Month: November 2024

Senators Looney and Duff Call for Action to Protect Connecticut’s Values from Trump Policies

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney and Duff Call for Action to Protect Connecticut’s Values from Trump Policies

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Duff (D-Norwalk) sent a letter to Governor Ned Lamont urging anticipatory measures to safeguard Connecticut’s values ahead of President-Elect Donald Trump’s taking office on January 20, 2025.

“Mr. Trump has already pledged to enact a variety of significant public policy and economic changes that will likely adversely impact the health and well-being of millions of Americans, including our constituents here in Connecticut,” the senators said. “We must act now to ensure that Connecticut remains a safe, fair, and inclusive state for all, as promised in our Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights.”

The Senate leaders cited several concerns about how a second Trump administration could negatively impact Connecticut’s values, including women’s health care rights, protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, and public health safety.

The full letter is below.

The Honorable Ned Lamont
Governor, State of Connecticut
State Capitol
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 0610

Dear Governor Lamont,
We write this letter urging you to continue to work with us and to take anticipatory measures to ensure that Connecticut is well-prepared to safeguard our common values and safety ahead of President-Elect Donald Trump’s taking office on January 20, 2025. Mr. Trump has already pledged to enact a variety of significant public policy and economic changes that will likely adversely impact the health and well-being of millions of Americans, including our constituents here in Connecticut.
We appreciate the efforts of your administration, the Department of Public Health, UConn, legislators, and others who are currently developing a plan to stockpile doses of mifepristone. States such as Massachusetts, Washington, and New York have already taken similar actions, and we are pleased that Connecticut plans to follow their lead. Time is of the essence, and we must act promptly to ensure the safety and protection of women in Connecticut. Tens of millions of American women have already seen their reproductive healthcare options diminished by Mr. Trump’s U.S. Supreme Court and various Republican state legislatures. We need to do our part here in Connecticut to ensure that a new Trump administration does not further undermine these rights for our residents.
We will not passively acquiesce to Mr. Trump’s Republican agenda as outlined in the odious Project 2025 presidential transition plan. To effectively counter Project 2025, we must develop an effective strategy among Connecticut state agencies to protect critical human rights and services. We must protect LGBTQ+ and other human rights and reassure all of our citizens that, here in Connecticut, they should not fear discriminatory Republican actions based solely on a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
We must protect the health and well-being of Connecticut residents against Mr. Trump’s statement that he’ll “make a decision” about banning vaccinations in America and that he may appoint to his cabinet a man opposed to fluoride in our public drinking water supplies and to vaccines that have protected generations of American children.
We are prepared to partner with you and with other New England governors and legislatures to establish a unified, regional response to protect our citizens and their families. Partnering with our surrounding New England states will strengthen our reaction to any Trump administration attacks on human rights and the economy while amplifying our commitment to our citizens. We must act now to ensure that Connecticut remains a safe, fair, and inclusive state for all, as promised in our Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights.

Signed,

Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney & Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Sen. Lesser Responds to CT GOP Calls to Suspend HUSKY For Undocumented Children

Posted on by Devin James

Sen. Lesser Responds to CT GOP Calls to Suspend HUSKY For Undocumented Children

Today, State Senator Matt Lesser, Chair of the Human Services Committee, issued a statement in response to Connecticut Republican leaders calling for the immediate suspension of healthcare for undocumented children.

“It’s sad seeing Connecticut’s Republican legislators trying to remake themselves into MAGA ultra-Trumpers when almost all of them voted to provide health care for undocumented children, many of them more than once,” said State Sen. Matt Lesser, “Republicans forget they supported this policy because of how important this is for Connecticut’s financially struggling small and rural hospitals burdened with the costs of uncompensated care. Never mind that this policy is the ethically sound decision, it makes fiscal sense too.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Garnet McLaughlin | garnet.mclaughlin@cga.ct.gov | 860-304-2319

Senator McCrory Receives the Alvin W. Penn Award for Excellence in Leadership

Posted on by Devin James

Senator McCrory Receives the Alvin W. Penn Award for Excellence in Leadership

The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities honored Senator Doug McCrory, D-Hartford, on Thursday with the Alvin W. Penn Award for Excellence in Leadership, an accolade presented to officials who embody the leadership qualities of the late Alvin Penn.

Alvin Penn, an African American state senator from Bridgeport, dedicated his career to advocating for the urban poor and communities of color across Connecticut. He is best known for championing Connecticut’s landmark anti-racial profiling law, which bears his name.

Senator McCrory was recognized for his enduring commitment to advancing equity, justice, and opportunity for vulnerable communities in his district and throughout the state. He has been a vocal advocate for addressing systemic inequalities that affect people of color in urban areas, focusing on improving access to quality education and promoting economic development in underserved neighborhoods.

“This award means a great deal to me because it reflects the ongoing fight for fairness in a system that doesn’t always treat everyone equally,” Senator McCrory said. “As a legislator, my job is to ensure that underserved communities get the resources and opportunities they deserve. The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities is an important partner in this work, and together, we must continue pushing for real change. Alvin Penn was a trailblazer whose work still protects Connecticut residents today. It is an honor to be recognized in his name, and I am committed to carrying his legacy forward.”

The Alvin W. Penn Racial Profiling Prohibition Act was first adopted in 1999 and generally prohibits police from stopping, detaining or searching an individual on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, age, gender, or sexual orientation. The legislature has since expanded the law to require the reporting and collection of data related to traffic stops in an effort to identify and prevent the racial profiling of motorists.

The Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) works to eliminate discrimination through civil and human rights law enforcement and establish equal opportunity and justice for all persons within the state through advocacy and education.

The group honored Senator McCrory with Alvin W. Penn Award for Excellence in Leadership during its 2024 Civil Rights Leaders, Legends, and Equity Forum and Awards Ceremony at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville on Nov. 14.

Senator McCrory represents communities in Hartford, Bloomfield, and Windsor. He serves as the Senate chairman of the legislature’s Education Committee and is a member of the Community Investment Fund board.

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

SENATORS ANWAR, RAHMAN LAUD SUPPORT FOR MORE THAN 700 CRUMBLING FOUNDATION HOMEOWNERS IN THEIR DISTRICTS

Posted on by Devin James

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

November 15, 2024

SENATORS ANWAR, RAHMAN LAUD SUPPORT FOR MORE THAN 700 CRUMBLING FOUNDATION HOMEOWNERS IN THEIR DISTRICTS

Today, State Senators Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) and MD Rahman (D-Manchester) lauded the Connecticut Foundation Solutions Indemnity Company’s latest report indicating that more than 700 households in East Hartford, East Windsor, Ellington, Glastonbury, Manchester and South Windsor with crumbling foundations have been identified and will receive support for repairs and recovery. More than $36 million in claim payments have been made to those households, with nearly $20 million in outstanding claim liability remaining and scheduled to be fulfilled in coming years.

“The last decade has revealed some tough conditions for thousands of homeowners across our region, but the hard work by state leaders and the Connecticut Foundation Solutions Indemnity Company have helped alleviate the worst damage,” said Sen. Anwar. “Seeing these results, and knowing that the hard work of countless people has benefitted and aided community members in dire times, is reassuring. There’s still plenty of work left to done, but these results are heartening.”

“Crumbling foundations have been a scourge upon many Connecticut households, but the gradual progress seen in the last several years has been reassuring,” said Sen. Rahman. “I’m committed to continuing to support all aid and support for those experiencing issues with their homes, with the hope that we can help them get needed repairs and fix the problem for good.”

The data comes this week as the CFSIC has identified more than 2,360 homes across Hartford, Tolland and Windham Counties experiencing damage. In the last several years, the Company, which provides aid to homeowners with state funding, has provided more than $150 million in support with another $78 million left at this time.

Coventry, Ellington, Manchester, South Windsor, Stafford, Tolland, Vernon and Willington were most directly impacted by crumbling foundations, with each town seeing more than 100 homes affected. According to CFSIC data, Vernon has the most impacted homes at 412.

It’s been nearly a decade since Connecticut’s crumbling foundations crisis was uncovered, with more than 35,000 total homes potentially impacted by failing concrete foundations statewide. The concrete originated from the JJ Mottes Concrete Company in Stafford Springs, Connecticut from 1983 to 2015; in many cases, the foundations contained an iron sulfide substance called pyrrhotite that causes slow degradation of concrete when exposed to oxygen and water. That slow degradation contributed to the impacts of the crisis, as its weakening effects can go unnoticed for up to 30 years.

Since 2015, Connecticut has allocated millions of dollars to aid homeowners with testing their foundations and tens of millions of dollars to aid with necessary and expensive repair work to make their homes safe to reside in

Senators Looney and Duff Call for Action to Protect Connecticut’s Economy from Trump Policies

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney and Duff Call for Action to Protect Connecticut’s Economy from Trump Policies

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Duff (D-Norwalk) sent a letter to Governor Ned Lamont urging anticipatory measures to safeguard Connecticut’s strong economy ahead of President-Elect Donald Trump’s taking office on January 20, 2025.

“We are prepared to partner with you, and with the governors and legislatures of other New England states, to establish a unified, regional response to protect our citizens and their families,” the senators said. “Partnering with our surrounding New England states will strengthen our reaction to any Trump administration attacks on our economy while amplifying our commitment to the values of our citizens.”

The Senate leaders cited several concerns about how a second Trump administration could negatively impact Connecticut’s economy, including harmful tariffs, unchecked corporate power, home heating oil support, and tax changes meant to specifically harm Democratic states.

The full letter is below

The Honorable Ned Lamont
Governor, State of Connecticut
State Capitol
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 0610

Dear Governor Lamont,

We write this letter urging you to continue to work with us and to take anticipatory measures to ensure that Connecticut is well-prepared to safeguard our strong economy, common values, and safety ahead of President-Elect Donald Trump’s taking office on January 20, 2025. Mr. Trump has already pledged to enact a variety of significant public policy and economic changes that will likely adversely impact the health and well-being of millions of Americans, including our constituents here in Connecticut.

Together, Connecticut passed the largest income tax cut in state history, which specifically provided relief to low- and moderate-income families and enhanced the progressivity of our state income tax.

However, we know there is more to do in addressing post-pandemic price increases, and we are concerned about the potential negative economic impacts of policies envisioned by the incoming Trump administration. Mr. Trump’s pledge to implement far-ranging tariffs and give large corporations free rein will severely harm Connecticut residents. We must leverage the buying power of states in the region to mitigate the forthcoming cost increases that will result from arbitrary and harmful tariffs. We need to band together in order to hold corporations to account that have consolidated power in so many areas, especially the food industry.

New England is also vulnerable with our cold winters and our reliance on home heating oil to keep families warm and safe. Republican control in the U.S. House of Representatives has already resulted in a cut to federal home heating assistance programs. Those cuts will deepen with a Republican in the White House. We need to work with surrounding states to prepare for this new reality as the cold weather approaches.

We are acutely aware that a second Trump administration may propose tax and other economic policies intended to ‘punish’ Blue States like Connecticut, as he did with the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions on the federal income tax. We are prepared to partner with you, and with the governors and legislatures of other New England states, to establish a unified, regional response to protect our citizens and their families. Partnering with our surrounding New England states will strengthen our reaction to any Trump administration attacks on our economy while amplifying our commitment to the values of our citizens.

Signed,

Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney & Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Senators Looney and Duff Call for Action to Protect Connecticut’s Economy from Trump Policies

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney and Duff Call for Action to Protect Connecticut’s Economy from Trump Policies

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Duff (D-Norwalk) sent a letter to Governor Ned Lamont urging anticipatory measures to safeguard Connecticut’s strong economy ahead of President-Elect Donald Trump’s taking office on January 20, 2025.

“We are prepared to partner with you, and with the governors and legislatures of other New England states, to establish a unified, regional response to protect our citizens and their families,” the senators said. “Partnering with our surrounding New England states will strengthen our reaction to any Trump administration attacks on our economy while amplifying our commitment to the values of our citizens.”

The Senate leaders cited several concerns about how a second Trump administration could negatively impact Connecticut’s economy, including harmful tariffs, unchecked corporate power, home heating oil support, and tax changes meant to specifically harm Democratic states.

The full letter is below

The Honorable Ned Lamont
Governor, State of Connecticut
State Capitol
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 0610

Dear Governor Lamont,

We write this letter urging you to continue to work with us and to take anticipatory measures to ensure that Connecticut is well-prepared to safeguard our strong economy, common values, and safety ahead of President-Elect Donald Trump’s taking office on January 20, 2025. Mr. Trump has already pledged to enact a variety of significant public policy and economic changes that will likely adversely impact the health and well-being of millions of Americans, including our constituents here in Connecticut.

Together, Connecticut passed the largest income tax cut in state history, which specifically provided relief to low- and moderate-income families and enhanced the progressivity of our state income tax.

However, we know there is more to do in addressing post-pandemic price increases, and we are concerned about the potential negative economic impacts of policies envisioned by the incoming Trump administration. Mr. Trump’s pledge to implement far-ranging tariffs and give large corporations free rein will severely harm Connecticut residents. We must leverage the buying power of states in the region to mitigate the forthcoming cost increases that will result from arbitrary and harmful tariffs. We need to band together in order to hold corporations to account that have consolidated power in so many areas, especially the food industry.

New England is also vulnerable with our cold winters and our reliance on home heating oil to keep families warm and safe. Republican control in the U.S. House of Representatives has already resulted in a cut to federal home heating assistance programs. Those cuts will deepen with a Republican in the White House. We need to work with surrounding states to prepare for this new reality as the cold weather approaches.

We are acutely aware that a second Trump administration may propose tax and other economic policies intended to ‘punish’ Blue States like Connecticut, as he did with the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions on the federal income tax. We are prepared to partner with you, and with the governors and legislatures of other New England states, to establish a unified, regional response to protect our citizens and their families. Partnering with our surrounding New England states will strengthen our reaction to any Trump administration attacks on our economy while amplifying our commitment to the values of our citizens.

Signed,

Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney & Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Republican and Democratic Officials Reject Claims by Failed Senate Candidate

Posted on by Devin James

Republican and Democratic Officials Reject Claims by Failed Senate Candidate

By Hugh McQuaid
November 15 @ 9:30 am

Republican and Democratic election officials in Mansfield have issued statements affirming the validity of last week’s election results in response to suggestions by a local Republican who has sought to undermine confidence in the outcome after losing his state Senate bid.

“We are confident the election results in Mansfield are accurate,” Mansfield Republican Registrar of Voters Vera Ward and Democratic Registrar Anne Greineder said in a joint statement Tuesday. “Protecting everyone’s right to vote is of the utmost importance.”

The rare joint release follows a complaint and days of public statements and social media posts by Chris Reddy, a Scotland Republican who unsuccessfully sought to replace incumbent Sen. Mae Flexer in the 29th Senate District, which includes parts of Brooklyn, Canterbury, Killingly, Mansfield, Scotland, Putnam, Thompson, and Windham.

Reddy spent much of the week since his loss at the polls circulating social media posts which question the validity of the results and suggesting that foul play related to same day voter registration in Mansfield had contributed to the outcome.

The unsubstantiated election denial has been met with statements from local officials in both parties, who have vouched for the integrity of the election.

In addition to the statement by town registrars, Mansfield Republican Town Committee Chairman G. William Tomecko Jr. issued a joint statement with Ben Shaiken, chairman of the Mansfield Democratic Town Committee.

Both party officials expressed confidence in the results, including votes cast by UConn students.

“We are disappointed that Chris Reddy and his campaign are challenging the validity of Tuesday’s election and attempting to disqualify the votes of thousands of Mansfield citizens,” Mansfield’s Republican and Democratic chairmen said. “It was a free, fair, secure, and extremely well-organized election and his comments do nothing but sow discord and division among the voters of Mansfield and the 29th district.”

Meanwhile, Senate President Martin Looney and Majority Leader Bob Duff issued a statement Thursday, noting the election officials’ confirmation of Flexer’s victory and urging Reddy to accept his loss.

“No legitimate concerns have been raised, and no credible person has questioned the election,” Looney and Duff said. “Continued comments denying reality are, at best, irresponsible and, at worst, dangerous to our democracy and the safety of local officials. Republican State Senate candidate Chris Reddy needs to drop this desperate charade, acknowledge that he lost, and accept the will of the people.”

Senators Looney & Duff Release Statement on 29th State Senate District Election

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney & Duff Release Statement on 29th State Senate District Election

HARTFORD – Today Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Duff (D-Norwalk) released the following statement on the election results in the 29th State Senate District.

“The votes have been counted, and the results are clear: State Senator Mae Flexer won reelection in the 29th District. Local Democratic and Republican registrars and local political party leaders have stood by the integrity and security of that election. No legitimate concerns have been raised, and no credible person has questioned the election. Continued comments denying reality are, at best, irresponsible and, at worst, dangerous to our democracy and the safety of local officials. Republican State Senate candidate Chris Reddy needs to drop this desperate charade, acknowledge that he lost, and accept the will of the people.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Senators Looney & Duff Release Statement on 29th State Senate District Election

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney & Duff Release Statement on 29th State Senate District Election

HARTFORD – Today Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Duff (D-Norwalk) released the following statement on the election results in the 29th State Senate District.

“The votes have been counted, and the results are clear: State Senator Mae Flexer won reelection in the 29th District. Local Democratic and Republican registrars and local political party leaders have stood by the integrity and security of that election. No legitimate concerns have been raised, and no credible person has questioned the election. Continued comments denying reality are, at best, irresponsible and, at worst, dangerous to our democracy and the safety of local officials. Republican State Senate candidate Chris Reddy needs to drop this desperate charade, acknowledge that he lost, and accept the will of the people.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Flood-Impacted Hartford Residents Urged to Apply for Relief Benefits by Dec. 2

Posted on by Devin James

Flood-Impacted Hartford Residents Urged to Apply for Relief Benefits by Dec. 2

By Hugh McQuaid
November 14 @ 9:30 am

Hartford residents impacted by flooding have until Dec. 2 to apply for benefits under the Hartford Flood Relief and Compensation Program, Comptroller Sean Scanlon announced in a Tuesday press release.

The program was created last year to assist Hartford homeowners and businesses whose property had been damaged by severe flooding in the city’s North End. The initiative has provided more than $6 million to help hundreds of applicants recover from flooding damage.

The deadline comes as the federal funding that supports the program is set to expire. Meanwhile, applications have slowed, according to the Connecticut Mirror. In a release, Scanlon said his office hoped to get an estimation of the remaining demand before federal dollars ran out at the end of this year.

“The Hartford Flood Relief and Compensation Program helped keep businesses open, allowed families to stay in their homes, and compensated people for irreplaceable items lost in floods,” Scanlon said. “If you or your business have experienced damage as a result of flooding, we encourage you to apply before the December 2nd deadline.”

Originally funded at $5 million, the relief fund was established and later expanded through advocacy by North End residents and support from Hartford-area legislators like Sen. Doug McCrory, D-Hartford.

McCrory urged impacted residents to apply for benefits before next month’s deadline.

“Our community fought hard for this relief because we know firsthand how devastating flooding in the North End has been,” McCrory said. “This program has already helped many families and businesses get back on their feet, but time is running out. So, if your property has been damaged by flooding don’t wait — apply before the December deadline to make sure you get the support you need. We don’t want to see anyone left behind.”

Residents seeking to apply for benefits can visit the comptroller’s website at osc.ct.gov/HartfordFlood or the Blue Hills Civic Association on Albany Avenue to fill out an application.

Since it launched last September, the HFCP has dispersed more than $6.6 million in support to nearly 450 residents with an average benefit of around $13,000, according to the state comptroller.

HFCP Administrator Dr. Gary Rhule said residents have reported “overwhelmingly positive” feedback about their experiences.

“This program has been successful in helping the residents and non-resident businesses of Hartford affected by flooding,” Rhule said.