Latest news with #ConnecticutGeneralAssembly
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Connecticut officials push for legislation surrounding street takeovers
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Local and state leaders are pushing for change concerning dangerous street takeovers after police say they've been on the rise in recent years. Police say these street takeovers threaten the safety and well-being of residents, bystanders, motorists, and property. That's why the police academy will push for the passage of new legislation on Tuesday morning. Street takeover shut down Berlin Turnpike New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson will be joined by Mayor Justin Elicker, Attorney General Tong, and other municipal and state leaders at 9:30 a.m. to discuss street takeovers, the illegal use of dirt bikes, ATVs, and reckless driving. The Connecticut General Assembly is considering several bills to address the issue. If passed, these bills would enable cities, towns and the state to impose new and stiffer penalties on those participating in, organizing, or even watching a street takeover. The penalties could include: fines up to $2,000, a driver's license suspension and impounded vehicles. News 8 is told this push for change is in addition to several other measures, including the creation of a Joint Regional Dirt Bike and ATV Task Force. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lamont to discuss affordable preschool access in Connecticut
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) — Gov. Ned Lamont will discuss his plan for the largest expansion of preschool access in Connecticut's history. The plan now requires approval by the Connecticut General Assembly. If put into motion, this plan could allow the state to create thousands of new preschool spaces across Connecticut. Lamont says the goal is to expand affordable preschool options by making it free or low-cost for all working families. Lamont approves $3 million in funding for nonprofits Lamont wants to pay for the program through a dedicated preschool fund. The governor has said he plans to take three hundred million dollars of cash from last year's budget surplus to start and then draw on future surpluses to keep it funded. Lamont and his top early childhood official say their proposal wouldn't just make preschool free for many families but also easier to access. Some childcare advocates have questioned whether or not the governor's proposal goes far enough, urging him to make the plan more 'Wholistic' and to consider that childcare goes beyond pre-school. Some Republicans have questioned how the governor plans to pay for this plan. They say this could exhaust surpluses that could otherwise be used to pay down pension though, defended his plan. 'While the governor has this endowment plan, I think we need to do something more within the confines of the budget,' State Rep. Vincent Candelora said. 'This three hundred million would not necessarily have to go to pay down pensions – although we're going to be paying down over a billion dollars in pension liability this year – but could go to start rebuilding this fund on a long-term basis. I think we got the balance right,' Gov. Ned Lamont said. The governor's plan still needs to win the approval of the legislature. He is set to speak on this at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday morning in New Britain. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Conn. GOP leaders call on DOJ to probe election fraud allegations after 5 charged in connection to Bridgeport mayor race
Connecticut GOP leaders called on the US Department of Justice Friday to launch a probe into allegations of election fraud in Bridgeport after eyebrow-raising comments by one of the accused spurred concerns about systemic scandal in the state. Connecticut General Assembly Republicans sent a letter to US Attorney General Pam Bondi after Bridgeport City Council Member Alfredo Castillo claimed he was only 'following orders' from Democratic leaders to get out the vote as he denied wrongdoing in connection to allegations of fraud in the city's 2023 mayoral race. 'I'm innocent,' Castillo told Only in Bridgeport after his Feb. 21 arrest. 'I'm following the orders of the Democratic Party. This is what they tell us to do, get out the vote. Then we get criminalized.' Days after those comments Connecticut Republicans like State Rep. Vincent Candelora wrote and sent a letter to the DOJ requesting an investigation. 'Councilman Castillo's own words suggest a broader operation at play, involving efforts to benefit high-profile Democratic candidates at the state and federal levels,' Candelora said of the investigation during a press conference Friday. 'We cannot ignore the possibility that these corrupt practices extend beyond Bridgeport.' Castillo was among five local political operatives criminally charged for allegedly mishandling absentee ballots in the 2023 Bridgeport Democratic primary between Mayor Joe Ganim and challenger John Gomes. Ganim was declared winner when absentee ballots rolled in after Gomes won the most votes at the polls, the Chief State Attorney's Office said this month when announcing criminal action. A judge ordered a new election after Gomes claimed voter fraud, though Ganim again emerged victorious. Castillo, 53; Maria Pereira, 57; and Jazmarie Melendez, 26, are the trio of city council members facing charges while the city's Democratic Town Committee vice-chair Wanda Geter-Ptaki, 68, is facing 92 charges including conspiracy to take possession of multiple absentee ballots, chief state attorney officials said. Margaret Joyce, 45, who was allegedly part of the absentee ballot scheme, was also charged. The allegations carried out include instructing absentee voters who they should cast their ballots for, altering ballots, filling out and submitting other voters' ballots themselves and registering a non-citizen to vote. Castillo in his interview with Only in Bridgeport also bemoaned that he's 'pissed and frustrated' to face the criminal charges, claiming, 'If we don't get out the vote, Ganim loses.' When responding to the allegation that he registered a non-citizen to vote, he said, 'How am I supposed to know? She gave me a social security number.' 'How much more loyal do you want us to be? We get out the vote and we get criminalized,' he said. 'Now we have to pay for lawyers. I have a wife and kids who are afraid of me going to jail. The party should have lawyers representing us.' GOP officials in the Constitution State want to know if similar fraud is happening in other parts of the state. 'Such an investigation is critical to restoring public trust in our election system, which has been severely undermined by the scandals in Bridgeport,' according to the letter. The five defendants have either denied wrongdoing or remained mum about the charges.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gaiewski defeats Boris in race for 40th House District
Democrat Dan Gaiewski defeated Republican Robert Boris by a vote of 1,578-693 Tuesday to win the special election for the 40th District House of Representatives seat. The district covers parts of Groton and New London. The election was needed because longtime incumbent Christine Conley, a Democrat from Groton, resigned in January because she was being nominated to serve as a workers' compensation administrative judge. Gaiewski, 24, said Tuesday night that he was 'super thankful and appreciative of the residents of the 40th District for entrusting me to continue my work of serving them and I'm super excited to serve New London in addition to Groton now.' He said he is thankful for everyone who supported his campaign. Boris congratulated Gaiewski. 'The voters turned out and had their say and I'm grateful to all the voters especially my supporters who showed up and door knocked and let people know about the election,' Boris said after the results were announced. He added 'now it's time for all of us to work on making our community more affordable, inclusive and successful together.' Gaiewski is a constituent engagement coordinator in the Connecticut General Assembly, vice chairman of the Groton Democratic Party, and secretary of the Young Democrats of Connecticut. He is also on the Groton Town Council but said he has not yet decided whether to continue serving in that position. Boris, 54, the chairman of the Town of Groton's Economic Development Commission, is a principal at Command Technology, Inc., a Groton City-based cloud computing company. He also serves as vice chairman of the City of Groton's Planning and Zoning Commission and president of the Groton Rotary Club. As of 7 p.m. nearly 18% of the 11,526 registered voters in Groton's three voting districts that are part of the 40th House District had voted, said Groton Republican Registrar of Voters Kristen Venditti. As of 7 p.m., nearly 25% of the 2,605 registered voters in New London's District 3, the district in the city that is part of the 40th House District, had voted, according to the registrar of voters' office. Out at the polls Tuesday, Groton resident Tom Turnquist cast his ballot in Mystic for Boris, saying he thought he was a good candidate and liked his stance on most issues. Groton couple Donna and Carl Speaks said they also voted for Boris. Donna Speaks said Boris' fiscal responsibility intrigued her and she wants to see more of a balance between the parties in Connecticut. Carl Speaks said he liked that he's a Republican and said he doesn't like the one-party state that Connecticut is. Groton voter Ann Ditchburn said she was impressed by a group of young people who showed up at to her door excited about Gaiewski. She said young people are scared about the future of this country and they needed this candidate. 'I'm very impressed with young people today,' she said. Eric McElroy of Groton said he voted for Gaiewski because he's a 'fresh face.' He said he knows Gaiewski and called him a 'good young gentleman.' New London resident Imna Arroyo, who voted Tuesday evening at the Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School in New London, said she is committed to voting as it is a privilege. She said she was voting because of all those who fought for voting rights, such as John Lewis and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Two regions vote to fill Connecticut General Assembly vacancies
GROTON, Conn. (WTNH) — Two regions will head to the polls to fill two vacancies in the Connecticut General Assembly. The positions are up for grabs in the State Senate District 21, which includes portions of Monroe, Seymour, Stratford and Shelton. As well as District 40, which covers communities like Groton and New London. Candidates for State Senate special election highlight their campaign Groton City Councilman Dan Gaiewsk, a Democrat, will face off against Groton Economic Development Commission Chairman Robert Boris, a Republican, in the 40th House District. They would replace representative Christine Conley, who resigned so she could be appointed to the worker's compensation commission. Meanwhile, Republican Jason Perillo and Democrat Tony Afriyie are vying to replace Republican State Senator Kevin Kelly who was nominated by Gov. Ned Lamont to become a judge. Perillo is an 18-year veteran of the State House of Representatives. He said he wants a promotion to the state senate to build on his record of bringing back state funds for projects in his hometown of Shelton. On the other side, 27-year-old Afriyie, who currently works as an aid to Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, said he sees himself as part of a new generation of leaders. He's also focused on economic opportunity in the community he spent most of his youth in. We asked the candidates, what's the first policy they'd advocate for if elected. 'Passing a state child tax credit. I think that the child tax credit is economic development,' Afriyie said. 'One is to eliminate the public benefits charge that's on everyone's bill. It can be serious money and most folks don't get any benefit from it at all,' Perillo said referring to electricity bills. The Groton Community Center polls for this special election open at 6 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
