SEN. COHEN VOTES FOR NEW STATE POLICE UNION CONTRACT
HARTFORD – State Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford) joined her colleagues in the state Senate today in the bipartisan approval of a new, four-year Connecticut State Police labor union contract that will boost police trainee pay, provide a $3,500 bonus this year, and deliver 2.5% pay raises each year, along with a multitude of other police benefits.
This is the second state police union contract that Sen. Cohen has approved in the past four years; she also approved the 2019 Connecticut State Police union contract providing substantial increases to pay and benefits.
“As Connecticut sees more and more state employees retiring, we need to take steps to re-fill these positions so that the public is protected and well-served. That’s what we did with the SEBAC state employee contract last year, and that’s what we’re doing with the State Police union contract today,” Sen. Cohen said. “I’m happy to vote to ensure that our state’s law enforcement officers are well-compensated and have the benefits they need to remain safe and effectively perform their duties.”
The Connecticut State Police labor union contract – which was negotiated by Governor Ned Lamont and approved today by the state legislature – covers the four fiscal years from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2026. In late December, 94% of state troopers voted to approve their labor union contract.
“This four-year agreement will enhance the state’s ability to recruit and retain the most qualified troopers, and it ensures that those who risk their lives daily are fairly compensated for their responsibilities and the dangers required of their profession,” State Police Union Executive Director Andy Matthews said at the January 18 public hearing on the contract.
The new agreement offers a 2.5% general wage increase in 2023, 2024, and 2025, with a wage reopener clause for 2026. State Police trooper trainee pay will jump from $50,000 this year to $65,638 in 2024 and then to $67,279 in 2025 and beyond – a 35% pay increase. Full-time State Police employees will receive a $3,500 lump sum payment this year, and State Police employees with the most years of service will receive an additional 2% lump sum payment.
There are nearly a dozen other beneficial changes in the new State Police labor union contract, including:
- Adding Juneteenth Independence Day as a paid state police holiday, with overtime.
- Increasing the safety shoe & equipment stipend to $150
- Adding a new, annual $500 health and wellness stipend
- Increasing the uniform cleaning stipend to $650
- Adding a new $100 monthly hazardous duty stipend for employees assigned to the Fire Explosion Investigations Unit
- Increasing the education tuition reimbursement fund to $90,000
- Increasing the training fund set-aside to $50,000
- Increasing the Field Training Officer (FTO) compensation to 2 hours per shift
- Adding a new, annual $500 lump sum payment for Bachelor of Arts or Master’s degree, which covers about a third of the State Police employees
The Connecticut State Police force currently stands at 877; it once had a mandated State Police force of 1,248, but that number has not been met for over a decade.
Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner James Rovella said Connecticut is currently graduating new State Police trooper classes of 30 to 40 officers – which is the national average – about twice a year. The next class is scheduled to graduate in April, with the next class after that beginning in May.
The museum’s web site notes that The Henry Whitfield House is a physical reminder of the European settler colonialism of the 1600s, as well as the Colonial Revival era of the 1800s-1900s that celebrated and glorified European ethnocentricity and superiority. The museum is striving to confront the facts about the site’s history in order to acknowledge past injustice, recognize how that injustice manifests in society today, and work towards an equitable future for all people.
Sen. Hartley Advocates for Express Bus Alternative Transportation Options for Commuters Traveling to Work or School
Sen. Hartley Advocates for Express Bus Alternative Transportation Options for Commuters Traveling to Work or School
The start of the Route #940 Meriden-Waterbury Express bus route, which will provide increased transportation options for Waterbury commuters to Meriden and greater ability to connect to the Hartford Line, was welcomed by State Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury). The bus service will provide riders traveling to work or school outside of the city a public transit option on the weekdays. The transportation service is operating fare-free until February 28, 2022, with payment to ride starting on March 1, 2022.
“The launch of this express bus service is critical for Waterbury commuters at a time when other bus options between the city and Hartford have been temporarily suspended,” said Sen. Hartley. “Since the suspension of similar services, I’ve worked diligently to find a solution in a quick manner so as to reduce the impact on people’s commutes. I’m grateful to the Department of Transportation for working with me in setting up the #940 route.”
“The new route will better connect residents of both cities and provides better access to the Waterbury Line, the Hartford Line, and many destinations throughout the state,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Bureau Chief for Public Transportation Rich Andreski in announcing the launch of the express bus route between Waterbury and Meriden.
The Route #940 Meriden-Waterbury Express begins at the Waterbury Green. It makes a stop at the Waterbury Branch Line train station before heading to the Meriden Train Station, which connects to the Hartford Line. Commuters can use the rail line to travel to train stops including in Hartford, New Haven, Berlin, and Wallingford.
To ensure ease of travel, the bus schedule has been set for it to arrive 10 minutes before Hartford Line trains and the bus will wait for 10 minutes for connecting train passengers to board it. It will then travel from the train station back to the Waterbury Green.
The Route #940 Meriden-Waterbury Express runs on a weekday-only schedule from about 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. The bus service provides half-hourly service during peak hours and hourly service in the midday and evening. In addition, the buses come with free Wi-Fi and charging ports for riders to re-charge their mobile devices.
The schedule for the bus route and more information can be found at CTtransit.com.
According to the Department of Transportation, the bus service will follow a CTtransit Express Bus Zone 2 fare based on the distance between the stops. The following express bus route fare breakdown is planned to go into effect on March 1, 2022:
- A two-hour pass is $3.20 and includes unlimited local and express bus rides for the number of zones paid during that two hours. A full-day pass is available at $6.40
- Children age four and under can ride for free. Up to three children receiving free fare can board the bus with an adult paying to ride
- Seniors and people with disabilities are charged $1.60 for a two-hour bus pass or $3.20 for a full-day pass. A State of Connecticut issued Reduced Fare ID or Medicare must be shown before receiving discounted bus prices
- Ten-Ride Tickets, Senior/Persons with Disabilities Ten-Ride Tickets, and 31-day passes are available to purchase
Senator Pat Billie Miller Named Senate Chair of Banking Committee
Senator Pat Billie Miller Named Senate Chair of Banking Committee
HARTFORD – State Senator Pat Billie Miller (D-Stamford) will be taking on yet another leadership role during the upcoming 2022 legislative session – as Senate Chair of the Banking Committee, which makes laws and policies affecting banks, savings banks, bank and trust companies, savings and loan associations, credit unions, the supervision of the sale of securities, fraternal benefit societies and lending.
Sen. Miller already serves as Deputy President Pro Tempore, Senate Chair of the Aging Committee, and Senate Vice-Chair of the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee. She is also a member of the Education, Commerce and Veterans’ Affairs Committees.
“I would like to thank Senator Looney for appointing me Chair of the Banking Committee,” said Sen. Miller. “I’m looking forward to my new responsibilities and I hope to build on the great work the Chairs before me started. It is my intention to use the position to address the economic impact that COVID-19 has had on the residents of Connecticut.”
“Since her special election victory, Senator Miller has demonstrated the passion and effective advocacy for which she was well known in the House of Representatives, not only for her constituents in Stamford and Darien but also within the Senate Democratic caucus,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney. “I know she will be an excellent Senate Chair of the Banking Committee. She has the sense of economic justice, commitment to consumer protection, and legislative skill to lead this committee for the benefit of our state as a whole.”
This year will be Sen. Miller’s second legislative session as state senator representing the 27th District which include the towns of Stamford and Darien. On International Women’s Day, March 8, 2021, she became the first woman and the first person of color, to represent the 27th District. Sen. Miller is only the fourth Black woman to serve in the state Senate and is currently one of just two Black female legislators (the other is state Senator Marilyn Moore of Bridgeport) serving in the upper chamber.
Before joining the Senate, Sen. Miller served as a member of the state House of Representatives for Stamford’s 145th District since 2009.
Senators Anwar, Slap Issue Joint Statement in Aftermath of Colleyville, Texas Synagogue Hostage Standoff
Senators Anwar, Slap Issue Joint Statement in Aftermath of Colleyville, Texas Synagogue Hostage Standoff
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) and State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) issued the following joint statement in response to the hostage situation that took place Saturday in the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas. Several members of the synagogue’s community were held hostage for hours by a gunman before they were freed by an FBI hostage rescue team that responded to the place of worship.
“We are grateful that the hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Texas ended without any victims losing their lives or becoming physically injured, but it is yet another anti-Semitic attack on a synagogue in a world where that has become a more common occurrence, a trend we must continue to condemn,” said Sens. Anwar and Slap. “We must continue to talk about anti-Semitism and fight its scourge, which remains a real and pervasive threat for millions of Jewish people across our country and across the world. We are truly thankful that appropriate planning and training in Texas helped save lives, but this event could have gone significantly worse. Training and protections are necessary in all houses of worship today, unfortunately. That’s why, in Connecticut, we have worked with our fellow legislators in efforts to support places of worship, providing security resources they can use to help keep their worshipers safe. As we go forward, it’s critically important that this program continues, the second round of security grants for houses of worship moves ahead as swiftly as possible and we maintain support in future bonding agendas.”
Senators Anwar, Slap Issue Joint Statement in Aftermath of Colleyville, Texas Synagogue Hostage Standoff
Senators Anwar, Slap Issue Joint Statement in Aftermath of Colleyville, Texas Synagogue Hostage Standoff
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) and State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) issued the following joint statement in response to the hostage situation that took place Saturday in the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas. Several members of the synagogue’s community were held hostage for hours by a gunman before they were freed by an FBI hostage rescue team that responded to the place of worship.
“We are grateful that the hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Texas ended without any victims losing their lives or becoming physically injured, but it is yet another anti-Semitic attack on a synagogue in a world where that has become a more common occurrence, a trend we must continue to condemn,” said Sens. Anwar and Slap. “We must continue to talk about anti-Semitism and fight its scourge, which remains a real and pervasive threat for millions of Jewish people across our country and across the world. We are truly thankful that appropriate planning and training in Texas helped save lives, but this event could have gone significantly worse. Training and protections are necessary in all houses of worship today, unfortunately. That’s why, in Connecticut, we have worked with our fellow legislators in efforts to support places of worship, providing security resources they can use to help keep their worshipers safe. As we go forward, it’s critically important that this program continues, the second round of security grants for houses of worship moves ahead as swiftly as possible and we maintain support in future bonding agendas.”
Senator Osten Welcomes Yet Another Drop in CT Workers’ Comp Costs
Senator Osten Welcomes Yet Another Drop in CT Workers’ Comp Costs
State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today issued the following statement in reaction to yet another announced drop in Connecticut’s workers’ compensation costs, thereby saving Connecticut businesses tens of millions of dollars in insurance premiums every year:
“Back in 2014, when I was Senate Chair of the Labor Committee, I introduced a bill – Senate Bill 61 – that changed forever the way Connecticut businesses pay for workers’ compensation insurance. My bill, which passed the legislature on a unanimous and bipartisan vote, required hospitals to negotiate with and charge businesses medical fees that are based on a cheaper Medicare-based formula, instead of a hospital’s outrageously expensive published, billable cost for some medical procedure. Suddenly, business owners were paying premiums for the $14,000 ‘Medicare’ price of a shoulder surgery instead of the hospital’s $44,000 ‘list’ price. And that 2014 legislation has saved Connecticut businesses hundreds of millions of dollars in workers’ comp insurance premiums ever since. Connecticut now nearly ranks in the Top 20-lowest states for workers’ compensation insurance costs; our costs are comparable to Oklahoma, Missouri and Nebraska. From 2014 to 2018, Connecticut had the fourth-smallest percentage increase in workers’ compensation insurance costs of any state in America, according to the National Academy of Social Insurance. This is one of the great, unsung business cost-savings stories in recent Connecticut history, and it all started with Democrats on the Labor Committee.”
Senator Anwar to Hold Facebook Live Discussion with Deacon Art Miller on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Senator Anwar to Hold Facebook Live Discussion with Deacon Art Miller on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
On Monday, January 17 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), State Senator Saud Anwar will hold a Facebook Live discussion with Deacon Art Miller of St. Mary’s Church in Simsbury to discuss the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and issues impacting the Black community. The discussion will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. and will be available to watch at Facebook.com/SenatorSaudAnwar.
“This annual holiday gives us all time to reflect on the work Dr. King performed all of his life, and the changes and challenges we still face today in our society,” said Sen. Anwar. “I look forward to joining Deacon Miller and hearing his wisdom about where we go from here.”
State Senator Matt Lesser Releases Statement Following News of Rate Decreases in Workers’ Compensation Insurance
State Senator Matt Lesser Releases Statement Following News of Rate Decreases in Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Today, state Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown), co-Chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, is releasing a statement following Governor Lamont’s announcement that Connecticut businesses will see another rate decrease in workers’ compensation insurance in 2022.
“I am pleased to see that Workers’ Compensation Insurance rates are again falling in Connecticut. This means huge savings for Connecticut businesses, and I am grateful to Commissioner Mais for returning meaningful relief to Connecticut policyholders.
Workers’ Compensation represents a ‘grand bargain’ between business and employees where employers receive limits on their liability – but in return employees are promised speedy compensation for work-related injuries.
To make good on that bargain, employers and insurers need to deal with the crisis of the moment and that means compensating workers who get sick with COVID-19 on the job. Far too many companies have resisted these claims – an increasing concern as Connecticut and the world deal with the omicron surge.”
State Senator James Maroney Plans to Reintroduce Data Privacy Bill in Upcoming Senate Session
State Senator James Maroney Plans to Reintroduce Data Privacy Bill in Upcoming Senate Session
State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford), Chair of the General Law Committee, is planning to reintroduce a bill that would protect consumers in Connecticut this upcoming legislative session. In 2021, Senator Maroney and Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) worked together on establishing a consumer data bill of rights that would protect Connecticut residents’ online privacy. The bill received favorable votes in three committees but was never voted on by the legislature.
“This session I will work hard to get this bill passed as I intend to make sure residents in Connecticut feel safe online,” said Sen. Maroney. “The digital world is perpetually growing and as more people turn to their mobile devices to schedule appointments, shop online, and input personal information, I have made it my duty to ensure consumers have a bill of rights that protects their personal information online.”
“This legislative session I have dedicated myself to getting everyone on board with a consumer data bill of rights which guarantees companies to make a commitment to consumers,” said Sen. Duff. “People in our community deserve to feel safe with their privacy online. These guidelines will ensure trust between a consumer and their electronics knowing their personal data isn’t being collected without their knowledge.”
In February 2021, Sen. Maroney introduced Senate Bill 893, “An Act Concerning Consumer Privacy,” which would have created a consumer data bill of rights and required big-tech companies to clearly state what data is being collected, how it’s being used, and why – and consumers would have the right to see that data, fix any errors in it, or delete it all. This February, Sen. Maroney plans to introduce a stronger bill that address the issue of data privacy.
Under the upcoming data privacy bill, companies will be required to clearly cite a privacy policy telling consumers what data is being collected, how it is being used, and why. This way, consumers are aware and have the right of knowing what information is being collected from them, the ability to see and fix any false data that is collected from them, and the right to have any collected data be deleted.
The bill will also prohibit companies from discriminating against those who choose to exercise these rights. This bill will provide protection over user information, thus preventing companies from abusing their data. It will require companies to lessen the amount of data they collect and only use it for the purposes they are collected it for; therefore having less data breaches and identity theft.
The legislation will ensure transparency within companies and consumers, therefore guaranteeing that consumers know just how much of their information is being collected and are given the right to control what is done with that data.
The legislative session is expected to begin February 9.
Sen. McCrory Celebrates Grants Awarded to Local Cultural, Arts and Music Organizations
Sen. McCrory Celebrates Grants Awarded to Local Cultural, Arts and Music Organizations
State Senator Doug McCrory, (D-Hartford, Bloomfield, and Windsor), co-chair of the Education Committee, celebrated the announcement that the Board of Directors of CT Humanities awarded significant grant funding valued at over $3.1 million for close to 60 non-profit museums and cultural, humanities and arts organizations located in Hartford, Bloomfield, or Windsor.
First Night Hartford, the Connecticut Science Center, The Artists Collective, Windsor Arts Center, and the Wintonbury Historical Society in Bloomfield are among the recipient organizations.
Almost 50 Hartford organizations have been collectively awarded slightly over $3.05 million in grant funding. $57,700 has been awarded to Bloomfield organizations and $85,900 for organizations in Windsor.
“Neighborhoods, students, and the local economy will benefit from this tremendous amount of funding,” said Sen. McCrory. “These grants will boost the ability of many local arts and cultural organizations to provide a social and educational outlet to our young people, while continuing to be a vital partner to the neighborhoods and communities they serve.”
The CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants are part of $30 million in support allocated over the next two years by the Connecticut General Assembly and approved by Governor Lamont.
These grants are intended to assist organizations recovering from the pandemic and aid their ability to provide services and programming the local community and the public. It is also aimed to connect K-12 teachers and students to strong humanities and arts content and improve information technology and digital infrastructure.
Grant funding ranged from $5,000 to $500,000 and any organization offering cultural, humanities and arts-based projects and activities for the public were eligible. The organizations to receive grants located in municipalities that Sen. McCrory represents are:
Hartford
- Actup Theater – $12,000
- Amistad Center for Art & Culture – $28,100
- Ancient Burying Ground Association – $8,300
- Artists in Real Time – $6,000
- Ballet Hartford – $9,200
- Bated Breath Theatre Company – $17,200
- Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation – $14,100
- Charter Oak Temple Restoration – $5,000
- Cinestudio – $17,900
- Connecticut Ballet – $33,800
- Connecticut Historical Society – $196,600
- Connecticut Landmarks – $119,200
- Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival – $8,300
- Connecticut Science Center – $49,800
- Connecticut State Library – $5,000
- CT Murals/RiseUP for Arts – $12,800
- CT Public – $500,000
- Cuatro Puntos – $11,800
- Everyday Democracy – $181,100
- First Night Hartford – $11,700
- Harriet Beecher Stowe Center – $49,200
- HartBeat Ensemble – $5,000
- Hartford Artisans Weaving Center – $20,200
- Hartford Chorale – $17,400
- Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus – $8,400
- Hartford Performs – $47,500
- Hartford Stage – $276,600
- Hartford Symphony Orchestra – $265,200
- Hartford’s Proud Drill Drum and Dance Corp – $5,600
- Journey Writers – $5,100
- Judy Dworin Performance Project – $29,800
- New World Trio – $5,800
- Night Fall – $11,300
- Opera Connecticut – $7,100
- Sankofa-Kuumba Cultural Arts Consortium – $6,700
- Sonia Plumb Dance Company – $13,100
- Spectrum in Motion Dance Theater Ensemble – $13,200
- Taste of the Caribbean Arts & Culture CT – $8,000
- The Artists Collective – $5,000
- The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts – $5,000
- The Connecticut Democracy Center at Connecticut’s Old State House – $126,200
- The Connecticut Forum – $83,600
- The Mark Twain House & Museum – $103,200
- TheaterWorks Hartford – $155,000
- Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art – $500,000
- World Affairs Council of Connecticut – $26,900
- Real Art Ways – $5,000
Bloomfield
- Auerfarm – $41,300
- Hartford Jazz Society – $10,700
- Wintonbury Historical Society – $5,700
Windsor
- Connecticut Valley Symphony Orchestra – $6,300
- CTDaughters of the American Revolution – $6,700
- Music School at Sound Crossing – $11,400
- The Windsor Historical Society of Windsor, Connecticut – $28,900
- Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut – $8,600
- Ellsworth Memorial Association – $6,300
- Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz – $9,300
- Windsor Art Center – $8,400