Category: State News

GE Moving Governor Says Roads Are The Key For Businesses

UPDATE:
#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman today released the following statements regarding General Electric:

Governor Malloy said, “Today’s decision is a clear signal that Connecticut must continue to adapt to a changing business climate. Businesses care about transportation infrastructure, and we will continue to make new investments to create a more modern transportation future. Businesses care about talent, and we will continue our investments in our higher education system in order to connect them to the needs of high-tech employers. Businesses care about state government fostering new areas of innovation, and we will continue to invest in high-tech startups, small businesses, and major employers like United Technologies. And businesses care about how states budget, and now is the time to continue our bipartisan efforts to reform our budget, find new ways to pay our pensions, and create a more sustainable and predictable state budget.

“Taken as a whole, there is no denying that Connecticut has had more good days than days like today. Of course we are disappointed, and we know that many in Connecticut share that frustration. While GE’s headquarters may be leaving, I have been assured that the company will continue to have many employees working here in Connecticut. Equally important, GE will continue to work with and support many smaller businesses throughout our state.

“Over the past five years, Connecticut has partnered with 1,945 companies to create more than 19,900 new jobs and retain an additional 75,000 jobs. Now is the time to meet our challenges head on, work together, and find new innovative ways to meet them.”

Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said, “Improving our business climate has been priority one for this administration – and we’ve seen solid progress in job creation, built hubs for innovation, and strengthened our partnerships with the business community. Together, we’ve put residents back to work, brought new businesses to the state, and supported Connecticut companies in a way we never have before. Historic investments in housing, education, and transportation ensure that Connecticut is globally competitive place to work and live.”

2:00pm–Governor Malloy hold press release, admits General Electric is moving it headquarters from Fairfield to Boston along with its 800 employees but feels improved roads will increase jobs in Connecticut.

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Governor Malloy On State Of Union Address

Note: Governor Malloy was the only governor in the United States to be invited to the State of the Union Speech tonight.

HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy released the following statement this evening in response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address:

“Tonight, President Obama delivered a powerful message — we are at our strongest when we work together. When we put common sense and the best interests of people first, we thrive.

“I am proud to stand with the President tonight because our state has an amazing story to tell over the past several years. The things happening in Connecticut — our efforts to prevent gun violence, to raise the minimum wage, to be the first state to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 and pass paid sick days, to sweeping criminal justice reforms — are being recognized. We are acting when other states are not, and we are on the cutting edge of emerging policy trends. We have embraced much of President Obama’s agenda — and we have been successful as a result.

“The President showed tonight that we have accomplished much as a nation over the past seven years, and that the future looks even brighter as a result.

“It was an honor to be with the First Lady and President this evening. It was extraordinarily humbling, and I cannot thank them enough for the honor.”

State Police K9 Gets Body Armor

#MIDDLETOWN CT – January 8, 2016 – Connecticut State Police’s K-9 Asher will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vest is sponsored by
Wagging Tails Pet Sitting and Mobile Grooming of of Southington, CT and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Donated by Wagging Tails Pet Sitting & Mobile Grooming.” Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

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 nonprofit 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.

(Connecticut State Police Press Release)

State Website Fights Waste, Fraud and Abuse: Public’s Help Needed

The State of Connecticut has launched a website to help its efforts at fighting fraud, waste and abuse that cost state programs tens of millions of dollars each year.

“FightFraud.ct.gov” is a one-stop source to both (a) educate the public on what constitutes waste, fraud and abuse in government programs, and (b) make it easier for the public to report suspicious conduct.

The user-friendly website is an outgrowth of the state’s Interagency Fraud Taskforce. Governor Malloy created the Task Force in 2013 to coordinate efforts by 13 state agencies and strengthen the state’s ability to identify, investigate, prosecute and recover state funds.

An important part of the website provides ways for the public to report suspected wrongdoing in tax filings, health care, anti-trust violations, unfair competition, workers’ compensation and more.

Since November 2013 the state has identified and recovered tens of millions of dollars in funds from fraudulent practices in the multi-billion dollar Medicaid program, by enhancing the state’s False Claims Act and hiring a high-tech firm to help detect patterns of Medicaid fraud.

“The state has been making a major effort to crack down on fraud, waste and abuse,” said Ben Barnes, Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. “Agencies work with the Attorney General and Chief State’s Attorney to make sure we root out fraud and recover public funds. This website asks the people of Connecticut to join our fight. The public is our first and best defense against theft of state resources. Together, we can make sure our programs have the integrity they demand, while dedicating resources to people who really need them. This is a zero tolerance state when it comes to fraud.”

“My office works very closely with our agency and law enforcement partners to protect state programs, and the taxpayers who fund them, from fraud,” said Attorney General George Jepsen. “The public plays an important role in our work, and the state’s new Fight Fraud Web site offers helpful resources for individuals who believe they have information about fraudulent activity and want to join in the task force’s efforts to stop it.”

“The Division of Criminal Justice is committed to doing all that we can to assure that the limited resources available for programs that help people are spent as intended. We thank the Department of Social Services and the Office of the Attorney General for making our fraud detection programs a truly collaborative and successful effort,” said Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane.
(State Of Connecticut Press Release)

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Governor Backs President on Gun Presidential Orders. Do You?

#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today released the following statement in response to President Obama’s announcement that he will be taking a series of actions to reduce gun violence and make our communities safer:

“This is a commonsense issue – and one that demands action.  President Obama is doing just that.  We cannot sit back and let guns get into the hands of those who shouldn’t have them, and we cannot simply watch almost daily tragedy occur.  Too many loved ones have been lost, and too many families have been torn apart by gun violence.  That’s why President Obama deserves enormous praise for leading on this issue in Washington, just as we have in Connecticut.  It’s time to step up – and we deeply appreciate the smart, commonsense steps the White House announced today.  These actions will no doubt make a difference and make our communities safer.”

(State of Connecticut Press Release)

 

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Governor Attends President’s Gun Violence Prevention Announcement

 

#HARTFORD, CT – On Tuesday morning, Governor Dannel P. Malloy will visit the White House to attend an announcement by President Obama regarding efforts to reduce gun violence and make our communities safer.  Building on the significant steps that have already been taken over the past several years, the President will discuss a series of commonsense executive actions.  Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty will also attend the event.

(State of Connecticut Press Release)

 

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GOV. MALLOY ANNOUNCES CONNECTICUT’S MINIMUM WAGE WILL INCREASE ON JANUARY 1, 2016

Minimum Hourly Wage Will Increase to $9.60; Another Increase to $10.10 is Scheduled for 2017

 

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that as the result of a new law he signed last year, Connecticut’s minimum wage is scheduled to increase from the current rate of $9.15 an hour to $9.60 per hour onJanuary 1, 2016.  The change is the second in a series of three scheduled increases under the adopted legislation, which will ultimately see the state’s minimum wage increase to $10.10 on January 1, 2017.

 

“Nobody who works full-time should live in poverty.  We believe hardworking men and women, many of whom are supporting families, deserve fair wages,” Governor Malloy said.  “I am proud that Connecticut has been a leader in promoting a higher hourly wage.  It is a modest increase that will give working families a boost while also having stimulative economic effects.”

 

“Raising the wage is critical to bolstering economic stability, especially among households headed by women and minorities,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said.  “In Connecticut, more than 60 percent of the minimum wage workforce is made up of women.  This pay increase will help us narrow wage gaps, but it’s also part of broader efforts to ensure that full time workers can afford to work and live in Connecticut.”

 

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a July survey by the Small Business Majority shows that three out of five small business owners with employees support gradual increases in the minimum wage.  The survey reports that small business owners believe an increase will put more money in the pocket of low-wage workers, who will then spend that money on items such as housing and food, which will help stimulate the economy.

 

“An increase in the minimum wage makes economic sense because the result is more money in the hands of people who will spend it and invest in our local businesses,” Connecticut Department of Labor Commissioner Sharon M. Palmer said.  “Paying a higher wage helps companies retain skilled employees, and this translates to increased productivity, better customer service, and a stronger economy.”

 

Under Section 31-60 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Connecticut minimum wage rates for service employees, specifically restaurant and hotel staff, are determined by using a formula that takes tip deductions into account.  The rates can be found on the Connecticut Department Labor’s Web site at www.ct.gov/dol or by contacting the Labor Department’s Division of Wage and Workplace Standards at (860) 263-6790.

(State of Connecticut Press Release)

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Elected officials and Muslim Leaders to Meet

#Norwalk CT–Congressman Himes will be meeting with community members at the al Madany Islamic Center following afternoon prayers at the al Madany Islamic Center, Main Avenue Health Park, 346 Main Avenue Norwalk, Connecticut.   Following the conversation, there will be an open press conference to discuss the results of the conversation and to hear from a broad array of leaders about the areas of concern and positive steps that can be taken in Southwestern Connecticut to ensure the safety of all, especially from discrimination or hate-based attacks.

Attendees include – Congressman Jim Himes,  al Madany Islamic Center spokesman, Farhan Memon,  Muslim community leaders from Fairfield County

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim,  Stamford Mayor David Martin,  Norwalk Mayor Harry Riling,  State Senator Bob Duff,  State Representative Patricia Miller,  Stamford PD Chief Jonathan Fontneau, Bridgeport PD Chief Joe Gaudett and Norwalk PD Deputy Chief Ashley.

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