July 29, 2013/News
30 good answers
When asked, it can often be difficult to come up with a quick answer to the question, “Why are you a Democratic voter?” As communications director for the Connecticut Democratic Party, I have 30 good answers to that question.
The below are all recent successes and reasons to be proud of who we are.
Governor Dannel P. Malloy signed into law an act concerning and encouraging the exportation of state products and services through the Small Business Express program. This will support Connecticut’s global economic expansion in the fields of precision manufacturing, business services, sustainable technology, bioscience, and information technology.
Working to protect Connecticut’s environment, Senator Richard Blumenthal introduced legislation to protect the environmental integrity of Plum Island.
Senator Chris Murphy also supported environmental integrity, and promoted state tourism, and economic growth by working with fellow CT congresspersons to designate the lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook as a “wild and scenic river”.
Congresswoman Esty fought to aid Newtown in its recovery by offering an amendment that would make the construction of a new Sandy Hook Elementary School eligible for federal funds.
Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman represented Connecticut at the Annual National Lieutenant Governor’s Association Conference; presenting remarks on emergency preparedness and response with relation to Hurricane Sandy and the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Treasurer Denise Nappier lobbied in support of cleaner air and reducing health care expenses by urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to adopt Tier 3 motor vehicle emission and fuel standards.
Comptroller Kevin Lembo worked tirelessly to reduce our state’s retiree health liabilities, recently cutting them down by $1.68 billion through negotiating the best terms possible on behalf of employees, retirees, and the state.
Advocating on behalf of customers across the state, Attorney General George Jepsen announced that the Connecticut Water Company will refund customers approximately $10 million from the IRS over a two-year period.
Governor Malloy fought to boost small town growth through the disbursement of 14 investment fund grants to municipalities across the state of Connecticut. These “Main Street” grants will go towards improving roadways, as well as signing, streetlights, sidewalks, and more. Cornwall received $70,000 in funds, Burlington got $377,000 and Canaan’s Falls Village received $450,000
As an advocate for veterans, Congressman John Larson applauded the announcement of $3,262,739 in federal grants to help approximately 715 homeless and at-risk veterans and their families in Connecticut.
Fighting alongside citizens to cut through the red tape, Congressman Joe Courtney announced that since the beginning of 2011, his office has helped return $1,331,686 to Eastern Connecticut citizens who were owed Social Security checks, veterans’ benefits, tax refunds and other payments from the federal government.
Working on behalf of veterans in the interest of creating employment opportunities, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro announced that The WorkPlace, Inc. has been awarded $299,670 from the US Department of Labor which will go towards job training, job placement, housing, and other services.
Fighting to provide healthcare for all citizens across Connecticut, Congressman Jim Himes announced $440,912 in grants to local community health centers to enroll uninsured individuals and families in new health coverage options made available by the Affordable Care Act.
Governor Malloy rallied against hate and racism, denouncing the distribution of “Neighborhood Watch” fliers from the white supremacist group United Klans of America whom had leafleted in Milford.
Along with the MORE commission, Speaker Brendan Sharkey created effective legislation that saved municipalities and taxpayers money, which garnered bipartisan support within both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly.
Standing up for voting rights, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill denounced the Supreme Court’s striking down part of the Federal Voting Rights Act valling it an injustice.
Advocating on behalf of small towns, State Senator Don Williams announced a $500,000 grant for Killingly to fund the streetscape improvements for the Danielson Main Street Historic District Project. This will also help to continue the current downtown revitalization effort by creating the necessary infrastructure to increase the viability and exposure of the central business district.
Supporting the availability of a college education for all, Treasurer Denise Nappier announced that the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) has recently surpassed $2 billion in assets and over 22,000 students enrolled.
Lt. Governor Wyman advocated for Common CORE by seeking the U.S. Department of Education’s authorization to provide Connecticut school districts with new flexibility on statewide standardized tests.
Fighting for cheaper, cleaner, more reliable power for residents and businesses and working to create jobs, Governor Malloy signed into law Connecticut’s first-ever Comprehensive Energy Strategy.
Senator Blumenthal joined several congresspersons in support of public safety and training by announcing a $56,296 grant to Meriden so that they could purchase an interactive safety simulation trailer for hands-on safety and guidance for residents.
As a proponent of progressive immigration policies, Senator Murphy hailed the passage of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act.
Promoting transparency in government, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill announced that as of July 1st, all state agency regulations are electronically available to the public through the State of Connecticut’s website.
Following his crusade to promote greater access to state financial information, including state economic assistance programs, Comptroller Kevin Lembo was elected to the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Foundation for Open Government, Inc.
Working to support Connecticut’s firefighters and Connecticut Public Television, Congressman Larson announced $141,420 Assistance to Firefighters Grant for the Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network (CPTV) to produce a series of educational fire safety programs to air on their network during the holiday season.
Congressman Courtney continues to be a champion for the accessibility of sustainable student loans by fighting congressional Republicans to reinstate low, fixed student loan rates.
Congresswoman DeLauro applauded the announcement that $574,877 in grants have been awarded to four community health centers in South Central Connecticut to enroll uninsured Americans for health coverage options made available by the Affordable Care Act.
As a chair for the Access Health CT board, Lt. Governor Wyman has rallied outreach efforts that will be undertaken this autumn to assist residents who are uninsured or underinsured to gain access to health care programs.
Congressman Jim Himes advocated for the protection of Fairfield’s shoreline by urging his colleagues to help clear the way for new Army Corps of Engineers flood mitigation projects.
Showing solidarity and support for marriage equality, Governor Malloy directed the LGBT Pride Flag be flown over the Governor’s Mansion in recognition of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.
We’re proud of these accomplishments, but we never rest on our laurels. Look for another update on what Connecticut Democrats are accomplishing in a few weeks.