(Bridgeport, CT – May 7, 2014) – The Bridgeport Police Department is attempting to identify a suspect in an attempted armed robbery that occurred on May 5, 2014, at the CVS Pharmacy at 3710 Main St.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Chris Borona at 203-581-5235.
“It’s crucial that the state passes this bill, which allows adopted children to access their birth records. This will help ensure that adoptees not only have a fair shot at knowing their medical history, but also at finding their identity.” – Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch
Bridgeport, Connecticut (May 6, 2014) – With less than 48 hours left in the legislative session, Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch and Representative David Alexander (D-58) joined advocates from Access Connecticut urging passage of adoptee rights legislation (H.B. 5144).
“As an adoptee, I know first-hand what it’s like to lack access to your birth records,” said Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch. “It’s crucial that the state passes this bill, which allows adopted children to access their birth records. This will help ensure that adoptees not only have a fair shot at knowing their medical history, but also at finding their identity.”
In 2006, then State Senator Finch was the sponsor of similar legislation that passed through both chambers of the General Assembly. However, then Governor Jodi Rell vetoed the bill. Since, the bill has failed to make it through both the House and Senate. In order for H.B. 5144 to become law, it must be passed by the Senate by Wednesday, May 7, 2014, and signed by Governor Dannel P. Malloy.
“This is a tough emotional issue for adoptees like myself,” said Representative Alexander. “But this is about social reform and giving people their identity. Most states are adopting similar legislation. We’re running out of time and pleading with the Senate to take up this issue and get it passed.”
Karen Caffrey, president of Access Connecticut: “I stand here not as a person who is taking back a right they never had, but to get my right back. We’re not only considered second-hand citizens based on state law, but also emotionally. The status quo is a failed experiment. This bill will cover 24,000 adoptees and serve as a great first step.”
For more information, please visit www.bridgeportct.gov.
Robert (“Bob”) Satter, WWII Veteran
William Vornkahl, President of the Westport Veterans Council announced that Robert Satter, a Veteran of World War II, has been selected as the Grand Marshal for the Memorial Day Parade to be held on Monday, May 26th.
Bob volunteered for active duty in World War II in November of 1942. Serving as a radio operator with the 8th Air Force, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and two battle stars and the Air medal with three oak leaf clusters after 25 missions in the European Theater of Operations. All of his missions were flown between February and June ’44 in the thick of the war raging over Europe. Of the 18 original crews that formed the 732nd Squadron—part of the 453rd bomb group headed by the actor Jimmy Stewart and awarded a presidential unit citation, 12 bit the dust. Satter’s own crew had three badly wounded men plus a frequently deficient ball turret gunner which meant that he doubled in that capacity whenever there was enemy activity.
After moving to Westport, Satter opened a portrait photography studio located in Sherwood’s barn right next to the Green’s Farms Post Office, sharing the studio with another famed photographer, George Cardozo. Among the many folks he photographed were the celebrities living in Westport, Fairfield, Darien and New Canaan until he retired in 2003. Sailing the sound around Westport, where he had a slip for about 25 years, was a major part of his life after his war service. His last sailboat was a 28 ft. Pearson sloop “On Location”.
The Parade begins at 9:00 a.m. on Riverside Avenue. Immediately following the Parade, Memorial services will be held on Veterans Green.
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today hailed the Connecticut State House of Representatives for final passage of legislation he introduced that will result in a major modernization of the state’s recycling and waste management system that will not only help the environment, but saves taxpayer money and create economic benefits in the state.
“This bill will help make Connecticut a leader in recycling and innovative waste management. We must develop a better model that recovers the resources from our waste stream and maximizes its economic value,” Governor Malloy said. “The modernization effort called for in this bill can save our towns and cities millions of dollars, grow jobs, and protect our environment.”
Tonight, the House passed Senate Bill 357, An Act Concerning Revisions to Energy Statutes, by a vote of 144-0. Previously, the Senate passed the bill by a unanimous vote of 33-0.
“I’d especially like to thank Environment Committee co-chair Linda Gentile and Energy and Technology Co-Chair Lonnie Reed for their advocacy of this legislation today.”
Business and residents in Connecticut currently produce approximately 3.2 million tons of municipal solid waste each year. Approximately 64.5% of this trash is incinerated at the six waste-to-energy facilities, almost 24.8% is reported diverted from disposal through recycling, 9.9% percent is shipped out of state, and 0.8% percent is landfilled in Connecticut.
It is estimated that more than $10 million in valuable commodities are burned at the waste-to-energy facilities each year.
It has also been estimated that cities and towns and their taxpayers would save $35 million a year if the recycling rate was moved to just 40%. Recycling is also a growth industry that creates jobs – experts say that for every 10,000 tons of waste generated recycling creates 36 jobs.
The bill, which was based on the recommendations of the Governor’s Modernizing Recycling Working Group, seeks to double the state’s recycling rate and transform an outmoded system of trash disposal by adopting a more modern, cost-effective, and environmentally sound materials management approach.
Among other changes, the Governor’s proposal:
June 30, 2014 is the expiration date for all Railroad Parking Permits. Renewal letters have been sent out to all permit holders. For the first time, permit renewal letters have been sent by email to permit holders with a valid email address on file. If an email address is incorrect the permit holder will then receive a permit renewal letter by mail. If you are a current permit holder but have not received a renewal letter by the end of this week, whether by email or by regular mail, you should contact the Railroad Parking Division.
Permits may be renewed in 3 ways. Permit holders can renew their permit online, by mail, or in person at Police Headquarters. Online renewals are also charged a 3.5% conveyance fee. Online renewals and mail-in renewals will have their permits mailed to the address on record for that permit. Instructions for renewal are printed on the renewal letter. Unfortunately, the Railroad Parking Division does not have the capability at this time to accept credit card payments by mail or at Police Headquarters. Credit cards may only be used for payment for online renewals. Loss of or non-delivery of your renewal letter does not necessarily guarantee the ability to renew late and these cases are reviewed on an individual basis. Permits which are not renewed are subject to removal from the permit list.
HARTFORD—State Representative Gail Lavielle (R-143) opposed an approximately $19 billion midterm budget agreement between Governor Dannel P. Malloy and majority Democratic lawmakers in Saturday’s House session, citing its unsubstantiated revenue estimates and misleading accounting practices. The House voted on the budget adjustments bill on Saturday, May 3 shortly before 10 p.m., and it passed without a single Republican vote.
The General Assembly, which sets a biennial budget in odd-numbered years, must pass a revised midterm budget in even-numbered years, taking into account both changes in revenue assumptions and revisions in spending requirements and policies.
Last week, consensus revenue projections established by the administration’s Office of Policy and Management (OPM) and the legislature’s nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) showed a dramatic decline of $460 million in anticipated tax revenues, which forced majority leadership to abandon plans to send out individual taxpayer $55 rebate checks just before the November election. Then, on Saturday afternoon, majority leaders on the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee introduced a last-minute $75 million increase in “miscellaneous revenue”. When asked, they explained that they expected the state to collect these funds from delinquent taxpayers. Notably, OFA representatives stated that they could not substantiate this claim.
“Unfortunately, this budget rests on unsubstantiated assumptions and commits one-time available funds to long-term uses,” said Rep. Lavielle. “If the legislature and the administration don’t face budgetary realities, Connecticut may well be left with significant ongoing future commitments that won’t have corresponding ongoing revenue streams to sustain them. The inevitable consequence is higher taxes for our already beleaguered taxpayers, or broken promises to our most vulnerable populations – or both.”
Rep. Lavielle noted that while the majority’s adjusted budget is presented as balanced, it relies on a number of misleading accounting tactics, including:
It also increases spending by 2.5 percent, including funding for more than 480 new state employees.
“The General Assembly has a responsibility to protect the people of Connecticut by not making commitments that jeopardize the state’s financial future and its ability to provide the services they pay for,” said Rep. Lavielle. “Sadly, this adjusted budget puts the state on a path that will lead to a two-year structural deficit of almost $3 billion by 2017. Unfortunately, it sacrifices long-term fiscal health for short-term appearances.”
Rep. Lavielle and her fellow Republicans presented an alternative budget proposal in late April, and updated it last week to reflect the drop in projected revenues.
The primary goal of the Republicans’ plan was to undo the misleading accounting maneuvers and budgeting techniques in the Democratic proposal. It reduced spending, with measures like a hard hiring freeze and a travel ban for state workers, restored funding for road and bridge repairs, increased municipal aid by $21 million, took steps toward reducing long-term liabilities, and stayed below the state’s spending cap.
Republicans offered their alternative budget proposal as an amendment to the majority’s budget adjustment during the House floor debate on Saturday night, but it was defeated on a party line vote.
“I was disappointed that majority leadership did not consider the proposals by House and Senate Republicans, particularly given the high degree of effective bipartisan collaboration in other areas like consumer protection, education, and campus sexual violence prevention during this session,” said Rep. Lavielle. “Regardless, we must continue to fight for responsible budgeting that does not allow short-term gain to jeopardize sustained and structural fiscal health. The people of Connecticut deserve a fully bipartisan, open and honest budget process, one that’s based on realistic assumptions and makes no commitments the state can’t afford.”
7:47pm–#cttraffic–#Shelton CT–Route 8 south near exit 12 a rollover accident with a person being ejected from the car. Initial reports say the person is seriously injured.
NEW HAVEN, CT—Three of Connecticut’s representatives to Congress—Jim Himes, Rosa DeLauro, and Elizabeth Esty—unveiled today the Rail Safety Enforcement Act, comprehensive legislation to enhance rail safety. They are joined by New York Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney as an original cosponsor. The four representatives announced their intent to introduce the legislation last month and are formally introducing the bill today.
“Metro North’s string of accidents and delays over the past year is unacceptable and inexcusable. One of the busiest commuter rail lines in the country must be safer and must be more reliable – it is critical to our safety and to our region’s continued economic vitality,” said Himes. “I am pleased to join my colleagues in introducing legislation that will help ensure that accidents like the Bronx derailment and the death of a Metro-North track worker earlier this year will never happen again.”
“We should take every precaution to prevent rail accidents from happening,” DeLauro said. “That is our duty. The Rail Safety Enforcement Act is comprehensive, common-sense legislation that will improve rail safety all across the nation. Our first responsibility for our train systems has to be ensuring the public safety.”
“Safe, reliable rail service is critical to our economy,” Esty said. “As a member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Railroads, I’ve urged Congress to strengthen our rail safety standards and procedures to ensure, above all, that commuters are safe. These commonsense modifications that we’re proposing today need to be part of the solution.”
“We can’t wait until the next tragic accident to adopt these commonsense measures to protect workers and commuters. Passing the Rail Safety Enforcement Act ensures all commuter rails like Metro-North have redundant safety measure that keep folks safe,” said Maloney.
“Rail employees, as well as riders and communities on the railroads, deserve the peace of mind of knowing that railroads are as safe as possible,” said Edward Wytkind, president of Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO. “The legislation is a significant step forward in making sure our railroads are operating with the best practices while protecting the people who work on them. We urge Congress to move this legislation without delay.”
The Rail Safety Enforcement Act has five main provisions:
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he has proclaimed May 5-9, 2014 as National Teacher Appreciation Week in the State of Connecticut. Governor Malloy, Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, and Commissioner of Education Stefan Pryor released the following statements in honor of National Teacher Day, Tuesday, May 6, 2014:
“An educator’s ability to nurture student potential, ignite a love of learning, and encourage critical thinking is an unbelievable gift fundamental to the success of our democracy and our economy,” said Governor Malloy. “I’m envious of teachers’ ability to impact young people and their futures. Providing learning opportunities that level the playing field and give students a leg up is an issue very dear to my heart, one that I have been committed to for most of my career in public service. I am proud of the historic step Connecticut took this month in passing legislation that will expand high-quality early education for thousands of young children who would otherwise enter primary school already behind. As Governor, I will remain committed to supporting teachers who are working hard in classrooms across Connecticut to put our students on a path to success.”
“Teachers make a tremendous commitment to our young people, imparting the skills they need to achieve their goals and inspiring students long after they leave the classroom,” said Lt. Governor Wyman. “Today is a great opportunity to reflect on all of the ways teachers impact our communities, strengthen our state, and shape the nation’s next generation of leaders.”
“A teacher’s impact reaches far beyond the four walls of a classroom and its effect can be felt for generations. Teachers awaken a love of learning in our youngsters, unlock students’ potential for academic success, and care deeply for our children’s well-being. Though we only designate one day of the year as National Teacher Appreciation Day, we are grateful for teachers’ dedication, passion, professionalism, and service every day,” Commissioner of Education Stefan Pryor said. “As we work together towards higher expectations and improved outcomes for our students, we will continue listening to teachers, inviting their ideas and incorporating their feedback as we go. I would like to specifically note that I am very grateful for our partnership with the leaders of the American Federation of Teachers-Connecticut and the Connecticut Education Association, who always ensure that teachers’ voices are heard.”
4:11pm–#cttraffic–#Easton CT–A motorcycle crash on Route 58 near Country Club Lane with injuries reported. First responders on the way.
