SEN. DUFF WELCOMES $5 MILLION STATE INVESTMENT TO RELIEVE NORWALK NEIGHBORHOOD FLOODING
NORWALK – Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) today welcomed a $5.14 million investment in Norwalk by the state Community Investment Fund that will pay for a new wastewater infrastructure project to address continuous and erratic flooding in the Lockwood and Heather Lane neighborhoods.
The project will separate the combined sanitary and storm system into a separate new storm draining infrastructure.
“In 2021 we had Tropical Storm Elsa hit Norwalk in July, followed by Hurricane Ida in September. And Lockwood Lane and Heather Lane were once again subject to some of the historic, neighborhood flooding that they’ve have been suffering for years,” Sen. Duff said. “This new, huge investment by the state should help alleviate that flooding going forward, if not completely eliminate it. It’s an enormous investment in the quality of life and private property values of Norwalk residents.”
“I want to thank Senator Duff for his efforts in securing the Lockwood Lane and Heather Lane Storm Drainage Improvement Project Grant for the City of Norwalk. This funding will improve storm water quality and upgrade critical drainage infrastructure in this community,” said Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling. “This investment addresses the impacts of climate change by helping to ensure Norwalk residents are equipped with sustainable and resilient infrastructure to mitigate flooding conditions, enhancing the quality of life for the residents in these neighborhoods.”
“Thanks to the leadership of Senator Duff, and with gratitude to the CIF Board and the Governor’s Office, this funding will enable the residents of the Lockwood/Heather Lane neighborhood to have a greater quality of life once these much-needed storm drain and sewer system upgrades are complete,” said state Rep. Dominque Johnson (D-Norwalk). “Reducing the frequent flooding these Norwalkers’ experience will protect their homes and streets, and these critical investments to rebuild and improve this infrastructure will give great returns for future generations so they can continue to thrive in their neighborhood, especially as rainfall becomes increasingly unpredictable.”
State Bond Commission Approves Funding for Bridgeport
State Bond Commission Approves Funding for Bridgeport
Today, state Senators Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) and Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport) are welcoming $22,500,000 in Community Investment Funds to Bridgeport. The grant will be used to demolish the PSEG decommissioned coal plant in Bridgeport.
“I am grateful to the State Bond Commission for their approval of funding for the demolition of a coal plant that has been offline since 2021 and has been an eyesore on the Bridgeport coast line and had a negative impact on the health of the residents of Bridgeport,” said Sen. Moore. “Hopefully, the demolition will lead to future development and impact on residents who have suffered through its existence. Bridgeport is an environmental justice community and its residents, especially children can look to the future knowing another generation will not be impacted by its existence.”
“I am deeply grateful for the work of the committee for investing in this long overdue project, and for the relentless advocacy of the Bridgeport delegation to remove this colossal environmental hazard from our community. This project will make a significant difference in the city of Bridgeport,” said Sen. Gaston. “Furthering the demolition of the coal plant will improve not only the health and safety for the surrounding residents but will undoubtedly positively transform the entire region. Thank you to the State Bond Commission for approving this funding, and the unequivocal support from the leadership of both chambers and the Governor’s administration.”
Developed to foster economic development in historically underserved Connecticut communities, this is the latest in $875 million in total statewide investments for municipalities, nonprofits and community development corporations to support capital improvement, small business capital and planning projects around the state.
SENATOR NEEDLEMAN VOTES FOR A NEW SUPREME COURT JUSTICE, AN EARLIER PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY DATE
SENATOR NEEDLEMAN VOTES FOR A NEW SUPREME COURT JUSTICE, AN EARLIER PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY DATE
HARTFORD – In a special session of the General Assembly held today, state Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) voted to approve Attorney Nora Dannehy for a seat on the Connecticut State Supreme Court and to move Connecticut’s presidential primary date up four weeks from April 30 to April 2.
“I’m glad we are taking action today on several important matters in Connecticut,” said Sen. Needleman. “Attorney Dannehy is an experienced and morally guided attorney who has served our country and state for decades; I am happy to vote for her to join the state Supreme Court. Additionally, adjusting our primary will add urgency and relevancy to the state’s electoral procedures, bringing more attention and importance to our primaries.”
Attorney Dannehy is being named to fill the seat most recently held by the Honorable Maria Araújo Kahn, who resigned earlier this year after being confirmed to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Attorney Dannehy earned a B.A. in political science and French from Wellesley College, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. She has served in several roles with the U.S. Department of Justice, as Connecticut’s Deputy Attorney General, as Associate General Counsel for Global Ethics and Compliance for United Technologies Corporation, as Counsel to the U.S. Attorney, and as General Counsel to Governor Lamont from 2021 until January 2023.
The change in Connecticut’s presidential primary date will align us with presidential primary dates in New York, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and Delaware and could give Connecticut more influence in helping determine the ultimate nominees for the general election.
SENATOR MAHER WELCOMES NEW GUN SAFETY STANDARDS, CHILDREN’S WELLNESS, WORKER SAFETY, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION BECOMING LAW OCT. 1
SENATOR MAHER WELCOMES NEW GUN SAFETY STANDARDS, CHILDREN’S WELLNESS, WORKER SAFETY, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION BECOMING LAW OCT. 1
After a successful 2023 legislative session in which the state legislature passed a number of bills, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) welcomes a number of new laws going into effect on October 1 that will protect and support members of the community and improve public safety.
New laws will include prohibition on openly carrying firearms, places additional controls on handgun sales including limiting an individual to three handgun retail purchases in a 30-day period, and placing more stringent conditions on serious firearm offenders; ensures abused or neglected children will receive legal representation in court cases; requires employers to allow service workers to take mental health wellness days; and prevents a spouse whose partner is convicted of certain crimes concurrent with domestic abuse from having to pay alimony.
“All of the hard work done by legislators from January to June led to the positive results Connecticut will see on October 1, when these new laws go into effect,” said Sen. Maher. “I am looking forward to these new standards, which will support public safety in a variety of ways. They will make sure serious firearm offenders are treated accordingly, limit handgun purchases to reduce straw purchases and take other steps to reduce gun violence. They will support children’s safety and support workers’ mental health. They will prevent abusive partners from receiving alimony from their spouses as a form of financial abuse. Together, they represent the steps forward that the legislature can achieve in the course of its work; I’m proud to have played a role in and to have voted for these policies’ success.”
Among the new laws going into effect in Connecticut as of October 1:
Many parts of House Bill 6667, “An Act Addressing Gun Violence,” will become law, including prohibiting the open carrying of firearms; limiting the maximum number of handgun purchases in a 30-day period to three, in an effort to reduce straw purchases of handguns; extending firearm safe storage laws to all firearms people store or keep on their premises; increasing penalties for possession of large capacity magazines and expanding the list of disqualifying offenses for possessing/carrying a firearm to include family violence and domestic violence crimes; and setting more stringent release conditions for serious firearm offenders.
Language in Senate Bill 2 will ensure that in child abuse or neglect cases heard before Superior Court, the chief public defender’s office will assign counsel to represent a child and act solely as their attorney, including immediate appointment depending on need. Additionally, language in Senate Bill 2 will require employers to allow service workers to use accrued paid sick leave for a “mental health wellness day” to attend to emotional or psychological well-being. Certain food, health care, hospitality, retail and sanitation industry workers will be covered by this measure.
A section of Senate Bill 5 will prevent a spouse who is convicted of serious crimes including attempted murder, conspiracy, felony sexual assault and felony family violence from receiving alimony from a partner, preventing alimony’s use as financial abuse.
SEN. MAHER TO JOIN DARIEN CLIMATE, COFFEE AND CONVERSATION ON SEPTEMBER 20 WITH CONNECTICUT LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS
SEN. MAHER TO JOIN DARIEN CLIMATE, COFFEE AND CONVERSATION ON SEPTEMBER 20 WITH CONNECTICUT LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS
On Wednesday, September 20 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Darien Nature Center, 120 Brookside Road in Darien, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) will join the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters for its Darien Climate, Coffee and Conversation event. She will appear alongside State Representative Tracy Marra (R-District 141).
“I’m really looking forward to joining the League of Conservation Voters for this important discussion,” Sen. Maher said. “I know there is no shortage of environmental issues and needs across our state that we need to address in years to come. This conversation will allow us to hear from community members about what’s most pressing and important to them.”
This Climate, Coffee and Conversation event will involve discussions about climate issues in Connecticut, with community members encouraged to attend with questions for lawmakers. It is open to the public.
SEN. OSTEN WELCOMES GOOD NEWS ON CONNECTICUT’S “MyCTSavings” PROGRAM
SEN. OSTEN WELCOMES GOOD NEWS ON CONNECTICUT’S “MyCTSavings” PROGRAM
HARTFORD – State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today welcomed the latest report from the Connecticut Retirement Security Program which shows that Connecticut’s “MyCT Savings” program – launched just a year and a half ago – now has more than 18,000 personal savings accounts at nearly 5,700 state businesses totaling $9.25 million.
Sen. Osten was Vice-Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee when the bill that created the MyCT Savings program was approved by the committee and passed into law on a partisan basis by the General Assembly in 2016. After creating the authority and its board, establishing procedures, the IRA program, and the ban on political contributions, the program first began accepting employee contributions in April 2022.
“Most people in Connecticut are familiar with the success of our Paid Family and Medical Leave program – which paid out more than $81 million in benefits to 16,300 Connecticut workers in its first six months of its existence – and our success in reducing workers’ compensation costs for businesses, which have declined for nine straight years and have saved Connecticut businesses more than $300 million. But the MyCtSavings program is still a bit of a mystery to people, and it shouldn’t be,” Sen. Osten said.
“About a third of all employees in Connecticut do not have access to some type of savings program at work. Not everyone has the time or the interest to research private investment vehicles and make an appointment with a financial advisor. And very few of us are well-paid CEOs who are going to get a golden parachute no matter how the company does, good or bad. That’s where MyCTSavings comes into play,” Sen. Osten said. “Most of the 18,000 people in this program set aside about 3.3% of their income. They’ve saved maybe $500 so far. But the point is, they’re saving money for their future that they wouldn’t be otherwise. That’s the beauty of this very simple state program. It should be better known.”
An estimated 600,000 employees in Connecticut don’t have access to a qualified retirement savings plan at their place of work. The state legislature created MyCTSavings to make it easier for more workers to save for their retirement. The program specifically aims to lower the barriers of participating by using automatic enrollment and allows employees to save easily through payroll contributions to a Roth IRA.
The program is NOT paid for by taxpayers, it does NOT require that employers contribute to the program, and it is NOT mandatory for businesses with fewer than five employees or for those that already offer a workplace-based retirement savings option. The monthly MyCTSavings program data reports can be seen at: https://osc.ct.gov/crsa/reports.html.
If your employer participates in the program, or if you’re self-employed, and you’d like to set up an account, please visit: https://mycts.
SEN. COHEN, SHORELINE LEGISLATORS CALL ON AMTRAK TO RESTORE PEAK SERVICE
SEN. COHEN, SHORELINE LEGISLATORS CALL ON AMTRAK TO RESTORE PEAK SERVICE
THE SHORELINE – State Senators Christine Cohen, Norm Needleman and Martha Marx and a host of regional state representatives today called on Amtrak to provide alternative solutions to the Shore Line East service cuts that have been caused by the rail work needed for the Amtrak Fitter Interlocking Project.
Shore Line East is funded by the State of Connecticut, but Amtrak owns and controls the Northeast Rail Corridor east of New Haven.
The service cuts due to the Amtrak work will reduce weekday schedules from 22 trains a day between New Haven Union Station and New London Station to just 14. The two trains that run between New Haven and Old Saybrook are unchanged, but there will be no connecting bus service between Old Saybrook and New London.
Weekend schedules will be reduced from 16 to 14 trains per day between New Haven Union Station and New London Station, although more trains will stop at Madison Station.
“Commuters across our shoreline corridor learned about these major service cuts less than one week before they went into effect,” said Sen. Cohen, who represents Branford, Madison, Guilford, North Branford, Killingworth, East Haven, Durham and Middlefield and who serves as Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee. “Not only has this service disruption been poorly communicated, but there have also been no reasonable alternative services proposed during these interruptions, which could last all the way through December. I appreciate the investments that Amtrak is making in our rail lines in order to make our public transportation faster and safer, something I have long been a proponent of, but it’s unacceptable to leave residents who rely on Shore Line East high and dry for the next several months. I’m calling on Amtrak – at a bare minimum – to restore peak service and complete this work during off-peak hours or provide a dedicated bus service during on-peak hours.”
“Shore Line East is an important local resource for thousands of commuters, and this reduction in service with short notice – while temporary – will cause significant issues for them,” said Sen. Needleman who represents Clinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Portland, East Hampton, Colchester, Haddam, East Haddam, Chester, Lyme, Deep River and Essex. “The work that Amtrak plans to do will improve service in the long-term, but these short-term interruptions and frustrations are unacceptable. There has to be a better way to get this done, and I hope solutions can be found in short order.”
“Resources like Shore Line East are essential in areas like New London. People move here knowing they have close proximity to public transportation that can get them where they need to go,” said Sen. Marx who represents New London, Old Saybrook, Waterford, Bozrah, East Lyme, Montville, Old Lyme, and Salem. “These cuts were poorly communicated and will leave a lot of people who rely on the trains struggling. They need their services as they were promised.”
“There’s no question that these cuts in service pose a significant headache for commuters in our region, and I agree with my colleagues that continuing in this manner into the winter would prove untenable for our constituents. This work should be performed during off-peak hours.” said House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora who represents North Branford, Guilford, East Haven, Durham.
“These last-minute service interruptions have pulled the rug out from under Branford parents of school children. They were quite literally left in shock, with few options as to how they would get to work at the beginning of the school year.” said State Representative Robin Comey who represents Branford.
“The investments Amtrak is making are important and necessary to the commuter experience, but the rollout has been extremely disappointing, particularly for the residents who rely on this railway every day,” State Representative John-Michael Parker, who represents Durham and Madison, said. “The public deserves transparency and solutions. I strongly urge Amtrak to step up and deliver the services our commuters need.”
“I’m incredibly disappointed by Amtrak’s decision to complete a maintenance project that will greatly disrupt the Shore Line East Line service. Amtrak’s poor and unclear communication has blindsided many local residents who rely daily on Shoreline East. Delays caused by repair projects are not out of the norm but cutting services at a high-volume time with little notice is unacceptable. My colleagues and I will continue to fight for improved services for this vital resource in our community,” said State Representative Moira Rader who represents Guilford and Branford.
“It is vital that Amtrak reconsider the schedule changes and construction hours along Shore Line East. These changes were not only a surprise to Shore Line East riders, but this disruption has caused distress to commuters, students, and others who rely on this service for their livelihoods. It was poorly handled by Amtrak, and services should be restored, or at the very least greater options given to those who use the rail line,” Representatives Devin Carney and Chris Aniskovich said. Rep. Carney represents Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook, while Rep. Aniskovich represents Clinton, Killingworth, and Westbrook.
Senator Gaston Releases Statement Following Announcement of New M&T Bank in Bridgeport
Senator Gaston Releases Statement Following Announcement of New M&T Bank in Bridgeport
Today, Senator Gaston is releasing the following statement after M&T Bank announces plans to open a new branch in Bridgeport’s East End.
“This new branch opening up on the east end will be a huge boost in our community allowing our most vulnerable residents to finally have the convenience of accessing their funds when they need,” said Sen. Gaston. “The bank will also provide a great opportunity for careers among many Bridgeport residents in need of a job. This has been a huge push and pull with M&T Bank and I am elated for this moment for our great city of Bridgeport. I look forward to the upcoming success of future employees who will be granted a job in 2024 with M&T Bank, and I hope this location brings easier access for community members to be able to walk right up to the ATM and access what they need.”
STATEMENT OF SEN. KUSHNER ON NEW STATE LAW EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1 MAKING IT EASIER FOR FIREFIGHTERS WHO DEVELOP CANCER TO RECEIVE WORKERS’ COMP BENEFITS
STATEMENT OF SEN. KUSHNER ON NEW STATE LAW EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1 MAKING IT EASIER FOR FIREFIGHTERS WHO DEVELOP CANCER TO RECEIVE WORKERS’ COMP BENEFITS
“Firefighters who contract certain cancers will now have the presumption that it’s a work-related illness, and they will qualify for coverage for themselves and surviving members of their families. After many years, we’re finally taking responsibility as a community and as a state. We expect firefighters to protect our homes and our families, yet we’ve never been willing to protect them and care for them when they got sick. That’s why I’m really proud of the work that the legislature did to finally address this issue, to step-up and make sure that we’re taking responsibility to provide for the men and women who risk their lives every day to take care of us,” said state Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury), who is Senate Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee.
To qualify for the compensation and benefits, a firefighter must have been diagnosed with any condition of cancer affecting the brain or the skeletal, digestive, endocrine, respiratory, lymphatic, reproductive, urinary, or hematological systems. They must have had a physical examination after entering the service that failed to reveal any evidence of or a propensity for the cancer, and they must not have used cigarettes during the 15 years before the diagnosis. Additionally, they must have been on the job for at least five years and submitted to annual medical health screenings as recommended by their medical provider.
The legislation enacting this law was approved in the Senate by a vote of 35 to 1 and in the House of Representatives by a vote of 139 to 12.
SENS. LOONEY & CABRERA URGE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGE INSURANCE RATE-HEARING PROCESS
SENS. LOONEY & CABRERA URGE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGE INSURANCE RATE-HEARING PROCESS
HARTFORD – Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and state Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden), who is Senate Chairman of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, have written state Insurance Department Commissioner Andrew Mais and urged him to significantly change the process by which insurance company rate hikes are reviewed – a necessity, they say, made painfully clear by insurance company obfuscation during last week’s rate request public hearing.
Sens. Looney and Cabrera will propose a statutory change to require that such hearings be held under strict Uniform Administrative Procedures Act rules – as Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) hearings on proposed rates mandate – and that the Insurance Department take affordability into consideration, and that there be a ‘presumption of denial’ for any proposed health insurance rate increase that exceeds inflation.
‘The current method of negotiation reflects a betrayal of policy holders. The public would be well served by a requirement that these rate hearings be compliant with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act (UAPA) thus allowing cross examination of the parties (the hearing should include providers as well as insurers),” Sens. Looney and Cabrera wrote Commissioner Mais. “Connecticut statutes must be amended to require that the insurance commissioner take affordability into consideration in rate approval. In addition, there should be a presumption of denial for any rate increase that is higher than current inflation.”
The senators’ suggestions come less than one week after a public hearing on 10 filings by nine different Connecticut health insurers for health insurance plans that currently cover approximately 188,000 people. The proposed average individual policy rate request increase is 12.4 percent, while the proposed average small group policy rate request increase is 14.8 percent.
After the hearing, the insurers were criticized for offering partial or non-answers to questions posed by legislators, consumer advocates, and others.
“It concerns me how insurance companies are arriving at their proposed rate increases. I’m not getting a lot of details from them. We need to be able to do a deeper dive,” Sen. Cabrera said today.
“If we followed UAPA, we’d get much more detailed answers and fewer vague responses from insurance companies,” Sen. Looney said today.
The Insurance Department expects to make final rulings on the insurance company rate proposals in early September.