Ken Dixon's Blog-O-Rama

This from Gov. Jodi Rell today on new laws kicking in tomorrow morning, including expanded penalties for distracted driving and more protection for the young and elderly. Here’s the governor’s release and list of salient laws: 

            “Each of these new laws is a ‘step in the right direction’ for the people of our state and I was proud to sign them into law,” Governor Rell said. “The health and welfare of our citizens – from the youngest to our elderly – is of utmost priority. These laws send a powerful message that Connecticut will not tolerate the exploitation of our most vulnerable groups and will make those who prey on them pay dearly.”

            Among the laws that take effect Friday are:

Senate Bill 153, An Act Providing Safe Harbor for Exploited Children, which protects 16- and 17-year-olds forced into prostitution from prosecution and toughens penalties against those who exploit them. Previously, prostitution had been a crime regardless of the alleged offender’s age.

            “Many of these children are the true victims of human trafficking and need the full protection of our laws. Common sense tells us that at these young ages, they can be forcibly coerced into criminal act by despicable, greedy individuals,” the Governor said.

The bill increases the penalty for promoting prostitution of someone younger than 18 years old, making the offense a Class B felony rather than a Class C felony and boosting sanctions to as much as 20 years in prison and fines of $15,000. The new law also imposes a mandatory minimum nine months in prison for promoting prostitution of someone younger than 18. 

House Bill 5278, An Act Concerning Senior Centers and the Freedom of Information Act, excludes the disclosure of name, address, telephone number or e-mail address of anyone who is a member of, or enrolled in a program at a senior center that a public agency administers or sponsors.

“It is everyone’s right to hold public officials accountable for how taxpayer money is spent. What is not appropriate and potentially dangerous is making certain information available to the wrong people,” Governor Rell said. “There are unscrupulous individuals who will stop at nothing to get that information, even if it means hiding behind our FOI laws.”

Senate Bill 427, An Act Concerning The Use Of Hand-Held Mobile Telephones And Mobile Electric Devices By Motor Vehicle Operators, significantly strengthens Connecticut’s 5-year-old ban on the use of cell phones and other electronic devices by motorists. The new law eliminates the one-time exemption from a fine for purchasing a hands-free device and specifies that the ban on using electronic devices while driving applies to texting as well as cell phone conversations.

“The law is intended to save lives and make our roads safer. The message is clear – two eyes on the road, two hands on the wheel,” Governor Rell said. “There can be no more ‘grace period’ for a motorist caught using a hand-held phone in their car and if you get caught texting – you pay. There is nothing that urgent that is worth a life.”

The new law also increases the penalties for repeat offenders. First-time violators face a fine of $100. Second offenses carry a fine of $150 while subsequent violations are fined $200. In addition, the law specifies that 25 percent of fines collected will go to the municipality where the summons was issued.

House Bills 5497, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Speaker of the House of Representatives’ Task Force on Domestic Violence, and House Bill 5246, An Act Concerning the Protection of and Services for Victims of Domestic Violence. The new laws establish broader protections for victims of domestic violence, electronic monitoring of violent offenders and greater awareness of teen dating violence and other reforms that make it easier for tenants who are victims of family violence to terminate their rental agreement without penalty.

“These reforms will strengthen what are already some of the toughest domestic violence laws in the nation,” Governor Rell said. “Abusers will find it harder to hide from the law and victims will have safer havens for them and their families.”

Other new laws include:

Senate Bill 5435, An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Majority Leaders’ Jobs Growth Roundtable (Jobs Bill). Several provisions of the sweeping, bipartisan Jobs Bill, which offers incentives for employers and small businesses, are already in effect. On October 1, the law calls for the creation of a comprehensive marketing campaign that promotes Connecticut as a place of innovation. It also requires the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to regionally promote the biomedical device industry in the Connecticut River Valley, also known as the “New England Knowledge Corridor,” between Hartford and Springfield, Mass.

Senate Bill 248, An Act Concerning Adverse Events at Hospitals and Outpatient Surgical Facilities, expands disclosure of medical errors at hospitals and surgical clinics and gives patients access to information regarding their complaints. The new law also adds protections for whistleblowers who report the medical errors, known as “adverse events” and requires the state Department of Public Health (DPH) report annually to the Legislature on medical errors for each hospital.

Senate Bill 501, An Act Concerning the Real Estate Conveyance Tax, exempts homeowners facing foreclosure from paying this tax when the property transfer is made through foreclosure or a short sale.       

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Wonder how state debt service becomes $1.7-billion in a $19-billion budget? Here’s the list of Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) projects just in SW Connecticut that will get state ca$h for local projects totaling $20 million for 115 towns that was approved last month by the State Bond Commission. This list was compiled by the governor’s office:

• Westport, $200,000: For construction of a stage, an entry pavilion and improved access to the river walk at Levitt Pavilion. “This grant will add even more to the luster of Westport’s Levitt Pavilion,” Governor Rell said. “From its beginnings in the 1970s, the Pavilion has been a Westport tradition, bringing families and friends together for evenings under the stars, free of charge.”
• Fairfield, $100,000: Funding for renovation of Sturges Gardener’s Cottage to make it an Information Center for the town and local Chamber of Commerce. “This project would take a local landmark and make it into a multifunction center – a great way to encourage greater economic activity in the area,” Governor Rell said. “Its charm and character would enhance the town center while offering a central location for visitors and businesses.”
• Monroe, $39,105: Funding for driveway and parking lot improvements at the Monroe Food Pantry. “Community organizations like food pantries are a lifeline for people in need and depend heavily on the support of state and local governments, philanthropic groups and generous people,” Governor Rell said. “This grant will help the Monroe Food Pantry continue to serve the people of the area without having to dip into its own resources for much-needed upkeep.”
• Orange, $150,000: To complement $234,000 in federal funding already approved for construction of the Edison Road Extension. “This is a critical project for expanding the economic development potential for the Orange area,” Governor Rell said. “The state is pleased to partner with the federal government in helping Orange improve its ability to keep and grow jobs while maintaining its local feel.”
• Orange, $150,000: To complement $234,000 in federal funding already approved for construction of the Edison Road Extension.
• Seymour, $45,000 for replacement of the Seymour Police Department roof and $37,000 for signs to help direct traffic to the Seymour Industrial Park. “There are two major issues with the Police Department roof, both of which must be addressed – leaks and mold,” Governor Rell said. “Adding signage at the industrial park will also help spur economic development.”
• Seymour, $45,000 for replacement of the Seymour Police Department roof and $37,000 for signs to help direct traffic to the Seymour Industrial Park. “There are two major issues with the Police Department roof, both of which must be addressed – leaks and mold,” Governor Rell said. “Adding signage at the industrial park will also help spur economic development.”
• Seymour, $45,000: Funding for replacement of the Seymour Police Department roof.
• Seymour, $37,000: Funding for signs to help direct traffic to the Seymour Industrial Park.
• Trumbull, $100,000 for a variety of improvements at the Trumbull Industrial and Office Park and $92,500 for streetscape improvements in Trumbull Center. “The industrial and office park is getting a real facelift, with new signs, a roadway, fencing and streetscape improvements, all of which are geared to helping the area keep and grow jobs,” Governor Rell said. “The same goals – jobs, jobs, jobs – are behind the streetscape improvements in Trumbull Center.”
• Woodbridge, $200,000: Funds to design and build sidewalks and make other streetscape improvements in the downtown business district.

 The Blogster likes funding for the arts as well as the next person, although when Republican fiscal conservatives who bloviate against the state budget on the floor of the Senate gush about state bonding going to affluent communities, it does give one pause.

 Such was the case yesterday, when Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, praised $200,000 that will trickle down to the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, down in well-heeled Westport. The money was approved last month by the State Bond Commission, controlled by Gov. Jodi Rell, but the list of beneficiaries was not included.

Here’s the release from Boucher. who, not so coincidentally, is up for re-election next month.

 ”State Senator Toni Boucher (R-26) today welcomed the approval of a $200,000 STEAP grant to the Town of Westport to help build a new Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts by 2012.  Senator Boucher has been working with local officials and The Friends of the Pavilion to secure the grant since July and thanked Governor M. Jodi Rell for supporting the request.  Specifically, the funding will be used for the construction of a stage, entrance and improved access to the River Walk.

“Built in 1973, the Levitt Pavilion has established itself as an important part of Westport’s cultural heritage.  The Pavilion has brought a diverse offering of live music and entertainment free of charge to Westporters and residents of neighboring towns for the past 37 years,” said Senator Boucher.  “I’m pleased to know that this award, along with the dedicated fundraising efforts of The Friends of the Pavilion will help bring this important local asset back to its original condition for future generations to enjoy.”  

The Levitt Pavilion provides 60 free concerts each year and has been the focal point for other community events and activities for area residents of all ages.  But recently the building has fallen into disrepair.  For safety reasons, the structure had to be removed three years ago, and a temporary stage put in its place.  In November of 2009 the Westport Planning and Zoning Commission approved the construction of this facility, which is set to reopen in 2012.  The Levitt Pavilion has now raised $3.2 million toward its goal of $5 million.  Plans include improvements to the existing river walk to both widen and enhance the path with greater accessibility for all.  The new Pavilion will be a gold certified-Leed sustainable green facility.

In a press release announcing the grant, Governor M. Jodi Rell said, “This grant will add more to the luster of Westport’s Levitt Pavilion.  From its beginnings in the 1970’s, the Pavilion has been a Westport tradition, bringing families and friends together for evenings under the stars, free of charge.”

The $200,000 grant was awarded as part of the Connecticut Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) which provides financial assistance for projects that encourage economic development and preserve the character of the state’s less-populated towns.”

Democrat Dannel Malloy and Republican Tom Foley, speaking to reporters prior to a forum on tourism before about 1,000 people in the Connecticut Convention Center, both claimed to be the underdog candidates in the last five weeks of the campaign. So what does that make Chester First Selectman Tom Marsh, the Independent candidate for governor? The over-underdog?

Too bad those pesky print/online reporters showed up at what was to have been an all-broadcast availability in Linda McMahon’s West Hartford office. The Blogster thinks it would have been very appropriate to give them the exclusive, since the bulk of her tens of million$ has gone to the TV blitz that seems to be annoying voters, according to today’s Q Poll. Fortunately, her business partners (it’s not as if TV reporters will see a percentage of her advertising ca$h) from TV seemed less concerned about the print/online scribes than McMahon’s handlers, who offered such a lame, begging-the-question excuse for not alerting the print/online crowd that the Blogster wishes he had recorded it for something like posterity. McMahon, who no doubt has a lot of cramming and coaching ahead of her in the days before the big televised October 4 debate, was measured, as usual, in her comments, sticking to boilerplate answers and maintaining her blank-slate attitude that must have Democrats tearing their hair out from Hartford to Washington, D.C. I can see a pile of white hair on Chris Dodd’s desk.

Joseph J. McGee, vice president of public policy and programs at the Business Council of Fairfield County, said last week that the state needs a governor willing to invest in the state’s economic growth, because without it, there’s no way the state can meet its budget gap without raising taxes and cutting state jobs.

 “We’ve been a very slow-growing state,” McGee said. “The next governor is really going to set the tone with Connecticut going forward. Without jobs and vitality you can’t continue to tax, tax, tax. You need more revenue and jobs create revenue.”

Jim Cameron, chairman of the Connecticut Metro-North Rail Commuter Council, said last week that the next governor has to fight the railroad and MTA over service cuts and fee hikes.

 “To her credit, Gov. Rell has said ‘no’ to fare rises,” Cameron said in opposition to state transit policy being dictated by the New York-based agencies. In the longer run, Cameron says he’s concerned that taxes on state petroleum products may drop off as more drivers choose electric cars.

 Cameron noted that the state Transportation Strategy Board in recent years paid a million dollars for a study recommending so-called gateway tolls at state borders.

 “Who’s going to have the guts to say that if you want to mitigate transit congestion, we put a price on using the highways, then give people alternatives by keeping train fares low?” Cameron said.

 Foley said he’s heard many different theories on the causes and possible solutions for the traffic that paralyzes the region in the morning and afternoon commutes.

At 3 p.m. tomorrow the governor will kick off the third annual “Connecticut Restaurant Week” at Joey’s Garlic Pizzeria, 150 Kitts Lane, in the Shaw’s Plaza off the Berlin Turnpike in Newington. The Blogster hopes the governor orders a lame-duck pizza symbolic of her status, but imagines she’ll instead sample the fresh tomato and mozzarella pie. Below are notes on the week:

***The Connecticut Restaurant Association is sponsoring the third Annual Connecticut Restaurant Week Monday, October 4, through Saturday, October 10.  This year the Association is teaming up with the Governor’s Commission to celebrate Connecticut’s 375th Anniversary (www.ct375.com).  There are more than 75 restaurants participating, offering various meals and deals for $20.10, $3.75 or $37.50.  See participating restaurants here:  http://www.ctrestaurant.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=40 

Folks at the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now (ConnCAN) advocacy group just notified the Blogster that Tom Foley, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, has agreed to join Democrat Dannel Malloy and Independent Tom Marsh tomorrow night in Middletown to discuss education policy. The event will be held at Macdonough Elementary School.