SENATOR ANWAR CELEBRATES FINAL PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION CREATING ADVISORY COMMITTEE STUDYING BETTER OUTCOMES FOR MATERNAL HEALTH

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Devin James

SENATOR ANWAR CELEBRATES FINAL PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION CREATING ADVISORY COMMITTEE STUDYING BETTER OUTCOMES FOR MATERNAL HEALTH

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), the Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, celebrated the Senate’s final passage of legislation that, once made law, will create an advisory study seeking to improve maternal health outcomes. The study will have dual focuses of improving perinatal mental health care services and reviewing making Connecticut hospitals more friendly to doulas, who perform non-medical support services during pregnancy and after birth.

The bill in question, House Bill 7214, “An Act Concerning Maternal Health,” passed the Senate by a unanimous 36-0 vote. It previously passed the House by a 138-3 tally, and with its final passage today now heads to Governor Lamont’s desk to be signed into law.

“We can always do more to review our current systems and find room for improvement, and too many pregnancies are marred by mental health issues and other crises that negatively impact families,” said Sen. Anwar. “I’m looking forward to the results of this study and working to improve the overall health of our state. I’m excited to see this bill become law.”

House Bill 7214 requires the Commissioner of Public Health to convene an advisory committee to study and make recommendations regarding improving perinatal mental health care services in Connecticut and making Connecticut hospitals more doula-friendly for pregnant patients. The study will review more than a dozen factors including perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, treatments, reducing/removing racial and ethnic disparities in treatment of such disorders and other factors involving mental health care.

It will also review current doula policies in hospitals, as well as challenges to their increased utilization, study of doula-friendly policies, doulas’ impact on maternal health rates.

The advisory committee will be built of individuals including persons with experience with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders including individuals, caregivers or advocates, as well as a care organization representative, a registered nurse, a pediatrician, obstetrician, psychologist, psychiatrist and social worker, a doula, a midwife, a lactation consultant and more. Their findings would be due to the legislature in early 2026, with a final report due no later than 2027.

Senator Hochadel Leads Passage of Value-Based Nursing Home Reimbursement Model

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Devin James

Senator Hochadel Leads Passage of Value-Based Nursing Home Reimbursement Model

Senator Jan Hochadel, co-chair of the legislature’s Aging Committee, led passage Wednesday of a bill to establish a value-based Medicaid reimbursement model that rewards quality care and incentivizes nursing homes to provide the best possible care.

The bill, S.B. 1333, passed the Senate unanimously, sending the proposal to the House for consideration during the final week of this year’s legislative session.

The proposal expands a 2022 pilot program at the Department of Social Services, designed to incentivize quality care based on metrics like staffing levels, patient health outcomes, and resident satisfaction surveys. The bill’s goal is to improve the quality of care in nursing homes and to enhance the quality of life for Connecticut seniors.

“We all want the best care and living conditions for our aging loved ones, and some Connecticut nursing homes are already setting a high standard,” Senator Hochadel said. “With S.B. 1333, we’re moving toward a system that incentivizes those results. This legislation rewards the facilities that produce the best patient outcomes, earn high marks from residents and their families, and maintaining safe staffing levels. This policy will raise the bar at long-term care facilities across Connecticut, helping to ensure that every senior can age comfortably wherever they reside.”

Beginning next October, S.B. 1333 will provide grants to nursing homes that demonstrate high-quality outcomes for residents, and incentivizing facilities without high ratings to improve. The proposal relies on bond funding to support its grant payments to nursing homes.

Other provisions of the bill will require that insurers seeking to raise their long-term care policy premium rates first hold a public hearing in cases where that rate increase exceeds 10%. The bill also requires insurers to give policyholders at least two weeks notice ahead of the hearing.

Another section studies the feasibility of expanding a separate pilot program that provides subsidies for assisted living facilities, and examines options to make it easier for older adults to choose where they receive long-term care services.

Senator Lopes Welcomes $1M for Berlin Peck Library

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Devin James

Senator Lopes Welcomes $1M for Berlin Peck Library

Today, state Senator Rick Lopes (D-New Britain), welcomed $1 million in state funding for the Berlin Peck Library.

Governor Ned Lamont announced today that he’s releasing $30 million in state grants to 46 small towns in Connecticut that will be used to complete a wide variety of infrastructure improvements, such as road safety reconstruction projects, emergency management upgrades, sidewalk and pedestrian safety enhancements, educational and recreational facility upgrades, and other capital improvement projects.

Berlin has been awarded a $1 million grant for a reroofing and mechanical replacement project that will be matched by $240,000 by the town.

“I’m proud to welcome this $1 million in state funding for the Berlin Peck Library, which serves as a vital resource for residents of all ages,” said Senator Rick Lopes. “Investing in our library is essential because it provides free access to information, technology, and educational resources that empower residents, support lifelong learning, and strengthen the fabric of our community.”

The grants are being provided through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), a state program managed by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management that delivers grants to small towns for economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects.

In addition to the grants from the state, each municipality is also contributing funds, bringing the total spent on the 48 projects to $43.4 million in a combination of state, local, and other funding sources.

Farmington Delegation Welcomes $1M for Tunxis Mead

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Devin James

Farmington Delegation Welcomes $1M for Tunxis Mead

FARMINGTON, CT – Today, State Senators Derek Slap and Rick Lopes and State Representative Mike Demicco welcomed $1 million in state funds for improvements to the Tunxis Mead park facilities.

Farmington has been awarded a $1 million grant which will be matched by $502,000 from the town.

“This grant is a great example of leveraging state and town dollars to build out critical local infrastructure that betters the lives of our residents,” said Sen. Slap. “Tunxis Mead is a fantastic resource that allows people of all ages to get outside and stay active. This funding will make some important updates to the complex and I’m grateful to town leadership for their vision and to Governor Lamont for continuing to be a strong partner to municipalities across the state.”

“The $1 million in state funding, combined with the town’s commitment, will play a crucial role in advancing the Tunxis Mead Improvement Plan. This investment isn’t just about infrastructure — it’s about building a safer, more connected, and vibrant community where families can thrive and businesses can grow. I look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will bring to our town,” said Sen. Lopes.

“Tunxis Mead is Farmington’s crown jewel for individual residents and families to enjoy outdoor and passive recreation,” Rep. Demicco said. “The $1 million STEAP grant and $500,000 matching town funds will go a long way to enhancing the park’s infrastructure, including the installation of new LED lights, safety netting and poles for the baseball and softball fields and resurfacing the basketball courts. I’m thrilled the town received this grant for residents and visitors to continue to use the park for years to come.”

SENATOR KUSHNER CELEBRATES SENATE PASSAGE OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR STRIKING WORKERS

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Devin James

SENATOR KUSHNER CELEBRATES SENATE PASSAGE OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR STRIKING WORKERS

Senator Kushner (left) with staff and Senate leadership in front of the vote tally board announcing the passage of Senate Bill 8 on purely partisan lines.

HARTFORD – State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury), who is Senate Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee, today celebrated Senate passage of Senate Bill 8, ” AN ACT CONCERNING PROTECTIONS FOR WORKERS AND ENHANCEMENTS TO WORKERS’ RIGHTS,” which seeks to provide unemployment compensation to unionized workers who have been out on strike for more than 14 days.

“Today we took a monumental step forward for middle-class families in Connecticut by seeking to provide them with a modicum of financial support if they’re out on strike for more than two weeks. This is a rare occurrence in Connecticut, but it’s important that when it happens that we’re there for the people who still have bills to pay and mouths to feed. Connecticut now has the opportunity to prove it shares the same values as the people of New York and New Jersey — who have already had this law in place for years — if Governor Lamont signs this bill into law. It’s not a difficult bill, nor a difficult concept, to embrace.”

Senator Hartley Celebrates Waterbury Promise Day at the State Capitol

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Devin James

Senator Hartley Celebrates Waterbury Promise Day at the State Capitol

Today, state Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury) honored the Waterbury Promise Scholars in the Senate Chamber recognizing their academic achievements, perseverance, and the transformative impact of the Waterbury Promise program on higher education access and success for local students.

“Waterbury Promise is more than a scholarship—it’s a bold investment in the potential of our young people,” said Sen. Hartley. “By surrounding students with the support they need to succeed in college and beyond, we are not only opening doors for individual achievement but also building a stronger, more inclusive future for Waterbury and for Connecticut. Today, we celebrate the scholars whose drive and determination inspire us all and reaffirm our commitment to expanding opportunity for every student in our community.”

While the program is centered on a generous last-dollar scholarship, its success hinges on providing a full continuum of support services to help high-achieving and traditionally underserved Waterbury students get to college, thrive there, persist through graduation and be career ready to create a robust and diverse talent pipeline for the local, regional and state economies.

This transformative college access and success program continues to grow exponentially and register powerful results including:

-Providing academic, financial, social-emotional and career readiness supports to more than 600 scholars across 20 Connecticut colleges and universities to ensure college and career success;

-Exceeding $1.1 million in critical last-dollar scholarship disbursements to increase college affordability and reduce student debt burden;

-Fulfilling dozens of emergency funding requests for books, laptops, transportation, food and more from scholars facing financial hardship;

-Realizing a 90% college persistence rate and an 89% program retention rate;

-Celebrating its very first graduate from a four-year institution in 2025—Kimberly Cosgrove just earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UConn in three years’ time!;

-Honoring Class of 2024 and Class of 2025 graduates from CT State Naugatuck Valley and continuing to support their educational journeys in Connecticut as scholars transfer to pursue their bachelor’s degrees; and

-Significantly expanding career readiness programming and industry partnerships across key sectors (manufacturing, healthcare, finance and banking, law and more) to fuel CT’s next generation workforce

2025-2026 will be another milestone year for Waterbury Promise. The program will serve 4 cohorts in college concurrently (and well over 800 students) beginning this summer. Cohort 2025 is on track to be the largest one yet.

These supports are critical, given that 68% of Waterbury Promise Scholars are first generation college students, 78% are students of color, many come from low to moderate income households and some are even pursuing higher education without any parental support.

The 2025 scholars include:

-Kimberly Cosgrove

-Jaelyn Perreault

-Smith Bernard

-Sofia Giusti

-Harold Vilchez

-Rebecca Dasilva

-Maverick and Brandon Werneck

Waterbury Delegation Condemns Mall Shooting, Commends Swift Law Enforcement Response

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Devin James

Waterbury Delegation Condemns Mall Shooting, Commends Swift Law Enforcement Response

Today, the Waterbury Delegation, State Senator Joan Hartley, State Representatives Larry Butler, Ron Napoli Jr., Michael DiGiovancarlo, Geraldo Reyes Jr., and Bill Pizzuto released the following statement in the aftermath of Tuesday’s shooting at the Brass Mill Center.

“This was a tragic, unnecessary, and horrific act of violence. The result of an altercation between individuals who knew each other. It is not who We in Waterbury are.

“We commend the swift and coordinated response from the Waterbury Police Department, who were on the scene within three minutes, along with support from the Connecticut State Police. Coincidentally, the Brass Mill Center has been a site for regular law enforcement drills, and the preparedness of all responding agencies was evident in their seamless and professional handling of the situation.

“We also want to recognize the mall personnel, the Waterbury Fire Department and EMS personnel that responded to the scene, and medical teams at our Waterbury hospitals, who provided an immediate and effective response in assisting the victims.

“The delegation condemns this senseless and appalling act of violence in the strongest possible terms. Waterbury is a resilient community. We will continue to work together to ensure the safety and well-being of all our residents.”

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN WELCOMES NEARLY $5 MILLION IN SMALL TOWN ECONOMIC AID GRANT INVESTMENTS BY STATE

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Devin James

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN WELCOMES NEARLY $5 MILLION IN SMALL TOWN ECONOMIC AID GRANT INVESTMENTS BY STATE

Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) welcomed the state’s announcement that the latest round of Small Town Economic Assistance Program grants, dispersing $30 million in grants to 46 small towns, includes nearly $5 million in grants across six communities, supporting infrastructure repairs and town resources for years to come.

“It’s almost overwhelming to see this level of support from the state to support these important projects and reduce the cost burden on local communities,” said Sen. Needleman. “To know that all six of these towns will be able to advance important local maintenance, repair and improvement projects with the state’s endorsement is highly valuable. I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and his administration for their continued support.”

The $4,907,548 in grant funding across the 33^rd Senate District is spread across six grants to six communities, with these funds supporting the following:

-Essex will receive $1 million in state funding, matched by the town, to support continued improvements of the Essex Public Works campus.

-Portland will receive $1 million in state funding, matched by $200,000 by the town, to support phase 2 of the water main replacement and road reconstruction on High Street.

-Colchester will receive $900,000, matched by $220,000 in town funding, to support streetscape improvements on Mill Street and the Lebanon Avenue Airline Trail Head.

-Chester will receive $796,000 in state funding, matched by $199,000 from the town, to support the infrastructure and repair of three local bridges.

-Old Saybrook will receive $667,948, matched by $222,649 in town funds, for the renovation of the Ferry Road soccer field.

Clinton will receive $543,600, matched by $135,900 from the town, to support the Clinton Public Works and Emergency Management Building.

SENATOR MAHER WELCOMES MORE THAN $1.5 MILLION IN SMALL TOWN ECONOMIC AID GRANT INVESTMENTS BY STATE

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Devin James

SENATOR MAHER WELCOMES MORE THAN $1.5 MILLION IN SMALL TOWN ECONOMIC AID GRANT INVESTMENTS BY STATE

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) welcomed the state’s announcement that the latest round of Small Town Economic Assistance Program grants, dispersing $30 million in grants to 46 small towns, includes more than $1.5 million in grants across three communities in the 26^thSenate District, supporting infrastructure repairs and town resources for years to come.

“Local repair, maintenance and replacement projects are vital for our communities, and this state-level support will make sure that work moves forward without financial issues,” said Sen. Maher. “I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and state leaders for making sure our communities get this support to make valued and welcome enhancements.”

The $1,580,640 in grant funding across the 26th Senate District is spread across three grants and three communities, with these funds supporting the following:

-Westport receives $1 million in state funding to support the replacement of the Cross Highway Bridge over Deadman Brook, matched by $1.13 million from the town and $619,846 from the Local Capital Improvement Project.

-New Canaan will receive $300,000 in state funding, matched by $325,000 from the town and $150,000 from Friends of Waveny Playground, for the second phase of improvements to the Waveny Park Playground.

Ridgefield will receive $280,640 in state funding, matched by $102,160 from the town, for concrete endwall replacement on Canterbury Lane.

SEN. CABRERA WELCOMES $1 MILLION STATE GRANT FOR BEACON FALLS ROADWORK

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Devin James

SEN. CABRERA WELCOMES $1 MILLION STATE GRANT FOR BEACON FALLS ROADWORK

State Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) today welcomed a $1 million state grant that will rehabilitate several streets in Beacon Falls.

The grants include $1 million for funding in Beacon Falls for Maple, Century, and Division Roadway rehabilitation and complete streets improvements. This will be matched by $927,150 from the town.

“Good roads are a basic necessity and a public expectation in every town, but what we’re seeing in Beacon Falls goes beyond basic to include their ‘complete streets’ concept where the roads are usable for a wide variety of people, whether they’re elderly, on bicycles, or handicapped,” said Sen. Cabrera. “I look forward to the successful completion of this joint venture between the town and the state to improve mobility near the town center for all our residents.”