Representative Stafstrom Hails Approval of Nearly $3 Million in Bonding for Judicial Branch

April 16, 2020

State Representative Steve Stafstrom (D-Bridgeport) celebrates the approval of several items on today's agenda by the State Bonding Commission, amounting to close to $3 million in Judicial Branch facility upgrades, including $750,000 in financing of the planning stages for new courthouses in New Haven and Bridgeport.

"For months, I've worked closely with the Judicial Branch, the City of Bridgeport and in lockstep with our delegation on this," said Rep. Stafstrom, who Chairs the state legislature's Judiciary Committee. "With brawls and shootings occurring in and around the Bridgeport Superior Courts in recent years, our city has paid a price for outdated courthouse facilities. The allocation of these funds, and hopefully the eventual construction of a new courthouse, will go a long way toward ensuring the safety of those who interact with and work in our legal system."

The State Bonding Commission also approved much-needed Coronavirus aid, numbering at approximately $5 million for state agencies, cities and towns for the development of equipment, facilities and supplies.

Below is a list of items of the judiciary-related items on today's agenda, where the funding stands in each request, and where the money will go.

ITEM 8 - $2,000,000 statewide security improvements at Judicial Facilities

Total Earmarking $2,000,000 / Previous Allocations -0- / Balance Unallocated $2,000,000

This request includes funding which may include, but are not limited to; enhancements, modifications, additions, and replacement of weapons detection equipment, video surveillance equipment, alarm monitoring and cellblock locking control systems, access control equipment, and sallyport doors at courthouses statewide.

ITEM 18 - $90,200 for statewide security improvements at various Judicial Facilities

Total Earmarking $1,000,000 / Previous Allocations 909,800 / Balance Unallocated $ 90,200

This request includes funding which may include, but are not limited to; enhancements, modifications, additions, and replacement of weapons detection equipment, video surveillance equipment, alarm monitoring and cellblock locking control systems, access control equipment, and sallyport doors at courthouses statewide.

ITEM 10 - $750,000 to finance a planning study for potential development of a new courthouse to replace aging and obsolete existing facilities in Bridgeport and New Haven.

Total Earmarking $5,000,000 / Previous Allocations 1,020,000 / Balance Unallocated $3,980,000.

There has been concern over security at courthouses in cities, specifically Bridgeport. This bonding comes from request of the City of Bridgeport as well as the delegation and Judicial Branch. The bond would allow for various statewide security-related projects including enhancement, modification, replacement of weapons detection equipment, etc.