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
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.”
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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
