Senator Andrea Stillman's News Feed

Stillman Joins Senate Vote for Non-Toxic Lawn Care on School Grounds

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:12:31 -0400

State Senator Andrea L. Stillman (D-Waterford), Senate Chair of the legislature’s Education Committee, today voted with a unanimous state Senate to amend current state law and allow the use of certain non-toxic, microbial and biochemical grub control products on school grounds.

Stillman Votes for Senate Passage of Gun Violence Prevention Legislation

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:35:32 -0400

State Senator Andrea L. Stillman (D-Waterford) 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.

Stillman and Maynard, Representatives Moukawsher, Wright, and Ritter Fume Over Pfizer Decision to Raze Dormant Groton Site

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:09:03 -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.

Deep-Water Ports Are Key Component For State's Economic Development

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:08:09 -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.

Senators Harp, Bye, Bartolomeo and Representative Urban Hail Value School-Based Health Centers

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:17:33 -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.

Stillman Hails State Investment in New London’s State Pier and Other Projects

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:23:47 -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.

Does Video Violence Factor Into Violent Behavior?

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:27:42 -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.

Stillman Welcomes Senate Approval of Supplemental Small Business Funding

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 10:27:10 -0500

State Senator Andrea L. Stillman (D-Waterford) today voted with a Senate majority to approve additional funding for the state’s Small Business Express (EXP) Program. Senator Stillman said this important economic development initiative has had proven, positive results since its 2011 inception and has earned this supplemental funding.

Access to Mental Health Services A Key Component of Gun Violence Prevention

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:18:06 -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.

School Security Working Group Holds Public Hearing

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:28:00 -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.

Stillman, Representative Ritter, Others Insist on Sunset of State’s Utility Generation Tax

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:12:41 -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.

Stillman Welcomes DOT Plan for Weekend Service Soon on Shoreline East

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:37:41 -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.

Work of Bipartisan Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Begins

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 13:35:10 -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.

Stillman Welcomes State Funding for Schools in New London, Waterford

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:14:41 -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.

Stillman, Ryan and Ritter Hail Imminent State Funding For Upgrades at Montville Wastewater Facility

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:37:58 -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.

Stillman: PURA Hearing to Consider Sandy Damage and Losses Set for Tomorrow

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:34:07 -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.

Childhood Obesity: A Preventable Epidemic

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:59:14 -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.

Stillman, ECS Task Force Approve Final Report and Recommendations for Public School Funding in Connecticut

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:01:54 -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.