Senate deal on “Second Chance Society”

Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano of North Haven and Sen. Gary Winfield , D-New Haven, just announced a bipartisan deal to approve sections of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s “Second-Chance Society” proposal, including responses to excessive police tactics, drug-possession charges and the sentencing of juvenile offenders.

“Sen. Winfield, Rep. Klarides, House Democrats, and I have all worked closely throughout the session to move Connecticut forward and identify the areas where our state can do better to reduce recidivism and give everyone an opportunity to succeed in life and move beyond past mistakes,” Fasano said in a statement. “Disrespectful language and insults by the governor’s administration are not motivation, but rather collaboration is what moves us forward. Together, collectively and collaboratively, we are trying to change the conversation about issues that impact everyone in Connecticut, including in our cities. I firmly believe open conversation, and not inflammatory rhetoric, is the only way to achieve real change to better Connecticut. I was honored to work so respectfully with Sen. Winfield and I thank him for his exceptional hard work.”

 “Collaboration produces the best pieces of legislation,” Winfield said in the same statement. “Democrats and Republicans in the legislature have come together to work on a number of pieces of legislation that impact justice issues across the state. Connecticut is ready for significant change, and I am proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to usher in that change. Our state is poised to take the lead on important criminal justice reforms, and it is refreshing to know that our efforts are bipartisan.”

Fasano and Winfield will announced specifics later in the week, including an agreement on the use of body cameras by police and lowering penalties for drug possession in so-called drug-free zones around schools. “Bipartisan support is expected in both the Senate and House of Representatives before the end of the legislative session on June 3,” their statement says.