2006 LEGISLATIVE AND
ADMINISTRATIVE PRIORITIES
OVERVIEW
The Commission will continue its legislative efforts in the current
legislative session, building on the successes of recent years. This
year as in others, the Commission will address legislation in the
following areas: education investment, affordable housing, environmental
justice, civil rights, healthcare education, equity in the criminal
justice system, and minority business growth. The following presents a
highlight of issues the Commission plans to address in the 2006 session.
Below each section or subject matter is accompanying contact information
for the various Committees where bills are likely to be introduced or
referred. Chairpersons of the respective Committees are also listed. If
you are interested in advocating on any of these issues please feel free
to contact the African-American Affairs Commission for further
direction. Please submit your e-mail address to
aac@cga.ct.gov
so that we may notify you of upcoming public hearings and
pertinent activities such as deadlines for submitting testimony.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Eliminate disparities in mandatory minimum sentencing laws
Support legislation to eliminate mandatory minimum sentence laws that
unfairly target minorities. (e.g. prohibits the sale of drugs in, at, or
within 1,500 feet of school, public housing, or daycare center.)
Selection of Judges and Prosecutors Address the need to
increase minority representation in the selection of judges and
prosecutors in Connecticuts courts.
Juvenile Justice Support legislation to reduce
disproportionate minority representation in the juvenile justice system.
Alternative Incarceration Programs Support funding for
prevention and treatment programs for substance abuse offenders and the
mentally ill, in lieu of incarceration.
Discharge Planning for Ex-Offenders Support continued funding
of post incarceration initiatives for ex-offenders as outlined in the
Building Bridges
Initiative.
Chairpersons - Senator Andrew McDonald and
Representative Michael Lawlor
Joint Committee on Judiciary
Room 2500, Legislative Office Building
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-240-0530
HEALTH AND INSURANCE
Husky Health Plan
o Support restoration of Husky parents eligibility to the original 185
percent of the federal poverty level
State Administered General Assistance
o Support the restoration of non-emergency medical transportation
services.
o Support the restoration of vision care, home healthcare, physical
therapy, occupational therapy and podiatry as covered services.
Sickle-Cell Center Provide funding for an adult sickle-cell center
equipped with the latest technology that delivers comprehensive care to
patients.
Chairpersons - Senator Christopher Murphy and Representative Peggy
Sayers
Public Health Committee
Room 3000, Legislative Office Building
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-240-0560
Chairpersons Senator Edward Meyer and Representative Michael Cardin
Select Committee on Children
Room 011, Capitol Building
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-240-0370
BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Predatory Lending Support legislative and educational efforts aimed
at strengthening state laws to protect Connecticuts low-income
residents from continued abusive lending practices.
Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) Support funding of
individual development accounts.
Earned Income Tax Credit Support the creation of a state income tax
credit program.
Chairpersons Senator Gary LeBeau and Representative Jeff Berger
Commerce Committee
Room 110, Capitol Building
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-240-0380
Chairpersons Senator Bill Finch and Representative Paul Doyle
Banks Committee
Room 2400, Legislative Office Building
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-240-0410
Chairpersons Senator Eric Coleman and Representative Lewis Wallace
Planning and Development Committee
Room 2100, Legislative Office Building
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-240-0550
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Welfare to Work Support initiatives under the Connecticuts Job
First Program aimed at achieving the following:
o Increased funding for GED preparation and advanced educational
opportunities for welfare recipients in job training programs.
o Increased funding for Child Care Subsidy programs
Chairpersons Senator Mary Ann Handley and Representative Peter Villano
Human Services Committee
Room 2200, Legislative Office Building
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-240-0490
HOUSING
Affordable Housing Development Support increased funding for the
preservation and rehabilitation of the States public housing units.
Supportive Housing Support funding of the Beyond Shelter Program and
increased funding for other supportive housing initiatives.
Chairpersons Senator Bob Duff and Representative Kenneth Green
Select Committee on Housing
Room 011, Capitol Building
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-240-0340
EDUCATION
Educational Cost Sharing Support legislative efforts to modify the
educational cost sharing formula to achieve equity in public school
funding.
Minority Teacher Recruitment Support legislative efforts to increase
the level of minority teachers within the public school system.
Special Education Address the overrepresentation of minorities in
Special Education Programs
Chairpersons Senator Thomas Gaffey and Representative Andrew
Fleischmann
Education Committee
Room 3100, Legislative Office Building
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-240-0420
Chairpersons Senator Edward Meyer and Representative Michael Cardin
Select Committee on Children
Room 011, Capitol Building
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-240-0370
CIVIL RIGHTS
Election Day Registration (EDR) Support Election Day Registration
initiative aimed at increasing voter turn out for disenfranchised groups
Chairpersons - Senator Donald DeFronzo and Representative Christopher
Caruso
Government Administrations and Elections Committee
Room 2200, Legislative Office Building
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-240-0480
TRANSPORTATION
Access to Jobs Support state transportation policies recommended in
report issued by Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board aimed at
expanding mass transit options, specifically bus service for urban
residents.
Chairpersons Senator Biagio Ciotto and Representative Anthony Guerrera
Transportation Committee
Room 2300, Legislative Office Building
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-240-0590
Chairpersons - Senator Eric Coleman and Representative Lewis Wallace
Planning and Development Committee
Room 2100, Legislative Office Building
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-240-0550
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Justice Support legislation that addresses
environmental justice issues.
Chairpersons - Senator Andrea Stillman and Representative Richard Roy
Environment Committee
Room 3200, Legislative Office Building
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-240-0440
Please be mindful that it is possible that the aforementioned
legislation could be referred to the Appropriations Committee for
funding determination. As such please contact the address listed below.
Appropriations Committee
Chairpersons Sen. Harp & Rep. Merrill
Room 2700, Legislative Office Building
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-240-0390
