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HOUSE DEMOCRATS •
CHRISTOPHER G. DONOVAN •
2005 PRESS RELEASES
2005 Press Releases
October 25, 2005 |
MERIDEN LEGISLATORS ANNOUNCE PASSAGE OF EMERGENCY ENERGY ASSISTANCE PLAN |
October 19, 2005 |
HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER BLASTS PROPOSED FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS |
September 7, 2005 |
MAJORITY LEADER DONOVAN HOSTS LEGISLATORS FROM MAINE |
July 20, 2005 |
MAJORITY LEADER ASKS GOVERNOR TO REMOVE ROADBLOCKS TO IMPORTANT HEALTHCARE DATA |
June 6, 2005 |
REP. DONOVAN HAILS HOUSE PASSAGE OF BUDGET |
May 19, 2005 |
MAJORITY LEADER DONOVAN SAYS GOVERNOR’S VETO FORESHADOWS MEDICAID BLOCK GRANTS |
May 5, 2005 |
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT NEW SURPLUS NUMBERS AND CHANCES FOR BUDGET DEAL |
April 13, 2005 |
STATEMENT OF MAJORITY LEADER CHRISTOPHER G. DONOVAN
RE: HOUSE PASSAGE OF CIVIL UNION BILL |
April 5, 2005 |
MAJORITY LEADER DONOVAN APPOINTS MERIDEN RESIDENT TO STATE ARTS COMMISSION |
March 2, 2005 |
HOUSE SUPPORTS EXTENSION OF “HUSKY” INSURANCE |
February 16, 2005 |
LEGISLATURE TO EXTEND “HUSKY” INSURANCE |
February 4, 2005 |
STATE REPS. DONOVAN, ALTOBELLO & MUSHINSKY ANNOUNCE STATE FUNDING APPROVED FOR THE PURCHASE OF OPEN SPACE
ON DEE AVE. |
January 25, 2005 |
MAJORITY LEADER DONOVAN PUSHES TO SAVE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR MERIDEN RESIDENTS |
October 25, 2005
The Connecticut General Assembly today approved an emergency energy assistance bill to provide relief to those most affected by this coming winter’s unprecedented heating costs. The legislation expands relief to fixed-income and lower income residents, provides energy conservation assistance to all Connecticut residents and installs checks to prevent price gouging by the oil industry.
“This was an issue that required the legislature’s immediate attention,” said Majority Leader Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) “This will be a year of historic heating bills. Heat in the dead of winter is not a luxury. It is necessary for survival. This legislation expands heating assistance to those who might otherwise have been left out in the cold.”
The new energy bill will:
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Restore funding and expand access for the state’s energy assistance program.
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Increase funding for Connecticut’s WRAP home heating system repair and replacement program.
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Ensure state-supported nursing homes and residential facilities can keep the heat on.
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Provide subsidized, lower-interest home energy improvement loans to homeowners through the Connecticut Housing Investment Fund (CHIF) program.
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Establish a program for reimbursements for tune-ups on heating equipment, furnaces and heaters conducted by residential fuel companies.
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Establish state agency oversight to protect heating fuel consumers against the potential for home heating fuel price gouging and make residential heating oil costs more transparent in order to get the best rate possible in a competitive market.
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Assist homeowners to make their home more energy efficient by creating a winter-long “Sales Tax Holiday” on weatherization products and heating equipment.
Rep. Emil “Buddy” Altobello (D-Meriden) said, “This legislation will serve to protect the most vulnerable citizens, the elderly and children, from the ravages of winter. I am proud to support its passage.”
Rep. Cathy Abercrombie (D-Meriden) said, “Now is the time to act. Nobody should go cold this winter. Let's be proactive to keep Connecticut's citizens warm.”
October 19, 2005
House Majority Leader Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden), along with legislators and advocates, today called on Congress to rethink a plan to eviscerate many safety net programs. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote tomorrow on $50 billion in cuts. The resolution is expected to require deep cuts to programs such as energy assistance, healthcare, student financial aid and homeland security.
Rep Donovan said, “Hurricane Katrina made it very clear that there are times when everyone will need a helping hand. For Congress to consider gutting these important programs shows a complete detachment from reality. Americans must stand up and tell congress that this budget proposal is un-American – we do not kick someone while they’re down.”
Rep. Donovan noted the cuts would also shift a significant financial burden to the states. “If the federal government abandons its responsibility, the states will be forced to pick up the tab. This could mean millions of dollars to the taxpayers of Connecticut,” Rep Donovan said. “We have already called a special session to deal with rising energy costs – Congress may be adding to our plate.”
The Majority Leader’s office contacted the Connecticut Congressional delegation and has been assured that U.S. Reps. DeLauro, Larson and Simmons will vote against the cuts. Calls were made to the offices of the two other Republican members. A message was left with staff from Rep. Shays’s office; staff from Rep. Johnson’s office was noncommittal.
September 7, 2005
House Majority Leader Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) and state lawmakers from Maine will discuss that state’s successful foray into publicly financed elections at a press conference Thursday. Prior to the press conference, the Maine legislators will share their real-life experiences related to public financing with Connecticut lawmakers.
Time: |
10:30 a.m. |
When: |
Thursday, September 8th |
Where: |
Room 1-A, Legislative Office Building, Hartford |
July 20, 2005
House Majority Leader Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) today urged Governor M. Jodi Rell to overrule the decision of her Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner who recently rejected two Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to the benefit of HMOs. In a letter to the governor, Rep. Donovan urged Gov. Rell to direct her commissioner to disclose the information.
The first request asks what certain doctors are paid under the Medicaid, HUSKY, and SAGA programs. The second asks how often HMOs deny prescription requests. A Yale researcher and Legal Aid attorney made the FOIA requests.
Rep. Donovan noted that this information had always been available in the past, “When the state paid doctors directly, no argument would be made that the payment amount was a secret. Somehow, now that there is a middleman in the form of an HMO, the same information is secret. In fact, the state still pays doctors directly for elderly and disabled Medicaid patients, who are not covered by HMOs. Anyone can see what the doctor rates are for these patients on DSS’s website,” Rep. Donovan said.
The state pays over $650 million annually to the private HMOs.
Rep. Donovan said, “This information is crucial to making good public policy. Not knowing how much of the $650 million is paying for direct health care services as opposed to HMO administrative costs poses a serious problem for lawmakers.”
Representative Christopher G. Donovan serves as Majority Leader of the Connecticut House of Representatives. He represents the 84th Assembly District of Meriden.
July 20, 2005
The Honorable M. Jodi Rell
Office of the Governor
Hartford, Connecticut 06106
Dear Governor Rell:
As you may know, the Department of Social Services (“DSS”) Commissioner recently rejected two Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) requests to the benefit of HMOs. I am writing to urge you to direct the Commissioner to reverse herself and disclose the information.
The first request asks what certain doctors are paid under the Medicaid, HUSKY, and SAGA programs. The second asks how often HMOs deny prescription requests. I am deeply disturbed that the Commissioner, who serves at your pleasure, has resisted giving this information to a Yale researcher and a Legal Aid attorney.
With respect to the first request, as you know, the state privatized the bulk of Medicaid administration in the mid-nineties by contracting with HMOs. HUSKY, which began in 1998, has always been administered by private HMOs. Prior to the mid-nineties, the state paid doctors directly with no middleman involved. We now pay over $625 million annually to the HMOs.
When the state paid doctors directly, no argument would be made that the payment amount was a secret. Somehow, now that there is a middleman in the form of an HMO, the same information is secret. In fact, the state still pays doctors directly for elderly and disabled Medicaid patients, who are not covered by HMOs. Anyone can see what the doctor rates are for these patients on DSS’s website.
DSS’s statement in The Hartford Courant that the documents are not disclosable because they are not kept on DSS premises is troubling. If DSS does not possess the information, it should get it. At the very least, it is irresponsible for DSS to not possess or know this basic information.
In 2001, the General Assembly enacted a FOIA law to address exactly this situation. The law requires big state contractors, such as HMOs, to disclose information concerning the contractor’s administration of state programs. In my opinion, the 2001 FOIA law also requires DSS to write into its HMO contracts a clause that gives DSS access to all records relating to the provision of health care services and states that such records are subject to FOIA.
As the House Majority Leader, I believe the information at issue is crucial to making good public policy. Not knowing how much of the $625 million is paying for direct health care services as opposed to HMO administrative costs poses a serious problem for lawmakers. Obviously, if a type doctor is offered such low pay to see a Medicaid or HUSKY patient, he or she will not see that patient. If there are insufficient numbers of doctors, our effort to buy health care with significant taxpayer dollars is thwarted. We cannot know if there is a problem, or the extent of it, without seeing what we are paying for.
We also cannot appropriately determine whether the state can run these health programs cheaper than the HMOs. If we can save money by resuming control, we should do so.
The same arguments above apply to the denial of the request concerning prescription denials. I strongly recommend that the DSS Commissioner be instructed to release the requested information and not put the state through a protracted legal proceeding. We need to know this vital information to monitor programs and formulate policy to best serve Connecticut residents.
Sincerely,
Christopher G. Donovan
Cc: The Honorable Richard Blumenthal |
June 6, 2005
House Majority Leader Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) announced House passage of a state budget deal that will yield millions in state aid for Meriden. The budget earmarks for Meriden $52,466,997 in statutory grants (ECS, PILOT, TAR) - more than $2.1 million above the current fiscal year’s appropriation.
The budget also includes $1,028,232 for Meriden over and above what was proposed by Governor Rell in her February budget address.
“This is a home run for municipalities,” Rep. Donovan said. “We were able to convince the governor that property taxpayers in cities like Meriden were drowning and needed immediate relief. Increasing municipal aid was one of our top priorities during budget negotiations.”
The budget compromise also saved the HUSKY health insurance program for adults. “Thousands of families around the state were in jeopardy of losing their health coverage when the governor released her budget. The Democrats were willing to draw a line in the sand and save the program,” Rep. Donovan said.
Rep. Donovan noted Democrats were able to craft a budget deal that excluded the governor’s regressive tax proposal that targeted working families. The compromise includes the use of surplus funds, the corporate tax and a tax on estates over $2 million.
Representative Christopher G. Donovan serves a Majority Leader of the Connecticut House of Representatives. He represents the 84th Assembly District of Meriden.
May 19, 2005
House Majority Leader Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) today blasted Governor Jodi Rell’s decision to veto An Act Concerning The Authority Of The Commissioner Of Social Services With Respect To The Administration Of The Medicaid Program (SB 1100).
Current law prohibits the social services commissioner from agreeing to any Medicaid waiver in which the federal government requires the state to agree to limit the normal 50% federal cost-sharing in the program (PA 04-2, May Special Session, § 106). The law was a direct response to former Governor John Rowland’s pursuit of restrictive block grants in 2004. The law expires on June 30th of this year. This bill would have continued the prohibition for two more years.
Rep. Donovan said, “Governor Rell, in her veto message, said, this bill would limit the state’s ability to negotiate more ‘innovative’ Medicaid waivers with the feds. The governor is using clever language to disguise her support for Medicaid block grants – a financially crippling policy for the state.”
Rep. Donovan noted that allowing block grants would significantly reduce federal Medicaid funding to Connecticut. “I hope this veto does not signal the governor is choosing a path that would cost the state tens-of-millions of federal dollars each year,” Rep. Donovan said.
Representative Christopher G. Donovan serves as Majority Leader of the Connecticut House of Representatives. He represents the 84th Assembly District of Meriden.
May 5, 2005
Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams Jr. (D-Brooklyn), Speaker of the House James A. Amman (D-Milford) and other legislative leaders today emerged from a budget meeting today with a renewed sense of optimism about the prospects of reaching a deal on the state budget. New surplus numbers provided by the non-partisan Office of Fiscal Analysis project the current years surplus to be more than $700 million.
Sen. Williams said the Governor’s apparent new willingness to send some of the surplus money back to cities and towns bodes well for the budget process. “The Democratic budget proposal calls for returning $79 million more than the governor to cities and towns, including more money for education, health care and higher education. We have said from Day One that these are our priorities. By agreeing to return some of the surplus to cities and towns, we are not very far apart in budget proposals.”
Speaker Amann said, “This positive news for Connecticut means we’re close to agreeing on a budget. Our dialogue with Governor Rell will continue, with a renewed sense of cooperation thanks to these encouraging numbers. The difference between our proposed budget and the Governor’s was less than 2 percent, but this good news puts us even closer. Connecticut residents have made their voices heard.”
Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) said, “Given the current year’s surplus increasing and next year’s deficit down to $350 million according to O.F.A., we are closer to an overall agreement. That will be helped by the flexibility by the governor on returning some of the surplus to cities and towns.”
“The glass appears half full,” House Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) said. “Citizens who care about education and healthcare have cause for optimism. We may have turned a corner with Governor Rell as we work toward a final budget document that truly addresses our constituents’ concerns.”
April 13, 2005
It is my belief that civil unions will become law.
A friend and former colleague once told me that he loved saying the Pledge of Allegiance every day at the Capitol, “…because it ends with, ‘liberty and justice for all.’” I am very proud of the General Assembly for its bipartisan support of civil unions. Connecticut is taking a stand for liberty, justice, fairness and equality.
This bill is a giant leap forward in providing equal rights of all Connecticut citizens.
April 5, 2005
Representative Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) announced his appointment of Meriden resident Rose Cignatta to the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism (CCT). Ms. Cignatta is President of the Arts and Crafts Association and Gallery 53 in Meriden.
“Rose Cignatta is an advocate for the arts and the perfect choice for my appointment to the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism,” Rep. Donovan said. “The state’s artists will find they have a strong ally in Rose. She is dedicated to promoting the arts and artists in Meriden and beyond.”
CCT was created in 2003 to maximize opportunities for collaboration, coordination and growth in the arts, historic preservation, tourism and film. CCT works to develop and strengthen the arts in Connecticut and makes artistic experiences widely available to residents and visitors.
Founded in 1907, Meriden’s Arts and Crafts Association is one of the oldest visual arts organizations in the state of Connecticut.
Representative Christopher G. Donovan serves a Majority Leader of the Connecticut House of Representatives. He represents the 84th Assembly District of Meriden.
March 2, 2005
House Majority Leader Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) today applauded the House of Representatives’ overwhelming support for legislation to extend HUSKY medical benefits to 13,000 adults with incomes up to 150% of the poverty level. The legislation passed by a vote of 124-22.
“The House of Representatives is taking a stand for the state’s lowest income workers whose employers are unwilling or unable to provide health coverage,” said Rep. Donovan. “We are fortunate that surplus funds are available to save this vital program. There is also the real possibility that we will be eligible for federal matching funds to reduce the price tag by half.”
The HUSKY program for adults will be extended through the end of this fiscal year.
An estimated 300 Meriden residents would have lost their health coverage on April 1st without the extension.
Rep. Donovan said, “HUSKY is a safety net and it eases the burden on hospitals and emergency rooms which are often the only option for the uninsured.”
The legislation awaits action by the State Senate.
February 16, 2005
Speaker of the House Jim Amann (D-Milford) and Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams Jr. (D-Brooklyn) announced an agreement to extend the state’s HUSKY health insurance program for low-income adults for the remainder of the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.
“It would be inhumane to abruptly terminate health insurance for thousands of our residents while the Legislature is in the middle of deliberating their future,” Amann said. “The Appropriations Committee has my full support to ensure that there is no lapse in HUSKY coverage.”
“Appropriating the funding to maintain health insurance for these folks is not only the right thing to do, it’s cost-effective,” Williams said. “Maintaining HUSKY coverage until July is only a stopgap measure. We hope to work with the governor and hope she holds as a priority access to health insurance for our citizens who can’t afford it.”
The Legislature’s Appropriations Committee will consider the HUSKY extension bill Wednesday afternoon. The plan was previously approved by the Human Services Committee.
“We have a moral obligation to act immediately,” said House Majority Leader Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) “Thousands of Connecticut families are depending on us and we are acting responsibly by continuing this coverage.”
“This program is crucial to the significant group of people whose health would be desperately at risk without it,” said Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven)
The cost to extend HUSKY for approximately 13,000 adults for three months beginning April1 is estimated at $7.5 million. Funding will come out of the current year’s surplus, which is presently estimated at $369 million.
"I trust the Committee will move favorably today on this reasonable extension of benefits," said Appropriations Committee House Chair Denise Merrill (D-Mansfield). "While only a stopgap measure, we can - at least for the next three months - ensure needed health coverage for thousands of residents."
“I think a society is measured by the manner in which it cares for those who are least able to care for themselves, and whose voices are muted as a result, so I want to speak up for these people and for their continued access to the state’s HUSKY program,” said Appropriations Committee Senate Chair Toni Harp (D-New Haven). “Preventative health care and access to health services are fundamental aspects of any quality-of-life discussion – we simply must dedicate the funds to extend HUSKY services at least through the end of the fiscal year.”
February 4, 2005
Hartford, CT – Majority Christopher G. Donovan (D-84), Deputy Speaker Emil “Buddy” Altobello (D-82) and State Representative Mary Mushinsky (D-85) have announced the approval of $150,000 in state funding for the purchase of a lot in the Hunter’s Trail wetlands area on Dee Avenue so it can be used as open space. The funding was approved at today’s state Bond Commission meeting.
“I am very pleased that the state has approved this very worthwhile project,” stated Representative Donovan, Majority Leader of the state House of Representatives. “I talked to the Governor’s office last week to ensure this would be approved today. Preserving open space, the environment, and wildlife is a priority for Meriden. We need to have land available and accessible for future generations to enjoy, not to mention ensuring a future home for our wildlife and continued protection of our environment.”
In addition to the state money, the city will contribute $40,000 toward the purchase. The funding was approved at today’s state Bond Commission meeting and is part of a grant for urban development projects.
“This money will enable the city to purchase almost six acres of vacant land on Dee Avenue and preserve it as open space,” added Rep. Altobello. “It is important that, while we work toward continued economic growth in our city, that we keep land open and free of development, so we can enjoy it in the future. Altobello serves as Deputy Speaker of the House.
“The funding released today is a reward for the hard work of those who want to protect a wetland that is important to environmental health,” said Rep. Mushinsky. “Their perseverance, and the developers willingness to offer land at a reduced price, was very helpful.”
January 25, 2005
House Majority Leader Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) is working to fast-track legislation to restore health insurance coverage for at least 13,000 Connecticut residents who are in jeopardy of losing their benefits because of budget cuts to the state’s HUSKY insurance plan. HUSKY provides health insurance to roughly 9-thousand Meriden residents – on April 1, a substantial number of Meriden residents over the age 18 are in jeopardy of losing coverage.
In 2003, the Rowland Administration advocated for the cuts to adults covered by HUSKY in order to help plug the budget deficit – the cuts were delayed until April 1st of this year. Rep. Donovan said the state could count on federal reimbursement for at least half of the estimated $7.5-million price tag to restore coverage statewide.
"This is a win-win," Rep. Donovan said. "We will be taking care of healthcare for working families and maximizing federal funds. What is not covered by the feds can be covered by the growing surplus for this year."
Governor M. Jodi Rell’s latest surplus estimate for the current year is approximately $316-million.
A proposal to extend husky coverage to adults is before the Human Service Committee.
Rep. Donovan said, "Cuts to HUSKY are something the Rowland Administration pushed that we now must remedy or thousands of people will lose their health insurance. It is unconscionable that that the wealthiest state in the union would yank health coverage from working families." |