news blog

A Budget for Connecticut
After eight months of negotiations, a balanced budget is finally in place.  We were confronted this year with the largest deficit our state has ever faced — $8.5 billion. The global economic crisis caused state revenue to fall by over 30%, while record high unemployment also meant that more citizens needed help.
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November 11, 2009
Speaker Donovan: Health Care Legislation Long Overdue
“Saturday marked a historic day for our country. For the millions of American families who suffer without access to health care and the millions of small businesses who struggle under the weight of high health care costs—this day was long overdue.”
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November 10, 2009
Rep Green Supports ‘Diamond Ruff’ Film Project
Feature Movie to be filmed and edited in Hartford
State Representative Kenneth P. Green (D-Hartford, Bloomfield) held a press conference in support of a full length movie to be shot and edited in Hartford in 2010 by nationally recognized cartoonist and writer, Joe Young, founder of the Diamond Ruff Project.  Young is taking advantage of the state film tax credits adopted by the legislature in 2007.
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November 6, 2009
Recession Puts Victims of Domestic Violence At Greater Risk
Speaker Donovan Announces Legislative Task Force on Domestic Violence
House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) today announced formation of a legislative task force that will help formulate Connecticut’s response to challenges faced by victims of domestic violence that have been exacerbated by the recession. READ MORE

November 6, 2009
Rep. Flexer Appointed Chair Of Legislative Task Force
On Domestic Violence
State Representative Mae Flexer (D-Killingly, Plainfield, Sterling) has been appointed by Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) to serve as chairwoman of a legislative task force that will help formulate Connecticut’s response to challenges faced by victims of domestic violence that have been exacerbated by the recession. READ MORE

November 6, 2009
Rep. Clemons Honored By CT NAACP
Named as one of top 100 Influential Blacks in State
State Representative Don Clemons of Bridgeport has been named one of the top 100 Influential Blacks in the state by the Connecticut NAACP. Clemons will be recognized at the group’s upcoming 44th Annual State Convention at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods which is being held this weekend, November 6-7. READ MORE

October 30, 2009 
Manchester Road Project Approved By State
Busy Middle Turnpike West intersection to be realigned
State Representative Ryan Barry (D-Manchester) announced that the State Bond Commission today approved funding for a major realignment of the heavily travelled Middle Turnpike West intersections at Center Street and New State Road. READ MORE

October 28, 2009
Rep. Lesser Announces More Residents Are Now Eligible
For Solar Lease Program
State Representative Matt Lesser (D-Durham, Middlefield, & Middletown) announced that more Durham and Middlefield residents may now qualify for financial assistance under the Connecticut Solar Lease Program. READ MORE

October 27, 2009
Statement From House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan
On Moody’s Report
“We all should be concerned with the Moody’s report and we need to work together to address longer-term structural holes in the state’s finances. We can take some comfort in the fact that our bond rating remains excellent, even as we just begin to emerge from the most difficult recession in decades. READ MORE

October 22, 2009
Speaker Donovan Encouraged By Governor’s Commitment Of State Funds For New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Line
“I congratulate Governor Rell on today’s announcement that $26 million in state bond funding will be committed to the development of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line. We’ve long said the state needs to make this kind of commitment for a project that means so much to our economic, environmental and transportation future.” READ MORE

October 21, 2009
Rep. Jarmoc: Removal of Metal Lockers
At Northern Correctional Facility Completed
State Representatives Karen Jarmoc (D-Enfield) announced today that all of the metal lockers at Northern Correctional Institution have now been completely removed from the facility and replaced with new fire-resistant, non-rigid plastic bags. READ MORE

October 20, 2009
Sen. Defronzo, Rep. Guerrera Recognized by AARP
For Dial-A-Ride Advocacy
Worked to preserve state matching grant program
During this year’s legislative session and despite staggering budget deficits, state Senator Donald DeFronzo (D-New Britain) and Representative Antonio Guerrera (D-Rocky Hill), co-chairs of the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee, advocated for the preservation of a state matching grant program that provides funding to municipalities for Dial-a-Ride services. READ MORE

October 13, 2009
Majority Leaders Discuss Connecticut's Economy
On Oct. 13th, House Majority Leader Denise Merrill and State Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney held a roundtable discussion on the topic of the Connecticut Economy. Joining the Majority Leaders were other legislators, education experts, and business advocates from throughout the state. The group will be meeting several times in the future.

The goals of the Economic Strategy and Job Growth Working group include developing a realistic, strategic direction which will create jobs, strengthen Connecticut's economy and lay the groundwork for stable growth over the long term.

October 7, 2009
East Haven Legislators Say New Law Strengthens
Town’s Authority Over Tweed
State Law Now Prohibits Longer Runway at Airport
State Senator Len Fasano (R-North Haven) and State Representative Mike Lawlor (D-East Haven) announced that a new law went into effect on Monday that writes explicitly into state statute that the runway at Tweed-New Haven Airport can never be expanded beyond its current length of 5,600 feet. READ MORE

October 6, 2009
Speaker Donovan Fights to Save Cedarcrest Hospital
Speaker of the House Chris Donovan spoke to a crowd at Cedarcrest Hospital in Newington. Governor Rell is unilaterally attempting to close the facility. Donovan and legislative Democrats triumphed in keeping funding for Cedarcrest in the new state budget and have stood side by side with patients and staff to ensure that residents of Connecticut receive the best possible care.

September 29, 2009
Newly Created Task Force on Children in The Recession Begins Discussions
Group to Present General Assembly with Recommendations for 2010 Session
The newly formed Task Force on Children in the Recession held their inaugural meeting in Hartford on Tuesday, where they began discussions on what steps they believe the Connecticut General Assembly should undertake to ensure the well-being of children during the current economic decline and future recovery. READ MORE

September 23, 2009
House Approves Historic Plan to Cut Number of Probate Courts
Probate courts to go from 117 to 54
The Connecticut House of Representatives on Wednesday approved legislation that dramatically reduces the number of probate courts in the state by more than half and draws new probate districts in what will be the biggest overhaul of the probate system since it was formed over 300 years ago. READ MORE

September 22, 2009
Speaker Donovan Proud Democrat's Budget
Saved Family Resource Centers
Speaker of the House Chris Donovan and the Danbury delegation of the House met with staff, parents and students of the Morris Street Family Resource Center in Danbury. Governor Rell had proposed to cut funding for Family Resource Centers across the state, forcing layoffs of staff and educational abandonment for many of Connecticut's families. The new state budget, drafted by Democrats, restores funding for FRCs.

September 18, 2009
Standing Up for Connecticut
Tough times call for honest leadership. The global financial crisis presented Connecticut with one of its most daunting economic challenges ever. The crisis was not of our own making, but the solution became our responsibility. Today, Connecticut has a fair and responsible budget, one that demands shared responsibility, protects our most vulnerable families, provides needed services in distressed times, and positions our state to participate in the recovery that is beginning to show signs of life. That’s because Democrats in the General Assembly stepped up, spoke the truth from the beginning, and made the difficult decisions a crisis requires.
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September 16, 2009
Speaker Donovan: Budget Saves Family Resource Centers
and Other Critical Services
Speaker of the House Chris Donovan and the Bridgeport Delegation of the House spoke to staff and parents at the Cesar Batalla Family Resource Center in Bridgeport. The grateful audience applauded the Democratic legislators for their successful effort to save critical funding for Family Resource Centers statewide. Governor Rell had proposed cuts to Family Resource Centers in her drafts of the state budget, and had implemented funding cuts this summer through executive order. The budget passed by the Democratic legislature restores funding for Family Resource Centers and other vital services that many Connecticut families depend on.

September 14, 2009
Services for Children of Incarcerated Parents Spared Budget Ax
State Representative Douglas McCrory, who represents Hartford in the Connecticut General Assembly, was able to secure funding in the recently adopted state budget for a successful program that provides services for children who have parents in prison. READ MORE

September 2, 2009
Rep. Willis Says Compromise Budget Makes Tough Choices
and Deals with the State’s Budget Deficit
State Representative Roberta Willis (D-64th District) welcomed passage of a state budget by Majority Democrats that “makes difficult choices and begins to solve the state’s budget crisis in a balanced manner with a sensible combination of cuts, federal stimulus funding, borrowing and new revenue.” READ MORE

August 16, 2009
Tab to Keep State Healthy Must Be Paid
Connecticut is trapped in a fiscal hole caused by the global economic crisis. Day after day, the legislature and Gov. M. Jodi Rell struggle on to reach a budget agreement. And every day comes the call from the public: "Can't you all just agree on something already?" But we can't just agree on "something," we must somehow agree on what's right. READ MORE

August 13, 2009
Speaker Donovan Meets With Protesters Outside Governor's Mansion
Speaker of the House Chris Donovan joined Health providers, consumers, and other Democratic legislators at the Governor's mansion to rally against Gov. Jodi Rell's proposed closing of mental health hospitals and addiction services. The closure will severely hurt people suffering from mental illness and addictions and their communities. Rell claims that the services can be provided in the public sector yet at the same time she has proposed slashing state funding to private providers.  In addition, clients at Cedarcrest, Blue Hills, and CVH suffer from the most complex and medically involved issues.  Many are served by these state facilities because the private sector is not equipped to provide necessary services.

July 20, 2009
Democrats Lead Where Governor Failed
Protect Connecticut Families With Seven Veto Overrides
in Historic Session; Republicans Split With Governor on Several Bills
“By overriding seven of Governor Rell’s vetoes today, legislative Democrats told Connecticut families they are willing to lead on issues of critical importance to them and that on key issues like health care the Governor is out of step with residents of the state as well as with national opinion,” House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) said today following the General Assembly’s historic override of vetoes issued by Governor M. Jodi Rell. READ MORE

July 17, 2009
Representative Kim Fawcett Joins the Governor in Lyme Bill’s Signing
Representative Kim Fawcett (D-Fairfield, Westport) joined the Governor at a signing ceremony for the Lyme Disease Doctor/ Patient Protection Act, legislation she championed during the 2009 legislative session. READ MORE

July 16, 2009
Representative Berger Pleased About New Law to Clean Up Brownfields
Chairman of the Commerce Committee Jeff Berger (D-Waterbury) announced today the Governor has signed a bill he authored, House Bill 6097, An Act Concerning Brownfields Development Projects, to facilitate brownfield remediation. READ MORE

July 2, 2009
Speaker Donovan Says Governor’s Vetoes a Setback for Children, Working Families, Protections for Long Island Sound
House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan said that he was “extremely disappointed” with Governor M. Jodi Rell’s vetoes of seven bills today, including legislation that provides wellness initiatives and health protections for working families, children and Connecticut residents with serious medical conditions. READ MORE

June 23, 2009
Speaker Donovan, Secretary of the State, Senate President Williams Urge Governor to Sign Landmark Healthcare Reform
“Bring affordable healthcare to every Connecticut family,” Speaker Says
House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) today said Connecticut cannot “afford to wait” on enacting accessible, affordable, quality healthcare reform, and urged Governor M. Jodi Rell to sign historic legislation delivered to her today. READ MORE

June 22, 2009
Rep. Larson Disputes Group’s Claims, Backs Film Industry Tax Credits
Says planned South Windsor studio would bring jobs, economic growth
State Representative Tim Larson (D-East Hartford, South Windsor) expressed strong support for Connecticut’s highly successful tax incentive program aimed at attracting media industry investment, citing plans by a national film production company to build a major studio in South Windsor on 60 acres where Route 5 converges with I-291. READ MORE

June 19, 2009
Rep. Lyddy Applauds Relief for Dairy Farms
State Representative Christopher Lyddy (D-Newtown) applauded the passage of legislation designed to save Connecticut’s struggling dairy industry.  The legislation provides about $10 million in direct assistance to dairy farmers over the next two years under the state’s Community Investment Act to help them stay in business. READ MORE