The Connecticut Citizens Defense League is speaking out against Governor Malloy’s executive order seizing firearms and denying purchases to individuals who are on Federal Government “lists”.
Comment from CCDL President Scott Wilson:
“Governor Malloy is planning to take what is in our view unconstitutional executive action that would prohibit firearms purchases and seize firearms of individuals who have not been indicted or convicted for any crime. While we are all concerned about terrorism, this approach is very un-American and shameful”.
Wilson Added:
“Governor Malloy has gone even further into the deep end than ever before. His planning on denying purchases and likely seizing firearms of individuals are on a list that have not been charged or convicted of any wrongdoing is antithetical to every value that this country was founded on. There are millions of people on these lists, many who are not criminals or terrorists, and do not belong on it”.
“Seizing firearms from individuals would be a clear violation of ‘due process’ under the 14th amendment of our constitution, and i have a hard time envisioning a judge appointed by the state of Connecticut who would issue a warrant that to search and seize when the federal Government has not even done so in a wide-spread manner. Even the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has recognized that these lists are inaccurate, unconstitutional, and unfairly target Muslims and people of color Since the governor does not have access to these federal “lists”, my hope at this point is the feds will analyze Governor Malloy’s intent and decline access. This is very scary to think that police will be showing up to houses to seize firearms from people that may have done nothing wrong. It spells serious trouble”.
“The governor of Connecticut has pushed the envelope to beyond extreme by treating citizens of the United States in this manner. I hope people realize that this pattern of abuse is how totalitarian governments operate”.
Wilson Finished:
“CCDL will not rule out any legal course of action to halt this imminent Executive Action”
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced his intention to sign a first-in-the-nation executive order that will allow firearm permits to be denied to those on the government watchlists. The Connecticut State Police already performs background checks on those seeking permits to purchase guns in Connecticut, based on Governor Malloy’s 2013 gun violence prevention legislation, one of the smartest laws in the nation. Pending federal approval, Governor intends to sign an Executive Order mandating that Connecticut State Police be required to cross-reference the names of those who wish to obtain a permit to own a firearm with the government watchlists. Those with existing permits who are found to be on those watchlist would have their permits revoked, and if a new match is found, the permit would be denied and the purchaser would be unable to purchase handguns, shotguns, rifles and ammunition. Assault weapons are already outlawed in Connecticut.
The Governor is working directly with federal officials to use government watchlists for this purpose and, upon approval, will sign the Executive Order. He urged the U.S. Congress and other states to take action with similar commonsense steps. The Governor will work with the federal government to determine the specific lists – be it the “no-fly” list, terrorism watchlist, or some combination – used in this regard.
“Like all Americans, I have been horrified by the recent terrorist attacks in San Bernardino and Paris. They have been and should be a wake-up call to our nation. I am taking this commonsense step with this executive order simply because it’s the right thing to do. It’s the smart thing to do. If you can’t fly without clearing government watchlists, you shouldn’t be able to buy a gun. Why anyone would stand idly by and knowingly allow those on government watchlists to purchase guns is truly unbelievable. Since Congress so far has failed to act, we will,” Governor Malloy said. “I have been working directly with federal officials and we are working to use the watchlists for these purposes. It is my responsibility as the Governor of Connecticut to protect the citizens of our state from threats. We’re working to do just that. Connecticut’s delegation has been outspoken about these issues, and Congress must act and pass the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015. In the interim, other states should follow Connecticut’s lead. We should all use this moment to act.”
Between 2004 and 2014, FBI data shows that people on terrorism watch lists tried to purchase firearms and explosives 2,233 times. They succeeded in more than 90 percent of those cases, or 2,043 times.
Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman said, “Connecticut has stood as a national model, demonstrating that common-sense anti-violence initiatives can both respect the rights of responsible gun owners while protecting the public health and safety. I am proud to stand with Governor Malloy to make Connecticut a first-in-the-nation state to adopt fundamental protections that will keep our residents and our neighborhoods safer.”
Among the many provisions in Governor Malloy’s 2013 gun safety legislation, the law outlaws the sale and possession of assault weapons and large capacity magazines and requires a clean record, safety training and a permit to buy rifles, shotguns and ammunition, whether from a gun store or private sale. Additionally, background checks and training are required for the purchase of all categories of guns.
#Bridgeport CT–Today, Governor Malloy said that Connecticut will continue to accept more than 1,600 refugees from Syria. Arizona, Texas, Michigan and Alabama and President Obama’s home state of Illinois is suspending the refugee resettlement. The reason is that it is reported that some of the attackers in France came through Greece as a refugee.
The International Institute Of Connecticut (IICONN) located at 670 Clinton Avenue in Bridgeport has been listed as a group accepting the refugess according to the US Refugee Public Affiliate Directory (see http://www.scribd.com/doc/280725813/US-Refugee-Public-Affiliate-Directory). Catholic Charities of Hartford and the International Refugee and Immigrant Services in New Haven will be slated to process the refugees according to the list for Connecticut.
According to IICONN’s September newsletter: “The U.S. remains the single-largest donor of humanitarian aid for those affected by the Syria crisis, having put over $4 billion toward humanitarian assistance since the start of the conflict in March 2011. The U.S. has not, however, admitted many refugees since the war began. Mark Toner (deputy spokesman for the State Department) said in an interview on PRI’s The World, that 1,500 to 1,800 Syrian refugees will have been admitted to the U.S. by the end of October. Last week, U.S. aid groups and at least 14 senators called on the U.S. government to take in at least 75,000 Syrian refugees in 2016.”
NFL: Press Release: The safety of our fans, stadium personnel, and teams at all NFL games is our priority, and security at our games is robust. Our procedures have been certified and designated by the Department of Homeland Security since 2008 as effective anti-terrorism technology. All NFL clubs use mandatory metal detector screening and multiple layers of perimeter security external to the stadium to safeguard fans and the stadium from explosive threats.
Following the events in Paris on Friday, we are closely monitoring events and have been in communication with the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, which have informed us that there are no known threats against NFL stadiums.
In addition to our standard procedures described above, there will be an increased security and law enforcement presence both inside and outside stadiums in the parking lots of our stadiums this weekend. We have been in contact with clubs hosting games to reinforce our standard procedures and the league’s best practices.
We strongly recommend that fans do not bring bags with them to the stadium. If it is essential to bring a bag, it must be in compliance with the clear bag policy which requires that it be made of clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12.” It is important that all fans comply with these requirements, and we appreciate their efforts to cooperate with these security measures.
The NFL and team security departments work closely with stadium operation personnel and federal, state, and local law enforcement to provide a safe experience for the more than 17 million fans who annually attend NFL games. The NFL and its teams continually evaluate and improve our comprehensive security plan.
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, and the Connecticut State Veterans Memorial Board of Directors today joined Congressman John Larson, Connecticut Military Department Adjutant General Thaddeus Martin, Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs Commissioner Sean Connolly, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary for Policy and Planning Linda Schwartz to officially commemorate the opening of the Connecticut State Veterans Memorial.
Located inside of Minuteman Park at the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Broad Street in Hartford – directly in front of the William A. O’Neill State Armory – the memorial pays tribute to the more than 1.3 million men and women from Connecticut who served honorably in the U.S. military in defense of our freedom. It recognizes past, present, and future Connecticut veterans and will serve as a site for official observances, activities, and ceremonies that honor veterans.
“The Connecticut State Veterans Memorial serves as an enduring tribute to the high regard that we hold for the more than 1.3 million Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen from Connecticut who have served our state and our nation since the Revolutionary War,” Governor Malloy said. “Our state has a deep military history, and over 200,000 veterans continue to call Connecticut home today. The opening of this memorial in our capitol city will provide all of us with a special place to honor those who have served, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and those who continue their courageous work around the world today.”
“So many people have worked tirelessly to get this tribute completed – a place to gather, remember, and reflect on the millions of Connecticut residents who helped build and protect this great nation,” Lt. Governor Wyman said. “This memorial tells a story about our country and the men and women throughout history who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe. We are grateful to our veterans, and thank the committee for establishing this memorial.”
The memorial features pillars representing the five branches of the military, large stones reflecting U.S. wars and conflicts, and smaller pavers engraved with the names of Connecticut veterans.
“Our veterans have served bravely and sacrificed much for the sake of our freedoms,” Congressman John Larson said. “I commend the Connecticut Veterans State Memorial Committee for their tireless work on this tribute. We owe our veterans much, and I am proud to see their heroism recognized today.”
“This is an historic occasion which also marks the culmination of a long journey from 2007 to this event,” Assistant Secretary Schwartz said. “Many citizens and veterans contributed time, resources, finances, and talents to bring this memorial to life. Hours upon hours of an ‘all-volunteer’ force are precious gifts brought to bear in honoring the men and women of our state who answered the call to protect and defend freedom. Our hope is that for generations to come, Connecticut will always have this memorial to honor our veterans.”
“Several years ago, a small group of dedicated Connecticut veterans and volunteers were given the mission to establish a statewide memorial to honor our veterans, from the past, the present, and future,” Connecticut Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Lesbia Nieves, who serves as Co-President of the Connecticut State Veterans Memorial Board of Directors, said. “Today, we are proud to introduce Connecticut residents to this special place where veterans can gather and we can honor all who have served our country.”
“It is especially gratifying that so many veterans organizations and families of veterans stepped forward and helped to support the construction of this project,” Sergeant Peter Galgano Jr., Co-President of the Connecticut State Veterans Memorial Board of Directors, said. “This is particularly evident in the hundreds of personalized granite pavers placed at this site, permanently remembering Connecticut servicemen and women forever.”
Commissioner Connolly said, “Our great State of Connecticut has a long standing tradition of serving those who have served. Benjamin Fitch of Darien established the first home in the entire country dedicated to veterans in 1864. That tradition of appreciation and gratitude for our military men and women continues today as we officially open the Connecticut State Veterans Memorial with the incredible efforts put forth by the committee to see this to fruition.”
Major General Thad Martin, Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard, said, “To be able to look across the street from our headquarters and see a memorial dedicated to the sacrifices made by Connecticut’s veterans is a lasting reminder of why we serve today. The hard work it took to make this memorial possible goes to show just how much Connecticut’s citizens care about those who answered their nation’s call.”
The construction of the memorial was supported by $614,500 in state bonding and by private donations from companies, foundations, and individuals. Engraved pavers for the memorial may still be ordered. Additional information is available atwww.cthonorsvets.org
Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced a series of historic preservation initiatives that will strengthen the state’s commitment to prepare and respond to disasters and protect historic sites along Connecticut’s shoreline.
Projects include items such as surveys of historic neighborhoods, the development of a mobile app for owners of historic homes, among other steps designed to support the four coastal counties of Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London.
“This funding will help us respond quickly and strategically should we face another devastating event,” Governor Malloy said. “Connecticut is committed to safeguarding the state’s unique cultural heritage even as it addresses the coastal resiliency challenges of the 21st century. These are important, preparatory steps forward, and we’re pleased these federal dollars can be used to help so many areas along the coastline.”
“Connecticut stands to gain from these innovative projects in many ways,” DECD Commissioner Catherine Smith said. “State agencies and municipalities will be better prepared to respond to future disasters, more properties will be eligible for disaster relief funding, and perhaps most importantly, resiliency efforts can be targeted wisely, ensuring historic assets will stand for generations to come and tell the story of Connecticut’s history.”
The program is administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), in partnership with the National Park Service. Following damage the state experienced from Super Storm Sandy, Congress awarded Connecticut $8,014,769 for disaster relief projects in the coastal counties. Funds were granted to SHPO through the Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund.
SHPO initially developed the Disaster Relief Assistance Grant program to fund repair and restoration of historic properties affected by Sandy. Phase 2 of the program focuses on the identification of vulnerable historic resources and resiliency planning to speed future disaster recovery efforts.
The Phase 2 projects, totaling $4.1 million, include:
#WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4), member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement on President Obama’s announcement of the deployment of American troops to Syria:
“President Obama’s decision to put approximately 50 American troops on the ground in Syria is troubling. We continue, without obvious success or strategy, to fight on both sides of a messy, Middle Eastern civil war. In any event, the commitment of American soldiers into combat requires an Authorization for the Use of Military Force from Congress, which has not been passed.
“Escalating the violence in the region will worsen the refugee crisis and complicate a picture that already involves Syrian troops loyal to Assad, rebel fighters, ISIL, Russia, Iran, Turkey and Kurdish forces, many working at cross-purposes. Instead, we should be moving toward a diplomatic solution through international negotiations by all of the nations with interests in the region. I have introduced a resolution in Congress calling on the Administration to do just that, and written a letter to the President with 54 other members of Congress urging the same. I hope the President will respond by focusing on diplomacy.”
#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he is calling for bipartisan meetings on the state budget, with the aim of addressing the short-term budget shortfall while also improving Connecticut’s long-term budget outlook and economic competitiveness. With Wall Street on a significant, unpredicted downturn, further tough decisions need to be made. As such, the Governor is inviting leaders of both parties into bipartisan talks that – if successful – could lead to a special session on the budget later this year.
The Governor announced that next week he will lay out his principles for addressing our budgetary needs in the short-term and beyond. That means setting priorities and making smart, pragmatic decisions about spending cuts now, so that Connecticut continues to live within its means and keeps its current budget in balance. It also means incorporating common-sense solutions to help state employers grow jobs, which will help keep our economy – and our state budget – on solid ground in the years ahead.
The Governor encouraged leaders of both parties to develop their own realistic and concrete proposals in order to be part of the solution.
“We’ve heard the calls and seen the press releases,” Governor Malloy said. “Now, we’ll have an opportunity for all of us to talk about specific, concrete ideas to move Connecticut forward. We must use the economic reality of the moment to have a real discussion – not just in the Capitol, but across Connecticut – about how we balance our budget this year, while continuing to build and grow for the long-term. It’s time for all of us to make tough decisions – and make them together.”
Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said, “Just as we come together to applaud funding local programs and services, we must come together to fully understand and work through Connecticut’s fiscal problems. The people of Connecticut expect their leaders to find real solutions to these complicated budget challenges. I stand with the Governor in his call for realistic and strong proposals from both sides of the aisle.”
Today’s announcement was prompted by new revenue projections from the Office of Policy and Management – sent to Comptroller Kevin Lembo today – identifying an approximately $120 million revenue shortfall, which amounts to roughly half of one percent of the overall budget. As a result, the Governor is calling for bipartisan discussions not just among leaders, but among the citizens of the State of Connecticut. That discussion will include steps state leaders will undertake to get spending under control in the short-term, while improving the business climate in the long-run.
On Sunday, Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, State Senator Tony Hwang, State Senator Tim Larson, and State Representative William Tong will travel to Taiwan on a weeklong business and trade mission funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of China (Taiwan).
They will discuss economic development partnerships, healthcare, education, and transportation with officials from the Republic of China (Taiwan), including meetings at the Legislative Yuan, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the Council of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Administration, the Mainland Affairs Council, the Department of Gender Equality at the Executive Yuan, and the European Economic and Trade Office.
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy and the members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation today announced that the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) has been awarded over $2.6 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) – $2.1 million of which will be used to replace its outdated unemployment insurance computer system, while the remainder will be used to continue a successful fraud prevention partnership program.
“Upgrading our information technology systems to function more efficiently and effectively no doubt boost our efforts to reduce costs, recover improper payments, and ensure payments for those who are in need of these services,” Governor Malloy said. “Our state has one of the best track records in the nation when it comes to preventing unemployment insurance fraud, in part due to our successful ‘Chasing Cheaters’ campaign to identify and prosecute individuals who are committing this type of fraud. I thank Secretary Perez and the U.S. Department of Labor for this grant that will help our state modernize these crucial services.”
“Unemployment insurance is a critical safety net that helps keep workers and their families financially afloat while they search for new work,” the members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation said in a joint statement. “This $2.6 million federal investment will help ensure that unemployment insurance is disbursed quickly, efficiently, and only to those truly eligible to receive this vital assistance. We welcome the United States Department of Labor’s investment and applaud the state for their commitment to strengthening this important program.”
The grant will gives Connecticut the opportunity to join an existing multi-state partnership with Maine, Rhode Island, and Mississippi to upgrade the current mainframe systems now in use. The states, working as a consortium, will develop a new system that in the future will replace outdated mainframes with new systems that provide more online capabilities.
In Connecticut, the goal is to process claims more quickly and efficiently, and allow most first-time filers to apply online without the assistance of a DOL Customer Service Representative. Currently, only about one percent of these first-time claims can be completed online with no assistance. The system will also be able to handle the appeal process more quickly, in that the online system will triage the various questions that must be determined to decide if an unemployment insurance decision can be appealed. This will shorten the appeal process and thus, if a person is eligible to collect, they can collect more quickly.
“Since the state’s ‘Chasing Cheaters’ program began, over 110 people committing fraud have been arrested, with more than $900,000 recovered, while preventing thousands of additional dollars from being stolen through fraudulent claims,” State Labor Commissioner Sharon M. Palmer said. “We appreciate the opportunity to continue our successful partnership with the state’s Division of Criminal Justice to help ensure the integrity of Connecticut’s unemployment insurance program.”
Grant categories applying to Connecticut under the USDOL grants include:
Connecticut was provided $500,000 in the Program Integrity and Performance Improvement category that will allow the CTDOL to continue its efforts in reducing improper payments and fraud.
Connecticut was provided $2,112,092 million in the Program Integrity and Performance Improvement Consortium Projects: The consortium will use a multi-state approach to develop a modernized unemployment insurance information technology system and to improve overall program quality, performance, and integrity and to reduce costs.
