Sen. Logan Applauds Proposal to Restore Cuts to Local Education

 

Sen. George S. Logan on Feb. 7 applauded the Connecticut Senate and House Republicans’ plan to reinstate nearly $20 million in education funding that was cut midyear to cities and towns throughout the state.

 

The Republican proposal would allow the state to restore Education Cost Sharing funding that was cut by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration in December and also close the current budget deficit of $11.9 million as estimated by the Office of Fiscal Analysis.

 

“The December cuts to towns were unfair,” Sen. Logan said.  “Local officials should be able to plan on what their state education funding should be.  This is what I hear over and over again when talking to area mayors and first selectmen.  My top priority is to protect Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck and Woodbridge.  Our Republican plan restores the cuts, and I will continue to fight to protect local education funding and property taxpayers.”

 

The plan can be viewed at www.ctsenaterepublicans.com .

 

Sen. Logan can be reached at George.Logan@cga.ct.gov and at 800 842-1421.  He represents Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck and Woodbridge. On the web: www.SenatorGeorgeLogan.com. 

 

(This is a press release from Logan's office) 

Lawmaker seeks security funds for private schools

State Sen. Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, and his son, Kevin, testify Monday in support of school security funding. / Contributed photo


HARTFORD - State Sen. Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, Monday testified along with his son in support of extending school security grants to nonpublic schools.
The pair spoke in support of House Bill No. 5564 An Act Concerning School Safety at an Education Committee public hearing held at the Legislative Office Building.

“Following the tragedy at Sandy Hook, the General Assembly took significant action to help protect our schools with the establishment of school security infrastructure grants,” Kelly said. “Our intention was and is to protect our children and make every school a safe place to live, learn and grow. However, by leaving private schools out of the equation, we are missing the mark and not fulfilling our intentions.”

The legislation under consideration this year would make the state’s school security infrastructure grants available to help private schools make a variety of safety improvements.
Currently, the grants are only available to public schools. If passed into law, this bill would require at least 10 percent of school security funds be awarded to nonpublic schools.

The school security grants were initially established to reimburse a percentage of the costs associated with school safety infrastructure improvements for public schools. They can be used to support infrastructure improvements including, but not limited to, the installation of surveillance cameras, penetration resistant vestibules, ballistic glass, solid core doors, double-door access, computer-controlled electronic locks, entry door buzzer systems, scan card systems, panic alarms, or other systems.

“Securing the funding to make these changes is challenging, for any school. If the state did not offer support, many schools would go without any safety improvements. I do not believe it is fair or responsible to limit this funding to only one group of schools. Parents should feel safe sending their child to school, and students should feel secure every day, in any school setting,” Kelly said.

In the 21st District, this legislation could help schools including St. Jude in Monroe, St. Joseph and St. Lawrence schools in Shelton, as well as St. James and St. Mark regional schools in Stratford.

Kelly’s son Kevin testified at the hearing alongside his father.

“I am here to testify on this bill because I believe every kid deserves a safe school,” said Kevin.

Kelly, alongside his son, urged the Education Committee to move Bill No. 5564 forward.

“It is our responsibility to do everything we can to make each and every school in our state safe,” Kelly said.

Kevin Kelly (www.senatorkevinkelly.com) represents the 21st District, which includes the towns of Monroe, Seymour, Shelton and Stratford. 
He can be reached at 800-842-1421, at Kevin.Kelly@cga.ct.gov.
Follow Kelly on Twitter @21KevinKelly and on Facebook at ww.facebook.com/senatorkevinkelly. 




This is a press release from Kelly's office.

Crisco hails funds to rebuild Valley fire training school

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, today welcomed news of imminent state funding to advance the process that will eventually rebuild a Naugatuck Valley Regional Fire Training School. 

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has scheduled a special meeting of the State Bond Commission at which funding for hazardous materials remediation will be allocated,  Crisco said.

More specifically, $1.5 million is expected to be approved for site clean-up as necessary at seven parcels designated for fire training schools, including the Naugatuck Valley site.

In 2010 Crisco helped secure funding for the purchase of land in Beacon Falls. That property will be the new home of the regional facility, replacing the former site in Derby, which was closed more than 10 years ago.

“No one is more sensitive to the state’s delicate fiscal condition than I am, but this investment in public safety preparedness will pay for itself in terms of readiness for fire departments throughout the region, and in terms of a recruitment tool for future firefighters,” Crisco said. 
“I’m delighted by the prospects for this funding and I’m grateful to Governor Malloy for including this item on the agenda for next week’s special meeting.”

Crisco said nine area towns – Ansonia, Seymour, Shelton, Derby, Orange, Woodbridge, Oxford, Beacon Falls, and Bethany – will eventually send firefighters to the Valley Regional Fire Training School on the property in Beacon Falls.

“I know I echo the sentiments of firefighters throughout the region with appreciation for all those who have joined me in these efforts toward a new, permanent home for the Valley Regional Fire Training School,” Crisco said. “For more than 10 years local firefighters have had to keep current with firefighting techniques and equipment by traveling statewide for the necessary instruction and training.”

“And the benefits of this new training facility won’t be limited to firefighters and fire departments, because every single resident and property owner in the affected towns will benefit in terms of increased public safety and improved preparedness for firefighters.”

This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Crisco, health official announce $3M to fund research projects

Studies to focus on chronic illnesses
 

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, D-Woodbridge, and the state Department of Public Health Deputy Commissioner Lisa Davis recently announced recipients of state funding for biomedical research into diseases associated with tobacco use and other chronic illnesses.

A total of $3,010,611 was awarded this year by the Connecticut Department of Public Health from the state’s Biomedical Research Trust Fund. 

These funds will support nine research projects conducted by researchers from the UCONN Health Center, and Yale University.

The Biomedical Research Trust Fund awards are just one example of Connecticut’s ongoing investment in the growing field of bioscience. 

Earlier this year, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy proposed the Bioscience Innovation Act which, over 10 years, will establish a $200 million fund to strengthen Connecticut’s bio science sector.

“These grants awarded today – part of an annual program to help underwrite cutting edge, health-related research – are consistent with what seems to be a growing and accelerating emphasis on comparable projects in Connecticut,” Crisco said. 

“We have recently agreed to invest in an overhaul of the UConn Health Center and provide economic development funding for Jackson Labs – it’s gratifying to know Connecticut plans to continue setting the pace in health-related research throughout the foreseeable future.”

“These projects were selected from a field of highly competitive applications received in response to a Request for Proposals issued by the department last summer,” Davis said.  

“The funds made available through the Biomedical Research Trust Fund represent an investment in Connecticut-based research that is providing new insight into how to treat and prevent leading causes of death and disability.”

With this eighth round of proposals funded by DPH, nearly $14.5 million has been awarded to Connecticut research institutions for the purpose of funding biomedical research into tobacco-related diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes.

In 2000, the Biomedical Research Trust Fund was established by the Connecticut General Assembly to fund biomedical research into tobacco-related illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. 

The trust fund may accept transfers from the Tobacco Settlement Fund. Non-profit, tax-exempt academic institutions of higher education or hospitals that conduct biomedical research are eligible to apply for these funds. 

In 2010 P.A. 10-136 expanded the scope of research funded by the trust fund to include Alzheimer's disease and diabetes research.

According to state health officials, tobacco is the single most preventable cause of mortality and morbidity in our society. 

In Connecticut, tobacco use is associated with more than 5,000 deaths per year. These deaths are primarily caused by cancer, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

An estimated 6.9 percent of the Connecticut adult population or approximately 186,000 adults age 18 years and older have been diagnosed with diabetes. An additional 93,000 Connecticut adults are estimated to have undiagnosed diabetes.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States. It is the sixth leading cause of death among American adults, and the fifth leading cause of death for adults aged 65 years and older.

This information is taken from a press release from Crisco's office.

Crisco hails Senate OK for small business funding

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, vice-chair of the legislature’s Commerce Committee,  voted Wednesday with a majority of his senate colleagues to approve additional support for the state’s Small Business Express Program.  
Crisco said this important economic development initiative has had proven, positive results and has earned supplemental funding.

The Small Business Express Program, created in 2011, provides matching grants and deferrable or forgivable loans under a streamlined application process to eligible Connecticut-based businesses with fewer than 100 employees. 

Grant and loan amounts range from $10,000 to $300,000; recipients can use the funds for machinery and equipment, to construct facilities or improve them, cover moving expenses, or meet working capital needs.

“Connecticut’s small businesses have always been an integral part of our state’s economic engine so it’s important to support the innovation and job creation that occurs in small businesses with this supplemental funding,” Crisco said. “The bill we approved today re-authorizes bonding originally meant for another program to this one, increasing the pool of available funding for small businesses by 60 percent.”

More specifically, the bill moves bonding previously authorized for Connecticut’s Manufacturing Assistance Act program, which provides financing to small and large businesses, nonprofit corporations, municipalities and regional planning organizations for a range of projects, and transfers it to the Small Business Express Program.

“With limited state funds available we have to be creative and nimble to invest wisely where we can realize the greatest return – this particular example of economic development funding has shown itself to be a terrific stimulant for participating small businesses,” Crisco said. “I am pleased by today’s bipartisan support for what amounts to a transfer of state resources because this type of collaboration will perpetuate rebound and recovery in our state’s economy.”

As of Jan. 25, 2013, the Small Business Express Program had distributed $29.2 million to Connecticut companies to create or retain 7,011 jobs in the state, including jobs in manufacturing and retail, the financial services sector, the hospitality and tourism industry, and in construction and healthcare companies.

This information is taken from a press release from Crisco's office.

United Way grants to Valley nonprofits top $31G

Funds to aid programs for children, seniors

    Valley United Way has announced 17 grants to area nonprofits covering a wide range of issues in the Valley.
    The Special Needs Grants Program is a small grants program created with funds that donors have designated to address needs in the community.
    The funds are separate from the traditional United Way funding program which takes place each year.
    Grants awarded in this round of funding total more than $31,000.
   
    In making the announcement of the awards, United Way Board Chair Fred Ortoli and Allocations Committee Chair Adrian Cabral said, “Valley agencies requested funding that was more than double the dollars available for a wide variety of needed and innovative programs.
    “The Allocations Committee and the Board of Directors were impressed by the quality of the requests and wished that more of the programs could have been funded. However, we are pleased to see that the 17 programs selected will make a measurable difference in the Valley area this year.”
   
       The programs in this year’s cycle include a series of workshops for senior caregivers, before and after school programs for children, and resources for literacy programs.
    Grants for training in mental health first aid and reducing school based arrests are also in this year's mix.
    The full list includes:
         
    Ansonia Community Action: Before and After School Program, $1,600; Area Congregations Together, Bus Token Assistance, $1,000; BHcare Antoinette's Angel's House, $500; BHcare Mental Health First Aid Training of trainees youth program, $2,000; Boy Scouts, BSA Technology, $1,500.

    Bureau of Youth Services/Derby, Reducing school based arrests, $1,500; Discovery Project, Valley Early Childhood Task Force Play and Learn Fair, $2,390.70; Junior Achievement of Western CT,  Achievement Middle School Graduation Pathway Programs, $3,000; Literacy Volunteers, Literacy volunteers test books for literacy volunteers, students and teachers, $1,777.

       Salvation Army, Family night and kids' club, $2,000; Shelton Youth Services Bureau, Remedial tutors, $400; TEAM, Inc. Caregivers’ Workshops; $1,750; TEAM, Inc. Early head start diapers by the dozens program, $4,320; TEAM, Inc., Volunteer caregivers shoveling for seniors program, $1,560.

    United Way Community Gardening $972.25; Griffin Hospital's Valley Parish Nurse program, Children restraint seats; $1,102.21; Valley YMCA, Members in residence, $4,000.


    Valley United Way, based in Shelton, is the leading philanthropic resource for the Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton matching the needs of the community and the interests of donors to improve the quality of life in the community.
    United Way supports and creates initiatives addressing youth, families and people in crisis. Each year Valley United Way funds programs and organizations that make a measurable difference in the lives of people living and working in the Valley.


This information is from a press release from Jack Walsh, President/Chief Operating Officer, Valley United Way.

Valley food banks get much-needed funding

Pictured from left are Joseph Pagliaro Jr., chair, Valley United Way campaign, Kimberly Tabb, Vice President, Administration at Prudential Annuities in Shelton, Robert D. Scinto, Jamie Cohen, President, Valley Community Foundation, Jack Walsh, President and Chief Operating Officer, Valley United Way, and Fred Ortoli, chairman, Board of Directors, Valley United Way. / Contributed photo

SHELTON - The Prudential Foundation is partnering with Prudential Annuities to leverage resources to address a major shortage at Valley-area food banks. 

A total of $24,000 in grants from The Foundation and three other funding partners was raised to restock depleted shelves at six area food banks and pantries to meet immediate needs.

“Hunger and food insecurity continues to be a growing epidemic in the United States given the current economy, “ said Lata Reddy, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility at Prudential and President of The Prudential Foundation. 
“When we learned about this crisis from The Valley United Way, we welcomed the opportunity to join the local community to address this critical issue.”

In addition to The Prudential Foundation, the grants were from the Valley United Way, the Valley Community Foundation and the R.D. Scinto Co. 
The six agencies that will receive the funds are:

·     Spooner House - $14,000;

·     St. Vincent DePaul Society - $4,500;

·     Salvation Army - $2,500;

·     Seymour/Oxford Food Bank - $1,500;

·     Parent Child Resource Center - $750;

·     Center for Domestic Violence (Umbrella) - $750.

When the seriousness of the food shortage surfaced at a meeting of United Way’s Corporate Volunteer Council, Katie Scinto, of R.D. Scinto, offered to donate $2,000 if that amount could be matched.
Scinto said, “As I sat and listened I realized that families might be turned away unless we acted immediately to do something to fix it the situation.”

Following a similar discussion at the Valley Community Foundation, the United Way met with VCF and the six food banks to determine the extent of the need and its causes. The food banks reported the shortage was caused by a dramatic increase in the demand for food driven largely by ongoing unemployment and the struggling economy. 
The United Way and the Valley Community Foundation each pledged $5,000, which increased the pool to $12,000.

When The Prudential Foundation was informed of the food shortage and the money that had already been pledged, it provided a $12,000 matching grant.

Fred Ortoli, Chairman of the Board at Valley United Way said, “This is a unique example of how the Valley works together to resolve its pressing needs. The cooperative spirit of the providers is extraordinary as is the leadership and community spirit exhibited by the funders. The fact that this happened so quickly is a tribute to their generosity and concern for the quality of life in the Valley.”

Jamie Cohen, President of the Valley Community Foundation, indicated that the problem was brought to his attention by Joseph Pagliaro Jr., a VCF Board member, who is also the current United Way Campaign Chair.
Cohen said, “Our Board responded immediately, and authorized $5,000 for this purpose. One of the remarkable things about the Valley is how we take care of own. This is another demonstration of that kind of caring.”

This information was provided by Jack Walsh, President and Chief Operating Officer, Valley United Way.

Gentile hails capital-improvement funds for O'Brien

Malloy announces $3.5M for upgrades at tech schools

HARTFORD -  Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said the State Bond Commission was scheduled to vote Wednesday afternoon on a $3.5 million allocation to be used to upgrade and modernize academic and trade equipment in programs throughout Connecticut’s technical high school system.

The bond funding will be allocated to individual schools based on the system’s capital equipment and improvement plan, which was approved by the Connecticut State Board of Education in May. 

The plan prioritizes key investments throughout the system in areas such as trade and academic equipment purchases, expansion of manufacturing programming, and technology and infrastructure improvements.

“On my Jobs Tour last year, I heard time and again from employers about the need for skilled labor, particularly in precision manufacturing,” Malloy said.
“At a time when many of our residents are looking for work, it’s frustrating to know that positions are available, but we don’t always have the workforce necessary to fill them.  The funding we are allocating to Connecticut’s technical schools will help students learn the latest techniques on the newest equipment so they can have the opportunity to fill some of these open positions and secure a good paying job with good benefits.”

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, said, "These funds will go a long way in providing necessary capital improvements that have been needed for a very long time at O'Brien Tech.

"As a state school, it is our responsibility to make sure we are providing a safe learning environment for the students who choose to attend technical schools like Emmett O'Brien."

 

Connecticut Department of Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor said, “As a high-quality public school option for students in Connecticut, technical high schools provide coursework and training that helps graduates compete in our global economy.  These investments will add to the momentum created by reforms in the Governor’s education package that establish a new model for technical school governance and strengthen the pipeline to Connecticut’s leading employers.”

Connecticut’s technical high school system currently operates 16 degree-granting technical high schools, one technical education center, and two aviation maintenance programs serving approximately 11,200 full-time high school and adult day students, with comprehensive education and training in 36 occupational areas and 2,000 apprenticeship students.

High school students receive a college preparatory curriculum and earn a Connecticut high school diploma as well as a certificate in a specific trade technology.