State News – Page 90 – DoingItLocal

GOV. MALLOY REMINDS THOSE IN CONNECTICUT: IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING

“My experience with listening to the scanners is this is code for saying “He doesn’t look like he belongs in our neighborhood” Steve Krauchick–DoingItLocal.com

#HARTFORD, CT – In the wake of the terror attacks in Brussels, Governor Dannel P. Malloy today is reminding those in Connecticut to be aware of their surroundings and if they see something suspicious, say something by contacting authorities.

“Keeping our citizens safe is our number one priority, and the public’s vigilance is critical to keeping authorities informed and protecting Connecticut from potential threats,” Governor Malloy said. “There are currently no credible threats to the United States or Connecticut, but we cannot be complacent. Please be aware of your surroundings at all times and report any suspicious activity immediately to the proper authorities.”

People who see something out of the ordinary should call the state’s 24-hour Homeland Security Tip Line at 1-866-HLS-TIPS (1-866-457-8477). If immediate attention is necessary, people should call 9-1-1 and inform the operator about what they saw and what struck them as concerning.

(State of Connecticut Press Release)

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Senator Proposes Bill To Fairfield Seniors

#Fairfield CT– U.S. Senator Chris Murphy was at the Bigelow Center for Senior Activities Tuesday to explain a bill he is proposing for credit for care givers to seniors. The hours worked by the care givers, even if it is full time care and they are not working for pay will be eligible for social security credit. He said the bill would be retroactive for hours already provided.

Senator Murphy Still Welcomes Syrian Refugees

Senator Murphy was at the Bigelow Senior Center in Fairfield today to discuss a proposed bill for care providers of senior citizens.

“My question was that senior citizens received no cost of living pay raise on social security yet he favors spending millions of dollars on bringing tens of thousands of Syrian refugees into America, in light of the attack in Brussels today, is that still a good idea”?

He said he’d be happy to talk to me about it later. Afterwards he answered questions to a radio station reporter but when I was about follow up my question his aide whisked him away. Here is his brief response to me and the audience-

Finch’s Spokesman Now Speaking For Hartford

Mayor Luke Bronin today announced that Brett Broesder has been named Director of Communications and New Media for the City of Hartford, Conn. In this role, Broesder will serve as the primary media contact and spokesperson for the capital city. He is replacing Samaia Hernandez, who is pursuing new opportunities.

“I’m thrilled to have Brett on our team,” said Mayor Bronin. “With his wide-ranging experience in communications and policy, he is sure to be an asset to Hartford as we right our fiscal ship and move the city toward a more prosperous future.”

Broesder joins the City of Hartford with more than a decade of communications experience. Most recently, he served as the communications director for the City of Bridgeport, Conn.

Previously, Broesder served in a vast array of senior level communications roles, including: direct mail consultant for The Baughman Company; Communications Director for the Montana Democratic Party; media relations specialist for global communications firm Hill & Knowlton, as well as Ketchum; Policy and Legislative Director for Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin; and Campaign Manager for Peter Kilmartin’s successful Rhode Island Attorney General Campaign in 2010. Broesder holds a B.A. in political science from Rhode Island College.

“I’m honored to join Mayor Bronin and his team,” said Broesder. “It’s an exciting time in the state’s capital city. I look forward to working with folks across the city to share Hartford’s story.”

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New Leadership For DMV

#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he has selected a new leadership team to operate the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Michael R. Bzdyra of Wallingford has been appointed to serve as Commissioner of the agency and Judeen Wrinn of Middletown has been named Deputy Commissioner.

“For the last three or four decades, people talked about making modernization upgrades to Connecticut’s DMV only to put it off. Now we’re actually doing it. Transitions in an agency of this size and importance are challenging. We’re moving from an antiquated, outdated system into one takes advantage of today’s modern technologies. Because of the challenge, many put off the hard decisions. We didn’t,” Governor Malloy said. “I am pleased to announce a new leadership team at the agency, one that I feel will help ensure both a smooth transition and out-of-the-box thinking. Our focus must be on improving customer service and becoming more efficient, and I believe this new team will combine private sector thinking with familiarity of day-to-day operations of the agency. I thank them for accepting these responsibilities and look forward to working with them as we continue moving towards improving the DMV for residents.”

Bzdyra has served at the DMV since 2011, where he currently holds the position of Deputy Commissioner. Prior to that, he worked for thirteen years with the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority as a government relations liaison and senior analyst, responsible for directing, planning and implementing the organization’s governmental, legislative, and regulatory activities.

Wrinn most recently worked for Voya Financial, Inc. as the company’s Chief Operations Officer for Retirement Business, where she oversaw approximately 1,500 employees and helped institute LEAN methodologies that in 2013 and 2014 delivered the company $18.8 million in earnings and $6.1 million in other benefits. From 2001 to 2013 she worked at ING in a variety of capacities including as Chief Operations Officer for Retirement Business, Chief of Staff to the CEO of Retirement Business, Vice President of Client Relationship Management, and Chief of Staff to the Investment Officer. She also worked at Aetna from 1978 to 2011, originally joining the company as a front-line customer service representative and eventually becoming Chief of Staff to the CEO of Aetna’s Retirement’s domestic business.

“We must change DMV to be more customer focused,” Bzdyra said. “Our combination will help create a smooth transition to the path of change and out-of-the-box thinking for creative and innovative solutions. We know that is what our customers want and deserve.”

“My commitment as we review our systems and processes is to make certain that we identify and address any underlying systemic issues. This agency is far too important for Band-Aid solutions,” Wrinn said. “We must put the customer first – they are our neighbors and fellow residents. I am thrilled to utilize my private sector experience to help ensure that DMV services are delivered at a quality level that the citizens of Connecticut deserve to receive.”

Dennis Murphy has been temporarily serving in the role of Acting Commissioner of DMV since February while a search for a permanent Commissioner was being conducted. Immediately prior to that, he had been serving as Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor since 2011. The Governor intends to appoint him to serve as a member of the State Board of Mediation and Arbitration.

“I have been proud to help manage the DMV and work alongside so many hard working dedicated professionals. I am convinced that Mike Bzdyra has the precise skillset and deep history with the agency to lead it to a highly effective, customer-centric posture,” Murphy said. “I am also thrilled to continue my state service at the Board of Mediation and Arbitration as a neutral labor arbitrator, my professional home.”

Both Bzdyra and Wrinn will begin their new roles at the DMV effective Friday, March 18, 2016.

(State of Connecticut Press Release)

Governor Orders $65 Million In Cuts

#Hartford Connecticut–Governor Malloy has ordered more than $65 million in state budget cuts, here is the list of those cuts:

Rescissions – Effective April 1, 2016

Agency and Appropriation

Agricultural Experiment Station 330,539

10010 – Personal Services 273,339

10020 – Other Expenses 56,700

10050 – Equipment 500

Attorney General 1,153,812

10010 – Personal Services 1,100,694

10020 – Other Expenses 53,118

Board of Regents for Higher Education 1,892,651

12531 – Charter Oak State College 27,333

12533 – Connecticut State University 1,637,281

12534 – Board of Regents 5,660

12578 – Transform CSCU 222,377

Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities 258,777

10010 – Personal Services 240,000

10020 – Other Expenses 18,462

12027 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission 315

Council on Environmental Quality 6,089

Continue reading Governor Orders $65 Million In Cuts

Governor Signs Transparency In Hospital Industry

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced that – in light of the evolving healthcare industry and continuing changes in market conditions – he has signed an executive order that will begin an extensive review of Connecticut’s laws and regulations surrounding processes on the establishment, termination, transfer, acquisition, and expansion of hospitals and medical service providers.

The review is intended to ensure that consumers in Connecticut continue to receive equitable access to health care that encourages transparency and competition, provides accessible and affordable health care delivery, contributes to economic development, and promotes community benefits.

“We’ve been taking a piecemeal look at the Certificate of Need process for several years. It’s time for comprehensive reform,” Governor Malloy said. “With continuing changes in the healthcare industry, it is critical that our state laws ensure that all hospitals continue to thrive, and that the deck is not stacked in favor of fewer than a handful that dominate the marketplace. We need balance. Fewer healthcare systems mean fewer choices for consumers, and that can dramatically affect both the quality of care and costs. It’s time we take a holistic look at the acquisition process.”

“Of critical importance to our residents is access to high quality, affordable medical care. Connecticut is recognized as a national leader in our rollout of the Affordable Care Act – more than 700,000 residents have enrolled in health insurance through Access Health CT. Just as we work to bolster healthcare coverage and push down our uninsured rate, we must ensure providers are accessible and treatment is affordable,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said. “I am honored to chair the Governor’s task force.”

The Certificate of Need (CON) process, overseen by separate processes within the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Office of Health Care Access (OHCA) and the Department of Social Services (DSS), currently is intended to regulate the ability of hospitals, nursing homes, certain physician groups, and other healthcare facilities seeking to establish new facilities or provide new services, change ownership, purchase and acquire equipment, and terminate certain services.

The executive order calls for the creation of the Certificate of Need Taskforce that will help ensure a fair, open market conditions in the healthcare industry. The Taskforce will undertake a review and analysis of the scope, existing authority, and structure of the current agencies, and will determine changes that can be made to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with state and federal health care reform efforts. They will also identify any challenges and gaps in the state’s efforts to regulate health care services and facilities, with the aim of promoting affordability, equitable access, and high quality care.

In order to provide necessary time for a fair and thorough evaluation of the CON process, the order directs DPH to not make any final decisions on certain hospital acquisition and conversion applications – including those previously received and under review – until January 15, 2017, insofar as permitted by law.

Membership on the Certificate of Need Taskforce will include:

Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman (Chair)
Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management
Commissioner of Public Health
Commissioner of Social Services
Two members representing acute care hospitals, one in a city with greater than 80,000 residents and one in a municipality with less than 80,000 residents, currently regulated by the CON process
One member that represents physician practice groups
One member that represents a nursing home
One member that represents a free standing out-patient provider of health care services not currently affiliated with a hospital system of physician practice group
One member that represents a qualified health plan sold through the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange
One member that represents the health care insurance industry
Two members that represent health care labor interests
One member with expertise and knowledge in the field of health economics
One member that represents consumer interests
Two members that represent entities currently regulated by the CON process, to be appointed by the Commissioner of Public Health

Under the order, the group will be responsible for submitting its recommendations no later than December 1, 2016.

(State of Connecticut Press Release)

Don’t Drink and Gun

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy applauded the unanimous, bipartisan approval in the General Assembly’s Public Safety and Security Committee of legislation he introduced that strengthens the blood alcohol limits for carrying a firearm as well as for hunting while under the influence.

Under current state laws, the blood alcohol limit for both offenses is 0.1. However, the limits for drunk driving and drunk boating are 0.08. Governor Malloy’s proposal conforms all of these laws to 0.08.

“If you are too drunk to drive, you are too drunk to carry a firearm – plain and simple. Our laws should reflect that. The unanimous, bipartisan support of the Public Safety Committee shows that this proposal just makes sense. Guns and alcohol do not mix,” Governor Malloy said. “I’d like to thank the committee’s co-chairs Senator Tim Larson and Representative Stephen Dargan, its Republican leaders Senator Tony Guglielmo and Representative Lezlye Zupkus, and the rest of the bipartisan group of legislators who serve on this committee for showing that when it comes to firearm safety, we can all agree that commonsense laws are necessary.”(State of Connecticut press release)

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Connecticut State Police’s K9 Asher Received a Bullet and Stab Protective Vest

#MIDDLETOWN CT – March 8, 2016) – Connecticut State Police’s K9 Asher has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vest was sponsored by Wagging Tails Pet Sitting & Mobile Grooming of Southington and is embroidered with the sentiment “Donated by Wagging Tails Pet Sitting & Mobile Grooming.”

K9 Asher has been assigned to Trooper First Class Jessica Colburn for two years and is currently working at Troop A in Southbury. K9 Asher is a three-year-year-old German Shepard who is trained in all patrol functions including tracking, building searches, evidence recovery, apprehension, obstacles and obedience. K9 Asher is also a Human Remains Detection Dog on the Search and Rescue Team.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA., whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four -legged K9 partners. Through private and corporate donations, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., has provided more than 1,700 protective vests in 49 states at a cost of more than $1.6 million. All vests are custom made in the USA by Armor Express in Central Lake, MI.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate. The suggested donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $1,050. Each vest has an average weight of 4-5 pounds and has a value between $1,795 – $2,234 and a five-year warranty. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.

Flags At Half Staff In Honor of First Lady Nancy Reagan

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that – in accordance with a proclamation from President Barack Obama directing flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of First Lady Nancy Reagan – U.S. and state flags in Connecticut will fly at half-staff beginning immediately until sunset on the day of interment.

(State of Connecticut Press Release)

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