Category: State News

Governor To Host Town Hall Meetings

#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman today announced that in the coming weeks they will launch another series of town hall forums to discuss a wide variety of the state’s issues face-to-face with residents, with a particular focus on the budget.

 

The Governor and Lt. Governor have held several dozen of these types of public assemblies since first taking office in 2011, fielding hundreds of questions on any range of topics and allowing constituents to voice their concerns.  He is the only Governor is recent Connecticut history to hold these types of forums, starting a new tradition of directly speaking with the public that he believes was overdue.

 

As occurred in previous years, this town hall series will reach all sections of the state.  While some events may be about specific topics, others may be wide-ranging and all encompassing.  The budget is expected to be a central focus.

 

The governor also plans to conduct tele-town halls as well as appear on radio stations in a format conducive to taking questions from listeners.

 

“Engaging the public and discussing the issues directly is important.  We’ll be talking a lot about the future, and how state government can adapt to changing times,” Governor Malloy said.  “We all have the same goal – let’s help Connecticut achieve economic success, let’s ensure that residents receive the critical services they need, and let’s do what we can to make our communities stronger.  We plan on having a robust conversation about how we can make decisions that will best improve Connecticut.”

 

“Everyone has a voice in shaping our future.  While the Governor and I enjoy visiting communities throughout the state, these town hall meetings give us a chance to delve deeper into complex issues, answer questions from residents, and offer a direct connection to state programs and services,” Lt. Governor Wyman said.  “It’s an opportunity for us to spend time in a city or town and hear concerns, and for citizens to help inform the policy-making that happens in Hartford.  It’s one of the great benefits of democracy that we can talk directly to government leaders – I urge everyone to participate.”

 

Dates and locations for the series will be announced during the coming days and weeks as each of the events are scheduled.  It is anticipated that the forums will run throughout this year’s legislative session.

 

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CT Defense League At Arms Over Senator’s Dismantling of the Constitution

Comments from CCDL President Scott Wilson:

“Senators Blumenthal, Murphy and representative Esty are over-stepping their bounds with regards to their authority. Instead of concerning themselves with federal issues, they are using the Federal Government letterhead to harass a state level association (Connecticut Food Association). This is a bully tactic that is being deployed by legislators that in reality have little to say about Connecticut state laws. What the three of these people are doing has absolutely zero to do with state law anyway. Esty, Blumenthal and Murphy are actually trying to circumvent existing state law by forcing retailers into enacting a policy that dictates the manner in which law-abiding citizens can carry firearms.”

“As a 2nd Amendment rights organization, we wish to remind our two senators and representative that there are nearly 250,000 legal carriers of firearms in Connecticut. Their attempt to arm twist the Connecticut Food Association into imposing a policy on lawful gun owners is beyond their job description, and does nothing to enhance public safety. They should concentrate on fixing Washington, because it needs it”.

 

What are your thoughts?

State Investment in Housing

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that the State of Connecticut is making dramatic new investments in affordable housing across the state, with several projects anticipated to receive nearly $78 million in state bond funding in an effort to help towns and cities foster economic growth, create livable communities, and attract businesses.

 

The investments build on the already considerable expansion of quality, affordable housing the Governor has initiated over the past several years in communities statewide.  Since the beginning of the Malloy administration in 2011, the state has provided funding to build 17,897 housing units across Connecticut.  In just 2015 alone, the state made investments to help create, rehabilitate, and preserve 11,881 housing units statewide.

 

“This is all part of a massive, long-term revitalization strategy, which is why we’re doing more on housing than ever before.  It’s key to economic growth.  As we expand access to quality, affordable housing, we’re creating more livable communities and making ourselves more attractive to companies,” Governor Malloy said.  “The availability of affordable housing is an economic driver that attracts business and jobs, and makes communities more vibrant places to live, work, and raise a family.  If we want to have a quality workforce, and if we want to be economically competitive, it’s important to have quality housing.”

 

“In visiting these developments and many others in cities and towns throughout Connecticut, it is clear that these investments have a great benefit to our communities and the state as a whole,” Lt. Governor Wyman said.  “Ensuring that our labor force can live in the towns where they work and that we have an eye on the whole picture – transit, commerce, green space, and housing – makes Connecticut a stronger and more competitive state.”

 

“We’re making real progress across the state and building affordable housing at an unprecedented rate,” Department of Housing Commissioner Evonne M. Klein said.  “Governor Malloy has made housing creation a priority and these strategic investments are good for the residents of our state, good for the economy, and good for local business.  What we know is that when people have access to quality, safe, and affordable housing it’s a cost saver.  It provides stability to our states most needy who tend to cycle in and out of expensive public systems like emergency rooms and jails.”

The package of nearly $78 million in investments are scheduled to be approved at Friday’s meeting of the State Bond Commission, which is chaired by Governor Malloy.  The projects include:

 

Statewide

  • $17,150,000 to advance Connecticut’s goals to end homelessness, expand the stock of affordable housing statewide, and assist with accessibility home modifications for the elderly and people with disabilities.

Bridgeport

  • $675,000 grant-in-aid to Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County to assist with construction of nine single family homes to be sold to homebuyers at or below 80 percent of area median income in Bridgeport.
  • $5,000,000 loan to Block 912 JV, LLC to assist with redevelopment of the Jayson and Newfield buildings in Bridgeport.  The project will contain 104 mixed-income units with 27 affordable units. The loan will be provided at 0.5 percent for forty years with principal deferred.
  • $2,156,300 loan to Mutual Housing Association of Southwestern Connecticut, Inc., or another eligible applicant as such term is defined in Section 8-366m of the Connecticut General Statutes, to assist with rehabilitation of 32 units of rental housing at Maplewood Court Apartments in Bridgeport. The loan will be provided at one percent for forty years with payment due at maturity.

(State Police Press Release)

YOUR Personal Info Is Online From Voting Records

Your personal information from your voting information like your party affiliation, your phone number and address is online by PRIVATE websites like  http://connvoters.com.    Date of birth information is important information for identity theft.  Phone numbers are great for telemarketers.  Your home address is great for stalkers.   Even Connecticut Secretary of  State Denise Merrill, who is in charge of voting in the state is listed.

 

Is this legal?   The site says “The State of Connecticut provides this information to anybody who wants it.”  Connvoters.com continues “You do not own the information. It is public information. In a free country, anybody may freely communicate true facts lawfully obtained from a public record. Read on for the removal request option.”

 

There is a link to get your name removed, but to quote the page: “Any comments should be directed to — We do not honor removal requests sent via email and we do not check the emails often.”    Any politician, police officer, judge, anyone who is registered to vote has their information on this and other sites that solicit voter information. Even if you request your information to be taken down it is a request and there is no law requiring them or any other website that  harvests individuals information to take it down.

 

There are hundreds of websites that  harvest your information, like this list http://www.internetremoval.com/directory/. It has 267 pages with 150 listings per page, that is over 40,000 sites listed.  You will have to check each one to and request your information be removed.  That is if they are in the United States and will comply with your request and our laws.

 

Granted many of us divulge a lot of personal information on social media sites like Facebook.  But we don’t normally post our phone number or street address.   With sensitive information like your address, phone number and date of birth free for the taking, should our legislators work to make sensitive information like this harder to obtain?   Did you even know your information was going to be shared when you registered to vote?  At least on social media you have the Terms of Service that we usually click “I agree” without reading, but there was no warning that your information was going to be shared when you registered to vote!

New Connecticut Department of Labor

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he is appointing Scott Jackson of Hamden to serve as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL).  In addition, Kurt Westby of Middletown will serve as Deputy Commissioner of the agency.

 

“I’ve known both Scott and Kurt for a number of years.  I am confident that with their extraordinary qualities and skill-sets – they will work with the diverse group of stakeholders to move the Department of Labor forward,” Governor Malloy said.  “Scott is a friend and an exceptional public servant.  Kurt has spent his career trying to improve the lives of Connecticut residents.  I believe they both will work together successfully to ensure that the state’s workforce is successful while enabling and our business community to thrive.”

 

“Connecticut has had its best economic growth since 1990s, and the Department of Labor has been instrumental in that progress,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said.  “Scott’s expertise and leadership and Kurt’s expansive labor background will ensure this work continues.  I congratulate them both on their appointments – I know they are committed to building a strong and competitive state.”

 

Jackson currently serves as Under Secretary for Intergovernmental Policy with the state Office of Policy and Management (OPM).  Prior to that, he served as Mayor of Hamden from 2009 to 2015.

 

“It is truly an honor to be nominated for this critical position by Governor Malloy,” Jackson said.  “I look forward to sitting with the hardworking women and men of this great state to better understand how we can go even further to provide them assistance every day, how we can achieve excellence as a state agency, and how we can provide value for all of our stakeholders.  More than at any time in our history, we need to make sure that our workforce is well suite and fully prepared for the dynamic changes occurring every day in our economic landscape.”

In his position with OPM, Jackson has been responsible for collaborating on behalf of the state with civic, municipal, and industry leadership to determine and prioritize transformational neighborhood revitalization strategies through a range of issues areas such as quality affordable housing, development of community leadership and advocacy, workforce development, early childhood education and academic achievement initiatives, violence reduction, tax and labor policy analysis, and transportation corridor development.

 

Prior to being elected Mayor of Hamden, he served in a number of positions with the town, including as its Chief Administrative Officer, managed the Housing and Neighborhood Development agency, and served on the Community Development Advisory Commission.  He previously served as Project Manager and Technical Director for the Connecticut Policy and Economic Council, an entrepreneurial nonprofit dedicated to improving the delivery of government services.  He also served in a number of positions in the office of former Senator Joseph Lieberman.

 

Westby currently serves as a consultant to SEIU, where he manages staff and negotiations in Connecticut, as well as in Florida and New Orleans.  Previously, he has served as Vice President and a District Leader with SEIU Local 32BJ, and also served for 18 years as Vice President of the Connecticut AFL-CIO.

 

“I am honored to serve the Governor and residents of Connecticut as Deputy Commissioner and look forward to improving the lives of all working families,” Westby said.

 

Jackson will begin serving as Commissioner of CTDOL on Wednesday, February 3.  He will succeed Sharon Palmer, who retired from the position in December.  Westby will begin in the position of Deputy Commissioner on Monday, February 15.

New DMV Head

#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that Dennis Murphy, who currently serves as Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL), will serve as Acting Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) until the Governor makes a selection for a permanent Commissioner of the agency.

“Dennis is exceptionally smart, driven, and capable. He has the management abilities to lead the agency until we find the right person to fill this important role on a permanent basis. He has been an outstanding public servant, and I thank him for taking on this job,” Governor Malloy said.

“I’m proud of my five years of service at the Department of Labor. We have led the nation in programs such as Step-Up, which gets people back to work, programs to ensure the integrity of the unemployment system to reduce fraud, and expanding our capacity and effectiveness to ensure that people who work get paid what they deserve. I want to thank the highly talented and dedicated staff at all levels for their hard work and steadfast focus on the customer,” Murphy said. “In my short assignment at the DMV, I hope to provide the Governor and the next DMV Commissioner opportunities and pathways forward in that agency for continuous improvement.”

Prior to joining at CTDOL in January 2011, Murphy served as a Neutral Labor Arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association, and was also Director of Human Resources for the City of Stamford. He has also served as Director of Labor Relations and Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Bridgeport. With more than 30 years of experience in the labor employment field, he has represented both unions and management, including the National Association of Government Employees and the International Brotherhood of Police Officers. He is a graduate of Fairfield University and Boston University School of Law.

Murphy will begin the position at the DMV on Friday, February 12.

(State of Connecticut Press Release)

GOV. MALLOY UPDATE ON SNOW CONDITIONS

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy this afternoon released the following statement regarding snow conditions in the state:

“We are closely monitoring storm conditions, which vary greatly from area to area. Right now, southwestern Connecticut and towns along the shoreline are seeing the most accumliation, with travel along the I-95 corridor and the Merritt experiencing low visibility. I am encouraging those in the southern part of our state to remain off the roads if possible.

“The Department of Transportation currently has 543 plow trucks deployed, focused on the Fairfield county and shoreline areas. My office and I are in continuous communication with agency leadership and we continue to get real-time updates. With disparities in the weather and different areas seeing different conditions, I am encouraging everyone to stay safe and use their judgment. Drivers in those communities most impacted by the weather conditions are urged to avoid unnecessary travel at this time. We will continue to provide updates as needed. There are no requests for state assistance at this time, but our agencies stand ready to help when and where needed.”

 

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Updated Snow Map

 

A move North… just as we thought all along!!

As you can see we have posted a updated snow map.. It is not that far off from our first call map from the other day. We felt all along this storm was going to move back North. Does it have a chance to move south again?? Yes but we are sticking to our guns. The only real change was for the NW Hills.. you might be left out of this storm but on the other hand a slight move more to the north and you are back in the game!

This is going to be a coastal snow storm and we just dont just mean snow we are talking very gusty winds and tidal flooding too. Lets be thankful the winds will be coming from the North East and not the South East because then we would have some grave concerns for major flooding.

Time line… Snow starts along the coast Saturday morning around the 6am to 9am time frame, Hartford around 11am or so. This looks to last into the morning on Sunday.

We will post a final snow map later tonight….

Please follow us on Facebook for more up to date posts.  Valley Shore Weatherdogs

GOV. MALLOY: CONNECTICUT SCHOOLS REACHING NEW MILESTONES

#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today joined Connecticut State Department of Education (SDE) Commissioner Dianna R. Wentzell to highlight the milestones the state has reached over the last several years.

 

Among the accomplishments and milestones highlighted Tuesday are:

 

  • Connecticut’s graduation rate is steadily rising – up 5.2 points since 2010 to 87 percent, which is higher than national average of 82 percent.  Even more encouraging are the closing of the graduation gaps Connecticut has seen with more minority students and students with disabilities graduating in four years than ever before.
  • Connecticut students continue to be among top readers in the nation, according to NAEP results.
  • In 2015, almost 27,000 students, a 5.7% increase over 2014 – took 48,559 AP tests.
    • Traditionally under-represented students posted gains in participation: 5.7% more black students took an AP exam; 3.7% more Hispanic students took an AP exam over 2014.
  • From the 2009-10 school year to the 2013-14 school year, the total number of suspensions and expulsions in Connecticut has reduced by 17 percent.
  • Expansion of the School-Based Diversion Initiative, which is having a real impact on keeping students engaged in school and diverting more students from the juvenile justice system.
  • Since 2011, state funding to the Department of Education increased 24%, or over half a billion dollars ($595,485,244).
    • ECS grants – the main education funding mechanism to municipalities – is up $173.2 million.
  • To date, we have invested over $45 million dollars to support districts, schools and teachers transition to the more rigorous college- and career-ready standards.
  • Getting ready to launch new school accountability system that focused on student growth, as opposed to a snapshot in time of how a student is performing. The new system also takes a more holistic approach to evaluating schools by incorporating non-academic measures like chronic absenteeism, access to arts education and physical fitness.
  • This past fall, Governor Malloy announced that the SAT will replace the Smarter Balanced test for 11th graders, thus reducing over testing at the high school level and giving all students a chance to take this critical college entrance exam for free.

 

“We are reaching new heights and making significant progress in our schools, and it’s all geared towards building a brighter future for our state,” Governor Malloy said.  “The successes we achieve today in our classrooms are critical to the future Connecticut tomorrow.  The work our administrators, principals, teachers, parents and students is so important.”

“With a soaring graduation rate and students who are among the top readers in the nation, Connecticut is leading the way on collaborative efforts to transform schools and give all children access to a top-quality education that prepares them for success in college, career and life,” Commissioner Wentzell said.  “Governor Malloy is transforming futures for thousands of Connecticut students and at the same time creating a path to a brighter, more prosperous future for Connecticut.”

Since 2011, hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested into Connecticut schools, an increased investment tied to greater accountability through programs such as the Alliance District and Commissioner’s Network, which require districts and schools to submit plans for approval detailing how the investments will improve outcomes for their students. The Alliance Districts represent the 30 lowest performing districts in Connecticut, and have received millions of dollars in additional state investments, totaling over $250 million since the program began.

The Commissioner’s Network awards grants to schools that engage in intensive turnaround processes at the school level.  These schools receive additional funding by partnering with the State Department of Education to create and implement meaningful turnaround plans that are approved by a turnaround committee including parents and teachers.

Governor Malloy and Commissioner Wentzell visited Bloomfield High School to celebrate a school that exemplifies the kind of school turnaround and improvement that is changing lives and futures for children in Connecticut. Designated a turnaround school under Connecticut’s Accountability System, Bloomfield High School with support from the Connecticut State Department of Education designed and implemented a strategic improvement plan that resulted in dramatically improved graduation rate and student performance. Bloomfield Public Schools also participates in the Alliance District program, which provides increased support and accountability for the 30 lowest performing districts in Connecticut.

In highlighting Bloomfield High School for exiting turnaround status, statewide education leaders noted that Bloomfield has seen an increase in the four-year graduation rate from 74 percent in 2011 to 90 percent in 2014. The school also has demonstrated increased SAT scores and students at the school earned higher scores on the 2015 Smarter Balanced assessment in English language arts than the state average.

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