the end of the current school year for half a million Connecticut students. The senator also voted to continue for another five years Connecticut’s tough budget safeguards that have allowed our state to build up its largest budget reserve ever, while devoting billions of dollars toward old, unfunded pension debt.

“If students are hungry, they cannot learn,” said Sen. Maher, Senate Chair of the Children’s Committee. “We know this, and the many people who spent their time providing testimony in support of this bill, know this as well. For them and the countless Connecticut students that will benefit immensely from the expansion of the school meal program, I am extremely happy we were able to get this done, and done so quickly. The school meal program is crucially important to students and their families, extending this much-needed support as the federal program ends ensures no student in our state has to worry about focusing on their schoolwork while hungry. Food insecurity isn’t just an issue here but also a problem nationwide and I’m proud of my colleagues in the General Assembly for ensuring that no child in Connecticut will go hungry.”

Free Meals

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government extended its free and reduced-price meals policy to all 50 million public school students nationwide – including those in Connecticut. But, like many federal grants tied to the pandemic, that funding was for a limited time only. The federal funding for free school meals for everyone expired on September 30, 2022, although last spring Democrats set aside $30 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and out it in the state budget to continue providing free school breakfast and lunch to Connecticut students through December 31, 2022.

Now, those funds have run dry. Today’s vote moves $60 million from the Invest CT program and into the Free Meals for Students program to provide free school meals through the end of the current school year, usually around mid-to-late June. Free meals will be provided to more than 500,000 students in all 169 towns.

Budget Safeguards

The senator also voted today to continue the Democrat-led financial restraints that were first put in place in 2017.

Today’s bill will:

  • Continue those 2017 fiscal constraints for at least another five years, until July 1, 2028, and potentially for another five years after that until July 1, 2033
  • Raise the maximum amount of Connecticut’s Budget Reserve Fund – also known as our “Rainy Day Fund” – from 15% of budgetary expenditures to 18% of expenditures – essentially raising Connecticut’s financial cushion from its current $3.3 billion to about $4 billion. Right now, when our budget reserve fund exceeds 15%, any excess state revenues are used to pay off old pension debt. Under the new plan, once the budget reserve fund exceeds 18%, all excess revenue above that will go toward paying off Connecticut’s 70 years of legacy pension debt
  • Provide additional funding to school-based health centers
  • Maintain Connecticut’s current “Revenue Cap” at spending just 98.75% of all funds, instead of continuing with a planned phase-out to 98%. That means that the legislature can only continue to spend 98.75% of all the projected revenue coming into state coffers
  • Change the Bond Allocation Cap base from $2.1 billion to $2.4 billion, meaning that the maximum amount of state bonding (long-term borrowing) that the State Bond Commission can potentially approve in any given calendar year will increase from the current $2.1 billion (adjusted for inflation) to $2.4 billion (adjusted for inflation in subsequent years). Due to Connecticut’s recent budgetary restraint, our state bond ratings increased in 2021 for the first time since 2001, saving taxpayers millions of dollars in annual higher interest costs
  • •Change the Bond Issuance Cap – the amount of state bonds that the state treasurer can sell in any given year – from $1.9 billion to $2.4 billion