Month: April 2024

Senate Passes Legislation To Improve Eligibility For Automatic College Admissions

Posted on by Devin James
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

Senate Passes Legislation To Improve Eligibility For Automatic College Admissions

This week, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) voted with the Senate to change the eligibility requirements for the Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) to increase equity and access for students. The bill passed unanimously and now heads to the House.

“Connecticut high schoolers will now be able to know whether they can receive direct admissions to a number of state colleges with just their GPAs thanks to this legislation,” said Sen. Anwar. “I’m happy to vote for it and hope to see it become law.”

CAAP allows graduating Connecticut high school seniors who meet identified thresholds to be notified of their eligibility for automatic admission to participating colleges and universities. SB 109, passed today, changes the requirement for admission from a minimum class rank percentile to a minimum, unweighted grade point average (GPA).

This legislation seeks to make the pre-qualification threshold more transparent for students by relying on a GPA as opposed to class rank, which is not readily available to students. By using an unweighted GPA, the legislation seeks to make the program more equitable by reducing the importance of heavily weighted Advanced Placement (AP) courses. This is important because lower resourced school districts often have less AP courses available.

According to Connecticut State Colleges & University (CSCU), this year, the total number of CAAP applicants has increased by 70%, and the total number of applicants to the CSCU schools going up by 400%, or 3,259 students.

A student who qualifies is required to complete a simplified, free application for the participating colleges and universities that they wish to attend. The student will automatically receive a letter of acceptance and details about financial aid awarded. Participating universities include:

  • Central Connecticut State University
  • Eastern Connecticut State University
  • Southern Connecticut State University
  • Western Connecticut State University
  • Mitchell College
  • University of Bridgeport
  • University of New Haven
  • University of Saint Joseph
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Senate Passes Legislation To Improve Eligibility For Automatic College Admissions

Posted on by Devin James

Senate Passes Legislation To Improve Eligibility For Automatic College Admissions

This week, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) voted with the Senate to change the eligibility requirements for the Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) to increase equity and access for students. The bill passed unanimously and now heads to the House.

“This bill makes an easy and welcome change to state college admissions processes, simplifying it for students and helping them with their applications,” said Sen. Marx. “Students will now have a much simpler time moving on to college in-state as long as they meet GPA thresholds.”

CAAP allows graduating Connecticut high school seniors who meet identified thresholds to be notified of their eligibility for automatic admission to participating colleges and universities. SB 109, passed today, changes the requirement for admission from a minimum class rank percentile to a minimum, unweighted grade point average (GPA).

This legislation seeks to make the pre-qualification threshold more transparent for students by relying on a GPA as opposed to class rank, which is not readily available to students. By using an unweighted GPA, the legislation seeks to make the program more equitable by reducing the importance of heavily weighted Advanced Placement (AP) courses. This is important because lower resourced school districts often have less AP courses available.

According to Connecticut State Colleges & University (CSCU), this year, the total number of CAAP applicants has increased by 70%, and the total number of applicants to the CSCU schools going up by 400%, or 3,259 students.

A student who qualifies is required to complete a simplified, free application for the participating colleges and universities that they wish to attend. The student will automatically receive a letter of acceptance and details about financial aid awarded. Participating universities include:

  • Central Connecticut State University
  • Eastern Connecticut State University
  • Southern Connecticut State University
  • Western Connecticut State University
  • Mitchell College
  • University of Bridgeport
  • University of New Haven
  • University of Saint Joseph
Contact: Joe O’Leary | 508-479-4969 | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov

Senate Passes Legislation To Improve Eligibility For Automatic College Admissions

Posted on by Devin James
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
April 19, 2024

Senate Passes Legislation To Improve Eligibility For Automatic College Admissions

This week, State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) voted to change the eligibility requirements for the Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) to increase equity and access for students. The bill passed unanimously and now heads to the House.

“This bill makes a simple but effective change, allowing students to know based on their GPAs that they can automatically be approved to attend a number of great Connecticut colleges and universities,” said Sen. Maroney. “I’m glad to have voted for it and hope to see it become law.”

CAAP allows graduating Connecticut high school seniors who meet identified thresholds to be notified of their eligibility for automatic admission to participating colleges and universities. SB 109, passed today, changes the requirement for admission from a minimum class rank percentile to a minimum, unweighted grade point average (GPA).

This legislation seeks to make the pre-qualification threshold more transparent for students by relying on a GPA as opposed to class rank, which is not readily available to students. By using an unweighted GPA, the legislation seeks to make the program more equitable by reducing the importance of heavily weighted Advanced Placement (AP) courses. This is important because lower resourced school districts often have less AP courses available.

According to Connecticut State Colleges & University (CSCU), this year, the total number of CAAP applicants has increased by 70%, and the total number of applicants to the CSCU schools going up by 400%, or 3,259 students.

A student who qualifies is required to complete a simplified, free application for the participating colleges and universities that they wish to attend. The student will automatically receive a letter of acceptance and details about financial aid awarded. Participating universities include:

  • Central Connecticut State University
  • Eastern Connecticut State University
  • Southern Connecticut State University
  • Western Connecticut State University
  • Mitchell College
  • University of Bridgeport
  • University of New Haven
  • University of Saint Joseph
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Senate Passes Legislation To Improve Eligibility For Automatic College Admissions

Posted on by Devin James
State Senator Norm Needleman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

Senate Passes Legislation To Improve Eligibility For Automatic College Admissions

This week, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) voted with the Senate to change the eligibility requirements for the Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) to increase equity and access for students. The bill passed unanimously and now heads to the House.

“With one simple change, this bill will make it much easier for high school students across Connecticut to advance their educations to any number of state universities,” said Sen. Needleman. “It’s a welcome change and I’m looking forward to it becoming law.”

CAAP allows graduating Connecticut high school seniors who meet identified thresholds to be notified of their eligibility for automatic admission to participating colleges and universities. SB 109, passed today, changes the requirement for admission from a minimum class rank percentile to a minimum, unweighted grade point average (GPA).

This legislation seeks to make the pre-qualification threshold more transparent for students by relying on a GPA as opposed to class rank, which is not readily available to students. By using an unweighted GPA, the legislation seeks to make the program more equitable by reducing the importance of heavily weighted Advanced Placement (AP) courses. This is important because lower resourced school districts often have less AP courses available.

According to Connecticut State Colleges & University (CSCU), this year, the total number of CAAP applicants has increased by 70%, and the total number of applicants to the CSCU schools going up by 400%, or 3,259 students.

A student who qualifies is required to complete a simplified, free application for the participating colleges and universities that they wish to attend. The student will automatically receive a letter of acceptance and details about financial aid awarded. Participating universities include:

  • Central Connecticut State University
  • Eastern Connecticut State University
  • Southern Connecticut State University
  • Western Connecticut State University
  • Mitchell College
  • University of Bridgeport
  • University of New Haven
  • University of Saint Joseph
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SENATOR NEEDLEMAN RELEASES STATEMENT FOLLOWING DECISION IN UTILITY RATE REQUESTS

Posted on by Devin James
State Senator Norm Needleman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN RELEASES STATEMENT FOLLOWING DECISION IN UTILITY RATE REQUESTS

Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), Senate Chair of the Energy & Technology Company, released the following statement in response to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s decision this week approving rate increase requests from state utility companies Eversource and United Illuminating, and related comments made this week by utility and political leaders:

“How does a company with an underlying profit of more than $1.5 billion plead unfair treatment the day after Connecticut’s regulators gave them everything they requested? Worse, they threatened the state of Connecticut, saying they will not fulfill their obligations to build out improvements to the electric grid necessary to support our policy goals. This week, Eversource received every penny it requested, but it’s still complaining. This behavior is threatening, vindictive and irresponsible, not to mention disrespectful to ratepayers facing another increase to their monthly bills. When you get what you want and you’re still whining, one has to wonder, is there something else going on under the hood?

If Eversource does not want to make green energy investments in our grid, for which it receives full reimbursement and an additional profit on top of out-of-pocket costs, maybe we should consider a review of their franchise agreement, which allows them to operate as a monopoly with no competition. The only thing protecting ratepayers from corporate greed is a regulatory authority that does its job appropriately and acts as a proxy for ratepayers and the free market. If they are unwilling to honor that agreement, then maybe the state needs to reconsider its commitment to allow them to operate as a monopoly.

The General Assembly will continue to enable our regulators to provide appropriate oversight in the best interest of Connecticut’s ratepayers and won’t be threatened or intimidated by a company whose primary interest is shareholder profit and compensation for senior executives.

More baffling is the Republicans’ apparent change of heart and their support of this behavior. In recent years, bills passed by broad bipartisan majorities with the intent of holding these utilities accountable. It appears Republicans are having buyer’s remorse after having done the right thing by supporting those bills.

Amid all this noise and fury, it appears the Republicans are parroting the utilities, creating an echo chamber that constantly supports the interests of the utilities and not the ratepayers. Democrats will continue to support the interests of the ratepayers while doing everything we can to advance our energy goals, looking to the future for generations to come.”
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SEN. OSTEN APPLAUDS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO CURTAIL RENTAL PROPERTY ABUSES

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, April 18, 2024

SEN. OSTEN APPLAUDS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO CURTAIL RENTAL PROPERTY ABUSES

NORWICH – A bill that would give municipalities greater control over how private homes are put up for rent in their communities – and the negative public consequences that may come from the use and abuse of Airbnb’s and other such property rental arrangements – passed the state Senate today and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 335, “An Act Concerning Short-Term Rental Properties,” passed the Senate on a xx-xx vote. The bill allows cities and towns to vote and adopt local ordinances regulating the operation and use of short-term rental properties like Airbnb’s and requires these properties to be licensed. Under the bill, short-term rental properties are defined as rentals of 30 days or less.

“The short-term rental industry has created some real public contentiousness in many, many Connecticut municipalities,” Sen. Osten said. “This bill is yet another tool in the toolbox for cities and towns to curtail any short-term rental abuses.”

Sen. Osten’s support for the bill stems from recent rental abuses in Norwich, which she represents. Over time, some small gatherings at short-term rental homes turned into larger and larger gatherings replete with loud music, cars blocking streets and private driveways – even being used as wedding sites.

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SEN. OSTEN WELCOMES POTENTIAL EXPANSION OF PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT TO 10,000 TRIBAL EMPLOYEES

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, April 18, 2024

SEN. OSTEN WELCOMES POTENTIAL EXPANSION OF PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT TO 10,000 TRIBAL EMPLOYEES

NORWICH – A bill that would make Connecticut’s highly successful Paid Family and Medical Leave Act available to approximately 10,000 employees of the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nations passed the state Senate today and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 222, “AN ACT CONCERNING CHANGES TO THE PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE STATUTES,” makes several changes to Connecticut’s PFML law, which has been in effect since January 1, 2022, including:

· requires employers to register and submit reports to the PFML Authority

· broadens the authority’s powers regarding attempted fraud and recovering benefit overpayments

· allows rape victims to receive PFMLI benefits concurrently with benefits from the state’s Victim Compensation Program

· and allows the governor to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Connecticut’s federally recognized tribes to allow employees of those tribal businesses to participate in the PFML program.

“This is a very important change to our Paid Family and Medical Leave Program. Now, more than 10,000 new workers can have access for the first time to PFML who otherwise wouldn’t,” Sen. Osten said. “It’s a substantial benefit, as more than 100,000 Connecticut residents have already found out – about one out of every 15 people working in this state.”

The bill was supported by the two federally recognized tribal nations at its public hearing on February 27.

According to the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority, as of late February 2024, the new state program has provided income-replacement benefits to more than 100,000 Connecticut workers and paid out $638 million in benefits. Claims have come from all 169 Connecticut cities and towns and have been used to deal with a person’s own serious health condition, pregnancy/childbirth, or to care for a family member experiencing a serious health condition.

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Sen. Lesser Leads Passage of Bill to Protect Those with Medical Debt

Posted on by Devin James
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Garnet McLaughlin | Garnet.McLaughlin@cga.ct.gov

Sen. Lesser Leads Passage of Bill to Protect Those with Medical Debt

Today State Senator Matt Lesser, Chair of the Human Services Committee led passage of legislation to protect residents with medical debt from further financial strain.

Senate Bill 395 prohibits Connecticut health care providers and hospitals from reporting medical debt to credit rating agencies for use in a credit report and voids any medical debt that is reported to credit rating agencies. The bill passed on a bipartisan basis and now heads to the House.

“Medical debt is not the result of poor financial decisions or consumer spending – it is the result of a health care system that prioritizes profits over people,” said State Sen. Matt Lesser. “Medical debt is typically a one time incurrence due to necessity, and no family faced with those circumstances should face further financial pressure while seeking to rent an apartment or buy a car. Massive healthcare reform is needed, but I am proud that we have taken a step to insulate Connecticut residents from financial ruin for circumstances outside of their control. I am encouraged by the bipartisan vote today, as well as the support from the Connecticut Hospital Association and a wide array of consumer advocates”

A number of consumer advocates, the Connecticut Hospital Association and the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau submitted testimony in favor of this legislation.
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Sen. Slap Leads Passage of Two Bills to Improve Access to Higher Education

Posted on by Devin James
Senator Derek Slap

Sen. Slap Leads Passage of Two Bills to Improve Access to Higher Education

Today, State Senator Derek Slap, Senate Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee led passage of two pieces of legislation to improve access to higher education. The legislation passed today changes the eligibility standards for the Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) to increase equity and eligibility, and expands access to low-interest loans through the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA).

“We know that removing barriers to access to higher education is one of the most effective steps toward educational equity,” said Sen. Slap. “Both of these programs – the loan authority and CAAP have been integral in helping students access opportunity and these changes will expand their reach. CAAP will continue to encourage more folks to matriculate, while now offering a level of transparency and increased fairness in their eligibility standards by considering unweighted GPAs instead of class rank. Expanding eligibility for CHESLA loans allows 17 year old high school seniors access to the same low interest student loans their 18 year old classmates have access to.”

Senate Bill 109 changes the eligibility requirements of the Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) to increase equity and access for students. CAAP requires graduating Connecticut high school seniors who meet identified thresholds to be notified of their eligibility for automatic admission to participating colleges and universities. SB 109, passed today, changes the requirement for admission from a minimum class rank percentile to a minimum, unweighted grade point average (GPA).

This legislation seeks to make the pre-qualification threshold more transparent for students by relying on a GPA as opposed to class rank, which is not readily available to students. By using an unweighted GPA, the legislation seeks to make the program more equitable by reducing the importance of heavily weighted Advanced Placement (AP) courses. This is important because lower resourced school districts often have less AP courses available.

A student who qualifies is required to complete a simplified, free application for the participating colleges and universities that they wish to attend. The student will automatically receive a letter of acceptance and details about financial aid awarded.

According to Connecticut State Colleges & University (CSCU), this year, the total number of CAAP applicants has increased by 70%, and the total number of applicants to the CSCU schools has increased by 400%, or 3,259 students.

Senate Bill 304 allows students under 18 to apply for low-interest loans through the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) with a cosigner. Under current law, high school graduates under the age of 18 are unable to apply for loans through the quasi-public CHESLA. However, they are able to apply for private loans, often with much higher interest rates.

Both bills will now head to the House.
Contact: Garnet McLaughlin
860-304-2319
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Senate Passes Legislation to Improve Eligibility for Automatic College Admissions

Posted on by Devin James
April 18, 2024

Senate Passes Legislation to Improve Eligibility for Automatic College Admissions

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) voted to change the eligibility requirements for the Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) to increase equity and access for students. The bill passed unanimously and now heads to the House.

“The college admissions process can be challenging for many students. Today, we took a step to simplify and ease it for Connecticut high schoolers and their families,” said Sen. Maher. “Now, students will be able to know exactly where they stand when they apply for college, and will have an easier time receiving an excellent education from schools across our state.”

CAAP allows graduating Connecticut high school seniors who meet identified thresholds to be notified of their eligibility for automatic admission to participating colleges and universities. SB 109, passed today, changes the requirement for admission from a minimum class rank percentile to a minimum, unweighted grade point average (GPA).

This legislation seeks to make the pre-qualification threshold more transparent for students by relying on a GPA as opposed to class rank, which is not readily available to students. By using an unweighted GPA, the legislation seeks to make the program more equitable by reducing the importance of heavily weighted Advanced Placement (AP) courses. This is important because lower resourced school districts often have less AP courses available.

According to Connecticut State Colleges & University (CSCU), this year, the total number of CAAP applicants has increased by 70%, and the total number of applicants to the CSCU schools going up by 400%, or 3,259 students.

A student who qualifies is required to complete a simplified, free application for the participating colleges and universities that they wish to attend. The student will automatically receive a letter of acceptance and details about financial aid awarded. Participating universities include:

  • Central Connecticut State University
  • Eastern Connecticut State University
  • Southern Connecticut State University
  • Western Connecticut State University
  • Mitchell College
  • University of Bridgeport
  • University of New Haven
  • University of Saint Joseph
Contact: Joe O’Leary | 508-479-4969 | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov