Senator Saud Anwar Releases Statement Following Assault on Representative Maryam Khan
Today, state Senator Saud Anwar (D-Windsor) released the following statement after Representative Maryam Khan was assaulted leaving a service marking Eid al-Adha in downtown Hartford.
“I was saddened to learn about the attack on Representative Khan as she was leaving a service marking a peaceful day in the Muslim community. It is horrible to see a Muslim American woman targeted especially on a holy day. We need to come together, now more then ever, and show support for our Muslim Community. My heart is with Representative Khan and her family. Muslim Americans and all other communities in Connecticut should feel safe to practice their faith. They should feel safe no matter where they are. There is no place for hate here.”
SENATOR ANWAR CHEERS STATE BOND COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF $1.3 MILLION FOR SOUTH WINDSOR ODOR CONTROL SYSTEM
SENATOR ANWAR CHEERS STATE BOND COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF $1.3 MILLION FOR SOUTH WINDSOR ODOR CONTROL SYSTEM
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) cheered the State Bond Commission’s approval of $1.3 million in funds to support the replacement of equipment that is expected to reduce a significant nuisance in parts of town. The $1.3 million will support the replacement of the South Windsor Water Pollution Control Facility’s centralized odor system, following complaints from residents recently that the system’s inefficiencies have caused serious issues with lingering smells in parts of town.
“This funding is important because it will fix an issue causing headaches for a number of constituents. They have regularly contacted me to share their plight, and I worked to help secure these funds for our community,” said Sen. Anwar. “By replacing this system at the town’s facilities, I’m confident that these issues will be alleviated, helping clear the air and improve residents’ experiences. I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for their support of this project.”
The $1.3 million committed to the replacement of the centralized odor system, with the project in total costing $2.6 million, with half funded by other means including town funding.
Town residents have expressed concerns over odors from the WPCA; while a report commissioned by the town did not find significant issues with smell, dozens of residents complained at a June 2022 meeting, according to the Journal Inquirer newspaper. Some residents have expressed that the odors impact their daily lives. Improvements to the equipment in question are expected to rectify the situation.
The Black and Puerto Rican Caucus Release Statement on Supreme Court Decision Striking Down Affirmative Action in College Admissions
The Black and Puerto Rican Caucus Release Statement on Supreme Court Decision Striking Down Affirmative Action in College Admissions
As members of the Connecticut Legislative Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, we take pride in advocating for equality and diversity for marginalized people across Connecticut. We strongly denounce today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court to ban the use of race conscious admissions in higher education. This ruling is a setback in the ongoing fight for equal opportunities and social justice in higher education, both nationally and at the state level. By negating the importance of affirmative action, the Court has effectively weakened the pursuit of fairness and justice for all.
Affirmative action has long been a vital tool in addressing historical disadvantages and systemic inequalities vulnerable communities face. This is yet another act by the Court to undo the progress that has been made over the past 50 years to right the wrongs of the legacy of slavery, Jim Crow discrimination and legal segregation.
The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action weakens the ability of institutions to ensure that the make-up of student bodies on college campuses reflect the world into which students will graduate. Their decision undermines progress toward achieving a more equitable and inclusive society. It disregards the lived experiences of marginalized communities and ignores the persistent disparities that still exist in education, employment, and other areas. Our caucus firmly believes that affirmative action is essential for breaking down barriers and fostering a society that embraces the full spectrum of human diversity. It has played a crucial role in leveling the playing field and empowering individuals who have faced systemic hurdles based on race, ethnicity, and other protected characteristics.
We must stand in solidarity against this ruling, support the implementation of inclusive policies here, and at home, and strive for a society where everyone can thrive regardless of their background. We challenge lawmakers at all levels to enact policies that mitigate the impacts of this draconian decision.
Justice Jackson captured best in her dissenting opinion: “With let-them-eat-cake obliviousness, today, the majority pulls the ripcord and announces “colorblindness for all” by legal fiat. But deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life. And having so detached itself from this country’s actual past and present experiences, the Court has now been lured into interfering with the crucial work that UNC and other institutions of higher learning are doing to solve America’s real-world problems.
The Black and Puerto Rican Caucus Releases Statement Condemning Attack on State Representative Maryam Khan and Her Family at a Prayer Service
The Black and Puerto Rican Caucus Releases Statement Condemning Attack on State Representative Maryam Khan and Her Family at a Prayer Service
HARTFORD, CT – Today, the Connecticut Legislative Black and Puerto Rican Caucus (BPRC) released the following statement condemning the actions of a man who attacked state Representative Maryam Khan and her family while they participated in an Eid-al-Adha prayer service at the XL Center in Hartford.
“I am disgusted by the hateful and vile actions of this individual,” said state Senator and BPRC Chair Pat Billie Miller. “During a time for prayer, togetherness and peace, Rep. Khan and her family were subjected to obscenities and violence. This public attack highlights the audacious nature of hate in our country and unfortunately in our state and must be snuffed out. No one should have to look over their shoulder when they are out with family, in prayer no less. I am praying for Rep. Khan and her family during this traumatic time, one in which should never take place anywhere in Connecticut.”
“I know that many, if not all of us, in this caucus are a part of it because of our obligation to fight hate and discrimination in all of its forms,” said state Representative and BPRC Vice Chair Antonio Felipe. “Rep. Khan is a kind soul who deserves the same freedom as anyone to express her religious beliefs, to practice peacefully and be in fellowship with her family and community. My heart goes out to Maryam, her children, her family and the entire Muslim community. I know she is resilient and will be back fighting for her community very soon.”
According to reports, the representative was grabbed, struck and thrown to the ground by a man who approached her while she was with her sister, a female friend, and her three children, 15 and 10-year-old daughters, and a 12-year-old son. The man also made vulgar remarks towards Rep. Khan and her family. According to reports, the representative sustained minor injuries.
SENATOR MARX WELCOMES STATE GRANT INVESTMENT IN NEW LONDON’S LYMAN ALLYN ART MUSEUM
SENATOR MARX WELCOMES STATE GRANT INVESTMENT IN NEW LONDON’S LYMAN ALLYN ART MUSEUM
Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) welcomed the state’s announced investment of a $498,796 grant to support the Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London. This grant, administered under the state’s Good to Great Grant Program through the Department of Economic and Community Development and CT Humanities, will support redevelopment of the museum’s outdoor greenspace.
“The Lyman Allyn Art Museum provides incredible educational and informational resources to our community, and I’m excited to see how these funds improve those offerings even more,” said Sen. Marx. “I’m grateful to Governor Lamont, the Department of Economic and Community Development and CT Humanities for their investment in New London.”
Amid the release of $7 million in grants for upgrades and improvements to dozens of cultural and historical sites around the state, the Lyman Allyn Art Museum will receive $498,796 to support the Lyman Allyn Park. This multi-year project will turn the museum’s 12-acre outdoor greenspace into a modern urban art park.
SENATOR MARX ENCOURAGED BY $200,000 IN GRANTS FOR PROPERTY REMEDIATION IN WATERFORD
SENATOR MARX ENCOURAGED BY $200,000 IN GRANTS FOR PROPERTY REMEDIATION IN WATERFORD
Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) was encouraged following the announcement that the state will invest $200,000 in two separate grants to Waterford, supporting blighted property remediation through the state’s Brownfield Remediation and Development Program. The funds will be used to move forward two projects in town that will remediate brownfield sites for new use.
“Redeveloping properties in our communities, especially ones that have previously had uses making them brownfields, is a tool benefitting local economies, local housing and local business opportunities,” said Sen. Marx. “I’m grateful to the Governor and the Department of Economic and Community Development for their support.”
As part of a $23.8 million release of funds to remediate properties around the state, Waterford will receive $100,000 grants each, respectively, for an environmental investigation of the 221-acre site at 607 Mohegan Ave. Parkway, formerly a dredged materials dumping location for the U.S. Navy, and to assess a 1.41-acre site at 74 Scotch Cap Road that previously operated as a petroleum terminal, which will be redeveloped into open space use.
SENATOR NEEDLEMAN CHEERS $400,000 IN GRANTS FOR PROPERTY REMEDIATION IN EAST HADDAM, EAST HAMPTON
SENATOR NEEDLEMAN CHEERS $400,000 IN GRANTS FOR PROPERTY REMEDIATION IN EAST HADDAM, EAST HAMPTON
Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) cheered the announcement that, as part of an announced $23.8 million in state funding to remediate blighted properties statewide, the state is committing $400,000 to support the remediation of valuable historic sites in East Haddam and East Hampton. Administered through the state’s Brownfield Remediation and Development Program, these investments will support projects boosting economic development, job growth and development of new housing.
“These funds will support the remediation of nearly 10 acres and provide for redevelopment in key historic areas of East Haddam and East Hampton,” said Sen. Needleman. “Redevelopment is a great tool to help reimagine and improve our communities’ available resources. I’m thankful to Governor Lamont and the Department of Economic and Community Development for their local support.”
As part of the grant funding, both East Haddam and East Hampton will receive $200,000 each. In East Haddam, the funds will be used to conduct assessment and redevelopment planning activities for 10 parcels totaling about seven acres in the town’s historic Village District. In East Hampton, the funds will support assessment and planning at 13 Summit Street and 1 Watrous Street, redeveloping two historic sites spanning 2.62 acres. The site was formerly home to the Summit Thread Company.
Senator Gaston Selected to Participate in 2023 Emerging Legislative Leaders Program
Senator Gaston Selected to Participate in 2023 Emerging Legislative Leaders Program
State Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport) has been selected to participate in the 2023 Emerging Legislative Leaders Program taking place at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. Senator Gaston was chosen as one of 55 legislators from 46 state across the U.S.
“I am so thankful for quite an opportunity to continue to grow and learn with other legislative leaders from around the U.S.,” said Senator Gaston. “It is an honor to have the hard work I did this past legislative session recognized. This program will provide myself and others with long-term benefits I can take with me for future endeavors through challenging discussions amongst other successful lawmakers. I look forward to learning from professors and other individuals who are afforded this same unique experience.”
The Emerging Legislative Leaders Program is a collaborative effort of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation and the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business Administration. Senator Gaston was selected to this highly competitive program for his standout work this past legislative session. Only two legislators are selected from each state, one State Representative from the House, and one State Senator from the Senate.
This 2023 legislative session, Senator Gaston took action to protect the Connecticut community to pass common sense legislation and accomplished writing, advocating, leading, and passing legislation as a first-year Senator. Senator Gaston, was elected to serve the 23rd state Senate district, representing parts of Bridgeport and Stratford, in the November 2022 election and in a short period of time, has authored, introduced, and led passage of several bills as he chaired the Public Safety and Security Committee.
The Emerging Legislative Leaders Program will take place from July 10 to July 13.
MANCHESTER DELEGATION WELCOMES STATE GRANT TO SUPPORT FLOOD RESILIENCE PLANNING
MANCHESTER DELEGATION WELCOMES STATE GRANT TO SUPPORT FLOOD RESILIENCE PLANNING
With parts of town experiencing significant flooding issues in recent years, and with weather patterns changing globally in an unpredictable fashion, Manchester’s delegation of elected officials this week welcomed Manchester receiving a $200,000 grant to aid its development of climate resiliency plans. The grant will be used to study flooding with the intent of preparing for future possible damages.
“Connecticut is already playing a leading role in addressing the challenge of climate change because making those investments means healthier people and a healthier environment, as well as new business opportunities,” Governor Lamont said. “Planning for climate resilience requires preserving and protecting what we love about this state so that we can continue to be a great place for families with clean air and water and thriving communities.”
“With storms having already caused significant flood damage in Manchester in recent years, this grant will be very useful,” said State Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester). ‘I’m grateful to the Governor and DEEP for their foresight to invest in our community’s future. Our town can plan for the future better with the results of this study.”
“Climate change is altering weather patterns on a global scale and will increasingly affect vulnerable areas such as Manchester that has been repeatedly impacted by devastating flooding,” said House Majority Leader Jason Rojas. “We must continue to do all we can to prepare and therefore I fully support this funding to protect families that live in flood-prone neighborhoods.”
“Preparing for future issues from climate-related weather events is unfortunately necessary, so I appreciate DEEP’s partnership and their commitment to funding,” said State Rep. Jeff Currey (D-East Hartford, Manchester). “Manchester has already seen flooding issues from storms in recent years, so the time to plan is now.”
“This community grant investment will help Manchester prepare for future extreme storms and events by aiding the critical development of a townwide flood resilience plan and put our community in a better position to compete for federal funding that is also available,” said State Rep. Jason Doucette (D-Manchester. Glastonbury).
“This grant funding is vital to efforts to protect our community from the effects of ever-evolving extreme weather,” said State Rep. Geoff Luxenberg (D-Manchester), whose district lies solely within Manchester.
The Governor’s Office and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced the release of $8.8 million in state funding to support climate resiliency plans and project development grants, crucial as it said projections for Connecticut indicate the state will experience stronger storms, more frequent droughts, rising sea levels and increased flooding in the next 27 years.
The Town of Manchester will receive $200,000 in resilience planning grants, with the funds used to develop a townwide flood resilience plan. The plan will focus on understanding the impact of extreme precipitation events and how they affect the town and will identify recommendations for future steps to take that will reduce risks in the future.
Several storms in recent years have caused severe flooding issues in parts of Manchester. Tropical Storm Henri, in 2021, forced the evacuation of 18 homes due to flooding; Tropical Storm Ida, weeks later, worsened the flood damage, with parts of Charter Oak Park in the southern half of town completely submerged due to flooding. Parts of Ambassador Drive in Manchester even washed away due to the storms. Developing a plan will help the town better prepare for and address future storms like these.
STATE SENATOR NORM NEEDLEMAN PROUD AS HE REFLECTS ON SUCCESSFUL 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
STATE SENATOR NORM NEEDLEMAN PROUD AS HE REFLECTS ON SUCCESSFUL 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
One week after the completion of the 2023 legislative session, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) is proud of the important role he played in the Senate, leading the passage of bills from the Energy & Technology Committee to transform Connecticut’s utilities while also adding his voice to ensure legislation enacting positive change throughout the state became law as well.
Sen. Needleman was elected in 2018 to serve the 33rd Senate District; now in his third term, he continues to advocate on behalf of the 12 communities he represents. In addition to the Energy & Technology Committee, he is Vice Chair of the Planning and Development Committee and a member of the Commerce, Finance, Revenue and Bonding and Transportation Committees.
“In a long and challenging session, I’m proud of the accomplishments my colleagues and I were able to achieve on behalf of Connecticut and our constituents,” said Sen. Needleman. “My foremost goal this year was to support legislation that would improve Connecticut’s energy utilities, and Senate Bill 7 promises to do that. That’s just one of many bills we managed to pass successfully; I’m especially encouraged by the passing of the state budget, which will cut taxes for hundreds of thousands of households. That’s meaningful financial support that will aid our state and indicative of the improvements we fought for on behalf of Connecticut.”
Any discussion of Sen. Needleman’s role in the Senate this year must begin with Senate Bill 7, which seeks to address Connecticut’s energy utility companies and improve the service and standards state ratepayers are accustomed to. When state residents pay some of the highest energy costs in the country, they deserve the gold standard from energy utilities, but all too often, they don’t get it. Senate Bill 7 seeks to improve that. It will end the practice of allowing utilities to charge ratepayers for their expenses in arguing rate cases and their expenses in building political influence. It further allows PURA increased authority to order rate decoupling for utility rate cases, which aims to tie performance metrics to the best interests of ratepayers, not maximum profit. Importantly, the bill also creates a program for residential or small business ratepayers to participate in rate cases before PURA, evening the playing field.
The Energy & Technology Committee experienced further successes this year, passing legislation to study the state’s hydropower assets; preventing utility service terminations in rental units, protecting property from potential damage. He also played a key role with House Chair Rep. Jonathan Steinberg in extending the state’s utilities shutoff moratorium to 2024, important given continued financial stress experienced by thousands of households. Further, Sen. Needleman played a role in supporting legislation that will work to prevent deadly wrong-way driving accidents, improve upkeep of veteran gravesites and increase protections against domestic violence and support survivors of domestic violence, among many other bills.
In addition to these successes, Sen. Needleman was proud to add his vote to the passage of a number of important bills in the Senate this year. These included the state’s bipartisan, Democratic-led budget, which will provide income tax cuts to hundreds of thousands of Connecticut households; legislation that will promote student academic success while increasing transparency of how school districts spend money; the advancement of early voting in the state, which will be available to voters for the 2024 election, and the advancement of “no-excuses” absentee voting, which will return to voters on the 2024 ballot; legislation to protect children’s mental health and provide literary freedom to libraries; a bill which cuts down on red tape in the health insurance industry that can delay care and frustrate patients and doctors alike; increased protections to survivors of domestic violence; overhauls of Connecticut’s energy regulations with a focus on ratepayers; expanding debt-free community college; adding personal financial literacy requirements to the state’s education system; and securing funding to support Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook.