September 18, 2009 Standing Up for Connecticut
Tough times call for honest leadership. The global financial crisis presented Connecticut with one of its most daunting economic challenges ever. The crisis was not of our own making, but the solution became our responsibility. Today, Connecticut has a fair and responsible budget, one that demands shared responsibility, protects our most vulnerable families, provides needed services in distressed times, and positions our state to participate in the recovery that is beginning to show signs of life. That’s because Democrats in the General Assembly stepped up, spoke the truth from the beginning, and made the difficult decisions a crisis requires. READ MORE
News Blog
February 8, 2010 LEGISLATURE’S TASK FORCE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
RELEASES RECOMMENDATIONS
The group created by Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) to identify ways to improve Connecticut’s response to incidents of domestic violence released their final report of recommendations to the General Assembly on Monday morning. READ MORE
February 3, 2010 2010 SESSION OPENING REMARKS
Good morning members and guests to the 2010 session of the Connecticut General Assembly. It is once again my heart-felt pleasure and honor to serve in the House with members who give their best for the people of Connecticut. READ MORE
February 1, 2010 BUSINESS, LABOR & POLITICAL LEADERS WEIGH IN
ON SUPREME COURT RULING Court Ruling Needs Fixes This month’s Supreme Court ruling on the Citizens United case allowing corporations and unions broad freedom to intervene in political campaigns should concern anyone interested in participatory democracy and fair elections. READ MORE
January 14, 2010 SPEAKER DONOVAN SUBMITS TESTIMONY
OPPOSING CLOSING OF CEDAR RIDGE
The following was submitted to the Office of Health Care Access at the public hearing held regarding the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services' Certificate of Need Application for termination of services at Cedar Ridge Hospital in Newington today by House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden):
“Last year the Connecticut General Assembly adopted a budget that included, among other provisions, funding to continue the operations of the Cedar Ridge facility. Despite clear language and intent, the Governor has not carried out the General Assembly’s direction on this matter.” READ MORE
January 14, 2010 HOUSE DEMOCRATS LAUNCH COMMISSION TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES
FOR REGIONALISM, MUNICIPAL COST SAVINGS AND EFFICIENCIES Speaker Donovan: ‘We can be doing more with less;’ Commission aims to enact legislation in 2010
House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) and House Majority Leader Denise Merrill (D-Mansfield) today launched a commission that will seek to identify opportunities for more regional collaborations designed to create efficiencies and save money for municipalities. READ MORE
January 11, 2010 SPEAKER DONOVAN PROTECTS CONNECTICUT JOBS
Speaker Donovan and Majority Leader Merrill held a news conference to emphasize the House Democrats' commitment to saving and creating jobs, and opposing the Governor's deficit plan which would result in the loss of 5,000 jobs. The leaders were joined by Meriden Mayor Mike Rohde and organizations that would of experienced job losses if the Democrats hadn't rejected the Governor's plan. Hospitals, community and school based health clinics, and daycare centers were among the groups that spoke at the press conference. READ MORE
January 8, 2010 SPEAKER DONOVAN: BOND FUNDS CRUCIAL TO NEW HAVEN-SPRINGFIELD HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECT Speaker says project will create jobs,economic development opportunities
House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) today thanked members of the State Bond Commission for approving $26 million that he said “will advance our vision for high speed rail along a transportation corridor that is one of the most important in the state and the region, create jobs, and encourage economic development.” READ MORE
January 7, 2010 SPEAKER DONOVAN FORMS GROUP
TO FORMULATE THE CREATION OF CLEAN ENERGY JOBS Panel to convene first meeting on Thursday
Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) announced today that he has created a new legislative advisory group whose charge will be to help the General Assembly plot a strategy effectively cultivating a workforce that will result in the creation of new jobs in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. READ MORE
January 6, 2010 SPEAKER DONOVAN STATEMENT ON
SENATOR DODD DECISION
“Senator Dodd has served Connecticut and this country with distinction for 30 years. All of us will suffer from the loss of his leadership on the critical issues of our time – health care, jobs, energy and the environment, transportation, education. The interests of the people of Connecticut were always foremost in his mind, and we are better for his service.” READ MORE
December 28, 2009 STATEMENT OF SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE CHRISTOPHER G. DONOVAN
RE: GOVERNOR’S VETO OF MITIGATION BILLS “Governor Rell’s veto is a clear signal that she places a higher value on protecting a new tax break on estates worth more than $3.5 million, than closing this year’s budget deficit and protecting thousands of Connecticut jobs. The plan approved by the House and Senate balanced the state budget. Her veto is irresponsible and puts our state in financial jeopardy.”
December 27, 2009 DEMOCRATS ARE NOT TO BLAME
Contrary to assertions in the Dec. 13th editorial "Dithering while Connecticut sinks in red ink," Democrats, and Democrats alone, have saved our state from economic depression. READ MORE
December 22, 2009 SPEAKER DONOVAN HAILS FEDERAL FUNDING
FOR RAIL, HOUSING, CHILDREN, HEALTH CARE Thanks Cong. Larson, Sen. Dodd for Fighting for Funding
to Support Programs State Democrats Saved
House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan today hailed the work of members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation for “stepping up for Connecticut at a time when the Rell Administration is failing to maximize federal funding opportunities for our state.” READ MORE
December 18, 2009 STATE LOSING OUT
ON FEDERAL FUNDING
FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Lawmakers urge governor to allow state to receive federal dollars
Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) and State Representative Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden), House Chairman of the Planning & Development Committee, held a press conference at the State Capitol complex in Hartford today to highlight the millions of dollars in federal economic development funding the state is losing out on because the governor refuses to allow regions to apply for the grants. READ MORE
December 15, 2009 HOUSE DEMOCRATS’ PLAN WILL SAVE JOBS, BALANCE BUDGET Governor’s cuts cost jobs, federal dollars
House Democrats today announced a comprehensive, $200 million-plus plan to reduce the state’s budget deficit without sacrificing some 5,000 jobs statewide that would be eliminated through Governor M. Jodi Rell’s planned budget cuts.
December 7, 2009 STATE SHOULDN’T CUT ECONOMIC DRIVERS
Just before Thanksgiving, Gov. M. Jodi Rell sounded the alarms on projected state budget deficits. She announced a $337 million mitigation plan to cut $84 million from already strapped municipalities and another $116 million in cuts that will devastate programs that promote job growth and services that protect our most vulnerable. READ MORE
December 5, 2009 CHILDREN IN THE RECESSION TASK FORCE
HOLDS FIRST PUBLIC HEARING
The Connecticut General Assembly’s Task Force on Children in the Recession held its first public hearing on Saturday at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford as the group continues its mission of exploring the impact of the current economic crisis on children. READ MORE
December 5, 2009 BUILDING BUSINESS-FRIENDLY HEALTH CARE
Connecticut health policy is not business-friendly. We hear the stories every day: the Realtor who cannot get an affordable policy because of premium hikes due to her age and gender, the entrepreneur forced to chip away at the benefits he offers employees because premiums are increasing faster than income, the mechanic who cannot save for retirement because his pre-existing condition limits his coverage options to only the most expensive. READ MORE
December 4, 2009 WITH STATE DELAY, HIGH-SPEED RAIL FUNDING STUCK AT STATION
House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) yesterday called on Governor Rell to re-schedule a cancelled State Bond Commission meeting for December 11 to vote on $26 million to support a New Haven-Springfield high speed rail project. Arguing that the timing is critical to the state's applications for millions in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars, Speaker Donovan said that further delays could jeopardize that funding and the project itself. READ MORE
December 4, 2009 TASK FORCE ON CHILDREN IN THE RECESSION
TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING
IN HARTFORD ON SATURDAY Congressman Larson to join state legislators at hearing The Connecticut General Assembly’s Task Force on Children in the Recession will hold its first public hearing on Saturday, December 5 at 10:00 a.m. in room 2C of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. READ MORE
December 4, 2009 SPEAKER DONOVAN: REPUBLICAN PROPOSAL MISLEADING, DECEPTIVE
“The plan presented by Republican leadership today is misleading and deceptive. On the one hand, they agree that the Governor’s proposal to cut municipal aid is a bad idea. Yet on the other hand, they recommend tens of millions of dollars in cuts to municipal education programs like priority school districts, magnet and charter schools.”
READ MORE
December 4, 2009 HOUSE SPEAKER CHRIS DONOVAN RECOGNIZED
FOR COMMITMENT TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Meriden State Representative and House Speaker Chris Donovan was recognized this week for his leadership on behalf of Connecticut’s children and families at Connecticut Voices for Children’s 9th Annual “First for Kids Awards” ceremony on Thursday, December 3rd. The event, which took place at the Eli Whitney Museum in Hamden, honored individuals and organizations in Connecticut whose work and commitment to the state’s young people serves as a model for all. READ MORE
December 3, 2009 HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCES APPOINTEES
TO MUNICIPAL PANEL ON STATE MANDATES AND FUNDING Ansonia Mayor and Sprague First Selectwoman to Serve House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) and House Majority Leader Denise Merrill (D-Mansfield) have announced their appointments to a panel formed by Governor M. Jodi Rell that will focus on her proposed cuts to municipalities and state mandates on those municipalities. READ MORE
November 30, 2009 NEWLY CREATED TASK FORCE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
BEGINS DISCUSSIONS Group to Present General Assembly
with Recommendations
for 2010 Session
The Task Force on Domestic Violence held their first meeting in Hartford on Monday, where they began discussions on what steps they believe the Connecticut General Assembly should undertake to formulate Connecticut’s response to the growing need for domestic violence assistance, including the need for increased services and programs aimed at prevention and early intervention. READ MORE
November 23, 2009 Speaker Donovan Discusses Healthcare Improvements in Connecticut
Speaker of the House Chris Donovan hosted US Congressman Chris Murphy in a discussion centering around national healthcare reform. Congressman Murphy answered questions from legislators and activists and took time to outline the potential improvements to American healthcare if bills in the US House and Senate are enacted. Murphy also praised Speaker Donovan and the Connecticut legislature for helping shape new laws in Washington aimed at protecting America's uninsured and underinsured citizens.
November 20, 2009 Meriden Delegation Earns 100 Percent Rating
From Environmental Group
House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan, Senator Tom Gaffey, Deputy Speaker Emil “Buddy” Altobello, and Representative Cathy Abercrombie were all awarded a 100 percent rating for their support and advocacy for environmental initiatives by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) in their 2009 Environmental Scorecard. READ MORE
November 11, 2009 Speaker Donovan: Health Care Legislation Long Overdue
“Saturday marked a historic day for our country. For the millions of American families who suffer without access to health care and the millions of small businesses who struggle under the weight of high health care costs—this day was long overdue.”
READ MORE
November 6, 2009 Recession Puts Victims of Domestic Violence at Greater Risk
House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) today announced formation of a legislative task force that will help formulate Connecticut’s response to challenges faced by victims of domestic violence that have been exacerbated by the recession.
READ MORE
October 8, 2009 Speaker Donovan Disappointed by Rell's Misuse of Taxpayer Dollars
Speaker of the House Chris Donovan joined with Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney at a news conference in Hartford on October 8th. The legislators expressed their profound disappointment over the revelations that Governor M. Jodi Rell improperly used $200,000 of taxpayer money to hold focus groups for her own political gain.
Speaker Donovan made it clear that he will be closely monitoring the situation to protect the financial investments of Connecticut taxpayers.
October 6, 2009 Speaker Donovan Fights to Save Cedarcrest Hospital Speaker of the House Chris Donovan spoke to a crowd at Cedarcrest Hospital in Newington. Governor Rell is unilaterally attempting to close the facility.
Donovan and legislative Democrats triumphed in keeping funding for Cedarcrest in the new state budget and have stood side by side with patients and staff to ensure that residents of Connecticut receive the best possible care.
October 5, 2009 Speaker Donovan Response to Governor’s Veto of House Bill 7006
“I was disappointed, though not surprised, to learn that the Governor has vetoed legislation that would have helped small business incubators, protected the Judicial Department from potentially damaging budget cuts, and extended a moratorium on the privatization of residential facilities for our most vulnerable citizens. READ MORE
September 25, 2009 Statement of Speaker of the House
Christopher G. Donovan Re:
Governor’s Pledge to Veto Revenue Bill
I am disappointed Governor Rell has decided to veto what is in reality her own proposal. The governor proposed the fee hikes at DMV as well as increased fares on commuter rail and bus passengers. We chose the least harmful of her ideas, a two dollar per year increase to driver’s license renewals to pay for things she wanted added back to the budget. READ MORE
September 18, 2009 Speaker Donovan Opposes Closure of High Meadows
House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) offered testimony today against the application for a Certificate of Need to close the High Meadows residential treatment facility in Hamden. The testimony was offered at a public hearing of the Office of Health Care Access. READ MORE
September 17, 2009 Speaker Donovan: Budget Mandates Protections
for Municipalities
Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) said today that the budget passed two weeks ago by Legislative Democrats “mandates funding protections for cities and towns” and said municipalities and school construction projects will be protected in next week’s budget implementer session. READ MORE
September 16, 2009 Statement of Speaker of the House
Christopher G. Donovan Re: Q Poll
"During especially tough times it is not unusual to see a range of public opinion. I am encouraged, however, by the vast majority of people who agreed with legislative Democrats that the wealthiest in our state need to be part of the budget solution."
READ MORE
September 10, 2009 Speaker Donovan Gets CT Involved in National Health Insurance Reform
Speaker of the House, Chris Donovan, moderated a roundtable discussion on Federal and Statewide Health Insurance Reform at the Community Health Center in Meriden on September 9th. The Speaker joined a panel of healthcare professionals and health insurance reform advocates to address the concerns of Connecticut citizens adversly effected by the current healthcare system.
September 9, 2009 Speaker Donovan Urges State-Federal Partnership,
Public Option to Fix Broken Health Care System
House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) said today a “strong state-federal partnership is critical to fixing our broken health care system” and he encouraged the establishment of a public option to increase competition in the health care industry.
READ MORE
September 1, 2009 Statement of Speaker Donovan on State Budget
“Thanks to the leadership of Democrats in the House and Senate, the people of Connecticut today have a fair and balanced budget that will move the state forward. Though I was disappointed to hear the Governor make such disparaging remarks about our work together, which is not helpful as we move forward, we should all be pleased that she had the wisdom to allow this budget to become law." READ MORE
August 25, 2009 Preschoolers Feeling Effect of Budget Impasse – and It Could Get Worse
Hartford: Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) and Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) joined Joan Karlsen – CT Head Start Association Executive Director; Juleen Flanagan – Co-chair CT Early Childhood Alliance; and parents, teachers, and children from Head Start programs across the state at a news conference at the Capitol to detail how the on-going budget impasse has – and will continue to – affected thousands of preschoolers. READ MORE
On Aug 25th, Speaker of the House Chris Donovan and Senate President Don Williams held a press conference along with Head Start advocates, parents, teachers, and children from Head Start programs across the state describing the impact the budget impasse is having on Head Start programs and Family Resources Centers.
August 21, 2009 Speaker Donovan Says Governor Rell
Has “Failed to Lead” on Healthcare Saying Democrats are carrying the fight on health care and citing five vetoes and more than a dozen budget cuts that deny health care opportunities to Connecticut families, House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) said today that Governor M. Jodi Rell has “failed to lead on one of the critical issues of our time.” READ MORE
