Author: Devin James

SEN. KUSHNER LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO MAKE TEACHER TERMINATION PROCESS MORE FAIR

Posted on by Devin James

SEN. KUSHNER LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO MAKE TEACHER TERMINATION PROCESS MORE FAIR

HARTFORD – State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) today led the successful Senate passage of a bill designed to make Connecticut’s tenured teacher termination process more equitable by requiring that a decision to terminate a teacher be made by a neutral hearing officer – and be binding – and that the standard of “just cause” be used by a hearing officer in any termination.

Senate Bill 1371, “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A JUST CAUSE STANDARD FOR TEACHER CONTRACT TERMINATIONS AND REQUIRING CONTRACT TERMINATION HEARINGS FOR TEACHERS THAT HAVE ATTAINED TENURE BE BEFORE A NEUTRAL HEARING OFFICER,” passed the Senate on a bipartisan 27-8 vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. If it is approved there and signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont, the change in process would take effect on July 1.

“It’s only fair that teachers have protections against discriminatory or even retaliatory terminations by an administrator or a board of education. We afford these protections to all other state and municipal employees, including essential public servants like police officers, firefighters and nurses,” said Sen. Kushner. “This bill sets the stage for teachers to have true due process – discharges have to be backed-up with proof of wrongdoing.”

Current state law already allows for termination of a teacher for inefficiency, incompetence, insubordination, moral misconduct, elimination of a position to another teacher, or other due and sufficient reasons.

S.B. 1371 changes the current process of who makes the final decision about whether a teacher should be fired. Under current state law, a teacher can either ask for a subcommittee of school board members or an independent hearing officer to hear their case, though the hearing officer’s decision is non-binding. S.B. 1371 removes the school board subcommittee option and requires a mutually agreed upon neutral hearing officer to hear the case, whose decision is then binding.

S.B. 1371 also establishes  “just cause” as the sole test by which a neutral hearing officer will determine whether a teacher will be terminated. “Just cause” is a concept developed in case law that involves a termination for employee misconduct that is so serious that it (1) violates an essential condition of employment, (2) breaches the trust or faith inherent in the working relationship, or (3) is fundamentally or directly inconsistent with the employee’s obligations to the employer.

“This bill ensures the same level of job protection for teachers as those enjoyed by almost all other unionized workers. In order to attract and retain qualified teachers, we must afford a fair and reasonable level of job protection. This bill does that,” said Eric Chester, counsel to the American Federation of Teachers (AFT)-CT

Connecticut Education Association (CEA) President Kate Dias testified in support of S.B. 1371 at its public hearing, saying the changes are necessary because – under current state law– a politically motivated school board could serve as “judge, jury, and executioner” for a teacher.

“There is a growing number of teachers who have faced termination when their exercise of free speech online became ignited by social media. Their employer claimed that the incident in social media caused a ‘distraction.’ As a result, and because of the unfair and politicized process, these

teachers end up resigning and even leaving the profession,” Dias testified in February. “To the degree that any teacher should have faced discipline for any action, such discipline should be considered using the legal standard of ‘Just Cause.’ Any discipline, if warranted, should be appropriate and proportionate. Any resulting hearing should be adjudicated by a neutral arbitrator, whose decisions are binding.”

Sen. Lesser Welcomes AHCT Sign-Up Fairs for Pratt + Whitney Striking Workers

Posted on by Devin James

Sen. Lesser Welcomes AHCT Sign-Up Fairs for Pratt + Whitney Striking Workers

EAST HARTFORD, MIDDLETOWN – State Senator Matt Lesser welcomes two Access Health CT enrollment fairs for striking Pratt and Whitney workers. Sen. Lesser has worked together with Local 700 of Middletown, Local 1746 of East Hartford and Access Health CT to organize these enrollment fairs. Access Health CT will be waiving certain procedures to ensure that striking workers who are at risk for losing their employer-provided healthcare will not face lapses in coverage.

Tomorrow, May 21 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
East Hartford Community Cultural Center
50 Chapman Place, East Hartford
Parking at Town Green Park, sign-up in the gym

Wednesday, May 28 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Courtyard Cromwell
4 Sebethe Drive,  Cromwell

“I am pleased to have worked alongside Access Health CT to secure enrollment fairs to ensure that these workers can demand better working conditions and benefits without the looming fear of losing healthcare for themselves or their families,” said Sen. Lesser. “Thank you to the Union leadership for taking care of their members and to Access HealthCT for keeping the residents of Connecticut healthy and covered.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Garnet McLaughlin | Garnet.McLaughlin@cga.ct.gov

Sen. Lesser Statement on Mayor Florsheim’s Resignation

Posted on by Devin James

Sen. Lesser Statement on Mayor Florsheim’s Resignation

MIDDLETOWN – Today, State Senator Matt Lesser issued a statement on Mayor Ben Florsheim’s resignation.

“Mayor Florsheim is a friend and I thank him for his leadership of the City of Middletown and his dedication to bettering the lives of its residents. He brought a fresh perspective to the city and was a strong municipal partner on a number of pivotal projects that have paved a strong path forward for Middletown. I wish him the best in his next steps.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Garnet McLaughlin | Garnet.McLaughlin@cga.ct.gov

SEN. CABRERA STATEMENT ON INVESTIGATIVE REPORT INTO BETHANY ABUSE SCANDAL

Posted on by Devin James

SEN. CABRERA STATEMENT ON INVESTIGATIVE REPORT INTO BETHANY ABUSE SCANDAL

BETHANY – State Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden), the state senator representing the seven towns of the 21st Senate District (including Bethany), issued the following statement today on the release of a 229-page report on the Investigation into the Town of Bethany’s Response to the Alleged Sexual Abuse of Minors Enrolled in the Parks and Recreation Summer and After-School Programs by the Law Firm of Pullman & Comley, LLC.

“This report details a massive failure by First Selectman Paul Cofrancesco and an inexplicable lack of action by state police. Our children look to the adults in their lives to protect them, and the adult leadership in Bethany failed them.”

Senator Miller Leads Passage of Legislation Protecting Homeowners from ‘Zombie Mortgages’

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Miller Leads Passage of Legislation Protecting Homeowners from ‘Zombie Mortgages’

Senator Pat Billie Miller, Senate Chair of the Banking Committee, led passage Thursday of legislation to place a statute of limitations on the collection of long-dormant second loans known as zombie mortgages.

The legislation, SB 1336, passed the Senate on a 35 – 1 vote and will head to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The bill protects homeowners with second mortgages which they often believed to be satisfied or forgiven by lenders who had stopped collection activities and ceased communications related to the debt. Quite often, the original loan is written off and sold to a third party.

Recently, as property values have rebounded, companies have increasingly resumed collection and foreclosures on these long-dormant second mortgages.

SB 1336 bars lenders from beginning foreclosure proceedings on secondary mortgages 10 years after they stopped communicating with a borrower or 10 years after the scheduled date of the loan’s final payment.

Senator Miller, D-Stamford, introduced the bill after a constituent was caught off guard when an unfamiliar company that had purchased his second mortgage, which he thought had been forgiven, began trying to collect on the loan with interest.

“This bill protects our homeowners from foreclosure threats based on debt that’s been dormant for more than a decade,” Senator Miller said. “The change puts Connecticut in alignment with national trends as states across the country move to shield consumers from the delayed impact of predatory lending practices. No one making reliable payments on their primary mortgage should face foreclosure because someone made an opportunistic decision to resurrect a secondary loan, years after deciding that collection wasn’t worth the effort when property values plummeted in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.”

Senate Passes New Consumer Protections and Safeguards Against Electronic Eavesdropping

Posted on by Devin James

Senate Passes New Consumer Protections and Safeguards Against Electronic Eavesdropping

Senate Democrats voted Thursday to advance new safeguards against eavesdropping by televisions, home appliances, and toys as part of Senate Bill 3, the caucus’s priority consumer protection proposal, which also includes provisions targeting junk fees and price gouging.

The 25-10 vote by the Senate sends Senate Bill 3 to the House of Representatives for consideration before the 2025 legislative session concludes on June 4.

Senate Bill 3 seeks to ensure that Connecticut consumers are not monitored by their home appliances, televisions, and toys without their knowledge and provides them with tools to prevent device manufacturers from selling their recordings to advertisers.

The bill’s eavesdropping provisions follow reporting by tech news site 404 Media, which published stories detailing claims by Cox Media Group, which said it was capable of targeting advertisements based on verbal statements made by consumers and caught by microphones included in their devices.

“Privacy becomes a more precious commodity with each passing year, so it’s important that Connecticut consumers have a clear understanding of how their smart devices function and the ability to decline invasive features,” said Senate President Martin Looney. “This bill restores that power to consumers and puts common sense limits on companies that would profit from surveillance. It also expands the power of the attorney general to pursue price gouging beyond retailers to the entire supply chain.”

“It may sound like science fiction or paranoia, but our devices and appliances really are listening to us and at least one company has bragged about its ability to monetize what we’re saying in private,” Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff said. “Through Senate Bill 3, we’re putting consumers in charge of their privacy: we’re making sure they’re aware that their television can record them and giving them the ability to opt out.”

“Connecticut is stepping up to protect families from predatory business practices, whether it’s microphones in household appliances, recording their conversations or surprise junk fees inflating their bills,” Senator James Maroney, co-chair of the legislature’s General Law Committee, said. “SB 3 will bring transparency to the marketplace so Connecticut consumers know what they’re paying for and when their privacy is used to pad someone’s bottom line.”

Senate Bill 3 requires companies to provide users with privacy notices before enabling  microphones in home appliances, televisions and toys, and gives consumers the option of declining to activate cameras and microphones.

The bill also provides consumers the opportunity to opt out of targeted advertisements based on these voice recordings and requires companies to maintain security measures to safeguard users’ information.

Senate Bill 3 seeks to address the affordability of goods and services by expanding the state attorney general’s capability to crack down on price gouging during disasters. While current price gouging statutes apply only to retailers, the bill broadens the policy to include the entire supply chain.

Additional provisions of Senate Bill 3 will:

-Protect consumers from junk fees by generally requiring advertisements to present customers with upfront pricing that does not hide additional fees.

-Prevent junk fees on long-term rental properties by requiring advertisements to include any fee or charge the tenant will be required to pay, with some exceptions like pet fees and certain utility costs.

-Create a right to repair products by requiring companies to make consumer tools and parts available to ensure their products can be repaired by people who are not associated with the company.

-Require Connecticut municipalities to use “.gov” web domains by July 1, 2026 and connect towns and cities with federal grants to assist with this transition.

Requires businesses with automatic renewal to send consumers an annual reminder allowing them to stop the renewal of service.

Senate Passes New Consumer Protections and Safeguards Against Electronic Eavesdropping

Posted on by Devin James

Senate Passes New Consumer Protections and Safeguards Against Electronic Eavesdropping

Senate Democrats voted Thursday to advance new safeguards against eavesdropping by televisions, home appliances, and toys as part of Senate Bill 3, the caucus’s priority consumer protection proposal, which also includes provisions targeting junk fees and price gouging.

The 25-10 vote by the Senate sends Senate Bill 3 to the House of Representatives for consideration before the 2025 legislative session concludes on June 4.

Senate Bill 3 seeks to ensure that Connecticut consumers are not monitored by their home appliances, televisions, and toys without their knowledge and provides them with tools to prevent device manufacturers from selling their recordings to advertisers.

The bill’s eavesdropping provisions follow reporting by tech news site 404 Media, which published stories detailing claims by Cox Media Group, which said it was capable of targeting advertisements based on verbal statements made by consumers and caught by microphones included in their devices.

“Privacy becomes a more precious commodity with each passing year, so it’s important that Connecticut consumers have a clear understanding of how their smart devices function and the ability to decline invasive features,” said Senate President Martin Looney. “This bill restores that power to consumers and puts common sense limits on companies that would profit from surveillance. It also expands the power of the attorney general to pursue price gouging beyond retailers to the entire supply chain.”

“It may sound like science fiction or paranoia, but our devices and appliances really are listening to us and at least one company has bragged about its ability to monetize what we’re saying in private,” Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff said. “Through Senate Bill 3, we’re putting consumers in charge of their privacy: we’re making sure they’re aware that their television can record them and giving them the ability to opt out.”

“Connecticut is stepping up to protect families from predatory business practices, whether it’s microphones in household appliances, recording their conversations or surprise junk fees inflating their bills,” Senator James Maroney, co-chair of the legislature’s General Law Committee, said. “SB 3 will bring transparency to the marketplace so Connecticut consumers know what they’re paying for and when their privacy is used to pad someone’s bottom line.”

Senate Bill 3 requires companies to provide users with privacy notices before enabling  microphones in home appliances, televisions and toys, and gives consumers the option of declining to activate cameras and microphones.

The bill also provides consumers the opportunity to opt out of targeted advertisements based on these voice recordings and requires companies to maintain security measures to safeguard users’ information.

Senate Bill 3 seeks to address the affordability of goods and services by expanding the state attorney general’s capability to crack down on price gouging during disasters. While current price gouging statutes apply only to retailers, the bill broadens the policy to include the entire supply chain.

Additional provisions of Senate Bill 3 will:

-Protect consumers from junk fees by generally requiring advertisements to present customers with upfront pricing that does not hide additional fees.

-Prevent junk fees on long-term rental properties by requiring advertisements to include any fee or charge the tenant will be required to pay, with some exceptions like pet fees and certain utility costs.

-Create a right to repair products by requiring companies to make consumer tools and parts available to ensure their products can be repaired by people who are not associated with the company.

-Require Connecticut municipalities to use “.gov” web domains by July 1, 2026 and connect towns and cities with federal grants to assist with this transition.

Requires businesses with automatic renewal to send consumers an annual reminder allowing them to stop the renewal of service.

Senator Rahman Votes to Support Student Scholarships

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Rahman Votes to Support Student Scholarships

Senator MD Rahman, voted Wednesday to pass Senate Bill 5 – An Act Concerning Higher Education Affordability and Accountability. This legislation makes college more affordable by ensuring that the state’s Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Foundation functions as intended by providing financial relief on a needs-basis for Connecticut students attending four-year colleges and universities in Connecticut.

Currently, Roberta B. Willis Scholarships are on average between $4,500 and $5,200.These scholarships are intended to help incentivize Connecticut’s students to stay in-state in their pursuit of higher education.

A hallmark of the bill is the requirement for the Office of Higher Education to notify institutions by Nov. 1 of each year of the amount of funds allocated to each institution for need-based grants for the following fiscal year. This means that institutions can notify students of their full aid package at the time of admission, which will help students weigh the benefits of enrolling in-state accurately.

“Higher education is a great way to build opportunities and open doors but its price tag should not be a barrier that keeps Connecticut students from pursuing their goals,” Senator Rahman said. “This bill strengthens our scholarship program so more families can afford in-state colleges and students can focus on learning instead of worrying about how to pay for it.”

With the future of federal funding for financial aid programs in question, this legislation seeks to invest in Connecticut students, schools and our workforce.

Currently, Connecticut’s investment into needs-based scholarships is among the lowest in the country. According to a NASSGAP survey, forty-three other states spend a greater percentage of state funding for higher education on student aid than Connecticut does. Connecticut also loses 40-percent of its young adults to colleges and universities in other states.

“The cost of higher education continues to grow, and our underfunded state scholarship program encourages students to seek education elsewhere,” said Senate President Martin Looney. “By investing in our students, we are allowing Connecticut students to stay in this state to receive their education, enter the workforce, grow our economy and enjoy the high-quality life we have built here in Connecticut.”

“Right now, the federal government is taking aim at higher education,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff. “In Connecticut, we know that a highly skilled workforce is the lifeblood of a strong economy. This legislation ensures not only that we are retaining talent, but that we are providing some relief to hardworking students and their families when it comes to the rising cost of higher education.”Over the last several years Democrat led legislation has expanded access to higher education through debt-free community college, Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) and expanding access to lower interest CHESLA loans.

Senator Gaston Leads Passage of Bill Expanding The Fallen Hero Fund

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Gaston Leads Passage of Bill Expanding The Fallen Hero Fund

Today, state Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport), Chair of the Public Safety & Security Committee, led Senate Passage of a bill that will expand the Public Safety Fund originally created to support families of police officers killed in the line of duty.

Senate Bill 1239, ‘An Act Concerning The Fallen Hero Fund And Providing Health Insurance Coverage To Survivors Of First Responders Who Are Killed In The Line Of Duty,’ expands the Public Safety Fund to provide the same financial assistance and health benefits to families of other emergency first responders including firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics.

“First Responders across Connecticut should all receive the same level of support, recognizing the risks they face every day on the job,” said Sen. Gaston. “We owe our emergency services personnel, including police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics, a debt of gratitude for their selfless dedication to keeping our communities safe. This legislation ensures that when tragedy strikes, the families of these brave men and women will not face financial uncertainty and will continue to have the support they need during an incredibly difficult time.”

Under this bill, $100,000 will be given to the surviving family members of any police officer, firefighter, EMT, or paramedic who loses their life while on duty. The bill also includes for continued health insurance coverage for the surviving family members for one year, with the option to renew coverage annually for up to five years.

In written testimony submitted by the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut, President Peter Brown wrote, “This bill is crucial for providing essential support to the families of firefighters who make the ultimate sacrifice in service to our communities. These brave men and women put their lives on the line every day, facing dangers that most of us can only imagine. When tragedy strikes, and a firefighter is lost in the line of duty, their families are left to cope with unimaginable grief while also facing significant financial burdens. SB 1239 offers a lifeline to these families during their most vulnerable time. This bill provides financial assistance and extends healthcare coverage for surviving spouses and dependents. These expanded benefits are not merely a gesture of goodwill; they are a vital necessity.”

Brown said, according to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), 89 firefighters were killed in the line-of-duty in the United States in 2023. In Connecticut, four firefighters have lost their lives in the line of duty in the past 10 years.

The financial burdens faced by families after losing a firefighter are often overwhelming. After the unexpected death of a firefighter, a family not only faces the emotional burden of losing a loved one; they also face the significant financial hardship. This bill will help provide them with financial security and peace of mind they need to rebuild their lives after such a devastating loss.

Senate Passes Landmark Climate and Environmental Protection Bill

Posted on by Devin James

Senate Passes Landmark Climate and Environmental Protection Bill

Today, the State Senate passed a Senate Democratic Caucus priority bill aimed at strengthening the state’s ability to adapt to climate change, protect natural resources, and ensure safer communities. This climate resiliency and environmental protection bill addresses three primary areas including:

-Climate resilience measures

-Rodenticide regulation

-Neonicotinoid pesticide control measures

Senate bill 9, ‘An Act Concerning The Environment, Climate and Sustainable Municipal And State Planning, And The Use Of Neonicotinoids And Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides,’ is a comprehensive environmental measure that strengthens Connecticut by protecting public health, wildlife, and natural resources.

“This legislation represents a bold and necessary step toward protecting both our environment and public health,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney. “By addressing climate resilience, restricting toxic pesticides, and safeguarding pollinators, Senate Bill 9 ensures Connecticut is better prepared for the future while leading the way on environmental responsibility.”

Climate Resilience

This portion of the bill is focused on climate resilience and adaptation, providing Connecticut communities with new tools to prepare for flooding, sea-level rise, and extreme climate related events. The bill modernizes local and state planning processes, expands flood risk disclosure requirements, and creates funding mechanisms for climate-ready infrastructure.

It will create the following measures:

-Sellers, landlords, and lenders will be required to disclose flood history and risk to buyers and renters, promoting transparency and better decision-making for Connecticut residents.

-The bill will expand submission requirements under the Connecticut Coastal Management Act to include more high-risk areas and removes exemptions for single-family homes in vulnerable zones.

-The bill incorporates climate vulnerability assessments and resiliency goals into future municipal and regional conservation and development plans using the latest geospatial data.

-Municipalities will be able to create improvement districts to fund and implement infrastructure projects that reduce climate risks, support economic development, and provide more housing opportunities.

-Local and regional zoning commissions are authorized to adopt regulations that address and mitigate climate threats and support regional Transfer of Development Rights programs.

-Municipalities can enter agreements to support regional Transfer of Development Rights programs which can reduce development in hazardous zones or environmentally sensitive areas.

-And state, regional, and municipal plans will be updated to align with climate data and hazard mitigation goals.

Rodenticide regulation

This bill will require the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to classify second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) as restricted use pesticides. They will only be allowed to be applied by, or under the supervision of, a certified pesticide applicator. Certification requires an exam and annual registration. Restricting rodenticide use helps prevent secondary poisoning and supports healthier ecosystems.

Rodenticides are pesticides that kill rodents, including mice and rats. According to the National Pesticide Information Center, rodenticides are often formulated as baits with attractive substances like peanut butter or molasses. Rodenticide baits can provide short-term control of rodent infestations. Regulation of rodenticides is crucial due to their potential harm to non-target species, including pets, wildlife, and even humans. Rodenticides can cause secondary poisoning when predators or scavengers consume rodents that have ingested the poison, leading to illness or death in animals.

Neonicotinoid pesticide ban

Beginning October 1, 2027, this bill will take steps to prohibit the use of neonicotinoids. However, use can continue in some instances, including:

-In agriculture, trees, ornamental shrubbery, and seeds
-To control invasive invertebrate pests, if DEEP determines there is no effective alternative
-Products not labeled for plant use, such as indoor pest control or pet treatments

This legislation positions Connecticut as a national leader in pollinator protection while balancing agricultural and public health needs.

Neonicotinoid pesticides (often called neonics) are considered harmful primarily because of their impact on pollinators and ecosystems.

According to the National Institute of Health, Neonicotinoids are a type of pesticide that kill insects by affecting their brains and nervous systems. They work by locking onto special receptors in the insects’ nerves—receptors that also exist in humans and other animals. Because of this, scientists are concerned that these chemicals could also harm people, pets, and wildlife.