Category: State News

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) cosponsored legislation led by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) called theState Public Option Act. The legislation would allow states to create a Medicaid-based public health care option to strengthen the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by providing Americans with a new high-quality, low-cost choice when purchasing health insurance.

“As we continue to fight back against the Trump administration’s efforts to sabotage the Affordable Care Act and roll back protections for people with pre-existing conditions, we also need to look forward to further improve access to affordable health care. Democrats have put out a lot of great plans to help do that. I’m proud to cosponsor Senator Schatz’s legislation to provide a Medicaid public option to give people more choices and affordable options,” said Murphy.

“This legislation would give hardworking families the option to buy into Medicaid, which already works for more than 65 million Americans. This high-quality, affordable coverage option would make health care more accessible and drive down costs for all families, moving us closer to our ultimate goal: universal health coverage,” said Blumenthal.

The State Public Option Act will allow states to create a Medicaid buy-in program for all their residents regardless of income, giving everyone the option to buy into a state-driven Medicaid health insurance plan. States like Connecticut are exploring implementing a public option within their legislatures. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey found broad, bipartisan support for a Medicaid public option. Medicaid is a popular and cost-effective program with a large provider network. The program has the same positive ratings as private insurance, but provides health coverage at a much lower cost. Based on partnerships between state and federal governments, Medicaid also gives states the flexibility to adapt services and models of care based on their individual needs.

Even with the progress of the ACA, nearly 30 million people remain uninsured. This legislation will help workers who do not have employer-sponsored coverage but may make too much to qualify for subsidies under the ACA. The bill will also help consumers who live in places with only one insurance carrier or who worry they may soon have no options for affordable coverage.

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Salud basada en Medicaid propuesto.
WASHINGTON – Senadores de los Estados Unidos, Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), miembro del Comité de salud, educación, trabajo y pensiones del Senado de los Estados Unidos, y Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) copatrocinó la legislación, liderada por el senador E.U. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i) llamado The State Public Option Act. La legislación permitiría a los Estados crear una opción de atención médica pública basada en Medicaid para fortalecer la ley de Affordable Care Act (ACA) proporcionando a los E.U una nueva opción de alta calidad y bajo costo al comprar un seguro de salud.
“A medida que continuamos luchando contra los esfuerzos de la administración Trump para sabotear la ley de cuidado de salud asequible y revertir las protecciones para las personas con condiciones preexistentes, también tenemos que mirar hacia adelante para mejorar aún más el acceso a la atención médica asequible. Los demócratas han puesto un montón de grandes planes para ayudar hacer eso. Estoy orgulloso de copatrocinar la legislación del senador Schatz para proporcionar una opción pública de Medicaid para dar a la gente más opciones y opciones asequibles “, dijo Murphy.

Esta legislación daría a las familias trabajadoras la opción de comprar Medicaid, que ya funciona para más de 65 millones personas de los E.U. Esta opción de cobertura asequible y de alta calidad haría que el cuidado de la salud fuera más accesible y bajaría los costos para todas las familias, acercándonos a nuestro objetivo final: la cobertura universal “, dijo Blumenthal.

La ley estatal de opciones públicas permitirá a los Estados crear un programa de Buy-in Medicaid para todos sus residentes independientemente de los ingresos, dándoles a todos la opción de comprar en un plan de seguro médico de Medicaid impulsado por el estado. Estados como Connecticut están explorando la implementación de una opción pública dentro de sus legislaturas. Una encuesta reciente de Kaiser Family Foundation encontró un amplio apoyo bipartidista para una opción pública de Medicaid. Medicaid es un programa popular y rentable con una gran red de proveedores. El programa tiene las mismas calificaciones positivas que el seguro privado, pero proporciona cobertura de salud a un costo mucho más bajo.
Basándose en las alianzas entre los gobiernos estatales y federales, Medicaid también otorga a los Estados la flexibilidad para adaptar los servicios y modelos de atención en función de sus necesidades individuales.
Incluso con el progreso de la ACA, casi 30 millones personas permanecen sin seguro. Esta legislación ayudará a los trabajadores que no tienen cobertura por el empleador, pero puede hacer demasiado para calificar para subsidios bajo la ACA. El proyecto de ley también ayudará a los consumidores que viven en lugares con sólo una compañía de seguros o que se preocupan de que pronto no tienen opciones para la cobertura asequible.

I recently announced a reinvigorated economic development team, whose mission it is to promote and champion Connecticut to businesses who wish to locate or grow here. On paper, we have it all — access to world-class talent; equidistant between Boston and New York without the exceptionally high cost of living; vibrant cultural and educational institutions. But our reputation in one area in particular precedes us, and not in a good way. Our economic development team must be prepared to answer the question that everyone who knows anything about Connecticut will ask: “What about the congestion on your highways?”

Beyond an inconvenience, the crushing congestion we experience on I-95, I-91, I-84 and the Merritt Parkway, in particular, is a real challenge we must address and overcome if we are to maximize our economic development potential. Our proximity in mileage to New York City means nothing if it takes 90 minutes to get there from Stamford on the road, and over an hour by train. We need to not only maintain our aging transportation infrastructure, but it’s high time that we upgrade it, too.

The gasoline tax simply does not provide the reliable revenue we need, period. Gasoline tax revenues have been flat for 10 years and are expected to begin declining as cars become more efficient, and as the sales of electric vehicles increase. As such, I do not support raising the gas tax, as it is already high compared to our peers. Some people have espoused “priority bonding,” where we further cut back on economic development and other bonding in favor of transportation. As I recently announced, Connecticut is in dire need of a “debt diet” and as such, I cannot support this type of borrowing to pay for ongoing and continuous repairs and upgrades — it is not sustainable or wise. The Legislature previously established a bond cap and I know they appreciate how important keeping to our debt discipline is.

I understand how controversial electronic tolling is. As I learned about the issue, I indicated my support for tolling only tractor trailer trucks, as they do in Rhode Island. This would provide at least some revenue to maintain our system, though not enough to upgrade it. While we are awaiting a ruling from the courts regarding truck-only tolling, our attorneys are pretty certain that if permitted, the tolling could only be done on specific bridges and the generated revenue would be reserved for those bridges, not for congestion pricing. Assuming our attorneys are correct, the truck-only option provides too little revenue, too slowly and too piecemeal to make a meaningful difference.

I know there are proposals in the Legislature that include tolling for cars and trucks. I would only consider this option if we maximized the discount for Connecticut EZ-Pass users and/or offered a “frequent driver” discount for those who are required to travel our major roadways on a frequent basis. We have been subsidizing our neighboring states’ road repairs by paying their tolls, and it’s estimated that out-of-state drivers would provide nearly 50 percent of our tolling revenue, as well. As needed, we could also consider an increase in the earned income tax credit or reduction in gas tax to mitigate the costs of tolling on the everyday user.

We have modeled out both options in the budget I will submit to the Legislature on Wednesday. As my co-equal branch of government, I am open to a real discussion with them, as well as Connecticut’s residents, about the state of our transportation system and what will be needed going forward — not only to make repairs, but to truly put Connecticut in a position of strength when it comes to infrastructure upgrades and bold economic visioning. However, there is no doubt in my mind that our transportation fund will require additional strategic and recurring revenues in the very near future. In my opinion, there is no way around that hard fact.

Forward-thinking economic development demands that, among other transportation needs, we speed up our rail service from Hartford to New Haven, New Haven to Stamford and Stamford to New York City, with more frequent service to Waterbury and New London. These transportation upgrades are the building blocks of our economic future and we must formulate a real, sustainable plan to start now.

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Planes cambiados por el gobernador para olls-no sólo para camiones

Recientemente anuncié un equipo de desarrollo económico revitalizado, cuya misión es promover y defender a Connecticut a las empresas que deseen localizarse y crecer aquí. En el papel, lo tenemos todo, el acceso al talento de clase mundial; equidistante entre Boston y Nueva York sin el costo de vida excepcionalmente alto; instituciones culturales y educativas vibrantes. Pero nuestra reputación en un área en particular nos precede, y no de una buena manera. Nuestro equipo de desarrollo económico debe estar preparado para responder a la pregunta que todos los que saben algo sobre Connecticut preguntará: “¿Qué pasa con la congestión en sus autopistas?”
Es más que un inconveniente, la congestión aplastante que experimentamos en I-95, I-91, I-84 y el Merritt Parkway, en particular, es un verdadero desafío que debemos abordar y superar si queremos maximizar nuestro potencial de desarrollo económico. Nuestra proximidad en el kilometraje a la ciudad de Nueva York no significa nada si se tarda 90 minutos para llegar desde Stamford en la carretera, y más de una hora en tren.
Necesitamos no sólo mantener nuestra infraestructura de transporte de envejecimiento, pero ya es hora de que la actualicemos también.
El impuesto a la gasolina simplemente no proporciona los ingresos confiables que necesitamos. Los ingresos tributarios de la gasolina han sido planos durante 10 años y se espera que comiencen a declinar a medida que los carros se vuelven más eficientes, y a medida que aumentan las ventas de vehículos eléctricos. Como tal, no apoyo elevar el impuesto sobre el gas, ya que ya es alto en comparación con nuestros pares. Algunas personas han rebasado la “vinculación prioritaria”, donde también recortamos el desarrollo económico y otros lazos en favor del transporte. Como he anunciado recientemente, Connecticut está en necesidad extrema de una “dieta de la deuda” y como tal, no puedo apoyar este tipo de préstamos para pagar por continuas y continuas reparaciones y nunca mejora, es sostenible o sabio. La legislatura estableció previamente un tope de fianza y sé que aprecian lo importante que es mantener nuestra disciplina de deuda.
Entiendo lo controversial que es el toll electrónico. Como he aprendido sobre el tema, me indicó mi apoyo para remolcar sólo camiones de remolque tractor, como lo hacen en Rhode Island. Esto proporcionaría al menos algunos ingresos para mantener nuestro sistema, aunque no lo suficiente como para actualizarlo. Mientras que estamos a la espera de un fallo de los tribunales con respecto a remolcar sólo camiones, nuestros abogados están bastante seguros de que si se permite, el toll sólo se puede hacer en puentes específicos y los ingresos generados se reservaría para esos puentes, no para la congestión. Suponiendo que nuestros abogados son correctos, la opción de sólo camiones proporciona muy pocos ingresos, demasiado lenta y demasiado fragmentaria para hacer una diferencia significativa.
Sé que hay propuestas en la legislatura que incluyen el remolcar para automóviles y camiones. Sólo consideraría esta opción si maximizó el descuento para los usuarios de Connecticut EZ-Pass y/o ofreció un descuento de “conductor frecuente” para aquellos que están obligados a viajar por nuestras principales carreteras sobre una base frecuente.
Hemos modelado ambas opciones en el presupuesto que presentaré a la legislatura el miércoles. Como mi co-igual rama de gobierno, estoy abierto a una discusión real con ellos, así como los residentes de Connecticut, sobre el estado de nuestro sistema de transporte y lo que será necesario en el futuro-no sólo para hacer reparaciones, sino para poner realmente Connecticut en una posición de fuerza desde cuando se trata de mejoras de infraestructura y audaces visionado económico. Sin embargo, en mi opinión no hay duda de que nuestro fondo de transporte requerirá ingresos estratégicos y recurrentes adicionales en un futuro muy próximo. En mi opinión, no hay manera de evitar ese hecho difícil.
El desarrollo económico con visión de futuro exige que, entre otras necesidades de transporte, aceleremos nuestro servicio ferroviario de Hartford a New Haven, New Haven a Stamford y Stamford a la ciudad de Nueva York, con un servicio más frecuente a Waterbury y New London. Estas mejoras de transporte son los pilares de nuestro futuro económico y debemos formular un plan real y sostenible para empezar ahora.

#NORWALK – State Reps. Gail Lavielle (R-Wilton, Norwalk, Westport) and Terrie Wood (R- Darien, Norwalk) are inviting members of the public to attend an informational forum on tolls at the Norwalk Inn & Conference Center, 99 East Avenue, Norwalk on Tuesday, February 26^th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The legislators will be joined by Transportation House Ranking Member Laura Devlin (R-Fairfield, Trumbull) along with Transportation Senate Ranking Member Henry Martin (R- Bristol, Harwinton, Plainville, Plymouth and Thomaston). Other area lawmakers will be invited to attend the forum.

State Rep. Gail Lavielle, who is House Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee and a member of the Transportation Committee, has been informed by the committee’s leadership that public hearings on toll-related bills will soon be held at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

The Feb. 26 event will allow for residents to share their concerns, get their questions answered about tolls, and discuss potential alternatives to tolls.

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Audición en TOLLS
#NORWALK – Los representantes del estado Gail Lavielle (R-Wilton, Norwalk, Westport) y Terrie Wood (R-Darien, Norwalk) están invitando a los miembros del público para asistir a un foro informativo sobre TOLLS, en el Norwalk Inn en la sala de conferencias, en la 99 Avenida East, el martes, 26 febrero a las 7:00 p.m. a 8:30 p.m.
A los legisladores se les unirá el miembro del ranking de Transportation House, Laura Devlin (R-Fairfield, Trumbull), junto con el miembro del ranking del Senado de transporte Henry Martin (R-Bristol, Harwinton, Plainville, Plymouth y Thomaston). Otros legisladores de la zona serán invitados a asistir al foro.
La representante del estado, Gail Lavielle, que es miembro de la clasificación de la casa del Comité de asignaciones y miembro del Comité de transportes, ha sido informada por el liderazgo del Comité de que las audiencias públicas sobre las facturas relacionadas con el TOLL pronto se celebrarán en el Edificio de oficinas en Hartford.

MIDDLETOWN, CT  – Commissioner James C. Rovella  announced that the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) has contracted with IDEMIA Identity & Security USA LLC to replace the state’s Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) and Master Name Index/Computerized Criminal History (MNI/CCH). IDEMIA provides biometric identity and security solutions to law enforcement, border management and government services. The new Criminal Identification and History Repository System, expected to be completed within 24 months, reaffirms DESPP’s continuing commitment to protect Connecticut residents. The new integrated system will significantly improve the speed and accuracy of fingerprint identification for both criminal and civilian purposes, while providing the ability for Connecticut to meet all federal Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)
 

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Nuevo sistema de identificación criminal

MIDDLETOWN, CT – El Comisionado James C. Rovella anunció que el Departamento de servicios de emergencia y protección pública de Connecticut (DESPP) ha contratado con IDEMIA Identity & seguridad USA LLC para reemplazar un sistema de identificación de huellas digitales para el estado (AFIS) y selección de nombres / historia criminal (MNI/CCH). IDEMIA proporciona soluciones biométricas de identidad y seguridad para la aplicación de la ley, la gestión fronteriza y los servicios gubernamentales. La nueva identificación criminal y el sistema se terminan en el plazo de 24 meses, reafirma el compromiso continuo de DESPP de proteger a residentes de Connecticut. El nuevo sistema integrado mejorará significativamente la velocidad y la exactitud de la identificación de huellas dactilares, al tiempo que proporciona la capacidad de Connecticut para cumplir con todos los servicios federales de información de justicia criminal (CJIS) requisitos, directrices y normas. El nuevo sistema pasará a Connecticut con los modos de identificación biométrica de vanguardia y proporcionará avances significativos en la calidad y confiabilidad de la información de la historia criminal y el intercambio de esta información entre federal, estatal y agencias locales.

#Hartford CT– Representative Geoff Luxenberg proposed Bill 5863 to make Connecticut a sanctuary state to “establish Connecticut a sanctuary state where immigrants are protected and able to live, work and pursue happiness without fear”. There is no definition in this bill if the term immigrants are legal or not.

What are your thoughts?

Connecticut Un Estado Santuario para los Imigrantes
#Hartford CT – El representante Geoff Luxenberg propuso una ley, Bill 5863, Connecticut sería un estado de Santuario para “establecer Connecticut un estado santuario donde los inmigrantes están protegidos y capaces de vivir, trabajar y perseguir la felicidad sin temor”. No hay definición en este proyecto de ley si el término inmigrantes es para gentes legales o no.

Dear Connecticut residents, This week, I’ll leave office after eight years serving as your Governor. It’s been the best, hardest, most rewarding job I will ever have, and I am deeply thankful to you for allowing me to serve. I’d like to leave you with a few brief, parting thoughts about our state and my hopes for its future. While we will often disagree among ourselves about how our government should operate, or what it should seek to accomplish, always remember that our common interests and beliefs far outweigh the differences between us. We all want good schools, safe and healthy communities, well-paved roads, beautiful parks, a clean environment, and basic services for those in need. We all agree Connecticut should continue to make wise and responsible decisions in developing its budgets, particularly when it comes to paying down the debts of past generations. All of these things come at a cost to you, the taxpayer; it’s a balance we strike, a spectrum of decisions on spending and revenue that becomes our budget each year. However you feel about any given budget item, I hope you’ll remember that as a state we all generally agree that we should collectively pay for these things. Anyone who promises you something for nothing – especially your elected officials – is ignoring that basic truth, and therefore not giving you the whole story. I also hope we can continue to recognize that, time and again, the people of Connecticut have shown a deep empathy and caring for one another and all of humanity; it’s an aspiration we should appreciate and continue to foster. Collectively, we have a desire for positive social change that is a rare strength in our country, and indeed in the world. We’ve led the nation on efforts to treat people more fairly and equally in the workplace, to find homes for veterans, to welcome those seeking refuge from war and poverty around the globe, and to focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment in our criminal justice system. We’ve done many of those things across party lines. Let’s give ourselves credit for it. Let’s recognize that our compassion and our decency are defining characteristics and core strengths of who we are as a people and as a state, and let’s make sure that the world knows Connecticut for this cause and this calling. I am deeply optimistic about Connecticut’s future, and I urge you to nurture your optimism as well. As I said, we are kind and resilient people. However, we’re often too quick to criticize ourselves and our great state – faster even than our own neighbors as we compete with them to attract jobs and grow our local economy. Of course, we have problems, and no we can’t shy away from them. But recognizing our very real challenges should not mean wallowing in them – it should simply be the first step in overcoming them. In other words, we can tackle big, historic problems while also remembering what’s great about Connecticut. We are among the best-educated, healthiest, and safest people in the country. We are home to some of the most esteemed higher education and research centers in the world, in one of the most scenic states in the nation. Our economy boasts a unique cross-section of small employers and large, keeping our residents working and leading in agriculture, in insurance, in manufacturing, in bioscience, and more. It is for all these reasons that I am so thankful to be from Connecticut, and that I will be glad to call it home for the rest of my life. I hope when someone asks you where you’re from, you will say Connecticut, and you’ll say it with pride. Thank you, may God bless you, and may God bless the great state of Connecticut. Dannel P. Malloy Governor

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Carta a los ciudadanos del gobernador, ya que acepta nueva posición en Boston

Estimados residentes de Connecticut, esta semana, dejaré el cargo después de ocho años sirviendo como su gobernador. Ha sido el mejor, el más difícil y el trabajo más gratificante que tuve, y estoy profundamente agradecido por permitirme servirles. Me gustaría dejarles con unos breves pensamientos de despedida sobre nuestro estado y mis esperanzas para su futuro. Si bien a menudo estamos en desacuerdo entre nosotros sobre cómo debe funcionar nuestro gobierno, o qué debe procurar lograr, recuerden siempre que nuestros intereses y creencias comunes superan con creces las diferencias entre nosotros. Todos queremos buenas escuelas, comunidades seguras y saludables, caminos pavimentados bueno, hermosos parques, un ambiente limpio y servicios básicos para los necesitados. Todos estamos de acuerdo en que Connecticut debe seguir haciendo decisiones sabias y responsables en el desarrollo de sus presupuestos, particularmente cuando se trata de pagar las deudas de las generaciones pasadas. Todas estas cosas vienen a un costo para ustedes, el contribuyente; es un equilibrio que golpeamos, un espectro de decisiones sobre el gasto y los ingresos que se convierten en nuestro presupuesto cada año. Sin embargo como ustedes sienten, sobre cualquier artículo determinado del presupuesto, espero que ustedes recuerden, que como estado todos estamos de acuerdo generalmente, que debemos pagar colectivamente por estas cosas. Cualquiera que te promete algo para nada – especialmente tus funcionarios electos – está ignorando esa verdad básica, y por lo tanto no te da toda la historia. También espero que podamos seguir reconociendo que, una y otra vez, la gente de Connecticut ha mostrado una profunda empatía y el cuidado de los unos a los otros y toda la humanidad; es una aspiración que debemos apreciar y seguir fomentando. Colectivamente, tenemos el deseo de un cambio social positivo que es una fuerza rara en nuestro país, y de hecho en el mundo. Guiamos a la nación en los esfuerzos para tratar a las personas de maneras más justas y equitativamente en el lugar de trabajo, para encontrar hogares para veteranos, para acoger aquellos que buscan refugio de la guerra y la pobreza en todo el mundo, y para centrarse en la rehabilitación envés del castigo en nuestro sistema de justicia criminal. Hemos hecho muchas de esas cosas a través de las líneas del partido. Démonos crédito por ello. Reconozcamos que nuestra compasión y nuestra decencia están definiendo características y fortalezas fundamentales de quiénes somos como pueblo y como estado, y nos aseguramos de que el mundo conozca Connecticut por esta causa y este llamamiento. Estoy profundamente optimista sobre el futuro de Connecticut, y les insisto que le den nutrición a sus optimismos también. Como he dicho, somos personas amables y fuertes. Sin embargo, a menudo somos demasiado rápidos para criticarnos a nosotros mismos y a nuestro gran estado, más rápido incluso a nuestros propios vecinos, mientras competimos con ellos para atraer empleos y hacer crecer nuestra economía local. Por supuesto, tenemos problemas, y no podemos huir de ellos. Pero reconocer nuestros verdaderos desafíos no debería significar revolcarse en ellos, sino simplemente ser el primer paso para superarlos. En otras palabras, podemos abordar problemas históricos y grande pero también recordando lo que es genial sobre Connecticut. Estamos entre la gente mejor educada, más sana y más segura del país. Somos el hogar de algunos de los más estimados centros de educación superior y de investigación en el mundo, y en uno de los Estados más pintorescos de la nación. Nuestra economía cuenta con una sección transversal única de pequeños empleadores y grandes, manteniendo a nuestros residentes trabajando y liderando en la agricultura, en seguros, en la fabricación, en bioceánicas, y más. Es por todas estas razones que estoy tan agradecido de ser de Connecticut, y que estaré encantado de llamarlo hogar para el resto de mi vida. Espero que cuando alguien te pregunte de dónde eres, vas a decir Connecticut, y lo dirás con orgullo. Gracias, que Dios los bendiga, y que Dios bendiga al gran estado de Connecticut. Dannel P. Malloy Gobernador

#HARTFORD, CT – The official state portrait of Governor Dannel P. Malloy was unveiled during a ceremony today at the Museum of Connecticut History that was attended by the Governor, First Lady Cathy Malloy, Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, family members and friends, administration officials, and former and current staff members.

Commissioning a portrait of each outgoing governor as that person is completing his or her duties in office is a longstanding tradition in Connecticut that dates back to the early 1800s.  Since 1910, this collection has been on public display at the museum’s Memorial Hall, which is located inside of the State Library and Supreme Court building in Hartford.

Painted by acclaimed Connecticut artist Chris Zhang, a resident of East Lyme, the portrait features Governor Malloy standing in front of a window inside of the Governor’s Residence on Prospect Street in Hartford that overlooks the property’s sculpture garden.  He is surrounded by several items that have strong meaning to him in his personal life and public responsibilities, some of which include:

• framed photographs of the Malloy family that hang on the wall;
• flags of the United States, the State of Connecticut, and the LGBTQ pride flag that sit on his desk;
• a model of the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter, nearly 200 of which are currently under production by Sikorsky for the U.S. Marine Corps;
• a model submarine, representing Connecticut’s distinction as the submarine capital of the world and the home of Naval Submarine Base New London;
• a model Pratt & Whitney jet engine; and
• the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award that he received in 2016.

As he stands, he motions his right hand toward a person who is out of frame, revealing a green bracelet on his wrist that represents the 26 students, school administrators, and teachers who were tragically killed during a mass shooting at Newtown’s Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012.

Zhang was born in Shanghai, China and later immigrated to the United States.  He works as a painter and teaches art in his hometown of East Lyme, Connecticut.  He has received various awards at home and abroad, and his artwork has been included in exhibits throughout the world.  Zhang, whose two cultures are reflected in his versatile styles of artwork, specializes in realism.  He is known for pieces depicting people of his native China in vivid colors and costumes, while other renowned pieces include western ballet dancers.  In addition, he enjoys painting portraits, landscapes, sea sunrise and sunsets, as well as autumn in New England.  Zhang belongs to a number of organizations including Master of the Oil Painters of America, Master of the Copley Society of Art – Boston, and Salmagundi Art Club of New York.

The Museum of Connecticut History is located at 231 Capitol Avenue in Hartford inside of the State Library and Supreme Court building, directly across the street from the State Capitol.  Admission is always free and it is open six days a week: Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport), co-chair of Governor-elect Ned Lamont’s Women’s Policy Transition Committee, today released the following statement after attending Tuesday’s Policy Summit at Eastern Connecticut State University.

“As the incoming governor develops priorities for our state, it’s critical that the voices of Connecticut’s women—especially women of color— are at the table. I am honored to be asked to co-chair the Women’s Policy Transition Committee and I look forward to working to identify areas that impact women and making recommendations to Governor-elect Lamont on ways we can improve.”

Last week, Lamont and Lieutenant Governor-elect Susan Bysiewicz announced the formation of 15 Transition Policy Committees and co-chairs for each. Sen. Moore and Karen Jarmoc, President & CEO of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, were named co-chairs of the committee on women.

All 15 committees convened for the first time at a Policy Summit hosted by Lamont and Bysiewicz on Tuesday in Willimantic. Members of the public were also invited to attend the Policy Summit to hear remarks and suggest ideas to the policy committees at breakout sessions.

FARMINGTON, Conn., October 23, 2018 — The American Red Cross is proud to announce it has received a $250,000 donation from General Electric to support the ongoing relief efforts following Hurricane Florence.

“We can’t thank everyone at G.E. enough for helping those impacted by Hurricane Florence with this incredibly generous donation,” said Mario Bruno, CEO of the American Red Cross, Connecticut and Rhode Island Region. “We are so grateful to G.E. for helping us ensure that the we can deliver immediate and compassionate assistance to people when they need it most.”

In total, in response to Hurricane Florence, the Red Cross and other organizations have provided as many as 129,000overnight stays in emergency shelters across the Carolinas. The Red Cross has provided about 93 percent of these stays. Today, more than 1,590 Red Cross disaster workers from all over the country are helping to shelter, feed and support people affected. Of these workers, more than 1,200 are local community members from the Carolinas who have joined with the Red Cross to support relief efforts.

Working with partners, the Red Cross has served more than 2.21 million meals and snacks. Volunteer mental health and health services professionals have provided some 71,400 contacts to provide support and care to evacuees. We’ve distributed more than 533,400 relief items like clean up kits, rakes, shovels, bleach, garbage bags and much more to help with the massive clean-up effort.

The Red Cross continues to respond to multiple large-scale disasters. Help people affected by disasters, like hurricanes, by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.

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