Category: State News

#HARTFORD, CT – On Sunday morning, Governor Dannel P. Malloy will deliver opening remarks at the start of the IRIS 5K Run for Refugees in New Haven.  The event supports the mission of IRIS to enable refugees and other displaced people to establish new lives, regain hope, and contribute to the vitality of Connecticut’s communities.

 

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HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy released the following statement regarding the vote in the U.S. Congress this afternoon to end the shutdown of the federal government:

“While Congress did reinstate core functions of the federal government, I remain deeply disappointed in the manner in which President Trump and Republican congressional leaders have decided to govern.  While controlling both houses of Congress and the presidency, they continually elect to kick the can down the road on critical issues facing our nation and offer no stability or long-term vision.  In short, it’s a misguided and irresponsible way to run any organization, much less the federal government.

“I am also disheartened by the Republicans’ deeply cynical negotiating tactics, creating a false choice between ensuring protection for Dreamers and extending the Children’s Health Insurance Program, putting health coverage for nine million children – including  17,000 in Connecticut – at risk.

“I hope this time around Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will keep his word and allow a vote to protect DACA recipients.  Dreamers have grown up in this country.  They are productive members of our communities.  They contribute to our economy.  They serve in our military.  Quite simply, this legislation is common sense and long overdue.”

 

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WASHINGTON, DC— Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) and Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut introduced a bill to commemorate the 209th anniversary of the birthday of Charles Darwin on February 12, 2018.

In doing so, the lawmakers hope to recognize the profound and revolutionary contributions that Darwin made to our understanding of the origins of life and also the example he set of the power of education and knowledge to change the world.

“We are lucky to be alive during a time of discoveries more spectacular than our ancestors could even have imagined, from the existence of planets orbiting distant stars to the capacity to cure diseases that have afflicted people for millennia,” said Himes.  “I am confident that we will continue to explore, to learn more about the world around us and how to make that world a better place. But this work has never, and will never, come easily. At a time when well-established science is under constant attack, we must be vigilant in defending the pursuit of truth from those who would claim that facts have no meaning.”

“I am proud to champion and celebrate Charles Darwin’s achievements and those of every scientist and explorer who followed in his footsteps,” said Blumenthal. “Darwin Day recognizes the invaluable contributions of Darwin, without whom our understanding of this world would be fundamentally altered. Today, we reflect and remember that the advancements of science and human knowledge are profoundly important to the progress of humankind.”

“We thank Representative Himes and Senator Blumenthal for their steadfast work defending scientific research and the teaching of evolution in public schools,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association.  “By introducing and co-sponsoring Darwin Day resolutions, members of Congress are showing the American people that scientific thinking plays a crucial role in solving many of the problems that Congress seeks to address.”

 

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#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy and the members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation are applauding the release of $45.8 million in federal grants that will be used towards helping the State of Connecticut reach its goal of ending homelessness.  The grants were received through the U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Continuum of Care initiative, which provides critically needed support to local programs on the frontlines that serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

“We’ve set high goals to eliminate homelessness, and we’ve been seeing real results,” Governor Malloy said.  “Ensuring and delivering the availability of housing for everyone is critical to building stronger, safer communities where families thrive and businesses grow.  Over the last several years, our state has built solid partnerships with local, state, and federal organizations to strengthen our housing needs in order to ensure that when someone becomes homeless, it is brief and nonrecurring.  I want to thank everyone who has been involved in these efforts – their work is truly having a positive impact on peoples’ lives.”

“While Connecticut has made significant progress towards reducing homelessness, there are still families and children who do not know where they will sleep tonight. That is unacceptable,” the members of the delegation said in a joint statement.  “This funding will allow us to continue to work collaboratively on federal, state and local levels to ensure access to safe, stable and affordable housing.  We are proud that Connecticut is on the forefront of the fight to end homelessness, and we will continue to support critical federal grant programs that change lives and make our state a stronger and better place.”

“Connecticut continues to make historic progress in the areas of preventing and ending homelessness,” Department of Housing (DOH) Commissioner Evonne Klein said.  “I am pleased that once again, the state is receiving several grants to advance this work.  We have developed a proven system to quickly identify homeless families and individuals and rapidly house them.  I am proud that our state has been recognized by the federal government, increasing our allocation of Continuum of Care grants by well over $2 million this year.  It is because of Governor Malloy’s leadership, Connecticut is a nationally recognized leader in preventing and ending homelessness.”

“Our agency is grateful to be awarded this continued and new funding from HUD,” Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon said.  “This funding provides permanent supportive housing opportunities for Connecticut’s most vulnerable populations, those persons experiencing homelessness who are also diagnosed with a behavioral health disorder.  Connecticut’s state and local partners will use this funding to continue our collective work towards ending homelessness through the state.”

Included in the awards are brand new allocations totaling almost $2.7 million dollars that will allow Connecticut to build upon its existing infrastructure dedicated to ending homelessness.  This is the fourth year in a row that Connecticut has received new allocations under this funding round.

The awards from prior years allowed the state to add approximately 400 new units of permanent supportive housing dedicated towards ending chronic homelessness.  Additionally, Connecticut expects to add approximately 100 new units of permanent supportive housing with the assistance of this year’s grants.  These new allocations will allow the state to expand its existing resources, bringing Connecticut one step closer to effectively ending homelessness altogether.

Since 2011, DOH and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, have funded more than 22,000 units of housing, the vast majority of which are affordable to persons of low and moderate income.  In total, this represents a state investment of more than $1 billion, which is leveraged by more than $2.5 billion from the private sector and other sources.

Connecticut continues to experience a rapid decline in homelessness as a result of the investments made under the Malloy administration, in tandem with efforts to coordinate and target resources at the community level.  As a result, Connecticut’s work has earned national recognition.

In August 2015, the federal government certified Connecticut as the first state in the nation to have effectively ended chronic homelessness among veterans; in February 2016, Connecticut became one of only two states to have ended all veteran homelessness; and in January 2017, the Governor announced that Connecticut had matched all chronically homeless persons to housing.

 

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#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner James P. Redeker today released a full list of projects totaling $4.3 billion that are postponed indefinitely until new revenue is appropriated for the Special Transportation Fund (STF).  The Governor made clear that his administration will announce detailed proposals this month that, if adopted by the General Assembly, would bring the projects back online.

The STF finances the state’s transportation system, including the operating costs of the CTDOT and all of the services it provides.  Last month, Governor Malloy reiterated and increased his warnings on the solvency of the fund following the release of a report showing that without prompt action, the STF will be in deficit by fiscal year 2019, which begins July 1, 2018.

**Download the list of CTDOT projects now postponed indefinitely http://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Office-of-the-Governor/Press-Room/20180110-CTDOT-Projects-Postponed-Indefinitely.pdf?la=enhere  

Hundreds of projects across the state, such as critical improvements to the I-91/Route 15 interchange on the Charter Oak Bridge, the replacement of the Waterbury Mixmaster, and the widening of I-95 from Bridgeport to Stamford, are postponed indefinitely, or until resources are identified to allow projects to continue.  Even routine highway maintenance and transportation aid to cities and towns are seriously jeopardized.

“If Connecticut does not take the necessary action to allow us to restart these vital projects, not only will it put the state’s infrastructure into a further state of disrepair, it will hurt our economy,” Governor Malloy said.  “If we want to compete in the 21st century economy, we need a transportation system that works for people and businesses, and we need to invest in transit-oriented development to build the communities where people and businesses want to be.  I want to be very clear – this is preventable, but it requires immediate action.  The legislature must act this year to avoid potentially devastating setbacks to our transportation system.”

“This isn’t a problem that can be punted until future years.  Connecticut needs immediate action,” Commissioner Redeker said.  “As Governor Malloy noted last month, the solvency of the Special Transportation Fund is in doubt without new revenues.  In real terms, that means we need to postpone indefinitely important projects today.”

“The cupboard is bare.  Without a dedicated, stable stream of revenue to the Special Transportation Fund, our infrastructure will continue to rot and decay,” State Representative Tony Guerrera, co-chair of the legislature’s Transportation Committee, said.  “We sit at the precipice of a transportation tragedy that can be avoided by investing in roads and bridges.  We must act immediately in the 2018 legislative session and institute tolls or another revenue stream to avert the oncoming crisis.”

The Governor will be releasing his recommendations to ensure the solvency of the STF in advance of the 2018 legislative session.

 

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The WorkPlace is pleased to announce that the highly successful Platform to Employment (P2E) program is now accepting new applications from long-term unemployed workers across Connecticut. The program creates a pathway to employment for the long-term unemployed.  Last program year, P2E helped over 200 Connecticut residents find employment. Additionally, many more received career coaching and support services.

 

“Platform to Employment is the only project of its kind in the nation and in Connecticut it has shown strong results in placing participants in jobs,” said Joe Carbone, President and CEO of The WorkPlace.  “With this program we enable unemployed individuals to get back on track and dramatically improve participants’ likelihood of financial success and long-term stability.”

 

Job loss and long-term unemployment can wipe out retirement savings and cause hopes for a secure financial future to fade. The WorkPlace explored the challenges and life changing impacts of long-term unemployment.  We created P2E to help workers find good jobs in their communities and pave the way to a brighter and more secure future.

 

In the current economic environment it is clear employers are in a position to be very selective in hiring.  Those that are currently employed or recently unemployed have a significant advantage competing for employment. In response, P2E focuses on employment not training.

 

It offers a five week preparatory program which includes workshops on resume writing, interview preparation, self-marketing and other skills. It also provides businesses a risk-free opportunity to use local talent during a 4-week work experience program, financed by P2E.  By eliminating employer risk during the hiring process P2E breaks down a significant barrier to employment. 

 

“P2E is an incredible program, which equips the unemployed with the tools to go out and find meaningful employment with realistic salaries to rebuild their lives,” said Gerald Jones a recent program graduate. “P2E gives hope to many who are ready to give up and it strengthens our commitment to our state as well as paying the dividends of tax revenue, which just was not there before we got back into the work force.”

 

Those interested in applying for the next P2E program are encourage to visit www.platformtoemployment.com  and select the Connecticut application.

 

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Connecticut State Police Statewide Activity:
January 4, 2018 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Calls for service: 865
Accidents no injuries: 66
Accidents with injuries: 3
Fatalities: 0
DUI: 0
Motorist assists: 330

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#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced his decision to accept the State of Connecticut into the federal First Responder Network Authority plan to deliver a wireless broadband network to the state’s public safety community.  Known as FirstNet, the state-of-the-art technology will connect first responders to a highly secure, wireless broadband network and enhance communications during emergency and disaster response situations.

In order to inform his decision, Governor Malloy created a working group of subject matter experts and the state went through a competitive RFP process.  The Governor took the advisement of the working group and came to the conclusion that opting in would best serve the interests of the people of Connecticut.

“When disaster strikes, communication is critical to the safety of Connecticut residents,” Governor Malloy said.  “After careful analysis and consideration of the FirstNet proposal, it became clear that opting in was in the best interests of our state and our first responders.  This network will enhance communications for Connecticut’s first responders by providing priority access during disasters or emergencies.”

“Connecticut knows first-hand how important it is that our first responders and emergency management personnel are able to access real-time updates and information,” Lt. Nancy Governor Nancy Wyman said.  “This system will add to our communications capabilities and assist those front-line individuals so they can protect the public safety and their own.”

“I would like to thank Governor Malloy for opting into the FirstNet plan and providing Connecticut’s first responder community with this important communication tool,” Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Dora Schriro said.  “Every minute matters when lives are at stake and this dedicated network will provide reliable communications to our first responders.”

“Through a competitive process that involved broad representation, we believe that FirstNet will provide the critical capabilities that our first responders need today and a sustainable way to bring innovation to these important public servants for years to come,” Connecticut’s Chief Information Officer Mark Raymond said.

“We’re honored to bring FirstNet to Connecticut and help transform public safety communications within the state,” AT&T Connecticut President John Emra said.  “I’d like to thank Governor Malloy for his leadership and commitment to public safety.  His decision will not only usher in a new era of public safety for his state, but it will also give Connecticut’s first responders immediate access to the critical communications tools they need to keep themselves and those they serve safe.”

FirstNet is a product of the U.S. 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that a dedicated public safety interoperable, nationwide mobile broadband network be created to enable continued communication during a disaster or other large-scale event or emergency.  In order to fulfill its mandate, FirstNet put out an RFP for which AT&T was the successful bidder.  Under federal law, each state, including Connecticut, had to either opt into the FirstNet/AT&T system or opt out and build its own system.

 

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