tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6964922342173985312024-02-20T03:15:26.462-05:00Plenty of PoliticsMary E. O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15555302123402843640noreply@blogger.comBlogger372125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-43613959832648589502017-06-14T12:11:00.001-04:002017-06-14T12:11:09.826-04:00Statement by President Trump on the shooting in Virginia<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
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The following statement was released by the White House today <a href="http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20170614/house-majority-whip-steve-scalise-shot-at-baseball-practice" target="_blank">following the shootings in Virginia</a></div>
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It is shared here unedited. </div>
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THE PRESIDENT: As you all know, shortly after<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1897127772" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">7:00 a.m.</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>this morning, a gunman opened fire on members of Congress and their staffs as they were practicing for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1897127773" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tomorrow's</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>annual charity baseball game. <u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u> <u></u></div>
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Authorities are continuing to investigate the crime, and the assailant has now died from his injuries. The FBI is leading the investigation and will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available. <u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u> <u></u></div>
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Congressman Steve Scalise, a member of House leadership, was shot and badly wounded, and is now in stable condition at the hospital, along with two very courageous Capitol Police officers. At least two others were also wounded. <u></u><u></u></div>
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Many lives would have been lost if not for the heroic actions of the two Capitol Police officers who took down the gunman despite sustaining gunshot wounds during a very, very brutal assault. <u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u> <u></u></div>
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Melania and I are grateful for their heroism and praying for the swift recovery of all victims. <u></u><u></u></div>
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Congressman Scalise is a friend, and a very good friend. He's a patriot and he's a fighter. He will recover from this assault. And, Steve, I want you to know that you have the prayers not only of the entire city behind you, but of an entire nation and, frankly, the entire world. America is praying for you and America is praying for all of the victims of this terrible shooting.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u> <u></u></div>
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I spoke with Steve's wife, Jennifer, and I pledged to her our full and absolute support -- anything she needs. We are with her and with the entire Scalise family.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u> <u></u></div>
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I have also spoken with Chief Matthew Verderosa -- he's doing a fantastic job -- of the Capitol Police to express our sympathies for his wounded officers and to express my admiration for their courage. Our brave Capitol Police perform a challenging job with incredible skill, and their sacrifice makes democracy possible.<u></u><u></u></div>
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We also commend the brave first responders from Alexandria Police, Fire and Rescue who rushed to the scene. Everyone on that field is a public servant -- our courageous police, our congressional aides who work so tirelessly behind the scenes with enormous devotion, and our dedicated members of Congress who represent our people.<u></u><u></u></div>
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We may have our differences, but we do well, in times like these, to remember that everyone who serves in our nation’s capital is here because, above all, they love our country.<u></u><u></u></div>
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We can all agree that we are blessed to be Americans, that our children deserve to grow up in a nation of safety and peace, and that we are strongest when we are unified and when we work together for the common good.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Please take a moment today to cherish those you love, and always remember those who serve and keep us safe. God bless them all, God bless you, and God Bless America.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-4430218514548893072017-06-02T15:29:00.001-04:002017-06-02T15:29:44.865-04:00Connecticut Joins the United States Climate Alliance<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">In a press release, the office of Gov. Malloy announced Connecticut would join the U.S. Climate Alliance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is the release, provided unedited here:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he has committed the State of Connecticut to join the United States Climate Alliance – a coalition of U.S. states committed to upholding the Paris Climate Agreement and taking aggressive action on climate change. Other participants in the alliance to date include California, Washington state, and New York.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Connecticut has been a national leader in combatting climate change and we have no plans of slowing down our efforts,” Governor Malloy said. “In the absence of leadership from the White House in addressing climate change, it is incumbent upon the states to take action in order to protect their residents. We remain committed to meeting the standards set forth in the Paris Climate Agreement because it is the right thing to do for not only the future of our state, but for the future of our planet. I am proud to stand with my fellow governors in support of efforts to reverse the harmful effects of global warming and to send a message to the rest of the world that we accept the science of climate change and we will not let the misguided beliefs of a few ruin our planet.”<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">With input from all participants, the United States Climate Alliance will also act as a forum to sustain and strengthen existing climate programs, promote the sharing of information and best practices, and implement new program to reduce carbon emissions from all sectors of the economy.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-87332917140576883952017-06-01T17:00:00.000-04:002017-06-01T17:01:26.682-04:00Read President Trump's statement on Paris Climate Accord <div align="center" class="m_663390070082152101MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span><u></u></span></u></b> </div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"></span></u></b> </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">The following, presented unedited here, was released by the White House on the <a href="http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20170601/trump-to-announce-us-pulling-out-of-paris-global-climate-pact" target="_blank">Paris Climate Accord</a> and is posted as a service to readers: </span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"></span></u></b> </div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"></span></u></b> </div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">“Our government rushed to join international agreements where the United States pays the costs and bears the burdens while other countries get the benefit and pay nothing.” – President Donald J. Trump<u></u><u></u></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><u></u> <u></u></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">ALREADY THE WORLD’S ENERGY LEADER: The United States had already become the leader in cutting CO2 emissions while still leading in oil & gas production.<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
<div class="m_663390070082152101MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<u></u><span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">In the United States, energy related carbon dioxide emissions have significantly declined since before the Paris Climate Accord was negotiated, and will continue to decline as a share of worldwide emissions, particularly when compared to other nations such as China and India.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="m_663390070082152101MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<u></u><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">The Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) 2017 Annual Energy Outlook reports that, from 2005 to 2016, energy related carbon dioxide emissions fell at an average annual rate of 1.4%.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="m_663390070082152101MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<u></u><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Emissions are projected to continue to fall from 2016 to 2040. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Meanwhile, the EIA reports that emissions in the developing world are expected to double their 2005 levels by 2040.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="m_663390070082152101MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<u></u><span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">According to recent U.S. Energy Information Administration, the United States remained the world’s top producer of oil and natural gas combined.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="m_663390070082152101MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<u></u><span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">The United States continues to be a world leader in energy, but increased competition from countries like China demonstrates the need for policies that enable America to compete on a global scale.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">HARMFUL TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE: The Paris Climate Accord could cost the United States economy millions of jobs and trillions of dollars in economic output over the next several decades.<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">According to an analysis by National Economic Research Associates (NERA), meeting President Obama’s commitment under the Paris Climate Accord would cost the United States nearly $3 trillion by 2040.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="m_663390070082152101MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<u></u><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">By 2040, the American economy could have 6.5 million fewer industrial sector jobs, including 3.1 million fewer manufacturing jobs.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Industries such as cement, iron and steel, coal, natural gas, and petroleum would be forced to cut production under President Obama’s Paris Climate Accord.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">SHOULDERING THE BURDEN: Under the Paris Climate Accord, the United States would carry the burden while other countries would get the benefits.<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Under the Obama Administration, which signed an agreement without having to deal with the economic repercussions, the United States was committed to reducing CO2 emissions by between 26 and 28 percent from 2005 levels by 2025.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="m_663390070082152101MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<u></u><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Meanwhile China can continue to increase emissions for the next 13 years.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">The United States already contributed $1 billion to a UN Green Climate Fund. This would increase to $3 billion under pledges made by the previous Administration.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">INEFFECTIVE: Even if every nation fully complied with the Paris Climate Accord, it would barely impact the climate.<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">According to researchers from MIT, if every nation that signed the Paris Climate Accord met all of their commitments until the end of the century, the impact on the climate would be negligible.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">PROMISE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE: President Trump is fulfilling his promise to the American people to stop international agreements that disadvantage the United States.<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">May 26, 2016, then-candidate Trump:<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">“President Obama entered the United States into the Paris Climate Accords— unilaterally, and without the permission of Congress.”<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: "courier new";">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">“So foreign bureaucrats are going to be controlling what we are using and what we are doing on our land in our country. No way.”<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><u></u> </span></div>
Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-80295013896044972552017-06-01T15:19:00.003-04:002017-06-01T15:19:59.955-04:00Fasano: GOP Labor Savings Proposal Would Benefit Municipal, Local Union Employees<div align="left" class="m_3886891678634542180MsoPlainText" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<u></u> <u></u></div>
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<b>This press release, offered unedited here for information sharing purposes, was released today by the Senate Republican leader:</b></div>
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<b>Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven)</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>released the following statement in response to misstatements that have been made by union leaders regarding the revised Senate Republican budget proposal.<u></u><u></u></div>
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“After reading multiple public statements made by union leaders over the last day it is clear that some individuals are trying to mislead the public about the Senate Republican budget proposal. Let’s be clear about what the Senate Republicans have proposed. Our plan does not touch benefits for local nurses, teachers, municipal firefighters, police or other municipal public service workers. In fact, the necessary structural changes to state employee benefits we’ve offered, to align them more closely with what local union employees are currently receiving, would actually be an economic boon to municipal and local union employees. State employees currently receive benefits that far exceed what workers such as nurses, teachers, municipal firefighters, police or other municipal public service workers get in our state. By making state employee benefits more comparable to existing municipal union labor agreements the state would have the proper resources to fully fund municipalities resulting in municipal construction projects, funding for our schools and support for our teachers, and the creation of local jobs so that local union members can find employment.<u></u><u></u></div>
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“Also, and equally important, unlike the labor plan offered by top union leaders and the governor, the Senate Republicans don’t believe those making less should be paying the same amount for benefits as those state employees who have significantly larger salaries. Therefore, our plan focuses on protecting those state workers who make less money by having a sliding scale based on salary for health care premiums which benefits lower paid employees.<u></u><u></u></div>
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“It is total error for anyone to state that the Senate Republican plan hurts teacher benefits. Unlike the Democrats’ plans that push the costs of teachers’ pensions onto municipalities, our budget protects against this change. In fact, over the next two years, our budget also puts $170 million more into a new state education funding formula - and almost $700 million into education over 10 years so that we can fairly fund schools and support teachers across the state.<u></u><u></u></div>
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“What is abundantly clear is we need to change the direction of our state. We cannot continue down this path. Unnecessarily, the state is faced with cutting social services and underfunding municipalities. Our budget paves a new path to a sustainable future with less debt and more financial stability. That benefits state employees and taxpayers alike. Efforts to deceive and manipulate the very people who have been hurt by the state’s disastrous financial situation help no one. I’m disappointed to see union leaders misrepresent the truth to the rank and file.”</div>
Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-42742534870307344922017-05-31T14:56:00.002-04:002017-05-31T14:56:29.055-04:00Senate Republicans offer revised state budget<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senate Republican President Len Fasano</td></tr>
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Connecticut Senate Republicans<span class="Apple-converted-space"> said in a release that the caucus </span>offered "revisions to their two-year, line-by-line state budget proposal with no new taxes that rejects the labor savings deal negotiated by Governor Dannel P. Malloy and state employee union leaders. "</div>
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The release is hared here, unedited, as a service to readers:<u></u><u></u></div>
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Instead of relying on the proposed deal with the state employee unions, which would lock the state into specified benefits including wage increases ranging from 9% - 11% over 5 years, the Senate Republicans identified two alternative labor savings plan options to accompany their two-year budget proposal:<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span>•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u>Option A: A savings plan that could be achieved by renegotiating a deal with the labor unions.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span>•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u>Option B: A savings plan that could be achieved through legislative action alone if the state employee unions do not come back to the negotiation table.<u></u><u></u></div>
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“State employees are hardworking individuals who provide core services to people across our state every day. However, all parties recognize that current state employee benefits are not sustainable,” said<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven)</b>. “These benefits far exceed what is received by union employees outside of state government, state employees outside of Connecticut and employees in the private sector. We need to make significant structural changes to benefits in order to protect our state employees from dramatic layoffs and to make sure the pensions and health care benefits the state has promised will be properly funded. Just like we are asking for changes throughout state government, we have to make changes to employee benefits as well. Based on the numbers, the proposed deal made by the governor and state employee unions is not the best deal possible for our state. Therefore our caucus has outlined two different paths we can pursue instead.”<u></u><u></u></div>
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The governor’s proposed labor deal with the state employee unions is estimated to save $1.5 billion over two years, but only $186 million, or 12%, of those savings come from concessions that fall outside of the control of the legislature and that need approval from state employee unions and the governor to pass. By utilizing data from the Office of Policy and Management, the Senate Republican Caucus has calculated that $1.3 billion of the governor’s proposal could be achieved through statutory changes alone without locking the state into the SEBAC contract for another 5 years.<u></u><u></u></div>
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“A labor savings deal that locks our state into these state employee contracts until 2027 and only relies on $186 million in concessions is not a good deal for the state of Connecticut. We would be tying the hands of future legislatures and governors, and putting future funding for budget items such as social services and education in jeopardy in exchange for less than $190 million in labor savings. History has taught us it’s not in the best interest to lock ourselves into a contract for minimal savings,” said<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Deputy Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Kevin Witkos (R-Canton).<u></u><u></u></b></div>
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“Our proposed labor savings plans show that there are other options to achieve the significant structural changes we need to balance our budget, pave a path to a more sustainable future and protect jobs,” said<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Senator Paul Formica, Co-Chair of the Appropriations Committee</b>. “These plans bring multiple ideas to the table so that we can all begin important conversations together.”<u></u><u></u></div>
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“We also need to look at progressive changes that won’t hurt lower paid employees more than higher paid employees,”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Sen. Fasano</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>added. “We are proud to offer ideas to implement significant reform and create a fair system, such as a sliding scale for health care benefits based on an employee’s salary.”<u></u><u></u></div>
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<b>Option A</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>lays out revisions to the deal negotiated by Governor Dannel P. Malloy to save at least an additional $657.4 million in state employee concessions achieved through collective bargaining if state unions are open to negotiations. Paired with statutory changes, this proposal would save at least $2.5 billion over two years and would extend the SEBAC contract in exchange for these significant structural changes and savings.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<b>Option B</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>includes approximately $2.1 billion in labor savings that can be achieved through legislative action alone outside of collective bargaining. Beyond the statutory labor changes, this option also includes approximately $160 million in additional changes to the non-labor portion of the Senate Republican budget released earlier this month to resolve the full deficit.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u> <u></u></div>
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Either of these two options when implemented would balance the Senate Republican “Confident Connecticut” budget. This budget does the following:<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span>•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u>Does not include new taxes<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span>•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u>Increases Education Cost Sharing funding by $170 million in the first two years and implements a new funding formula<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span>•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u>Protects all towns and cities from cuts to statutory municipal grants in year one, either holding municipalities harmless or increasing funds<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span>•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u>Maintains tax exempt status for hospitals to protect them from a new local hospital tax<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span>•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u>Preserves core government services by restoring funding for social services and programs that benefit people most in need<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span>•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u>Prioritizes transportation needs and stabilizes funding without tolls<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span>•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u>Lowers taxes for retirees and helps seniors age in place<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span>•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u>Enhances funding for state parks and tourism<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span>•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u>Streamlines government<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span>•<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u>Provides for structural changes<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u> <u></u></div>
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More details about the proposed labor savings options available in the attached presentation.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u> <u></u></div>
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Full details on the complete Senate Republican “Confident Connecticut” fiscal years 2018/2019 budget proposal available on<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.ctsenaterepublicans.com&source=gmail&ust=1496339415642000&usg=AFQjCNE1pBWTieVmG1-1ZC8uTh-vs_232w" href="http://www.ctsenaterepublicans.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.ctsenaterepublicans.com</a>. <u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u> </div>
Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-43339432694509052812017-05-31T14:52:00.003-04:002017-05-31T14:58:22.176-04:00Gov. Malloy's prepared remarks on Aetna<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-8544392586201105590MsoNormalTable" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; width: 85%px; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 6.65in;" valign="top" width="638"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According to a release: <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Governor Dannel P. Malloy delivered the following prepared remarks <a href="http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20170531/connecticut-based-aetna-employing-6000-in-state-confirms-its-mulling-move" target="_blank">on Aetna</a> during a press conference; (shared unedited here)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you for coming. I understand that there has been a great deal of discussion over the past 24 hours about Aetna. I’ve invited you here today to share my administration’s perspective on this important topic.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let me begin by saying this: Aetna is an excellent employer and an important corporate citizen. They have been a core part of our state and specifically of Hartford since 1853. Connecticut should and does greatly value our relationship with this company, and with the thousands of people they employ here.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I deeply and truly believe that the City of Hartford and the greater Hartford region provides a strong foundation for any company in the insurance sector, large or small. From a very deep bench of top insurance talent, to a knowledgeable and well-regarded state insurance department, to incredible school systems and a high quality of life for employees, Connecticut is the insurance capitol of the world for good reason.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And, as insurers are evolving its strategy to focus more on consumer-based products and services, Hartford is evolving too – bringing tech, marketing, and entrepreneurial talent right to its downtown.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, in terms of more recent conversations taking place about Aetna’s future, it would be wrong of me to speak for them in terms of where they are in any decision-making process. Those are questions you have to ask them directly. What I can do is speak for my administration’s role as a partner to Aetna and their employees, and share with you some of the efforts we’ve made – and continue to make – in order to ensure they remain a major Connecticut employer.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To begin, we have had many discussions with them over months – and in fact years – about their long-term plans and the prospect of changes, specifically at the executive level.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While we have not been notified by the company of their intention to change their footprint in Connecticut, it is my personal belief that some amount of change is coming, and that it will likely include a change in their headquarter designation, along with some number of executive positions.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I believe the vast majority of the 5,800 jobs in Connecticut will stay here, and that they could continue to choose Connecticut as their regulator. This could be akin to another large Hartford insurer who is not headquartered in Connecticut, but chooses to have a substantial base here and operate as a Connecticut regulated insurer because of the benefits and predictability that choice provides them.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here’s why I believe these things. My administration has met and spoken with senior Aetna leadership multiple times in recent months. In addition to repeatedly making clear how much the company means to Connecticut, we’ve put formal offers in front of them.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most significantly, we have offered direct incentives for them to stay, up to and including matching anything put on the table from a competing state in order to keep Aetna’s headquarters and jobs here in Connecticut. We’ve also included specific proposals that would, among other things, strengthen the City of Hartford, bolster our workforce development around Aetna’s needs, improve transportation in the region in which they operate, and make our state an even better and more responsive marketplace for them and other insurers.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To date, while we have continued to have conversations, we have not been taken up on these offers. While I don’t have any indication that they have come to a decision relative to other state or city offers, I believe their lack of a direct response speaks volumes about their intentions, at least when it comes to their headquarters.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is my own opinion that this has more to do with their desire to have executive leadership operate in a larger, more vibrant urban center than Connecticut can currently offer. We all know that employers – especially large employers – are attracted to city centers. We know that now more than ever, we are in competition across all industries – not just with Massachusetts or New York state, but more specifically with Boston and New York City.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s why my budget proposal this year is so focused on not just protecting our cities, but in growing them. In making them into even more dynamic and exciting places to work and to live. In following through on the investments that are now transforming Hartford with 1000 new apartments, university campuses downtown and increasing occupancy of our capitals office space.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And when it comes to the insurance sector, it’s why this session I’ve proposed changes that would reduce their premium tax, and why I’ve proposed legislation to provide for the timely review of new insurance mandates.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let’s be clear: Hartford is not ever going to be New York or Boston. And that’s fine. Because New York or Boston are not ever going to be Hartford, not when it comes to the history and unique advantages we offer the insurance industry and many other companies that call Hartford home. Not when it comes to the unmatched talent we offer these employers, and not when it comes to our responsive and supportive regulatory environment.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is still my hope that Aetna makes the decision to keep their headquarters here. But for me, this is now a conversation about the thousands of employees they have in our state. Keeping those employees in Connecticut is far more important than where Aetna plants its corporate flag.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, I will say that I hope any decision by the company – no matter what it is – is made soon. For the sake of their employees and the City of Hartford, we should not prolong this conversation any longer than we need to.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The state’s offers are on the table. Those offers stand. We await a response.</span></div>
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Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-9700315146117212182017-05-30T11:32:00.000-04:002017-05-30T11:32:24.813-04:00Read Gov. Malloy's letter to DeVos<div style="display: block; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/normal "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 12px auto 6px;">
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy wrote a letter to U.S. <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Education Secretary DeVos. In a release, Malloy's office said "Last week, Secretary DeVos made a disparaging reference to East Hartford Public Schools. The Governor is inviting the Secretary to visit to see for herself the promise that the district holds in reality. He is offering personally to pay her airfare to Bradley."</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/349861485/05302017-Sec-De-Vos#from_embed" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View 05302017 Sec De Vos on Scribd">05302017 Sec De Vos</a> by <a href="https://www.scribd.com/user/7730180/Helen-Bennett#from_embed" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Helen Bennett's profile on Scribd">Helen Bennett</a> on Scribd</div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.7727272727272727" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_98683" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/349861485/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-Hs8d7jkK3EEgDp6s5twr&show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-42967359200309805592017-05-24T18:32:00.004-04:002017-05-24T18:32:57.008-04:00Sens. Looney, Fasano 'Applaud Passage of Legislation Enhancing Pharmaceutical Transparency and Consumer Protection'<div class="m_-669401204766397396MsoPlainText" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senator Fasano<br />
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<i>The following release was issued Wednesday. It is posted here, unedited, to share with the community</i></div>
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HARTFORD, Conn.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>– Today<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven)</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven)</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>applauded the Senate’s bipartisan efforts to pass important patient-friendly legislation.<u></u><u></u></div>
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The health care bill passed by the Senate today with unanimous support will help increase transparency regarding pharmaceutical costs, prevent consumers from paying more for prescription drugs than the drug actually costs and ensure fair competition to benefit consumers.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Senate Bill 445 extends Sen. Looney and Sen. Fasano’s efforts over several years to implement significant health care reforms in the state of Connecticut.<u></u><u></u></div>
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A major portion of the bill addresses fairness in pharmacy benefit manager contracts. The bill eliminates restrictive “gag clauses” that prevent pharmacists from sharing price information with their patients, especially as it relates to lower cost options. It also bans “claw back” provisions which result in consumers paying more than a prescription actually costs.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senator Looney</td></tr>
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For example, if a consumer goes to a pharmacy and pays a $20 co-pay, this co-pay is agreed to by the pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) and the insurers who hire the PBM. Pharmacists are reimbursed for the price of the drug (sometimes a small service fee) which could be just $5 and the PBM pockets the difference, in this case $15, as a secret claw back. In some cases, patients could actually receive their prescription drug for a lower price if they pay out of pocket and not through their insurance policy. Similar legislation has been adopted in other states including Louisiana, Arkansas, and Maine and has passed the Texas legislature.<u></u><u></u></div>
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“This bipartisan legislation outlaws anti-consumer practices that have contributed to rising prescription drug prices and led to Connecticut residents being price gauged at pharmacy counter,” said<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Senator Looney</b>. “In addition, our bill ‘requires that facility fee notices include a telephone number that the patient can call to get more information including the estimated exact amount of the fee.’ Also, the legislation addresses surprise bills for service from clinical laboratories and requires patient consent in writing for out of network services.”<u></u><u></u></div>
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“This legislation is intended to protect consumers here in Connecticut,” said<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Senator Fasano</b>. “Pharmacists should not be prohibited from disclosing relevant information about the cost of treatment options. At the end of the day this is about making healthcare more affordable for Connecticut residents and protecting our consumers,” said Sen. Fasano. “The profits that these companies make on claw backs is shocking, these profits should not be bank-rolled on the backs of our hard-working families, and this legislation protects against that practice.”<u></u><u></u></div>
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Another provision of the bill addresses fair competition for the benefit of Connecticut consumers, specifically in regard to anti-trust laws. Connecticut is one of only 12 states that had not clarified their anti-trust laws to protect consumers. The bill explains that a pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturer cannot avoid liability for price fixing or other anticompetitive behavior simply because the consumer was not a “direct purchaser” of a product. Specifically in the pharmaceutical and health care market consumers are almost never the “direct purchaser” of a product, often times a much needed drug. This will allow consumers and the state, if they have been injured by anticompetitive behavior that violates our antitrust laws to have their day in court.<u></u><u></u></div>
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The bill also clarifies the definition of facility fee, requires notice of a facility fee at the time of scheduling an appointment, and requires that facility fee written notices include telephone numbers so that patients can find out the exact amount a facility fee would cost them. This is intended to provide more cost information to patients early on so they can better plan for their medical care.<u></u><u></u></div>
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“Transparency is the greatest tool we have to combat unsustainable drug cost increases and help Connecticut residents make the best decisions regarding their health,” said<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) Co-Chair of the Public Health Committee.</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“We have heard far too many instances of skyrocketing prices keeping medicine out of the hands of the people who need it. Passing this bill will shed light on prescription drug pricing, reducing costs and making our health system work better for everyone.”<u></u><u></u></div>
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“It is our job as legislators to always protect our constituents,” said<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Senator Heather Somers (R-Groton), Co-Chair of the Public Health Committee</b>. “This legislation is about taking proactive steps to ensure accountability for anti-competitive behavior and safeguarding consumers from non-transparent pricing.”<u></u><u></u></div>
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Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-73668832094329625212017-05-24T12:40:00.001-04:002017-05-24T12:40:25.994-04:00Connecticut Voices for Children Statement on the President's Budget Proposal<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The following press release is posted here, unedited, as an information resource only:</span><br />
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NEW HAVEN – President Trump’s budget proposal represents a major threat to Connecticut’s economic prosperity, inflicts severe cuts to the programs that serve the most vulnerable children and families in our state, and could dramatically worsen the state’s current fiscal crisis.<u></u><u></u></div>
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The proposal slashes nutrition, health care, and other important assistance that helps hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents meet basic living standards – food on the table, a roof over their heads, and access to health care – while giving new tax breaks to the wealthy and powerful and undermining the long term economic growth and prosperity of the state. The proposal would shift massive costs to Connecticut at a time when our state is already struggling to meet needs for education, transportation and other services. Currently, the state relies of federal funding for one-fifth of its budget.<u></u><u></u></div>
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“Slashing these programs would be both unwise and unfair,” said Ellen Shemitz, Executive Director of Connecticut Voices for Children. “Connecticut cannot afford to undermine its long-term wellbeing with program cuts that threaten the very foundations of healthy child development. We need to understand that some cuts never heal.” <u></u><u></u></div>
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The President’s proposal includes the following cuts to key programs.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 0in;">The budget would make deep cuts in Medicaid funding, jeopardizing health insurance and access to regular medical care for the more than 318,000 children insured through Medicaid in Connecticut—<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.cbpp.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/medicaid_connecticut_7-9-15.pdf&source=gmail&ust=1495730219956000&usg=AFQjCNGJUSiGQzD325ixvKTd1eqykz5JRg" href="http://www.cbpp.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/medicaid_connecticut_7-9-15.pdf" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">almost three out of eight children</a>. Medicaid cuts would also endanger health coverage for the 121,000 elderly individuals in the state that rely on the program. The budget assumes these cuts would be in addition to the $880 billion in cuts from Medicaid in the bill the House recently passed to repeal the Affordable Care Act. <u></u><u></u></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 0in;">The President’s proposal would cut funding for the SNAP program (formerly food stamps) by a quarter, putting children at risk of going hungry and becoming sick. In February 2016, more than 233,000 households in Connecticut received SNAP; 35 percent had children.<u></u><u></u></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 0in;">The President’s budget proposal includes cuts to Social Security Disability, affecting 81,000 individuals in Connecticut, and Supplemental Security Income, with more than 64,000 recipients in the state.<u></u><u></u></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 0in;">The President’s budget provides only level funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant. In Connecticut, unless funding for child care is increased, 1,600 children would lose their child care.<u></u><u></u></li>
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<i>About Connecticut Voices for Children: </i><i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Connecticut Voices for Children is a research-based child advocacy organization working to ensure that all Connecticut children have an equitable opportunity to achieve their full potential. In furtherance of its mission, Connecticut Voices for Children produces high-quality research and analysis, promotes citizen education, advocates for policy change at the state and local level, and works to develop the next generation of leaders.</i></div>
</span>Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-65285435117186423032017-05-23T08:33:00.000-04:002017-05-23T08:33:13.106-04:00DeLauro statement on Trump budget<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">"DeLauro: Trump<span style="font-size: medium;">’</span>s Budget is a Betrayal of Working Americans and an Assault on the Vulnerable"</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The following is the most recent release from the office of U.S. Rosa DeLauro: (unedited here)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">WASHINGTON, DC<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">—<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">released the following statement regarding President Trump’s 2018 budget after the Department of Health and Human Services’ budget was posted earlier today. DeLauro is the Senior Democrat on the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">“President Trump’s budget is a betrayal of working Americans and an assault on the vulnerable. Despite campaigning on the promise that he would fight for the American worker and the forgotten men and women of this country, President Trump proposes to recklessly slash critical programs that serve millions of Americans. The programs targeted in President Trump’s budget have a real and measurable impact on people’s lives, yet the Trump Administration feels no need to invest in their future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">“From completely eliminating LIHEAP, Preschool Development Grants, and the Community Services Block Grant, to cruelly cutting Head Start and the Child Care Development Block Grant, the Trump Administration is taking away lifelines for millions of working families. Combined with the Trump Administration’s $193 billion cut to SNAP, President Trump is set on making it harder for working families and the poor to get ahead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">“On health care, President Trump wants to make an unconscionable $7.5 billion cut to the National Institutes of Health and a $1.2 billion cut to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Further, he is proposing to slash nearly $616 billion from Medicaid and CHIP, as well as cut hundreds of millions of dollars from mental health programs. Where are the Trump Administration’s values? These cuts jeopardize the health and well-being of the American people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">“Budgets reflect our values and it is more clear than ever that President Trump only values corporations and the wealthy, not working Americans and the vulnerable. President Trump misled the American people during his campaign and he has now betrayed them with this budget. Congress must reject President Trump’s proposal and put forth a budget that works for America’s most vulnerable, not balance it on their backs.”</span></div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-33353934972683749452017-05-17T16:56:00.001-04:002017-05-17T16:56:16.550-04:00Remarks by President Trump at United States Coast Guard Academy Commencement Ceremony<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The following, unedited here, was released by the White House:</div>
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THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thank you, John. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you, and congratulations to the Class of 2017. Great job. <u></u><u></u></div>
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And, General Kelly, I want to thank you for your leadership as the Coast Guard’s Service Secretary. You’ve really been something very, very special to us as a country, and to me and our administration. You’ve done throughout your entire life an incredible job defending your country. Thank you very much, John. (Applause.) <u></u><u></u></div>
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And John and all of his folks are also doing an incredible job protecting our homeland and our border. And I’m thrilled that my first address to the Service Academy is the graduation ceremony for the United States Coast Guard. Believe me, it’s a great honor. (Applause.) I’ve been here before and it’s a very, very special place. Every cadet graduating today, as your Commander-in-Chief, it is truly my honor to welcome you aboard. (Applause.) And you should take a moment to celebrate this incredible achievement.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Governor Malloy, thank you for being here. Governor, thank you. We’re glad you could join us. And I know how busy the governors are nowadays, and they’re out there fighting. It’s never easy. Budgets are a little tight, but we’re doing a job, all of us are doing a job, working together. <u></u><u></u></div>
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I want to also thank Admiral Zookunft and his leadership. His leadership has been amazing. Today’s graduates will be fortunate to serve under such capable and experienced Commandant. He really is fantastic. <u></u><u></u></div>
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Thanks also to Admiral Rendon, the Academy Superintendent. Admiral, I understand you come from a true Coast Guard family. Two brothers, a nephew, a cousin have all passed through these halls. That’s very impressive. I guess you like the place, right? (Applause.) Somebody in your family has been doing something right, I can tell you that. I’m sure they all are very proud, just as we are very proud of the fine young officers who are graduating today, Admiral, on your watch. <u></u><u></u></div>
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I would also like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to all of the parents and the grandparents and family members who have supported these amazing graduates. Give your parents and everyone a hand. Come on. (Applause.) Because America has families like yours, and we’ll keep all of those families safe and very, very secure. You’re keeping your families safe now. <u></u><u></u></div>
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If you are not already, you’re about to become military families. So, starting today, I hope you feel the full gratitude of our nation. These fine young cadets are about to take their rightful place on the front line of defense for the United States of America. Cadets, you deserve not only the congratulations but the gratitude of each and every American, and we all salute you. (Applause.) A proud nation. And you’re a part of a very, very proud nation which salutes the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><s>195</s><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>199 cadets of the Coast Guard Academy Class of 2017. Good job. (Applause.) <u></u><u></u></div>
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And I understand from the admirals that this has been a very special class. You’ve been trained here to handle the toughest of situations, the hardest of moments really that you can experience, and the hardest in people’s lives, and to help the weak in their hour of need. But even for the Coast Guard, this class has been exceptionally dedicated to public service.<u></u><u></u></div>
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You served breakfast at the local food bank every single weekday. You rebuilt a home with Habitat for Humanity. Last year, you led cadets in donating a total of 24,000 hours -- a lot of time -- to community service. You’ve done amazing work. And in the true Coast Guard fashion, you had fewer people and fewer resources, but you accomplished the objectives, and you did it with skill and with pride -- and, I’d like to say, under budget and ahead of schedule. We’re doing a lot of that now in the United States government. (Applause.) We’re doing a lot of that. <u></u><u></u></div>
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I won’t talk about how much I saved you on the F-35 fighter jet. I won’t even talk about it. Or how much we’re about to save you on the Gerald Ford, the aircraft carrier. That had a little bit of an overrun problem before I got here, you know that. Still going to have an overrun problem. We came in when it was finished. But we’re going to save some good money. And when we build the new aircraft carriers they’re going to be built under budget and ahead of schedule, just remember that. (Applause.) That will allow us to build more. <u></u><u></u></div>
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Now, of course, there are always a few slip-ups from time to time -- you know that. For example, I understand that once or twice, First Class Cadet Bruce Kim -- where’s Bruce? (Applause.) Where’s Bruce? Oh, Bruce, how do you do this to yourself, Bruce? (Laughter.) As Regimental Parking Officer, might have accidentally caused a few tickets to be issued or a few of your cars to be booted. Bruce, what’s going on with you? (Laughter.)<u></u><u></u></div>
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But, Cadets, from this day forward, we want everyone to have a clean slate in life. That includes Bruce, right? (Laughter.) And so, for any oversights or small violations that might have occurred this year, as tradition demands, I hereby absolve every cadet serving restrictions for minor offenses. <u></u><u></u></div>
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Now, Bruce -- stand up once again, Bruce. (Laughter.) They saved you, Bruce, because they all wanted me to do that, okay? Thank you, Bruce. Congratulations, Bruce. (Applause.) Good job. By the way, Bruce, don't worry about it. That's the tradition. I was forced to do that. You know that. Don't worry. (Laughter.) <u></u><u></u></div>
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This is truly an amazing group of cadets that are here today for commission. You could have gone to school anywhere you wanted -- and with very, very few responsibilities by comparison. Instead, you chose the path of service. You chose hard work, high standards, and a very noble mission -- to save lives, defend the homeland, and protect America’s interests around the world. You chose the Coast Guard. Good choice. Good choice. (Applause.) <u></u><u></u></div>
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You’ve learned skills they don’t teach at other schools right here on the grounds of this academy and also on your larger campus -- the open sea. That is a large, large campus, isn’t it? A beautiful campus. But the greatest lesson you’ve learned at this proud institution is the knowledge you've learned about yourself. It’s the knowledge that each and every one of you is something very special -- you are leaders. <u></u><u></u></div>
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From the first stormy days of your Swab Summer to your final weeks as a first class cadet, you have been expected to take responsibility, to make decisions, and to act. And I -- like all leaders, that's exactly what you have to do. You have to act, and you have to act properly. And you have to learn how to act under great, great pressure. You're all going to be under great pressure. You have to learn how to respond and to act under great pressure.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Just days from now, you will put this vital skill into the service of your ships, your sectors, and your country. You’ll serve as deck watch officers on our amazing Coast Guard cutters. You’ll bring law and order to the dangerous waters as boating officers. You will block illegal shipments of cash, weapons and drugs. You will battle the scourge of human trafficking -- something that people haven’t been talking about. One of the big, big plagues of the world. Not our country only -- the world. Human trafficking. <u></u><u></u></div>
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Americans will place their trust in your leadership, just as they have trusted in generations of Coast Guard men and women, with respect for your skill, with awe at your courage, and with the knowledge that you will always be ready. You are Always Ready. <u></u><u></u></div>
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Not only will our citizens trust in your leadership, your commanders will trust you as well. The Coast Guard is the gold standard in delegating decision-making down to chain command. So just as your instructors have at the academy, your Coast Guard commanders will explain their vision, and then they will trust you to get the job done. Just like I, as your President, will also trust you to get the job done.<u></u><u></u></div>
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It’s amazing to think of the adventures that are about to begin for you. Across the country this month, millions of other students are graduating high school, college. Many others are wondering, just what am I going to do. They're saying to themselves, what are they going to do. You know what you're going to do. Many, many students are graduating from college right now. They're saying, what am I going to do? Where am I going to go to work? You know it. You picked a good one, by the way. You picked a beautiful one, a good one, and we're really proud to have you, I can tell you. (Applause.)<u></u><u></u></div>
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Years from now, some of them may look back and ask themselves whether they’ve made the right choice, whether they’ve made the most of the opportunities they’ve been given. In the Coast Guard, you will face many challenges and many threats, but one thing you will never have to face is that question of what will I do. When you look back, you won’t doubt. You know exactly how you spent your time -- saving lives.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I look at your admirals, I look at General Kelly, I look at some of the great people in service, and I want to tell you, they're excited about life. They love what they do. They love the country. They love protecting our country, and they love what they do. Is that right? Good. I didn't think anyone was going to say no. (Laughter.) That would have ruined our speech, right? (Laughter.) They're great people. <u></u><u></u></div>
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You always know just what you’ll be: the leaders and officers of the United States Coast Guard. (Applause.)<u></u><u></u></div>
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And when they see your uniform, everyone in the world will know exactly what that means. What standard -- and really if you think of it, when you talk about the great sailors, and the great sailors of the world, we have them. But what stranded sailor doesn’t feel relief when those red racing stripes break the horizon? What drifting soul at sea, with only a short time left to live, doesn’t rejoice at the sound of those chopper blades overhead, coming back and coming down to rescue them from death? What poison-peddling drug runner, the scourge of our country, doesn’t tremble with fear when the might of the Coast Guard comes bearing down on them? In each case, we know the reason --America's lifesaving service is on the way. The Coast Guard is truly vital to the United States Armed Forces and truly vital to our great country. (Applause.) <u></u><u></u></div>
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Out of the five branches of our Armed Services, it's only the Coast Guard that has the power to break through 21 feet of rock-solid Arctic ice, right? You’re the only ones. And I’m proud to say that under my administration, as you just heard, we will be building the first new heavy icebreakers the United States has seen in over 40 years. We’re going to build many of them. (Applause.) We need them. We need them.<u></u><u></u></div>
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The Coast Guard stands watch at our ports, patrols our waterways, and protects our infrastructure. You defend America in a world of massive and very grave threats. Soon, some of you will be leading boardings of suspicious vessels, searching for the most deadly weapons, and detaining criminals to keep our people safe. Others of you will work with partners in scores of countries around the globe, bringing in the full power of the United States Coast Guard right up to those distant shores. And some of those shores are very far away.<u></u><u></u></div>
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To secure our borders from drug cartels, human smugglers, and terrorist threats, Coast Guard Cutters patrol more than 1,500 miles below our southern border. A lot of people didn’t know that. When enormous pride hits your heart, you realize that it’s with this great skill and tremendous speed, our Coast Guard men and women interdict dangerous criminals and billions and billions of dollars' worth of illegal narcotics every single year. Your helicopters launch from the decks of world-class national security cutters, and they chase drug smugglers at speeds far in excess of 50 knots.<u></u><u></u></div>
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In rough seas, at high speeds, our incredible Coast Guard snipers take their aim at the smugglers' engines. And time after time, they take out the motors on the first shot. They don’t like wasting the bullets, right? (Applause.) They actually don’t. Your slice through roaring storms, and through pouring rain and crashing waves is a place where few other people will ever venture -- exciting. Exciting. But you have to have it in your heart. You have to love it. You love it. <u></u><u></u></div>
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In the Coast Guard, you don't run from danger, you chase it. And you are deployed in support of operations in theaters of conflict all around the world. But not only do you defend American security, you also protect American prosperity. It's a mission that goes back to the earliest days of the Revenue Cutter Service. You’ve read about that and studied that.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Today, the Coast Guard helps keep our waters open for Americans to do business. It keeps our rivers flowing with commerce. And it keeps our ports churning with American exports. You help billions and billions of dollars in goods to navigate our country every day. You are the only federal presence on our inland waterways. You police the arteries we need to rebuild this country and to bring prosperity back to our heartland. And we are becoming very, very prosperous again. You can see that.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Think of the glorious mission that awaits. You will secure our harbors, our waterways, and our borders. You will partner with our allies to advance our security interests at home and abroad. And you will pursue the terrorists, you will stop the drug smugglers, and you will seek to keep out all who would do harm to our country -- all who can never, ever love our country. Together, we have the same mission, and your devotion and dedication makes me truly proud to be your Commander-in-Chief. (Applause.) Thank you.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Now, I want to take this opportunity to give you some advice. Over the course of your life, you will find that things are not always fair. You will find that things happen to you that you do not deserve and that are not always warranted. But you have to put your head down and fight, fight, fight. Never, ever, ever give up. Things will work out just fine. <u></u><u></u></div>
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Look at the way I’ve been treated lately -- (laughter) -- especially by the media. No politician in history -- and I say this with great surety -- has been treated worse or more unfairly. You can’t let them get you down. You can’t let the critics and the naysayers get in the way of your dreams. (Applause.) I guess that’s why I -- thank you. I guess that’s why we won. <u></u><u></u></div>
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Adversity makes you stronger. Don’t give in. Don’t back down. And never stop doing what you know is right. Nothing worth doing ever, ever, ever came easy. And the more righteous your right, the more opposition that you will face. <u></u><u></u></div>
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I’ve accomplished a tremendous amount in a very short time as President. Jobs pouring back in to our country. A brand-new Supreme Court justice -- who’s going to be fantastic for 45 years -- (applause) -- a historic investment in our military. Border crossings -- thank you to our General -- are down more than 70 percent in just a short period of time -- a total record, by the way, by a lot. (Applause.) We’ve saved the Second Amendment, expanded service for our veterans -- we are going to take care of our veterans like they’ve never been taken care of before. (Applause.) <u></u><u></u></div>
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I’ve loosened up the strangling environmental chains wrapped around our country and our economy, chains so tight that you couldn’t do anything -- that jobs were going down. We were losing business. We’re loosening it up. We’ve begun plans and preparations for the border wall, which is going along very, very well. We’re working on major tax cuts for all. We are going to give you the largest tax cut in the history of our country if we get it the way we want it, and we’re going to give you major tax reform. (Applause.) And we’re also getting closer and closer, day by day, to great healthcare for our citizens. (Applause.) <u></u><u></u></div>
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And we are setting the stage right now for many, many more things to come. And the people understand what I’m doing, and that’s the most important thing. I didn’t get elected to serve the Washington media or special interests. I got elected to serve the forgotten men and women of our country, and that’s what I’m doing. (Applause.) I will never stop fighting for you, and I will never stop fighting for the American people.<u></u><u></u></div>
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As you leave this academy to embark on your exciting new voyage, I am heading on a very crucial journey as well. In a few days, I will make my first trip abroad as President. With the safety, security, and interests of the American people as my priority, I will strengthen old friendships and will seek new partners -- but partners who also help us. Not partners who take and take and take, partners who help, and partners who help pay for whatever we are doing and all of the good we’re doing for them -- which is something that a lot of people have not gotten used to and they just can’t get used to it. I say, get used to it, folks. (Applause.) I’ll ask them to unite for a future of peace and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><s>opposition</s><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>opportunity for our peoples and the peoples of the world.<u></u><u></u></div>
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First, in Saudi Arabia, where I'll speak with Muslim leaders and challenge them to fight hatred and extremism, and embrace a peaceful future for their faith. And they’re looking very much forward to hearing what we -- as your representative -- we have to say. We have to stop radical Islamic terrorism. (Applause.)<u></u><u></u></div>
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Then in Israel, I'll reaffirm our unbreakable alliance with the Jewish state. In Rome, I will talk with Pope Francis about the contributions of Christian teachings to the world. Finally, I’ll attend the NATO Summit in Brussels and the G7 in Sicily -- to promote security, prosperity and peace all over the world.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I’ll meet scores of leader, and honor the holiest sites of these three great religions. And everywhere I go, I will carry the inspiration I take from you each day, from your courage and determination to do whatever is required save and protect American lives. Save and protect American lives. We want security. You're going to give us security. (Applause.) <u></u><u></u></div>
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In just one example, we see how priceless that gift of life is to the people you touch every day. A few years ago, a Coast Guard helicopter and rescue swimmer took off in the direction of three terrified fishermen who clung to their sinking and burning vessel. That day, our Coast Guard heroes did their jobs well. They flew over the sea, despite tremendous danger, and extended a helping hand at the moment it was most urgently needed. There was very little time left.<u></u><u></u></div>
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But that’s not the most remarkable part of that story. As one Coast Guard swimmer put it, you do that stuff all the time. You do it every hour of the day. Something is happening all the time with the United States Coast Guard. You do an amazing job. A remarkable thing happened with that rescue, but when you think of it, you do those rescues all the time. There, the Vietnamese fishing captain grabbed the swimmer’s hand. He looked his Coast Guard rescuer in the eye, and said: “I was asking God to please let me live....I need to see my kids. Please, God, please, let me live so that I can see my kids. Then God sent me you.” That's what he said. (Applause.) <u></u><u></u></div>
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To every new officer, and to every new Coast Guard member here today, or out protecting life around the world on some of the roughest waters anywhere, you truly are doing God’s work. What a grateful heart you must all have. Because it is with my very grateful heart, and America’s cheers for the Coast Guard -- and America cheers for you often -- but we wish you good luck. <u></u><u></u></div>
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As your Commander-in-Chief, I thank you. I salute you. And I, once again, congratulate the Coast Guard Class of 2017. (Applause.) God bless you. God bless the Coast Guard. And God bless the United States of America. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you very much. Thank you, everybody. Great honor. Good luck. Enjoy your life. (Applause.) <u></u><u></u></div>
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Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-87452872396487434262017-05-17T11:10:00.001-04:002017-05-17T11:10:07.895-04:00Message from President Ojakian on Connecticut State Budget ProposalsThe following is a statement, unedited here, from Mark E. Ojakian, p<br />
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resident, Connecticut State Colleges & Universities<br />
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Dear CSCU Community:<u></u><u></u></div>
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Over the last few days, while you have been preparing for the end of the semester and the many other responsibilities before you, we have received some concerning news from our state capitol. <u></u><u></u></div>
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There were revised budgets released by the Governor, Senate Republicans, House Republicans, and a joint budget by Senate and House Democrats, in attempt to address the looming $2.2 and $2.7 billion deficits the state faces for the next two fiscal years. All four proposals include severe additional cuts in funding to our system, on top of the $38 million in cuts which the Governor proposed back in February. They range from an additional $5.4 million to our state universities and $19 million to our community colleges in the Governor’s and Republican’s budgets to upwards of $90 million to the system overall in the Democrats budget. <u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u> <u></u></div>
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Budget negotiations will start today and last for the next several weeks. To be clear, these are<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><u>not</u><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>the final numbers. However, these proposals do give us an indication of what is to come for our system and our state. Our new best case scenario may be a cut of over $62 million for the system in the next biennium. <u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u> <u></u></div>
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These decreases in funding have the potential to profoundly change how we educate our students. These cuts would greatly impact the sustainability of many of our institutions. These budget figures go well beyond the savings targets we were planning for under the Students First strategies. If our system does get a cut of this magnitude, it will force us to go back and explore options that we frankly did not want to consider including closing campuses, eliminating certain student services and making significant workforce reductions. <u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u> <u></u></div>
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I will continue to advocate for our students and our institutions in the weeks ahead. I will keep all of you informed as we learn more about the budget in the coming weeks, but you can also help by calling and emailing your legislators. Please use the link below to contact your legislators and tell them that budget cuts of this magnitude will not only impact our student’s education, and the survival of our institutions, but the future economic competitiveness of our state. <u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u> <u></u></div>
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<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp&source=gmail&ust=1495119831330000&usg=AFQjCNF9fA4dEiKDSCcgHIDn_kzGO8bAyQ" href="https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/<wbr></wbr>menu/cgafindleg.asp</a><u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u> <u></u></div>
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Sincerely,<u></u><u></u></div>
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Mark<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u> <u></u></div>
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<u></u> <u></u></div>
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Mark E. Ojakian<u></u><u></u></div>
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President, Connecticut State Colleges & Universities</div>
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Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-20871802256095559382017-05-17T11:06:00.000-04:002017-05-17T11:06:11.731-04:00DeLauro Calls on Congress to Increase Funding for the NIH<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEqjyAMXjU5WQ3uiYw53kN0v_xxvv81BLBUXucv7qUzRCVI8XL0FfJ1oCqyquSLXfKEWkiycj1qkkFXq8H0Lmr5jfWqPWET2x2IZpJF2dkbv0TJdkmLw_kzgZRBx3t4A0XSQOkudGAoY/s1600/Rosa+DeLauro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEqjyAMXjU5WQ3uiYw53kN0v_xxvv81BLBUXucv7qUzRCVI8XL0FfJ1oCqyquSLXfKEWkiycj1qkkFXq8H0Lmr5jfWqPWET2x2IZpJF2dkbv0TJdkmLw_kzgZRBx3t4A0XSQOkudGAoY/s320/Rosa+DeLauro.jpg" width="258" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><u></u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The following is a release, shared unedited here, from the office of U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">WASHINGTON, DC<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">—<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03)</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>today delivered the following statement at a hearing on the budget for the National Institutes of Health. DeLauro is the Senior Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee responsible for funding the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Here are the remarks, as delivered:<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. And I too I want to welcome you, Dr. Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health, as well as Dr. Lowy, Dr. Fauci, Dr. Gordon, Dr. Gibbons, Dr. Volkow—thank you, thank you so much for being here this morning to discuss the future of funding for the National Institutes of Health.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The sheer talent on your side of the table cannot be overstated—you and the work that you do at the NIH represent the power to do more good for more people than anything else within the purview of our government.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The NIH is the leading biomedical research entity in the world and my colleagues on the subcommittee have often heard me say that medical research is special. A breakthrough at the NIH saves not just one life, but potentially millions, over generations to come. That breakthrough can improve the life of not just a sick individual, but the lives of their loved ones, caretakers, and friends. That is what the NIH represents.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">As a survivor of ovarian cancer, this is personal to me.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Everyone on this Committee recognizes the importance of restoring purchasing power for the NIH. And I want to say a thank you to Chairman Cole—and all of the members of the subcommittee—for their bipartisan work to support NIH research in the past.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Last year, Congress showed once again that the NIH is a bipartisan priority by providing an additional $4.8 billion over 10 years through the 21<sup>st</sup><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Century Cures Act. The Trump Administration’s budget proposal, however, would eliminate that entire amount in just one year by cutting $8 billion from the NIH. This would decimate the NIH, reducing the agency’s research purchasing power to a level not seen since the 1990s.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">We cannot turn back the clock on lifesaving biomedical research. This is not just theoretical—when we face a public health emergency, NIH research is often our best tool to combat tragic loss of life. Take Ebola—just<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1418668709" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span>, the World Health Organization declared an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Which is why the work that you are doing to develop a vaccine remains critically important, not just for public health, but for global security. It is clear that the Ebola crisis is not over.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Last week, one of my committee staff members visited Puerto Rico to meet with the Principle Investigator of a Phase II clinical trial of a Zika vaccine candidate. The vaccine candidate was developed by the NIH—those are NIH dollars at work.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The Administration’s budget proposal would also completely eliminate the Fogarty International Center. This program represents only a sliver of the NIH’s budget, yet it has an outsized impact on the prevention and the mitigation of outbreaks abroad. Their work helps to ensure that diseases are quickly contained and never reach our country. The Fogarty Center has actively increased capacity in countries facing health crises like Ebola—they have trained some of the best practitioners on the ground, accelerating discoveries, and building essential infrastructure. As we have seen with the diseases like Ebola, Zika, HIV/ AIDS, public health emergencies know no borders.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">In FY 2016, the NIH funded 35,840 grants. In 2017, under the Omnibus we passed just two weeks ago, the NIH should be able to fund an additional 1,500 grants. This is the direction that we need to be moving in.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">But a cut of $8 billion, like the Administration has proposed, could eliminate approximately 5,000-8,000 grants. In Connecticut, a cut to NIH of this magnitude could result in our state losing over $100 million, or over 250 grants.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Sixteen years ago, NIH funded about one-in-three meritorious research proposals—but today, that rate has fallen to about one-in-five, a slight improvement over recent years but still low by historical standards. We are missing opportunities to work toward cures for life-altering diseases that affect far too many people.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Those unfunded grants translate to medical discoveries not being made—lives not being saved. We are choosing to hamper our progress as a nation. We are choosing to ravage our medical community. And it makes you just wonder—why we would move down that road?<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">And even without this proposed cut, NIH’s budget has declined by nearly $6.5 billion since 2003, when you adjust for inflation. While NIH is now funded at an all-time high of $34.1 billion thanks to the $4 billion of increases over the last two years, funding has not kept pace with the rising cost of biomedical research. Think about the choice we would be making if we cut already insufficient funding even further.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Last Congress, I introduced the bipartisan Accelerating Biomedical Research Act, which would reverse the devastating funding cuts to the NIH and attempt to provide stable, predictable growth for years to come. It would untie the hands of the committee. It would allow us to go above the caps—this is the same mechanism that we use for the Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Account. This would set us on the path of doubling the NIH budget, as we did in the late 90s under Chairman John Porter.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Investing in the NIH creates jobs, because biomedical research is a driver of economic growth. And diminishing the NIH’s ability to conduct basic science research would result in fewer discoveries, which would lead to fewer cures and therapeutics being developed by the private sector because of the basic science research that the NIH does.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I am almost inclined to dismiss the Administration’s budget—but I cannot ignore it. It would be a disservice to the American people to pretend that it does not exist. It does exist. In fact, senior officials like HHS Secretary Tom Price and OMB Director Mick Mulvaney have tried to defend it. There is no defending cutting thousands of research grants. The budget would inflict immeasurable harm on one of the jewels of our scientific research. This proposal should be dead on arrival. We should be talking about increasing the NIH’s budget by $8 billion, not cutting it by $8 billion.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I thank all of you. I look forward to your testimony. And I look forward to your new discoveries today and your new discoveries in the future. Thank you for the work that you do.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-27697505775916901902017-02-16T21:23:00.001-05:002017-02-16T21:26:26.525-05:00Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen speaks to the New Haven Register Editorial Board about President Trump
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZ5XP-AfmWdkilV3VCUNqobMVWk9eppujTaPZ6Wbj_82Nl1fgw21VEUTuVd43CdpULD_Aw_vyesfu0M55EiatcOr8Y6X3kL1U6y05rWiaagAP3igb1GGl3JWOZc7bRuCbyodFpUAw__g/s1600/SenSomers%2526Logan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZ5XP-AfmWdkilV3VCUNqobMVWk9eppujTaPZ6Wbj_82Nl1fgw21VEUTuVd43CdpULD_Aw_vyesfu0M55EiatcOr8Y6X3kL1U6y05rWiaagAP3igb1GGl3JWOZc7bRuCbyodFpUAw__g/s320/SenSomers%2526Logan.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Sen. George Logan, </b></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">R-Ansonia, take the oath of office in the Connecticut State Senate Chamber at the State Capitol on Jan. 4 as Somers’ daughter Grace (far left) looks on. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Logan (<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.SenatorLogan.com&source=gmail&ust=1483809794669000&usg=AFQjCNFXaCrSwSgSJGWVcvuL7BiDy1aapw" href="http://www.senatorlogan.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">www.SenatorLogan.com</span></a>) represents<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck and Woodbridge</b>. Logan can be reached at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="tel:(800)%20842-1421" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+18008421421">800-842-1421</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:George.Logan@cga.ct.gov" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">George.Logan@cga.ct.gov</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span> </span>(This photo and information were contributed by the Senate GOP office))Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-52766393449243905942016-10-09T17:38:00.001-04:002016-10-09T17:38:29.784-04:00Not enough to denounce....?<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #aaaaaa; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28.8px; text-transform: none;">The following is a post from <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="http://broodingbrahmin.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ca1a00;">The Brooding Brahmin</span></a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28.8px; text-transform: none;">I really wanted to write about issues today. In Connecticut, the word on everyone’s lips is the economy. Chief Executive magazine </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://chiefexecutive.net/connecticut/&source=gmail&ust=1476132335083000&usg=AFQjCNFIUiSXOqxpLKeNDHwOhDu_JuHpLA" href="http://chiefexecutive.net/connecticut/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #3b8dbd; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">ranks the state 46th</a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28.8px; text-transform: none;"> (yes, 46th!) in terms of favorability for doing business. Crippling tax hikes, a perpetual fiscal deficit, and a shrinking labor market are driving employers away from the Nutmeg State. While the state enjoys the </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/01/15/247-wall-st-states-best-schools/21388041/&source=gmail&ust=1476132335083000&usg=AFQjCNGEVj_B5PkOOIyoTfxJYiXA_tEFTw" href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/01/15/247-wall-st-states-best-schools/21388041/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #3b8dbd; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">6th best education system</a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28.8px; text-transform: none;"> in the country according to Education Week, economic competitiveness and the job market continue to suffer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font: inherit;">Against that backdrop, I wanted to write today about the inefficiencies in Hartford preventing a righting of this listing ship</span>.</div>
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But I can’t.</div>
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What changed? A <a href="http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20161008/trump-wont-quit-race-despite-pleas-from-gop-leaders" target="_blank">damning audio tape</a> from the Republican presidential candidate, in which he brags about his fame allowing him to maul women at will. Every day I wake up and think he can’t sink any lower. And every day, he continues to prove me wrong. The tape reveals a candidate that is sick, disgusting, and absolutely perverted….in other words, a standard page from the playbook that we have witnessed over the past 16 months.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Here in the blue state of Connecticut, where Republicans will remind you that a Connecticut Republican is not the same as a Deep South Republican, the House minority leader, Themis Klarides (R-114), said yesterday that <a href="http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20161008/connecticuts-top-gop-lawmaker-rethinks-trump-support-amid-controversy" target="_blank">she wants to wait and see how Trump handles himself</a> in the</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.nhregister.com/government-and-politics/20161009/ahead-of-debate-trump-revives-allegations-against-clintons" target="_blank">2nd presidential debate</a> before deciding on her level of support.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Read more <a href="http://broodingbrahmin.com/defending-poop-throwing-monkey/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Editor's note</strong>: This post was shared with the New Haven Register and is the work only of <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="http://broodingbrahmin.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ca1a00;">The Brooding Brahmin</span></a> </span></span></span></div>
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Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-73925589176988015142016-10-06T14:05:00.001-04:002016-10-06T14:18:55.482-04:00"Bipartisan buffoons and the 9/11 bill"<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #666666; font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The following is a guest post from <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="http://broodingbrahmin.com/" target="_blank">The Brooding Brahmin</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last Wednesday, Congress finally did something. In a rare act of unity and getting something done, both the Senate and the House </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/29/us/politics/senate-votes-to-override-obama-veto-on-9-11-victims-bill.html&source=gmail&ust=1475858837741000&usg=AFQjCNE76vZqibsOVKpGwo7pENulDOLUWQ" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/29/us/politics/senate-votes-to-override-obama-veto-on-9-11-victims-bill.html" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #3b8dbd; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">voted overwhelmingly to override President Obama’s veto</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> of the The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), known as the “9/11 Bill.” JASTA allows 9/11 victims’ families to sue the Saudi Arabian government for their alleged support of the terrorists that carried out the attacks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hooray Congress! You proved that you were more than knuckle dragging elected chimps. You actually did something – you took a stand and said, “Damn it, we’re going to pass this bill!” And you handed Mr. Obama his first veto override. In definitive fashion, no less! The Senate voted 97 to 1, the House 348 to 77. Now that’ll show him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I appreciate this is a very sensitive topic. Obama’s position was to protect American service members and diplomats abroad from retaliatory action. Anyone remember the accidental bombing of a Doctors without Borders hospital in Afghanistan last October? We certainly wouldn’t want a lawsuit on our heads as a result. “Wait, wait…what do you mean we don’t have sovereign immunity?” And yet, on the other hand, 9/11 is still a wound in our national consciousness, and we ought forever to show compassion to all those affected by that day and its aftermath.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #666666; font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I’m not here to litigate whether the bill was a good one or not. I mean, it passed. In definitive fashion.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #666666; font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But then, not<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_437968924" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">24 hours later</span></span>, </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/09/29/republican-leaders-say-911-measure-may-need-to-be-revisited-after-elections/&source=gmail&ust=1475858837741000&usg=AFQjCNGQA1i44raa_XEAjQfA7ZyVbY6Q_Q" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/09/29/republican-leaders-say-911-measure-may-need-to-be-revisited-after-elections/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #3b8dbd; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Congress had a Brexit moment</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. You remember….that moment of, “Oh crap, what have we done? Did we really do this?” Yup, you did.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #666666; font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last Wednesday, Congress finally did something. In a rare act of unity and getting something done, both the Senate and the House </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/29/us/politics/senate-votes-to-override-obama-veto-on-9-11-victims-bill.html&source=gmail&ust=1475858837741000&usg=AFQjCNE76vZqibsOVKpGwo7pENulDOLUWQ" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/29/us/politics/senate-votes-to-override-obama-veto-on-9-11-victims-bill.html" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #3b8dbd; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">voted overwhelmingly to override President Obama’s veto</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> of the The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), known as the “9/11 Bill.” JASTA allows 9/11 victims’ families to sue the Saudi Arabian government for their alleged support of the terrorists that carried out the attacks.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #666666; font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hooray Congress! You proved that you were more than knuckle dragging elected chimps. You actually did something – you took a stand and said, “Damn it, we’re going to pass this bill!” And you handed Mr. Obama his first veto override. In definitive fashion, no less! The Senate voted 97 to 1, the House 348 to 77. Now that’ll show him.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #666666; font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I appreciate this is a very sensitive topic. Obama’s position was to protect American service members and diplomats abroad from retaliatory action. Anyone remember the accidental bombing of a Doctors without Borders hospital in Afghanistan last October? We certainly wouldn’t want a lawsuit on our heads as a result. “Wait, wait…what do you mean we don’t have sovereign immunity?” And yet, on the other hand, 9/11 is still a wound in our national consciousness, and we ought forever to show compassion to all those affected by that day and its aftermath.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #666666; font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I’m not here to litigate whether the bill was a good one or not. I mean, it passed. In definitive fashion.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #666666; font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But then, not<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_437968924" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">24 hours later</span></span>, </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/09/29/republican-leaders-say-911-measure-may-need-to-be-revisited-after-elections/&source=gmail&ust=1475858837741000&usg=AFQjCNGQA1i44raa_XEAjQfA7ZyVbY6Q_Q" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/09/29/republican-leaders-say-911-measure-may-need-to-be-revisited-after-elections/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #3b8dbd; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Congress had a Brexit moment</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. You remember….that moment of, “Oh crap, what have we done? Did we really do this?” Yup, you did.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Read the <a href="http://broodingbrahmin.com/bipartisan-buffoons-911-bill/" target="_blank">rest of this post: here.</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #666666; font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Editor's note</strong>: This post was shared with the New Haven Register and is the work only of <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="http://broodingbrahmin.com/" target="_blank">The Brooding Brahmin</a> </span></span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tyeJ55o3El0" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #666666; font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-44075244884667839582015-09-24T12:23:00.001-04:002015-09-24T12:23:33.380-04:00Murphy on Pope Francis<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuz9MZej3XAZVOD17wPnUdjY6LepjwpZcD0pbTBw8Frp-_qPKIg2NKnMPHyDJ0NW0OVrtM-Sx0Ke7WZfpdKbq4kDANARPcyew6SIlBF-Xsg14NM5G2mVGqC2CXcTKDgODRbkr2gBhZIw/s1600/murphy9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuz9MZej3XAZVOD17wPnUdjY6LepjwpZcD0pbTBw8Frp-_qPKIg2NKnMPHyDJ0NW0OVrtM-Sx0Ke7WZfpdKbq4kDANARPcyew6SIlBF-Xsg14NM5G2mVGqC2CXcTKDgODRbkr2gBhZIw/s320/murphy9.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">On Thursday,
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, D-Conn. released a
statement after<a href="http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20150924/connecticut-governor-pope-was-inspiring-enlightening" target="_blank"> Pope Francis addressed a joint session of Congress</a>
during his visit to the United States.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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This is the statement, unedited here:</div>
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<span> <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span>“It was an
extraordinary honor to have heard Pope Francis address Congress today.
His humility and courage are an inspiration to all Americans, regardless
of faith. He has given a voice to the voiceless
and challenged leaders from around the world to confront global
challenges head on. Today, the Pope continued his groundbreaking papacy
and challenged the United States Congress to make lasting progress on
important issues including climate change, poverty,
and the humanitarian crisis abroad. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span> <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span>“The pontiff
reaffirmed that we are in a time of crisis: the moment to act on climate
change is now and this Congress has an important role to play. Without
aggressive policies to take on what he described
as ‘environmental deterioration caused by human activity,’ the health
and safety of millions around the world is at risk. He called for us to
alleviate poverty and hunger – to stick up for the populations who have
no voice in the political process and to promote
economic opportunity for families across America. He reminded my
colleagues that the United States has a long tradition of providing safe
haven to those fleeing persecution and war.
<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I took
particular note of his admonition that ‘if we want security, let us give
security.’ This was his challenge for the United States to get off the
sidelines of the ongoing humanitarian and refugee
crisis in Iraq and Syria, possibly the worst humanitarian disaster of
our times.
<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span> <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m hopeful that
my colleagues will take up the Pontiff’s challenge to put aside
partisan politics and work together to build a community ‘which
sacrifices particular interests in order to share, in justice
and peace, its goods, its interests, it’s social life.’ It is our moral
imperative to be good stewards of the earth and generous to those in
need, and I hope we live up to Pope Francis's challenge in the days
ahead.</span></div>
Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-74227946748246692072015-09-18T13:02:00.002-04:002015-09-18T13:02:42.641-04:00Connecticut OPM releases rescission list<br />
The Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, or OPM, Friday released "a list of more than $102 million in rescissions. The Governor has taken these steps so the budget remains balanced. Due to recent volatility on Wall Street and uncertainty about the future, he is taking these strategic steps so that, over the long term, our revenues can support our levels of spending.," according to a release.<br />
<br />
See the list here: <br />
<br />
<div style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;">
<a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/281830138/Rescission-List-for-9-18-15" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Rescission List for 9-18-15 on Scribd">Rescission List for 9-18-15</a></div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_71706" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/281830138/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-26353703472497777392015-09-11T12:54:00.000-04:002015-09-11T12:54:18.179-04:00Sen. Murphy: Put American made products in National Park Service retail stores<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq06tEJLr4vouRvwsm28cuNwgLEroo2I0XcoNJM7czZV0uMHO5htIJLnWOFzDlBLdAzu7bz6lUDQKAvQt5HPaCCu4DFS42h45YugVXCJkU34oHPjKf4WXkNOLVWxW_t7bZkcB58dT-JII/s1600/murphy_campaign_Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq06tEJLr4vouRvwsm28cuNwgLEroo2I0XcoNJM7czZV0uMHO5htIJLnWOFzDlBLdAzu7bz6lUDQKAvQt5HPaCCu4DFS42h45YugVXCJkU34oHPjKf4WXkNOLVWxW_t7bZkcB58dT-JII/s320/murphy_campaign_Headshot.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; padding: 0in;">U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., after
" hearing from a constituent that foreign-made products are available for
purchase in <a href="http://www.nps.gov/index.htm" target="_blank">National Park Service</a> (NPS) concession retail stores,
called on the NPS to increase
the percentage of American-made merchandise sold in national park
retail shops," according to a release </span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; padding: 0in;"></span> </div>
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<span style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; padding: 0in;">The senator released his letter (pasted unedited below) to Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis, in which, the release said, he "
highlighted the important role that the federal government
and its contractors – including NPS retail stores – can play in helping
U.S. manufacturers expand their businesses, create new jobs, and
bolster the economy by purchasing goods made by American workers."</span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; padding: 0in;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%;">
<span style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; padding: 0in;">"As
part of an ongoing effort to protect and grow American
manufacturing," Murphy asked that at least 50 percent "of goods sold in NPS
stores come from American manufacturers," and "encouraged the NPS
to codify stricter requirements to ensure that national park retail
stores do not import or sell products made by foreign
companies that are otherwise available through American manufacturers," the release said.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">According to the release, Murphy has introduced several amendments and pieces of legislation – including the
<i><a href="http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-cicilline-announce-legislation-to-update-outdated-buy-american-laws" target="_blank">21st Century Buy American Act</a></i> and the
<i><a href="http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-introduces-major-legislation-to-protect-and-grow-defense-manufacturing-jobs-in-ct" target="_blank">American Jobs Matter Act</a></i> – that "aim to strengthen existing standards and prioritize the purchase
of American-made goods"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>The letter:</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Honorable Jonathan Jarvis
<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Director<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">National Park Service<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">1849 C Street, NW<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Washington, DC 20240<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dear Director Jarvis:<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I write to thank you
for your efforts to include American-made products in National Park
Service (NPS) concession retail shops, and to encourage you to continue
to expand the availability of these products
in our national parks. While the NPS has made strides in ensuring that
NPS retailers sell products made in the United States, a Connecticut
constituent recently brought to my attention multiple instances of
foreign-made products in NPS stores. I believe that
we can do more to provide and promote quality, price-competitive,
domestically-made products in our national parks, and ask that you take
further steps to that end.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">There were more than
270 million visits to our national parks in 2013, generating billions
of dollars in revenue and contributing significantly to local economies.
Working to make sure that more domestically-made
products are sold would magnify that effect. As you know, federal
investment in manufacturing helps create new American jobs, bolsters our
economy, and enhances opportunities for America’s middle class. One of
the easiest ways to create a ripple effect of
prosperity through manufacturing communities is to ensure that the
goods purchased through the federal government and its contractors, such
as those sold in NPS retail shops, are made by American workers at U.S.
companies.
<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Studies show many
consumers are even willing to pay more for the quality associated with
domestically manufactured goods, and selling American-made products is
crucial to helping our manufacturers grow. I
was pleased that a 2008 review by the National Park Hospitality
Association indicated that 39 percent of merchandise in NPS retail
stores was made in the United States. An additional 31 percent was
finished in the U.S., and the remaining 30 percent was imported
from foreign manufacturers. While this is important progress, I ask you
take immediate steps to increase the percentage of American-made
merchandise in NPS retail stores to at least 50%. As you know, the Buy
American Act requires that certain manufactured
goods be comprised of at least 50% American content. This 50% threshold
I believe is one that NPS should be able to achieve.
<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I understand NPS has
already made reforms to encourage shop owners to buy American-made
products, such as providing financial incentives to complying retailers
and discussing ‘Made in USA’ initiatives during
the store review process. However, I believe more can be done to find
available, competitively-priced domestic products for NPS concessional
retail stores, and encourage you to codify stricter requirements to
ensure no products that are otherwise available
through domestic manufacturers are imported from foreign companies. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I appreciate your
previous efforts to promote American-made products. In addition to
further steps to increase the amount of American-made goods in NPS
stores, please let me know what Congress can do to help
ensure NPS retail stores buy American-made goods as we work together to
help grow the American economy. The National Parks System is a
priceless heritage belonging to every American, one that I believe can
contribute to the resurgence of American manufacturing
even as it helps conserve and promote our natural resources. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your response.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sincerely,<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Christopher S. Murphy<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">United States Senator</span></div>
Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-36251182933601481132015-09-01T15:55:00.001-04:002015-09-01T15:55:15.877-04:00President Clinton to Receive Dodd Prize, Speak at UCONN<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoZMNcoheyXq0jYY0mqsXdp_8xaqRn5zKVZKI4OOr_cv2Q9cfjc5vl_fAqvBW9Y5V-_7yCKkTd3JQNCm0vMCFTU0bxGzHtyxCQEofOKhzU937MfmEUP9lbA8eyAbryS_sMkxLCVQCWhs/s1600/Harp+and+Clinton.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoZMNcoheyXq0jYY0mqsXdp_8xaqRn5zKVZKI4OOr_cv2Q9cfjc5vl_fAqvBW9Y5V-_7yCKkTd3JQNCm0vMCFTU0bxGzHtyxCQEofOKhzU937MfmEUP9lbA8eyAbryS_sMkxLCVQCWhs/s320/Harp+and+Clinton.JPG" width="240" /></a>UConn today reports that President Bill Clinton will be the keynote speaker at the Oct. 15 ceremony for the 20th anniversary of the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, on UConn’s Storrs Campus.<br />
<br />
Everyone in Greater New Haven recalls the Mr. Clinton visited the Elm City <a href="http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20140902/bill-clinton-drops-in-new-haven-bakery-before-he-heads-to-omni-for-fundraiser" target="_blank">to stump for Gov. Malloy.</a><br />
<br />
Read more about the <a href="http://today.uconn.edu/2015/09/president-clinton-to-receive-dodd-prize-speak-on-campus/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+uconn-today+%28UConn+Today%29" target="_blank">UConn visit here</a>.Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-53814118265904486292015-08-31T13:38:00.002-04:002015-08-31T13:38:46.770-04:00Has Connecticut ended veteran homelessness?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL61LMo1gwUpWoZhebXSYBSzsq1xpF0Cl3DoWPIBsJWCzaM46HINdmo6SZgVOR6SYFZ-gJcNPP9RApQDfCqjtTXEA3ybx2VowCw-z2YhnB2lA4z8ABYzg9pCdNdYCtjrum-cMkFnCQPL4/s1600/malloy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL61LMo1gwUpWoZhebXSYBSzsq1xpF0Cl3DoWPIBsJWCzaM46HINdmo6SZgVOR6SYFZ-gJcNPP9RApQDfCqjtTXEA3ybx2VowCw-z2YhnB2lA4z8ABYzg9pCdNdYCtjrum-cMkFnCQPL4/s320/malloy.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Gov.
Dannel P. Malloy last week announced that Connecticut "has been
<a href="http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20150827/feds-connecticut-ended-chronic-homelessness-among-vets" target="_blank">designated by the federal government</a> as being the first state in the
nation to have
ended chronic homelessness among veterans."<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Malloy last year
<a href="http://portal.ct.gov/Gov-Malloy-Lays-Out-His-Plan-to-End-Veterans-Homelessness-by-2015/" target="_blank">
announced several initiatives</a> "aimed at combatting veteran
homelessness with the goal of ending homelessness among veterans by the
end of 2015. The state has since made major investments in housing,
becoming a national leader for its work,'</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> according to a release.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Read <a href="http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20150801/goal-to-end-homelessness-for-connecticut-veterans-in-sight" target="_blank">stories about this issue and how New Haven organizations played a role in it.</a>
<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Also in the release: "Ending
chronic homelessness among veterans is a milestone for Connecticut in
its efforts to end homelessness entirely among veterans by the end of
the year. Connecticut is one of
just a handful of states designated for, and participating in, the
Zero:2016 initiative, which aims to end all chronic homelessness by the
end of next year. Today’s announcement means that all known veterans
experiencing chronic homelessness are either housed
or are on an immediate path to permanent housing, and that the state
will be able to rapidly place any veteran who newly experiences chronic
homelessness on the path to permanent housing. Chronic homelessness is
defined as an individual with a disability
who has been homeless for a period of at least one year or has
experienced four separate episodes of homelessness in the past three
years."<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-48487925960706077992015-08-21T17:24:00.003-04:002015-08-21T17:24:40.548-04:00Looney on Ojakian at CSUS<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmp-WPXharwr96rwdjFZRPsd8IYxN1o9-hkCY6IEX_y95wtqsXuNnaE1VFB7vEBrsUlL5FDxH0GHEi5PiBiAvfyRKFMtOZx3bFhY8ZdnRIl3qc06v9Jti7P-jG4SRumWiehUEMeaU5ffY/s1600/Looney-+at+NHR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmp-WPXharwr96rwdjFZRPsd8IYxN1o9-hkCY6IEX_y95wtqsXuNnaE1VFB7vEBrsUlL5FDxH0GHEi5PiBiAvfyRKFMtOZx3bFhY8ZdnRIl3qc06v9Jti7P-jG4SRumWiehUEMeaU5ffY/s320/Looney-+at+NHR.JPG" width="320" /></a>Senate President Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, released a statement Friday in response to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's Chief of staff. <a href="http://www.nhregister.com/government-and-politics/20150821/malloys-chief-of-staff-to-temporarily-oversee-regents-board" target="_blank">Mark Ojakian. being appointed as interim president of the Connecticut State College and University System</a> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u></u>The statement is unedited here: <u></u></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mark Ojakian has the administrative and
governmental skills necessary to effectively manage and advocate for the
CSCU system and I enthusiastically support his appointment,” said
<b>Senator Looney</b>. “During the 2011 SEBAC negotiations and
throughout his tenure as Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mark has
demonstrated an ability to collaborate with people representing a wide
range of interests to achieve a positive outcome. I look
forward to seeing him bring these skills to the academic world, working
alongside faculty and students to further improve higher education in
Connecticut.”</div>
Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-89359815864225024562015-08-21T14:13:00.001-04:002015-08-21T14:13:11.495-04:00Speaker Sharkey lauds job numbers in Connecticut<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS5PVgdyidyzWEgbXQ9_7zoPkGPuvvye42OgyHmmhTdyfd80IU3gBecJW3qvfeKRsdBdipONG4ZEFbLHzuOAFMLLNqgfaXkChEACWeQInumvvmBLJL1_M5HjIo5P8bRs2GiesTanZ180/s1600/Rep_Brendan_Sharkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS5PVgdyidyzWEgbXQ9_7zoPkGPuvvye42OgyHmmhTdyfd80IU3gBecJW3qvfeKRsdBdipONG4ZEFbLHzuOAFMLLNqgfaXkChEACWeQInumvvmBLJL1_M5HjIo5P8bRs2GiesTanZ180/s320/Rep_Brendan_Sharkey.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speaker Sharkey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">House Speaker
<b>Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden, "</b>hailed this week’s positive economic news and
urged Republicans to stop gleefully predicting economic doom," according to a release.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In the release, Sharkey
noted "recent employment numbers indicate Connecticut’s economy is
heading in the right direction."
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
Read more about the job numbers <a href="http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20150820/connecticut-unemployment-rate-inches-closer-to-national-average" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sharkey also said that "
instead of celebrating, state Republican legislators seem bent on
rooting for failure." He was referring to this statement posted on the website of Senate Minority leader
<a href="http://ctsenaterepublicans.com/2015/08/fasano-raises-questions-about-possible-taxpayer-aid-package-for-ge/#.Vdcr_PlVhBc" target="_blank">
<span style="color: blue;">Len Fasano , R-North Haven</span></a>, about state <a href="http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/state_wont_say_whether_its_preparing_counter-offer_for_ge/" target="_blank">discussions with General Electric</a>.<u></u><u></u></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Instead
of rooting for Connecticut’s failure, Republicans should applaud that
Connecticut has its lowest unemployment rate since 2008, and that our
economy is turning
the corner,” Sharkey said in the statement. “Their cynical practice of seeking
to score political points at Connecticut’s expense must stop. I welcome
their policy ideas but their drumbeat of negativity is only hurting our
state and our economy.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Read Fasano's statement on GE here (unattributed statement removed):</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">“According to news reports, this
counter-offer from state government will be laden with economic
incentives which have not been disclosed,” <span class="il">Fasano</span> said. “</span>If these reports are true, then they contradict remarks made
recently about GE by Democrat leadership in the Connecticut General Assembly.”<span lang="EN"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"><u></u> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWr7LGB9v42UYSQy0wS7saGVapux63FaJoEsPbed2XL23TCl2eV_OnoaQpVkjlIvyeEeoiPKC-Y4rQKC3mS80gs0w0yRH-nFv5lKpYzFpJ1v3WhoKrbFLwGZCGqAzM6ZvQZQHpLl_BqJg/s1600/Fasano2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWr7LGB9v42UYSQy0wS7saGVapux63FaJoEsPbed2XL23TCl2eV_OnoaQpVkjlIvyeEeoiPKC-Y4rQKC3mS80gs0w0yRH-nFv5lKpYzFpJ1v3WhoKrbFLwGZCGqAzM6ZvQZQHpLl_BqJg/s320/Fasano2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sen. Len Fasano</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If Gov. Malloy is preparing a state
taxpayer-funded counter-offer for GE to ensure that the company keeps
jobs here in Connecticut, I wonder if he has taken these statements from
leading Connecticut Democrat legislators into account?”
<b><span class="il">Fasano</span> said, in the statemnt</b>. “These lawmakers feel strongly that GE is <u>not</u>
negatively impacted by the new state budget. So why is Gov. Malloy
prepping a taxpayer-funded aid package for GE less than two months after
he signed the state budget into law?<b><u></u><u></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u></u> <span style="color: #1f497d;">“</span>When Gov. Malloy signed the budget into law, he said, ‘I'm very proud to pass the budget as amended.’<b>
</b>He signed the budget while Democrat leaders laughed and applauded.<b> </b>These
reports of the potential state tax subsidies to GE now make me question
whether Gov. Malloy still considers his statement an accurate one. <u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If GE is bluffing about leaving Connecticut, then
why would Gov. Malloy offer them a lot of state taxpayer money in hopes
they will stay?”<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u></u> </div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> </span></div>
Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696492234217398531.post-89603664941545726132014-09-10T11:55:00.005-04:002014-09-10T11:55:49.581-04:00Vote Smart: See the data<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="line-height: 100%;">The following is posted from a press release, not edited here, but shared as a public service for those interested:</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="line-height: 100%;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="line-height: 100%;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="line-height: 100%;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="line-height: 100%;">"Vote Smart (</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman",times,serif; line-height: 100%;"><u><a href="http://www.votesmart.org/" target="_blank">VoteSmart.org</a></u></span><span style="line-height: 100%;">),
the leading non-partisan national research organization focused on
politicians and elections, announced a series of massive additions to
its factual database on over 150,000 current and former elected
officials and candidates. Through Vote Smart’s Great Divide Research
Center:</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">The
records of 25,000 current politicians have been refreshed with their
most up-to-date biographical information (professional experience,
educational background, organization memberships, family information),
contact information (websites, emails, mailing addresses, phone numbers,
LinkedIn accounts, Facebook pages, and Twitter accounts).</span></span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">80,000
speeches and public comments have been added to the 900,000 public
statements already in Vote Smart’s key word-searchable databases. They
are from the president, cabinet, governors, and all members of the US
House and US Senate, as well as candidates seeking federal office in
2014.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">500
new ratings by special interest groups and over 1000 new endorsements
of state and federal candidates have been added to the existing data
from the 1,500 special interest groups Vote Smart tracks.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">1,325 Key Votes have been added, cast by legislators in all fifty state legislatures and Congress.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">Political contributions to 15,000 politicians have been updated.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">13,000 candidates are currently being interviewed on their issue positions. The results will be made public in October.</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.07in; margin-top: 0.07in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">Originally
founded as Project Vote Smart by national leaders such as former
Presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, today Vote Smart is the premier
non-partisan nonprofit providing free interactive web-based tools to
help citizens instantaneously learn about the voting records,
backgrounds, issue positions, campaign contributions, interest group
ratings, and public statements of incumbents and candidates for local,
state and national office. Vote Smart’s comprehensive research data is
used by major media and search platforms including Bing, USA Today and
National Journal, as well as hundreds of universities throughout the
United States. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.07in; margin-top: 0.07in; text-align: left;">
V<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;">ote
Smart is funded entirely by foundation grants and individual
contributions. No funding is accepted from special interests,
corporations or the government, and 75% of the research is undertaken by
a diverse pool of unpaid volunteers and interns of all ages and walks
of life. "</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.07in; margin-top: 0.07in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For more information: <span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.votesmart.org/" target="_blank">VoteSmart.org</a></u></span></span></span></span></div>
Helen Bennett Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407022765050763022noreply@blogger.com4