House Democrats – State Representative

State Representative Gregory Haddad (D-Mansfield, Chaplin), Vice-chair of the Legislature’s Commerce Committee, and Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) said legislation approved by the General Assembly provides funding for a world-class research and technology park at the University of Connecticut’s main campus in Storrs. The $170 million project is expected to create thousands of high-quality jobs and generate tens of millions of dollars in federal and private funding.

Rep. Gregory Haddad of Mansfield announces plans for a research and technology park at UConn.

“The long talked about research park at UConn is now set to become a reality,” said Rep. Haddad. “This bill provides resources required to build an Innovation Partnership Building to anchor the effort. On top of the important mission of encouraging collaborative efforts between the university and hi-tech businesses, there will be the potential for hundreds of new jobs for eastern Connecticut residents. Concerns over Mansfield’s long-term water needs may also be met with resources that will allow for the development of safe new water sources.”

The landmark project, first discussed in Connecticut more than 20 years ago, calls for construction of a 125,000 square-foot multi-story building comprised primarily of large, flexible-use laboratories containing specialized equipment, not readily available to industry, for collaborative industry-university research. The building will also provide high tech “clean rooms” and a bio-nanofabrication facility, business incubators, private space for use by individual companies, and office space.

“This is the job-generating plan that Eastern Connecticut has been waiting for,” said Senator Williams. “This research and technology park will create thousands of high-quality jobs and ensure that Eastern Connecticut is an integral part of Connecticut’s emerging research triangle—spanning Farmington, New Haven, and Storrs. We couldn’t move this project forward without the support of the Malloy Administration and local community leaders—all of whom understand the incredible potential for Connecticut’s families and businesses.

The UConn tech-park will eventually include multiple buildings—many of which could be privately funded—that will house large, flexible-use laboratories containing specialized equipment for collaborative research. The complex, to be located in the North Campus and completed within four years, will provide space for business incubators and individual companies.

Completion of the North Campus Road will allow the development of up to 1.4 million square feet of research, technology and academic space, consistent with the University’s long-range Master Plan. The roadway project is to be funded primarily by federal and UConn 2000 resources and will include a 4,000 linear foot-long, two-lane road that will need to accommodate all utilities underground. Also connected to the project is the new ‘Innovation Partners Eminent Faculty Program,’ which seeks to attract some the nation’s top scholars and scientists and to leverage millions of dollars in federal and private investment.

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A land mark bill introduced by State Representative Zeke Zalaski that requires employers with 50 or more employees to offer paid sick leave passed the House by a vote of 76 to 65.

The bill now heads to Governor Malloy who has promised to sign the bill into law.

The bill provides paid sick leave to service workers and excludes manufacturers and certain non-profit organizations. The bill does not require covered employers to provide paid sick leave to day or temporary workers or non-hourly employees such as salaried employees.

“This is an historic achievement because Connecticut is the first state in the nation to pass such legislation,” Rep. Zalaski said. “We have sent a message that Connecticut values its workers and people should not be forced to work when they are sick.”

Rep. Zalaski, who is House Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee and a chief proponent of the bill, led the floor debate over the bill for more than 11 hours fighting off several amendments proposed by opponents.

Under the bill, service employees would earn one hour of paid sick time for every 40 hours worked. The number of permitted sick days is capped at five per year.

The earliest service workers can begin accruing sick leave is January 1, 2012. The workers must have worked for the employer for at least 680 hours and worked an average of at least 10 hours a week for the employer in the most recently completed calendar quarter.

“It’s an historic moment,” House Speaker Christopher Donovan (D-Meriden) said. “This is the right thing to do. People who work get sick and they deserve to be protected.”

“Paid sick days are good for both workers and businesses because we have created a better, healthier and safer environment for people who work and live in Connecticut,” Rep. Zalaski said. “Now, I look forward to Governor Malloy’s signature on the bill.”

... read more - State of Connecticut - House Democrats

A land mark bill introduced by State Representative Zeke Zalaski that requires employers with 50 or more employees to offer paid sick leave passed the House by a vote of 76 to 65.

The bill now heads to Governor Malloy who has promised to sign the bill into law.

The bill provides paid sick leave to service workers and excludes manufacturers and certain non-profit organizations. The bill does not require covered employers to provide paid sick leave to day or temporary workers or non-hourly employees such as salaried employees.

“This is an historic achievement because Connecticut is the first state in the nation to pass such legislation,” Rep. Zalaski said. “We have sent a message that Connecticut values its workers and people should not be forced to work when they are sick.”

Rep. Zalaski, who is House Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee and a chief proponent of the bill, led the floor debate over the bill for more than 11 hours fighting off several amendments proposed by opponents.

Under the bill, service employees would earn one hour of paid sick time for every 40 hours worked. The number of permitted sick days is capped at five per year.

The earliest service workers can begin accruing sick leave is January 1, 2012. The workers must have worked for the employer for at least 680 hours and worked an average of at least 10 hours a week for the employer in the most recently completed calendar quarter.

“It’s an historic moment,” House Speaker Christopher Donovan (D-Meriden) said. “This is the right thing to do. People who work get sick and they deserve to be protected.”

“Paid sick days are good for both workers and businesses because we have created a better, healthier and safer environment for people who work and live in Connecticut,” Rep. Zalaski said. “Now, I look forward to Governor Malloy’s signature on the bill.”

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State Representative Bob Godfrey (D-Danbury), hailed House of Representatives’ passage Thursday of legislation that offers homeowners facing foreclosure the opportunity to have court proceedings held in abeyance while they seek mediation.

In essence, the bill (HB 6351) gives homeowners an opportunity to participate in the foreclosure mediation program without simultaneously engaging in litigation for up to eight months.

“Connecticut’s foreclosure mediation is a national model and this enhances an already successful law,” Rep. Godfrey said. “We have held public forums in Danbury with House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan that were very well attended and the need for mediation services in the community is great. I am pleased the program will now continue to help keep families in their homes during these tough economic times.”

In response to the national foreclosure crisis, the General Assembly took action in 2008 to protect and assist homeowners by establishing a Foreclosure Mediation Program. The new legislation extends the program to June 30, 2014.

The program assists lenders and homeowners in negotiating a mutually agreeable resolution of a mortgage foreclosure action through the mediation process. Since the program’s inception, over 9,000 cases have completed mediation and the program has achieved a 79 percent settlement rate.

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House Majority Leader Brendan Sharkey today announced House passage of the most comprehensive jobs bill of the 2011 legislative session. An Act Concerning the Continuance of The Majority Leaders’ Job Growth Roundtable, (HB 6525) is now headed to the Senate for consideration.

“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.

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Landmark legislation combining two major health care reform efforts – the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership and the Sustinet Healthcare Reform System – passed the House of Representatives today.

“As we have argued for the past several years, this legislation will move Connecticut further on the path to quality, affordable healthcare for all,” said House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan, who has been a chief proponent of health care reform in Connecticut.

He added, “The Healthcare Partnership and Sustinet have been designed to work together as coordinated steps in health care reform. By allowing towns and non-profits to join the state health care system the Partnership provides an important foundation for the broader reforms that Sustinet will create in the future.”

Under the bill, municipalities and non-profits will be able to take advantage of the increased bargaining power and reduced administrative costs associated with the state plan. The state comptroller will offer the option to municipalities for enrollment beginning July 1, 2012 and non-profits for enrollment starting January 1, 2013.

At least 24 states allow local government employees to participate in the state employee plan.

"Hard work and persistent effort has ultimately resulted in a comprehensive bill that moves Connecticut closer to accessible healthcare for all," said State Rep. Betsy Ritter (D-Waterford, Montville), chair of the Public Health Committee. "This process has been extremely challenging, but I am pleased to see we are making progress in our commitment to provide viable options for those in need. I thank my colleagues and Speaker Donovan for his leadership on this bill and also all the people that helped make this happen."

 “Similar to shopping at a wholesale store, buying health care in bulk saves consumers money—it’s the power of numbers,” Speaker Donovan said. The Partnership expands on the successful prescription drug pooling initiative from last year, which is already saving money for some municipalities by allowing them to take advantage of the state’s bulk purchasing power. The City of Harford will save $1.8 million per year by joining the state prescription plan. In turn, the state will save $6 million through Hartford’s participation.

Speaker Donovan said the state employee health plan has been providing good benefits to employees while keeping cost increases to a minimum, in large part due to the efforts of the state’s health care cost containment committee, which would continue to oversee the plan under this proposal.

The legislation, he said, will also stimulate our economy. “Employee benefits are one of the largest expenses faced by our cities, towns and non-profits. This plan would allow these entities to take advantage of good healthcare while providing financial relief to balance their budgets,” he said.

The provisions in the bill move the state toward Connecticut-specific health care reform that improves health care delivery, controls costs and results in savings and better health outcomes by:

• planning for a multi-payer database
• improving data collection at DPH
• establishing the Office of Health Reform and Innovation
• developing mechanisms for expanding access to insurance when the individual responsibility requirement takes effect in 2014
• identifying non-state funding sources to facilitate implementation of the federal healthcare reform
• coordinating Medicaid enrollment planning with the Exchange
• convening a consumer advisory board
• establishing the SustiNet Healthcare Cabinet to advise the Governor on development of an integrated health care system and a business plan for expanding coverage through private or public mechanisms; implementing a Basic Health Program for people 133-200% FPL; and convening working groups on health care system reforms, such as multi-payer initiatives, medical homes and electronic health records.

With this legislation, Speaker Donovan said, Connecticut will be able to attract new federal health care dollars; put in place more effective and sustainable ways to deliver health care, improve quality and expand coverage; provide affordable state options for residents; and implement delivery system and payment reforms to move toward a more coordinated, patient-centered, evidenced-based approach to health care that improves quality and slows cost growth.

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