Latest news from the Connecticut Senate Democrats http://www.senatedems.ct.gov 2011 Connecticut Senate Democrats http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss en-us Tue, 21 May 2013 13:13:42 -0400 info@senatedems.ct.gov Tue, 21 May 2013 13:13:27 -0400 info@senatedems.ct.gov FeedForAll Mac v2.1 (2.1.0.1); http://www.FeedForAll.com/ On Tuesday morning, a bipartisan group of legislative leaders joined a rally at the Connecticut State Capitol to announce new legislation which would require all food containing genetically modified ingredients to be appropriately labeled. The State Senate intended to take up the bill that same day. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130521.php BE78E480-0F34-4FE1-ADEE-314E85CCF375-927-00000F6280D7E485-FFA Tue, 21 May 2013 13:13:39 -0400 State Senator Dante Bartolomeo (D-Meriden) unveiled a comprehensive early childhood mental health proposal today that is intended to serve as a complement to House Bill 1160, the gun violence prevention and child safety measures that was passed on a bipartisan and overwhelming basis last month by the legislature in reaction to the December school shootings in Newtown. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bartolomeo-130520.php 36B58A55-E745-41FB-AE5B-03A34D4C4E40-2046-000003BF02B70689-FFA Mon, 20 May 2013 15:19:01 -0400 Today Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford), Senate Chairman of the General Assembly’s Veterans Affairs Committee, lead unanimous passage in the Senate of legislation to guarantee that all 169 town halls in Connecticut designate at least one employee to serve as a contact person for veterans and to answer their questions regarding veterans benefits and programs. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leone-130516a.php 2E63CD13-77BF-4493-9E68-919B5601A925-930-000001A0DDE8008E-FFA Thu, 16 May 2013 09:06:25 -0400 Following debate in the State Senate this afternoon, Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford) joined his colleagues in a 28 to 8 vote to create a statewide recycling and disposal program for discarded sleeping mattresses. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/fonfara-130516.php CDA59AD9-7DB4-4F1B-91EF-0FE3E61344A2-930-000001995D9A6778-FFA Thu, 16 May 2013 09:06:36 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams(D-Brooklyn) and Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) hailed today’s senate passage of of Senate Bill 872, which bans the use of tanning booths by people under the age of seventeen. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130516a.php F95063C5-F1B8-4B12-87F0-46CB4F49CA95-53436-00006EFF087189D5-FFA Thu, 16 May 2013 18:40:15 -0400 On Wednesday, State Senators Carlo Leone and Bob Duff welcomed multiple groups of fifth grade students from Darien’s Royle Elementary School to the State Capitol in Hartford. The legislators shared some insights with the children about how state government works, and spoke about the importance of everyone’s participation in a democratic society. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leone-130516.php 5335BA30-C8BF-4ABB-8D56-A93C798A61D2-1252-00001CE36887B8B3-FFA Thu, 16 May 2013 17:21:31 -0400 In remarks today to the Connecticut Council of Small Towns, Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr., (D-Brooklyn) issued a strong pledge to work to protect state aid to towns. Senator Williams is currently negotiating Connecticut’s biennial budget. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130516.php 494291F6-69F2-4E49-9CEF-E82E85C6CC9A-1252-00001BC07694D169-FFA Thu, 16 May 2013 17:00:40 -0400 Today State Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) led passage of Senate Bill 872, which ban the use of tanning booths by people under the age of seventeen. Senate Bill 872 was placed on a consent calendar and is expected to pass unanimously later today. The ban is a response to recent studies identifying indoor tanning devices and facilities as being highly carcinogenic. Skin cancer has become the most common form of cancer in the United States, and use of tanning facilities before the age of 35 has been shown to drastically increase health risks. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/gerratana-130516.php A9D99FC7-CDF0-43AF-8EC3-6EAAE755FDF5-1252-000019B9F0AEE4C9-FFA Thu, 16 May 2013 16:23:38 -0400 State Senator Eric D. Coleman joined his Senate colleagues Thursday in voting to create a statewide recycling and disposal program for discarded sleeping mattresses. House Bill 6437 represents an agreement between mattress manufacturers, retailers and city and state officials after years of discussion. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 28-8. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/coleman-130516.php C88A42BD-018D-453D-9A6D-926C1EC88DC5-1252-000019B58EF5FDED-FFA Thu, 16 May 2013 16:23:11 -0400 Two bills passed by the State Senate Wednesday will protect shoreline homeowners from the threat of a rising sea level. State Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) led Senate Bill 1013 and Senate Bill 1014 through the Senate, where they passed with unanimous support. Passage of these bills allows for the development of strategies to combat the impact of future storms and sea rise. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130516.php 6E1476AC-A50F-4C91-B897-B85E3AA087D8-877-000014404FA42990-FFA Thu, 16 May 2013 14:43:12 -0400 State Senator Andrew Maynard (D-Stonington) spoke with manufacturers from across the state yesterday at the State Capitol. The manufacturers were showcasing their businesses and meeting with legislators as part of Manufacturing and Technology Day. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/maynard-130516.php 738C8369-0BE9-4B56-B087-3CF018EA3A78-877-000014098873ED17-FFA Thu, 16 May 2013 14:39:14 -0400 Manufacturers from across the state gathered Wednesday at the state Capitol to showcase their businesses and speak with legislators about the state of manufacturing in Connecticut. Senator Anthony Musto (D-Trumbull), spoke with each of the manufacturers, including PEP Lacey, a Bridgeport company that creates precision parts for medical device, commercial, and bearing markets. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/musto-130516.php C2B1A886-6651-43A3-BCB4-F555CD0BB9E3-877-0000138305FBA871-FFA Thu, 16 May 2013 14:29:35 -0400 Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) cheered last evening’s House of Representative’s passage of an extension of a pilot program for the City of New Haven that requires anyone filing for a liquor permit renewal application to give written notice to the chief of the New Haven Police Department, who will then be allowed to weigh-in with comments or recommendations about the renewal in writing to the state Department of Consumer Protection. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/looney-130516.php AB935E08-3BE9-48C3-9F37-780BF46B5BB0-877-0000131A6ECA1B9D-FFA Thu, 16 May 2013 14:22:46 -0400 On a day that saw dozens of manufacturers from across the state gather at the State Capitol to showcase their businesses, state Senator Gary D. LeBeau (D-East Windsor) led the unanimous and bipartisan passage in the Senate of a bill designed to recruit, train and hire more apprentices in Connecticut’s manufacturing industry. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/lebeau-130515.php 776A121A-58DC-45C9-8BEC-97EB53804C12-877-000013B39D9FD598-FFA Wed, 15 May 2013 14:33:05 -0400 Connecticut needs to provide long-term, foundational support for its bioscience assets. This was the message delivered Tuesday to State Sen. Andrew Maynard (D-Stonington), State Rep. Lonnie Reed (D-Branford) and State Rep. Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield), Co-Chairs of the legislature’s Life Sciences Caucus, by Claire Leonardi, CEO and Executive Director of Connecticut Innovations (CI), and Paul Pescatello, Chair of Connecticut United for Research Excellence’s (CURE) BioScience Growth Council. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/maynard-130515.php 718FF230-82F9-495E-8F93-0FDFC7AB6F54-41383-0000509DCDFA8680-FFA Wed, 15 May 2013 09:23:44 -0400 Manufacturers gathered today at the Capitol to showcase their businesses and speak with legislators about the state of manufacturing in Connecticut. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130515.php DAAF3C42-AA3B-497F-B10D-9FD49763C25F-41383-0000508136EC98F3-FFA Wed, 15 May 2013 09:21:50 -0400 State Senator Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden)—who serves as Senate Chairwoman of the legislature’s Housing Committee—today led Senate passage of a bill that will increase Connecticut’s investment in affordable single and multi-family homes. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bartolomeo-130515.php 286F5079-B52D-4CD6-8FB0-7BF957A8A6B1-41383-0000507D173A7A06-FFA Wed, 15 May 2013 09:21:08 -0400 State Senator Toni N. Harp (D-New Haven) was today part of a unanimous Senate vote to encourage Connecticut manufacturers to recruit, hire, and train apprentices. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/harp-130515.php 5D2971FB-28F5-4390-85CB-A6DFF6E7B7D1-41383-00005070E182B848-FFA Wed, 15 May 2013 09:20:28 -0400 Consumers who miss out on a two-for-one deal in Connecticut may soon get a second chance at the promotion. That is because State Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield) led passage Wednesday evening of legislation aimed at protecting the interests of consumers. Senate Bill 922 passed the General Law Committee, of which Sen. Doyle is Co-Chair, with bipartisan support. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/doyle-130515.php 01B288B4-FBE6-445A-9308-1DC0397AA445-1103-00001648EF0B1450-FFA Wed, 15 May 2013 15:18:34 -0400 Manufacturers from across the state gathered today at the state Capitol to showcase their businesses and speak with legislators about the state of manufacturing in Connecticut. State Senator Gayle S. Slossberg (D-Milford) spoke with the manufacturers. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/slossberg-130515.php 438B9770-6AE9-4396-9426-417655182FAE-41383-000050913605FBEB-FFA Wed, 15 May 2013 09:22:56 -0400 Today Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, led passage in the State Senate of two bills aimed at opening new career opportunities for former soldiers and lightening the property tax burden of disabled veterans. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leone-130515.php 0F6BA7C2-64FE-4D54-B09E-9670B60590C5-41383-0000506AA942F7E2-FFA Wed, 15 May 2013 09:19:48 -0400 Manufacturers from across the state gathered today at the state Capitol to showcase their businesses and speak with legislators about the state of manufacturing in Connecticut. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/gerratana-130515.php 9ECBAE79-0CE6-4F72-ABE8-6257C755A713-41383-00005062217EC856-FFA Wed, 15 May 2013 09:19:21 -0400 Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senator Toni N. Harp (D-New Haven) today helped win unanimous Senate passage of SB 652, An Act Concerning Referrals from the Department of Children and Families to the Birth-to-Three Program. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/looney-130514.php AFB47F3B-E31B-467C-938F-D1C7E37D74E1-194-0000001F66B0AE94-FFA Tue, 14 May 2013 18:36:28 -0400 Calling it an important tool that can help aid in the capture of dangerous suspects and potentially save lives, Senate President Donald E. Williams hailed the Senate’s passage of a bill creating a Blue Alert System. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130514.php 77BCE17A-EC76-4C14-89AB-FC741A41DD76-585-0000052441DC2A98-FFA Tue, 14 May 2013 10:23:06 -0400 State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today led the unanimous and bipartisan Senate passage of a bill that creates a state-wide task force to help prevent the sexual abuse of children—Connecticut’s version of the nationally-known ‘Erin’s Law.’ http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/osten-130514.php 3E2FE4CA-0F07-417E-ABD4-31802175F22D-585-0000057762402596-FFA Tue, 14 May 2013 10:26:34 -0400 State Senator Steve Cassano (D-Manchester) announced late this afternoon that he has received assurances from Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s office that the state will withdraw its plan to locate a State Police shooting range in a portion of the Meshomasic State Forest in Glastonbury. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/cassano-130514.php 4761D103-31F4-4774-B617-AE7384F53A3E-585-00000594A272A848-FFA Tue, 14 May 2013 10:28:50 -0400 Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport), Co-Chair of the legislature’s Aging Committee, led passage today of Senate Bill 519 which that seeks to protect seniors living in nursing homes from the fear of retaliation by their caretakers. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130514b.php FAB662C8-440B-43BC-9A57-CF29E12103F7-585-000005242AED8EBF-FFA Tue, 14 May 2013 10:24:32 -0400 State Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield) and State Senator Andrew Maynard (D-Stonington) joined other legislators and representatives from Connecticut’s beer industry at the Legislative Office Building Tuesday to promote the new “Brew & Buy Local” campaign, a joint effort among brewers, wholesalers, retailers and restaurants to support local industries. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/doyle-130514.php AC9EB9A7-FF99-4EC0-A8FA-B5E861EC9DBC-585-00000562E023B2D7-FFA Tue, 14 May 2013 10:25:27 -0400 Today State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman welcomed Norwalk students from the Center for Youth Leadership at Brien McMahon High School to the State Capitol. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130514.php E21E74DE-B24D-498C-BE3D-B9E8A8DCD35F-585-0000052436632275-FFA Tue, 14 May 2013 10:23:44 -0400 Rental property residents can sleep easier tonight now that Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) has led passage of a bill to help fight bed bug infestations. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130514a.php BFDAAECE-5366-4D21-B9E4-DCD755D97AB4-585-000005242019764C-FFA Tue, 14 May 2013 10:22:29 -0400 State Senator Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden) today led Senate passage of a bill that establishes a framework for inspecting and treating bed bug infestations in residential rental properties—a problem both locally and across the country. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bartolomeo-130514.php 86F8D0C1-9D65-495E-B575-CB2943214C81-585-00000524150142CE-FFA Tue, 14 May 2013 10:20:37 -0400 State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge) today voted with a unanimous state Senate for a bill to create a Blue Alert System in Connecticut. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130514.php 3433A92D-B06D-40B9-B25D-EF920E82147F-585-0000052409064DF9-FFA Tue, 14 May 2013 10:21:15 -0400 State Senator Eric D. Coleman (D-Bloomfield) led Senate passage Tuesday of a bill that will ensure individuals who are hit by their own car after it has been stolen will be able to make an insurance claim regarding their injuries. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 28-8. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/coleman-130514.php 8292E78F-330B-4E56-82DA-5A864CFCE55D-585-00000523FD6C0824-FFA Tue, 14 May 2013 10:21:46 -0400 Senator Ayala (D-Bridgeport) welcomed beginning of development at Steel Point on Monday, where the developer tasked with completing the project held a symbolic groundbreaking. The long-awaited economic development has started to come together in recent weeks and will soon begin generating jobs and housing opportunities for Bridgeport residents. The completed project is expected to create up to 1,650 new jobs. Roads and sidewalks around the area have begun to expand and Bass Pro, the location’s first tenant, is slated to open later this year. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130514.php 3ACECF00-4A54-4518-987A-55947CF6C036-1358-00001540DBF81C1B-FFA Tue, 14 May 2013 15:03:12 -0400 Thousands of people from across Connecticut put on their pink and white T-shirts this past Saturday and flocked to Walnut Hill Park in New Britain for the 10th Annual Race in the Park. Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) has participated in the event for many years now, and was thrilled to see such a large crowd brave the cold and rainy weather to show up for this important event. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/gerratana-130514.php 6E6AA30B-D431-416B-8064-D4255A017B22-814-00000C859D3D251E-FFA Tue, 14 May 2013 12:23:08 -0400 Senator Anthony Musto (D-Trumbull) joined with parents and other community leaders Monday to read with students at Trumbull’s Tashua Elementary School as part of “Sensitivity Day,” an annual event held at schools throughout the town. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/musto-130514a.php C195D18B-967D-43FE-8F44-79E1C9B572AB-648-00000356D5243205-FFA Tue, 14 May 2013 09:42:48 -0400 Senator Anthony Musto (D-Trumbull) welcomed Monday’s announcement from Governor Malloy that a blighted property at 10 Broadway Road in Trumbull will be cleaned up and used as space for economic development. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/musto-130514.php F2E35FDC-AFEB-445E-9BF7-155307D6968E-648-0000034FF2D44FFD-FFA Tue, 14 May 2013 09:42:20 -0400 Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) and Senator Anthony Musto (D-Trumbull) welcomed today’s announcement from Governor Malloy that two blighted brownfield sites in Bridgeport will be cleaned up and restored for economic development. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130513.php 0467CF09-635E-485C-B2E2-E73E13826E69-648-000003496FBD0724-FFA Mon, 13 May 2013 09:41:44 -0400 State Senators Joan V. Hartley (D-Waterbury) and Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge), whose districts each include a portion of Naugatuck, today welcomed word about final approval for a Brownfield Redevelopment Grant for the borough. The grant will help underwrite conversion of an 11.7-acre parcel at 6 Rubber Avenue in downtown Naugatuck that had been the site of rubber manufacturing for most of the past 150 years. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/hartley-130513.php 1727FE53-ACA0-4AC5-BA75-202AD61FE2D2-2493-00001C65399DAAA5-FFA Mon, 13 May 2013 17:12:20 -0400 Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney, Senate Minority Leader Pro Tempore Len Fasano, and State Representative Dave Yaccarino today announced that the state of Connecticut has awarded a $194,100 grant to the town of North Haven to clean up a the blighted brownfield site at 400 Sackett Point—the former home of Circuit-Wise. The grant was requested by the Town of North Haven through First Selectman Mike Freda. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/looney-130513.php D850846C-6B80-4CE2-94BF-C4D84EAD8B3B-2493-00001C69649416C9-FFA Mon, 13 May 2013 17:12:49 -0400 State Senator Joan V. Hartley (D-Waterbury), former Senate chair of the legislature’s Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, this week helped earn Senate approval for her initiative to study student attendance and drop-out rates as they relate to financial aid from the state’s regional community technical colleges. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/hartley-130509.php 784CE4DB-45FB-4DE1-AD15-68D4E65C9595-826-000010526B3770B3-FFA Thu, 09 May 2013 15:50:24 -0400 “It is deeply disappointing that the Republican leaders are choosing to play politics rather than offer a constructive budget proposal,” said Williams. “In order to address tough problems we need real solutions from Republicans and Democrats. Unfortunately, the Republicans have opted out of being part of the solution. The Republicans are ducking their responsibilities--they want to criticize but refuse to offer an alternative.” http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-130509b.php 809677D3-C144-46D4-AB64-E5CA6A32CF55-280-000000642D59A8C0-FFA Thu, 09 May 2013 10:58:55 -0400 Last night, Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. led passage in the State Senate of legislation that would guarantee job security to members of the state armed forces who are employed elsewhere, but then called to duty. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130509.php 63C6EC13-4D5C-4A1D-BD4A-4B5E5F2172E7-7817-00000E7CA54CEF07-FFA Thu, 09 May 2013 16:04:58 -0400 State Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) led passage of a historic joint resolution calling for an amendment to the state Constitution that would remove restrictions on absentee ballot and early voting. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-130508b.php F580E445-CD40-4F26-83DF-F264C1025165-317-0000013588D37322-FFA Wed, 08 May 2013 09:18:23 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) today led passage of legislation that will combat price gouging for services in Connecticut in the aftermath of extreme weather events. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130508.php 5D7E2037-A164-4674-A851-EFAFF4A1791D-885-0000020C9BDF2ABB-FFA Wed, 08 May 2013 20:39:02 -0400 Today Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) introduced before the Senate SB366, which will require health professionals to take cultural competency courses in order to renew their license. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/gerratana-130508.php DA88376D-C54B-4CFB-B428-8752AA02FB98-885-000001380F9E3F2C-FFA Wed, 08 May 2013 20:23:51 -0400 State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge), Senate chair of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, today won unanimous Senate approval for a bill to ensure health insurance coverage for autism patients in Connecticut. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130508.php FA1CF1B8-25CA-4610-9709-B0DFC4E8121B-12798-00001AA5DE3D20B2-FFA Wed, 08 May 2013 17:27:34 -0400 Citing the experiences of some of his constituents following Winter Storm Nemo and Hurricane Sandy, Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney today led passage of legislation that will combat price gouging for services in Connecticut in the aftermath of extreme weather events. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-130508.php BC421FA1-0DC0-4ECF-AA84-69903E4084CC-12798-00001A49348802B1-FFA Wed, 08 May 2013 17:21:00 -0400 Today Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford) led passage in the State Senate of legislation that would guarantee job security to members of the state armed forces who are employed elsewhere, but then called to duty. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leone-130508.php 42FF4180-BB0A-46B7-B412-397A15F3C8BD-12798-00001A401DF5EFDA-FFA Wed, 08 May 2013 17:11:39 -0400 State Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield) today shepherded legislation through the Senate that will combat price gouging for services in Connecticut in the aftermath of extreme weather events. Senate Bill 320 was introduced by the General Law Committee, of which Senator Doyle is Co-Chair, and will protect consumers from predatory business practices. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/doyle-130508.php 863476E2-ABBE-4588-BDF9-B8A8ED33AB13-1451-00000A4A01F10ED3-FFA Wed, 08 May 2013 15:30:34 -0400 Poor weather did not stop the large crowd of advocates who braved the rain today for the 13th Annual AIDS Awareness Day rally at the Capitol in Hartford. Senator Ayala (D-Bridgeport) joined hundreds of advocates and people suffering from AIDS to raise awareness about this debilitating virus. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130508.php B0ED27A8-5DE3-4F43-8A74-3ACFD808AE22-1451-00000A4E10257F1E-FFA Wed, 08 May 2013 15:30:58 -0400 State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) joined the students of Darien High School to raise awareness of the dangers of both texting while behind the wheel and drinking and driving. The school’s Safety Fair was held in partnership with Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) and the Darien Depot Youth Center. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130507.php AE7EFC03-2118-4A64-8116-AAB1B9638800-1041-000000887B7C69F1-FFA Tue, 07 May 2013 12:31:47 -0400 State Senator Gary D. LeBeau (D-East Windsor) today applauded the U. S. Senate for voting 69-27 in favor of the Marketplace Fairness Act, which authorizes states that adhere to certain simplifications to require out-of-state retailers that have more than $1 million a year in out-of-state sales to collect and remit that state’s sales taxes. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/lebeau-130507.php 397F6BD2-F1A3-4000-A0A9-5C37B804C750-1109-00001A10B8B1E47D-FFA Tue, 07 May 2013 16:31:29 -0400 Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) and Senator Anthony Musto (D-Trumbull) congratulated the University of Bridgeport’s women’s gymnastics team today. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130506.php 0A9FB5BF-F0B1-469B-B62A-B57AC1C6FCE8-820-0000012967EB959C-FFA Mon, 06 May 2013 09:02:57 -0400 On a bright morning in Bridgeport’s West End, city, state and federal officials gathered to break ground on what will become North America’s largest fuel cell park. The site will generate electricity using fuel cell systems designed, manufactured and installed by FuelCell Energy, Inc. of Danbury, Connecticut. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130503.php 06D99271-B651-48C5-A30F-AC8540ABE6D9-4228-00001CE76AD5BFB7-FFA Fri, 03 May 2013 17:24:35 -0400 College education got a little bit more affordable today for 44 High School Seniors in Connecticut who were awarded $1,000 “Leaders and Achievers” scholarships by the Comcast Foundation. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130502.php 78058972-FBA7-4516-ACA9-612305D7C107-532-0000009C166DB0A8-FFA Fri, 03 May 2013 08:53:29 -0400 The State Senate voted yesterday on a bill that would help Connecticut’s agricultural industries stay competitive with those in other states. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/maynard-130502.php D4EFF03B-1FD3-43E3-8F5A-BCA66C549362-506-000000A806CA09F5-FFA Thu, 02 May 2013 15:49:23 -0400 State Senator Joan V. Hartley (D-Waterbury) today welcomed to the state Capitol a scholarship winner who is a senior at Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury. Dionne Parker received an award through the Leaders and Achievers Scholarship program, which is underwritten by the Comcast Foundation. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/hartley-130502.php A1D5CF34-D27F-48E2-9978-23B5D22FC997-4228-00001CDDD58A40C3-FFA Thu, 02 May 2013 17:23:49 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) today welcomed Ms. Jennifer Vowles’ North Windham School 5th grade class to the State Capitol to celebrate their selection as the winners of the 2013 Kiddnation.com Classroom Musical contest. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130501.php C054A2A7-FD7F-4A68-A586-AC55EC44B592-321-0000042C2A257927-FFA Wed, 01 May 2013 09:53:15 -0400 Connecticut’s farmers received a shot in the arm today when Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) led passage of SB 804, a bill that will give preference to local agriculture when purchasing produce. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130501.php D9359BA9-CF22-4B09-B9DE-DFDDC8D47D6A-12850-0000199DF87AE47B-FFA Wed, 01 May 2013 18:27:15 -0400 State Senator Toni N. Harp (D-New Haven) was joined today by Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) to secure an overwhelming vote for her initiative to establish a Futures Commission to help Connecticut prepare for and adapt to changing global economic conditions. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/harp-130501.php 64291A8B-053D-48E0-BD83-EE1E4888A9AC-12444-000018C3D1D0767E-FFA Wed, 01 May 2013 18:12:24 -0400 State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today joined Governor Dannel P. Malloy, religious leaders, minimum wage workers and others on the north steps of the State Capitol for a rally in support of increasing Connecticut’s hourly minimum wage—an issue that Sen. Osten has advocated for as Senate Chairman of the legislature’s Labor Committee. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/osten-130501.php 42D8A56B-C9F8-44C8-996C-89799BF7D9E4-12444-000018C3C3BB7455-FFA Wed, 01 May 2013 18:11:39 -0400 Renewable energy reform legislation passed the Connecticut State Senate on Wednesday afternoon that will help the state continue to meet its world-leading renewable energy goals while also taking innovative steps to reduce the cost of electricity across the board. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130501.php 00B75630-FF09-4A73-B5D7-8B8B7965B16D-8201-0000129D9E961892-FFA Wed, 01 May 2013 16:18:56 -0400 In a community-driven effort, members of the North End Action Team (NEAT), elected officials, and Comcast employees congregated in the North End Saturday to participate in a number of volunteer projects. Volunteers performed cleanup work at a community garden on Erin Street and on the grounds of MacDonough Elementary School. They also planted a new community garden in a vacant lot on Portland Street. The garden was a neighborhood proposal for the property, and will serve as a green space for all residents to enjoy. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/doyle-130501.php F19ABE3E-0D37-40FF-BBB9-0419E69C37F1-2923-00001C69FA85368F-FFA Wed, 01 May 2013 17:27:14 -0400 State Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford) today welcomed Natalia Rolon of West Hartford to the state Senate Chamber as part of Natalia’s ‘job shadow’ of Sen. Bye. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bye-130501.php D1D1EEF2-3472-4A78-9FAE-666DC508794C-8201-0000152009E3FEB4-FFA Wed, 01 May 2013 17:05:12 -0400 State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) met this evening for two hours with residents of Columbia and Lebanon to talk about a variety of topics on their minds. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/osten-130430.php 60847D5A-2280-4EB1-AF48-148C5E5FD8ED-1398-000007996F8871DD-FFA Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:49:26 -0400 On a bright Saturday morning, State Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford) joined with volunteers at the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford for a day of volunteer work and community outreach. Also in attendance were Congressman Jim Himes, Stamford Mayor Michael Pavia, and dozens of local Comcast and NBC Sports employees. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leone-130430.php D30F3875-69BB-4C02-B9BE-A0A88FA39117-1020-000001944E63D25F-FFA Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:23:00 -0400 Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) joined volunteers from across New Britain who came together this weekend to assist their neighbors with critical home maintenance and repairs as part of the country-wide Rebuilding Together Program. Senator Gerratana stopped at sites across the city to thank the men and women who spent Saturday helping their elderly and low-income neighbors who would not have been able to complete these necessary repairs without the time dedicated by volunteers. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/gerratana-130430.php B4A933DE-14EF-46D4-918C-1642DB2D3E5F-1645-00001CA2C689F921-FFA Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:16:48 -0400 Senator Anthony Musto announced today that Groundwork Bridgeport, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting urban forestry, will receive a grant through Connecticut’s America the Beautiful program. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/musto-130430.php 595A38CF-0203-40EE-803C-5348C04026E0-11514-0000162FC04572A7-FFA Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:26:44 -0400 Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford, Wethersfield), Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield), Rep. Tony Guerrera (D-29) and Rep. Russ Morin (D-28) announced today that the State Bond Commission has approved multiple infrastructure and recreational improvement projects in the Town of Wethersfield. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/fonfara-130430.php A31F15FC-2AEF-49AA-9840-11B3CB369F3D-1095-000012925E4FBB84-FFA Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:12:21 -0400 Issuing driver’s licenses to the state’s large population of undocumented immigrants is more than just a commonsense policy—it is the right thing to do. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/maynard-130430.php 2D149337-95F9-40F3-A7F2-1303F4366995-425-000000E9B80940D3-FFA Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:56:27 -0400 State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) announced today that the State Bond Commission has approved funds to aid the non-profit Norwalk Senior Center with asbestos removal and the installation of new replacement flooring. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130429.php B95E1663-6C30-483F-8011-4FF0C99D3704-824-0000118230D53EA8-FFA Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:55:08 -0400 State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge) today welcomed final approval for a state grant for a domestic violence shelter facility in Ansonia. Senator Crisco said the application from BHcare, Inc. was favorably considered and as a result, will receive $190,000 for renovations to their domestic violence shelter. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130429.php 542EB0A2-9296-4EB5-8037-08A853A452F1-824-0000116AC2A55316-FFA Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:53:14 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) and Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced the release of state funding to purchase instrumentation, advanced manufacturing systems, and high performance computing infrastructure for the new UConn Technology Park in Storrs. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130426.php 3AC1F16E-7533-4F13-BC7D-8A2DF3701A17-11327-00001778EDAF2B35-FFA Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:49:49 -0400 Students in Bridgeport’s Bassick High School spoke with Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) today at an event organized by Teach for America. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130426.php 3BD3D11C-F4D8-4B13-8027-D8FE1BE913F0-17879-00001E0F02541C2D-FFA Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:49:44 -0400 State Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford) joined Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra on Thursday to visit the former Capewell Horse Nail Factory in Hartford and discuss new plans for renovating the site. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/fonfara-130426.php E6BAF5E7-06E2-4AA8-8220-176F9F9A2148-11327-00001B788E2FDEBF-FFA Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:01:00 -0400 Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senator Toni Harp (D-New Haven) reported today that the State of Connecticut will invest in making capital improvements to the Connecticut Tennis Center and Southern Connecticut State University’s Buley Library. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/looney-130426.php 6D7D5811-25FE-4DF9-A6B5-706A90132F3E-8050-00000EEFA8132BAB-FFA Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:13:29 -0400 State Sen. Gary D. LeBeau (D-East Windsor) today celebrated the opening of a new regional animal shelter that he helped bring to fruition by securing a half-million state grant for the project. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/lebeau-130426.php 5FAA6365-0145-4516-B33E-D288DD8FF0C7-11327-00001CD8379364B0-FFA Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:26:13 -0400 Margaret Martin of Walsh Intermediate School in Branford was joined by Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) and fifth graders from across the state for an Arbor Day ceremony at the State Capitol today. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130426.php 03F9D862-A836-414E-B272-79D1620F2CB6-7320-00000D249365BF08-FFA Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:38:38 -0400 State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) said today she welcomes Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s support for an increase in Connecticut’s minimum wage, which is an issue that she has been advocating for over the past several months as Senate Chairman of the Labor and Public Employees Committee. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/osten-130426.php DF4930B5-15D4-42D8-AD36-7555082E15E3-7320-00000D24763A7320-FFA Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:39:00 -0400 State Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) announced the approval of funds today for the Mount Pleasant Education and Training Center in New Britain. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/gerratana-130426.php F8361923-9391-4CCF-BAD5-F24754324D18-7320-00000D3536ACC714-FFA Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:39:27 -0400 In a bid to create greater incentives for water conservation, the State Senate adopted legislation in a 30 to 4 vote Wednesday afternoon, led by the Energy & Technology Committee Chairman, Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130425.php 2BC8C3C0-5C6E-46A5-97C1-F05645549AB0-655-0000022107FDB48C-FFA Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:16:30 -0400 State Sen. Stephen T. Cassano (D-Manchester) today led the unanimous and bipartisan Senate passage of a bill designed to save local taxpayers money by consolidating some school and town functions. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/cassano-130424.php 163A13EA-9210-40C2-9BD4-A4B550BA49CE-10001-000011E858EF12D4-FFA Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:56:38 -0400 After hearing complaints from Ellington town officials, and vowing to help them, a bill introduced by state Senator Gary D. LeBeau (D-East Windsor) which will lower costs for Ellington and other Connecticut towns today passed the Senate on a unanimous and bipartisan ‘consent’ vote. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/lebeau-130424.php CA4FF68B-57E2-4038-B507-1C905C5718C2-1406-0000039C5716C540-FFA Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:36:14 -0400 State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge), founder of the Connecticut Hall of Fame and chairman of its selection committee, today hosted a formal induction ceremony at which the newest honorees were revealed and enshrined. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130424.php BBD96C42-1738-4633-87D6-9B1794ACDD48-1406-0000039C4A302A49-FFA Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:36:49 -0400 State Senator Andrew Maynard (D-Stonington), former Co-Chair of the General Assembly’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee, joined his colleagues in the State Senate today in voting to aid in the restoration of benefits to former service members who were wrongfully discharged under the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/maynard-130424.php 06637FB3-A98B-447D-8A95-220F4676CE92-1406-0000039C3EB7463B-FFA Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:37:26 -0400 University of Connecticut coaches Kevin Ollie, Geno Auriemma, Paul Pasqualoni and their respective teams received an enormous bipartisan welcome to the State Capitol on Wednesday as part of the General Assembly’s annual Husky Day. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130424.php 138A1F52-0043-49C4-A3EB-FD4BF67A06FF-1406-000003B5E3D1D28A-FFA Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:38:16 -0400 Citing their success in closing the achievement gap and empowering parents and other community stakeholders, the State Senate voted today (26-8) to add the Community School Model to the list of options school districts may utilize to turnaround low-performing schools. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-130424a.php BBD2017C-7277-45BE-9F1C-E63BEBD51E4F-1406-000003953BDAC4AA-FFA Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:35:38 -0400 On Monday Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr., (D-Brooklyn) welcomed STRIDE Program participants and staff of the to the State Capitol building. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130423.php EFC1C626-86AB-40B5-8246-5CD01D3731EA-8788-000010661B6903F5-FFA Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:40:23 -0400 Today Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford, Wethersfield) and Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced approximately $3 million in loans to support the expansion of two small businesses in Wethersfield. The funding will help to create almost 100 new jobs. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/fonfara-130423.php 980998A9-25A6-4AB7-909D-BB8D8B133AF6-1645-00001D0B137D5DD1-FFA Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:24:29 -0400 An expanded property tax exemption for sources of renewable energy passed the State Senate Wednesday afternoon, led by the Energy & Technology Committee Chairman, Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). The bill would extend an existing tax credit for residential renewable energy equipment to also include commercial and industrial installations. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130424.php AB6B4D4A-4346-4134-9CEF-AB6C2CE09805-1406-0000031AE4B3DCA3-FFA Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:26:43 -0400 Nearly twenty years after the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy was adopted by the U.S. Congress, the Connecticut State Senate voted today to aid in the restoration of veterans’ benefits to former service members who were wrongfully discharged. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leone-130424.php CB00FBC9-8A52-4BC5-B1E1-DC1CF39983A1-8737-00001B45BC478D35-FFA Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:58:42 -0400 State Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield) and State Representative Russ Morin (D-Wethersfield) praised Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s announcement yesterday that the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) will provide two Wethersfield companies with loans to help them expand their businesses. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/doyle-130424.php 246D9508-A157-48F3-B31D-040111AD5732-8737-00001A4CF1799013-FFA Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:40:59 -0400 State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) and Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced the State of Connecticut will provide Fusion Paperboard Connecticut LLC of Sprague with a 10-year, 3 percent loan of $3 million to help them expand operations, retain 147 jobs and create 20 new jobs. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/osten-130423.php 14BDAFC9-DA5F-4950-99D6-10C8AB81F760-2407-000018FEE848D519-FFA Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:43:40 -0400 State Senator Dante Bartolomeo (D-Meriden) today presented two citations from Meriden’s legislative delegation to Girls Inc. and the Boys and Girls Club of Meriden in honor of their receiving 2013 Cox Charities grants. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bartolomeo-130423.php 1F2CEC7F-303C-4BFC-BA99-84DB4307CD9B-2061-000016D219C3E1CD-FFA Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:03:57 -0400 State Senator Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden) spent two hours this evening with members of the Lake Beseck Association listening to a presentation by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station about the number and types of invasive weeds in Lake Beseck, and what can be done to eliminate them. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bartolomeo-130422.php E33AB015-9702-405D-927F-875D690E7403-1406-00000307B2EB9C65-FFA Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:25:22 -0400 State Sen. Stephen T. Cassano (D-Manchester) today attended the groundbreaking for the Connecticut State Veterans Memorial in Minuteman Park, which is located between the State Armory on Broad Street and the Legislative Office Building on Capitol Avenue. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/cassano-130422.php A0CEBFE6-F78A-49FD-8F5E-87952898CFB7-16339-00001C3AC49FB255-FFA Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:16:40 -0400 State Senators Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge) and Joan V. Hartley (D-Waterbury), who each represent a portion of Naugatuck in the General Assembly, today welcomed news of the imminent release of state funding to help underwrite costs of a comprehensive capital improvement project at the Naugatuck YMCA. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130422.php 896B98ED-27E0-45AB-A50A-4478FD68343E-1745-0000155C64991C5B-FFA Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:37:03 -0400 Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) chose Earth Day 2013 to highlight several pieces of important legislation aimed at protecting Connecticut’s natural beauty. As co-chair of the General Assembly’s Environment Committee, Senator Meyer is at the forefront of the legislature’s efforts to safeguard our state’s landscape. http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130422.php F29DA0E3-9B91-4535-8BA3-5CCD896DEDA6-13764-00001AFA5A366394-FFA Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:40:12 -0400 Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) today joined neighborhood residents and members of the Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County (Habitat CFC) at the dedication of a new home on Berkshire Avenue. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130420.php 2C382499-18F8-48F5-84FB-512190C88407-992-0000016F970A2CB8-FFA Sat, 20 Apr 2013 08:52:16 -0400 State Sen. Stephen T. Cassano (D-Manchester) said today that he is pleased to see the State Bond Commission is poised to invest $300,000 in a new ferry office building for the historic Glastonbury-Rocky Hill ferry. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/cassano-130419a.php 8FB3459A-EA29-4076-8BF5-EF9F5A762345-992-00000186453B8682-FFA Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:53:47 -0400 State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge), Senate chair of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, has won unanimous Senate approval for his initiative to expand the state’s innovative and highly successful Biomedical Research Fund to include grants for studies into the cause and cure for strokes. Senator Crisco said the debilitating result of strokes can devastate the afflicted and their families alike and should be the focus of renewed and intensified medical research. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130419.php 836D59FD-1910-49BF-ABCA-3DDE5FE538A5-2309-00001B70757194BD-FFA Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:47:44 -0400 State Senator Joan V. Hartley (D-Waterbury) today announced approval for two state grants to help revitalize dormant parcels in Waterbury. The first will help underwrite remediation and demolition at the brownfield site of the Washington Avenue Business Park, which will be transformed into a mixed-use development. The second will be used to remediate the property at 313 Mill Street after a fire there. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/hartley-130419.php 8A294B1F-4F65-4BB6-95F6-DC002C5C34A8-2309-00001A807A23F918-FFA Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:30:34 -0400 State Sen. Stephen T. Cassano (D-Manchester) announced today that the State Bond Commission is expected to approve $3 million to help finance the construction of a new, 30,000 square-foot outpatient mental health clinic for Community Health Resources (CHR) which will consolidate services provided in various leased locations throughout town. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/cassano-130419.php A137DA52-553B-4E48-BFB4-179D0990EDF7-2264-00001A53C7767A00-FFA Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:27:21 -0400 The Norwalk Public Schools appear on track to receive an increased level of funding from the State of Connecticut over the next two years, according to budget documents released by the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee today. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130419.php 64986982-35C9-41D3-A487-AA123134FA56-921-00000A7D326D2E3A-FFA Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:47:57 -0400 Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) lead senate passage today of an extension of a pilot program for the City of New Haven that requires anyone filing for a liquor permit renewal application to give written notice to the chief of the New Haven Police Department, who will then be allowed to weigh in with comments or recommendations about the renewal in writing to the state Department of Consumer Protection. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/looney-130418.php 0AB24463-1936-4F3F-8EC4-D89E55E04CFC-921-00000174D4E1F98D-FFA Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:02:22 -0400 As Senate Chair of the Children’s Committee, state Senator Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden) today introduced and explained her first bill on the Senate floor: a bill requiring state agencies—when hiring or placing people in internships—to give preference to former foster children who were once in state custody. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bartolomeo-130418.php 4ACD0EAE-2E1D-428F-BA66-B50B09E6E927-14520-00001CB8CF7E1D0B-FFA Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:27:51 -0400 Killingly senior citizens will have additional affordable housing options, Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) reported today on the eve of the State Bond Commissions vote to help fund the construction 6 new units of congregate elderly housing in Killingly. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130418a.php DFEAB026-00A6-4996-B03D-68BB94D63641-1130-00001A835815A652-FFA Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:47:50 -0400 State Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford) today led final passage of a bill that requires the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education to be appointed by the board itself, thereby eliminating the current law under which the governor appoints the president based on the board’s recommendation, with the legislature then confirming that appointee. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bye-130418.php C187C8BD-C89B-4133-B143-DE8525ADFD15-1130-00001A833918A37D-FFA Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:47:15 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr., (D-Brooklyn) today hailed the Senate’s unanimous confirmation vote (36-0) of Edith Prague as the new Commissioner of the Department on Aging. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130418.php 8F8D4E1D-DCC6-4721-9338-882FF03C961E-1130-00001A7E833E7EE5-FFA Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:46:46 -0400 State Senator Andrew Maynard (D-Stonington) praised Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s announcement Wednesday that Mattern Farm in Preston will receive a Farm Transition Grant through the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/maynard-130418.php EE5ADD3A-ABC7-4D49-B7B6-F1D6CC17B9A2-1130-000014F676DB7950-FFA Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:05:38 -0400 State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) joined Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Department of Agriculture Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky today to announce competitive, matching grants to expand Connecticut’s $3.5 billion agricultural industry, including nearly $78,000 for projects in Norwich and Ledyard. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/osten-130417.php E28A0DE0-3436-4738-8B17-3FA9BBC97294-668-00000B7005E8C8EE-FFA Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:04:24 -0400 Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) joined with Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Department of Agriculture Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky, today to announce that City Seed and New Haven Farms have won competitive, matching grants through the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Farm Viability Grant program. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/looney-130417.php 2459ABCD-A4EF-461E-8188-973422AE0FB3-942-000001B133488AE7-FFA Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:12:21 -0400 On “Home Building Industry Day at the Capitol” today, state Sen. Stephen T. Cassano (D-Manchester) was proud to meet with state home builders and note that as Senate Chairman of the Planning and Development Committee, he has already voted in favor of three legislative priorities that the Home Builders Association of Connecticut has put before his committee this session. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/cassano-130417.php 0E3D42BE-5F47-4799-A193-55BFCA5ACA62-11955-0000182FA95F061C-FFA Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:17:47 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) joined Governor Dannel P. Malloy, and Department of Agriculture Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky, today to announce competitive, matching grants to expand Connecticut’s $3.5 billion agricultural industry. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130417.php 806F42BC-0C95-4FC8-A6EF-46299285C938-11955-00001786A5040F6F-FFA Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:05:47 -0400 State Senator Eric D. Coleman (D-Hartford), Co-Chair of the General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee, and State Representative Bruce Morris (D-Norwalk), sponsor of a bill decriminalizing out-of-town enrollments, joined with advocates, parents and guardians Wednesday in calling for passage of HB 6695 An Act Concerning Misrepresentation of Town of Residency With Respect to School Accommodations. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/coleman-130417.php F3407FC5-5BCE-480A-9B39-2AFB228EB3C9-11955-000013DD573EFBF2-FFA Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:58:37 -0400 State Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield) and State Representative Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) hailed Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s announcement Wednesday that Middletown’s North End Action Team (NEAT) will receive an Agriculture Viability Grant from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/doyle-130417.php 8139B243-37A6-483C-BD97-276E62FA9B46-11955-000013E324729A36-FFA Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:59:06 -0400 Neighbors and community leaders joined Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) today to watch the installation of solar panels at a Mansfield family’s home. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130413.php F21502E3-EF31-4609-B876-65A06EA08F89-997-000001973887E568-FFA Sat, 13 Apr 2013 09:07:44 -0400 The Multicultural Magnet School in Bridgeport held its annual career day this week, drawing guest speakers from across the city. Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) joined with police officers, radio personalities, and other professionals who came to speak with the students. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130412.php 7F158BA0-76BA-4EAC-9C74-2E3CCD76EBC4-42671-000063D4712F7B3B-FFA Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:12:24 -0400 State Senator Joan V. Hartley (D-Waterbury) and Susan Pronovost, Executive Director of Brass City Harvest, today announced the Waterbury-based non-profit organization has been awarded a Farm Viability Grant from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. Brass City Harvest promotes healthy eating and sustainable agriculture, particularly within low income, high risk local neighborhoods. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/hartley-130412.php A3377C2C-4C47-46BB-9BED-A13143833931-42671-00005D09884387B9-FFA Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:07:49 -0400 State Senator Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden) will hold a public office hour this Monday, April 15, from 530 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. in the Meriden City Hall Council Chambers, prior to the start of the City Council’s public comments period. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bartolomeo-130412.php 014BDB6E-8D49-45F9-B5A3-9761C427D08A-42671-0000531420920777-FFA Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:05:35 -0400 State Senator Gary D. LeBeau (D-East Windsor), who is co-chairman of the legislature’s bipartisan and bicameral Manufacturing Caucus, today issued a list of recommended bills to legislative leaders that the 40 Manufacturing Caucus members believe could boost Connecticut’s manufacturing industry. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/lebeau-130411a.php E4C0BAA8-A7DA-46D4-AEA0-DA5A1F2E62DB-56157-0000664B521A1EE8-FFA Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:57:39 -0400 Today State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), Chair of the General Assembly’s Energy & Technology Committee, joined with officials at the Darien Social Services Department to appeal for private donations to Operation Fuel, an organization that helps to provide energy assistance for eligible households. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130411.php D2A4A2D4-1035-4EB8-8989-68DE62817AF7-42671-00004EF82D2DBEA5-FFA Thu, 11 Apr 2013 08:50:04 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) today welcomed 100 k-8th grade student inventors from across Connecticut for the 6th annual Connecticut Invention Convention Day at the Capitol. Set in the State Capitol Building’s Hall of Flags, students were able to showcase and demonstrate their inventions for legislators. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130411.php E992176D-3A40-40FB-99D7-5491A8EBFD3F-17295-000019FD4B05C78A-FFA Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:39:25 -0400 State Senator Gary D. LeBeau (D-East Windsor) today announced that a “Heroes For Hire” veterans job fair will be held Tuesday, April 16 from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm at the Rentschler Field Ballroom in East Hartford. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/lebeau-130411.php C45E9402-E9BF-450F-A8D3-17AB42EE684B-4507-000004BF14AB96FE-FFA Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:09:56 -0400 State Senator Steve Cassano (D-Manchester) today joined the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce for the ‘ribbon cutting’ of a new cupcake truck that has begun operations in Glastonbury. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/cassano-130410.php B48B3457-14D7-42DD-A736-CCAE15F91004-391-000002BF9DDD968A-FFA Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:32:46 -0400 State Senator Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden) today spoke with the Middletown Patch about her support for ‘Equal Pay Day,’ noting that—growing up on a farm—she is “appalled” by the notion that men and women receive different pay for the same work. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bartolomeo-130409.php 0258B588-C27C-4197-B743-26B271A3E046-2915-00001C6C34C677C9-FFA Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:15:40 -0400 State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today offered her written testimony to the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee in support of former longtime state senator Edith Prague, who Governor Dannel P. Malloy has nominated to be commissioner of the new state Department of Aging. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/osten-130409.php D498959C-826E-48EE-8F1E-C62CE0F6EC24-391-00000280B19B1BAC-FFA Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:28:22 -0400 Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) today joined a group of concerned neighbors and community leaders to march in support of comprehensive immigration reform. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130409.php 7C3C1A43-0C9C-4415-B1B4-FF32DE5220D3-42791-00004FD7678F4B00-FFA Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:01:24 -0400 State Senator Steve Cassano (D-Manchester) is co-sponsoring a bill that seeks to compensate local businesses that suffer financial losses due to lengthy periods of business interruption due to major construction projects. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/cassano-130405.php B224981A-6C5A-4E76-9689-2494C4D9D049-1633-000014EDFE0E396C-FFA Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:58:18 -0400 State Senator Gary D. LeBeau (D-East Windsor) today joined the University of Connecticut and Pratt & Whitney to celebrate the opening of a new Pratt & Whitney Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center at UConn, one of the most advanced additive manufacturing laboratories in the nation. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/lebeau-130405.php 4A4D6855-14BF-42BB-A253-F98933578AAB-2049-00000ACCD0286743-FFA Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:00:19 -0400 State Senator Steve Cassano (D-Manchester) announced today that the state Department of Transportation will hold two public meetings regarding plans to raise the fares on the two Connecticut River ferries. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/cassano-130405b.php 894D9E29-BABC-498E-9609-A3BA990CC433-3216-00001D29E2D731AA-FFA Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:11:01 -0400 Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) was joined by Madison residents, educators, and community leaders today in honoring Josh Stokes. Josh, a senior at Daniel Hand High School in Madison, was named the grand prize winner in C-SPAN’s national competition for his video, “Unemployment in America.” http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130405.php CD9FE41E-6E14-44B5-96AD-CF07D5E5B8D8-15143-00001DC0DB6662BA-FFA Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:36:21 -0400 As national violence prevention experts hail Connecticut’s landmark bipartisan Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety bill, Senate President Donald E. Williams (D-Brooklyn) and Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) joined with Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Sandy Hook families, and first responders for the bill’s signing. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-130404.php FEA09615-4F08-4241-A5CE-1CB91AFC5F96-15305-00001A0C5BBA7228-FFA Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:41:27 -0400 State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) announced today that the state Department of Transportation will conduct bridge repairs on various bridges in eastern Connecticut beginning this Monday, April 8, and occurring periodically throughout the summer until Monday, September 30, 2013. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/osten-130404.php 444C9950-A054-4E2E-B659-697BF86ACD8D-15305-00001A26162E2B03-FFA Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:43:10 -0400 Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) helped lead passage today of a comprehensive package of firearms, school security, and mental health laws designed to increase public safety in the wake of the tragic Newtown shooting. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/looney-130403.php 56F9953A-DA33-4266-9221-3C1BB89913C5-9915-00002646021D5218-FFA Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:21:36 -0400 Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) and Representative Juan Candelaria (D-New Haven) were joined today by the Latino Legislative Caucus and Latino advocacy groups in calling for the fair funding of Latino non-profit organizations in the FY 14-15 budget. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130403.php 7DB57467-9240-4D20-90C1-392DF542A21D-9915-0000268D0246523F-FFA Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:26:56 -0400 Calling it ‘model’ for the 49 other states and Congress to follow, Senate President Donald E. Williams (D-Brooklyn) today helped lead senate passage (26-10) of a comprehensive bipartisan Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety bill designed to increase public safety in the wake of the tragic Newtown shootings. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130403.php 1F68E391-1182-4448-B631-B1CDBA721170-9915-0000263B2A6A3B95-FFA Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:21:03 -0400 The Connecticut State Senate paused briefly during discussion of the bipartisan bill on gun violence prevention and children’s safety to recognize Theresa McSparran on the floor of the Senate. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130403.php 7ABBEC5B-1C3C-4012-8A19-7F7D7457617D-9915-000026E63943541F-FFA Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:33:08 -0400 State Senator Toni N. Harp (D-New Haven) voted today with a bipartisan majority of her Senate colleagues to approve comprehensive gun violence prevention measures for the state. These include new responsibilities for gun ownership, enhanced school security provisions, and improved access to mental health services. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/harp-130403.php 7BFF90BF-3A4F-4B42-8D0F-4B399EB01E80-9915-000024218DD0C74F-FFA Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:42:33 -0400 State Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford) today voted for a bipartisan and comprehensive package of firearms, school safety and mental health laws designed to increase public safety in the wake of the tragic Newtown shootings last December. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bye-130403.php F11B0832-578B-4637-BE90-D0F64ECFDC4D-9915-000022D5504A85B2-FFA Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:18:52 -0400 State Senator Eric D. Coleman (D-Bloomfield) met last week with students from Windsor High School’s AP Government class at the Capitol. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/coleman-130403.php E2D4BC05-99E7-46C4-9D3B-00B32821A1D6-9915-000011449EB55F12-FFA Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:56:54 -0400 Governor Dannel P. Malloy, State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Daniel C. Esty, and other state and local officials today announced the State of Connecticut’s first energy efficiency project financed through the Commercial & Industrial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program, a new and innovative tool that allows property owners to finance efficiency upgrades with little or no upfront costs and re-pay the loan over time on their property tax bill. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130401.php 2A81E9A3-380E-4B23-BE7A-EBC65AB8E24B-10197-000014EEAE40280E-FFA Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:05:25 -0400 The talented students in the band at Bridgeport’s Multicultural Magnet School put on a special show this morning to honor Abram Goda, their classmate and winner of the Hearst Media Services Regional Spelling Bee. Senator Anthony Musto (D-Trumbull) and Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) attended the assembly to congratulate Abram and his family, and to deliver a citation from the Connecticut General Assembly applauding his victory. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130328.php B7A79C1B-3764-490E-B2AF-EF24D3FE9AB8-397-00000189327C8A13-FFA Thu, 28 Mar 2013 08:35:04 -0400 Calling her the “perfect choice” to lead the Department of Aging, Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr., hailed Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s nomination of Edith Prague to lead the department. Malloy announced the appointment of Prague, today, at an afternoon news conference. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130328.php 769824B0-0C2D-46D6-A65A-F710CC0B0DC3-80724-0000A053195DF3DD-FFA Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:47:47 -0400 This morning the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County celebrated their relocation to the Gate Lodge at Mathews Park, 301 West Avenue, Norwalk, with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and Mayor Richard Moccia joined Cultural Alliance Board President Elisabeth Morten and Executive Director, Ryan Odinak, cut a bright red ribbon to publicly open the new office. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130328.php 363AF7AC-84AD-4D8B-9651-4993CED65FEF-3001-000011CCD9D09207-FFA Thu, 28 Mar 2013 13:33:08 -0400 Senator Joseph Crisco (D-Woodbridge) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced the recipients of state funding for biomedical research into diseases associated with tobacco use and other chronic illnesses. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130328.php A633677B-B2B7-4759-8C95-F4AD94C8066F-71061-0000999339D10D46-FFA Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:42:08 -0400 State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today welcomed the nomination of her longtime friend and senior citizen champion Edith Prague to be the new commissioner of the state Department on Aging. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/Osten-130328.php 56281A54-8FD9-43BA-B08C-DECB665DDFAE-80724-00009D8916934F7E-FFA Thu, 28 Mar 2013 13:54:45 -0400 Students from Housatonic Community College met today with Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) for a tour of the Capitol and a chance to talk about issues of importance to them. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130327.php 596A658D-0F9D-4557-8659-7FB9A5926C7C-71061-00008D3A35CA3429-FFA Wed, 27 Mar 2013 08:57:29 -0400 State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge) joined Governor Dannel P. Malloy in Ansonia earlier today to highlight state support for public schools there and more specifically, glean details about how state grants are applied to help Ansonia students learn. This morning’s joint appearance was at the John G. Prendergast School. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130327.php 3DB414CB-9381-4353-86C1-30C9A1215BBA-47157-00005A27472FBB61-FFA Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:19:56 -0400 State Senators Andrew Maynard (D-Stonington) and Andrea L. Stillman (D-Waterford), along with Representatives Ted Moukawsher (D-Groton), Elissa Wright (D-Groton), and Betsy Ritter (D-Waterford) said today they are united in their extreme disappointment about Pfizer, Inc.’s decision to begin demolition of its Building 118 complex in Groton. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/maynard-130327.php FD0283BF-9AE2-41BF-88FE-4EFBF2337EAA-44254-0000598591BD4B5E-FFA Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:08:21 -0400 State Senator Eric D. Coleman (D-Bloomfield) and fellow members of the General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee held a public hearing this past Friday on a bill regarding the prohibition of racial profiling involving traffic stops in Connecticut. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/coleman-130327.php 10CE9512-8EDD-4879-BBFE-46EBAAC3D491-44254-0000552CB3FE5C59-FFA Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:48:43 -0400 Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) and Representative Patricia Widlitz (D-Guilford) praised the passage of a piece of legislation they championed that will protect wildlife sanctuaries by prohibiting hunting on adjacent properties. On Monday, HB 6305 was passed by the Environment Committee, where Senator Meyer serves as Co-Chair. The legislation was initially introduced by Representative Widlitz after several Guilford residents contacted her and Senator Meyer to request it. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130327.php BE5024A4-258B-4D32-AB49-94AECD7D1B9F-2986-000004692A3BA43A-FFA Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:04:58 -0400 State Senator Gary D. LeBeau (D-East Hartford) today led the effort to pass a bill which—if signed into law—would provide the Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor with up to $3.5 million in state economic development grants to expand the museum and make it a larger, regional tourist destination. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/lebeau-130326.php E6B8091F-38C7-47A3-AAFD-7736D18D5207-4952-00000B5CAE857B61-FFA Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:16:05 -0400 Senator Anthony Musto (D-Trumbull) joined with parents and other community leaders today to read with fourth graders at Trumbull’s Jane Ryan School as part of their annual “Sensitivity Day.” On Sensitivity Day, students talk with their teachers and guest readers in an effort to raise awareness of learning and physical disabilities. The hope is that by increasing understanding, the children will become closer and more respectful toward all people. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/musto-130326.php E9C02CC2-CBB1-41DB-8E70-A93EBEBE6101-13865-000061BD57C1DFA3-FFA Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:29:06 -0400 Three months after the uproar over a $25,000 annual, unvouchered expense account for former Board of Regents President Robert Kennedy, the Higher Education Committee today approved a bill which would eliminate such expense accounts and require state colleges and universities to document every expenditure by all employees. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bye-130326.php 1A2C981C-F216-4B40-BCEB-7C397C22F8D0-62250-00005C3F0FB84A18-FFA Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:55:27 -0400 State Senator Andrew Maynard (D-Stonington) and members of the recently formed Life Sciences Caucus met last Friday with Dr. Edison Liu, president and CEO of The Jackson Laboratory, for a discussion of Connecticut’s future in bioscience, and an update on the progress being made on The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Farmington. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/maynard-130326.php C30D919D-D17E-4403-AA34-A117ABE4449D-40899-0000555B6331BE96-FFA Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:49:12 -0400 Community leaders and Bridgeport residents came together today to shoot some hoops and raise money for a good cause. Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) attended the basketball competition to raise funds for the Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County (Habitat CFC). http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130323.php 17293C8A-DF6C-4583-8DCE-5E08A6F4563E-523-000000B10590853A-FFA Sat, 23 Mar 2013 08:57:42 -0400 State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge), vice-chair of the legislature’s Commerce Committee, helped quash a bill under consideration by that committee that would have created a new tax on home heating oil and propane. Senator Crisco worked with the committee co-chairs to ensure the bill would not advance. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130322.php 9618841E-7F71-4694-9B16-5A1E4BD7A54D-1283-000017931D8D0112-FFA Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:44:00 -0400 State Senator Joan V. Hartley (D-Waterbury) said today that recently approved funding for the Advanced Manufacturing Center Phase II at Naugatuck Valley Community College (NVCC) allows the college to expand its year-old manufacturing certificate program. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/hartley-130322.php 12853DAC-22C9-4986-965A-9E3D418B5D56-608-000000BAD8B9A435-FFA Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:07:22 -0400 In a meeting earlier this March, the Executive Committee of the American Legion Department of Connecticut adopted a resolution for submission to the General Assembly promoting military voting reforms proposed this session by State Senator Gayle S. Slossberg (D-Milford) and State Representative Russ Morin (D-Wethersfield). Their legislative proposals would enable military servicemen and servicewomen stationed overseas to return their ballots by electronic mail or facsimile. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/slossberg-130321.php E194F6AC-827B-4B2A-8942-D6E223FBB5B7-11116-0000163EC00694E4-FFA Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:17:50 -0400 Southeastern Connecticut boasts one of just three deep-water ports in our state--we are fortunate to have this enviable asset in our ‘neighborhood.’ How to maximize its potential--along with that of the others in New Haven and Bridgeport--was the subject of a recent Transportation Committee hearing at the Capitol. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/stillman-130321.php F1992CD2-0BA5-4EEB-96F4-16834DE26868-10686-000015AE8B9F9BE1-FFA Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:07:40 -0400 The chairmen of the legislature’s Commerce Committee today declared that a proposed bill to institute an excise tax on home heating oil in order to create a new energy efficiency fund is dead. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/lebeau-130321.php 5C3AD96F-6CD8-4242-A9DF-56959613040A-15126-00001AF081E3433A-FFA Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:51:34 -0400 Today Governor Dannel P. Malloy and State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and announced that phase three of the dredging of Norwalk Harbor will soon begin, following the approval of state funds last week. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130321.php 2EEA4DA0-2D26-434D-B58B-C0D5844C7F0C-2579-000005527AA95DF7-FFA Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:15:15 -0400 Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) and Representative Noreen Kokoruda (R-Madison) met yesterday with members of Friends of Hammonasset Beach State Park. This non-profit is a volunteer organization that works to provide environmental education, preserve Hammonasset’s natural resources, and advocate for the park. Volunteers and Ranger Russ Miller from Meigs Point Nature Center spoke with Senator Meyer about Hammonasset’s future as part of the hundredth anniversary of Connecticut’s state park system. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130321.php D97745CE-48C4-489C-BEE9-5BD96DBA7078-425-0000039BCB7B623F-FFA Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:36:15 -0400 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr., (D-Brooklyn) spoke with Peter Orr of Fort Hill Farms in Thompson, Connecticut about efforts to market the state’s dairy products. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130320.php F1AA4249-AADA-426E-A635-41A5C9523CC1-5128-0000127F5D777012-FFA Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:30:56 -0400 Today State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) announced that he has put together an online survey to gather input from the residents of Darien and Norwalk on a variety of important issues facing the state. He asked all residents of the 25th Senatorial District to take just a few minutes to complete the survey. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130320.php AEE0FBDA-88BE-40AA-BEA5-6A1F719D4075-5128-0000094240745052-FFA Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:41:45 -0400 State Senator Joan V. Hartley (D-Waterbury) has welcomed final approval for two capital improvement projects in and around Waterbury. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/hartley-130318.php 9ED07A31-8695-407A-9945-B546383C5D1C-1071-0000050874981A60-FFA Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:17:00 -0400 Today State Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford) welcomed the announcement by Governor Dannel P. Malloy that The Navigators Group, Inc., an international specialty insurance holding company, will soon move its corporate headquarters and additional operations from New York to Stamford. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leone-130315a.php 68ECA52E-417E-41FC-89BC-5D76A0A75871-4285-00000824308AAAA3-FFA Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:09:54 -0400 State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) announced today that four local arts organizations in Darien and Norwalk have been awarded supportive grants from the Connecticut Arts Endowment. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130315.php E62564BC-18F4-4799-8B16-AB764D88E6F8-1463-00000703B7DCA671-FFA Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:49:16 -0400 State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge), co-chair of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, today join Governor Dannel P. Malloy at the formal announcement of plans to have The Navigators Group, Inc., an international specialty insurance holding company, move its corporate headquarters and additional operations from New York to Connecticut later this year. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130315.php 4CDF62A9-883A-4FD6-8945-53047E474D96-4285-00000A5B72B0F607-FFA Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:51:42 -0400 This week State Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford), Senate Chairman of both the General Assembly’s Veterans Affairs and Banks Committees, lead each panel to pass multiple pieces of legislation before their respective bill deadlines. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leone-130315.php 76ACDE9F-44FF-4DFA-9F3A-60BD5E369DAE-1463-000003DF54CD6CE9-FFA Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:51:46 -0400 State Senator Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden), who is Senate Chair of the Children’s Committee, joined a press conference this morning at which the value of Connecticut’s many school-based health centers was highlighted and emphasized. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bartolomeo-130314a.php 34DA6247-CC71-4A41-A032-1200DE33DBD9-5562-00000AA5454B4643-FFA Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:01:40 -0400 Members of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council spent the day visiting the Connecticut General Assembly at an event hosted by Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport). http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130314.php 48DBC987-7527-4439-99D9-36A228016AC3-1116-0000026E4FF4D9D1-FFA Thu, 14 Mar 2013 09:31:18 -0400 As the tax filing deadline of April 15th approaches, State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) reminded his constituents today that the federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers a free online tax preparation service to low and moderate-income taxpayers. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130314.php C6593E47-AA70-4577-B5AF-E4162C0A15BD-1452-00000286D540C4CB-FFA Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:27:13 -0400 State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge) is engaged with all parties to try and reach an agreement that would postpone a closure of the Hilltop Health Center, a nursing home in Ansonia. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130314.php D92DF02C-7BFB-437B-BF1E-D9C8667A2FB2-1452-00000264E8164FBE-FFA Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:24:42 -0400 State Senator Toni N. Harp (D-New Haven), Senate chair of the legislature’s Appropriations Committee, Senator Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden), and Rep. Diana Urban (D-North Stonington), co-chairs of the legislature’s Children’s Committee, held a press conference this morning at which the value of school-based health centers will be highlighted and emphasized. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/harp-130314.php A8F7A98A-522E-4378-80EB-8FB8D5B59E54-7941-00000E965A67EE03-FFA Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:15:46 -0400 As the Connecticut General Assembly held “Women’s Day” at the Capitol in honor of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women’s 40th Anniversary, Jessica Solomon of Durham was being welcomed to the legislature by Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) and Representative Noreen Kokoruda (R-Madison). http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130313.php EFCFF1CF-DD79-4E3A-9C58-CAFBA1D5CA3D-694-000000D8AAF846B2-FFA Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:04:22 -0400 State Senator Steve Cassano (D-Manchester), who taught sociology for nearly three decades at Manchester Community College, today welcomed a significant state investment of funds to renovate interior and exterior portions of the campus. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/cassano-130313.php 5E7F2476-12E5-49C3-8116-181BACF19538-694-000000D89D1F416E-FFA Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:03:37 -0400 State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) announced today that the State Bond Commission has approved substantial upgrades to Three Rivers Community College in Norwich as well as housing investments in Norwich and flood control projects in Ledyard. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/osten-130313.php 9EDEFB0D-8295-4728-A1F0-64DB7C3EEEEA-8428-000010495B3C5101-FFA Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:44:02 -0400 State Senator Toni N. Harp (D-New Haven) today welcomed final approval for five capital improvement projects in and around New Haven. Senator Harp said these projects range from improvements at both Gateway Community College and Southern Connecticut State University to upgrades at the New Haven agricultural experiment station. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/harp-130313.php 583F9B1A-814D-496D-B71E-2A7AB6E2ED97-8167-000043CE25369A7B-FFA Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:27:34 -0400 Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) and Senator Anthony Musto (D-Trumbull) today applauded the State Bond Commission approval of funds to finance improvements at the Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130313.php 528865E8-FE78-4C68-939F-7ECB854AA62E-4171-0000078853FD1717-FFA Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:03:39 -0400 State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge), vice-chair of the legislature’s Commerce Committee, today welcomed final approval of supplemental funding for three key components of the state’s economic recovery strategy. Senator Crisco said state support for the Small Business Express Program (EXP), the Subsidized Employment and Training Program (STEP), and Connecticut Innovations are essential ingredients for the state’s continuing economic revitalization. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130313.php 1FBEACED-91FA-4402-A350-A51907185879-7324-00003E1413DF1865-FFA Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:41:45 -0400 Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) joined with Governor Dannel P. Malloy today in hailing the State Bond Commission for its approval of funding to finance maintenance dredging of the New Haven Harbor Channel as well as financial assistance to Gateway Terminal businesses financially impacted due to construction of the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/looney-130313.php 08B057E4-4B89-4208-A6B3-0523E1100A4D-7246-00003D1ED84E8CFD-FFA Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:24:20 -0400 State Senator Andrea L. Stillman (D-Waterford) today welcomed final approval for state funding to underwrite comprehensive infrastructure improvements at the State Pier in New London and two other projects. Additional funding was approved for dredging of the lower Connecticut River and for the revitalization of state housing units in New London. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/stillman-130313.php 4CAD2998-E274-4CA8-87BB-C6D19952DF57-7246-00003D153D21D04B-FFA Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:23:26 -0400 State Senator Andrew Maynard (D-Stonington) joined State Representative Diana Urban (D-North Stonington) and State Representative Elissa Wright (D-Groton) in praising the State Bond Commission’s expected approval today of funds to finance dredging of shoal areas of the Mystic River in Stonington and Groton near the Mystic Seaport. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/maynard-130313.php CB59203F-CF33-4DA8-8B4E-BD4595A5C871-496-0000037409D5868A-FFA Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:03:21 -0400 Just hours before a public hearing on the matter, state Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today voiced her support for legislation that calls for Connecticut to study if, and how, it could create an insurance program to provide short-term benefits to people who miss work under the auspices of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/osten-130312a.php 1D4E3C07-BA21-4744-B121-9435D140D316-23261-00001C05DF23B58B-FFA Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:21:39 -0400 State Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr., today joined with Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra, Newtown Police Captain Joe Rios and a bipartisan group of legislative lawmakers for a bill signing ceremony at the State Capitol on Tuesday to commemorate the passage of legislation that creates a special fund to assist individuals who suffered psychological trauma as a result of their work related to the Sandy Hook tragedy. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-130312.php A1DCF617-5E83-429D-A167-88940D774934-18703-00001683D929EE35-FFA Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:40:50 -0400 Surrounded by a crowd of local residents, former students, and public officials, Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) cut the ribbon today on a new complex of high-quality, affordable apartments in Bridgeport’s West Side. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130312.php E1D6555D-5FA8-4934-8BCF-6CF633E2598C-23261-00001AD370D111E3-FFA Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:59:32 -0400 State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) joined Governor Dannel P. Malloy today as he signed legislation into law establishing a special fund to assist individuals who suffered psychological trauma as a result of their work related to the December 14, 2012 shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130312.php 9FCAFADF-7797-4351-AD8C-7D5444627755-18703-00001919CBB0B8B5-FFA Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:27:57 -0400 State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) and state Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-New Britain) today welcomed a new poll by Quinnipiac University which shows growing and overwhelming public support for an increase in Connecticut’s hourly minimum wage. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/osten-130312.php B037EA8F-AE6B-4B85-9135-457462E727AE-5382-00000A71A5307698-FFA Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:59:21 -0400 State Senator Eric D. Coleman (D-Bloomfield) today hailed the announcement that the historic home of author and abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe is now a National Historic Landmark. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/coleman-130312.php D9778245-3F58-4B83-AB22-CC1EDCA4DF5D-456-000003838AE04BA8-FFA Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:52:28 -0400 State Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford) joined his Democratic and Republican colleagues in both houses of the General Assembly last week to vote unanimously in favor of extending the state’s highly successful Small Business Express (EXP) program. To date, the initiative has created or retained 7,011 jobs across Connecticut. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leone-130311.php 52F88C24-40DD-4A8E-9696-2E9D73172587-997-000012F43B03204B-FFA Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:31:16 -0400 Today State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and State Rep. Larry Cafero (R-Norwalk) joined the executives and employees of JayStar Group, Inc. of Norwalk to announce the company’s approval for participation in the state’s Small Business Express Program (EXP). http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130311.php F1BE54D1-5556-4D0E-96F2-056F84065D24-997-00000D7FF4EE58A1-FFA Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:51:20 -0400 State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge) and Representative Theresa Conroy (D-Seymour) met this week with local and state officials about permanently opening Cold Spring Road in Beacon Falls to provide access to High Rock State Park. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130308.php 5684B1E0-9EF2-4209-9526-2C3A2FE7C63B-28498-0000068CF5F831AA-FFA Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:32:54 -0500 Last month police investigators confirmed through computer records what many Connecticut residents suspected long before: the shooter who ended 26 innocent lives in the Newtown rampage in December had a tendency to engage in violent video play. Whether this contributed in any way to the tragic circumstance in Sandy Hook that day is still the subject of some debate. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/stillman-130308.php 414CE694-AFDB-42CD-9E41-F938A21A9259-28498-0000030C5C1C6E84-FFA Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:32:38 -0500 State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) voted with his Senate colleagues this week to create a special fund to assist those individuals who suffered psychological trauma as a result of their work related to the December 14, 2012 shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130308.php B35247E8-311D-421B-A10A-25A631923FD6-3227-000004E33CF4B875-FFA Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:39:55 -0500 State Senator Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden) and state Representative Matthew Lesser (D-Middletown) today welcomed news that on March 13 in Hartford the State Bond Commission is expected to approve funding for repairs to the Lake Beseck Dam in Middlefield and the Foster Pond Dam in Meriden. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bartolomeo-130307.php 74820ACA-D1CD-4002-9068-26F21787F15F-18453-00001B7BF83C0D74-FFA Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:08:47 -0500 State Senator Joan V. Hartley (D-Waterbury), Senate chair of the legislature’s Public Safety and Security Committee, helped secure unanimous passage of Emergency Certified legislation creating the Sandy Hook Workers Assistance Fund to help those directly and most severely impacted by events in Newtown last December 14th. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/hartley-130307.php 9DA69CFB-C085-4A9C-9841-5399C81C0012-14519-000015F9A23F590B-FFA Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:27:53 -0500 On Wednesday, March 6th in his State Capitol office, Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) met with members of the Killingly Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools Kevin Farr to discuss his work on education reform and the current state of our schools. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130307.php 7E7CD027-B893-4B4D-B257-D6F4F0EC00C4-12618-0000123D4A2D3CB4-FFA Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:19:26 -0500 State Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford) today welcomed a unanimous decision by the state Board of Education to approve the construction of a new magnet school in West Hartford that will be eligible for 80 percent state reimbursement thanks to a state law that Sen. Bye and the West Hartford legislative delegation passed last year. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bye-130306.php 1A44279E-C2CB-43AA-BFDB-5B0BEDE27DA6-431-0000037828B6F169-FFA Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:48:49 -0500 Citing its success in helping small businesses retain and grow jobs, Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) helped lead the passage of an extension of Connecticut’s Small Business Express (EXP) Program. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130306a.php F48CDEB2-CE73-41F3-B3F8-FA746B8A0164-431-00000337DBD1FCD1-FFA Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:44:22 -0500 State Senators Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) and Anthony Musto (D-Trumbull) joined their Senate colleagues in a unanimous vote today to pass legislation to assist the abandoned students of the former Butler School in Bridgeport. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130306.php DB35561F-DC80-4278-BADB-7A3C13CE5EF2-431-00000345E0E1634E-FFA Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:45:25 -0500 State Senators Bob Duff (D-Norwalk, Darien) and Carlo Leone (D-Stamford, Darien) joined with their Senate colleagues today in a unanimous vote to confirm the nomination of Evonne Klein of Darien to be the first Commissioner of the new Department of Housing. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130306.php 5A8BB4E5-0C28-48DA-A853-1AB101CC60E2-431-00000357BBE89061-FFA Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:46:36 -0500 State Senator Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden) today voted for a bill that will increase by 60 percent Connecticut’s grants and loans to small businesses in the coming years. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bartolomeo-130306.php 40AA3093-51EA-47FC-B0A5-9D07718B1DED-431-0000030F3CDBC4CC-FFA Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:41:49 -0500 State Senators Eric D. Coleman (D-Bloomfield) and John Fonfara (D-Hartford) joined their Senate colleagues in unanimous vote today to pass legislation to assist the abandoned students of the former Sawyer School in Hartford. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/coleman-130306.php EEA07B85-D745-4257-A92A-26DBB345DAB0-431-000003274314CEC8-FFA Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:43:21 -0500 State Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford) announced today that both houses of the General Assembly have voted to approve the nomination of multiple Stamford residents to serve in various positions in the judicial and executive branches of the state government. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leone-130306.php BFB752F2-5D93-4B3C-A09A-93F1C0B51949-431-00000368B92C7941-FFA Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:47:45 -0500 State Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield) today led Senate debate on the confirmation of Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s nomination of Carmen Espinosa to the Connecticut Supreme Court. As Vice-Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Doyle joined members on both sides of the aisle in voicing strong support for the nomination. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/doyle-130306.php B5A20B98-EAE5-4269-8D81-EBB074395130-431-0000031D62DC4905-FFA Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:42:30 -0500 State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today helped lead Senate passage of a bill to create a special fund to assist those individuals who suffered psychological trauma as a result of their work related to December 14, 2012 shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/osten-130306.php 290EA41E-7B4D-4438-9B74-E370FA0217F2-8299-00001A175FE27812-FFA Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:38:25 -0500 Legislative leaders announced Wednesday that the General Assembly plans to vote today to create a special fund to assist individuals who suffered psychological trauma as a result of their work related to the Sandy Hook tragedy. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-130306.php 2A081179-D2B3-48A0-A5B9-011ABE2C45C9-5934-00000B7231165ADE-FFA Wed, 06 Mar 2013 12:10:00 -0500 State Senator Toni N. Harp (D-New Haven), co-chair of the Mental Health Services Working Group of the Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety, today reported recommendations of that working group to legislative leaders. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/harp-130305.php CAD87C50-E852-48B5-9916-81F5A48518F9-6761-00001B8AE470AB9C-FFA Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:09:12 -0500 Citing their success at closing the achievement gap and empowering parents and other community stakeholders, Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) today testified before the General Assembly’s Education Committee in sport of adding the Community School Model to the list of options school districts may utilize to turnaround low-performing schools. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130304a.php 956143AC-2024-491D-99D4-6DAB8CAA3BDC-924-0000013AA43DA543-FFA Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:07:08 -0500 Senate President Donald E Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) today joined with University of Connecticut students, faculty and elected officials at the State Legislative Office Building in support of “Next Generation Connecticut”—the proposal to enhance UConn’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs and position the university as a leading research institution. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130304.php 35810929-B00F-4077-8DB2-A446EA32ADD9-924-0000013A75791701-FFA Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:07:36 -0500 Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney will provide the following testimony to the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee at tonight’s public hearing at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/looney-130304a.php 332ACCAD-C688-475D-8973-8FBAC3129181-924-0000013A563B038E-FFA Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:08:12 -0500 Today State Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford) spoke in favor of the Next Generation Connecticut initiative, a plan to reinvigorate the UConn Stamford campus and grow the city and state’s economy through major investments across the entire University of Connecticut system in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leone-130304.php CEB40386-884F-4357-8487-90EA18C14B57-6382-0000199577633DA7-FFA Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:31:01 -0500 Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield) today kicked off National Consumer Protection Week with a press conference at Mountain View Landscape in Cromwell to highlight legislative efforts to combat price gouging in Connecticut. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-130304.php F1CBF40F-8B93-47BF-B454-689E7E550C22-13377-000016BBDE140EFD-FFA Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:45:28 -0500 State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge) and Rep. Robert Megna (D-New Haven), co-chairs of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, today convened an informational forum on emerging, alarming new autoimmune disorders called Pediatric Acute Neuropsychiatric Syndrom (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS). http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130301.php 4B8FA783-A893-4BCB-A9F1-7AB1377F436C-5490-00000A0DB4BC5FAB-FFA Fri, 01 Mar 2013 09:30:29 -0500 State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) was named Legislator of the Year on Thursday evening by the Naramake Elementary School Family Resource Center. A ceremony was held during the center’s Family Art Appreciation Night, which featured entertainment and an art show by the school’s students. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130301.php AA625509-8060-4A79-88B0-568BC2BAA037-2036-000019032529E00B-FFA Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:13:26 -0500 Fourth grade students at Madison’s Island Avenue School were visited today by State Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford). Meyer stopped by as part of Read Across America Day to speak with the class and tell them the story of “Jangles,” a gigantic trout and the young boy he befriends. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130301.php DAB9CD9F-5B0E-4A5F-B2DC-5B4E26D9B4DE-979-000012ED3AD64149-FFA Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:21:56 -0500 State Senator Gayle S. Slossberg (D-Milford) visited local schools in Milford on Friday to read with students as part of National Read Across America Day. She took part in the nationwide effort to promote the values of reading among schoolchildren, and read from two instructive books by Dr. Seuss. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/slossberg-130301a.php 80C532B4-0052-45CB-8AE4-D10AD42927B1-872-000001C431DF209C-FFA Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:05:12 -0500 State Senator Gayle S. Slossberg (D-Milford) welcomed local Girl Scouts from Milford to the state Capitol Wednesday for Girl Scout Advocacy Day. Held annually in Hartford, the event recognizes the girl-empowerment organization for its leadership role on issues effecting girls and women in Connecticut, and helps raise awareness on these issues. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/slossberg-130301.php EBD8A9A6-CFA1-4EA3-A683-89D0005023DA-979-0000128A1F343344-FFA Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:14:47 -0500 Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D—New Haven) and Representative Craig Miner (R—Litchfield) announced today that the Gun Violence Prevention Working Group of the Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety will hold its final meeting on Tuesday, March 5th at 12:30p.m. in room 2-D of the Legislative Office Building. Members of the working group will meet for the purpose of forwarding recommendations to legislative leaders. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-130228.php 5B453A40-EF07-46C8-937B-31C494DA9321-55554-00006AD57B13F99D-FFA Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:23:34 -0500 State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague), who is Senate Chairman of the Labor and Public Employees Committee, today led committee passage of two bills designed to benefit Connecticut’s working citizens: increasing the hourly minimum wage over the next two years and then indexing it to any rise in the Consumer Price Index, and workers’ compensation coverage for those who are traumatized by mayhem and murder in the workplace. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/osten-130228.php 2D794D99-091F-480C-B280-9B2B9F3EB846-11755-000017824B5BE548-FFA Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:53:19 -0500 Today State Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain), Senate Vice-Chair of the Legislature’s Labor and Public Employees Committee, added her support to the passage of a bill that will increase the state’s minimum wage. Her vote allowed the bill to pass out of Committee to the floor of the State Senate. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/gerratana-130228.php 1ABEC821-8C1F-499F-98EB-22009F5CC680-11850-00001B603416E0A4-FFA Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:04:09 -0500 The first barrels of clean-burning fuel will soon be sold from the Greenleaf Biofuel Plant visited yesterday by Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Daniel Esty. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130228.php CAF7EA54-BF1C-4C79-8BF2-8137DCE3E903-49473-00005FBFEFC6E925-FFA Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:00:31 -0500 Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) voiced his support today for Senate Bill 465, which will require all newborns be screened for Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a devastating disease affecting the central nervous system. Jack and Jean Kelley, Branford residents and constituents of Senator Meyer’s, spoke in favor of the bill. They explained that their son Brian has lived with ALD for nearly two decades, and that a diagnosis at birth will help children with ALD avoid the most severe and life threatening symptoms associated with the disease. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130227.php 93A2C58C-E24B-4618-8121-FD83038EDE39-12595-000013E422A1F0EE-FFA Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:44:27 -0500 Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) spoke yesterday at an event in support of immigrant rights in Connecticut. The event was organized by advocates and several undocumented residents of Connecticut who expressed their desire to continue living and working in the state they call home, while attempting to obtain citizenship. Ayala spoke in favor of HB 6037, a bill that will allow the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue driver’s licenses to certain undocumented residents. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130227.php 2C519B38-478B-499D-85BB-E26339F70E21-6241-000009E6020C31CA-FFA Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:41:17 -0500 Declaring it “the responsibility of every parent, adult and policymaker to help guide” children’s dietary choices, Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. addressed “Nourishing Connecticut’s Children Together,” a gathering at the State Capitol on Connecticut Child Nutrition Legislative Day. The event was sponsored by End Hunger Connecticut!, the Connecticut Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the School Nutrition Association of Connecticut (SNACT). http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/Williams-130226.php 0AD8D906-8C26-4713-93D1-1BADCD55CDA1-2152-000011D95373CC82-FFA Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:04:16 -0500 State Senator Gary D. LeBeau (D-East Hartford) today testified before the legislature’s Aging Committee in support of a bill that seeks $550,000 in state bonding to furnish and upgrade portions of Ellington’s new Senior Center, which is due to open early next year. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/lebeau-130226.php F3D8B3FF-9BE9-485D-A0A2-FD2A92C2A2BC-14008-00001A64AC972DEC-FFA Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:46:32 -0500 The response by the state legislature to the Newtown shootings has been swift and productive: its Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety has already held four meetings to glean information and suggestions from both professionals and the public. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/stillman-130226.php DAA354BA-9D7D-43C5-9A60-735B58F17C38-1352-00000884AF3E61AA-FFA Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:44:10 -0500 “I hope to see some of you back here in Hartford someday, working to make your communities a better place,” said Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) as he spoke to a group of fourth graders from Bridgeport’s Geraldine Johnson Elementary School. The students came to the Capitol building in Hartford for a tour of the legislature, and were paid a visit by Senator Ayala. The children asked Senator Ayala how he became a Senator, and what things he does for the city of Bridgeport in his role. Senator Ayala talked about some of the important issues in Connecticut, and encouraged the students to follow him on Facebook, where he regularly posts updates from the Capitol. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130226.php 12E47397-F164-4956-943B-502350EEFC0B-6241-000009EE8C3087EF-FFA Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:41:57 -0500 Calling the occasion a touching display of maturity and compassion, Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) joined with Representative Patricia Widlitz (D-Guilford) in signing onto the “End the R-Word” campaign being organized by Guilford High School students. This campaign aims to raise awareness about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed).” Students at schools across the country have taken part in End the R-Word campaigns, which are organized by Special Olympics and Best Buddies International. Guilford’s campaign kicked off today, and will run through the end of the week. The Guilford campaign is led by students as well as Kim Beckett and Jaye Carlson, the mothers of two intellectually disabled students at Guilford High School. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130225.php 43A2A163-5C67-4032-A48E-66192C4FFFCB-4078-0000185FE21910C6-FFA Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:09:19 -0500 Fourth graders at Trumbull’s Daniels Farm School received a visit from State Senator Anthony Musto (D-Trumbull) this morning. Students heard from Senator Musto about how he represents their town in the Connecticut General Assembly and what it means to be a Senator. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/musto-130222.php F2AB1843-0BE0-4203-ADFB-306CB4218FEA-4767-0000095CC2BCA193-FFA Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:35:46 -0500 “I am pleased that the governor put forth what I consider to be the basics of any common sense gun safety proposal,” said Senator Williams. “The ideas are not new—our bipartisan task force heard these and other good suggestions from police chiefs and mayors at our public hearings.” http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130222.php 96652C9E-C6F3-4A6E-A524-DAD2CC337B33-519-000005F16EB39D2E-FFA Fri, 22 Feb 2013 10:30:37 -0500 State Senator Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden) said today that she will work with the legislature’s Judiciary Committee in the coming weeks to help craft new tough-on-crime legislation that will change Connecticut’s Risk Reduction Earned Credit program, change the way it monitors parolees, and increase the penalty for people who use a firearm in the commission of a serious felony or who buy a gun for someone else. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bartolomeo-130221.php BCD00A1F-49C6-466B-84D5-9D8250685994-15960-00001AF5CEA4B542-FFA Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:04:29 -0500 Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) braved the cold today with a group of low-wage workers and members of the Alliance to Make Work Pay in support of an increase to the minimum wage. As Vice-Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee, Senator Gerratana spoke in support of the current proposal to increase Connecticut’s minimum wage and tie it to the cost of living. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/gerratana-130221.php 323AD33E-95CA-4B72-B843-D166D0D98457-14943-00001771D2E540DA-FFA Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:53:54 -0500 Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz (D-Berlin) were joined by State Labor Commissioner Sharon M. Palmer and several local business owners today to celebrate the success of the state’s Subsidized Training and Employment Program (STEP-Up). http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/looney-130220.php C9B5952C-FBDB-4198-AC99-C05D2EB9590B-5526-00005F9D50B4458C-FFA Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:39:39 -0500 State Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield) joined Rocky Hill residents and town leaders outside the State Capitol Wednesday to lead a rally against the state’s plan to house prisoners and mental patients in a private nursing home in Rocky Hill. 100 protesters raised handwritten signs and chanted as Sen. Doyle, State Representative Tony Guerrera (D-Rocky Hill), and impassioned residents spoke to the crowd. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/doyle-130220.php BC8490EA-7A8A-463B-B619-FDB090E0B87C-842-000008B7C1F1B8E5-FFA Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:16:42 -0500 Twenty new jobs are coming to Durham. Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) today visited Technical Manufacturing Corporation (TMC), a small, woman-owned manufacturer in Durham. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130220.php A574000E-D68F-4DA2-80F6-36CB6C224D0A-18244-00001A4B4D692201-FFA Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:54:04 -0500 State Senators Andrew Maynard (D-Stonington) and Michael McLachlan (R-Danbury) today joined State Representatives Lonnie Reed (D-Branford) and Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield) in announcing the formation of a new Life Sciences Caucus at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/maynard-130220.php DBF266FD-C145-4ACC-8619-ED520EA6EC3D-18244-00001A4B82FFB24D-FFA Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:50:12 -0500 State Senator Joseph Crisco (D-Woodbridge), who is the Senate Chairman of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, testified today at a public hearing in support of a bill (SB 63) he has introduced that would expand Connecticut’s highly successful Biomedical Research Trust Fund to include research on strokes, which kills an estimated 1,400 state residents every year. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130220.php B8DA35D7-F734-4A61-B7D1-3FD71BE74D26-18244-00001A4B3EC6A735-FFA Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:50:49 -0500 Today State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and fifty-six other Connecticut state legislators sent an open letter to all members of Congress, urging them to support President Obama and Vice President Biden’s package of legislative reforms to reduce gun violence in America. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130220.php 30499B67-3BE7-4554-8907-537FCBAC533E-5526-00005F9003BCDAC9-FFA Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:39:13 -0500 State Senator Gayle S. Slossberg (D-Milford) today joined State Representative Russ Morin (D-Wethersfield), veterans of the U.S. military, and election officials from Rhode Island in voicing support for reforms to Connecticut’s military voting policies. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/slossberg-130219.php 2E53B83C-775B-4DEB-B3A4-753E1288E6FC-11335-0000134697A80977-FFA Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:26:00 -0500 State Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) and Senator Anthony Musto (D-Trumbull) thanked the General Assembly’s Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee for passing a bill that will greatly aid students at the Butler Business School in Bridgeport. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130219.php 2663ACDD-EAFA-4BA0-81BD-1AE3DA3440FE-9689-0000112483C92658-FFA Tue, 19 Feb 2013 13:46:54 -0500 State Senator Gary D. LeBeau (D-East Hartford) issued the following statement today in support of President Barack Obama’s proposal to create of a national network of 15 ‘manufacturing hubs’ where businesses will partner with the Departments of Defense and Energy to turn regions left behind by globalization into global centers of high-tech jobs. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/lebeau-130215.php C5D1574F-8EEE-4A13-BD17-EFF0F7140EAE-21763-00001CEC8D984AB6-FFA Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:39:40 -0500 Last week, the General Assembly’s General Law Committee held a public hearing on proposed legislation introduced by State Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield) and State Representative Sandy Nafis (D-Newington) that seeks to reduce drug abuse in Connecticut. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/doyle-130215.php 7964FE3E-6768-41B7-AE87-D0AC10D81F5D-16732-0000129EC9C14EB3-FFA Fri, 15 Feb 2013 14:30:43 -0500 State Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford, Darien) joined Governor Dannel P. Malloy at the State Capitol today as he announced the nomination of Evonne Klein of Darien to be the first Commissioner of the Department of Housing. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leone-130214.php 77E7A0F5-6D6A-4CE2-A97D-F00A08637D01-9307-000068549E6399FD-FFA Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:41:14 -0500 Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) met today with constituents who traveled to Hartford for the March for Change rally. Capitol Police reported that over 5,500 people from across Connecticut attended the rally, wearing green and waving signs to demand the General Assembly take action in the wake of the tragedy in Newtown. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130214.php A48F2F30-3C2B-4665-BBC8-7E737BC2878E-9307-0000682F43DAB5F0-FFA Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:38:33 -0500 State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today testified before the Children’s Committee on a bill she has introduced that would establish a state-wide task force to help prevent the sexual abuse of children—Connecticut’s version of the nationally-known ‘Erin’s Law.’ http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/osten-130214.php D775449B-475B-472D-8C1B-C3DBF5BBA745-568-00000E0A8B910BC4-FFA Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:30:49 -0500 Following a meeting today of the legislature’s Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety, state Senator Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden) issued a brief list of some of the school safety recommendations that she has received from the parents, educators, city officials, public safety officers and others in her district that she has met with over the past several weeks. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bartolomeo-130213.php 3BE9AADF-8FED-401B-BE2B-7B97437ACCAF-3687-0000194A94B3E7B0-FFA Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:32:46 -0500 The lesson of the day was school security in Connecticut. The working group dedicated to that aspect of our Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety held a public hearing two weeks ago and learned about a comprehensive cross-section of ideas about how we might better protect children while they’re in school. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/stillman-130207.php 910B7F17-41B6-4825-9566-CAD51CA5063F-14137-0000182971C9AF8C-FFA Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:28:46 -0500 State Senator Stephen T. Cassano (D-Manchester) was presented with an ‘Honored Patriot’ award today by the director of Connecticut’s Selective Service System for his work on legislation that will improve selective service reporting by the state Department of Motor Vehicles. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/cassano-130207.php 8CBFDE7E-ECE5-4167-9BF0-9C90A238A52D-13857-000017B821DA32CA-FFA Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:20:33 -0500 State Senator Joan V. Hartley (D-Waterbury) will be joined by Sen. Rob Kane (R-Watertown) and Rep. Tony D’Amelio (R-Waterbury) at office hours scheduled in Middlebury for Monday, February 11. The lawmakers said they look forward to meeting with constituents that evening at the Shepardson Community Center from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/hartley-130205.php F218D368-1082-4C1C-B806-55966EE2CF39-8251-00000ECE8248AE48-FFA Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:11:14 -0500 State Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) announced the opening of a new computer room today at the Charles Graham Apartments. The room will be stocked with computers generously donated by CT Breast Health Initiative. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/gerratana-130205.php 26447553-04E4-47D8-A1A0-7B71CA8C9620-4745-00000850C85F2BEF-FFA Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:13:09 -0500 Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr., joined with Governor Dannel P. Malloy today to announce that over the next two years, Amazon will invest $50 million in Connecticut and create hundreds of new full-time jobs. Additionally, the Governor announced an agreement under which Amazon will begin collecting sales tax revenue in the state. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/williams-130204.php 2A73D1E2-C46E-47F3-9CEA-0C17101BA6D3-1848-00001CFEA17D6AEB-FFA Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:26:32 -0500 State Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford) today welcomed an announcement by Governor Dannel P. Malloy regarding the establishment of the Office of Early Childhood, a new state agency that will provide a comprehensive, collaborative system for delivering improved programs and services to children ages zero to five and their parents. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bye-130204.php DD54FCE7-77A0-4E7E-8402-5EAFA998EA37-1687-00001BD3D4C9ECA5-FFA Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:05:04 -0500 State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge) today spoke with students, faculty members, and administrators at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) about mental health access and services in Connecticut as they relate to gun violence. Senator Crisco is a member of the Mental Health Services Working Group of the legislature’s Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety, created last month in response to the December school shootings in Newtown. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130204.php 88C1CDC7-D6D6-49D4-9F3F-144EB91BC29B-1348-00001A0A92B4524F-FFA Mon, 04 Feb 2013 16:32:19 -0500 State Senator Andres Ayala applauds a new class of police recruits tonight as they are sworn in to serve the people of Connecticut. Of the twenty-eight person class, nineteen will become officers in Bridgeport, four will serve in Stratford, and the rest will be in Norwalk, Milford, Naugatuck, and North Branford. These new officers represent a much needed increase in resources for the Bridgeport and Stratford Police Department. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130201b.php EB1AD59C-197D-41C5-AEDB-AE6D7B65B57F-322-000002F00B4ABF68-FFA Fri, 01 Feb 2013 09:28:54 -0500 State Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) spoke yesterday as a leader in the push to raise Connecticut’s minimum wage. Senator Ayala joined with Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) and allies from business, labor, and community organizations to launch the Alliance to Make Work Pay. The Alliance will work to pass an increase in the minimum wage and fight to ensure it is tied to the cost of living. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130201.php 44A90074-6824-43B3-A58D-EC3E1CDDB363-4265-000009ABE8645A84-FFA Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:32:04 -0500 State Senator Andrea L. Stillman (D-Waterford) and Rep. Betsy Ritter (D-Waterford) were joined this morning by other legislators, business advocates, and labor leaders at a press conference in Hartford to address prospects for the state’s utility generation tax, which is scheduled to ‘sunset’ at the end of the current fiscal year. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/stillman-130131.php 206706DC-858B-4C88-B6D5-A504DC69A6D9-34130-0000130206A92305-FFA Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:13:28 -0500 The Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety will hold an informational public hearing at Newtown High School from 6:00 p.m. - midnight on Wednesday, January 30. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-130130.php 9CB47B1E-71F7-41A7-9D72-D89D5879871E-1198-000002152F17CF88-FFA Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:27:59 -0500 Today State Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford), Senate Chair of the General Assembly’s Banks Committee, welcomed a proposal by Governor Dannel P. Malloy to protect homeowners facing mortgage delinquency or who are in foreclosure, and to streamline the process for addressing abandoned and blighted properties. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leone-130130.php 3101DE37-690F-4D3F-BA63-6554203B1BB0-15975-00001679AC1DA799-FFA Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:45:46 -0500 State Senator Andrea L. Stillman (D-Waterford), vice-chair of the legislature’s Transportation Committee, today hailed state Department of Transportation (DOT) plans for expanded service on Shore Line East to include weekend trains to New London as soon as this spring. Senator Stillman said the announcement was part of an oversight hearing held this morning; in policy matters the Transportation Committee has cognizance over the DOT. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/stillman-130128.php 908FD3AF-3F46-4AB8-8DE5-E3B65B46F35C-9004-000019854EEFA81A-FFA Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:38:23 -0500 State Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senator Toni H. Harp (D-New Haven) today welcomed final approval of state funding to help underwrite upgrades and infrastructure improvement projects at four separate New Haven sites. The lawmakers said the four projects include two new housing redevelopment initiatives, each of which includes some affordable housing, significant upgrades at a New Haven high school, and renovations at a non-profit agency that delivers state-sponsored services. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/harp-130125.php 442C770D-1E31-4665-AF75-AABD9687D38E-315-000002C86F8ACD06-FFA Fri, 25 Jan 2013 09:36:20 -0500 State Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) today welcomed the State Bond Commission’s approval of funding for the purchase of generators at the Klingberg Family Centers and the North American Family Institute of Connecticut (NAFI CT). In light of the severe weather that has struck Connecticut in recent years, it has become clear that this critical infrastructure upgrade is needed. The resources offered by Klingberg Family Centers and NAFI CT are too vital to be cut off by power loss. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/gerratana-130125.php 8A101992-D84D-4954-A367-D94F7FBD919C-12914-0000195B7E4A9916-FFA Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:14:23 -0500 State Senator Andres Ayala visited Bridgeport Hospital and St. Vincent’s College yesterday for the announcement of construction projects at both. Bridgeport Hospital hosted a groundbreaking for the Grant Street Plaza. St. Vincent’s College nursing school held a “wall smashing” ceremony to mark the beginning of expansions. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130125b.php 22D943D3-272F-45BE-9976-E18C3767DA94-12914-000017351B9CE9CF-FFA Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:35:11 -0500 Senators Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield) and Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden) joined State Representatives Joseph Serra (D-Middletown) and Matthew Lesser (D-Middletown) in praising the state funding approved for Vinal Technical High School in Middletown during the Bond Commission meeting held today at the State Capitol. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/doyle-130125.php 98FCE400-E645-4A70-BA5C-DD95DBDE7FDE-8132-00001084AA7F1170-FFA Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:32:24 -0500 State Senator Joan V. Hartley (D-Waterbury) and State Representative Anthony D’Amelio (R-Waterbury) will hold joint ‘office hours’ on Wednesday, February 6th at 6:00 p.m. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/hartley-130125b.php B7E22BFC-46CB-41F9-A833-7644110E8846-12914-000018DDCFB8FF3B-FFA Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:05:24 -0500 State Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) and Senator Musto (D-Trumbull) today welcomed the announcement that the State will release funding to allow for improvements to James J. Curiale School and Bullard-Havens Technical High School. Both schools will be provided with grants to fund improvements on school grounds and the purchase of new educational equipment. http://senatedems.ct.gov//pr/ayala-130125.php 4B76218C-9C9D-4819-AE28-E4ACC07BEFCC-4819-00000B3B2180F3DA-FFA Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:55:31 -0500 State Senator Joan V. Hartley (D-Waterbury) today welcomed final approval of state funding to help underwrite upgrades and infrastructure improvement projects at four separate Waterbury sites. The projects include upgrades at two state buildings and improvements at the home of two local non-profit agencies. http://senatedems.ct.gov//pr/hartley-130125.php 7D03ECCA-B605-440E-82E7-385A3259F69D-4819-00000B34896CADEF-FFA Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:55:02 -0500 In the still-somber aftermath of last month’s shocking tragedy in Newtown, the legislature formed a new task force dedicated to gun violence prevention and children’s safety. It will help channel the flow of ideas, suggestions, and demands, as well as the groundswell of formal legislative initiatives prompted by the December 14 shootings. http://senatedems.ct.gov//pr/stillman-130124.php D245D593-BD29-422B-A0EA-3B31631831D7-14374-00000FD1C3EFF490-FFA Thu, 24 Jan 2013 13:35:39 -0500 State Senator Andrea L. Stillman (D-Waterford), co-chair of the legislature’s Education Committee, today reported imminent, final approval of state funding for upgrades at two local schools. New London High School will receive a $3 million grant for general alterations, repairs, and improvements, and the Waterford Country School is in line for a $92,159 grant to replace its roof and a generator. http://senatedems.ct.gov//pr/stillman-130124a.php C5C08ACD-E46C-444B-80F4-3D0179E0D9CE-22682-00001886E7352929-FFA Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:15:19 -0500 State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge) and Representative Linda M. Gentile (D-Ansonia/Derby) today announced the imminent release of state funding for two infrastructure improvement projects in the Naugatuck Valley. Emmett O’Brien Technical High School in Ansonia is set to receive $87,000 for technology upgrades and renovations and the bridge that carries Route 34 over the Naugatuck River will be upgraded. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130123.php 723C93BA-BE45-43F4-97F7-CBB6F7D5CC12-13129-00001846A4494671-FFA Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:23:38 -0500 On Saturday, February 9, 2013, state Senator Gary D. LeBeau (D-East Hartford) will hold office hours in the Seminar Room of the South Windsor Public Library between 10:00 a.m. and Noon to meet and talk with residents from South Windsor, East Windsor and Ellington. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/lebeau-130123.php C257AB5E-8F40-4741-9103-9A32EABE4D15-9641-00000C507CF579C5-FFA Wed, 23 Jan 2013 12:31:30 -0500 State Senator Eric D. Coleman (D-Bloomfield) today led Senate debate on the confirmation of Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s nomination of Andrew J. McDonald to the Connecticut Supreme Court. As Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Coleman joined members on both sides of the aisle in voicing strong support for the nomination. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/coleman-130123.php 2DC3AB41-D6F8-4F72-97E7-CD1B76B0F6A1-15443-00001AC62455415C-FFA Wed, 23 Jan 2013 17:09:27 -0500 State Senator Toni N. Harp (D-New Haven), co-chair of the legislature’s Appropriations Committee, has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by the University of New Haven (UNH). Senator Harp was a distinguished guest at last week’s UNH Winter Commencement ceremony; the honorary degree was bestowed upon Senator Harp at that time. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/harp-130123.php 53FCF669-D248-4594-964B-259CE8603DBB-9102-000011E2B3F0C570-FFA Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:26:33 -0500 Today Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford) applauded the State Senate’s vote of 30 to 3 to confirm Stamford resident Andrew McDonald’s nomination to be an Associate Judge of the Connecticut Supreme Court and a judge of the Superior Court. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leone-130123.php 809BD327-6623-4EDC-9B2D-22272A1592D8-9102-00001153BF45EBA8-FFA Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:16:22 -0500 State Senator Joan V. Hartley (D-Waterbury), co-chair of the legislature’s Public Safety and Security Committee, has begun the serious work of the bipartisan, legislative task force to address gun violence prevention and children’s safety issues. The task force was created to help channel the flow of ideas and the groundswell of formal initiatives prompted by the Newtown shootings on December 14th. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/hartley-130123.php 2119320B-719E-4D53-A871-5B2AF8A58237-11559-000057B52088FAB1-FFA Wed, 23 Jan 2013 11:31:01 -0500 A special bipartisan task force recently announced by legislative leaders and charged with developing recommendations designed to reduce gun violence, enhance school safety and increase access to mental health care has a new website: www.cga.ct.gov/asaferconnecticut. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-130122.php 511861F7-A9BF-4F6B-9184-22579477784F-4401-000019A077FCF1A3-FFA Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:33:17 -0500 State Senator Andrea L. Stillman (D-Waterford) and Representatives Kevin Ryan (D-Montville) and Betsy Ritter (D-Waterford) today welcomed news about the imminent release of state funding to help underwrite improvements and upgrades at the wastewater treatment facility in Montville. The overhaul is necessarily primarily because of wastewater outflow from the Rand Whitney Containerboard plant in town. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/stillman-130122.php 7746FB9B-C9F2-41E8-9286-77781B76778F-4459-000019DFFD70990E-FFA Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:37:36 -0500 State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today welcomed news that the State Bond Commission is expected to approve substantial state investments in Sprague’s housing authority, the Stanton School in Norwich, new pavement on Interstate 395 and upgrades to Montville’s wastewater treatment facilities when the commission meets next Friday, January 25 in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/osten-130118.php 79650863-7552-4F25-8E06-F6CE7767D45A-14251-00001BB8A25E26D9-FFA Fri, 18 Jan 2013 17:10:05 -0500 A special bipartisan task force recently announced by legislative leaders and charged with developing recommendations designed to reduce gun violence, enhance school safety and increase access to mental health care has scheduled a series of public hearings. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-130118.php 85EBD2C6-1F75-497D-9980-FA4ACB6EAA85-12640-000018A3F18D401C-FFA Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:14:21 -0500 State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and State Rep. Larry Cafero (R-Norwalk) announced today that two historic sites in Norwalk will receive state construction grants to repair damage from Hurricane Sandy and to make other facility improvements. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130118.php 5CEB0C3D-2E4F-4E4B-BFB0-735701CB64E3-3245-000013948BDD3445-FFA Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:35:26 -0500 State Senator Toni H. Harp (D-New Haven), co-chair of the legislature’s Appropriations Committee, today began the serious work of the bipartisan, legislative task force to address gun violence prevention and children’s safety issues. The task force was created to help channel the flow of ideas and the groundswell of formal initiatives prompted by the Newtown shootings on December 14th. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/harp-130118.php 739EBFB8-A640-4521-AB45-30B3F5ED81BF-12640-000018997FD2D213-FFA Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:12:51 -0500 State Senator Steve Cassano (D- Manchester) received a “Town Crier Award” today from the Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) for his leadership on issues affecting Connecticut’s smaller communities. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/cassano-130116.php 795463DB-BE3E-44B0-A55F-B8B03E769DFD-3245-0000138C3E2FB1CB-FFA Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:34:44 -0500 State Senator Andrew Maynard (D-Plainfield) applauded Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s announcement today that the Town of Plainfield will receive a Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant to reconstruct and repair Green Hollow Road. The grant will go toward resurfacing, installation of additional drainage, and widening of the road. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/maynard-130116.php 2DF8CF11-DDDF-4260-8505-758287E3CA96-1862-00000F6C5AE73F95-FFA Wed, 16 Jan 2013 13:29:25 -0500 State Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. and Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) today issued the following statements in reaction to President Obama and Vice President Biden proposals on gun violence prevention following the Newtown tragedy. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-130116.php 1B33C13B-2A43-442F-B584-08FC20C49492-4553-000013EA08B52247-FFA Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:53:24 -0500 Democratic and Republican state legislative leaders announced Wednesday the creation of a special bipartisan task force on gun violence prevention and children’s safety. Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford) and Senator Eric Coleman (D-Bloomfield) were both nominated to study gun violence prevention on the new panel. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/coleman-130116.php 2238A512-CA6F-404F-B163-4B0DEBBCAE55-4553-00001428CCA60625-FFA Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:56:53 -0500 State Senate President Donald E Williams, Jr., and Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney announced today their appointments to the three working groups that are part of the Special Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety: http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-130115a.php D91CB45B-9B63-4953-B44B-2CE84FC50ECD-305-000000346226644D-FFA Tue, 15 Jan 2013 08:56:28 -0500 Democratic and Republican legislative leaders joined today to announce the creation of a special bipartisan task force on gun violence prevention and children‘s safety. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leaders-130115.php E9B1A6EB-FCD8-429D-9307-52AA9CFC7E7A-907-00000B6793C667FF-FFA Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:09:16 -0500 State Senator Andrew Maynard (D-Stonington) and State Representative Diana Urban (D-North Stonington) were selected today by Democratic Leadership in the Senate and House to be members of the Special Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/maynard-130115.php 60FD55AC-0629-4D21-AED5-B7607FD69A7E-4600-00000874F8AE0FDD-FFA Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:27:07 -0500 State Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford) was appointed today to serve on a bipartisan, legislative task force that will explore ways to make Connecticut a safer place for families and children in the wake of the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in Newtown. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bye-130115.php FBC85EFD-AF58-4018-B221-AA4D46FB0DF5-12450-0000172EBB176C74-FFA Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:49:23 -0500 State Senator Gayle S. Slossberg (D-Milford) was selected today by Senate Democratic Leadership to be a member of the Special Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety. Leaders from both parties in the House and Senate gathered at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford to announce the creation of the new task force. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/slossberg-130115.php 7A28EBBC-9E3C-4E80-88B4-2DF7F11A8AC7-6199-000015B3224C4C8A-FFA Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:17:08 -0500 State Senator Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden) was appointed today to serve on a bipartisan, legislative task force that will explore ways to make Connecticut a safer place for families and children in the wake of the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in Newtown. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/bartolomeo-130115.php B90AD593-0ABF-4128-B0D3-37A3490C6C74-9623-000011B37DDC22AF-FFA Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:09:15 -0500 Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) announced today that she will serve on the legislature’s newly established Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety. The bipartisan task force is charged with drafting a comprehensive piece of legislation by late February for the legislature to act on. Task force members will focus on the areas of gun violence prevention, social security, or mental health. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/gerratana-130115.php CDB48732-EB5B-4989-BB85-9A94343022BF-9623-000011B36EC27A06-FFA Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:09:44 -0500 State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge), co-chair of the legislature‘s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, today was appointed to a special bipartisan, legislative task force to address gun violence prevention and children‘s safety issues. The task force was created to help channel the flow of ideas and the groundswell of formal initiatives prompted by the Newtown shootings on December 14th. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130115.php 15E0784C-4D06-4FBE-BDBF-692849F96A52-907-00000B5CFFC3440E-FFA Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:07:45 -0500 State Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford) has been appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) to serve as Senate Chairman of the General Assembly‘s Banks Committee, and also to fill the leadership role of Assistant Majority Leader. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leone-130115.php 456B77B4-D7C9-4FD6-9C5C-F47BB31C3165-550-000005039EDC251C-FFA Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:11:46 -0500 Senator Andrea L. Stillman (D-Waterford) today reminded residents of southeastern Connecticut about plans for a public hearing to be held tomorrow at which the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) will consider both the short and long term response by utility companies to Superstorm Sandy. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/stillman-130114.php 35DB3C58-D448-4F3C-B087-A621E73C4515-12079-000015FB932F44D2-FFA Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:34:43 -0500 State Senator Gayle S. Slossberg (D-Milford) welcomed students and parents from her district Wednesday to the opening of the Connecticut General Assembly‘s 2013 Legislative Session at the State Capitol. The students attend Joseph A. Foran High School in Milford, and are engaged participants in local politics. They witnessed the opening of session in the Senate Chamber before being recognized on the Senate floor by Senator Slossberg. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/slossberg-130111.php D8D46EDE-D401-4AFA-8B23-702248609AB5-2742-0000116218C6830C-FFA Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:50:24 -0500 State Senator Andrew Maynard (D-Stonington) took part yesterday in the opening of the Connecticut General Assembly‘s 2013 Legislative Session at the State Capitol. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/maynard-130110.php 0A8DBADF-CE75-4466-A52F-1D14FDFB6FBA-6988-00001C4535C40D7E-FFA Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:23:42 -0500 Senator Duff said, “Energy and Technology is a very important legislative committee, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve as the panel‘s Co-Chair after having been a member for many years. As the state forges ahead with the adoption of our Comprehensive Energy Strategy, it is an exciting time to be working on energy issues. These are matters of enormous importance to our economy and economic development, for homeowners and businesses alike.” http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/duff-130110.php 53694F6E-0475-4FFB-84DE-24475952EF14-6988-00001C05A216CAB4-FFA Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:19:05 -0500 In the wake of the Newtown shooting tragedy that left a community grieving and emergency responders struggling with horrific memories, state Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) said that the Labor and Public Employees Committee plans to introduce legislation next week that would allow an employee‘s claim of posttraumatic stress disorder to be covered under Connecticut‘s workers‘ compensation laws. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/osten-130110.php 26321886-A007-4B8D-BF01-B7B950DD0698-6988-00001BCA1BB8C411-FFA Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:14:50 -0500 In our culture, there is evidence to suggest that collectively, we ought to make good on--and take very seriously--those pledges, resolutions, and commitments. More specifically, recently published reports paint an increasingly worrisome picture of childhood obesity in Connecticut. Word that some 37 percent of Hartford preschool students are either overweight or obese underscores the fact that fully one-quarter of all high school students statewide face the same health concerns. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/stillman-130110.php 9B9A8E6E-C855-4269-B54B-358260E3CED4-6701-00001AE404325200-FFA Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:58:36 -0500 Andres Ayala appeared flanked by friends and family yesterday as he was sworn in for his first term as a state Senator. Senator Ayala (D-Bridgeport) holds the distinction of being one of Connecticut‘s two first Latino state Senators, both of whom were elected this year. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/ayala-130110.php 1179CDC1-C747-407E-B88E-53CB4DB5EB92-6572-00001A601C7F42B4-FFA Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:48:50 -0500 After eight years of “select” temporary status, the General Assembly‘s Veterans‘ Affairs Committee was elevated today to permanent “standing” status for the 2013 Regular Legislative Session, and all legislative sessions thereafter. Committee Co-Chairmen Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford) and Rep. Jack Hennessy (D-Bridgeport) joined with legislative leadership, military veterans and veterans‘ advocates to make the announcement. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/leone-130109.php AA30E6A2-803D-4B01-AD52-616F6BB75ECE-2801-0000194FCE5D8BC7-FFA Wed, 09 Jan 2013 15:21:30 -0500 State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge) has been re-appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) to serve as Senate Chair of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee. This will be Senator Crisco‘s fifth term at the helm of the committee; Senator Crisco will also co-chair the legislature‘s Internship Committee for this new, two-year period. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/crisco-130109.php A5090D72-7832-4B6C-A9DA-10AF3429B3CA-2801-0000194C4F30E12F-FFA Wed, 09 Jan 2013 15:21:00 -0500 Rivers Alliance of Connecticut has named Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) the “Environmental Champion of the Year 2012.” As Chair of the Environment Committee, Senator Meyer has long been a champion for environmental issues across the state and particularly in the 12th Senatorial District. This year, Rivers Alliance selected Senator Meyer due to his forward-looking stances on a number of high profile issues affecting our state waterways. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/meyer-130107.php A8EE2C4E-BF0F-49C8-8653-51C957BDEAE3-7527-00000F3275AB45C7-FFA Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:54:29 -0500 State Senator Andrea L. Stillman (D-Waterford), Senate chair of the legislature‘s Education Committee and co-chair of the Task Force to Study State Education Funding today announced approval of the group‘s final report and recommendations. The task force included a cross-section of policymakers, education professionals, and public finance specialists. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/stillman-130103.php 3884450D-94CA-472B-9750-B00F823C80D2-3110-00001B04E7450727-FFA Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:01:30 -0500 Senator Anthony Musto (D-Trumbull) and Representative Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport) are urging students at the Butler Business School in Bridgeport to contact the Office of Higher Education for assistance in the wake of the abrupt closure of their school. Students can register their contact information by visiting www.ctohe.org or by contacting the Education and Employment Center at 1-800-842-0229 or edinfo@ctohe.org. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/musto-130103.php C03B962A-8F8C-4535-80BD-C979FAA16D13-1354-00000CC52D5C5B2C-FFA Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:45:33 -0500 Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) joined with Governor Dannel P. Malloy in announcing an Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant that will allow Berlin to preserve over 70 acres of land on a former hay and orchard farm. http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/gerratana-130102.php E6DBC23B-9021-427C-8829-501E123294F7-1464-00000297528A0178-FFA Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:01:14 -0500