Category: State News

HARTFORD – State Representatives Brenda Kupchick (R-132) and Laura Devlin (R-134) voted on Monday to override Governor Dan Malloy’s veto of a bill prohibiting future governors from making cuts to education aid in the middle of a fiscal year.  State Senator Tony Hwang (R-28) also voted to override the veto in the Senate.

Although there was enough support in the House on a 103-33 vote margin to override the governor’s veto, the override effort failed to achieve 2/3^rd support in the Senate and was ultimately unsuccessful, meaning Governor Malloy’s veto will stand.  The legislature also failed to override vetoes on several other pieces of legislation that passed this year when Senate Democrats sided with Governor Malloy.

Public Act 18-35 was legislation intended to impede a Connecticut governor from withdrawing Education Cost Sharing funds already promised to a municipality for the school year, and was a key priority for the legislators.

“Fairfield schools and social service programs have been routinely targeted for the governor’s mid-year education holdbacks that cause uncertainty for town officials and local school boards.  I was proud to stand with my colleagues in the House for taking a positive step towards predictability and stability,” said Rep. Kupchick.  “Unfortunately, Governor Malloy and his allies in the legislature are still major roadblocks to progress in our state.  I’m very disappointed the majority in the Senate decided to not stand up against the governor’s vetoes.  In addition to stopping education cuts in the middle of the school year, these were bills that would have reduced the taxpayer bailout of Hartford, offered incentives for manufacturing companies and created an animal abuser registry.”

“Governors – Malloy and future ones – need to be put on notice that making unilateral mid-year cuts to education funding can devastate our communities.  Reductions during the fiscal year are particularly difficult and leave few options for administrators and teachers,” said Rep. Devlin. “I was proud to cast a vote to override the governor’s veto. Unfortunately, the Senate Democrats refused to join us today in protecting our children’s educational priorities.”

“I voted to override Governor Malloy, and I did so on behalf of Fairfield educators, children and families,” Sen. Hwang said.  “I was proud to stand in opposition to the governor on this crucial school funding issue. This bill would have created stability and predictability for Fairfield beyond the current budget.  I was pleased to see the governor’s ill-advised veto get overridden in the House.  Shortly after the House’s override, I was bitterly disappointed to see many Senate Democrats reverse their prior votes.  There were not enough votes for the bill to get to the finish line in the State Senate.  That’s truly a shame, but I can promise Fairfield’s taxpayers this:  I am not deterred, and I will continue to stand with in support of common sense policies like this one.”

All seven of the governor’s vetoes were sustained in a special session of the General Assembly on Monday.

State Representative Brenda Kupchick represents the 132^nd district, which includes Fairfield and Southport.

 State Representative Laura Devlin represents the 134^th district, which includes Fairfield and Trumbull.

 State Senator Tony Hwang represents the 28^th Senate district communities of Fairfield, Easton, Newtown, Weston, and Westport.

 

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BRIDGEPORT – Bridgeport Mayor and Democratic candidate for governor Joe Ganim is calling for the use some or all of new Internet sales tax revenue to provide property tax relief for Connecticut cities and towns. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling yesterday allows states to collect sales tax from Internet companies without a brick and mortar location in that state. The ruling could mean up to $200 million dollars in new annual revenue for the state of Connecticut during difficult economic times. “This ruling is a huge victory for Connecticut. As governor, my first budget proposal next year would include provisions for collecting Internet sales tax on all purchases made in Connecticut, and that some or all of the money collected be distributed directly to cities and towns to provide much needed property tax relief,” said Ganim.

 

The state Department of Revenue Services estimates that Connecticut loses between $100 million and $200 million dollars a year in unpaid sales taxes on Internet purchases. The state ordered many companies to begin collecting the taxes last year, but those firms largely ignored the order because of the federal law that only required a company to pay sales tax in a state if it has a physical location within its borders. “This is a change that I have been seeking for years, along with mayors across the country at the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Collecting sales taxes on Internet purchases benefits the state in two ways, first by raising new revenue that can be used to provide tax relief to cities and towns, and also by helping to balance the playing field for small businesses located in Connecticut who have been forced to collect sales taxes, while large online companies based elsewhere got a free ride,” said Ganim.

 

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#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that the Connecticut Insurance Department has activated its emergency adjuster program that allows insurance companies to quickly register their out-of-state adjusters and bring them into the state to help with claims of property and auto damage. The Governor explained activating this protocol will help expedite the many anticipated claims resulting from the severe storms that impacted the state on Tuesday afternoon.

“Residents and businesses who suffered damage from yesterday’s storms will understandably be seeking assistance with their insurance companies,” Governor Malloy said. “Allowing out-of-state adjusters to assist will hopefully expedite this process and help folks during this time of need.”

“We want to make sure that homeowners get help as quickly as possible from their insurance companies,” Insurance Commissioner Katharine Wade said. “By activating this program, insurance companies are able to quickly get more help on the ground where it’s most needed.”

Insurance companies seeking to register their adjusters can access the emergency program online at this link.

Residents and business who have insurance questions and concerns related to property damage can contact the Connecticut Insurance Department at insurance@ct.gov. The department also has an FAQ on storm damage available on their website.

Make sure you get what you’re entitled from this storm with our sponsor Nutmeg Public Adjusters

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman released the following statements in response to the 21-14 vote in the State Senate this afternoon giving final approval to legislation opting Connecticut into the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, under which Connecticut will allocate its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the most popular votes.  This compact does not take effect until enough states sign on to guarantee that the national popular vote winner wins the presidency.

“With the exception of the presidency, every elected office in the country, from city council, to United States senator, to governor, is awarded the candidate who receives the most votes,” Governor Malloy said.  “The vote of every American citizen should count equally, yet under the current system, voters from sparsely populated states are awarded significantly more power than those from states like Connecticut.  This is fundamentally unfair.  The National Popular Vote compact will ensure an equal vote for every American citizen, regardless of which state they happen to live in.  I applaud the General Assembly for passing this commonsense legislation.”

“Voting is a foundation of democracy, a fundamental responsibility, and one of the highest forms of civic engagement,” Lt. Governor Wyman said.  “From young people going to the polls for the first time to residents who never miss a chance to cast a ballot, citizens must trust that they have a voice in choosing their president.  This legislation is a step in that direction and I commend the legislature for sending it to the Governor’s desk.”

The legislation is House Bill 5421, An Act Adopting the Interstate Compact to Elect the President of the United States by National Popular Vote.  It passed the House of Representatives on April 26 by a vote of 77-73.  It next will be transmitted to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

 

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HARTFORD, CT– Governor Dannel P. Malloy is commending the Connecticut State Senate for the bipartisan, 30-5 vote this afternoon to adopt legislation that will allow undocumented students attending Connecticut public colleges and universities the opportunity to qualify for the state’s system of financial aid, which they already pay into through their existing tuition.

“In Connecticut, we pride ourselves on not only our commitment to education but also our history of compassion, fairness, and equality,” Governor Malloy said.  “The bottom line of this legislation is not controversial – it allows students who are already attending our colleges and universities and already paying into our financial aid system with the ability to access that very system for which they are currently ineligible through no fault of their own.  We are talking about young people whose dream is to work here and contribute to our state’s economy and cultural fabric.  Connecticut’s workforce is second-to-none, and by increasing access to post-secondary education we are telling employers and businesses across our globe that we have the workforce to fill the jobs of tomorrow.  I thank the leaders on both sides of the aisle in the Senate for passing this bill today, and I look forward to seeing its approval in the House so that I can sign it into law.”

“I commend the Senate for passing this legislation.  Dreamers pay into the financial aid system and should be able to participate – it’s a matter of basic fairness,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said.  “An educated workforce is an important part of attracting business and industry.  Making college more affordable for all students should continue to be a priority.”

The legislation is Senate Bill 4, An Act Assisting Students Without Legal Immigration Status with the Cost of College.  It next moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The proposal builds upon a law that Governor Malloy signed in 2011 (and expanded in 2015) granting in-state college tuition rates for the state’s public colleges and universities to undocumented students from Connecticut.  The in-state rates are extended only to those who have completed at least two years of high school within the state, where they also must have graduated or earned an equivalent diploma.

When he signed that bill seven years ago, the Governor explained that it was not only a moral issue, but would allow the state to better compete in the global economy by ensuring that Connecticut’s workforce remains among the best educated in the country.

 

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HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he has signed an executive order modifying the terminology used to describe the designation levels of executive branch state employees during weather-related and other emergency situations.

Previously, when the state has experienced severe weather or other types of emergency situations, executive branch state employees have been referred to as “essential” or “nonessential” based on their respective job duties as required to address the needs of Connecticut’s residents in the face of urgent situations that can have an adverse effect on health and safety.

Under the order signed today, those employees who previously were designated as “essential” will now be referred to as “Level 1 employees.”  Those who had been designated as “nonessential” will now be referred to as “Level 2 employees.”

While it is not anticipated that there will be any early releases today, all executive branch state employees are advised to take note that the use of these new terms will go into effect immediately.

 

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HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman today released the following statements in reaction to the Public Safety Committee’s refusal to vote on legislation banning “rate of fire enhancements,” including bump stocks, binary trigger systems and trigger cranks. These devices modify the speed at which a weapon can be fired to machine-gun-like speeds, and were used in the Las Vegas shooting, where the shooter was able to fire an estimated 90 shots in 10 seconds.

“That the Public Safety Committee would choose to not even take a vote on a bill banning bump stocks is disappointing, frustrating, and frankly perplexing,” Gov. Malloy said. “States like Massachusetts, California, Washington, New Jersey and Florida have banned these dangerous devices, and they have done it with bi-partisan support. Florida’s, New Jersey’s, and Massachusetts’ bills were all signed by Republican governors. I hope that members of the General Assembly will heed the call of countless students, teachers, and everyday people across Connecticut and across our nation, and find a way to pass this important legislation this year. Connecticut has been a national leader on gun safety reform — we have no excuse for not following other states and getting this done. “

“The public is demanding meaningful action on these weapons, students are marching in the streets to demand safer schools, and our own state was victim to a mass shooting; now is the time to stand up for our residents and for public safety, and to show continued leadership in preventing gun violence,” Lt. Gov. Wyman said. “This bill should have had the support it needed to pass. I applaud Governor Malloy and its supporters, and hope we can get together to take the action our residents are pushing for. It is the right side of history.”

 

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