“We faced historic challenges and passed historic legislation,” Speaker Donovan said. “Education reform, storm response by utilities, ending the last vestiges of the state’s Puritan Blue Laws, repealing the death penalty, medical marijuana – all of these policy initiatives are in a word: historic.”

One of the hallmarks of the 2012 was the passage of a $20.5 billion fiscal year 2013 budget adjustment bill that did not raise additional taxes.

“A year ago, we dealt with a shortfall in excess of $3 billion – 15 percent of our total budget,” Majority Leader Sharkey said. “This year, the House passed a budget adjustment that keeps appropriations under the state’s constitutionally-mandated spending cap and continues our investments in education and job growth.”

The budget bill builds upon earlier successes on:

• Jobs – House Democrats demonstrated a commitment to growing jobs in our state by funding the Youth Employment Summer Jobs Program and adult education evening programs, as well as funding for the Small Business Express program and seed funding for a Connecticut Made program to promote products from local businesses.

• Bioscience – Our decision to become a world leader in bioscience and biotechnology, the budget provides additional economic development funding for Jackson Labs.

• Municipal Funding – Recognizing the challenges that our cities and towns are facing, House Democrats made sure to secure funding for cities and towns.

Another headline-maker of the 2012 legislative session was the education reform bill, which:

• Includes more funding for school-based health centers and family resource centers.

• Recognizes the critical importance of early childhood education by underwriting 1,000 school readiness slots for preschoolers and funding several initiatives to improve early reading success.

• Includes the Commissioner’s Network, which provides the intensive supports and interventions needed to turn around 25 of the most chronically low-performing schools in Connecticut.

• Gives the state commissioner of education the needed authority to develop or modify plans with teachers and parents at “turnaround” schools, while respecting collective bargaining rights.

• Reforms the teacher tenure system by increasing the frequency of teacher evaluations and linking tenure to evaluations.

In the aftermath of the October Nor’easter and Tropical Storm Irene that left much of the state without power, the House of Representatives passed sweeping reforms to better prepare for future severe storms and avoid wide-spread and lengthy loss of utility service, where:

• Utilities will be held to minimum performance standards for emergency preparation and response

• Noncompliance could result in penalties of up to 2.5 percent of an electric or gas company’s annual distribution revenue, approximately $25 million in the case of Connecticut Light & Power

In addition, the House passed many other important bills, notably:

Accountability and Transparency in Elections - modifies state election laws affecting campaign finance and the Citizens' Election Program.

Capital Punishment Repeal - replaces the death penalty with a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. The new law is considered prospective, meaning that it does not apply to murderers already on death row.

Reducing Domestic Violence - strengthens the state’s domestic violence laws to better protect victims and hold abusers accountable by giving police officers the tools they need to better identify and respond to domestic violence. We also improved access to and enforcement of protective and restraining orders to improve victim safety.

Minimum Wage - proposed to raise Connecticut’s minimum wage by $.50 to $8.75 per hour in two steps from the current rate of $8.25 to $8.50 on January 1, 2013, and then to $8.75 on January 1, 2014. In Connecticut, 106,000 workers earn the minimum wage – almost 7 percent of our entire workforce. More and more people are relying on this wage to support their families – but we have more work to do.

Racial Profiling - strengthens an existing law aimed at stopping police from profiling motorists based on race during traffic stops.

Police Lineups & Eyewitness Identification - establishes guidelines for police departments on how eyewitnesses identify suspected criminals in lineups and how that testimony is used in a trial.

Election Day Voter Registration - allows eligible Connecticut residents to register to vote and cast a ballot on Election Day. It would establish Election Day registration (EDR) procedures and eliminate the use of presidential ballots since they will be redundant under the bill's EDR provisions.

Prevent Sexual Violence On Campuses - protects students by requiring colleges and universities to adopt and disclose policies on sexual assault gives students the tools they need to stay safe.

Sunday Sales - allows package and grocery stores to sell alcohol on Sunday’s from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, as well as on Memorial, Independence and Labor Days, and on Mondays following any Independence, Christmas or New Year’s Days that fall on a Sunday.

Medical Marijuana - eases the pain and symptoms from diseases including cancer, glaucoma and multiple sclerosis, the new law allows medical doctors to essentially prescribe marijuana to patients through a licensed pharmacists approved by the Department of Consumer Protection. Connecticut becomes the 17th state to have enacted laws legalizing medical marijuana.

Grandparents’ Rights - protects the rights of grandparents seeking child visitation through the courts. In the end, it is important that decisions are made in a child’s best interests and this legislation helps do just that.

“Caylee’s Law” - sets criminal penalties for the failure to report the disappearance of a child, in response to the death of Florida toddler Caylee Anthony. This law applies to any parent, guardian or person who has custody or supervision of the child.

Children with Special Needs - eliminates the unnecessary use of scream rooms, improves the special education student’s IEP and creates a study on workforce development, training and employment of young adults with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities.

“All we have as a civilized society is our laws. We need these laws to protect ourselves against those darker elements in our midst. Without the laws of our society, we are powerless against such forces.

“I believe that we, as human beings, should not create laws that reciprocate the evil perpetrated against society. Those laws don’t protect us.”

“The public expects the Legislature to adapt our voting laws to reflect their wishes and make voting more accessible. Currently, our State Constitution keeps us from doing that. This amendment allows us to consider, and debate our voting methods and address them with changes.

“The vote today in the House was the first step to allow ‘no-excuse’ absentee ballots and early voting.

“We must make it easier for people to vote to increase participation. Better access to absentee ballots and allowing early voting will do just that.”

A resolution to amend the state Constitution must be passed by at least ¾ of the members of the House and Senate in order to go before voters as a ballot initiative in the 2012 election. Since the resolution received approval from less than ¾ of House members it will be taken up again in the 2013 Legislative Session where a simple majority will allow the amendment to appear on the 2014 general election ballot.

“Working families are feeling the pressure of skyrocketing gas prices,” said Senate President Donald E. Williams (D-Brooklyn). “Our plan will provide some relief at the pump at a time when folks are struggling to make ends meet and at the same time ensure that big oil wholesalers don’t drive up the price of gasoline. Most of all, this plan puts big oil companies on notice that we won’t stand for them profiteering and taking advantage of consumers.”

“We are taking steps to protect consumers from rising gas prices. We’re lowering the price they’ll pay to fill their tanks and calling on the big oil companies to be responsible,” said House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden). “This plan will put more money in consumers’ pockets and protect them from irresponsible profiteering.”

The Democrats’ plan:

• Caps the gross receipts tax (GRT) on motor fuels at $3.00/per gallon wholesale, upon passage.
• Sunsets 6/30/13.

• Prohibits oil wholesalers and distributers (those who pay the gross receipts tax) from passing on anything purporting to be based on the tax for the portion of any sales price over $3.00 per gallon.
• Any such overcharging a Connecticut Unfair Trade Practice Act (CUTPA) violation.

• Amends the petroleum profiteering statute, C.G.S. § 42-234 et seq. (“abnormal market disruptions”) to include an automatic trigger based on extreme wholesale price increases, for price gouging protections to go into effect.
• Puts everyone in supply chain on notice of serious penalties for increasing their profit margins during such disruptions.

• Legislatively declares an “abnormal market disruption” upon passage for a set period of one month in anticipation of further wholesale price spikes.

• The wholesale price at the Port of New Haven is up $.13 since 3/1/12;
• The spike has not hit the pumps, with average retail prices rising only $.02 cents since 3/1/12 from $3.99/gal to $4.01/gal.

• Grants the commissioner of the Department of Consumer Protection authority to impose CUPTA fines of up to $10,000 upon large gasoline wholesalers and distributors who are in violation of profiteering laws.
• This will strengthen the Commissioner’s authority, necessary because large wholesalers in violation of profiteering statutes have much greater impact on consumers than individual retailers.

• Institutes similar profiteering protections in regards to home heating oil.

“The high price of gasoline threatens consumer confidence, burdens Connecticut families and endangers the fragile progress our economy has made here in Connecticut,” said Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven).  “As the State of Connecticut, we can’t affect the price of oil on the international exchange – what we can do is give our Department of Consumer Protection and Attorney General the tools they need to ensure that large oil wholesaler don’t takes advantage of rising prices to unfairly gouge consumers.”

“While this proposal will have a modest change at the pump, it will ensure that the state is not profiting unnecessarily as gas prices rise,” said J. Brendan Sharkey, House Majority Leader (D-Hamden).

Moderate- and lower-income families feel the rising price of gasoline especially hard. According to a recent report by the Brookings Institute:

“Every dollar increase, holding the number of miles driven constant, would cost these moderate- and lower-income households an extra $530 per year. For a family with an annual income of $20,000, this is an additional 2.7% of their total income. Although higher gas prices eventually encourage consumers to cut back on driving or switch to more fuel-efficient vehicles, in the short-run they may have few options but to cut back on other expenditures in the family budget. Since low- and moderate-income families spend most of their income on average, in the very short run they can only choose between spending less on other items and going further into debt.”

“As summer approaches and the threat of gas costing $5 a gallon looms large, this plan attempts to rein in costs at the pump and protect against oil profiteering,” said Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield). “Capping the gross receipt tax without providing additional protections would only benefit big oil companies. Our plan is the only plan that will protect consumers and empower the Office of Consumer Protection to clamp down on price gouging.”

“Connecticut residents are struggling with our ever-increasing gas prices,” said Rep. Joseph Taborsak (D-Danbury).  “As oil prices continue to rise, we recognize that there is a limit to how much impact our state government can have while prices are being driven up by Wall Street speculators and corporate greed.  But we have to do our part and not make the problem worse. This proposal will help reign in gas prices by capping the gross receipts tax and by giving the Commissioner of Consumer protection the tools he needs to go after companies that violate our price gouging laws.”

This feels like the perfect storm, said Gloria McAdam, President and CEO, Foodshare. “More people need food because of rising gas prices. And Foodshare is challenged in getting more food to people who need it because of those same rising fuel prices. Any relief the state can provide will be welcomed by both working families and the nonprofit organizations, like Foodshare, that are striving to help those working families.

 “For most homeowners, mediation is the first opportunity they have to meet face to face with a representative from their mortgage servicer,” said Rep. Villano. In light of the recent federal advances to try and keep people in their homes, I hope people will take advantage of this opportunity.”

The event will include lenders, HUD-approved housing counselors and agencies including the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Connecticut Fair Housing Center, Judicial Foreclosure Mediation, and the Mortgage Crisis Job Training Program.

 “The nation has been hard hit by the housing slump and struggling homeowners have been facing the worst downturn in the market and the highest increase in foreclosures in decades,” Rep. Lemar said. “We need to do everything we can to keep people in their homes if we are to preserve the stability of our neighborhoods and the fiscal health of our municipalities.”

The following lenders have confirmed their participation: Bank of America; Citibank; First Niagara Bank; GMAC Mortgage; HSBC National Bank USA; JPMorgan Chase & Co.; People's United Bank; PNC Mortgage; U.S. Bank Home Mortgage; Webster Bank; and Wells Fargo Bank.

WHAT: Homeowner Mortgage Assistance Event

WHERE: Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport

WHEN: March 29, 2012, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

“This is an agreement that is good for Connecticut and good for ratepayers. Our decision to review the merger resulted in key benefits to Connecticut ratepayers. The interests of the people of our state have been protected in several important areas.

“First, ratepayers not only see the benefit of a rate freeze, but also will see a credit on their accounts.

“Second, the agreement helps Connecticut further our goals regarding energy efficiency and ratepayers are not burdened with the investment costs associated with the company’s sizable commitment.

“Third, the utility maintains a strong presence in the state, with corporate headquarters remaining in Hartford and staffing levels  maintained through a program of apprenticeship that will help train new line staff.

“Fourth, the company will also share storm costs between shareholders and ratepayers.

“Fifth, the company has agreed to important investments in storm preparation and response that will help guard against the failures that occurred last fall.

“Lastly, we are confident that appropriate oversight provisions exist in the agreement. We commend Governor Malloy, Attorney General Jepsen and Consumer Counsel Katz for their hard work in bringing about an historic agreement for the people of Connecticut.”

“This is a good concept to level the disparities that exist between urban and suburban mill rates,” said Rep. Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden) House Majority Leader. “It is a complicated subject and we want to insure the proposal will benefit taxpayers in all towns. How to accomplish that goal is the challenge.” 

“The current taxing policy allows towns to set their own mill rates and this creates an unfair system where automobiles with identical blue-book values are taxed at significantly different rates from town to town,” Rep. Berger said. “We need to come up with an alternative and more equitable way to collect automobile taxes – one that allows a statewide mill rate and consistent assessment for the same vehicle regardless of where they are registered.”

A "state-wide mill rate" would be set using the median of the local mill rates in all municipalities of the state for the assessment year. Under this proposal, the mill rate would be lowered in certain municipalities and raised in others to make a uniform, state-wide mill rate.

 “I am in favor of the concept of a uniform mill rate as Bridgeport’s current mill rate is the highest in the state,” Rep. Auden Grogins (D-Brigeport), Vice-Chair of the Planning and Development Committee where the bill was heard, said. “We must continue this dialogue and come up with a palatable system for cities and towns that can be supported through to passage.”

“Just last month, the Governor's Council for Agricultural Development was re-established to find ways to meet local demand for Connecticut-grown food and agricultural products and grow the state's agricultural sector and economy. We look forward to working with Governor Malloy and the agricultural community.” – House Majority Leader J. Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden).

“We should all be proud of our arts and cultural programs in Hamden and the individuals who make these programs so successful. These awards recognize the importance of that work,” said Rep. Sharkey, House Majority Leader. “I will continue to fight for these and other critical state dollars to improve and sustain the arts and our cultural heritage.”

“It is critical to support the cultural, artistic and historic preservation organizations so that they can achieve their goals and continue to add to Connecticut’s economic vitality and quality of life,” said Rep. Villano. “I’m pleased DECD included many Hamden groups.”

The four groups in Hamden who received grants are:

• Hamden Arts Commission - $7,475
• Town of Hamden - $2,800
• New Haven Folk, Inc - $4,808
• Young Audiences of Connecticut, Inc - $14,722

The grant programs were designed to strengthen Connecticut’s arts and historic preservation infrastructure by offering funding to organizations that have consistently provided quality public programming and to establish a network of committed Local Arts Agencies helping to develop a statewide culture and tourism and historic infrastructure to more effectively serve Connecticut’s citizens.

“Hamden is a strong community with a terrific history of nurturing the arts and developing wonderful cultural programming for its residents,” Rep. Lemar said. “These grants recognize the outstanding work that is happening in the community and help support the continued growth of some our most cherished local assets.”

I was shocked by the Register Citizen’s editorial concerning the recently proposed redrawing of Connecticut’s Congressional districts by a special master appointed by the State Supreme Court.

The editorial’s headline read “Redistricting keeps gerrymandering alive and well” with sarcastic flair and few facts, the editorial alleges that a rigged redistricting system is skewed to benefit the Democrats to the detriment of its own favorite Republican candidate for the open 5th District Congressional seat.

The word “gerrymander” describes a process in which an electoral district is drawn in such a way as to give one political party a distinct advantage over another. In describing the current 5th District as “gerrymandered,” the Register Citizen ignores that fact that the current map was drawn a decade ago by a Redistricting Commission consisting equally of Democrats and Republicans as required by Connecticut’s Constitution. It is a process that, by definition, makes gerrymandering impossible.

As the House Majority Leader, I was the person who replaced Speaker Chris Donovan on the 2011-12 Redistricting Commission for the purpose of redrawing the Congressional district lines. While my Republican colleagues and I have agreed to refrain from commenting publicly about the Commission’s negotiations, I can say that by any definition, we started from a fair, bipartisan map from 2002 – one that produced Republican victories in the 5th District for four years afterward and still leans Republican in overall voting performance.

I can also say that the Democrats’ only “plan” for the 2012 version of the Congressional map was to propose few changes, simply because so little change was required. Under the U.S. Constitution, each Congressional district in Connecticut is required to consist of exactly 714,819 people. According to the 2010 Census, the current 5th District has exactly 714,296 people, thus requiring an addition of only 523 people – a change of .07 percent.

That the independent, bipartisan-recommended and Supreme Court-appointed special master developed a map that coincides with the Democrats’ perspective is a testament only to the fact that our legal arguments were based on sound, constitutional principles.

The Register Citizen’s allegation that the special master’s plan is a ratification of gerrymandering in Connecticut is not only irresponsible, but an attack on the integrity of the special master and the Court.

“Mr. Maturo’s comments reflect not only an insensitivity to the Latino community in general, but an inability to grasp the seriousness of the problem his town is facing. East Haven has work to do, and Mayor Maturo should step down if he is not up to the task.”

From left, Rep. Sharkey, Victoria Veltri, Rep. Lemar.

In conjunction with the Working Group of State Legislators for Health Reform, hundreds of lawmakers from across the nation joined forces to announce and demonstrate their support of the Amicus Brief. The legislators’ brief argues that the Constitution gives broad power to the federal government to act in cases where a national solution is necessary. The ACA capitalizes on state innovations by setting a minimum coverage floor and giving states considerable policy flexibility.

The ACA has already provided benefits to children with pre-existing conditions, who can no longer be denied health insurance; individuals who cannot be kicked off their policies when they get sick; and young adults who can stay on their parents’ policies until age 26. More residents will save money on their health care when the law is fully implemented in 2014.

“It is time to stand strong and support the Affordable Care Act law that has brought much relief to Connecticut residents as well as American citizens across our nation,” Ritter said. “We cannot afford to lose the progress already made by giving in to political pressures that in the end will only hurt working families, small businesses and seniors. We will continue to push forward in implementing the Act so that our families can get the care they need.”

"We have been working hard in Connecticut to achieve the goals of federal healthcare law and coverage for all our citizens. We are fortunate that the federal government has formulated a national solution," said Sharkey. "Everyone should have access to healthcare by having health insurance.”

Victoria Veltri stated, "The Affordable Care Act puts consumers first, and I am proud, as the State’s Healthcare Advocate, to stand by that legislation today. Connecticut consumers benefit from reforms that go beyond the ACA’s insurance reforms to include broader healthcare reforms such as patient centered medical homes, health information technology and healthcare work force initiatives. OHA’s consumer assistance program grant under the ACA is directly responsible for putting an additional $5.7 million put back into the pockets of Connecticut’s healthcare consumers and educating hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents about their healthcare rights."

The show of support for the Affordable Care Act in Connecticut was part of a larger demonstration of support for the law across the nation this week, as over 500 state legislators representing all 50 states signed on to the Amicus Brief defending the law. The brief will be filed this Friday and was prepared in conjunction with the Working Group of State Legislators for Health Reform (a national group of state legislators working to advance health reform and implement the Affordable Care Act), Progressive States Network, and the Constitutional Accountability Center.

The full text of the Amicus Brief will be available at: www.progressivestates.org/ACAamicus

First, however, he said the state's focus needs to be on the full restoration of power to hundreds of thousands of residents and businesses still left in the dark by last weekend's snowstorm.

"Thousands are still suffering," Speaker Donovan said. "The priority is to get the power back on 100 percent. When that has been accomplished, we need to develop legislation that makes sure our utilities are better prepared to serve the public."

Speaker Donovan and State Rep. Vickie Nardello (D-Prospect) earlier this week said they would propose legislation to require PURA to create standards of acceptable performance for utility companies. Failure to meet those standards would result in significant penalties for the utilities -- that will be paid by shareholders, not customers, and refunded to the customers. "That proposal and others that are being raised will be considered," Speaker Donovan said.

House Majority Leader Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden) said, "These past few months have tried the patience of the people of Connecticut and called into question the ability of our utilities to adequately respond to severe weather and life-threatening conditions. I share that frustration and look forward to working with my colleagues to find meaningful solutions to the problem."

“Connecticut families want jobs and a strong economy,” said House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden). “We targeted small businesses and the unemployed. Because we worked together, people can go back to work. This bill gives them more than hope. It gives them a program that invests in their future. It fosters an environment that will create jobs, help small businesses grow, spur innovation, educate and train our workforce, and make Connecticut competitive again.”

“Creating a 'culture of innovation' can be a magnet for further job growth -- from bioscience leaders to small businesses," said House Majority Leader Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden). "Today, we are building on the foundation for long-term economic growth we began last session. We continue working to cultivate technology-based and small business growth where entrepreneurs, talented people and great ideas can take root. As we turn the corner to recovery, we will continue to explore other initiatives in the 2012 legislative session."

The goal of the legislation is to jump-start job creation and foster long-term economic growth. Incentives for small business, cutting red tap, incentives for innovation, economic development tools and workforce development and training are all addressed in the bill.

One of the key components of the legislation is the Small Business Express Package which will make $50 million/year available to small businesses through incentives, grants and loans.

Another vital component is aligning programs at vo-tech schools, community colleges and universities with high demand job needs of employers, including the state’s manufacturing technology companies.

Other components of the jobs bill include:

• Consolidating and increasing the tax credit for new hires
• Incentivizing investments in emerging technology (Angel Investors)
• Building innovation centers in key cities and investing in innovative ventures
• A second “First Five” program
• Cutting the business entity tax
• Streamlining the business permitting process
• Remediating old industrial sites/brownfields
• Computer upgrades to make communication between business and the state more seamless
• Workforce development, education and training
• Allowing the Airport Authority to designate new Development Zones
• Investments in roads and bridges
• Replenishing the Manufacturing Assistance Act (MAA)

In addition, the legislature signed off on Jackson Laboratory’s plan to build a $1.1 billion research facility at the UConn Health Center campus in Farmington. The State of Connecticut will invest $291 million and Jackson Laboratory will raise the balance of $860 million for the project.

“Connecticut’s investment in bioscience today will pay dividends for generations,” Speaker Donovan said.

According to the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), the project is expected to create over 660 positions at Jackson Laboratory in Farmington within 20 years. DECD estimates more than 4,600 bioscience jobs would be generated through spin-off companies, and another 2,000 would be added to local service and area retail stores. The project would yield more than 840 construction jobs as well.

Video

The Representatives have both been working with the state to help revitalize the State Street section of Hamden that lies between New Haven and North Haven. The state has already invested millions of dollars to restore a former brownfield site to create the CT Transit Bus Depot that services greater New Haven County. The Bus Depot abuts the Hamden DMV office.

“The State Street neighborhood is ripe for more ‘smart-growth’ and I see this DMV announcement as another sign that there is movement in that direction,” said Rep. Sharkey. “The next step is to have a station stop for the planned New Haven to Springfield rail line in that vicinity. It would confirm the area as a transit connection node, which would then make the area attractive to new housing and businesses while benefitting area commuters. A rail station there just makes sense.”

“I am pleased the Hamden DMV branch will offer expanded customer service by providing the full-service center that Hamden and New Haven residents deserve,” Rep. Lemar said. “I am proud to be able to work with Commissioner Currey to develop a full service hub that is focused on improving customer experience.”

The Hamden office will provide a full-range of assistance with drivers’ license testing, including commercial licenses, and knowledge exams. The plan confirms that the Hamden DMV branch will continue to be an anchor presence for the neighborhood for the foreseeable future.

“This group has been meeting over the past year and produced a series of recommendations we might include in discussions at the jobs summit tomorrow and upcoming special session,” said Rep. Sharkey. “For example, we need to increase the interest in venture capital investing in state; work toward  creating an ‘innovation ecosystem’ where academia, the state and private sector come together like the Jackson Labs UConn project; and making it easier for small businesses to start-up and grow. I’d like to see a ‘First 50’ small businesses program like we did with the ‘First Five’.”

DECD Commissioner Smith reported on the feedback she and Governor Malloy received during their three-month jobs tour, which included over 70 stops and meetings at businesses around Connecticut.

“I think this type of forum is an important part of the larger public discussion on job growth.  I know last year’s roundtable led to significant legislation on the jobs front and I believe we can build on that groundwork,” said Commissioner Smith.  “With the Governor’s Jobs Tour and Economic Summit, and with the creative ideas generated here, there seems to be emerging consensus on how we can jumpstart Connecticut’s economy.”

“We have an opportunity at the Jobs Summit to bring the discussion to a larger group and then refine the concepts for the upcoming session,” said Rep. Sharkey. “We need to delve deeper into how to streamline the regulatory environment affecting small businesses; better assess if workforce development and training is meeting the needs of Connecticut businesses; and look at lowering the threshold for venture capital investment to receive state tax credits, among other ideas.”

“Many of the themes discussed today by Commissioner Smith are in accord with what the Majority Leaders’ Roundtable members have been advocating; state assistance opportunities for small business, regulation relief and streamlining, and ways to enhance workforce development,” said Sen. Looney.

The most comprehensive jobs bill of the 2011 legislative session: An Act Concerning the Continuance of The Majority Leaders’ Job Growth Roundtable, (HB 6525) became effective October 1st. The bill received unanimous bipartisan support and will help create and retain manufacturing and technology-based jobs through incentives and a strong network between investors, academics and the state to transform Connecticut into a center of innovation for long-term growth.

Formed by the House and Senate majority leaders, the Jobs Growth Roundtable working group members brainstorm ideas to develop a strategic direction to strengthen the state's economy, create jobs, and lay the groundwork for future stable, long-term growth. It also includes leaders in the business community, labor, educators, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.

The Energy & Technology, Public Safety, Labor and Public Employees, and Planning & Development committees will hold an informational hearing in the coming weeks to address the following issues:

• Preparation and response by the utility companies, including United Illuminating and Connecticut Light & Power
• Performance of telephone and telecommunications companies
• Communication between utilities and municipal leaders
• Effectiveness of municipal reverse 9-1-1 systems and other communication methods

“Irene was one of the most powerful storms to ever hit Connecticut,” said Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr., “and many Connecticut residents, public workers, and companies stepped up to make a real difference. We also know that tens of thousands of families and businesses were left in the dark for many days – and now they’re looking for answers. It’s time to understand what happened and how Connecticut can be better positioned to deal with the next emergency.”

“Connecticut has an opportunity to learn from this storm, identify what was done effectively and what needs to be improved,” said Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven / Hamden). “My constituents want to know why it took so long to get the power back on in certain areas. Probing questions need to be asked and I’m confident the legislative hearing is the appropriate venue to get answers.” 

“I am pleased that almost all Connecticut residents now have their power restored,” said House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden). “Too many, however, suffered without power for too long. That posed more than just inconvenience for them – it jeopardized their health, safety and livelihoods. We are hearing from folks across the state that we can do better than this, and we’re looking to explore ways that we can be better prepared next time. That’s why it is appropriate at this time to convene legislative hearings.”

House Majority Leader Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden) said, “In meeting with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano yesterday, she confirmed to me that Connecticut had the highest percentage of homes without power of all states affected by Hurricane Irene.  With such a heavy burden, to me the question remains whether our local utilities are working together to bring the necessary resources to bear throughout the state, not just within their own coverage areas.”

Comments from committee chairs are included below:

House Chairwoman of the Energy and Technology Committee Rep. Vicki Nardello (D-Prospect) said, “If you got your power back within a couple days you probably were very happy with the restoration effort, but for those who had to wait close to a week or more we need to understand what happened and why. Many people who had to wait the longest also depend on electricity to run their well water pumps and that can become a health issue very quickly. We are fortunate these record outages weren’t the result of a winter storm and the time is now to figure out what can be done better.”

“This hearing will help us to determine what went well and what went wrong in the aftermath of Irene. We will examine how to avoid or address outages more quickly after future disasters, and how to provide better information to electric customers left waiting in the dark," said Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford), Senate Chair of the Energy & Technology Committee.

“We should consider the hearing an opportunity to examine what was done right by our state during Hurricane Irene  and what we can do better,” Rep. Stephen Dargan (D-West Haven), House Chair, Public Safety and Security Committee,  said. “Testimony from local officials and local emergency responders will be very helpful for future planning.”

“First responders were called upon to mobilize and deliver public safety services without interruption hour after hour for days at a time, and this hearing will provide a welcome opportunity to assess that response," Senator Joan V. Hartley (D-Waterbury), Senate Chair of the legislature's Public Safety and Security Committee, said. "In terms of law enforcement, fire and rescue operations, and emergency medical response Irene presented an extraordinary sequence of events and now offers the chance to prepare for the future.”

“It is important that we assess what went right and what went wrong with the restoration efforts by the utility companies so everyone is better prepared when the next storm strikes,” said Rep. Linda Gentile (D-Ansonia and Derby), House Chair of the Legislature’s Planning & Development Committee.

“Obviously the utility issue commanded most of the attention, since people were going without power for days on end," said Senator Cassano, who is Senate Chairman of the Planning and Development Committee. "But there were clearly other issues, such as caring for people with disabilities or who are on oxygen or bedridden. That was extremely taxing to municipalities, and a better way has to be found to identify and care for these people during a natural disaster.”

“All aspects of our state’s response to the storm need to be examined,” Rep. Zeke Zalaski (D-Southington), House Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee, said. “Our citizens need to know more about CL&P’s less than stellar response since they have already warned us about raising our rates.”

"In every facet of the response to Irene in every corner of Connecticut manpower issues came into play," Senator Edith G. Prague (D-Columbia), Senate Chair of the legislature's Labor and Public Employees Committee, said. "Going forward we have to ensure there will be adequate response capabilities in public safety personnel and for utilities restoration and infrastructure repair, just to name a few.”

“We are grateful to union leadership, the state employees and the Malloy Administration for getting the job done, and we appreciate the shared sacrifice of our state employees during this challenging time for our state.”

“With the addition of this playground, Town Center Park will help re-knit the downtown, library, Farmington Canal Greenway, middle school and neighboring residential communities. It will become a destination for children and families, add vibrancy to the area that is vital to keeping our quality of life high here in Hamden,” Rep. Sharkey said.

The park, the first all-abilities playground in Hamden, will be named after Joshua Tramontano who brought the idea to the city several years ago.

"I join Majority Leader Sharkey in thanking Governor Malloy and the members of the bond commission for allocating these funds to construct the all-abilities playground at Town Center Park," said Rep. Villano. "I also thank Rep. Sharkey for his leadership role in obtaining the release of these long-awaited funds. The new playground will fill the need for an interactive recreation facility at Town Center Park and will add to the attraction of the park as a destination point for all residents."

The playground area will feature equipment for children with special needs but be open to children of all abilities. Construction should begin this fall and when completed by early next year, it will be the first of its kind in Hamden.

“We are extremely fortunate to live in a community that cares about all of its residents. Opening up opportunities for all children to enjoy themselves outdoors, move around and get some exercise is a worthwhile investment,” said Rep. Sharkey. “For years to come, this playground will truly be a destination for children of all abilities. I look forward to seeing this project move forward.”

"The Town of Hamden has long sought the establishment of a top-tier all-abilities playground in our town center, one that is inviting and accessible to everyone in our community,” said Hamden Mayor Scott Jackson.  “I am very grateful to our legislative delegation and to Governor Malloy for recognizing this critical need helping us create another community space where families can gather."

All-abilities playgrounds help improve the health, happiness and meet the physical and emotional needs of all kids by creating a level playing field for children with special needs. All-abilities is a concept for all playgrounds that enable children and parents of all ages to play side-by side on the same equipment, ensuring integration of children and families with special needs with; vision, hearing and mobility impairments as well as autism spectrum disorders.

In public service, there’s a rule of thumb most leaders use as a barometer for whether they’ve made the right decision: If some people say you’ve gone too far in one direction, and an equal number you’ve gone too far in the other, you probably have it about right.

I was reminded of that adage after comparing the public commentary from before and after the General Assembly’s recent special session to close the budget gap left by the failure of state workers’ unions to ratify a labor concessions package with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

In the week leading up to our June 30 special session, the warning from many quarters was that the General Assembly should not cede its fiscal oversight authority to Malloy in an effort to balance the budget.

Most urged the legislature to avoid any cuts to municipal aid that would force additional property taxes on the eve of a new fiscal year, even though everyone understood that a balanced budget on July 1 was required by the state constitution and necessary for our economic future.

Speaking for the House Democrats, we agreed. Understanding that an unbalanced budget would hurt our bond rating, we recognized the need to give the governor some immediate authority to make the cuts necessary to balance the budget as of July 1.

Yet in doing so, we insisted the legislature retain the right to override any of the governor’s cuts; and, all reductions to municipal aid be off the table, even if it resulted in more layoffs of state employees.

Those demands from House Democrats were strongly resisted by the executive branch, but ultimately prevailed. The result is that no one in Connecticut is receiving a supplemental property tax bill this week from their town to make up for lost state aid, and other cuts proposed by the governor will be subject to legislative review.

After the special session, rather than applaud this achievement, many complained that the legislature failed to adopt last-minute proposals from Malloy to curb collective bargaining rights — proposals that were not part of the governor’s original concessions deal.

No one is more frustrated than me over the unions’ inexplicable failure to accept modest concessions in light of the economic crisis we all face. Reforms of many of these benefits are necessary.

And while it may be politically popular to seek our collective pound of flesh from state workers, the majority of whom supported the concessions, the reality is that such punitive actions would have dire consequences for the entire state.

In taking Wisconsin’s approach of stripping bargaining rights without the benefit of public hearings or debate, ongoing efforts by union leaders to urge members to reconsider their vote would be obliterated, making permanent the tremendous damage to our economy of having 7,500 more unemployed middle-class workers.

It may be easy to say “well, they deserve what they get,” but leadership dictates a rational recognition that the effects of layoffs go far beyond the families left without incomes. Leaders should do what they can to encourage a solution, not poison the well.

In the end, layoffs may still be unavoidable. We just agreed to give the employee unions one more chance to get it right. If, by Aug. 31, they fail to ratify concessions, the layoffs and major cuts to state programs and services will become permanent, and additional reforms involving longevity pay and pensions will be on the agenda for the special session already planned for the fall.

In the meantime, however, there is still hope that unionized state workers will choose to avoid the catastrophic result to themselves and the state that an ultimate failure to ratify concessions will produce.

The most recent special session accomplished a critical result: a balanced budget without cuts to municipal aid.

We also prevented a host of bad results: increased property taxes, municipal job losses, abdication of responsibilities to the governor, and, perhaps, the permanent, painful consequence to our economy of 7,500 layoffs and dramatic cutbacks in state services.

All in all, when applying my barometer to the spectrum of opinion concerning the legislature’s actions, it seems to me we got it just about right.

HAMDEN — When seniors use the Greater New Haven Transit District’s new bus for shopping or banking, “we will have had the honor of taking some of them from horses to hydrogen, said Donna Carter, executive director of the district.

Close to 200 people attended the dedication of the new hydrogen-powered bus at the Miller Library Tuesday.

Many took rides around downtown in the “Plug-in Electric Fuel Cell Bus,” the first “HyRide” vehicle in Connecticut to serve the senior population.

The bus service is for Hamden senior citizens. For information on how to use it, call 203-288-6282.

“I thought it was wonderful. Nice and quiet. You don’t get all the bumps. There was no smell and you could hear each other talk,” Bernice Scaramuzza, a senior center volunteer, said after her first ride.

Children from Sleeping Giant Day Care started the ceremony by singing “The Wheels on the Bus” and the Miller Melodies Singers ended it with “God Bless America.”

Mayor Scott D. Jackson welcomed the crowd. “This is Hamden, the home of Eli Whitney. We believe in innovation here. That is why we are so proud to be a part of this,” he said.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said use of the hydrogen-fueled bus, like other green energy technologies, is a step toward cutting the “overreliance of fossil fuels,” protecting the environment and making transportation cleaner.

“We as a state have the opportunity to lead in improving technologies. We can help move the country forward,” he said.

Carter said the project was made possible through about $3 million in federal and state money. The 22-foot vehicle cost $700,000, while the rest of the money will go to managing the bus, maintenance and the fueling station. By comparison, a standard diesel CT Transit bus costs about $250,000.

House Majority Leader J. Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden, advocated for a $250,000 state grant to help finance the creation of the bus, as well as the fueling station that will be built at the public works garage on Shepard Avenue later this year, Carter said.

Until then, the transit district will fuel up at Proton Energy in Wallingford.

Sharkey said the project was in the works for at least five years, and that connections among the office of U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, the transit district and Jackson helped it along.

“We have such an unbelievable history in this state about building and making things. We continue to be at the cutting edge of innovation and manufacturing,” said DeLauro.

Things get done when local, state and federal officials work together and join with private partners, she said. Projects like the hydrogen bus are “about assistance, reducing pollution and saving millions because we’re paying less for the fuel,” DeLauro said.

The staff at the Boston office of the Federal Transit Administration and Avalance, a company that is manufacturing the hydrogen fueling station, played a role in the project, Carter said. JAI Inc. of California was the consulting engineer and EBus, another California company, made the vehicle, as well as the battery-electric trolley replicas the transit district kicked off in New Haven a decade ago.

“If we had not operated the trolleys, we probably never would have considered exploring the opportunity for other alternatively fueled vehicles,” Carter said.

Peter Butler, deputy regional administrator for the Federal Transit Administration, said the transit district’s bus is an example of “breaking dependence on foreign oil.”

“Once again, transit leads the way,” Butler said. “Hamden has become an incubator for innovation. It is our expectation that, by 2030, all transit operations will be using some form of alternative energy.”

Carter said the district plans to expand its hydrogen-powered fleet, should experience show it to be a viable alternative fuel.

The bus has two electric battery packs. When the batteries go down to 65 percent, the hydrogen fuel cell starts to work, creating electricity to charge the batteries and extend the run time. The hydrogen tanks on the roof contain 5,000 pounds of fuel. The bus can go about 80 miles on one battery charge.

“This is one of the most important pieces of legislation this year. The fact that it received unanimous bipartisan support shows that we can work together and achieve concrete results that will help create and retain manufacturing and technology-based jobs for the long-term,” Sharkey said. “Incentives and a strong network between investors, academics and the state can transform Connecticut into a center of innovation that can be a magnet for entrepreneurs, talented people and great ideas to take root.”

The goal of the legislation is to jump-start job creation in the state and lays a foundation for long-term economic growth. Incentives for entrepreneurship and innovation, investments in manufacturing and education are all contained in the bill.

The legislation is an outgrowth of the Majority Leaders’ Job Growth Roundtable initiative that was led by Sharkey and Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven). In addition to lawmakers, the roundtable was made up of academics, economists, labor and business leaders, and venture capitalists.

“We need to attract more high-tech jobs to the state for the long-term and this bill has the potential to do just that,” said Representative Jeff Berger, Chair of the legislature’s Commerce Committee. “This bill represents the kind of strategic vision and systematic approach to economic development that we have to take. We have to take full advantage of our state’s many assets. And we must refocus our attention on technology and small manufacturing businesses where many of the new jobs will be created to make Connecticut competitive once again.”

Specifically, the Job Growth Roundtable’s recommendations reflected in HB 6525 include:

• Investing in business growth – Positions Connecticut to be an innovation leader by driving technology-based economic development and manufacturing reinvestment.

• Student loan reimbursement for green tech degrees - Students can qualify for up to $2,500 or 5 percent of annual tuition for 4 years.

• A manufacturing reinvestment fund - Expands and protects manufacturing base through new tax-preferred account where machinery, equipment or facilities can be purchased. Up to $50,000 can be used by 50 manufacturers with 50 or less employees for up to 5 years to reinvest and grow their businesses. Account disbursements are taxed at only 3.5 percent.

• An innovation network created in government – DECD will organize technology leaders and entrepreneurs, to increase the state’s innovation competitiveness using incentives and financial support to strengthen the bond between universities and industry. In partnership with federal research funds, increases corporate-sponsored research and establishes an innovation accelerator linking universities, corporations to start-up technology companies. Strengthens technology transfers and entrepreneurship activities at UConn and links angel networks and incubators.

“We have made significant spending reductions, consolidated 30 percent of our state agencies and maintained important investments that will help grow businesses and protect families. After 3 years of economic hardship, our state’s finances are stabilized and Connecticut is moving forward on the road to economic recovery.”

House Majority Leader Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden): “We are turning a corner, putting our fiscal deficits behind us and moving forward with the business of creating jobs and growing our state’s economy. There is no borrowing, no one-time revenues, and no gimmicks.

"Unlike the budgets in New York and New Jersey, we are protecting funding to cities and towns. Schools, town services and local property taxes will not be impacted. We’ve made real deep cuts, reduced the debt, fully funded our pension obligations and restored the rainy day fund. Making tough decisions is what the people of Connecticut expect us to do.”

“In a matter of days, the Finance and Appropriations committees are scheduled to vote on the legislative budget recommendations. Our budget will be responsible, not political.

“We appreciate the efforts of legislative Republicans to address the state’s budget issues, but are troubled by many aspects of their proposal. Here are just a few:

• Unrealistic expectation of savings: Assumptions on savings from items such as Medicaid Fraud Recovery seem wildly inflated. Further, we expect benefit reductions to low-income seniors and the disabled from the Medicaid waiver.
• Despite assertions to the contrary, their budget cuts do harm to the state’s safety net for low income elderly citizens, vocational-technical and neighborhood schools.
• The proposed selling off of parks, airports, and DMV functions would likely cost residents and change how Connecticut government functions and works for its residents.
• The elimination of the Clean Elections Program and cuts to the Connecticut Human Rights and Opportunities Commission are just two examples of actions that would harm efforts we have made toward good and clean government.

“We are working diligently to reach a budget agreement with Governor Malloy, and expect that the Appropriations and Finance Committees will soon present a realistic and workable budget for Connecticut.”

Rep. Sharkey receives the Champion of Youth award from Stephanie Barnes,
Executive Director, Boys and Girls Club of New Haven

“State Representative Brendan Sharkey is, without a doubt, a most deserving recipient of our 2011 Boys & Girls Club “Champion of Youth” award. Not only did Rep. Sharkey give tirelessly of his time as a member of the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of New Haven for many years, but he has truly been a strong advocate of youth serving organizations state-wide as a Legislator,” said Joe Andreana, Executive Director, CT Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, Inc.

“I am very pleased and humbled to even be considered for this award,” said Sharkey. “Having been involved with the Greater New Haven Club has meant a great deal to me. The kids are terrific, the staff is so dedicated and I have really enjoyed my involvement.”

“Brendan joined our board in 2007 and provided great insight. During his tenure the Club faced very difficult times and he helped both the Club and the board to navigate these tough times with determination and resiliency,” said Stephanie Barnes, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of New Haven. “His commitment to children and youth is evident in everything he does and the Board and Staff of the Boys & Girls Club of New Haven are very proud to call him a friend of the Club.”

Stephanie Barnes presented the Boys & Girls Club of New Haven “Youth of The Year” award to Elisha Reaves, a senior at Eli Whitney Technical High School in Hamden and long time club member, now after school employee, tutor and mentor. Elisha will attend Berkeley College in the fall majoring in Criminal Justice. After graduation he intends to become a police officer and serve his community.

“Elisha is a fine young man who is true role model for the younger club members,” said Sharkey. “He has already given so much at such a young age to so many others that I am proud to see his efforts recognized. I wish him all the best.”

Formed by the House and Senate majority leaders, working group members brainstorm ideas to develop a strategic direction to strengthen the state's economy, create jobs, and lay the groundwork for future stable, long-term growth. It also includes leaders in the business community, labor, educators, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.

“Last year the Majority Leaders’ Jobs Roundtable produced a landmark bipartisan jobs bill. This year growing our economy remains a top priority and that's why the Roundtable will once again focus on job generating initiatives,” said Sen. Looney. “I look forward to working with House Majority Leader Brendan Sharkey and my colleagues in the General Assembly on this critical issue.”

“Democrats in the legislature are leading on job creation because we are building on the successes from last year’s initiatives,” said Rep. Sharkey. “We set the foundation in 2010 and we will be building on it.”

Over the last year, Connecticut has struggled with massive budget shortfalls due to the poor economy where business growth and job losses are at the center of the budget problems. The roundtable will meet every two weeks and submit their jobs proposals to the General Assembly in the coming months.

“This is a time when the state has no resources to spare. But, I would also say that this is not a time to be passive, sit back and do nothing. The consequences of that are far worse,” said Rep. Sharkey. “So, we need to be strategic to be effective with limited resources. We need to be confident that our policies will be effective. We want Connecticut to be a center of innovation and entrepreneurship. In these times, with scarce resources, the best action our state can take is to make it possible for talented people, and great ideas to take root.”

“The impact on the state and region is very real,” said House Majority Leader J. Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden). “We must focus on economic development that makes long-term advancements and better use of state assets -- most notably its human capital, through education and training and through improvement of physical infrastructure. By building a state economy around innovation, Connecticut will experience long-term, sustained economic growth and job creation.”