Author: sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Sen. Cohen, Reps. Comey, Rader Welcome $100k for Branford Food Pantry

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Sen. Cohen, Reps. Comey, Rader Welcome $100k for Branford Food Pantry

For Immediate Release
Contact: Garnet McLaughlin – Garnet.McLaughlin@cga.ct.gov – 860-304-2319
 

BRANFORD – Today, State Senator Christine Cohen and State Representatives Robin Comey and Moira Rader welcomed $100,000 for the Branford Food Pantry. The state Bond Commission voted unanimously on Thursday to approve the funding.
 
Senator Cohen and Representatives Comey and Rader submitted requests to the Bond Commission for this funding. The funding will replace aging infrastructure at the Branford Food Pantry, specifically an aging conveyor belt which moves thousands of pounds of food into the Food Pantry everyday. The food pantry will also use these funds to upgrade their flooring to a commercial grade flooring for durability and to comply with health regulations.
 
The Branford Food Pantry provides groceries to over 200 families every week and provides critical support to Branford families in need:

  • More than 30% of Branford students qualify for free or reduced lunch programs
  • 1 in 6 residents struggle with food insecurity
  • 4,272 Branford households are struggling to make ends meet, 39% of all households
  • Branford is also the home to as many as 3,852 Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) families with an additional 874 families living in poverty.

 
“I am so pleased that the Bond Commission approved this vital funding that will help the Branford Food Pantry continue to support our families in need,” said Sen. Christine Cohen (D-Branford, Guilford, Madison, Killingworth, Durham, East Haven, North Branford, Middlefield). “Families everywhere are feeling the strain of higher prices, and the work of the Branford Food Pantry has never been so important. I’m grateful to Jaye and her team for their work, and to Governor Lamont and the Bond Commission for approving this funding.”
 
“The Branford Food Pantry plays a vital role in supporting families and seniors in our town and I’m proud to support this $100,000 bonding allocation. This investment reflects the strength of our partnership between state government and local organizations serving our most vulnerable residents. When we work together, we can deliver real, meaningful support to those who need it most,” said Rep. Robin Comey (D-Branford).
 
“Food insecurity is a real and growing challenge for many across our communities, including far too many right here in Branford,” said Rep. Moira Rader (D-Branford & Guilford). “This funding will help ensure that the Branford Food Pantry can continue to serve families with dignity, safety, and efficiency at a time when demand remains high. I’m grateful to the Bond Commission, Governor Lamont, and my legislative colleagues for supporting this investment, and to the dedicated staff and volunteers who show up every day to support our neighbors in need.” 
 
“Approval of this bond issue on behalf of the Branford Food Pantry means so much to us,” said Jaye Andrews, President of the Branford Food Pantry. “We are located on the basement level and each week we move thousands of pounds of food in and out of the Pantry as we serve over 200 Branford households struggling to make ends meet. This funding will enable us to replace our ancient conveyor system—our life line for moving so much food—with a safe and reliable conveyor. Additionally, we are able to make interior improvements which will provide a cleaner, healthier environment for our clients and the dozens of volunteers that make the Branford Food Pantry come to life. We are truly grateful to everyone who stood up for our 100% volunteer organization and our community to make this funding possible.”

 

EAST HARTFORD DELEGATION WELCOMES $3.8 MILLION STATE BOND COMMISSION INVESTMENT IN RENTSCHLER FIELD

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Senator Anwar

EAST HARTFORD DELEGATION WELCOMES $3.8 MILLION STATE BOND COMMISSION INVESTMENT IN RENTSCHLER FIELD

Today, the East Hartford delegation of lawmakers including State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), House Majority Leader Jason Rojas (D-East Hartford, Manchester), State Representative Henry Genga (D-East Hartford) and State Representative Patrick Biggins (D-East Hartford, Manchester) welcomed the State Bond Commission’s approval of $3.8 million to be used for upgrades and improvements to Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

The funds will be used to improve security, communications, television broadcast and audio-visual upgrades at the stadium and field. The site is the home stadium of the UConn Huskies football team, also host to events including international soccer games and concerts. It is owned by the state.

“The state’s continued investments in Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field will be directly beneficial for the University of Connecticut, East Hartford community and numerous football fans, whether they’re at the stadium or watching from home,” said Sen. Anwar. “I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for their consideration.”

“I thank the Governor and the Bond Commission for approving funding for continued improvements to Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field,” said Majority Leader Rojas. “From hosting local, national, and international events to serving as the home of an undefeated UConn football season, The Rent in East Hartford is a point of pride for our state, and investing in modern upgrades ensures a safe, accessible, and first-class experience for fans and visitors alike.”

“We are grateful for the funds granted to finance critical upgrades and improvements to Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field,” said Rep. Genga. “These investments will support a wide range of enhancements, including strengthened security; upgraded communications systems; and modernized television broadcast capabilities. This support ensures the stadium can continue to serve the community safely, efficiently, and at a high standard.”

“Rentschler Field has become part of the fabric of East Hartford and Connecticut,” Rep. Biggins said. “The home to our beloved UConn Huskies football team has provided many memorable moments, including this season. We must ensure that the facility is in optimal condition for the football program and the many fans who visit. So, the upgrades and improvements are necessary and welcome. I want to thank Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for approving the funds to ensure The Rent stays on top of its game for many years to come.”

 
 

Maroney, Looney & Duff Oppose Trump Executive Order to Block State AI Regulations

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Maroney, Looney & Duff Oppose Trump Executive Order to Block State AI Regulations

Today, state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford), Chair of the General Law Committee,Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) are releasing a statement following Trump’s new executive order blocking states from enforcing their own regulations around AI.

“With the gridlock in DC, states have been the only ones to act to defend their residents from harms of social media, and this executive order would prevent states from acting to defend their residents from potential harms of AI,” said Sen. Maroney. “We will not harness the full potential of this technology until the majority of people feel safe in using it, and this order is a major step in the wrong direction.”

“Connecticut and several other states have been leading the way in establishing common sense AI standards that protect workers, consumers, and children in everyday life,” said Sen. Looney. “Preventing states from regulating artificial intelligence exposes people to dangerous decisions, allows companies to operate without accountability, increases the likelihood of errors, and widens inequality. We will continue to champion strong, thoughtful regulation that ensures the public feels safe using these powerful technologies.”

“Donald Trump’s executive order on artificial intelligence is not about innovation or public safety. It is about enriching millionaires and billionaires at the expense of working people,” said Senator Duff. “States have stepped up where Congress has failed to protect people online, and Trump and his billionaire allies in Big Tech are afraid of that progress. By trying to strip states of their authority, this order would leave the public more vulnerable to discrimination, unsafe content, and reckless decision-making by powerful tech platforms. Executive orders are not law, and this unconstitutional overreach will be challenged in court. Like so many of Trump’s past wannabe authoritarian type actions, I expect this order to end up in the ash heap of defeated executive orders.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michelle Rappaport | Michelle.Rappaport@cga.ct.gov| 860-240-8671

SENATOR ANWAR ISSUES STATEMENT FOLLOWING CONFIRMATION OF FIRST MEASLES CASE IN CONNECTICUT SINCE 2021

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Senator Anwar

SENATOR ANWAR ISSUES STATEMENT FOLLOWING CONFIRMATION OF FIRST MEASLES CASE IN CONNECTICUT SINCE 2021

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, issued the following statement after the Department of Public Health confirmed the first case of measles in Connecticut since 2021. An unvaccinated child under the age of 10 in Fairfield County contracted the disease following international travel, the DPH said.

“As a physician, a state senator, and a parent, I am deeply concerned by the report of a confirmed measles case involving a young child here in Connecticut. My thoughts and prayers are with this child and their family, and I am hoping for a full and speedy recovery.

Measles is a highly contagious illness, and I am worried about the risk of further spread, especially to infants, immunocompromised individuals, and others who are most vulnerable in our community. This moment calls for calm, vigilance, and compassion, not fear.

Connecticut’s strong vaccination rates and public health response give us reason for confidence, and I urge families to stay informed, follow guidance from the Department of Public Health, and ensure vaccinations are up to date. Protecting one another, especially our children, is both a medical responsibility and a moral one.

I will continue to work closely with our public health leaders to support prevention efforts, protect access to care, and keep our communities safe.”

SENATOR ANWAR RELEASES STATEMENT AFTER CERTIFICATE OF NEED IN HARTFORD HEALTHCARE ACQUISITION OF MANCHESTER, ROCKVILLE HOSPITALS APPROVED

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Senator Anwar

SENATOR ANWAR RELEASES STATEMENT AFTER CERTIFICATE OF NEED IN HARTFORD HEALTHCARE ACQUISITION OF MANCHESTER, ROCKVILLE HOSPITALS APPROVED

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

December 10, 2025

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, released the following statement in response to Wednesday’s approval of an emergency Certificate of Need regarding Hartford Healthcare’s acquisition of Manchester Memorial Hospital in Manchester and Rockville General Hospital in Vernon.

Under some conditions of the Certificate, Hartford Healthcare will be required to assess community health needs, operate a 24/7 emergency department in Vernon for at least three years after purchase, maintain current inpatient behavioral health services, maintain or enhance currently offered services, keep those services active and forego the conversion of any outpatient, non-hospital physician services for at least three years after acquisition.

“Today’s decision means something very real for our community: hospital doors staying open, neighbors keeping their jobs, and families knowing they can still get the care they need close to home,” said Sen. Anwar. “As a physician and as someone who lives and serves here, I’ll be working closely with our healthcare systems to make this transition smooth and to make sure people are treated with the dignity, stability and quality of care they deserve.”

SENATORS LOONEY, DUFF, ANWAR RESPOND TO HEPATITIS B VACCINE RECOMMENDATION CHANGE BY FEDERAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

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SENATORS LOONEY, DUFF, ANWAR RESPOND TO HEPATITIS B VACCINE RECOMMENDATION CHANGE BY FEDERAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

December 5, 2025
 
Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, responded with concern and alarm to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s decision to end universal recommendations for newborn vaccination against hepatitis B.

The advisory committee, which saw its membership replaced earlier this year by Health and Human Services Secretary and known vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voted to change a 34-year-old standard for all newborns to be vaccinated against hepatitis B, which can cause lifelong chronic injury and complications that can lead to death among those infected as infants. The new policy only recommends newborn vaccination if a mother tests positive for hepatitis B or does not test for the virus, ignoring that newborns and infants can be exposed to viruses in many other ways than maternal contact.
 
“I am deeply troubled by this morning’s CDC advisory panel vote to abandon universal hepatitis B vaccination for newborns,” said Senate President Martin Looney. “This decision reverses decades of proven public health policy that has prevented millions of infections and saved countless lives. We will work to ensure that our state’s immunization policies continue to protect our most vulnerable infants from a preventable, potentially deadly disease. Secretary Kennedy and President Trump are turning the CDC into a platform for conspiracy theories and placing American lives at risk.”
 
“The CDC panel’s decision this morning to roll back newborn hepatitis B vaccine recommendations is a reckless departure from evidence-based medicine,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff. “The hepatitis B vaccine has reduced infections in children by 99 percent since the early 1990s, and there is no legitimate scientific reason to change course now. Connecticut’s healthcare providers and families deserve clear, science-based guidance that prioritizes children’s health and safety. Connecticut will not follow Trump and Kennedy down this dangerous path of vaccine denial.”

“Since universal newborn vaccination against hepatitis B was first recommended in 1991, rates of infection among children and teens have plummeted. That’s evidence of lives saved, illness avoided and the overwhelming success of this universal standard,” said Senator Anwar. “According to the American Public Health Association, this policy has prevented more than half a million infections and 90,000 deaths in the last 30 years. Ending a standard with such obvious benefits is outlandish and disturbing, and when even members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices itself are questioning their peers, it makes any future decisions from that body difficult, if not impossible, to trust.”
 

Contact – Kevin Coughlin – kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov

SENATORS LOONEY, DUFF, ANWAR RESPOND TO HEPATITIS B VACCINE RECOMMENDATION CHANGE BY FEDERAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Posted on by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

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SENATORS LOONEY, DUFF, ANWAR RESPOND TO HEPATITIS B VACCINE RECOMMENDATION CHANGE BY FEDERAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

December 5, 2025
 
Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, responded with concern and alarm to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s decision to end universal recommendations for newborn vaccination against hepatitis B.

The advisory committee, which saw its membership replaced earlier this year by Health and Human Services Secretary and known vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voted to change a 34-year-old standard for all newborns to be vaccinated against hepatitis B, which can cause lifelong chronic injury and complications that can lead to death among those infected as infants. The new policy only recommends newborn vaccination if a mother tests positive for hepatitis B or does not test for the virus, ignoring that newborns and infants can be exposed to viruses in many other ways than maternal contact.
 
“I am deeply troubled by this morning’s CDC advisory panel vote to abandon universal hepatitis B vaccination for newborns,” said Senate President Martin Looney. “This decision reverses decades of proven public health policy that has prevented millions of infections and saved countless lives. We will work to ensure that our state’s immunization policies continue to protect our most vulnerable infants from a preventable, potentially deadly disease. Secretary Kennedy and President Trump are turning the CDC into a platform for conspiracy theories and placing American lives at risk.”
 
“The CDC panel’s decision this morning to roll back newborn hepatitis B vaccine recommendations is a reckless departure from evidence-based medicine,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff. “The hepatitis B vaccine has reduced infections in children by 99 percent since the early 1990s, and there is no legitimate scientific reason to change course now. Connecticut’s healthcare providers and families deserve clear, science-based guidance that prioritizes children’s health and safety. Connecticut will not follow Trump and Kennedy down this dangerous path of vaccine denial.”

“Since universal newborn vaccination against hepatitis B was first recommended in 1991, rates of infection among children and teens have plummeted. That’s evidence of lives saved, illness avoided and the overwhelming success of this universal standard,” said Senator Anwar. “According to the American Public Health Association, this policy has prevented more than half a million infections and 90,000 deaths in the last 30 years. Ending a standard with such obvious benefits is outlandish and disturbing, and when even members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices itself are questioning their peers, it makes any future decisions from that body difficult, if not impossible, to trust.”
 

Contact – Kevin Coughlin – kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov

Senator Duff Appoints New Member to CT Tourism Council

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Sen. Duff Appoints New Member to CT Tourism Council

Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) is thrilled to announce he has officially appointed a new member to the CT Tourism Council. Senator Duff appointed Joseph Sequenzia to the CT Tourism Council that was effective December 3.

“I am proud to appoint Joseph Sequenzia to the CT Tourism Council,” said Senator Duff. “With his depth of executive experience and ability to build powerful, lasting brands, Joseph will make an exceptional addition to the CT Tourism Council. His approach to innovation will help elevate Connecticut’s tourism landscape and strengthen our state’s reputation.”

“I’m honored to be appointed to the Connecticut Tourism Council,” said Sequenzia. “As someone born and raised on the Connecticut shoreline, this state has shaped every part of who I am. When I left IPG to start my own agency, milk in 2001, I knew I would build it in Connecticut. We made the move in 2002, settling in SONO, where we’ve been proud to support both Connecticut businesses and global brands ever since. Being invited to serve on the Connecticut Tourism Council is a privilege. I’m excited to contribute to the continued success and vibrancy of this great state I’ve always called home.”

The Connecticut Tourism Council is tasked with promoting and expanding the state’s tourism industry. Its goal is to increase the economic impact of tourism, attract more visitors, and improve the overall tourism experience throughout Connecticut.

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

Sen. Cohen Issues Statement on Trump Rollback of Vehicle Emission Standards

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Sen. Cohen Issues Statement on Trump Rollback of Vehicle Emission Standards

For Immediate Release
Contact: Garnet McLaughlin – Garnet.McLaughlin@cga.ct.gov – 860-304-2319
 

HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Christine Cohen, Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee, issued a statement in response to reports that the Trump administration has proposed a roll back of federal fuel economy standards.
 
“Fuel economy standards not only save drivers money by requiring a certain degree of fuel efficiency, but they also help keep our air clean and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The transportation sector is the leading contributor of carbon emissions and creates significant air pollution, leading to higher rates of respiratory illness, particularly for at-risk groups.
 
These rollbacks will cost consumers more in added fuel costs, will accelerate our contributions to climate change and will worsen public health for many communities here in Connecticut. Years from now federal leadership will change, and in the meantime states like ours can enact policies to keep our air, land and water clean – but the environmentally hostile actions of the Trump administration will cause irreversible damage that we will be dealing with for generations to come.”
 

SENATOR HOCHADEL BLASTS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR MAKING NURSING HOMES LESS SAFE

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Senator Hochadel

SENATOR HOCHADEL BLASTS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR MAKING NURSING HOMES LESS SAFE

December 4, 2025

Today, State Senator Jan Hochadel (D-Meriden), Senate Chair of the Aging Committee, blasted the Trump administration’s decision this week to repeal Biden-era regulations on long-term care facility staffing standards, an effort that will reduce the amount of direct care that nursing home patients receive each day and will likely lead to worse health outcomes for them.

On December 2, the federal Department of Health and Human Services repealed measures initially passed in 2024 that sought to increase minimum nursing home staffing requirements with the intent of reducing the risk of residents receiving unsafe or low-quality care.

The rule required nursing homes participating in Medicare and Medicaid to provide residents with at least 3.48 hours of nursing care per day, including at least half-an-hour of care from a registered nurse and about two-and-a-half hours from a nursing aide. It also required facilities to have registered nurses on location 24/7.

“Our loved ones deserve the best possible care in nursing homes, which makes this decision from the federal government so disappointing,” said Sen. Hochadel. “These staffing requirements were purposely designed to ensure people could receive the help and attention they need, as far too many patients struggle and suffer when they don’t receive timely care or current staff is stretched too thin to properly respond to their needs. While Connecticut’s regulations for patient care will withstand this repeal, that doesn’t change the reality that nationally, nursing home providers will benefit at patients’ expense.”

Connecticut state law requires nursing homes to provide at least three hours of direct care per resident per day.

Prior to this official repeal, the rule was previously under fire from opponents. Lawsuits over the new policy from nursing home provider organizations saw federal judges strike parts of the new staffing requirements in 2024, while the federal budget approved by Republican lawmakers in July 2025 delayed its implementation by a decade.

Nursing home and hospital groups supported the repeal of the rule, while nursing home consumer advocate groups noted that residents would struggle in homes without adequate staffing.

Contact: Joe O’Leary | joe.oleary@cga.ct.gov