State Sen. Marilyn Moore (opinion): Filling in the blanks of hunger
Originally published in the Connecticut Post
For nearly 20 years I have worked to address hunger and access to quality food. There are so many people in food deserts, underserved communities and families who are food insecure. I have been an advocate calling to end hunger while supporting many food pantries over the years. I’ve served as board chair for End Hunger CT!, championed the creation of the first Food Policy Council in Bridgeport, and currently serve as the Connecticut ambassador for Food Solutions New England.
I’ve witnessed food drives, soup kitchens, community gardens and local farms in search of the answers to address food insecurity. I believe these all work together, but I have been critical of the quality of food and sugar-laden products often offered in “free food” programs that could lead to further health disparities.
Recently, I found a nonprofit organization that met all my wishes in helping children receive nourishing, love-infused nutrition with no strings attached. I visited Filling in the Blanks in Norwalk. Their mission: “Fight childhood hunger by providing children in need with meals on the weekend.” While their warehouse is in Norwalk, they service 5,000 children at 150 schools and community centers in Westchester and Fairfield counties. Collectively they have provided over 2 million meals through three programs — the school-year weekend meal program, the summer weekend meal program and the holiday backpack program. Each meal bag provided contained beans, milk, pasta, soup, nutrition bars, oatmeal, crackers and canned vegetables. They also provide snack bags and are looking to include hygiene bags for high school students.
According to Feeding America, more than 490,000 Connecticut residents struggle with hunger; more than 131,000 children are food insecure. Families shouldn’t have to choose between food or paying their utility bill. Children deserve food, and they deserve food that is well-balanced. Eating nutritious food allows children to do better in the classroom. They have stronger critical thinking skills and social skills. Not having enough healthy food can have implications on a child’s physical and mental health, as well as academic achievement.
I am so proud of this program that is offered right here in Connecticut that will help thousands of children. And I have to commend two women, Shawnee Knight and Tina Kramer, who founded the program 10 years ago when they noticed kids who came to practice without snacks unlike students who did have snacks that came from wealthier towns. Both Shawnee and Tina began bringing snacks for all the children regardless of where they came from and later created food bags for insecure children. They used their own funds and drove their own cars to deliver the food bags.
The past 10 years they’ve continued to grow the program and have a warehouse full of food they purchase. They have trucks that deliver the food in New York and throughout Fairfield County. In Bridgeport alone they serve 925 children. The unique part, the food bags they distribute to children are nutrition approved and include culturally appropriate items from a variety of companies such as Goya.
SEN. OSTEN WELCOMES SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO EXPAND ACCESS TO VETERANS’ SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATES AND DRIVER’S LICENSES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 27, 2023
SEN. OSTEN WELCOMES SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO EXPAND ACCESS TO VETERANS’ SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATES AND DRIVER’S LICENSES
HARTFORD – State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today welcomed passage of a bill which expands the eligibility for veterans’ specialty license plates and driver’s licenses to include former members of the National Guard and former reservists who otherwise do not qualify for federal veterans’ benefits.
“This is an appropriate thing to do for these soldiers, especially since 9/11 we have increased our military use of reservists and National Guardsmen almost to the point where they are practically members of the regular army or navy,” said Sen. Osten, who is an Army veteran and a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “This is the right thing to do for our veterans.”
Senate Bill 1131 authorizes any eligible former reservist, former member of the National Guard or a surviving spouse to get a veteran license plate and registration certificate. The bill also authorizes an eligible former reservist or former member of the National Guard to receive a veteran designation on their driver’s license or identification card.
Under the bill, these benefits are available to any person who was part of the United States Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Air Force Reserve, or Air National Guard that was discharged honorably, under honorable conditions, or with an “other than honorable” discharge based on a qualifying condition.
The bill also establishes that receiving these benefits does not establish proof of eligibility for any other veterans’ benefits.
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Duff Statement on Passing of Stew Leonard, Sr.
Duff Statement on Passing of Stew Leonard, Sr.
Today, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) released the following statement on the passing of Stew Leonard, Sr., the founder of Stew Leonard’s grocery store.
“I’m so sorry to hear about Stew Sr’s passing. When I was probably six years old, Stew was at the store and I ran to him like he was Santa. He kneeled down to say hi and then asked if I liked jellybeans stuffing a bag in my coat pocket. Stew always loved his customers of all ages.
Norwalk and all of Fairfield county are better for his contributions to our community. My thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”
Sen. Maroney Joins Colleagues in Passage Of Bill To Expand Eligibility For Veterans’ Specialty License Plates And Driver’s Licenses
Sen. Maroney Joins Colleagues in Passage Of Bill To Expand Eligibility For Veterans’ Specialty License Plates And Driver’s Licenses
Today, Senate Vice Chair of the Veteran’s Committee, state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) joined colleagues in the passage of a bill which would expand the eligibility for veterans’ specialty license plates and driver’s licenses to include former members of the National Guard and former reservists who do not qualify for federal veterans’ benefits.
“No matter the branch of service, women and men who have served to protect our rights all deserve the same recognition and benefits,” said Sen. Maroney. “Former members of the National Guard and former reservists earned the right to receive specialty license plates and driver’s licenses. As Vice Chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I am determined to always advocate for our Veterans and armed service members.”
This bill authorizes an eligible former reservist, former member of the National Guard or a surviving spouse to get a veteran license plate and registration certificate. The bill also authorizes an eligible former reservist or former member of the National Guard to receive a veteran designation on their driver’s license or identification card.
Under the bill, these benefits are available to any person part of the United States Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Air Force Reserve, or Air National Guard that was discharged honorably, under honorable conditions, or with an “other than honorable” discharge based on a qualifying condition.
The bill also establishes that receiving these benefits does not establish proof of eligibility for any other veterans’ benefit.
Sen. Gaston Joins Colleagues in Passage Of Bill To Expand Eligibility For Veterans’ Specialty License Plates And Driver’s Licenses
Sen. Gaston Joins Colleagues in Passage Of Bill To Expand Eligibility For Veterans’ Specialty License Plates And Driver’s Licenses
Sen. Gaston Joins Colleagues in Passage Of Bill To Expand Eligibility For Veterans’ Specialty License Plates And Driver’s Licenses
Today, state Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport) joined colleagues in the passage of a bill which would expand the eligibility for veterans’ specialty license plates and driver’s licenses to include former members of the National Guard and former reservists who do not qualify for federal veterans’ benefits.
“Expanding eligibility for our Veterans’ is long overdue,” said Sen. Gaston. “All Veterans, no matter what branch of service, deserve to have the same recognition and benefits. Eligible former reservists, former members of the National Guard, or a surviving spouse, have earned the right to get a veteran license plate and registration certificate.”
This bill authorizes an eligible former reservist, former member of the National Guard or a surviving spouse to get a veteran license plate and registration certificate. The bill also authorizes an eligible former reservist or former member of the National Guard to receive a veteran designation on their driver’s license or identification card.
Under the bill, these benefits are available to any person part of the United States Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Air Force Reserve, or Air National Guard that was discharged honorably, under honorable conditions, or with an “other than honorable” discharge based on a qualifying condition.
The bill also establishes that receiving these benefits does not establish proof of eligibility for any other veterans’ benefit.
SEN. SLAP LEADS SENATE APPROVAL OF LEGISLATION PROHIBITING COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES FROM WITHHOLDING TRANSCRIPTS
SEN. SLAP LEADS SENATE APPROVAL OF LEGISLATION PROHIBITING COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES FROM WITHHOLDING TRANSCRIPTS
Today, State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford), Senate Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, led the State Senate in passage of legislation prohibiting institutions of higher education from withholding student transcripts. If passed by the House and signed by the Governor, this bill would prevent colleges and universities from withholding student transcripts from employers, prospective employers or branches of the military as a means to collect student debt.
Under Senate Bill 922, “An Act Prohibiting An Institution of Higher Education From Withholding Transcripts,” Connecticut higher education institutions would be prevented from refusing administration of current or former student transcripts because of a student’s debt; condition a transcript’s release upon payment of debt; charge a higher fee for providing a transcript because of a student’s debt; or use transcript release as a means of debt collection.
“A ‘transcript hold,’ as it is commonly referred to, holds back job seekers and prevents people from starting or advancing their careers,” said Sen. Slap. “This bill aims to end that practice for good. Why? A student or alum who owes debt is going to need a job to earn money to pay that debt. This bill will make it easier for folks to find work, which will allow them to pay off debt. This educational policy is short-sighted and I am proud we are one step closer to ending it.”
College alums and students seeking new jobs often need to submit academic transcripts to employers; however, some colleges and universities have policies restricting students in debt from accessing transcripts. This can lead to lost career opportunities, negatively impact student and alum finances, and disproportionately impacts low-income students and workers. By ending this policy, the state will prevent alums and students from being constrained in their financial and professional lives due to debt.
According to testimony submitted to the committee by Education Reform Now CT, as of 2022, every higher education institution in Connecticut utilized transcript withholding.
The Consumer Protection Agency prohibited transcript withholding as a practice to recoup student loans in October 2022, but it remains in place for outstanding fees and charges imposed by schools. Eight states – California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Ohio and Washington – have passed laws prohibiting or limiting use of transcript holds.
In 2022, similar legislation was introduced and passed on the Senate floor, but was never voted on by the House. The bill passed the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee by an 18-4 vote in February.
SEN. SLAP LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION ALLOWING COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUSES TO RETAIN FOUNDATIONS
SEN. SLAP LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION ALLOWING COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUSES TO RETAIN FOUNDATIONS
Today, State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) led the State Senate in its approval of legislation that would allow community college campuses in Connecticut to retain or create foundations, non-profit organizations using private funds for support efforts, amid the merger of state community-technical colleges into campuses of the Connecticut State Community College.
Senate Bill 1106, “An Act Concerning The Foundations Of The Regional Community-Technical Colleges,” will allow campuses with existing foundations to retain them and campuses without existing foundations to establish new ones, as well as allow campus presidents or chief executive officers to serve on those foundations’ boards. Currently, several community technical colleges have foundations. Foundations will continue to receive audits and campus CEOs will be able to audit finances when necessary.
“As the CSCU merger continues, we need to ensure our community college campuses can retain the resources they already have. This bill allows each campus to retain its own independent foundation, ensuring funds are not combined into one foundation for the entire system,” said Sen. Slap. “Students receiving financial aid and programs providing services at community and technical colleges need assurance that their finances will not be impacted amid the merger, and this bill retains not only foundations but important oversight of their financial practices.”
Existing law, which is unchanged by the bill, limits foundations to only fund scholarships/direct student financial aid or programs, services or activities at their respective institution.
CSCU President Terrence Cheng and Manchester Community College Foundation President Peter Grose endorsed the bill in submitted testimony.
The bill passed the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee by a unanimous 22-0 vote. It now moves to the House for further consideration.
SEN. MARX LEADS PASSAGE OF BILL TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY FOR VETERANS’ SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATES AND DRIVER’S LICENSES
SEN. MARX LEADS PASSAGE OF BILL TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY FOR VETERANS’ SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATES AND DRIVER’S LICENSES
HARTFORD, CT – Today, Senate Chair of the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London), led passage of a bill which would expand the eligibility for veterans’ specialty license plates and driver’s licenses to include former members of the National Guard and former Reservists who do not qualify for federal veterans’ benefits.
“There are many veterans in our state who have served our country but cannot access veterans’ designations in their official documents,” said Sen. Marx. “I’m glad we’re fixing that. No matter how a veteran serves the United States, they’ve earned the title of veteran.”
This bill authorizes an eligible former Reservist, former member of the National Guard or a surviving spouse to get a veteran license plate and registration certificate. The bill also authorizes an eligible former Reservist or former member of the National Guard to receive a veteran designation on their driver’s license or identification card.
Under the bill, these benefits are available to any person who was part of the United States Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Air Force Reserve, or Air National Guard that was discharged honorably, under honorable conditions, or with an “other than honorable” discharge based on a qualifying condition.
The bill also establishes that receiving these benefits does not establish proof of eligibility for any other veterans’ benefit.
SEN. MARX LEADS SENATE TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR VIETNAM VETERANS EXPOSED TO AGENT ORANGE
SEN. MARX LEADS SENATE TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR VIETNAM VETERANS EXPOSED TO AGENT ORANGE
Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) led the State Senate in its passage of a resolution recognizing and honoring veterans of the Vietnam War who were exposed to Agent Orange. The resolution is intended to recognize veterans who made great sacrifices in service to their country as the chemical agent they were exposed to has caused health issues and deaths for countless men and women.
“Veterans of the Vietnam War served their country and did not receive the rewards they deserve for the sacrifices they made,” said Sen. Marx. “We owe it to them to recognize what they lost and how they suffered in light of the serious health issues caused by Agent Orange.”Nearly 20 million gallons of the herbicide were sprayed over the land of Vietnam during the war to destroy vegetation and crops in an effort to fight guerilla warfare over the span of a decade. More than two million veterans were exposed to the chemical, which has been tied to a number of serious illnesses including but not limited to cancers of the throat, prostate, lung and colon, leukemia, lymphoma and heart disease.
Approximately three hundred deaths occur per day nationally among Vietnam veterans that can be tied to Agent Orange, but names of fallen servicemembers from the effects of Agent Orange are not recognized as fatalities of the Vietnam War.
The chemical has also been tied to genetic damage, with some children and grandchildren of exposed veterans having conditions such as spina bifida.
SEN. RAHMAN JOINS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL PROVIDING CASH REFUNDS FOR GIFT CARD BALANCES UP TO FIVE DOLLARS
SEN. RAHMAN JOINS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL PROVIDING CASH REFUNDS FOR GIFT CARD BALANCES UP TO FIVE DOLLARS
HARTFORD – Today, State Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester) joined the state Senate passage of a bill that will increase the amount of cash that consumers can get back on their unused gift cards from three dollars to five dollars – thereby making Connecticut one of the most generous states in the nation when it comes to gift card protections.
Senate Bill 1018, “AN ACT CONCERNING CASH REFUNDS FOR GIFT CARD BALANCES,” passed the Senate on an overwhelmingly bipartisan 32-3 vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
If SB 1018 is approved by the House and signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut would join just six other states – Colorado, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington and Puerto Rico– in offering consumers up to five dollars cash back on their unused gift cards. California offers up to $10 cash back, and Massachusetts offers cash back on any balance after 90% of the value of the gift card has been spent.
“Gift cards are great gifts – until you buy an item worth $21.50 with a $25 gift card,” said Sen. Rahman. “That’s money that’s bought and paid for that companies and corporations get to keep, and over the years, it’s added up to billions of dollars. With this legislation, consumers will be able to get more of their money back, and Connecticut joins a growing national trend.”
Not only would SB 1018 increase the cash back value on unused gift cards to five dollars, but consumers would not have to provide a proof of purchase receipt for the gift card, which some retailers demand.
Today’s Senate action comes at a time when American consumers are drowning in unspent gift cards. According to a February 2023 report from Credit Summit, an online provider of financial advisory services, Americans have amassed $21 billion in unspent gift cards. A separate study on gift card usage found the average amount on unused gift cards in 2022 was $175 per person, up from $116 in 2021.
Millennials and GenZ (ages 18-41) have amassed the most unused gift cards, with about 50% reporting they have unused gift cards laying around, with unused balances ranging from $150 to $225. Only 40% of older Americans (GenX and Boomers, ages 42-76) report having unused gift cards on-hand, with balances ranging from $130 to$180.
Connecticut remains one of the most consumer-friendly states in America when it comes to gift cards. Not only does Connecticut allow consumers to get cash back on unused balances, Connecticut is also one of the few states in America that prevents retailers from instituting fees on gift card balances – 33 other states allow such fees. And 29 other states allow their governments to take all or a portion of unspent gift card balances, usually after three to five years of inactivity; Connecticut does not.