Senator Haskell Named Senate Chairman of CGA’s Transportation Committee
Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) was named Senate Chairman of the General Assembly's Transportation Committee, a shift in responsibilities due to the recent election of State Senator Pat Billie Miller (D-Stamford), who will be sworn in this afternoon. Sen. Haskell will leave the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, where he has served as Senate Chairman for just over two years.
"I'm honored by this opportunity to help shape Connecticut's future," said Sen. Haskell, "For the last two years, I've kept a Metro-North timetable from 1970 on my desk in the Senate. Over the last five decades, those trains have gotten slower, not faster. It's time to reverse that trend by investing in green infrastructure, creating good-paying jobs and helping our constituents get where they need to go. I'll miss my colleagues and friends on the Higher Education Committee, and I'm proud of the work we've accomplished together. But I know that Sen. Slap will excel in the role."
As the youngest member of the General Assembly, Sen. Haskell spearheaded a focus on college affordability during his time chairing the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. Since January of 2019, the committee has:
Established PACT CT, a program that provides debt-free community college to students who would otherwise be unable to afford higher education. Recently, Governor Ned Lamont pledged that the state budget will provide long-term funding for this program that benefits thousands of students.
Partnered with the Banking Committee and Finance Committee on a new tax credit to address student loan debt. This tax credit rewards employers who make loan payments on behalf of their employees.
Advanced the healthy and safety of students, prioritizing mental health services, sexual assault protections and a social safety net on campuses.
Panelists Discuss Equitable Education and Raising an Anti-Racist Society; “This Can be Done in One Generation”
Last night the Democratic Women of Westport and the Staples High School Young Democrats club hosted an online panel discussion about how to better achieve equitable education in the State of Connecticut. Connecticut ranks as one of the highest in the nation for educational success amongst students, however the State also joins many other northeastern states in having large achievement gaps between races.
Panelists included Westporter Dr. Joshua Aronson, NYU, Michael Cummings, Fairfield Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Sandra Donnay, the Racial Equity Initiative, Steven Hernandez, Esq., Commission on Women, Children, & Seniors, Eric Juli, Shaker Heights Ohio Principal, Keith Little, SCO Family Services, and Patricia Billie Miller, 145th district. The discussion was moderated by Justine Marous of Marous Law.
“We need to get kids together” said Dr. Aronson when discussing a way to better raise children without prejudice, describing the works of Nelson Mandela and the common goal of trying to educate children in a way that doesn’t allow a prejudice to grow within them. “We can all agree that we learn better in an environment with people who come from different backgrounds and can give different perspectives.”
The privileges of the surrounding towns, including Westport, were not ignored as they described how even items such as homework or Advanced Placements tests could segregate a school system. An example of a district changing that achievement gap was given by Dr. Donnay when speaking about a New Jersey school system that made sure every student took at least one of the AP courses, leading to positive test scores as well as graduation rates when all students were given the same opportunity.
However changes like these do not come from a passive audience, according to Steven Hernandez, who said “We come with the weight of history” when discussing how citizens think about trying to make changes in racial disparities within districts. “We continue to admire what we’ve done from the backseat'“ he said, describing a situation where towns become content with the progress made, and lose focus on the goals needed to be met for the future of equitable and fair education.
Senator Will Haskell joined the panel to describe the current Open Choice bill, which describes bringing the program to more districts “that are showing declines in [suburban schools] student enrollment, right next to urban districts with overcrowded classrooms”. The program would push suburban districts such as Wilton, Redding, Easton, and others to accept urban students into the schools - fill the seats emptied by lower class sizes with urban students from cities such as Danbury and Bridgeport.
Staples Student and Staples Young Democrats Club member Jayden Melo asked panelists what they can do to push the agenda of anti-racism further in the schools. “Read” was the answer from Eric Juli, who listed some books by black authors or featured black protagonists that he feels should be read more in the high school setting. “Of Mice and Men is only relevant if you’re in the dust bowl in the 1920s. It doesn’t have any relevance to Westport, Connecticut in 2021.” The power of literacy was echoed by other panelists who described volunteering for children in underserved areas to help foster a love of reading, with Dr. Aronson continuing to say that we need to make sure “all kids can read, and love to read, by the 3rd grade.”
Rep. Patricia Billie Miller urged them to “visit us in Hartford (on Zoom)”, as she shared with excitement that the legislative process is easier to access during the pandemic with virtual hearings taking place. Keith Little reminded the high schooler to make sure they had “the right people at the table” because that’s what inclusion requires when making decisions, and to push to look at the relevant topics when given that seat.
Dr. Aronson gave stories of some of the best leaders he knows, who were all great because of their ability to be community organizers - a trait that allows leaders to excel, and to “bring people together to get [stuff] done.”
“You don’t move a mountain in one day” Eric Uli ended the discussion with. He told the over 80 viewers to remain relentless in the fight, and to fight with an unwillingness to give in to issues of race, equity, and inclusion.
“What is the one word answer to all human problems?” the panelist were asked before their screens clicked off.
“Community.”
The panelists, DWW, and SYDC all look forward to continuing the conversation through their respective committees and without the community. This was the second panel discussion hosted by the two Democratic clubs to start conversations about policy that can affect the local community.
Letter: “Westport Democratic Town Committee Responds to the Insurrection in Washington, DC”
From the Westport Democratic Committee Chair Ellen Lautenberg
Ellie Wiesel once said, “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
The events of this week in Washington DC should shock anyone who believes in the rule of law and the Constitution of the United States. The U.S Capitol was attacked and occupied, not as an act of protest but in an attempt to prevent Congress from carrying out its constitutional duty of certifying the states’ electoral votes for president. The mob that descended upon the Capitol was encouraged by the President of the United States, who simultaneously attempted to convince his vice president to illegally throw out the votes. There is no other term to describe this but an attempted coup.
That action was not singular but was preceded by 4 years of unrestrained rhetoric of division and damage. We have seen what can happen when good people, regardless of political perspective, keep silent. It is imperative that all community members and leaders at any level, regardless of party affiliation, speak out against such behavior.
As Westporters, we can strive for unity in the face of such divisiveness. We can convey our disagreements in a civil manner and listen with open minds to others' perspectives.
We urge all Westport citizens to stay engaged in a respectful manner. Together, we can continue the important work of democracy.
The Westport DTC