Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey en-us 01 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/images/Sharkey_88.jpg House Speaker Brendan Sharkey http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey <![CDATA[HAMDEN TO GET STATE GRANT FOR BUSINESS HUB]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-06-14.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-06-14.asp 14 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EST Former Newhall Community Center to be renovated.

]]> <![CDATA[HOUSE APPROVES DRIVERS LICENSES FOR UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-05-23.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-05-23.asp 23 May 2014 08:00:00 EST Amidst strong Republican opposition, legislation (HB 6495) touted by Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden) that would allow undocumented residents to get Connecticut drivers licenses was approved by the House of Representatives.

]]> <![CDATA[TATTOO LICENSING BILL CLEARS HOUSE]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-05-09.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-05-09.asp 09 May 2014 08:00:00 EST Legislation (HB 6590) introduced by Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey requiring tattoo artists to be licensed by the state Department of Public Health was approved by the House of Representatives today 122-13.

]]> <![CDATA[GIVING STUDENTS A CHOICE ON DISSECTIONS]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-05-08.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-05-08.asp 08 May 2014 08:00:00 EST I believe legislation allowing students to be excused from performing or observing dissections of dead animals in school not only encourages our young people to stand up for their beliefs, but protects them from being unwillingly exposed to practices they are uncomfortable with.

]]> <![CDATA[MIXED MARTIAL ARTS APPROVED BY HOUSE]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-05-07a.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-05-07a.asp 07 May 2014 08:00:00 EST Popular sport would bring revenue to state, help local economies.

]]> <![CDATA[IDEA FOR TATTOO BILL CAME FROM HAMDEN RESIDENT]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-05-07.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-05-07.asp 07 May 2014 08:00:00 EST Legislation (HB 6590) I introduced this year requiring tattoo artists to be licensed by the state Department of Public Health was the brainchild of one of my Hamden neighbors.

]]> <![CDATA[LICENSES FOR ALL DRIVERS]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-04-29.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-04-29.asp 29 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EST I was proud to join the CONECT coalition along with other state and local leaders at the Capitol today in support of legislation to allow all CT residents to get drivers' licenses.

]]> <![CDATA[MIXED MARTIAL ARTS WOULD BE A BIG HIT WITH FANS, CITIES]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-04-18.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-04-18.asp 18 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EST Though I am not personally a big fan - yet, there is no argument that full contact Mixed Martial Arts has become an extremely popular sport throughout the country in recent years with virtually every state now allowing and regulating MMA events.

]]> <![CDATA[THE CT MIRROR: GOVERNOR MALLOY SIGNS NEWTOWN BILL]]> http://ctmirror.org/story/19642/malloy-signs-newtown-bill-calls-healing http://ctmirror.org/story/19642/malloy-signs-newtown-bill-calls-healing 04 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EST "I said, 'You know, you surprised me. You took a position that I had a hard time understanding during part of the process. At the end of the day, you stood your ground, and you were right.' I applauded him for that," said Ron Pinciaro, executive director of Connecticut Against Gun Violence.

]]> <![CDATA[LEGISLATURE HOLDS HISTORIC GUN SAFETY VOTE]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-04-04.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-04-04.asp 04 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EST The strongest gun safety law in the country was approved early this morning 105 – 44 by the House in an historic bipartisan vote.

]]> <![CDATA[AUTISM AWARENESS DAY AT CAPITOL IS ABOUT FAMILIES]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-04-03.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-04-03.asp 3 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST Speaker Sharkey joined State Representative Cathy Abercrombie, other state leaders, autism advocacy groups and families at the 8th annual Autism Awareness Day at the State Capitol.

]]> <![CDATA[SPEAKER SHARKEY AND MINORITY LEADER CAFERO]]> http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50144093n http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50144093n 3 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST Appeared on the CBS Evening News last night to talk about today’s historic vote.

]]> <![CDATA[SHARKEY TALKS ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE LEGISLATION]]> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4hbK1AcP1M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4hbK1AcP1M 02 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST Speaker Sharkey appeared on Nicole Sandler’s program at Radio Or Not this morning to talk about the historic agreement reached yesterday on gun violence measures that will be the strictest in the country once passed.

]]> <![CDATA[SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM GETS FUNDING INFUSION]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-03-21.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-03-21.asp 21 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST The successful Small Business Express (EXP) Program now has the necessary resources to continue to create jobs throughout the state, thanks to bipartisan legislation that just became law.

]]> <![CDATA[MORE COMMISSION BEGINS WORK TO HELP TOWNS MEET CHALLENGES]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-03-14.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-03-14.asp 14 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST Municipal taxes, education funding, regionalism and mandates will all be looked at by the MORE (Municipal Opportunities & Regional Efficiencies) Commission over the next six weeks with an eye to help our cities and towns better meet their budget challenges.

]]> <![CDATA[WOMEN'S DAY CELEBRATED AT STATE CAPITOL]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-03-13a.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-03-13a.asp 13 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST State officials, including Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey of Hamden and State Representative Auden Grogins of Bridgeport participated in the annual Women’s Day forum held at the State Capitol complex.

]]> <![CDATA[SANDY HOOK WORKERS FUND BECOMES LAW]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-03-13.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-03-13.asp 13 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST Legislation sponsored by Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey and House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz and unanimously passed by the General Assembly March 6 creating the Sandy Hook Workers Assistance Fund became law when Governor Malloy signed the bill at a ceremony in the State Capitol.

]]> <![CDATA[STATE BUDGET, GUN SAFETY TOP LEGISLATIVE AGENDA]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-03-06a.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-03-06a.asp 06 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST As the 2013 legislative session gets into full swing, I wanted to share a few recent news articles that I think do a good job of laying out some of the major issues the General Assembly is facing.

]]> <![CDATA[LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH FUND FOR SANDY HOOK WORKERS]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-03-06.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-03-06.asp 06 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST Speaker Sharkey and other legislative leaders announced the formation of a special fund to assist individuals who suffered psychological trauma as a result of their work related to the Sandy Hook tragedy. The Sandy Hook Workers Assistance Fund will be funded through private donations and provide support to volunteer and professional workers who are suffering from mental health issues as a result of the tragedy.

]]> <![CDATA[REDUCED COSTS, INCREASED EFFICIENCIES CAN HELP TOWNS LOWER PROPERTY TAXES]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/MORE/2013/MORE_PR_2013-03-01.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/MORE/2013/MORE_PR_2013-03-01.asp 01 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST In 2010, I chaired a panel called the MORE Commission which stood for Municipal Opportunities and Regional Efficiencies. That effort resulted in new laws encouraging inter-town regional cooperation to reduce costs. I have decided now as Speaker of the House to resurrect MORE because there is a lot more that can and needs to be done in this area.

]]> <![CDATA[REGIONAL COOPERATION CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, ECONOMIC GROWTH]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-01-24.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-01-24.asp 24 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST During a State Capitol budget forum, Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey explained how economic growth and lower property taxes can result from towns cooperating on the delivery of services to their residents.

]]> <![CDATA[REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE AND PROTECTING CHILDREN]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/email088_2013-01-24.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/email088_2013-01-24.asp 24 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST In light of last month's tragic events in Newtown, the public rightly expects their government to deal with gun safety, school security, and mental health issues in a comprehensive way that will have a real impact on reducing violence.

]]> <![CDATA[HAMDEN'S CHILDREN'S CENTER IN LINE FOR STATE GRANT]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-01-22.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-01-22.asp 22 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey said a state grant for a local non-profit organization is expected to be approved when the state Bond Commission meets Friday, January 25.

]]> <![CDATA[LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ANNOUNCE SPECIAL TASK FORCE ON GUN SAFETY, SCHOOL SECURITY AND MENTAL HEALTH]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-01-15.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-01-15.asp 15 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey joined with other legislative leaders to announce the formation of a bipartisan task force charged with developing recommendations designed to reduce gun violence, enhance school security and increase access to mental health care.

]]> <![CDATA[J. BRENDAN SHARKEY NEVER EXPECTED TO BE HOUSE SPEAKER]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-01-14.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-01-14.asp 14 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST By Christopher Keating, The Hartford Courant

Throughout his career as a lawyer and even as a young legislator who arrived in Hartford in 2001, Sharkey says he never expected to become speaker.

]]> <![CDATA[HAMDEN’S BRENDAN SHARKEY SWORN IN AS NEW SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-01-09.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-01-09.asp 09 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST Brendan Sharkey was sworn in yesterday as Connecticut’s new Speaker of the House. Sharkey urged his fellow legislators to continue to work together in the bipartisan spirit with which they passed legislation in the previous special session. Drawing a contrast between gridlock in Washington and what we’ve accomplished in Connecticut, Sharkey expressed optimism about the session to come.

]]> <![CDATA[REGIONAL APPROACH CAN HELP LOWER PROPERTY TAXES]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-01-07.asp http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2013/pr088_2013-01-07.asp 07 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST By Brad Kane, Hartford Business Journal

The new speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives sees lower property taxes as a key to businesses' competitiveness in a global marketplace.

]]> <![CDATA[RIDGE HILL SCHOOL SELECTED FOR NEW FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2012/pr088_2012-08-24.html http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2012/pr088_2012-08-24.html 24 Aug 2012 08:00:00 EST House Majority Leader Brendan Sharkey, a leading advocate for reforming Connecticut’s educational system, hailed Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s announcement Wednesday that Ridge Hill School in Hamden was selected as a new location for a Family Resource Center.

]]> <![CDATA[STATEMENT OF MAJORITY LEADER BRENDAN SHARKEY: REGIONAL PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PROGRAM GRANTS]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2012/pr088_2012-08-17.html http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2012/pr088_2012-08-17.html 17 Aug 2012 08:00:00 EST "These grants reflect the next step toward more efficient municipal government and a permanent lowering of local property taxes through regional cooperation. This program was rekindled and made viable by dedicating a portion of the hotel tax under the budget we negotiated last year. As a long-time advocate of inter-town cooperation to promote efficiencies and cost savings in the delivery of services to residents, I am extremely pleased to see the Regional Incentive Program begin to pay dividends for taxpayers."

]]> <![CDATA[STATEMENT OF MAJORITY LEADER BRENDAN SHARKEY: U.S. SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS AFFORDABLE CARE ACT]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2012/pr088_2012-07-02.html http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2012/pr088_2012-07-02.html 02 Jul 2012 08:00:00 EST "The Court has issued a clear and final ruling on this law that will benefit thousands of Connecticut families and small employers struggling to obtain quality, affordable health care," said Brendan Sharkey, House Majority Leader. "This is a tremendous victory, particularly for the 70,000 Connecticut residents making under $15,000 a year who will now be able to get health insurance through Medicaid."

]]> <![CDATA[$1 MILLION INVESTMENT IN MT. CARMEL ELDERLY HOUSING IN HAMDEN]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2012/pr088_2012-06-29.html http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2012/pr088_2012-06-29.html 29 Jun 2012 08:00:00 EST State Representative Brendan Sharkey joined Governor Dannel P. Malloy to announce that the state has awarded Mt. Carmel Elderly $1,063,839 for improvements and upgrades to their housing facility.

]]> <![CDATA[A TRULY HISTORIC SESSION]]> http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2012/pr088_2012-05-10.html http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Sharkey/2012/pr088_2012-05-10.html 10 May 2012 08:00:00 EST House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan and House Majority Leader Brendan Sharkey labeled the 2012 session of the General Assembly, “a truly historic session.” The session was defined by historic policy changes to education, elections, utility storm response, the death penalty and the state’s Blue Laws.

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