Month: April 2014

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today thanked the Connecticut House of Representatives for approving legislation he introduced that will protect the owners and handlers of domesticated horses by clarifying into law that domesticated horses are not wild animals and as such are not “inherently dangerous.”  The Governor introduced the legislation in response to a recent court decision, which he said went too far.

 

“I’m glad that the General Assembly continues to advance our timely legislation protecting owners and handlers of domesticated horses, and I’m confident that the Senate will also look favorably on approving this so that I can sign it into law,” Governor Malloy said.  “Connecticut has a large population of horse owners and handlers, and the associated agriculture sector of our economy continues to grow, contributing $3.5 billion annually in our state’s economy and accounting for 28,000 jobs.  I want to thank State Representative Linda Gentile, Co-Chair of the Environment Committee, for her efforts in advancing this bill.”

 

The legislation, which the House approved by a unanimous vote of 138 to 0, is House Bill 5044 – An Act Concerning Domesticated Horses.  It next moves to the Senate for consideration.

Urges Legislature to Act on Continued Delivery of Services

 

(NEW HAVEN, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today visited New Haven Legal Assistance Association to highlight a legislative proposal he introduced to increase access to legal aid services for low-income citizens and to secure a funding structure that continues Connecticut’s efforts to combat the Civil Justice Gap. The Governor was joined by Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, Mayor Toni Harp, representatives of the Connecticut Bar Foundation, representatives of legal assistance organizations, and clients who have benefited from legal aid.

 

“Connecticut legal aid services have been forced to shrink because of pressures on other sources of funding,” said Governor Malloy. “When legal aid agencies have to turn away low-income victims of domestic violence, tenants facing eviction, children with disabilities who are entitled to supportive services, and low-wage workers dealing with dishonest employers who don’t properly pay them, it’s not good for our state. This bill furthers our efforts to achieve equal access to justice for the poor by allowing more of the court filing fee revenues to go to fund legal services for people who otherwise could not afford it. I urge the legislature to act on this bill so that we can address the enormous unmet legal needs of our most vulnerable citizens.”

 

“This legislation ensures vital resources are available to residents who need them the most—and that access to the judiciary is not compromised for any Connecticut citizen,” said Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman. “The ability to pursue a legal remedy in the protection of our children, families, and communities is a fundamental right of our democracy. I applaud Governor Malloy’s leadership on this issue and echo his comments on legislative action.”

 

In 2012, court filing fees were increased to help solve the legal services funding crisis. The increased fees are set to expire in 2015, which would force legal aid programs in Connecticut to lay off at least 35 staff members, with a resulting reduction in services to thousands of low-income residents. Currently, 70 percent of the court filing fee increases instituted in 2012 are used to fund legal services for the poor. S.B. 31, An Act Concerning Continued Delivery of Legal Services to the Poor, which Governor Malloy introduced, would allow 95 percent of filing fee revenues to go to fund legal aid services. The remaining 5 percent will continue to go to the Judicial Branch for technology improvements.

 

S.B. 31 would result in an additional increase in funding to legal aid by an estimated $1.6 million in FY 15 and an increase in funding of approximately $6.3 million in FY 16. The bill also removes the sunset provision in the current law that would cause the fee increases to expire in 2015.

 

“Securing adequate and reliable funding for legal services to Connecticut’s poor is the core mission of the Connecticut Bar Foundation,” said Peter Arakas, president of the Connecticut Bar Foundation. “Funding for Legal Services has suffered greatly since the financial collapse of 2008, while at the same time the need for legal services has grown significantly.  Governor Malloy’s plan increases funding for legal services, while also removing the looming shadow of the sunset of a major funding source.  The Bar Foundation is very appreciative of the Governor’s strong commitment to meeting the legal needs of the Connecticut’s low income population.”

 

Shinda DeRosa, of New Haven, stated, “The state’s victim advocate sent me to legal aid after my husband was arrested.  My attorney and the paralegal helped me out a lot.  There’s no way I would have been able to maneuver all the different aspects of my case. It was my attorney who found the reason to get my marriage annulled – my husband was already married to someone else when we got married. I could not have figured that out. If legal aid hadn’t helped me my gas and electric wouldn’t be on and they handled my eviction too.  I would be homeless with four kids without my attorney.  Now she is helping me try to get the child support owed to me, since I am working three jobs to support my kids.”

 

“Legal aid actually saved my life,” said Debbie Diaz, also of New Haven. “Me and my children were going to be homeless due to a foreclosure on the owner that had nothing to do with me.  The day I was introduced to legal aid I was in court with my newborn, and about to be put in the street.  I had put all of my belongings in garbage bags before going to court, but I had no place to go. I was in tears because the bank’s attorney told me I would only have five days to move.  I found the legal aid attorney in court and it turns out that the eviction was not even legal. Thanks to her, I did not have to move out and my children and I are still in the apartment.”

 

(HARTFORD) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today outlined his expectations and priorities for Metro-North Railroad’s (MNR) performance in light of MNR’s anticipated May schedule change. Since the new MNR President Joseph Giulietti began his position in February, Governor Malloy and Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker have been in active discussions with Mr. Giulietti as MNR works to implement its 100-Day improvement strategy for Connecticut service in order to restore the New Haven Line to a “best-in-class” railroad.

 

In a letter to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and MNR, Governor Malloy urged MNR to use the change as an opportunity to focus on the goals of safety, reliability and optimal trip times while addressing customer complaints about late, crowded and slow trains.

 

Governor Malloy wrote, “I expect that the new schedule will reflect your commitment to deliver a comprehensive program of safe, reliable and fast service in Connecticut. Indeed, Connecticut will not approve the new schedule without it.

 

“This is an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to the safe, reliable and timely service that Connecticut residents expect and deserve.

 

“From what I have been told, the schedule changes are adding minutes to train times and reducing the target for on-time performance – and we have not received an adequate explanation for either.

 

“Safety is our number one goal, but safety, reliability and optimal trip times are mutually attainable goals.  The May schedule must achieve the right balance for all three; customers must be confident that the railroad is safe, trip times are as short as possible, and that they can expect trains to be on time at least 95 percent of the time. We must have a clear explanation of why these goals cannot be achieved together at this time and a firm target for achieving them.”

 

**Download: Governor Malloy’s letter to MTA and MNR re: May 2014 Schedule Change