Senator Anwar Proud of 100% Voting Record During 2021 Legislative Session
Given the unique and difficult circumstances surrounding the 2021 legislative session, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) today was proud to announce he achieved a 100% voting record, giving his district a voice in every matter voted on by the General Assembly. Sen. Anwar voted 479 times from January to June.
“This legislative session was one like no other, with arduous challenges, countless Zoom calls and rapidly changing parameters,” said Sen. Anwar. “I am part of seven committees, including Chair of the Children’s Committee, Vice Chair of the Housing, Insurance and Real Estate and Public Health, and a member of the Appropriations, Judiciary and Planning and Development Committees. During this time, due to my profession as a doctor, I had significant medical obligations due to COVID-19, and also suffered the loss of my brother to the virus. Despite these obstacles, I was able to stay with each meeting and vote on every topic. That’s what the voters and the 3rd Senate District trusted me to do.”
Sen. Anwar was one of 14 Senators to achieve a 100% voting record, with 12 of those Senators including himself being Democrats.
Lt. Governor, Senator Haskell, Westport Leaders and Officials Discuss Benefits of Pedestrian-Focused ‘Vision Zero’ Legislation
Lt. Governor, Senator Haskell, Westport Leaders and Officials Discuss Benefits of Pedestrian-Focused ‘Vision Zero’ Legislation
Today, on Westport’s Port Road, part of Connecticut’s Route 1 – the most dangerous road in the state for pedestrians, according to Department of Transportation information – Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport), State Representative Jonathan Steinberg (D-Westport), State Representative Stephanie Thomas (D-Westport), Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe, Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas and Westport Deputy Police Chief Samuel Arciola, among others, gathered to discuss the benefits of pedestrian-focused legislation passed this year by the General Legislature.
House Bill 5429 takes significant steps to protect pedestrians and reduce traffic casualties, perhaps most importantly by establishing the “Vision Zero” Council, tasked with reducing pedestrian and motor vehicle fatalities on roads with a future vision of bringing current numbers down to zero in the future. Among the changes made by the legislation: increased fines for distracted driving, among other traffic violations; requiring motorists to grant right-of-way to pedestrians indicating intention to cross a crosswalk; establishing a fine for “dooring,” or opening a vehicle’s door to impede travel of a pedestrian or cyclist; and allowing local traffic authorities to establish speed limits and pedestrian safety zones.
“We know, over the past five years in Connecticut, our state has averaged 55 fatalities due to pedestrian traffic accidents. That’s way too high, and in 2020, we actually had 65 related to traffic accidents,” said Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz. “Fortunately, our transportation leadership in the General Assembly, especially Senator Haskell and State Representative Roland Lemar, have put forward a really good solution to stop those accidents. The idea behind this legislation is ‘Vision Zero,’ a vision looking to have no pedestrian fatalities in our state. They’ve got great ideas including cameras at busy intersections to make sure folks slow down, increased penalties for distracted driving, and there’s also a council created to bring together policy makers, advocates and others to reduce pedestrian and traffic incidents. In congested areas, we’ve seen an increase in pedestrian fatalities and injuries. We want to do everything we can to reduce that.”
“In the state of Connecticut, there were 308 traffic fatalities last year. That’s up from 249 the year before,” said Sen. Haskell. “I’m tremendously pleased to announce today that it is official policy of the State of Connecticut that that’s 308 too many. Transportation policy is about more than wider highways. It’s about getting people where they need to go safely. That means planning for pedestrians, not just motor vehicles. This year’s pedestrian safety bill makes a number of long-overdue reforms. It increases the fines for distracted driving, creates new protections for cyclists, and gives local officials increased authority to lower speed limits. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with fierce advocates like Rep. Roland Lemar, who fought for this bill for years.”
“Transportation policy, at its core, is about moving people safely and efficiently to where they need to go,” said State Representative Roland Lemar (D-East Haven), House Co-Chair of the Transportation Committee, in a statement. “Nothing is more vital to that goal that a robust network of safe and accessible local roadways that serve pedestrians, cyclists and vulnerable users of all ages. These roads are the building blocks of our communities and we need to be committed to prioritizing people first. I’m thrilled that we were able to pass this landmark legislation that makes Connecticut a national leader in addressing the increasing rates of pedestrian and vehicular fatalities across the United States while also making the policy changes that make our communities stronger.”
“This Vision Zero bill offers us opportunity and necessity. Just a block and a half from here, we’ve had several close calls, and we’ve had problems with our communities with problematic intersections,” said Rep. Steinberg. “This enables our leadership to take decisive, proactive action in addressing many of these problematic intersections. We know that for large sections of Post Road, people travel 40 to 50 miles per hour, if not faster, with major trucks traveling on roads as a bypass. We need a comprehensive solution for dealing with traffic in our communities. This is an important first step.”
“I felt like I used to take my life in my own hands every time I crossed Saugatuck Avenue before I got a parking permit,” said Rep. Thomas. “Crossing that avenue, late at night, that would be a struggle crossing the street, seeing cars whiz past. I’m so glad we’re no longer leaving this to chance, and I’m glad the Vision Zero Council will work to improve pedestrian, bicycle, passenger and driver safety alike. More and more, I hear constituents asking about how they can more safely walk and ride their bikes. Thanks to everyone’s hard work bringing us together today, we have answers for them.”
“CTDOT is committed to eliminating deaths on our roadways and having our sister agencies at the table will help make this possible,” said Garrett Eucalitto, CTDOT Deputy Commissioner and Vision Zero Council Chair. “By bringing diverse perspectives together on the Vision Zero Council and engaging with and listening to the concerns of the public and safety stakeholders, we can better shape our approach to making Connecticut’s transportation system safer for all users.”
Department of Transportation, State Officials Celebrate New Canaan Line Returning to Full Service
Department of Transportation, State Officials Celebrate New Canaan Line Returning to Full Service
NEW CANAAN – Today, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and state officials gathered at the New Canaan Train Station to celebrate the announcement that the New Canaan Line will return to nearly full service beginning Sunday, August 29. Attendees including State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport), CTDOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti, MTA Metro-North president Catherine Rinaldi, New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihan and other members of the New Canaan Delegation including State Representative Thomas O’Dea (R-New Canaan) and Senate Majority President Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) announced the service changes, which will provide direct support and increased transportation opportunities to the New Canaan community and the surrounding region.
“For nearly a year and a half, the New Canaan line has operated on a limited basis. For much of that time, ridership was low and commuters weren’t commuting as usual,” said Sen. Haskell. “But these days, my constituents are frustrated by the increasingly crowded trains and the need to transfer in Stamford each way. As with every investment in public transit, the return of service on the New Canaan Line represents a step forward for our environment, as fewer commuters will be resigned to driving to work, equity, as those without cars will be able to travel more efficiently, and economic development, as Fairfield County’s economic vitality is tied to our ability to conveniently access New York. I am tremendously grateful for the readiness and responsiveness of our state’s Department of Transportation and our partners at the MTA in making this happen.”
“This is exciting news for New Canaan commuters and the region as we focus on returning to a post-pandemic pace,” said Rep. Lemar, House Chair of the Transportation Committee, in a submitted quote. “While public safety is still a top priority, it is encouraging to see our state moving in the right direction and taking steps toward bringing back a sense of normality to daily routines.”
“The New Canaan Line returning to full service is another positive step in the right direction in Connecticut’s recovery from the pandemic,” said CTDOT Commissioner Giulietti. “As passengers continue to return to the rails in New Canaan and throughout Connecticut, I want them and others to know that the Connecticut Department of Transportation is working to meet their needs, connecting them to families, friends, and businesses faster, more efficiently, and more modernly. We are doing our part to improve the nation’s rail network for this generation and the next.”
“Our valued Connecticut customers will see the return of direct, transfer-free service between New Canaan and Grand Central starting the week before Labor Day as well as 40 trains added each weekday on the New Haven Line,” said Catherine Rinaldi, President of MTA Metro-North Railroad. “Riders returning to the railroad will find stations and trains that are cleaner than ever, and will be able to see the approximate number of people in each car in real time by using the upgraded Metro-North Train Time app.”
“The restoration of express commuter trains from New Canaan to Grand Central Terminal by Metro-North is very welcome news to all commuters on the New Canaan branch line, including residents of New Canaan, North Stamford, Darien, Wilton and bordering Westchester towns, as well as those downstream in Greenwich and Rye, NY who rely upon these thru trains for convenient and comfortable train service to Manhattan,” said First Selectman Moynihan. “I thank Governor Lamont, Commissioner Giulietti and Metro-North President Rinaldi for bringing back normal commuter service for our commuters.”
“This is welcoming news! Our train line is a big contributor to our local economy and a support to commuters in our region who rely on this service,” said State Representative Lucy Dathan (D-New Canaan) in a submitted quote. “New Canaan isn’t called the “last station to heaven” for no reason: what makes our village so vibrant is our proximity to both Manhattan and the quieter countryside of Connecticut which is only made possible via the New Canaan line. I encourage everyone to use their best judgment with respect to safety when traveling to keep each other safe.”
In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread throughout Connecticut, the New Canaan Line saw a drastic reduction in ridership and scheduled trips in a focus on individuals staying home to reduce spread of the virus. Those service interruptions remained in effect for more than a year. With effective COVID-19 vaccines widely available and more than 70% of Connecticut adults with protection against the virus, reopening the train schedule to full service allows for increased economic and transportation opportunities for members of the public, especially those resuming commuting to work and traveling for leisure.
Senator Moore Responds to M&T-People’s United Merger Letter
Following a recent letter I wrote to the Banking Committee requesting a public hearing, I reviewed this letter written to Attorney General Tong today in response to his letter re the M&T-People’s United merger. This letter meets the need to understand how M&T will work within the greater Bridgeport Community. I am no longer requesting a hearing to be held. Senator Moore will continue to keep the progress and commitment that they outlined in their letter. In coming weeks, Sen. Moore will be convening listening sessions between non-profits and M&T in Bridgeport. Review the letter below: