Month: February 2024

GOVERNOR LAMONT ASKS LEGISLATURE TO APPROVE FUNDING INCREASE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Governor Proposes $43.3 Million Increase for Next Fiscal Year, on Top of the $45 Million Increase Approved in the Current Budget

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is asking the Connecticut General Assembly to approve a $43.4 million increase in funding to support the expansion of early childhood education services statewide when they vote on the fiscal year 2025 state budget in the coming weeks. This proposed increase will come on top of the $45 million increase for early childhood education that was approved last year in the fiscal year 2024 and 2025 biennial budget.

The expansion of early childhood education has been a high priority for Governor Lamont, noting that it is not only needed to give a head start and improve educational outcomes for children, but it also supports parents in their own ability to seek employment. Since he first took office, funding in the state budget for early childhood education has increased from $214.1 million in 2019 to $404.5 million in the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget – an 88.9% increase.

“Expanding access to early childhood education has numerous benefits that include not only supporting children but uplifting entire families and improving economic outcomes,” Governor Lamont said. “Child care access is an investment with payoffs that reverberate. Investments in high-quality child care help optimize children’s brain development and long-term physical and emotional health, as well as their educational achievements. It also supports the economic growth of our state, helping businesses recruit and retain workers. These are some of the best investments we can make to ensure that Connecticut is the most family-friendly state in the country.”

Governor Lamont’s fiscal year 2025 budget adjustment proposal was informed by the work of the Connecticut Blue Ribbon Panel on Child Care, which he established last year and tasked with developing a five-year strategic plan to design the next generation of child care in Connecticut.

The proposed $43.4 million will be used for a broad range of investments, most notably an increase in Care 4 Kids, which helps low to moderate-income families pay for the costs of child care. It will also fund a tri-share pilot program in Eastern Connecticut to support more child care options for families with direct engagement of the business community.

As part of the plan, the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, led by Commissioner Beth Bye, will also apply $12.5 million in federal Child Care and Development Fund dollars to increase access to Care 4 Kids.

“As we work to enhance the early childhood workforce, these rate increases, coupled with ongoing stabilization payments will help lift compensation for the field,” Commissioner Bye said. “The proposal to simplify the state’s early childhood teacher credential, coupled with apprenticeship and workforce pipeline programs will help expand the workforce over the next three years.”

Governor Lamont and Commissioner Bye today visited Hyland Early Learning Center in Hartford to highlight these plans. The child care center – which provides high-quality child care to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with the support of School Readiness, Child Day Care, and Care 4 Kids funds – is one of many early childhood education providers that will directly benefit from the increase in funding.

“Our center provides a critical service to children and families living in Hartford, thanks to the state and federal funds that make this possible,” Jennifer Baglin, director of the Hyland Early Learning Center, said. “Governor Lamont’s commitment to increase state support for Connecticut’s early care and education system is a lifeline for our families.”

The governor’s budget proposal is currently being considered by the legislature’s Appropriations Committee.

BAN ON ALL TANDEM TRACTOR TRAILERS AND EMPTY TRACTOR TRAILERS AHEAD OF WINTER STORM

UPDATE:

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES TANDEM AND EMPTY TRACTOR TRAILER TRAVEL BAN LIFTED

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the order that went into effect earlier today banning travel by all tandem tractor trailers and empty tractor trailers on all limited access highways in Connecticut because of the impacts of the winter storm has been lifted as of 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2024.

The order was enacted in coordination with Connecticut’s neighboring states – including Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island – which also implemented similar travel bans on their roads. Those states are also planning to lift their travel bans as the winter storm begins to wind down.

The governor continues to urge everyone traveling on the roads to use caution to the greatest extent possible as truck crews are clearing the roads.

Ban on All Limited Access Highways Takes Effect at Midnight on Tuesday and Remains in Effect Until Further Notice

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that due to the severe winter storm that is anticipated to impact Connecticut, he has signed an order banning all tandem tractor trailers and empty tractor trailers from traveling on all limited access highways statewide effective at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, and remaining in effect until further notice.

This travel ban on tandem tractor trailers and empty tractor trailers is being implemented in coordination with the neighboring states of New York and Massachusetts, who are enacting similar bans on their roads during the storm.

Limited access highways are those designed to carry large volumes of traffic at generally high speeds and have controlled access with on and off ramps. (For a list of limited access highways in Connecticut, click here.)

“During the peak periods of the storm, we are anticipating treacherous conditions that will make travel very difficult,” Governor Lamont said. “We’ve consulted with our neighboring states and have decided as a region that it’s in the best interest of safety to enact this travel ban on tandem tractor trailers and empty tractor trailers during the duration of the storm.”

The Office of the Governor will send out a notification when it has been determined when this ban will be lifted.

Parolee Busted: Trumbull Police Seize Drugs and Cash in Routine Vehicle Stop

Trumbull Police recovered cocaine, heroin, and cash from a Bridgeport man who was out on parole after his vehicle was stopped for an equipment violation. The operator, Phillip Rorie, age 49, of Marigold Avenue, Bridgeport, was also found to have a small plastic bag containing a white rock-like substance, and over $1000 in cash in his possession.

On Thursday, February 8, 2024, at about 2:30 a.m., a Trumbull officer stopped a vehicle on Route 8 Northbound for an equipment violation and the vehicle’s registration was suspended due to insufficient insurance. When the officer approached the car, he observed multiple $20 bills laying on the front passenger seat and other items consistent with drug packaging scattered throughout the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

The officer also observed a small black zippered pouch partially concealed under the driver’s seat which was found to have several plastic bags containing 30 bags of crack cocaine, and 95 folds of heroin. It was also discovered that Rorie, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, was on parole as the result of numerous previous arrests for narcotic sales, and that he was to now be remanded into custody. Rorie was then taken into police custody and charged with Sale of Narcotics, Possession with Intent to Sell Narcotics (2 counts).

He was remanded to custody by Parole and is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on February 20, 2024. Rorie was also issued an infraction for Misuse of Registration and Insufficient Insurance.

BLUMENTHAL & COLLEAGUES INTRODUCE BILL TO GIVE BUREAU OF PRISONS OFFICERS FAIR PAY

Bill would ensure all Danbury Bureau of Prison employees receive competitive pay

[Hartford, CT] — Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Bob Casey (D-PA) to introduce the Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act to ensure fair pay for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) employees in rural areas.

The bill will help to address staffing shortages at Federal Correctional Institution Danbury (FCI Danbury) by allowing for competitive pay that better reflects the cost of living, commute times, alternative careers, and the hard work and dedication of BOP employees.

FCI Danbury’s General Schedule (GS) pay scale employees receive New York locality pay—a cost of living adjustment that bumps pay to be more competitive with the high cost of living area—but non-GS employees such as maintenance workers, plumbers and housekeepers do not receive this benefit. Because of on-going staffing shortages, many of these staff members are required to carry out the duties of correctional officers and should be compensated as such. The bill would expand access to locality pay for these non-GS employees.

 “For years Bureau of Prisons employees in Connecticut have suffered from low wages, and unsustainable working conditions. All workers deserve fair treatment — not just for their sake, but in the public interest.  Our bill would pay people fairly and competitively to improve conditions across FCI Danbury,” Blumenthal said.

“This bipartisan congressional act is a significant step in the right direction for correctional workers at FCI Danbury and throughout the United States. Correctional professionals are a vital part of the Justice System and have been overlooked for far too long. We truly appreciate the work that Senators Blumenthal, Cassidy, and Casey are doing to correct these egregious, bureaucratic oversights,” AFGE Local 1661 FCI Danbury said in a statement.

The shortage of correctional officers has grown each year over the past four years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% decline in correctional officers by 2032. Understaffed prisons and overworked employees have created increasingly dangerous work environments—under current policies, BOP uses cooks, teachers, and nurses to guard inmates when there is a shortage of officers. This temporary fix pulls employees away from their usual duties and negatively impacts incarcerated people by limiting visitations, recreational time, and academic enrichment opportunities.

The bill would address this staffing problem by improving access to locality pay. Locality raises are determined by comparisons of local private sector salary rates, and an individual’s rate is based on where he or she works, not where he or she lives. Places located outside of these locality pay areas are compensated on a lower Rest of US (RUS) pay scale.

Charlestin Chiropractic Group

On Friday, we held a ribbon cutting at Charlestin Chiropractic Group!

Now located on the third floor of the Barnum Professional Building (1825 Barnum Avenue), Charlestin Chiropractic Group Stratford is there to help patients reach and exceed their health goals. They offer an evidence-based approach to chiropractic care by utilizing chiropractic manipulation, soft-tissue techniques, therapeutic rehabilitation, and a variety of chiropractic services to help achieve patients’ health goals.

Let us congratulate Clinical Director/Owner Jonathan Charlestin, DC on the new location and wish Charlestin Chiropractic Group continued success!

Here is their website for additional information: https://charlestinchiropractic.com/

Shelton News: Pedestrian Killed

Shelton Police investigate Fatal Accident

On 02/09/2024 at approximately 1:00 PM, Shelton Police and Shelton EMS were
dispatched to School St. in the area of Monroe St. on a report of a pedestrian struck.
Police, Fire, and EMS responded to the scene and located an unresponsive male, later
identified as 29-year-old Erick Irizarry of Waterbury, CT, who was pronounced deceased
on scene.
An investigation by Shelton Accident Reconstruction Team revealed that Irizarry was
working in the area for Asplundh Tree Service and was struck by a work vehicle. The
Office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was notified and
responded to the scene.
The accident is actively under investigation by the Shelton Police Department
Reconstruction Team.

Bridgeport Drug Bust: Guns, Cash, and Stolen Motorcycle Seized!

On February 7, 2024, officers working under the direction of Bridgeport Police Lieutenant Trevor Niestemski and Sergeant Michael Paoletti concluded a month-long investigation into 28-year-old Anthony Durham of Bridgeport CT for suspected narcotics and weapons violations.  Search warrants were obtained for an apartment in the 200 block of Broad Street as well as a vehicle being used by Anthony Durham.  Police officers located Durham inside his parked vehicle within the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing community. 

As police officers approached the vehicle one of the occupants, later identified as 19-year-old Dominick Francis of Derby CT, fled the vehicle engaging police in foot pursuit.  Francis was quickly apprehended, placed under arrest, and found to be in possession of a loaded 9 mm semi-automatic pistol with high-capacity magazine and narcotics.  Francis also had an outstanding arrest warrant for Failure to Appear in the 1st Degree.  Bond is $75,000. Francis was charged additionally with Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Illegal Transfer of a Pistol, Carrying a Pistol without a Permit, Illegal Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine, Illegal Possession of a Weapon in a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Narcotics with Intent to Sell, Violation of a Protective Order, and Interfering with a Police Officer.  Bond is $100,000.

Durham was located in the vehicle and immediately placed under arrest for an outstanding domestic violence warrant.  Durham is charged with Assault in the 3rd Degree, Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree, and Disorderly Conduct.  Bond is $25,000.

Search warrants were executed on Durham’s vehicle and at his apartment in the 200 block of Broad Street.  Officers seized an additional (2) 9mm semiautomatic pistols, narcotics, over 10 thousand dollars in US paper currency, jewelry, and drug factory equipment.  A stolen motorcycle was also recovered inside the apartment. 

Anthony Durham was charged additionally with Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Illegal Transfer of a Pistol, Carrying a Pistol without a Permit, Illegal Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine, Illegal Possession of a Weapon in a Motor Vehicle, Operation of a Drug Factory, Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, and Possession of Narcotics with Intent to Sell.  Bond is $250,000.

Exit mobile version