Near the end of his State of the State address last week, Governor Dannel Malloy discussed his propsosal for universal preschool by expanding state-supported early childhood education spaces by 4,000 over the next five years. The plan is already garnering nationwide attention. Malloy said the initiative would be a first in Connecticut history.
More Autistic Students are in Seclusion
A report from the state department of education showed that autistic children were the most frequently subjected to restraint or seclusion in Connecticut schools in the 2012-2013 school year. The report tallied more than 33,000 incidents of physical restraint or seclusion in public schools and private special education programs.
Online Business Tool Introduced
Secretary of the State Denise Merrill unveiled a new online tool for businesses to help them get off the ground. The process begins in-house, helping businesses to complete the registration they must submit to the Secretary of the State. Through a series of steps, users are directed to a variety of resources for business development and financial assistance.
Blumenthal Urges Drugstores to Stop Selling Tobacco Products
Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut is calling on drug stores to stop selling tobacco products. CVS Caremark announced last week they would stop selling cigarettes effective October 1. Blumenthal, along with some members of the Mobilize Against Tobacco for Connecticut’s Health Coalition, gathered at a CVS in Hartford on Monday to urge all drug stores to sacrifice some profits while helping to save lives.
Charitable Group is Divesting From Fossil Fuels
The Educational Foundation of America is a charitable group with workers in Fairfield County and $172 million in assets. Last month, they were one of 17 groups deciding to divest nearly $1.8 billion from companies doing business in fossil fuels. Executive Director Melissa Beck said that divesting from fossil fuels is a moral imperative. New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio said that about five percent of New London’s overall investments will be shifted to more sustainable funds.
