Author: Devin James

Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox, Rep. Kahn to Hold Listening Sessions on Special Education

Posted on by Devin James

Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox, Rep. Kahn to Hold Listening Sessions on Special Education

State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox (D-Trumbull) and State Representative Maryam Kahn (D-Windsor), co-chairs of the newly convened Select Committee on Special Education, will hold a series of listening sessions to hear from parents, teachers, students, Boards of Education, school administrators and community members on issues impacting special education services across the state.

Tuesday, February 4 at 5:00 p.m.
Connecticut State Community College Three Rivers Campus in Norwich
B Wing Room 127

Thursday, February 6 at 5:00 p.m.
Connecticut State Community College Northwestern Campus in Winsted
Second Floor of Founder’s Hall

Tuesday, February 11 at 5:00 p.m.
Connecticut State Community College Housatonic Campus in Bridgeport
Beacon Hall – Room 214

Thursday, February 13 at 2:00 p.m.
Legislative Office Building in Hartford
Hearing Room 2A

“I have long been a strong proponent of public education, and as legislators we are charged to ensure that all students have access to appropriate services. As the Special Education Committee seeks to better support our most vulnerable students, I am eager to meet with communities across Connecticut to learn more about their experiences with special education,” said Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox. “Addressing the needs of this community will require input from all stakeholders and I look forward to learning more and turning our findings into legislation that will lead to tangible improvements.”

“I’m so excited to begin these listening sessions across our state,” Rep. Khan said. “It’s clear our schools are in dire need of assistance with their special education programs, and these listening sessions will help us find practical solutions that will make a big difference in the lives of students and teachers alike.”

New Britain Legislators Demand Unfreezing of Federal Funds for Nonprofits, Hospitals, and Essential Services

Posted on by Devin James

New Britain Legislators Demand Unfreezing of Federal Funds for Nonprofits, Hospitals, and Essential Services

New Britain, CT – Today, a united front of New Britain legislators, state Senator Rick Lopes, Representative Bobby Sanchez, Representative David DeFronzo, Representative Gary Turco, and Representative Manny Sanchez, called for the immediate release of frozen federal funds critical to non-profits, hospitals, and other essential services in the Greater New Britain community.

These funds, intended to support life-saving programs, healthcare facilities, and organizations serving the city’s most vulnerable residents, remain locked in political gridlock—deliberate inaction that the legislators condemned as reckless and harmful.

“This isn’t just about numbers on a budget sheet—this is about real people who depend on these services every day,” said Sen. Rick Lopes. “Freezing these funds is nothing more than playing political games with people’s lives, and we refuse to stand by while our community suffers.”

The funding freeze is affecting hospitals, community health organizations, food banks, and nonprofits that provide housing assistance, mental health services, and early childhood education—services that thousands of New Britain residents rely on.

“Nonprofits and hospitals serve as a lifeline for so many in our community, and yet they are being forced to make impossible decisions because of political posturing,” said Rep. Bobby Sanchez. “This funding is not optional—it is essential. Everyday it remains frozen, more families, seniors, and children face uncertainty and hardship.”

The legislators stressed that this crisis disproportionately impacts low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, further widening the gap between those who have access to care and those left behind.

“We were elected to fight for our constituents, and right now, our communities are being used as bargaining chips,” said Rep. David DeFronzo. “This is unacceptable. President Trump ran on a platform of helping working people and this action has done nothing but hurt them. Federal funds should be reaching the people they were intended for—not stuck in limbo while politicians argue.”

As hospitals struggle with rising costs and nonprofits face potential closures, the group is urging immediate action at both the state and federal levels to resolve the funding crisis.

“This is not a partisan issue—it’s a human issue,” said Rep. Gary Turco. “The people who rely on these services don’t care about political back-and-forth. They care about keeping a roof over their heads, affording medication, and putting food on the table. It’s time to stop the political theater and do what’s right.”

With the legislative session underway, the lawmakers are working to put pressure on federal and state officials to ensure that New Britain’s critical services receive the funding they need.

“We’re standing together to send a clear message: enough is enough,” said Rep. Manny Sanchez. “The people of New Britain should not have to wait another day for the support they deserve. It’s time to put politics aside and do the job we were elected to do.”

The legislators urge community members to join the fight by contacting their federal representatives and demanding the release of these much-needed funds.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michelle Rappaport | Michelle.Rappaport@cga.ct.gov

Senator Needleman Statement On Eversource Increasing Dividend

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Needleman Statement On Eversource Increasing Dividend

Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), Senate Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, released the following statement in response to the announcement that Eversource Energy’s board plans to increase its dividend by 5.2% at the end of the first quarter of 2025:

“Despite a barrage of corporate propaganda, Eversource is doing great. All the bluster in the news recently concerning lawsuits certainly isn’t stopping the company from giving its shareholders a bigger dividend this year. In fact, the service Dividend Channel recently noted Eversource is a ‘Top 10 Utility Dividend Stock,’ with a 5.22% yield and a price-to-book ratio of 1.4, both of which were well above industry averages.

So, to review: Wall Street says Eversource’s bond rating is down, but it continues to make money hand over fist and its shareholders continue to benefit. The company continues to show that its primary interest is in shareholder and executive profits; ratepayers seem to be at the end of the priority list. With potential Canadian energy tariffs just one of a number of potential issues to arise in the near future, I’d hope Eversource leaders can put their focus in better places.”

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

SENATOR ANWAR LEADS LEGISLATORS, TRINITY HEALTH EMPLOYEES SEEKING PAUSE ON COMPANY TRANSFER DECISION

Posted on by Devin James

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

SENATOR ANWAR LEADS LEGISLATORS, TRINITY HEALTH EMPLOYEES SEEKING PAUSE ON COMPANY TRANSFER DECISION

Senator Anwar speaks in Hartford Thursday

 

State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, today joined a coalition of legislators to support Trinity Health medical professionals recently impacted by the company’s sale of its hospitalist and emergency medicine services departments to a private for-profit company. The medical professionals, with concerns regarding their careers, patient care and physician availability in Connecticut, called for a pause on Trinity’s transfers and increased clarity and information for professionals impacted.

Legislators joining the coalition included State Senators Jan Hochadel (D-Meriden), MD Rahman (D-Manchester) and Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) and State Representatives Cristin McCarthy Vahey (D-Bridgeport, Fairfield), his House co-chair on the Public Health Committee, Kaitlin Shake (D-Stratford), Kara Rochelle (D-Ansonia, Derby) and Maryam Kham (D-Windsor).

“With our health care systems under strain and stress, uncertainty like this decision from Trinity has caused does not help anyone – patients, physicians, or hospitals,” said Sen. Anwar. “This decision puts careers, quality of care and overall health services provided in Connecticut at risk. Trinity should do what’s right for health in Connecticut and delay this decision while providing more clarity to those impacted.”

Trinity terminated more than 100 employees at its four hospitals in Hartford, Waterbury and Stafford Springs in early January, informing them they had 90 days to sign with Vituity, the California company purchasing Trinity departments, or leave their employment, breaking a four-month termination notice in employee contracts.

Physicians, ARPNs and Pas were included in the announcement; those impacted have not received information regarding their future employment and scheduling.

“Employees were told they have 90 days to sign with Vituity or leave. The notice period is in direct conflict with employees’ 120-day termination notice period as stipulated in their contracts,” stated Dr. Gagan Singh, Regional Director for Hospital Medicine at St. Francis Hospital. “This decision will have detrimental consequences for public health, patient safety, and the well-being and retention of healthcare staff in the most underserved parts of the state.”

“The lack of transparency from Trinity Health has also left us in the dark about many critical aspects of our employment status,” stated Kaitlin Erickson, lead hospitalist nurse practitioner in the Inpatient Internal Medicine Department at St Francis Hospital.  “To this date, we have yet to receive any concrete information regarding compensation, benefits, or scheduling. This lack of communication and professional courtesy has eroded trust in an already challenging work environment.”

The medical professionals noted concerns about patient safety, understaffing and disconnecting patients from their regular physicians, with fewer staff members remaining seeing increased workloads. They also emphasized that the hospitals impacted were in underserved parts of the state.

Medicap professionals further noted that a number of those impacted are tied to their jobs through immigration status and student loan forgiveness programs.

“We ask Trinity Health to immediately reverse the terminations, reinstate the affected healthcare providers to their status prior to January 6 and engage in open and transparent negotiations between hospital leadership and the terminated healthcare providers,” stated Dr. Sama Alvi, St. Francis Hospital Hospitalist. “Only then, will we be able to address the underlying issues and concerns that balances the hospital’s operational needs with the well-being of its staff and patients.”

A full recording of this afternoon’s press conference is available here.

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN STATEMENT ON EVERSOURCE, AVANGRID LAWSUIT AGAINST PURA CHAIR

Posted on by Devin James

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

January 30, 2025

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN STATEMENT ON EVERSOURCE, AVANGRID LAWSUIT AGAINST PURA CHAIR

Senator Norm Needleman, Senate chair of the legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee, issued the following statement Thursday in response to a lawsuit filed by Eversource and Avangrid against Marissa Gillett, chairman of Public Utility Regulatory Authority.

“This frivolous lawsuit is driven by the same greed we’ve grown accustomed to from Eversource and Avangrid as they continue to pursue their own interests at the expense of Connecticut families,” Senator Needleman, D-Essex, said. “Despite record profits and record salaries for their executives, these corporate monopolies continue to push for more. The regulators they’re suing here are representing the interests of Connecticut ratepayers in the face of the utilities’ unending pursuit of more profits. I stand with the regulators.”

SEN. OSTEN’s BILL SEEKING ECONOMIC STUDY OF MOHEGAN-PEQUOT BRIDGE IS RAISED BY TRANSPORETATION COMMITTEE 

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

SEN. OSTEN’s BILL SEEKING ECONOMIC STUDY OF MOHEGAN-PEQUOT BRIDGE IS RAISED BY TRANSPORETATION COMMITTEE 

MONTVILLE – A bill introduced by state Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) requiring an economic study of areas surrounding the Mohegan-Pequot Bridge was raised today by the Transportation Committee and will now be subject to a public hearing.

Senate Bill 1081 seeks “an economic study on the areas surrounding the Mohegan-Pequot Bridge that considers, at a minimum, the impacts on transportation, the impacts to projects located at  the Great Wolf Lodge, projects known as the Preston Riverwalk Project and the Thames River Development and the expansion of the Preston Incinerator site, the requirement that permitted loads traverse the Mohegan-Pequot Bridge instead of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge, and the impacts to public safety in the event of an incident that negatively impacts the Gold Star Memorial Bridge.”

“I’m a firm believer in planning for the future, and I think the Mohegan-Pequot Bridge will very soon outgrow its two-lane restriction, and that could harm the economic growth that’s planned for the region. I’d like to see the state do a deep dive on the economics of the area before they do any planned renovations to the bridge. We may discover some facts that alter that renovation plan,” said Sen. Osten, who is a member of the Transportation Committee.

The State Department of Transportation has already announced plans to spend $33 million to repair the two-lane bridge’s steel bed, roadbed and river fender systems. Sen. Osten and other local officials believe the DOT should save the maintenance costs and expand the Mohegan-Pequot bridge from two lanes to four, at a cost of about $227 million, of which 80% should be covered by the federal government.

Senator Miller Condemns Trump Administration’s Decision to Freeze Federal Aid

Posted on by Devin James

 

Senator Miller Condemns Trump Administration’s Decision to Freeze Federal Aid

Senator Patricia Billie Miller, D-Stamford, stood Tuesday with other Connecticut Democrats and condemned the Trump administration’s reckless decision to freeze federal aid, threatening vital programs and assistance for vulnerable communities in Connecticut and across the nation.

Senator Miller issued the following statement and appealed to Republican legislators to stand with Democrats and defend their constituents.

“Is this what ‘Make America Great Again’ looks like—families living in fear they won’t be able to put food on their tables?” Senator Miller said. “This is certainly not the America we learned about in history books, a nation that cared for the vulnerable and stood up for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves. Instead, we are watching the Trump administration tear apart the principles our forefathers fought to protect. I urge my colleagues across the aisle to join us in this fight—because your constituents will feel the impact of this too. They elected you to protect their rights, and it’s our responsibility to preserve the values that truly make this country great.”

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

Looney & Duff Statement on Federal Aid Freeze Chaos

Posted on by Devin James

Looney & Duff Statement on Federal Aid Freeze Chaos

Asks CT Republicans “What is so ‘common sense’ about this?”

HARTFORD – Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) released the following statement today after the back-and-forth chaos of the White House Office of Management and Budget’s confusing and reckless potential freeze on federal aid:

“Connecticut Republicans backed President Trump’s proposed federal aid freeze and called the move ‘common sense.’ What is so ‘common sense’ about the potential shutdown of basic funding for every community in our state?

“From the moment this disastrous and politically motivated freeze was announced, Connecticut Senate Democrats made our outrage loud, clear, and unequivocal. We were horrified that Donald Trump’s White House, Republicans in Washington, and their Republican enablers here in Connecticut would be so dismissive of the funding that our communities rely on.

“We hoped that Connecticut Republicans will join us and speak out against Trump’s proposed cuts to the programs that we all rely on, but their response to date has been callous and cold-hearted. They applauded Trump’s ‘common-sense efforts’ and declared Connecticut’s concerns about Trump as ‘theatrics’ and ‘gaslighting.’  But the bedlam of the Trump administration speaks for itself:

-On Monday evening at 7 p.m., Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a broadly worded memo declaring that trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans to states would become unavailable as of Tuesday at 5 p.m. The memo immediately sparked mass confusion across the country, prompting frantic calls to elected officials from parents, educators, public safety officers, social service providers and others.

-On Tuesday afternoon, as national news reports of the public outrage grew, Trump’s OMB ‘clarified’ its message to say that the funding freeze applied only to ‘the use of federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies.’

-Just hours later, on that same Tuesday afternoon around 4:30 p.m., a federal judge in Washington, D.C. issued a temporary injunction against implementing Trump’s funding freeze.

-Then, earlier today (Wednesday afternoon), Trump’s OMB completely backed off its own Monday evening memo, saying the freeze that Trump had ordered is now ‘completely rescinded.’

-But just moments later, White House Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said that only the original Monday memo calling for the freeze had been rescinded, and that efforts to ‘end the egregious waste of federal funding’ will continue and that Trump’s review of federal funds for states will ‘remain in full force and effect and will be rigorously implemented by all agencies and departments.’

“If Connecticut Republicans have no interest in the role and responsibilities of government, they can leave the governing to us, as the people of Connecticut so recently indicated they prefer, as they elected overwhelming Democratic majorities in both the state House, the state Senate, and in our Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C.

“We are not even two weeks into Trump’s term, and we know there will be more chaos similar to the past three days. We hope the next time Connecticut Republicans will decide to join us and speak out against drastic cuts to hard-working families all across the state.”

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

Looney & Duff Statement on Federal Aid Freeze Chaos

Posted on by Devin James

Looney & Duff Statement on Federal Aid Freeze Chaos

Asks CT Republicans “What is so ‘common sense’ about this?”

HARTFORD – Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) released the following statement today after the back-and-forth chaos of the White House Office of Management and Budget’s confusing and reckless potential freeze on federal aid:

“Connecticut Republicans backed President Trump’s proposed federal aid freeze and called the move ‘common sense.’ What is so ‘common sense’ about the potential shutdown of basic funding for every community in our state?

“From the moment this disastrous and politically motivated freeze was announced, Connecticut Senate Democrats made our outrage loud, clear, and unequivocal. We were horrified that Donald Trump’s White House, Republicans in Washington, and their Republican enablers here in Connecticut would be so dismissive of the funding that our communities rely on.

“We hoped that Connecticut Republicans will join us and speak out against Trump’s proposed cuts to the programs that we all rely on, but their response to date has been callous and cold-hearted. They applauded Trump’s ‘common-sense efforts’ and declared Connecticut’s concerns about Trump as ‘theatrics’ and ‘gaslighting.’  But the bedlam of the Trump administration speaks for itself:

-On Monday evening at 7 p.m., Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a broadly worded memo declaring that trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans to states would become unavailable as of Tuesday at 5 p.m. The memo immediately sparked mass confusion across the country, prompting frantic calls to elected officials from parents, educators, public safety officers, social service providers and others.

-On Tuesday afternoon, as national news reports of the public outrage grew, Trump’s OMB ‘clarified’ its message to say that the funding freeze applied only to ‘the use of federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies.’

-Just hours later, on that same Tuesday afternoon around 4:30 p.m., a federal judge in Washington, D.C. issued a temporary injunction against implementing Trump’s funding freeze.

-Then, earlier today (Wednesday afternoon), Trump’s OMB completely backed off its own Monday evening memo, saying the freeze that Trump had ordered is now ‘completely rescinded.’

-But just moments later, White House Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said that only the original Monday memo calling for the freeze had been rescinded, and that efforts to ‘end the egregious waste of federal funding’ will continue and that Trump’s review of federal funds for states will ‘remain in full force and effect and will be rigorously implemented by all agencies and departments.’

“If Connecticut Republicans have no interest in the role and responsibilities of government, they can leave the governing to us, as the people of Connecticut so recently indicated they prefer, as they elected overwhelming Democratic majorities in both the state House, the state Senate, and in our Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C.

“We are not even two weeks into Trump’s term, and we know there will be more chaos similar to the past three days. We hope the next time Connecticut Republicans will decide to join us and speak out against drastic cuts to hard-working families all across the state.”

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

Senator Hochadel Denounces Trump Administration’s Decision to Freeze Federal Aid

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Hochadel Denounces Trump Administration’s Decision to Freeze Federal Aid

Senator Jan Hochadel, D-Meriden, stood today with other Connecticut Democrats and condemned the Trump administration’s reckless decision to freeze federal aid, threatening vital programs and assistance for vulnerable communities in Connecticut and across the nation.

Senator Hochadel issued the following statement Tuesday:

“As chair of the Aging Committee, I’ve heard directly from seniors who are scared about what this means for their healthcare and financial security—including my own mother, who is 86 years old and terrified about what comes next,” Senator Hochadel said. “As an educator, I’ve also heard from teachers who are struggling to reassure their students and from parents who are confused and anxious about the impact on their families. These children don’t have an ‘R’ or ‘D’ after their names. They don’t understand politics—they just know uncertainty and fear. They deserve stability, and our seniors deserve dignity. This is not about partisanship; it’s about people’s lives. We have to do better.”

Contact: Hugh McQuaid | Hugh.McQuaid@cga.ct.gov