Month: June 2024

Senators Looney, Duff, and Lesser Call for Explanation on Delay in Summer Food Aid

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney, Duff, and Lesser Call for Explanation on Delay in Summer Food Aid

“Summer programs need to be active during the summer, not near the end of it”

Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), and Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) called for a more detailed explanation from the state Department of Social Services on the six week delay in the Summer EBT program. The Senators stated:

“Families expecting these benefits during the summer will be unable to access them until their children will already be preparing for the new school year. Delays and issues happen, but the lack of explanation surrounding this change does not answer our constituents’ questions. The last-minute announcement will have a detrimental effect for thousands of families and will increase food insecurity across our communities. Summer programs need to be active during the summer, not near the end of it – we hope the Department of Social Services can provide more information regarding this delay and find ways to help the families who may struggle in its absence.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | 203-710-0193 | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov

Senator Hochadel Applauds State Funding for Summer Camp Mental Health Programs

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Hochadel Applauds State Funding for Summer Camp Mental Health Programs

Senator Jan Hochadel, D-Meriden, welcomed Thursday the release of an $85,000 state grant awarded to the Middletown School District to support summer camps providing mental health services to students.

The State Department of Education awarded the grant under its Summer Mental Health Supports Grant program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.

“As a teacher, I understand firsthand how the summer break can disrupt the continuity of important support services for our students,” Senator Jan Hochadel said. “This grant is crucial for ensuring that mental health services are seamlessly integrated into our summer programs, providing a supportive and enriching environment that helps students continue to thrive outside the traditional school year. I want to thank Governor Lamont and the Department of Education for their continued support and commitment to the mental well-being of our students.”

The Summer Mental Health Supports Grant program partners school districts with summer program providers and youth camp operators to deliver mental health programming to students during the summer vacation months.

“The need for mental health services for our youth continues year-round, and by enhancing existing programs and creating new initiatives tailored to their needs, we are investing in the future success and well-being of Connecticut’s youth,” Governor Lamont said. “The collaboration between school districts, summer camps, and mental health professionals is key to this effort, ensuring that our students receive the necessary support during these critical periods.”

“By partnering with schools, camps, and community-based programs, we are ensuring that mental health services are available year-round,” Commissioner Russell-Tucker said. “This investment further extends the availability of social, emotional, and mental health supports during the summer through new community partners with innovative initiatives and programming to support students wherever they are spending time this summer.”

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

Senator Hochadel Welcomes Financing for Meriden Housing Development

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Hochadel Welcomes Financing for Meriden Housing Development

Sen. Jan Hochadel, D-Meriden, welcomed state financing Wednesday to support the renovation of a vacant mill in Meriden in order to create a total of 82 housing units, most of which will be set aside for affordable housing.

The redevelopment of the 123,000 square-foot Aeolian Company building at 85 Tremont St. in Meriden will receive $9.5 million in financing from the Connecticut Department of Housing and $4.78 million in financing from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority.

Additionally, low-income housing tax credits are expected to generate more than $18 million in private investment for this project.

“This financing to repurpose the historic Aeolian building represents a victory for Meriden taxpayers, who will benefit from the redevelopment of a vacant building as well as families seeking affordable place to live,” Senator Hochadel said. “This money addresses a critical need while making smart use of existing structures and I’m grateful to the Department of Housing and the CHFA for their efforts to support Meriden.”

Of the 82 housing units that will be created by the project, 71 units will be affordably priced for households making at or below 80% of the area’s median income. The project is located within walking distance of public transportation and will include amenities like a fitness center, kids’ playroom, indoor bike storage, and a community room.

The Department of Housing and Connecticut Housing Finance Authority announced the financing this week as one of nine projects, which will receive a total of more than $57 million in loans and grants from DOH and $51.6 million from CHFA.

These projects are expected to create a total of 722 housing units, including 651 for low- and moderate-income renters, 82 of which will be permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness and people with disabilities.

“Since 2019 we have built or rehabilitated 12,000 affordable units in different communities around the state, with another 5,000 under construction” Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno said. “Soon these units will become homes for many families who expect and deserve high-quality affordable living. DOH will continue to work with all our partners to ensure that residents have options that are affordable in the community they choose to call home.”

“We are excited to support these housing developments, which will make a meaningful impact on the lives of Connecticut residents,” CHFA CEO Nandini Natarajan said. “Through strategic financing and collaboration, CHFA is dedicated to providing safe, affordable housing for individuals and families across a range of income levels. These developments highlight the importance of public-private partnerships in fostering inclusive communities and addressing the diverse housing needs of our state.”

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

SENATE DEMOCRATS PASS PRO-BUSINESS SPECIAL SESSION AGENDA

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
June 26, 2024

SENATE DEMOCRATS PASS PRO-BUSINESS SPECIAL SESSION AGENDA

HARTFORD – Senate Democrats voted today to approve a special session package of legislation that will increase business activity in the state. The bill’s provisions include creating a new class of “innovation banks” to forgiving the interest on certain past business tax underpayments, creating a new state-chartered regional water authority, lowering local property taxes on commercial vehicles, reinvigorating the school construction bid process, and streamlining the state’s historic preservation process.

“Today was a good day in the Senate as we voted to bring new business to Connecticut, reduced taxes that would have damaged a number of employers and made small, but valuable, changes to a number of policies,” said State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor).

The bill in question:

  • Creates a new class of “innovation banks,” which typically perform financial-related activities such as wholesale banking and merchant banking, and recruit them to operate in Connecticut.
  • Allows the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority to amend its charter to possibly acquire the Aquarion Water Company, thereby creating a state-chartered regional water authority.
  • Forgives any interest due on any business tax underpayment that was made as a result of businesses taking the employee retention tax credit, which was offered for 21 months by the Biden administration during the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Requires local tax assessors to tax commercial motor vehicles with certain permanent attachments as motor vehicles (with a maximum tax rate of 32.46 mills) and not as personal property (which some towns tax at 40 mills or more).
  • Requires cities and towns to set different mill rates for motor vehicles and property, with motor vehicles tax rates as low as zero if a town chooses.
  • In an effort to avoid criminal acts or the perception of impropriety, reinstates the state prohibition on construction managers on school construction projects from bidding on subcontracts.
  • Creates a timeline by which the State Historic Preservation Office determines the preservation and redevelopment needs of historic properties.
  • Changes the formula and timeframe by which state insurance companies pay assessments to operate the state Insurance Department, Office of Healthcare Advocate, and Office of Health Strategy.
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Senator Patricia Billie Miller Welcomes Passage of Legislation to Modernize Connecticut’s Banking Laws

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Patricia Billie Miller Welcomes Passage of Legislation to Modernize Connecticut’s Banking Laws

Senator Patricia Billie Miller, D-Stamford, helped Wednesday to pass revisions to Connecticut’s banking statutes, which are expected to benefit Stamford, a city with a thriving and growing financial sector. The changes, passed during a special legislative session, include the creation of a new classification of bank called “innovation banks.”

Innovation banks are Connecticut-chartered or organized banks and trust companies, savings banks, or savings and loan associations that do not accept retail deposits. The new law authorizes these banks to receive non-retail deposits eligible for Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance, providing them with greater operational flexibility and the ability to secure deposit insurance for these deposits.

“The creation of innovation banks will enhance Connecticut’s financial landscape by providing more flexibility and opportunities for growth within the banking sector,” Senator Miller, co-chair of the legislature’s Banking Committee, said. “This legislative update is a crucial step in ensuring that our state remains competitive and continues to attract top-tier financial institutions. By modernizing our banking sector we are supporting economic growth in Stamford and across the state.”

This new classification of bank will encompass financial institutions previously referred to as “uninsured banks.” The bill also defines “retail deposits” as deposits by anyone other than accredited investors, as specified in federal securities regulations.

Accredited investors include certain banks, securities brokers or dealers, insurance companies, investment companies, business development companies, qualifying retirement and employee benefit plans, trusts with assets over $5 million, and individuals with an income over $200,000 in each of the past two years or $300,000 jointly with a spouse.

Other provisions of the bill passed during Wednesday’s session included changes that will:

  • Allow the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority to amend its charter to possibly acquire the Aquarion Water Company, thereby creating a state-chartered regional water authority.
  • Forgive any interest due on any business tax underpayment that was made as a result of businesses taking the employee retention tax credit, which was offered for 21 months by the Biden administration during the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Require local tax assessors to tax commercial motor vehicles with certain permanent attachments as motor vehicles (with a maximum tax rate of 32.46 mills) and not as personal property (which some towns tax at 40 mills or more).
  • Require cities and towns to set different mill rates for motor vehicles and property, with motor vehicles tax rates as low as zero if a town chooses.
  • In an effort to avoid criminal acts or the perception of impropriety, reinstate the state prohibition on construction managers on school construction projects from bidding on subcontracts.
  • Create a timeline by which the State Historic Preservation Office determines the preservation and redevelopment needs of historic properties.
  • Change the formula and timeframe by which state insurance companies pay assessments to operate the state Insurance Department, Office of Healthcare Advocate, and Office of Health Strategy.
Contact: Hugh McQuaid | Hugh.McQuaid@cga.ct.gov | 860-634-4651
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SENATOR NEEDLEMAN WELCOMES $1.125 MILLION DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING LOAN SUPPORTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN HADDAM

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
June 25, 2024

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN WELCOMES $1.125 MILLION DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING LOAN SUPPORTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN HADDAM

Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) welcomed the Department of Housing’s announcement that it will invest $1.125 million in a loan supporting the construction of nine units on Bridge Road in Haddam that will support residents earning 80% of area median income. This financing agreement is part of a statewide effort to create more than 700 housing units statewide supporting low- and moderate-income renters, people experiencing homelessness and people with disabilities.

The state’s new Build For CT program will support an existing 44-unit development on Bridge Road, adding the new units; this will be the third development funded through Build For CT since its launch in late 2023. The program, which is a collaboration between the Department of Housing and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority and has supported the creation of more than 200 apartments designed to be affordable for middle-income renters statewide.

“More affordable housing in our communities is always a good thing, and I’m grateful to the Department of Housing for its work to support it in Haddam,” said Sen. Needleman. “I’m hopeful that this is just the start and we can continue finding strong opportunities to support our residents here and statewide, as affordable housing remains a pervasive issue across our state.”

“Since 2019 we have built or rehabilitated 12,000 affordable units in different communities around the state, with another 5,000 under construction,” said Connecticut Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno. “Soon these units will become homes for many families who expect and deserve high-quality affordable living. DOH will continue to work with all of our partners to ensure that residents have options that are affordable in the community they choose to call home.”
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SENATOR ANWAR, REP. ELLIOTT RELEASE STATEMENT AFTER CONNECTICUT COMPANY ANNOUNCES CEASED PRODUCTION OF LETHAL INJECTION DRUG

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
June 24, 2024

SENATOR ANWAR, REP. ELLIOTT RELEASE STATEMENT AFTER CONNECTICUT COMPANY ANNOUNCES CEASED PRODUCTION OF LETHAL INJECTION DRUG

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) and State Representative Josh Elliott (D-Hamden) released the following statement after The Intercept reported a Connecticut company will no longer produce a substance used in lethal injections. According to a letter sent to Senator Anwar and Representative Elliott by Absolute Standards, Inc. president John Criscio, Absolute Standards, which was tied to production of drugs used in lethal injections, has ceased manufacturing or sale of pentobarbital, the drug in question, and has no intention to resume production or sale of the drug:

“For Absolute Standards to confirm it is no longer producing or selling pentobarbital is an incredibly positive step forward for Connecticut, and allows us to rest easier knowing our state is not contributing to unjust activities elsewhere in the country. Our state abolished the death penalty more than a decade ago, showing our dedication to what’s right. My colleagues and I will continue to develop legislation that would make any company’s connection to producing substances used for the death penalty in our state illegal, making sure our state’s values and policies are not violated.”
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Looney, Duff Statement on SCOTUS Denial of Cert Challenging CT Vaccine Requirements

Posted on by Devin James

Looney, Duff Statement on SCOTUS Denial of Cert Challenging CT Vaccine Requirements

Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of cert challenging a Connecticut law closing a loophole that had previously allowed non-medical exemptions to childhood vaccination requirements.

“By closing a loophole for non-medical vaccine exemptions, Connecticut embraced a common sense vaccination policy that protects the health and safety of all students. This law has now withstood legal scrutiny at every level of our judicial system and its perseverance represents a victory for parents and students, who are less likely to be infected by preventable illnesses.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | 203-710-0193 | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov

Looney, Duff Statement on SCOTUS Denial of Cert Challenging CT Vaccine Requirements

Posted on by Devin James

Looney, Duff Statement on SCOTUS Denial of Cert Challenging CT Vaccine Requirements

Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of cert challenging a Connecticut law closing a loophole that had previously allowed non-medical exemptions to childhood vaccination requirements.

“By closing a loophole for non-medical vaccine exemptions, Connecticut embraced a common sense vaccination policy that protects the health and safety of all students. This law has now withstood legal scrutiny at every level of our judicial system and its perseverance represents a victory for parents and students, who are less likely to be infected by preventable illnesses.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | 203-710-0193 | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov

SENATE PRESIDENT LOONEY AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DUFF STATEMENT ON THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF JOHN ROWLAND’S RESIGNATION

Posted on by Devin James
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 21, 2024

 

SENATE PRESIDENT LOONEY AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DUFF STATEMENT ON THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF JOHN ROWLAND’S RESIGNATION

HARTFORD – State Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement today on the 20th anniversary of former Governor John Rowland’s resignation from office on June 21, 2004, in the midst of an impeachment inquiry and a simultaneous federal investigation into Rowland’s awarding of state contracts in exchange for cash and home improvements.

In 2004, Sen. Looney served as Co-Chairman of the Senate Bipartisan Committee of Review that would try Gov. Rowland if the House of Representatives voted to impeach him; Sen. Duff was a member of the House of Representatives at the time, and he voted to create the bipartisan House Select Committee of Inquiry. The House had a June 30 deadline to vote on impeachment; Gov. Rowland resigned on June 21.

Governor Rowland remains the only Connecticut governor in state history to ever resign the office for reasons related to criminal activity.

“What we recall from the impeachment process 20 years ago was just how bipartisan and sobering it was. Minority party Republicans were willing to work with the majority of Democrats in the House and Senate to investigate one of their own party members, a political prodigy who at age 37 became the youngest governor in America. It was a courageous decision then by Connecticut Republicans to hold one of their own to the highest standards of government accountability, because we all knew that this was a black eye for democracy and for the people of Connecticut. Former Republican House Minority Leader Bob Ward said at the time, “We have a moral and legal obligation to get to the bottom of this.” Working together, our actions led to Rowland’s resignation from the highest elected office in the state. It was a superb example of a bipartisan dedication to something beyond raw politics.

“Unfortunately, the world has changed for the worst in the past 20 years, thanks in large part to the hyper-partisan actions of Donald Trump and the national Republican Party. We can think of no example in the past decade where Congressional Republicans subjugated their singular quest for power and influence and their blind allegiance to Donald Trump – a convicted felon with even more serious felony charges still to be adjudicated – in order to act for the greater good of our country. There are essentially no moderate, reasonable Republicans in the national Republican Party today as there were in the Connecticut Republican Party of 2004.

“So, on today’s 20th anniversary of John Rowland’s resignation as governor, we’re reminded of just how important are reason, moderation and bipartisanship for the good of the public and for the good of a democracy, at both the state and national levels. Unfortunately, Republicans beholden to Donald Trump lost sight of this sacred duty a long time ago.”