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Author: Devin James
SENATOR SLAP RECEIVES 100% ENVIRONMENTAL, DEMOCRACY SCORES FROM CT LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS
October 23, 2024
SENATOR SLAP RECEIVES 100% ENVIRONMENTAL, DEMOCRACY SCORES FROM CT LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS
State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) received perfect scores from the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters for his advocacy for policies supporting the state’s land, air, water, wildlife, climate and electoral integrity in the 2024 legislative session. The 100% scores in both categories reflect his work to prevent pollution and support expanded use of solar energy in Connecticut, among other environmental priorities.
“The League of Conservation Voters plays a vital role in Connecticut, keeping an eye on the state’s environmental progress, and it’s an honor to receive perfect scores from them in protecting our environment and shoring up election integrity,” said Sen. Slap. “Our work this year fought pollution of our waterways, expanded use of renewable energy and improved statewide use of herbicides. I’m encouraged to receive this recognition and these issues will remain on my mind for years to come.”
Sen. Slap received 100% scores from the CTLCV for his advocacy for environmental and democracy issues, with the latter metric primarily focused on voting rights. Among the policies Sen. Slap supported were bills expanding access to solar energy including easier access to the renewable energy source for schools, cleaner air in schools statewide, and advancing and enhancing the state’s ban on use of products containing PFAS, a “forever chemical” tied to negative health outcomes through pollution.
Sen. Slap received further support as he supported legislation strengthening election integrity, security and transparency by increased monitoring of absentee ballot drop boxes and safeguarding election workers’ personal information.
He was one of 18 Democratic State Senators to receive 100% scores from the CTLCV.
SENATOR ANWAR NAMED ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION, RECEIVES PERFECT SCORES FROM CT LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS
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SENATE PRESIDENT LOONEY BACKS UCONN PROFESSORS IN EVALUATION PROCESS DISPUTE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
SENATE PRESIDENT LOONEY BACKS UCONN PROFESSORS IN EVALUATION PROCESS DISPUTE
HARTFORD – Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney (D-New Haven) today issued the following statement following a week of news reports about the University of Connecticut’s review of and possible elimination of as many as 70 majors due to low student enrollment.
“UConn is proud of its ranking as a Research 1 university, which only three percent of American colleges and universities achieve. Therefore, it is incongruous that Connecticut’s flagship state university is adopting a Wal-Mart-like approach to some of its less-popular majors, to the extent that majors graduating only 100 or so students over five years could be put in some sort of academic ‘close-out’ bin. Many of these courses serve as class options for undergraduate students looking to fulfill their core requirements needed for graduation. Eliminating them would be short-sighted and ultimately have a negative impact on UConn’s reputation and appeal.
“My hope is that the Provost’s office will find – perhaps through administrative savings – a way to maintain these courses and programs, in much the same way the General Assembly has year after year found a way to maintain or increase UConn’s funding, even as we contend with state budget spending caps and the end of pandemic federal funding.
Senate Leaders Call on Republican State Senator to Retract Statement Undermining Connecticut Elections
Senate Leaders Call on Republican State Senator to Retract Statement Undermining Connecticut Elections
Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) released the following statement after today’s Hartford Courant report entitled “Senator claims CT elections not secure; 300 officials say otherwise” wherein Republican State Senator Rob Sampson attempted to undermine Connecticut’s democracy.
“Republican Senator Rob Sampson’s Trump-playbook, dishonest claim that voter fraud is occurring in various Connecticut cities and towns is a direct threat to our democracy. Falsely asserting there is widespread voter fraud in our state is nothing but a desperate attempt to sow doubt regarding the integrity of our elections. This Trumpian falsehood serves as a local version of national rumors and baseless accusations from the Republican party. It’s the same rhetoric that led to the events of January 6, 2021, and it’s the same rhetoric that’s been circulating nationally for months, well before any voter even cast a ballot, to lay seeds for another attempted overthrow of the American government.
“As the leaders of Connecticut’s State Senate, we have a duty to the General Assembly to defend our democratic representative government. We call on Senator Sampson to retract his statement and admit what every election official in the state knows as true: Connecticut’s 2024 election is free, fair, and secure.”
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Senate Leaders Call on Republican State Senator to Retract Statement Undermining Connecticut Elections
Senate Leaders Call on Republican State Senator to Retract Statement Undermining Connecticut Elections
Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) released the following statement after today’s Hartford Courant report entitled “Senator claims CT elections not secure; 300 officials say otherwise” wherein Republican State Senator Rob Sampson attempted to undermine Connecticut’s democracy.
“Republican Senator Rob Sampson’s Trump-playbook, dishonest claim that voter fraud is occurring in various Connecticut cities and towns is a direct threat to our democracy. Falsely asserting there is widespread voter fraud in our state is nothing but a desperate attempt to sow doubt regarding the integrity of our elections. This Trumpian falsehood serves as a local version of national rumors and baseless accusations from the Republican party. It’s the same rhetoric that led to the events of January 6, 2021, and it’s the same rhetoric that’s been circulating nationally for months, well before any voter even cast a ballot, to lay seeds for another attempted overthrow of the American government.
“As the leaders of Connecticut’s State Senate, we have a duty to the General Assembly to defend our democratic representative government. We call on Senator Sampson to retract his statement and admit what every election official in the state knows as true: Connecticut’s 2024 election is free, fair, and secure.”
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Senator Rahman Earns a Perfect Grade on 2024 Environmental Scorecard
Senator Rahman Earns a Perfect Grade on 2024 Environmental Scorecard
Senator MD Rahman, D-Manchester, received a perfect score of 100% from the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) this week based on his support of pro-environment legislation during the 2024 legislative session.
The CTLCV’s annual scorecard, released Tuesday, assigned Connecticut legislators numerical grades based on their support or opposition to proposals to reduce pollution, promote climate resilience, or preserve natural resources. This year’s scorecard evaluated votes on more than a dozen environmental bills to generate the overall score.
“Recent severe weather events have taken a toll on our neighbors and local farmers, many of whom have faced significant crop losses due to flooding. I am grateful to the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters for recognizing my consistent support for policies that protect our environment and build resiliency in the face of these challenges,” Senator Rahman said. “By voting for these key environmental policies, we are safeguarding the agricultural community and helping to build a sustainable future for Connecticut’s next generation.”
Some new policies highlighted in this year’s scorecard included:
-SB 292, PFAS Ban: This law prohibits the use of toxic PFAS chemicals in a wide range of consumer products such as textiles, carpets, and children’s items.
-HB 5052, Supporting Solar Energy in Schools: This policy, adopted through state bonding, creates financing for solar energy and energy efficiency projects in public schools, reducing both energy costs and carbon emissions.
-HB 5219, Herbicides Along Railroads: This new law requires railroads to adhere to standards on the application of herbicides in railroad rights-of-way to protect water sources and wetlands.
-SB 301, Energy Efficiency Standards: This policy, adopted through state bonding, updates Connecticut’s energy efficiency standards for consumer products and provides grants for retrofitting projects to reduce energy use and costs.
Senator Rahman was one of 18 senators — all of them Democrats — to receive a perfect score in this year’s environmental report card. Democratic senators scored an average grade of 97% for their votes to protect Connecticut’s environment. Republican senators scored an average of 50%, according to the CTLCV.
Contact: Hugh McQuaid | Hugh.McQuaid@cga.ct.gov | 860-634-4651 |
Connecticut’s Unemployment Rate Hits 23-Year Low
Connecticut’s Unemployment Rate Hits 23-Year Low
By Joe O’Leary
October 23 @ 12:15 pm
September was a banner month for the Connecticut economy, as the state’s unemployment rate plunged to levels not seen since nearly the beginning of the century, according to statistics from the Department of Labor.
The agency reported that the unemployment rate fell to just 3.2% in September, which Gov. Ned Lamont noted was the lowest level of unemployment seen in the Nutmeg State since September 2001. That data was collected prior to the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania that spurred short-term economic headwinds nationally.
The decline in unemployment was welcome news for Connecticut and came as the state saw a slight decrease in government sector employment. In September, private employment across the state remained level while state government employment fell slightly due to student workers not yet being on payroll when the survey was taken. Evening that out, while August saw a net loss in jobs, those numbers were revised to account for 300 more jobs filled than expected.
These figures match trends reported by the Department of Labor where, in recent years, Connecticut has seen strong hiring early in the year that slows down in the latter half of the year with overall growth.
While September did not spur significant growth, Connecticut’s economy has remained resilient amid murky national trends. From the end of 2023 to September 2024, the state added 14,500 total jobs, and compared to the national Labor Force Participation Rate of 62.7%, Connecticut’s stands just over 64%, with more than 75,000 jobs left to be filled for job-seekers.
In a press release, Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo said the state was trending in the right direction.
“While we’ll see monthly ups and downs, the underlying economy remains solid; we must keep our focus on workforce development, housing, and other issues that attract and retain a talented workforce,” she said.
The Department of Labor’s Director of Research, Patrick Flaherty, said that Connecticut was experiencing challenges in improving hiring.
“Stronger economic growth is constrained by the size of the workforce and high retirements in key industries such as manufacturing,” Flaherty said.
In further good news for workers and consumers, on a year-over-year basis, hourly earnings rose 6.1% in the Nutmeg State while the Consumer Price Index went up 2.4%. Not only was the CPI pacing with national inflation year-over-year, hourly earnings were strongly outpacing them, while average weekly earnings surged 8% from a year prior with increases in numbers of hours worked.
Senator Hochadel Receives a Perfect Grade on 2024 Environmental Scorecard
Senator Hochadel Receives a Perfect Grade on 2024 Environmental Scorecard
Senator Jan Hochadel, D-Meriden, received a perfect score of 100% from the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) this week based on her support of pro-environment legislation during the 2024 legislative session.
The CTLCV’s annual scorecard, released Tuesday, assigned Connecticut legislators numerical grades based on their support or opposition to proposals to reduce pollution, promote climate resilience, or preserve natural resources. This year’s scorecard evaluated votes on more than a dozen environmental bills to generate the overall score.
“The environmental decisions we’re making now will impact the future we leave for the next generation of Connecticut residents. That’s why I’m proud to receive this perfect score from the CTLCV,” Senator Hochadel said. “These votes reflect my belief that we can work together to protect Connecticut’s natural resources while forging more resilient communities and I’m committed to keeping our state on a healthy and sustainable path.”
Some new policies highlighted in this year’s scorecard included:
-SB 292, PFAS Ban: This law prohibits the use of toxic PFAS chemicals in a wide range of consumer products such as textiles, carpets, and children’s items.
-HB 5052, Supporting Solar Energy in Schools: This policy, adopted through state bonding, creates financing for solar energy and energy efficiency projects in public schools, reducing both energy costs and carbon emissions.
-HB 5219, Herbicides Along Railroads: This new law requires railroads to adhere to standards on the application of herbicides in railroad rights-of-way to protect water sources and wetlands.
-SB 301, Energy Efficiency Standards: This policy, adopted through state bonding, updates Connecticut’s energy efficiency standards for consumer products and provides grants for retrofitting projects to reduce energy use and costs.
Senator Hochadel was one of 18 senators — all of them Democrats — to receive a perfect score in this year’s environmental report card. Democratic senators scored an average grade of 97% for their votes to protect Connecticut’s environment. Republican senators scored an average of 50%, according to the CTLCV.
Contact: Hugh McQuaid | Hugh.McQuaid@cga.ct.gov | 860-634-4651 |
SEN. LESSER WELCOMES STATE BONDING FOR MIDDLETOWN YMCA, ROCKY HILL INFRASTRUCTURE, WETHERSFIELD FARM
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
SEN. LESSER WELCOMES STATE BONDING FOR MIDDLETOWN YMCA, ROCKY HILL INFRASTRUCTURE, WETHERSFIELD FARM
Senator Matt Lesser (center) with Executive Director Michele Rulnick and Volunteer Teresa Opalacz of the Middletown YMCA celebrating the State Bond Commission approval of $8 million to renovate the Y.
HARTFORD – State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) today welcomed State Bond Commission approval of more than $8 million for projects in Middletown, Rocky Hill and Wethersfield.
The bond commission today gave final approval to $8 million in Community Investment Funds to renovate and expand the Northern Middlesex YMCA facility in Middletown, including ADA access, multi-generational spaces and increased childcare/preschool care.
Rocky Hill received $175,000 in state aid for sewer extension and infrastructure improvements along Cedar Hollow Drive.
The Friends of Kycia Farm in Wethersfield also received $150,000 to help preserve the farm. The Friends is a non-profit organization of the Kycia Farm, which is owned by the Town of Wethersfield to promote farming, land preservation, and community engagement.
“The Y has been a fixture at the corner of Main and Union streets in Middletown for nearly a century. It needs some work to continue serving the residents here for another 100 years,” Sen. Lesser said. “I want to thank Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for helping the people of Middletown, Rocky Hill and Wethersfield improve their quality of life.”