Month: May 2024

Senators Looney, Duff Respond to Reckless Statement from Republican Leaders on Trump Verdict

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney, Duff Respond to Reckless Statement from Republican Leaders on Trump Verdict
“Republican legislative leaders side with election deniers and play into Trump’s dangerous accusation that the process is rigged.”
HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff responded to the statement released by Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding and House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora on the unanimous verdict against Donald Trump:

“Let’s be clear about what happened. Law enforcement professionals conducted this investigation. Career prosecutors brought the indictment. A jury of Donald Trump’s peers, selected with input from him and his lawyers, convicted the former President.

“A unanimous verdict on 34 felony counts means that the jury made 408 separate decisions to find Donald Trump guilty. There was not even one count where Trump had a single juror dissent in his favor.

“Yesterday’s statement by the highest ranking Republicans in the Connecticut General Assembly was reckless and seeks to undermine confidence in our judicial system. We are troubled to see Republican legislative leaders side with election deniers and play into Trump’s dangerous accusation that the process is rigged.

“Donald Trump is rightfully a convicted felon. Any statement to the contrary is a dangerous attack on our Constitution and the principles of American democracy. No one is above the law and we were all better off when that was something both political parties believed in.

“Democrats remain focused on continuing to fight for our constituents – more jobs, stronger economy, lower prices and a better life for those we serve. We will always put the people of Connecticut before the political interests of one man.”
Contact: Kevin Coughlin | 203-710-0193 | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov
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Senator Herron Keyon Gaston Statement on the Death of Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Herron Keyon Gaston Statement on the Death of Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier

Senator Herron Keyon Gaston, co-chairman of the Public Safety and Security Committee, released the following statement Thursday on the death of Connecticut State Police Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier:

“Today’s tragic loss of Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier is a somber reminder of the sacrifices made by those who protect us,” Senator Herron Keyon Gaston, D-Bridgeport, said. “As co-chairman of the legislature’s Public Safety and Security Committee, I offer my deepest condolences to the trooper’s family and colleagues. This terrible incident should serve as a reminder to all of us to exercise care and responsibility behind the wheel in order to protect ourselves, other drivers and the lives of the dedicated men and women who keep us safe.”

Contact: Hugh McQuaid | Hugh.McQuaid@cga.ct.gov | 860-634-4651

Sen. Slap Applauds Final Approval of Expanded Student Loan Repayment Assistance

Posted on by Devin James
Senator Derek Slap

Sen. Slap Applauds Final Approval of Expanded Student Loan Repayment Assistance

Senate Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, State Senator Derek Slap applauds final approval of legislation that incentivizes employers to provide student loan repayment assistance to their employees through tax credits. Senator Slap lead passage of the legislation through the Senate earlier this month and Governor Lamont signed the legislation this week.

“As Senate Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, I am so pleased to see final approval of this proposal that expands eligibility for a student loan repayment program, both easing the burden of student loans and bolstering our workforce development,” said Sen. Slap. “I thank Governor Lamont for his leadership and to my colleagues in the General Assembly for supporting actionable legislation to help better the lives of young people in Connecticut.”

Public Act 24-52 is an expansion of legislation passed in 2019 which incentivized employers to provide student loan repayment assistance to qualifying employees. The legislation passed in 2019 was limited to only borrowers with loans through Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA). The legislation Governor Lamont signed this week expands eligibility to borrowers of any student loan servicer.

Additionally, this legislation requires CHESLA to establish a High Priority Occupation Loan Subsidy Program to subsidize interest rates on loans it issues to eligible individuals employed in high priority occupations, bolstering workforce development.

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Contact: Garnet McLaughlin
860-304-2319
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STATE SENATOR JAMES MARONEY JOINS MILFORD SCHOOL LEADERS TO DISCUSS SCHOOL HVAC IMPROVEMENTS, STATE GRANTS

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

STATE SENATOR JAMES MARONEY JOINS MILFORD SCHOOL LEADERS TO DISCUSS SCHOOL HVAC IMPROVEMENTS, STATE GRANTS
On Wednesday, State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) joined Milford Public Schools leaders including Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anna Cutaia, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Sean Brennan, Director of Facilities Patrick Bradbury and Joseph A. Foran High School Principal Max Berkowitz at Foran High School to discuss significant state funding that will lead to HVAC and air quality improvements in the school.

Earlier this month, the state Department of Administrative Services announced a round of $122 million in released funds in the second round of the state’s Indoor Air Quality Grants Program, which was created by legislators in 2022 to invest in air quality improvements in schools statewide, benefitting school community health and education. In that allocation, Milford Public Schools received just under $360,000; approximately $299,000 will go toward the replacement of heating and cooling system components at Joseph A. Foran High School, with another $60,000 supporting equipment replacements at the Academy in Milford.

“Providing local schools with opportunities and support to improve their heating, cooling and air filtration equipment means we can provide students and staff with cleaner and healthier environments for education,” said Sen. Maroney. “It’s rewarding to know that this program continues to pay dividends in supporting local schools and supporting improved ventilation and I’m excited to see these improvements make a real difference in years to come.”

“We are grateful to Senator Maroney and the contingent of legislators in Hartford for awarding the funding from the Indoor Air Quality Grant to the Milford Public Schools,” said Superintendent Cutaia. “We operate 14 schools in Milford, but it’s hard to believe that our ‘newest’ one was built 50 years ago. While we do an amazing job keeping our buildings in good shape, it’s no secret it comes with great cost. Receiving this grant will certainly help us — and the taxpayers of Milford — as we continue to keep our infrastructure upgrades on track.”

Milford’s allocations cover parts of the work needed; Milford will conduct just under $800,000 of total replacement of heating and cooling systems. School leaders applied to receive the funding in 2023.
The Indoor Air Quality Grants Program is funded with state bonding and federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds, with a total of $244 million available to schools statewide.
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SENATOR ANWAR RELEASES STATEMENT AFTER FEDERAL LEADERS CALL OUT POTENTIAL ENERGY COLLUSION WORSENING INFLATION, HARMING FAMILIES

Posted on by Devin James
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
May 30, 2024

SENATOR ANWAR RELEASES STATEMENT AFTER FEDERAL LEADERS CALL OUT POTENTIAL ENERGY COLLUSION WORSENING INFLATION, HARMING FAMILIES

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) released the following statement in response to a letter that U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and 22 additional Democratic U.S. Senators sent to the Department of Justice this week requesting that Attorney General Merrick Garland use every tool possible to prevent and prosecute potential collusion and price-fixing in the oil industry. The letter was spurred by a recent Federal Trade Commission investigation into a merger between Exxon Mobil and Pioneer discovered text messaging implying oil leaders and OPEC may have colluded to artificially keep oil prices higher. Such collusion may have cost the average American household as much as $500 in annual gas spending per vehicle, while major oil companies earned a collective $300 billion in profits in 2022 and 2023 – and energy prices are often pointed to as one of the most significant factors in inflation.

“It is disturbing to see oil companies potentially colluding to keep gas prices high in order to rake in profits while our communities suffered. Concerns over this issue only grow deeper when OPEC’s international ties with countries opposing the United States are involved – if these allegations are founded, they imply that American companies and foreign nations conspired to keep consumer prices high to harm American households. We have to stop corporate greed for the good of our economy.”
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Sen. Lesser Welcomes Closure of Dangerous Miller St. Exit

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

Sen. Lesser Welcomes Closure of Dangerous Miller St. Exit

Today, State Senator Matt Lesser welcomes the closure of the Miller Street access to Route 9 in Middletown beginning June 3.

“Closing the Miller Street exit has been a major priority of mine for years. This is one of the most dangerous intersections in the state, tragically underscored by a dangerous accident earlier this year,” said Sen. Lesser. “This will be a major improvement in public safety and I welcome the DOT’s continued attention to addressing highway safety on this section of Route 9.”

The construction will begin on June 3. In relation to the closure of the Miller Street access to Route 9, the closure of the crossover in the median is being performed to improve safety along Route 9. The work being performed in the center median will include the installation of guardrail, drainage work and sign removal.

CTDOT Project No. 0082-0322 was awarded to NJR Construction, LLC at a cost of $1,237,295.00 on December 28, 2023, and is scheduled to be completed by November 22, 2024.  This project is administered by the Bureau of Engineering and Construction, Office of Construction, District 1 in Rocky Hill.

Motorists can expect nightly lane closures on Route 9 north and southbound between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., beginning June 3 to June 14, 2024. Motorists are encouraged to plan for delays and slow down for work zones. Residents can access the Bridge and Miller Street area now through Portland Street.
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SENATOR MAHER ISSUES STATEMENT AFTER LOUISIANA PASSES LEGISLATION, EXPECTED TO BECOME LAW, DECLARING ABORTION PILLS TO BE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

Posted on by Devin James

May 23, 2024

SENATOR MAHER ISSUES STATEMENT AFTER LOUISIANA PASSES LEGISLATION, EXPECTED TO BECOME LAW, DECLARING ABORTION PILLS TO BE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) issued the following statement after reports that Louisiana’s state legislature passed legislation that would reclassify abortion-inducing drugs mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled substances despite more than 200 Louisiana doctors telling lawmakers the bill could cause a barrier to physicians’ ability to prescribe appropriate treatment, further worsening outcomes in one of the worst states for maternal mortality in the country. In addition to abortions, mifepristone can also be used to treat miscarriages, induce labor and prevent hemorrhaging.

“In Connecticut, we pass legislation to protect reproductive health care and provide our citizens with the freedom to make their own choices. It appears that Louisiana is working to restrict the choices of its residents. The state already has a near-universal ban on abortion, and this legislation seems to be an attempt to make that extreme even more stark; it also seems to be a bellwether of further attempted restrictions on abortion access. This medication has been on the market for decades and has a number of medical uses; this bill makes its possession or provision a crime subject to arrest and prosecution. I fear that in a state with the second-worse maternal mortality rate in the country and the fifth-highest infant mortality rate in the country – and where four Black mothers and two Black babies die for every white mother and baby who dies – that this bill will only serve to worsen those disparities and harm more innocent people.”
Contact: Joe O’Leary | 508-479-4969 | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov

Senators Cohen, Hochadel Welcome $1.2M for Middlefield Memorial Middle School Indoor Air Upgrades

Posted on by Devin James
For Immediate Release
Contact: Garnet McLaughlin – Garnet.McLaughlin@cga.ct.gov – 860-304-2319

Senators Cohen, Hochadel Welcome $1.2M for Middlefield Memorial Middle School Indoor Air Upgrades
This week, State Senators Christine Cohen and Jan Hochadel welcomed the announcement that the state Department of Administrative Services (DAS) has unveiled its 2024 list of Indoor Air Quality grants for public schools in Connecticut and Middlefield Memorial Middle School will receive just over $1.2 million for the replacement of ventilators and to upgrade controls for the building management system. The project will cost $2,409,159 in total, and the state will reimburse 51.43% of the project at $1,239,030.47.

“It is wonderful to see this collaboration between local and state government to provide cleaner, healthier environments for our students to learn,” said Sen. Christine Cohen. “The importance of ventilation and clean air became crystal clear to us during the pandemic, and I am pleased to see continued progress on implementing clean air measures in schools.”

“As a teacher, I know firsthand how critical clean air and comfortable temperatures are to maintaining a productive learning environment,” Sen. Jan Hochadel said. “This grant will ensure that students at Middlefield Memorial School have the necessary conditions to succeed academically and help local taxpayers make a smart investment in the future of their children.”

The grants are being awarded through the HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grants Program for Public Schools, a state program that is administered by DAS. In fiscal year 2023, DAS committed $56 million to projects across the state to address indoor air quality in school buildings.

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Sen. Slap Welcomes Nearly $3.5M for West Hartford Schools’ Indoor Air Projects

Posted on by Devin James
Senator Derek Slap

Sen. Slap Welcomes Nearly $3.5M for West Hartford Schools’ Indoor Air Projects

State Senator Derek Slap welcomed the announcement that the state Department of Administrative Services (DAS) has unveiled its 2024 list of Indoor Air Quality grants for public schools in Connecticut and will award nearly $3.5 million for West Hartford schools, a 38.22% reimbursement rate for each project. The funding will be used for testing and remediation of any hazardous materials in the existing ventilation systems and to upgrade the buildings electrical system.

“This state funding is huge for our students, their families, teachers and staff and West Hartford taxpayers,” said State Senator Derek Slap. “Ensuring our students have clean and healthy environments to learn in has been a top priority of my mine and my colleagues. I am thrilled to see this funding make its way to our classrooms through state and local collaboration.”

  • Duffy Elementary School will receive $1,646,422.
  • Webster Hill Elementary School will receive $ 1,807,704

The grants are being awarded through the HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grants Program for Public Schools, a state program that is administered by DAS. In fiscal year 2023, DAS committed $56 million to projects across the state to address indoor air quality in school buildings.

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Contact: Garnet McLaughlin
860-304-2319
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Senator Maroney Announces In-District Coffee and Conversation Events In Late May, June

Posted on by Devin James
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
May 22, 2024

Senator Maroney Announces In-District Coffee and Conversation Events In Late May, June

Today, State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) announced that he will join and hold several events through early June allowing his constituents to speak with him directly about issues impacting them. These events will take place in West Haven, Milford and Orange.

“The best way to make sure I’m representing my constituents the best I can as a State Senator is to speak with them and hear their thoughts and concerns,” said Sen. Maroney. “I’m excited to get out in these next few weeks and meet with people over a nice cup of coffee.”

Senator Maroney’s schedule is as follows:

  • Saturday, May 25, 10 a.m. – End of Session Wrapup at Coffee Haven West, 535 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, with State Representatives Bill Heffernan and Treneé McGee
  • Thursday, May 30, 8-9 a.m. – Coffee and Conversation at Café Atlantique, 33 River Street, Milford
  • Thursday, June 6, 8-9 a.m. – Coffee and Conversation at Goodies On The Post Road, 111 Boston Post Road, Orange
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