Rep. Steinberg, Sen. Haskell Help Pass Dignity in Death Legislation in Public Health Committee
Today, State Representative Jonathan Steinberg and State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) applauded the Public Health Committee’s bipartisan support of legislation that would provide terminally ill patients with options about the time, manner and setting of their passing. Now in its tenth year, this legislation is gaining momentum in the General Assembly and passed the committee by a vote of 21-9. With bipartisan support, Connecticut may soon join a number of states across the country that offer this small measure of comfort to those who are strugging with a terminal diagnosis.
“We’re gratified that the Aid in Dying legislation passed out of the committee once again by a wide, bipartisan margin,” said Rep. Steinberg. “We had a good, if somewhat emotional, debate. The people of the state overwhelmingly support enabling this end of life option, and it’s time for us to join other states in making it available.”
“This bill is all about allowing patients to be the author of their own final chapter,” said Sen. Haskell. “I’m so grateful to the constituents who participated in the public hearing and shared their personal stories about watching a loved one suffer, or suffering themselves, with a terminal diagnosis. Their stories clearly had an impact on our committee, and I’m hopeful that we will finally give patients this choice. With many safeguards in place, it’s time for Connecticut to join the growing list of states that permit aid-in-dying. We’ve heard from too many terminally-ill patients that they will have to leave Connecticut in order to pursue this option. Let’s allow these folks to spend their final days in their own home, surrounded by loved ones.”
Senate Bill 88, “An Act Concerning Aid In Dying For Terminally Ill Patients,” would allow terminally ill adults with less than six months to live to voluntarily request aid in dying, where they would then receive medical assistance to end their lives. The voluntary option would be available only to adults of sound mind who would be required to make three total requests over a period of weeks and can rescind that request at any time.
At least nine stages currently have dignity in death laws; Oregon compiles an annual report of those who opt into that state’s dignity in death program. In 2020, the most recent month where statistics were available, 370 people received prescriptions to end their lives; 245 chose to end their lives, meaning 40% of patients making requests in that year did not choose to proceed at that time. Roughly 85% of those patients suffered from cancer, heart disease or neurological disease; 81% were over the age of 65.
Senator Haskell Cosponsors Legislation Seeking to Reform Legislative Pay, Elect More Representative Government
Senator Haskell Cosponsors Legislation Seeking to Reform Legislative Pay, Elect More Representative Government
Legislator pay has not increased in Connecticut since 2001, making it nearly impossible for working-class people to run for office. This week, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) gave his support to legislation he co-sponsored that would match legislator pay to inflation – a necessary step to build a more representative government.
“This bill isn’t about increasing my salary. In fact, I’ll have left the General Assembly before this change takes effect,” said Sen. Haskell. “I’m co-sponsoring this reform because I’m frustrated that our Capitol building fails to reflect the diversity of our state. It’s popular to say that we should elect more women, more people of color, more young people and more working-class folks. It’s less popular to say how to make that possible: pay legislators an appropriate salary. No one should ever run for office to get rich, but perhaps serving in the legislature should no longer be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. I applaud Rep. Godfrey for introducing this reform.”
House Bill 5073, “An Act Increasing Legislator Salary,” would increase the base salary of members of the General Assembly to $44,079.37 annually. That’s a 63% increase from the current base salary for legislators, $28,000; it would reflect 21 years of inflation. Recently, multiple legislators including State Representative Joe de la Cruz (D-Groton) and State Representative David Wilson (R-Litchfield) announced they would not run for public office again, citing the financial challenges of stagnant salaries.
Comparable legislatures in the northern and mid-Atlantic United States operating on similar schedules include New Jersey ($49,000 per year), Delaware ($47,291 per year) and Maryland ($50,330 per year).
According to a study conducted by New American Leaders, state legislatures that meet for longer sessions and provide higher salaries for lawmakers and staff pass more bills overall, more bills per legislative day and have higher rates of contact with constituents.
States with lower pay rates for legislatures often require lawmakers to have second sources of income outside of their official positions and creates a barrier for individuals to run, the study found. In Georgia, where legislator pay is just $15,600 annually, 85% of the House of Representatives have second jobs while 66% of the State Senate is comprised by consultants, business executives, attorneys or the self-employed – industries that do not represent the general public. Florida’s part-time legislature is mostly comprised of the self-employed, retired or wealthy, the study found.
The study further found that low legislator pay prevents the legislature from being proportional to resident populations. In Georgia, while the population is 51.4% female, only 31% of legislators are women; roughly 60% of the state population is white, while 71% of legislators are white. In New York, where wages have risen for legislators in the last seven years, the proportion of women in the legislature has risen 7% accordingly, the study found.
Most recently, the legislation was referred to the Appropriations Committee.
Senator Anwar Issues Statement Following Governor Lamont proposal to Reduce Lead Piping
Senator Anwar Issues Statement Following Governor Lamont proposal to Reduce Lead Piping
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) released the following statement responding to Governor Ned Lamont’s proposal, announced March 3, focused on strengthening Connecticut’s standards on childhood lead poisoning and protecting the health of younger generations:
“I welcome this effort by the Governor,” said Sen. Anwar. “There are children who can be impacted permanently by high lead levels, impacting their ability to perform in school and subsequently having lower IQs. In the past, when lead pipes were used, we were unaware of the long-term implications; having funding available to try to address this to protect our current and next generations from the risks is a very meaningful investment.”
General Law Committee to Hold Public Hearing on Data Privacy Bill
General Law Committee to Hold Public Hearing on Data Privacy Bill
Tomorrow, Thursday March 3, the General Law Committee will hold a public hearing on Senate Bill 6, ‘An Act Concerning Personal Data Privacy and Online Monitoring,’ one of the main priorities of Senate Democrats this legislative session. Under Senate Bill 6, companies will be required to clearly cite a privacy policy telling consumers what data is being collected, how it is being used, and why.
State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford), Chair of the General Law Committee, and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), introduced Senate Bill 893, “An Act Concerning Consumer Privacy” in February 2021. The bill received favorable votes in three committees but was never voted on by the legislature. This year, Senate Democrats will follow similar action taken by California and Colorado and propose legislation to protect consumers with new privacy rights. Tomorrow, Senator Maroney will lead the public hearing and listen to testimony.
“Ensuring protection for consumers on the internet is necessary as our world continues to evolve online,” said Sen. Maroney. “This is my priority this legislative session and I will work to give people the right to feel protected online.”
Senate Bill 6 will include the following:
- The right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared or sold, both as to the categories and specific pieces of personal information;
- The right to delete personal information held by businesses and by extension, a business’s service provider;
- The right to opt-out of sale of personal information. Consumers are able to direct a business that sells personal information to stop selling that information.
- Children under the age of 16 must provide opt in consent, with a parent or guardian consenting for children under 13.
- The right to non-discrimination in terms of price or service when a consumer exercises a privacy right under the bill.
The public hearing is set to begin tomorrow at 10 a.m.
Sen. Fonfara Offers Support to Ukraine
Sen. Fonfara Offers Support to Ukraine
HARTFORD – State Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford), who is the grandson of Ukranian immigrants, spoke today on the Senate floor to offer his support to the people of Ukraine after Russia invaded their country.
Here is a transcript of his remarks:
“I rise to recognize the incredible bravery being shown by the Ukrainian people who have stood strong in the face of an overwhelming military force of an invading country and the barbarian who is its leader.
Madam President, I rise as the grandson of Ukrainian immigrants who came to this country in the early 1900s, my grandmother an orphan at 2 years old, came to America alone at age 18. To say that I have never been prouder to be Ukrainian is no exaggeration. But I know Sen Kushner and I are not alone today because in this circle, in this building, and in this country, we are all Ukrainian.
80 years ago, Nazi Germany staged a group of false flag operations to create the appearance of Polish aggression against Germany. Adolf Hitler used the reports of those actions as justification to invade Poland, which was the beginning of WWII and the deaths of millions.
Today we watch colorized film of battles fought in that war, march in parades commemorating that war, lament the overwhelming loss of life at the hands of a megalomaniac, and then assign it to history.
But sadly, history does repeat itself. Sadder still is it began in eerily similar fashion as it did then, but this time it was just six days ago, and continues today, brave soldiers, young men who just a week ago were in school or at work, mothers and grandmothers caring for their children now on trains or foot to places unknown.
We listen to those who have stayed and are prepared to fight and die for their country, for their culture, for their freedom. We hear them say they don’t want to live under a system where placing flowers in protest results in arrest and incarceration. They say they want to be like us.
Those words should make us appreciate that despite divisions so deep, and challenges seemingly so great in our country, there are still those in other countries who want to be like us. The lesson in those words is that which divides us is far less than what we take for granted or worse, that these rights and opportunities are enjoyed by everyone in the world. Clearly they are not.
We may not take up arms alongside the people of Ukraine, but we can commit to work together to create a more perfect union in this country that, I pray, will make us worthy of those who, today, are giving their lives – – to be like us.
May God bless and protect the people of Ukraine.”
Sen. Slap Pushes for Repeal of ‘Gender Tax’ at Public Hearing
Sen. Slap Pushes for Repeal of ‘Gender Tax’ at Public Hearing
General Law Committee to hear bill that would prohibit gender-based pricing
Today, State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) testified in support of legislation that would repeal the “gender tax” in Connecticut as it received a public hearing in the General Law Committee. While the ‘gender tax’ isn’t a tax imposed by the government, it represents the extra cost baked into many services where women are forced to pay more for the same level of quality, including dry cleaning, hair styling and tailoring. This legislation would make those extra costs discriminatory, erasing a social tax that effectively charges women more simply because they are women.
“Women should not pay higher prices for goods and services simply because they’re women,” Sen. Slap said in his testimony to the General Law Committee. “Yet we know this happens every day. Women have either experienced it or we have seen friends and family endure this price discrimination.”
In a report released by the state of California, he continued, women were found to pay a “gender tax” of approximately $1,351 per year for the same services given to men. In a survey of 80 salons, women paid 25% extra for haircuts similar to that of a man and 27% for identical laundering service on white cotton t-shirts.
“By repealing the gender tax, we’d also be building on our recent efforts to achieve a fairer economy and root out discrimination,” Sen. Slap said. “Since 2018 the legislature has passed bills targeting the gender wage gap and age discrimination in the hiring process. Connecticut should continue its progress and finally eliminate the gender tax this year. Our economy relies on a free and fair market but so often, as in this case, the market is anything but fair. This is our chance to make it a little bit more so for women.”
“Women are being charged more for everything from shampoo to shaving cream, and personally, I’m tired of paying the pink tax. I’m sure women across CT will feel the same,” said State Representative Dorinda Borer (D-West Haven), Chair of the Women’s Caucus. “Taking advantage of women through price gouging is just another wrong that needs to be corrected. When product ingredients and content are similar, there should be equality in the pricing. When services are similar, there should be equality in the pricing. This legislation will open the eyes of consumers and create a dialogue that is past due.”
“On average, the “pink tax” costs women more than $1000 per year,” said Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities Executive Director Tanya Hughes and Deputy Director Cheryl Sharp. “The State of Connecticut has very progressive civil rights laws and the legislation that Senator Slap is willing to pen will join the plethora of civil rights legislation that have been enacted to protect the citizens of the state of Connecticut.“
Senate Bill 189, “An Act Prohibiting Sex or Gender-Based Differential Pricing For Substantially Similar Goods Or Services,” seeks to prohibit pricing based on gender for “substantially similar” goods or services if the difference is due to sex or gender identity or expression.
The “gender tax” has long been a financial strain for women across the country. In 2010, a Consumer Reports study on the pricing practice found that women often paid the same, or more, amounts of money for the same products. The same trend correlates to services. A CBS News report in 2016, where male and female reporters visited dry cleaners to have the same items cleaned, saw the woman charged at least twice what the man was charged in half of those businesses. The National Bureau of Economic Research found that even car repairs and mechanics routinely charged women more than men.
Senator Anwar Issues Statement Following Governor Lamont HVAC Upgrade Proposal
Senator Anwar Issues Statement Following Governor Lamont HVAC Upgrade Proposal
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) released the following statement responding to Governor Ned Lamont’s announced proposal for legislation establishing a grant program assisting public school districts in paying for heating, ventilation and cooling and other indoor air quality improvements to school buildings.
“Governor Lamont’s proposal today is encouraging because it shows his commitment and focus to improving air quality in schools across the state, which will lead to better health outcomes for students and faculty alike,” said Sen. Anwar. “Investing in ventilation and HVAC overhauls won’t just make schools safer considering the spread of COVID-19, but will provide better overall air quality as a whole. I am hopeful that this proposal can find support and lead to improved respiratory health in schools around the state.”
Sen. Osten Bill Would Fund Generator Purchase for RHAM
Sen. Osten Bill Would Fund Generator Purchase for RHAM
HARTFORD – A bill put forward by state Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) and voted out of the Appropriations Committee today calls for the purchase of a backup electrical generator to be installed at RHAM High School in Hebron, thereby allowing the 256,000-square foot facility to be used as a regional emergency shelter during adverse weather events and other catastrophes.
Sen. Osten’s Senate Bill 95, “AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING FOR A GENERATOR PURCHASE TO ALLOW THE HIGH SCHOOL IN HEBRON TO BE USED AS AN EMERGENCY SHELTER,” was referred today from the Appropriations Committee to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee for further consideration. The bill seeks up to $2 million in state funding for the generator, installation and related equipment.
“Like most other towns, Hebron has libraries and churches and town offices that can provide temporary shelter for people in certain circumstances. But it’s certainly not optimal and it’s certainly not for the kind of long-term need that we would find with a blizzard or a hurricane or a long-term power outage,” Sen. Osten said. “There’s no reason why the residents of Hebron or Andover or Marlborough should have to drive to Windham or Colchester to seek long-term shelter in an emergency. The high school is safe, it’s modern, it’s centrally located, it has the room, and all it needs is a generator to keep the lights and heat working.”
RHAM High School, located off Route 316 in Hebron, serves about 1,200 students from Hebron, Andover and Marlborough. It was competed in 2003 at a cost of $50.5 million and features a glass atrium entrance, classrooms, a gymnasium, an open cafeteria, a lecture hall, a library/media center, and an 800-seat auditorium.
Senator Anwar Leads Joint Public Hearing on Children’s Mental Health
Senator Anwar Leads Joint Public Hearing on Children’s Mental Health
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Children’s Committee and Vice Chair of the Public Health Committee, led a joint public hearing between the two committees regarding important legislative proposals introduced to support and improve children’s mental health in Connecticut. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, as many as one in six children in the United States had mental health disorders, with the pandemic itself only worsening mental health outcomes in children.
“Our children’s health, both mental and physical, is vital to their development and well-being, and we must do all we can to protect and help them,” said Sen. Anwar. “I’m encouraged that this legislation improves how our state provides for, nurtures and supports our future generations and look forward to championing these causes.”
Senate Bill 2, “An Act Expanding Preschool and Mental and Behavioral Services For Children,” seeks to address the pandemics impact on depression, anxiety and developmental delays through expanding support services. Its major points of emphasis include:
- Extending access to child care and preschool
- Increasing access to mentoring and after-school programs to better reach disengaged or struggling students
- Providing greater supports and resources for children and adolescents disconnected from school
- Universal pre-kindergarten starting at age 3 to provide important social and individual growth for all children
- Furthering social-emotional learning by involving parents in new methods of education; children with highly involved parents see enhanced social functioning, fewer behavioral problems
- Joining PSYPACT to allow out-of-state psychologists to conduct telehealth and in-person practice across state boundaries to meet increased need
House Bill 5001, “An Act Concerning Children’s Mental Health,” is similarly designed to improve the availability and provision of mental, behavioral and substance disorder treatment services to children. Its major points of emphasis include:
- Ensuring adequate levels of social workers in the state by temporarily waiving examination requirements, as long as an individual continues to be supervised
- Expanding regional behavioral health consultation programs to include the pediatric patients of providers, including allowing telehealth mental health appointments for children
- Extending telehealth expansions from 2023 to 2024
- Adoption and implementation of a truancy intervention model accounting for mental and behavioral health, including providing notice to parents or guardians of children of mental and behavioral health screening services and tools, as well as evaluations of truant children to monitor for behavioral health concerns
- Public safety answering points shall have licensed behavioral, mental health and substance use disorder services to provide aid to 911 callers in need, including referring such callers to providers of services or outside agencies to provide aid
- Increasing the number of mental health facility beds in the state by June 2026
- By 2021, the Office of Emergency Medical Services would develop protocols for transporting pediatric patients with mental or behavioral health needs by ambulance to an urgent care center operated by the Department of Children and Families
Sen. Looney & Sen. Duff Release Statement on House GOP Press Conference
Sen. Looney & Sen. Duff Release Statement on House GOP Press Conference
HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) released the following statement in response to the House Republican press conference:
“We believe that the committees of cognizance should hold a public hearing to examine in detail the procedures, processes, and operations of the school construction program to determine what legislative action should be taken. Such a review of policy and operations is the proper role of the General Assembly. However, the notion that the General Assembly can launch a criminal investigation parallel to and superior to the ongoing federal investigation is naïve and/or deliberately misleading. We trust the law enforcement professionals in the federal government to complete their investigation thoroughly and effectively and will not play politics or encourage unrealistic expectations of incendiary revelations.”