Connecticut
Connecticut to step up investigation of hate crime probes
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut officers hope well timed, stepped-up reporting of hate crime investigations by native police to a brand new State Police investigative unit will assist result in the prevention and detection of such crimes earlier than one thing violent occurs.
A brand new legislation requires all native and tribal police departments, resident state troopers, and constables with legislation enforcement duties to inform the brand new Hate Crimes Investigative Unit of a broader record of crimes involving bigotry and bias inside 14 days, utilizing a brand new standardized system, starting Jan. 1. They have to proceed to share details about their native investigations with the State Police unit.
“Just about each week, each month we get a brand new nationwide report concerning the extent of the rise in hate crimes,” mentioned Rep. Maria Horn, D-Salisbury, co-chair of the Normal Meeting’s Public Security Committee. “These crimes are among the many most corrosive ones we’ve as a result of they go after the bonds that ties collectively as communities and as a state. And so I believe the necessity is is apparent.”
The brand new legislation, which was signed on March 10 by Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont and highlighted throughout a ceremonial signing Tuesday, comes days earlier than the State Bond Fee is scheduled to launch a second $5 million allocation for safety grants for homes of worship and eligible nonprofit organizations prone to being the goal of a hate crime or violent act.
FBI statistics present there have been 101 hate crimes reported in 2020 in Connecticut, the newest 12 months for out there information. Sixty-one of these crimes focused a person’s race, ethnicity or ancestry; 17 concerned an individual’s faith; 15 concerned somebody’s sexual orientation; and eight concerned an individual’s incapacity for a number of biases, Lamont’s workplace mentioned in a press release.
Whereas the brand new legislation formally creates the Hate Crimes Investigative Unit throughout the Connecticut State Police, Division of Emergency Companies and Public Safety Commissioner James Rovella mentioned he already shaped the group in October.
The unit, which features a sergeant and a few detectives, has already been working with different State Police items, native police and the FBI, investigating numerous complaints, together with racist fliers just lately distributed on a number of West Hartford streets by a white supremacist group.
Connecticut
Connecticut Democrats unanimously nominate U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy for a third term
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Connecticut Democrats unanimously endorsed U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy for a third term on Saturday, praising his efforts on gun control, immigration reform and foreign policy.
Murphy’s enthusiastic backing from the party faithful happened quickly at the Democratic State Convention, held at the Mohegan Sun resort and casino. He had no opposition.
Connecticut
Connecticut takes aim at the college affordability crisis — 'We're trying to do everything we can,' governor says
Hartford, Connecticut
Sean Pavone | Istock | Getty Images
When it comes to improving access to higher education, each state is largely left to its own devices. Some are trying a broader array of tactics than others.
Connecticut, for example, recently rolled out several programs to establish pathways to college and lower the debt burden.
Connecticut has also maintained one of the largest wealth gaps in the country for years. The state is hoping its college aid endeavors could help change that.
Getting a degree offers the best shot at social mobility, according to Anthony Carnevale, director of Georgetown’s Center on Education and the Workforce, which could help narrow the income divide.
Still, these plans have mostly flown under the radar. “We have these incentive programs, but nobody knows about them,” Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont told CNBC.
Here’s a closer look at three of those initiatives — and how they’ve fared so far.
Free college program
“We’re trying to do everything we can to make education less expensive to start with,” Lamont said.
Like a growing number of states, Connecticut recently introduced a free tuition program for students attending community college either full- or part-time. In Connecticut, students receive “last-dollar” scholarships, meaning the program pays for whatever tuition and fees are left after federal aid and other grants are applied.
Since the program started, in the 2020-21 academic year, nearly 34,000 students have participated.
Free college is one of the best ways to combat the college affordability crisis, some experts say, because it appeals more broadly to those struggling in the face of rising college costs, rather than the student loan burden after the fact. A federal effort has yet to get off the ground, although President Joe Biden continues to push for free community college nationwide and included it in his $7.3 trillion budget for fiscal 2025.
However, critics say that lower-income students, through a combination of existing grants and scholarships, already pay little in tuition to two-year schools, if anything at all.
Further, free college programs do not generally cover books or other expenses, such as room and board, that lower-income students also struggle with.
Automatic admission program
To make a four-year degree more accessible, Connecticut introduced an automatic admission program to some Connecticut colleges for high school seniors in the top 30% of their class.
The program, signed into law in 2021, aims to make it easier for high school students, especially those from underserved communities, to go to college. In the most recent application cycle, 2,706 students were offered direct admission through the program.
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Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Chancellor Terrence Cheng said the free-tuition program and the automatic admissions program “are just two examples of steps CSCU and the state have taken to remove barriers to higher education, particularly for first-generation college and minoritized students.”
And yet, for lower-income students, the cost can still be a deterrent, said Sandy Baum, senior fellow at Urban Institute’s Center on Education Data and Policy.
“Both admitting students and telling them how easy it is to pay for it is most helpful, but for students on the margin, they face so many expenses in addition to tuition they will still need to overcome,” Baum said.
Student loan payment tax credit
Next up, the state is rolling out a student loan repayment program to lessen graduates’ debt burden.
In 2019 Lamont signed Public Act 19-86, which created a new tax credit for Connecticut employers who help pay off their employees’ student loans. The tax credit was expanded in 2022 and will be implemented in the months ahead.
“It helps the student, it pays down their debt, makes it very predictable [and] gives businesses an incentive to hire, so it’s a great economic development driver,” Lamont said.
Still, some graduates already pay little or nothing through the federal government’s income-driven repayment plans, Baum said, so borrowers may be better served with a salary increase. “If employers paid more, that would be a lot more fair.”
Ultimately, these programs are all helpful to some degree, but successfully narrowing the wealth gap — in Connecticut and elsewhere — should include assistance for students while they are in college, Baum said.
Improving student outcomes by providing academic and social support in addition to financial aid is the best way to level the playing field, she said.
Many young adults start college, fewer finish. “Rather than focusing on getting people in the door … getting people through is going to have a much bigger impact,” Baum said.
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Connecticut
Meet RJ Julia Booksellers, a local bookstore housed in a 105-year-old Connecticut building
Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way, and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities.
Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert book recommendations.
This week we have RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison, Connecticut!
RJ Julia Booksellers opened 30 years ago as an independent bookstore with a mission to be a place where words matter, where writer meets reader and where the ambiance and book selection creates an opportunity for discovery.
The store hosts more that 300 events each year and has won several major awards, including Publishers Weekly Bookseller of the Year, Lucile Pannell award for bookselling excellence, Connecticut Magazine Best Bookstore, Connecticut Retailers Award for Community Commitment, the Advocate’s Best Bookstore and the New Haven Business Small Business Award.
The building was built in 1919, and has been home to several businesses. When RJ Julia founder Roxanne J. Coady bought the building in 1989, it was carefully restored. Today, the beautiful historic building is filled with restored or replicated features, like the tin tile ceiling, as well as tributes to the businesses that lived there before RJ Julia.
Marketing Manager Elizabeth Bartek revealed her favorite section. “The entire second floor is dedicated to young readers,” she said. “Including ‘A Room of One’s Own,’ featuring a wide variety of young adult novels!”
Bartek says indie bookstores are a vital part of creating and sustaining community and connection.
“At our indie bookstore, we have built an enduring community. We’ve watched children become parents, celebrated as long-time customers became grandparents, and watched families grow and change, experiencing both joy and sadness. Together, by shopping locally and supporting independently-owned businesses, we can preserve that sense of place and connection.
“The continued enthusiasm and loyalty from our customers allows us to be proud passionate members of our community — to continue employing local townspeople, paying taxes in our community, and donating to local nonprofits.”
RJ Julia has an event scheduled nearly every day of the week! Fans of Erik Larson can find him in store on May 23, where he’ll be discussing his latest title “The Demon of Unrest.” If a story time is more your style, Amy Guglielmo will read her new Lucille Ball biography, “Lucy!”, and lead a craft session on June 1.
You can find the details for these events and more on RJ Julia’s events calendar!
Check out these books recommended by the RJ Julia staff:
“The Mysteries” by Bill Watterson
“The Museum of Ordinary People” by Mike Gayle
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