2010 news archive for the Connecticut Senate Democrats' Leadership: President Pro Tempore Senator Donald E. Williams, Jr. and Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/rss/leaders-news2010.xml http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:36:53 -0400 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:36:43 -0400 FeedForAll Mac v2.1 (2.1.0.1); http://www.FeedForAll.com/ State Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) today announced the Senate Democrats’ legislative committee assignments for the upcoming 2011-2012 legislative session which begins January 5. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-101228.php ABAD426D-B13B-4F63-9703-120E13F78465-603-00000880E48FAF46-FFA Tue, 28 Dec 2010 13:59:28 -0500 Logee’s Tropical Plants, a third generation family owned business in the Town of Danielson, is expanding its operations, growing jobs, and reducing energy costs thanks to the completion of a new state-of-the-art greenhouse. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-101215.php 369B5F73-3C03-4E83-9E81-1E82F88B3033-603-0000087A8DCF4A2D-FFA Wed, 15 Dec 2010 13:58:57 -0500 Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) is pleased to announce that he has appointed East Haven Mayor April Capone Almon to be a volunteer member of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW). http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-101209.php ADC8A83A-8EB1-4DBF-A94E-1C2F565BAF11-603-0000087222F65CC2-FFA Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:58:25 -0500 "I applaud Gov.-Elect Dannel Malloy’s appointment of State Supreme Court Justice Joette Katz as the next commissioner of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Gov.-Elect Malloy has made a superb choice for a position that is one of the most important and challenging in all of state government." http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-101130.php 2AFD395C-14D0-45D6-9AD4-7BD08A43BFE8-603-00000868C65BB22F-FFA Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:57:53 -0500 Following last week’s launch of the New Haven Promise program and Wednesday’s unveiling of the New Haven Promise Partnership program, Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. and Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney stood alongside other members of the New Haven Legislative Delegation and community leaders to announce support for an in-state tuition act. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-101118.php 7C487D34-54A5-431F-8FE5-A6A1194C9467-603-0000085C77E009FD-FFA Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:57:15 -0500 State Senate Democrats unanimously re-elected Senator Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) as Senate President Pro Tempore and Senator Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven / Hamden) as Majority Leader. The Democrats made their choices at a caucus in Hartford this afternoon. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-101104.php 1968C551-C571-4777-97A1-18205C50813D-603-00000840E0771E04-FFA Thu, 04 Nov 2010 13:56:47 -0400 A new state law that took effect just days ago, on October 1st, will make Connecticut a friendlier place to do business by streamlining the environmental permitting process, cutting red tape and reducing the uncertainty often involved in economic development projects. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-101006.php 33D7DCC3-250E-45B7-B56D-5696EF27E7DF-603-00000836FC693D4E-FFA Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:54:19 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) says four towns in the 29th Senate District are receiving grants from the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP). http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-101001.php DA88FBDF-2B95-4776-A02A-FE8B22113571-603-0000082CA312EF7C-FFA Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:53:33 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) says two new laws that will take effect on Friday October 1st will provide immediate benefits to families and businesses in Eastern Connecticut. Both bill had overwhelming bipartisan support and were signed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100930a.php 09EC4500-D483-4837-AA78-324F9CAAD750-603-0000082798BDB55D-FFA Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:52:55 -0400 A new state law that takes effect tomorrow, October 1 will make Connecticut a friendlier place to do business by streamlining the environmental permitting process, cutting red tape and reducing the uncertainty often involved in economic development projects. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100930.php D526323A-E063-439E-8FA9-C0381FACB181-603-0000081ACBEBB422-FFA Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:52:17 -0400 Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Senator Thomas Gaffey (D-Meriden), Senate Chair of the state’s Education Committee, welcome news that Connecticut’s landmark concussion bill is serving as a model for national legislation that was considered today by the House Education and Labor Committee. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100923.php 078662EF-286D-42E0-97EF-FF3865CE86BB-603-00000811F2E64594-FFA Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:51:38 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) says that statistics from the state’s Department of Public Utility Control indicate that the number of residential and commercial customers who have chosen their own electric supplier has nearly doubled in the last nine months—from 17 percent in November 2009 to nearly 30 percent now. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100910.php 1521D309-1516-462A-94DE-917B65E4DA0A-603-00000806EF4EF57D-FFA Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:50:57 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) joined State Rep. Mae Flexer (D-Danielson), Putnam Schools Athletic Director Patricia Devine, local coaches and student-athletes at a news conference in Putnam on Wednesday September 1st to announce that Public Act 10-62, “An Act Concerning Student Athletes and Concussions”, is in place for the upcoming school year. The new law will affect interscholastic sports and student-athlete safety in two fundamental ways. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100901.php 0855A35F-CCFF-42CE-AC8A-878A00407DF2-603-000007FCABEB4083-FFA Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:50:11 -0400 "We are nearly two months into the current fiscal year and there are some encouraging signs. Tax revenues are beginning to rebound and help stabilize the budget. Unfortunately, a reduction in anticipated federal aid has offset some of the gains." http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100820.php 7293DE32-791B-49FB-A751-E8CF24472F78-603-000007F3C7F452C9-FFA Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:49:29 -0400 Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) has been awarded the biennial Senator Chris Dodd Award from the Connecticut AFL-CIO for his efforts as a legislative leader to protect and help working families. Senator Looney was presented the award at the AFL-CIO convention in Hartford on Monday August, 16, 2010. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100819.php 2816EAAA-E5DB-49DD-A30E-8E425FEDAEEF-603-000007ECEF91EFF5-FFA Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:48:51 -0400 On the 55th anniversary of one of the worst floods in Connecticut’s history, Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) is urging residents to take advantage of a new state service called the CT Alert Emergency Notification System (ENS). http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100818.php 2AF68A61-6C0E-4FA7-8CBE-55B324D7F237-603-000007E5B6D8624B-FFA Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:48:15 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) says that when the state’s Bond Commission meets on August 11th it is expected to approve $1 million in funding for the creation of training programs at local community colleges for the state’s unemployed workers. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100809.php E33DEFA4-79AC-4CE7-AD5C-21547C1B2FD9-603-000007DC4357F660-FFA Mon, 09 Aug 2010 14:47:42 -0400 This summer’s record heat-wave has sent energy costs soaring and Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) joined Senator Toni Harp (D-New Haven), the manager of the Infinity Auto Group and representatives from the United Illuminating Company for a news conference to highlight how businesses and residents can lower their energy costs this summer. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100806.php 2AF5ED69-9100-4CF7-AE19-5D6141947345-603-000007D59EE4B7D6-FFA Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:47:10 -0400 Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) has earned a perfect score on the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters’ (CTLCV) just released Environmental Scorecard for 2010. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100805a.php 732E72A2-C063-45B0-B064-1057FA929277-603-000007CF019E16C7-FFA Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:46:42 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) has earned a perfect score on the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters’ (CTLCV) just released Environmental Scorecard for 2010. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100805.php A0494009-EB13-4D40-B53C-7E051396F9A7-603-000007C75A4840FC-FFA Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:46:14 -0400 All of us agree that it is important to protect the spirit and integrity of the landmark legislation we passed and you signed in 2005. We passed legislation last week protecting the program, just two weeks after the Second Circuit Court’s decision and days after the expiration of the two week period to request an en banc hearing before the Court. Unfortunately, you vetoed that legislation, forcing us to return in the days ahead. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100804a.php 3F15286C-056F-4A53-B779-739A107C301C-603-000007BF27B26460-FFA Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:45:40 -0400 Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Sen. Gary D. LeBeau (D-East Hartford) announced today that the State Bond Commission is expected to approve a combined $6.5 million in funding for various job-creation measures included in the Majority Leaders’ Job Growth Roundtable bill when it meets on August 11. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100804.php B8E30945-BA8D-4A70-BE7C-C0151E4A0F2A-603-000007B6B80E959A-FFA Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:45:04 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) and Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) are calling on the General Assembly’s Higher Education Committee and Appropriations Committee to hold joint hearings regarding the administration and organization of Connecticut’s three public higher education systems--the University of Connecticut, CSUS, and the Connecticut Community Colleges. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100727a.php F0227AA3-AAB1-4659-B36A-1B4DE33B493F-603-000007A768EABFBC-FFA Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:43:57 -0400 This summer’s record heat-wave has sent energy costs soaring and Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) joined Senator Edith Prague (D-Columbia), State Rep. Susan Johnson (D-Willimantic), the manager of Cash Home Center and representatives from Connecticut Light and Power for a news conference to highlight how businesses and residents can lower their energy costs this summer. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100727.php 7DFE5708-4C36-47A3-A9FD-7DAF0D9AB623-603-000007A0DF2DF238-FFA Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:43:23 -0400 Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Senator Toni Harp (D-New Haven) joined New Haven Mayor John DeStefano; State Rep. Juan Candelaria; representatives from the ROOF (Real Options Overcoming Foreclosure) Project, and the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, and residents who have faced foreclosure for a news conference in New Haven today to announce that the state’s landmark foreclosure mediation program is being extended for another two years. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100721.php A0A3950A-84F4-4458-8040-00BC6586E89F-603-0000079663846C5B-FFA Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:42:39 -0400 "Today’s 2nd Circuit Court ruling confounded those who presumed to know what the court would do and what changes needed to be made in our Clean Elections laws. The ruling upholds some of the basic principles that form the basis of the state’s landmark law. Unfortunately, it also reverses key parts of the campaign finance reform law designed to eliminate the influence of special interests." http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100713a.php C8F0A673-EEFF-430E-BF94-B1714444BA9D-603-0000078BE9C4D955-FFA Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:42:06 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) joined State Rep. Susan Johnson (D-Willimantic); representatives from the Access Community Action Agency in Willimantic, and the Connecticut Fair Housing Center for a news conference in Willimantic today to announce that the state’s landmark foreclosure mediation program is being extended for another year. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100713.php 96814E0D-2948-4451-93CE-0B93CEDB0A7C-603-000007835C9C768B-FFA Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:41:22 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) says farmers across Connecticut will benefit from grants that are expected to be approved when the State Bond Commission meets July 13th. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100707.php 28CEACED-2E9B-41FA-89BC-55D37ED66FBC-603-0000077C10509689-FFA Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:40:46 -0400 Starting July 1st thousands of seniors across Connecticut who are struggling to stay in their homes will have the opportunity to receive additional support from the state--and Senate Democratic leaders calls it a win-win for seniors and taxpayers. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100701.php 8148C562-A5E3-408F-965B-5E3FCB615F30-603-000007715F3F4F45-FFA Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:40:15 -0400 New state laws approved by the General Assembly that assist victims of domestic violence, crackdown on offenders and increase public awareness of the epidemic take effect this week. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100629.php 775517E9-54FB-472D-B4BD-BB49622AD499-603-000007685A5FD424-FFA Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:39:30 -0400 "The latest budget projection from the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) for the current fiscal year is good news for Connecticut’s bottom line. Revenues are rebounding as our economy begins to recover from the global recession. The additional revenues will allow us to significantly reduce borrowing in the next fiscal year." http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100622.php 1BABF544-328F-46C9-AB79-09E596CC45B2-603-0000075E6DD3405C-FFA Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:38:48 -0400 Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) says action taken today in special session by the General Assembly will help neighborhoods and homeowners in Connecticut cope with the effects of the mortgage foreclosure crisis. Legislation was also passed that offers tax credits to businesses which hire blind workers. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100621a.php CB5E430F-B2FF-4124-A0BA-BD51D1CA45CC-603-000006DBA2378142-FFA Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:29:16 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) says action taken today in special session by the General Assembly will help neighborhoods and homeowners in Connecticut cope with the effects of the mortgage foreclosure crisis. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100621.php E155E56D-2912-4C9A-AC66-073A39848F9A-603-000006D4FBDE2317-FFA Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:28:47 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) says a new report by the University of Connecticut that ranks the Town of Putnam above the state average for per capita library use is a good reason to maintain support for public libraries. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100615.php 29A083B9-B9C3-4BCE-8D2E-990C8744CDA5-603-000006CCC6E90D18-FFA Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:28:20 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn); joined Dr. Ross Tomlin, QVCC President; John Lewis, Assistant Professor of Chemistry; Dr. Melissa Philion, Assistant Professor of Biological Studies; Jocelyn Basset, Brooklyn, CT, QVCC ’10; Roger Adams, Executive Director of the Windham Region Chamber of Commerce; and Elizabeth Kuszaj, Executive Director of the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce at a news conference on Tuesday to highlight how the state’s new landmark jobs law will help train and develop the workforce of tomorrow. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100601.php 518AF966-D4B4-4BD1-AE50-BAECE8644F4E-603-000006C39075179F-FFA Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:27:43 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) was one of several legislators from Eastern Connecticut recognized by the CT Early Childhood Alliance for engagement on issues related to early childhood. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100526.php 92EF490B-9ADC-428D-A599-911A0237EE81-603-000006B8EDAC3FBD-FFA Wed, 26 May 2010 14:27:03 -0400 Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven), Senator Toni Harp (D-New Haven), Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford), House Democratic Majority Leader Denise Merrill (D-Mansfield), and Gateway Community College President Dr. Dorsey Kendrick held a news conference today to highlight how the General Assembly’s landmark jobs bill will help train and educate Connecticut’s workforce. Several students from Gateway who may benefit from the provisions in the bill also attended the news conference. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100520.php 75B3D029-DCBB-4016-BC17-73236C9AB4C7-603-000006B20E1DEDB3-FFA Thu, 20 May 2010 14:26:18 -0400 State Senator Thomas P. Gaffey (D-Meriden), long-standing co-chair of the legislature’s Education Committee, and Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) today welcomed Governor M. Jodi Rell’s signature on one of their priority initiatives this session, Public Act 10-62: An Act Concerning Student athletes and Concussions. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100519a.php 20069118-6DBF-49C0-B299-099E86DE06FD-603-000006AB154B32C8-FFA Wed, 19 May 2010 14:25:48 -0400 "I am disappointed that Gov. Rell has decided to veto a bill that offered immediate tax relief to more than 46,000 small businesses across Connecticut," said Senator Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn). http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100519.php 4E9ADAD9-5AE6-41F7-AF8B-884BFDBD0FFF-603-0000069EBFAAF77A-FFA Wed, 19 May 2010 14:25:19 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) joined Gov. Rell, legislative leaders, and members of the business community at a ceremonial bill signing today to celebrate passage of HB 5435. The event was held at Pegasus Manufacturing, Inc. in Middletown. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100512a.php F424A0B6-63A6-411A-BED8-800F7BA5A8E9-603-000006950F9A4439-FFA Wed, 12 May 2010 14:24:19 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn), House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden), co-chairs of the General Assembly’s Energy and Technology Committee Senator John W. Fonfara (D-Hartford) and Representative Vickie O. Nardello (D-Cheshire), and Representative Minnie Gonzalez (D-Hartford) today led a press conference at the state capitol to encourage Governor M. Jodi Rell’s support of landmark energy reform, and to tout the bill’s potential to lower electric rates, increase the generation of renewable energy and promote energy efficiency. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100512.php 0053ADCB-627F-4960-BAEE-B8E305084015-603-0000068B19702887-FFA Wed, 12 May 2010 14:23:42 -0400 "It is fitting that Gov. Rell signed the budget and the bipartisan jobs bill on the same day--because they represent the top two priorities of this past legislative session. They’re also an example of the bipartisan cooperation that families across Connecticut expect from their elected leaders." http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100507.php A967221F-6306-42A4-AF63-C3EDC655F6BF-603-0000068004B4DBD5-FFA Fri, 07 May 2010 14:23:01 -0400 "For the last few weeks we have worked together in a respectful and productive manner to address Connecticut’s unprecedented fiscal challenges. We are pleased to announce that we have reached agreement on a revised budget that fully balances the budget without raising taxes, cutting municipal aid or harming needed social services. The budget plan also includes tough spending cuts that will reduce borrowing so as to save money in future fiscal years. We urge legislators to support the budget bill and help Connecticut continue its economic recovery. We look forward to swift passage of this budget and it being signed into law." http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100505.php 47E3DFB6-A4BF-412B-B7ED-88714E2B7257-603-00000674D00AE6D3-FFA Wed, 05 May 2010 14:22:13 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) and Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) have lead passage of Senate Bill 1, legislation that will cut taxes for approximately 50,000 small ‘mom and pop’ businesses in Connecticut. The bill passed with a vote of 21-14 and now goes to the House of Representatives for final action. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100430.php 493E29EC-1BA5-4EA7-B9A3-254E79496163-603-0000066A754613D7-FFA Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:21:23 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) says a bill just passed by the Senate on Wednesday April 21st will help protect the privacy of seniors who are members of their local senior centers. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100422.php 7F0FCCC9-D2E4-4CD2-9F87-825CC8797B4A-603-0000065E2EE2A76F-FFA Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:20:41 -0400 State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge) and Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) today won Senate passage of SB260, An Act Concerning Health Insurance Coverage for Routine Patient Care Costs for Certain Clinical Trial Patients. The bill, should it become law, would require insurance coverage of clinical trials and related costs for Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100422b.php 5FF3D6A4-ECBC-4053-A588-5F7CCF80D47E-603-00000655F33DF5DA-FFA Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:19:48 -0400 State Senator Thomas P. Gaffey (D-Meriden), long-standing co-chair of the legislature’s Education Committee, today helped win unanimous Senate passage of SB456: An Act Concerning Student athletes and Concussions. Senator Gaffey thanked Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) for his leadership on the issue and for his stewardship of this bill throughout the legislative process. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100422a.php 707E8B5F-5173-4D23-A215-9CA96743F590-603-0000064AB676C2CA-FFA Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:18:59 -0400 "We appreciate all ideas and contributions and look forward to meeting with fellow legislative leaders and Gov. Rell on Monday to discuss how Connecticut can meet its fiscal challenges." http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100415.php FB2E1BF3-5A03-4188-8E6E-DEE024C217A6-603-000006403141C53E-FFA Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:18:18 -0400 State Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney helped to lead passage of a bipartisan bill that not only resolves most of the state’s budget deficit for the current year but also extends the state’s landmark foreclosure mediation program for an additional year. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100414a.php 25D89E69-4FC5-4A23-9C8B-7A93F5B5A3DF-603-00000638AACF057D-FFA Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:17:37 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. D-Brooklyn) helped to lead final passage today of a bipartisan bill that rolls back Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) sportsmen licensing and permit fees--including those for hunting and fishing licenses. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100414.php 68ACB6CD-E4F0-4775-A76A-46BC37FBF20F-603-0000062F0BEB6019-FFA Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:17:04 -0400 Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) joined Frank Alvarado, Director of the Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA), and business owners from New Haven at a news conference to highlight how Senate Bill 1 would impact small businesses in Greater New Haven. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100408.php 7C3083F9-3BB7-4F28-BA7A-3FEC22955781-603-000006268B9C291C-FFA Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:16:27 -0400 House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden), Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) State Representative Catherine Abercrombie (D-Meriden) and other lawmakers joined together in celebrating Autism Awareness Day today at the state capitol in Hartford http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100407.php 6D71F28E-739A-41F8-9CC2-D7A88FA70DCF-603-0000061DACE153E1-FFA Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:15:49 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) says the latest FY 10 budget deficit projections from State Comptroller Nancy Wyman, which show a $371 million deficit, should be ample motivation for Gov. Rell to fully engage herself in the budget mitigation process. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100401.php 745B35B5-F784-40CB-A595-FA8FCD4E8077-603-00000610FABDDFC1-FFA Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:15:11 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) joined Rep. Susan Johnson (D-Windham), Willimantic Mayor Ernest Eldridge, Executive Director of the Windham Region Chamber Roger Adams, Frank Alvarado of the Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA), and small business owners at a news conference to highlight how Senate Bill 1 could cut taxes for 149 small businesses in Windham. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100330.php 6C5B38CA-D7DE-4264-95B5-3436E145A0B7-603-0000060850F22A14-FFA Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:14:15 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) is urging the House to vote on the FY 10 deficit mitigation plan passed by the Senate early Saturday morning that fully balances the deficit without raising taxes on the middle class and without cutting municipal aid. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100329.php DADA1E94-A69F-46B4-BE98-E810BA376D17-603-00000600E6A19A15-FFA Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:13:40 -0400 “Senator Williams and Senator Looney are disappointed that Governor's Rell's veto threat has intimidated the House into canceling their agreed upon Saturday vote. The General Assembly has an obligation to pass a bill that makes tough choices and closes the deficit. Senate Democrats worked past five in the morning to do just that.” http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100327a.php A9C350D3-34C3-4E74-BE6C-EE24153FB81C-603-000005F8DA3140FB-FFA Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:13:09 -0400 By a vote of 21-5, Senate Democrats approved a deficit mitigation plan (SB 492) early this morning that will fully close the FY 10 budget deficit of more than $530 million. In addition, the plan will reduce the budget deficit for FY 11, estimated to be $700 million, by approximately $70 million. The plan does not raise the income or sales tax, and does not cut municipal aid. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100327.php 66B24956-6200-49FD-AEC2-ABBDF22D0D2F-603-000005EB1A2820FF-FFA Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:11:58 -0400 "The General Assembly and Gov. Rell have an obligation to balance the budget. Gov. Rell is either unwilling or unable to convince legislators--even members of her own party--to support her budget mitigation plan. Republican legislators are focused exclusively on criticizing proposals from others, not offering solutions of their own. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100324.php 7A96EC81-CDE1-478E-886A-E484C8785CB6-603-000005D7EBB39455-FFA Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:11:05 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) applauds Attorney General Richard Blumenthal’s formal opinion today that supports a key provision included in Senate Bill 1, An Act Concerning the Preservation and Creation of Jobs in Connecticut. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100323.php 3CB871E1-B9CB-4450-BD3F-D46959460322-603-000004CFFAD48B32-FFA Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:52:44 -0400 Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Chair of the Education Committee Thomas Gaffey (D-Meriden) say today Connecticut is one step closer to passing a law that will help protect more than 100,000 student-athletes from the affects of concussions. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100319b.php C64BB79A-FE3C-4248-94C3-EE401B61A15E-603-000004C3DCFA7587-FFA Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:51:17 -0400 State Senator Joseph Crisco (D-Woodbridge) says the General Assembly’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee has approved a bill this week which would create greater fairness for patients who are denied coverage from their health insurance provider. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100319.php E13EF74C-4A6B-488E-B7D2-702C01B967C4-603-000004BBF91F1043-FFA Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:50:26 -0400 Saying that it is imperative the state act before a preventable devastating injury occurs, Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) testified in favor today of Raised Bill 456, AN ACT CONCERNING STUDENT ATHLETES AND CONCUSSIONS. Dr. Tom Trojian--UConn Women’s Basketball Team Physician; and Robert Howard--Head Athletic Trainer for UConn--joined Senator Looney at the public hearing to support the bill. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100317.php BB5EF302-8A33-42DC-B0BA-8A51709E7F14-603-000004A7E16A93A7-FFA Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:49:51 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) welcomes state funding for fire safety improvements at Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC). The $424,000 bond request is on the State Bond Commission Agenda for March 16, 2010 and approval by the Bond Commission is expected. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100311.php F1743E7C-2036-448F-9368-35EE8BB340AC-603-0000049F01BDDE4F-FFA Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:48:25 -0500 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) says the latest unemployment numbers for Connecticut underscore the importance of the General Assembly passing a jobs bill this legislation session. According to the state Department of Labor, the unemployment rate in Connecticut for January was 9 percent, up from 8.8 in December. While the Connecticut unemployment rate is still below the national rate of 9.7 percent, any increase is cause for concern. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100309a.php 9DE88368-5CAD-4ACB-9C67-3C7D383489DD-603-000004927CE16468-FFA Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:47:44 -0500 “There is no higher priority right now than growing jobs and strengthening our economy--and health care is one of the most promising economic sectors for a state like Connecticut, with its highly educated workforce." http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100309.php 1D13E360-D569-4C40-8190-D15D5D08D08D-603-00000487A80D75B0-FFA Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:46:53 -0500 State Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney, Senator Joseph Crisco, State Rep. Peter Villano, and Rep. Brendan Sharkey met with seniors at the Miller Senior Center in Hamden on Friday March 5th to detail their efforts to grow jobs, which include a plan offering targeted tax relief to more than 46,000 small ‘mom and pop’ businesses in Connecticut. The lawmakers also discussed new opportunities for seniors to save money on health care and energy costs. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100305b.php 27FBB558-507E-4051-A9FE-C7CF01E14216-603-0000047B2FA034B4-FFA Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:45:55 -0500 Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) testified on Thursday March 4th in support of two bills before the General Assembly’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee today, one of which would create greater fairness for patients who are denied coverage from their health insurance provider. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100305.php 65E28B6A-2797-4126-839D-AFA7C9D7AB0E-603-00000438498FBE34-FFA Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:41:01 -0500 “The review of the budget mitigation plan will begin immediately. One thing remains clear: real spending cuts will be necessary to help balance the budget. It is also critical that we take action to grow and protect jobs--something that has a direct impact on tax revenues--and the deficit. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly and the governor on both of these important issues.” http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100301a.php 37479373-B35E-4FE5-B58D-3F26E0E84268-148-00000B843D54C1C8-FFA Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:23:51 -0500 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) joined Eastern Connecticut Chamber President Tony Sheridan, Windham Region Chamber of Commerce President Roger Adams, and small business owners at a public hearing on Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) held by the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100301.php DAA7D7C3-2E8C-4FC0-9EEA-5000E7B5CFAB-148-00000B7D4D8E9EAA-FFA Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:22:59 -0500 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn), Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden), Senator Thomas Gaffey (D-Meriden), Sean Moore--the President of the Meriden Chamber of Commerce, and small businesses owners held a news conference at Paul’s Courtyard Café in downtown Meriden to highlight the need for job growth in Connecticut and to detail a jobs plan that would grow employment through targeted tax relief and an expansion of available credit to small ‘mom and pop’ businesses. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100223.php BD7A2A9A-96D1-4F5E-8E3F-894DDD7547BD-148-00000B6D20B30DE5-FFA Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:22:11 -0500 State Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) and Senator Thomas A. Colapietro (D-Bristol) held a news conference at a Bristol dry cleaners today to highlight the need for job growth in Connecticut and to detail a jobs plan that would grow employment through targeted tax relief and an expansion of available credit to small ‘mom and pop’ businesses. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100217.php 021F4AC4-34A8-49F7-8512-A48D3B8CDE83-148-00000B63D81D3816-FFA Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:21:24 -0500 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) held a news conference at a Putnam manufacturer today to highlight Democrats’ efforts to help businesses cut costs and make ends meet. Senator Williams also detailed a new jobs plan that would offer targeted tax relief to small ‘mom and pop’ businesses. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100216.php A8D169AB-FF17-4029-AD80-2AFB602FEA64-148-00000B5AD87A1E5B-FFA Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:20:44 -0500 "Growing jobs and balancing the budget are the top priorities for Democrats this legislative session and we’re glad to hear the same is true for Gov. Rell." http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100203.php E06FFA6B-C4CB-490C-8886-B4A250611298-148-00000B5052551FF9-FFA Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:20:07 -0500 “We begin the legislative session ready to work with the governor to tackle the challenges facing Connecticut. We look forward to seeing more details on the governor’s proposals to balance the budget and enact fiscal reforms. Of course the other top priority for this legislative session must be growing and protecting jobs. Senate Democrats have made a number of proposals to jump start job growth and help small businesses. We hope to hear the governor substantively address this issue in her tomorrow.” http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100202a.php 6F21AEA0-AA48-4FE8-B1D6-5F1E5EB9B145-148-00000B4505529BBB-FFA Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:19:17 -0500 A group led by House Majority Leader Denise Merrill (D-Mansfield) and Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) today announced a series of recommendations designed “to jump-start job creation in Connecticut and lay the foundation for long-term prosperity.” http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100202.php 572DEC6F-7909-49E4-928E-FD85607785BC-148-00000B3A54446CB4-FFA Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:18:33 -0500 Senate Democrats held a news conference at a drycleaners in West Hartford on Monday--two days before the 2010 legislative session begins--to announce a new plan to help small businesses protect and grow jobs. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100201.php E0B8326E-F313-4D11-B9D7-0CF28C83C901-148-00000B2D8AC0EAA9-FFA Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:17:46 -0500 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) and Senator Edith Prague (D-Columbia) joined nursing instructors, students, and the Executive Director of the Windham Region Chamber of Commerce--Roger Adams--at a news conference on Wednesday January 27th to highlight their efforts to reinstate Connecticut’s Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) adult education program. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100127.php D6129A30-9231-426D-A4FB-41F33DFD15C8-148-00000B20E12CD0A0-FFA Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:16:53 -0500 Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Senator Thomas Gaffey (D-Meriden)--Senate Chair of the Education Committee--joined doctors, coaches, and representatives from the Connecticut Athletic Trainers’ Association, and The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference at a news conference to announce a legislative proposal that will help protect student-athletes from the effects of concussions. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100126.php D52894D1-C0A6-49FE-B140-D55B360C22FD-148-00000B153A8E1015-FFA Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:15:58 -0500 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn), state Sen. Jonathan A. Harris (D-West Hartford), and state Sen. Edith G. Prague (D-Columbia) announced today that they have created a bipartisan group of House and Senate legislators to consider various ways to reinstate Connecticut’s Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) adult education program, which graduates approximately 350 students every 16 months into a high-demand medical field and which Gov. M. Jodi Rell unilaterally eliminated as part of her most recent round of state budget cuts. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100121.php 5E3F1FDB-5B1A-466F-8578-E1EA1B448953-148-00000B0B7B47A95B-FFA Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:16:18 -0500 State Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) and Senator John W. Fonfara (D-Hartford), co-chair of the General Assembly’s Energy & Technology committee, joined with Connecticut electric suppliers and private electric customers today to detail a commonly missed opportunity for Connecticut residents and businesses to save money on their utility bills. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-100115.php 1BF5E8A7-28B0-48D5-B78F-8670274A9EC1-267-000006425C0FAD0B-FFA Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:16:37 -0500