Norm Needleman

STATE SENATOR

Norm Needleman

DEPUTY PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE

COMMON-SENSE SOLUTIONS

June 11, 2019

Senator Needleman Joins Senate Democrat Coalition to Discuss 2019 Session Victories

HARTFORD, CT – This week, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) joined a coalition of Senate Democrats as they discussed the successes they experienced during the 2019 legislative session, which ended June 5 of this year. Sen. Needleman, Chairman of the Energy and Technology Committee, spoke on the importance of new energy legislation primed to increase generation of green energy and spur economic growth.

“As far as my committee goes, our work was taxing and stressful but the end result was a great jobs bill,” said Sen. Needleman. “It creates a new green industry for Connecticut we’ve never had, will work to revitalize southeastern Connecticut and will replace much of the energy currently generated by Millstone when that power plant ends generation. We also passed a bill for 5G internet that will place high speed internet on state properties and our green economy bill fixes problems like net metering. Our committee worked in a bipartisan, bicameral manner, working together to find solutions. I want to thank Representative Dave Arconti for his leadership as well as Senator Paul Formica and Representative Charles Ferraro. The proof is in the pudding; we did a great job for the state of Connecticut. We’re taking care of those most in need, making sure workers are treated fairly, and creating opportunities for the future.”

Sen. Needleman joined Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford), Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury), Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) and Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) Monday in the Legislative Office Building to discuss important legislative priorities the Senate achieved during the six-month legislative session. Victories discussed Monday included:

  • The landmark achievement of implementing a Paid Family and Medical Leave program for Connecticut workers
  • A five-tier increase of the minimum wage from $10.10 today to $15 in 2023
  • Ethan’s Law, which will protect minors and improve gun safety
  • Up to three years of debt-free community college courses for high school graduates
  • Increasing the age of access for tobacco products from 18 to 21
  • Health insurance protections prohibiting consumer-unfriendly billing practices

Senate leadership also commended freshman Senators for their hard work. Half, or eleven, of current Democratic Senators in the Connecticut General Assembly are in their first term, including Sen. Needleman.

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