2024-02-02@12:51pm–#Bridgeport CT–#cttraffic— Tonight’s vehicle fire is on I-95 northbound near exit 30. The vehicle was fully engulfed in flames according to radio reports.
Tonight’s Vehicle Fire
Month: February 2024
GOVERNOR LAMONT UNVEILS FIRST LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL OF 2024: ELIMINATE LICENSURE APPLICATION FEES FOR CERTAIN EDUCATION, CHILDCARE, AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the fiscal year 2025 budget adjustment proposal that he will present to lawmakers when they meet in February to convene the next legislative session will include a recommendation that licensure application fees required for workers to obtain certain jobs in the education, childcare, and healthcare fields be eliminated.
The governor said that he is proposing the change in an effort to encourage workers looking for employment to seek jobs in fields in which there is a significant need to fill available openings. The proposal will save these workers about $3.5 million annually.
“Right now, there are many job openings in essential fields that employers need to fill, and by eliminating these licensure application fees we can help encourage those who are seeking employment to consider entering a career in these sectors,” Governor Lamont said. “I am hopeful that legislators will agree and vote to approve these fee reductions.”
In particular, the governor is proposing the following changes:
- Eliminate the initial application fee for educator certificates. Administered by the State Department of Education, this fee costs $200 and generates about $1,000,000 in annual revenue.
- Eliminate the initial application fee for home childcare licenses. Administered by the Office of Early Childhood, the home childcare license fee costs $40 and the initial application fee for staff costs $15. Combined, they generate about $20,000 in annual revenue.
- Eliminate the initial application fee for registered nurse licenses. Administered by the Department of Public Health, this fee costs $180 and generates about $2,005,000 in annual revenue.
- Eliminate the initial application fee for practical nurse licenses. Administered by the Department of Public Health, this fee costs $150 and generates about $174,300 in annual revenue.
- Eliminate the initial application fee for advanced practice registered nurse licenses. Administered by the Department of Public Health, this fee costs $200 and generates about $260,000 in annual revenue.
This is the first legislative proposal Governor Lamont has unveiled so far in 2024. He is set to deliver his State of the State and Budget Address on February 7, 2024, at noon. At that time, his full fiscal year 2025 budget adjustment proposal will be released, along with other legislative proposals that he is asking lawmakers to consider this year.
Milford News: Stolen Vehicles
2024-02-02@1:22pm–#Milford CT– State Police are reporting that two different vehicles have been stolen from two different gas stations.
The Bridgeport Police Department Announces the Acceptance of Lateral Transfers for Officers
Bridgeport, CT – Today, Chief Porter detailed Bridgeport Police Department’s latest initiative of accepting lateral transfers for officers to increase the manpower within the department. Lateral transfers are now being offered within the department which allows police officers from other cities, towns, and states to apply to join the Bridgeport Police Department. This comes after the Bridgeport City Council made an amendment to accept lateral transfers from other municipalities without having to start from the beginning stages of the typical hiring process for Bridgeport Police officers.
Chief Porter stated, “The Bridgeport Police Department has much to offer to anyone who is interested in applying to become a police officer. We plan on streamlining the process for lateral transfers to get new officers started at a faster rate, with the hopes that we can reach our goal of having 100 new officers. We’re very excited about opening our department to lateral transfers and I want to thank our City Council as well as the Civil Service Commission for allowing this to happen.”
The Bridgeport Police Department has been advertising the opening of lateral transfer positions by detailing salary ranges and comprehensive benefits being offered when joining the department. Officers from other municipalities who are interested in applying are encouraged to visit Police App to begin the application process. The application is also open to officers who have formerly worked for the department and wish to transfer back to Bridgeport. The application currently has no cutoff date, which allows for officers from other municipalities to apply whenever they see fit.
“I’m very pleased to see Chief Porter and the rest of the police department taking all the necessary steps to increase their number of police officers,” stated Mayor Ganim. “I’m hopeful that with the heavy social media presence and consistent community-building that the police department has been doing, there will be a time very soon where the Bridgeport Police Department is fully staffed.”