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Articles by Beth Bye
The Great She-cession: Female job-holders hit harder by pandemic than male counterparts
Call it the Great She-cession. While Covid-19 has wreaked havoc not only with millions of Americans’ lives — there were more than 173,000 deaths as of Aug. 18 — and the country’s economy, data shows that it has had a much more severe impact on the nation’s female workers than it has on their male counterparts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women lost almost 11 million jobs via layoffs or furloughs between February and May.
Child Care Providers Struggle To Stay Afloat As Parents Contemplate Safety
Connecticut is reopening and parents are heading back to work, but finding child care has been complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents worry whether it’s safe to bring their child to a group setting. At the same time, child care providers have been hit hard by the pandemic and at least one study shows that many may not be able to keep their doors open — even though they never were ordered to close.
Some camps will give it a go this summer, with heavy preventive measures
MYSTIC — For local children who have been inside and at home since mid-March, isolated from school chums and best buddies due to restrictions imposed by the coronavirus epidemic, there is a glimmer of hope. Camp Cove in Mystic, a traditional summer day camp nestled among 20 shoreline acres of the Mystic River, will open in this summer for real-time campers.
Roundtable Participants List Concerns About Reopening Schools
Participants in a roundtable discussion of the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group Monday expressed several concerns about reopening schools including the need for flexibility, increased costs, student equity and potential delays in childhood development.
Public Can Submit Questions About Schools Ahead of Gov. Lamont’s Roundtable Discussion
NBC Universal, Inc. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont plans to hold a roundtable discussion with members of the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group about the impact of coronavirus on the state's education system and its ability to reopen. Members of the public who have questions for the group about the impact of COVID-19 and schools can email questions to reopen@ct.gov.
Summer Schools and Camps For Children Get Green Light
HARTFORD, CT — Classrooms won’t open up before June 29, but there will be summer school and camp. The news has parents breathing a sigh of relief, but the guidelines for what it’s going to look like are still being discussed. There’s questions about capacity and whether there will be enough programming given the current social distancing guidelines. Support authentic, locally owned and operated public service journalism! Become a member Gov.
CT COVID-19 Briefing: 4 p.m., Tuesday, May 5
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Hospitalizations up, but state sticking with May 20 soft reopening
COVID-19 hospitalizations increased for the first time in nearly two weeks, although Gov. Ned Lamont indicated that the state still plans to allow some businesses to reopen on May 20, at today’s daily briefing. Greenwich Hospital. Josh Geballe, the state’s COO, said that “the concept is a rolling average,” appearing confident that the May 20 date will remain in place unless the general trend reverses.
Lamont Says School Buildings Will Remain Closed For The Rest of School Year; Distance To Continue
Gov. Ned Lamont made it official Tuesday and announced that school buildings will remain closed for the rest of the school year. He has not made a decision yet about summer school programming. Lamont will require schools to continue to provide meals to children and teachers will continue to provide distance learning opportunities.
Class dismissed: Lamont orders K-12 schools to remain closed for remainder of academic year
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont is ordering in-person classes at all K-12 public school facilities in the state to remain canceled for the rest of the 2019-20 academic year, and for distance learning to continue. Schools will also be required to continue providing meals to children under the school lunch and breakfast programs for consumption at home, as they have been throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
State opens childcare centers to help parents deemed 'essentia' during pandemic
HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - The state is answering the call of many parents who have to work but can't find childcare. The Office of Early Childhood added childcare at 29 hospitals. State officials have been encouraging families to keep their children home as much as they can, at least with a trusted neighbor or friend. However, that hasn't been possible for a number of parents who are essential workers.
YMCA Offers Childcare for Health Workers
Jim O’Rourke is the executive director of the Greater Waterbury YMCA and on March 13th he was still adjusting his staff and programs to the landscape being bulldozed by the Coronavirus pandemic. He had stopped senior fitness classes, a cancer survivor program, large gatherings in the YMCA, and closed down the gymnasium and the daycare center. Staff was being laid off (200 out of 300 employees), and he was just a few days away from closing the fitness center and pool. Then O’Rourke’s phone rang.
State Helps Keep Some Child Care Facilities Afloat
The Office of Early Childhood announced Friday that it would continue making payments for child care services until June 30, even if the kids are not currently attending these centers. The Office of Early Childhood said it will do everything it can to help make sure child care programs can survive even if they had to close their doors because of COVID-19.
Lamont Cancels Large Events, Waives 180-Day School Year Requirements
HARTFORD, CT – With six confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont is being cautious and prohibiting events with over 250 people and he also issued a blanket waiver to school districts releasing them from the minimum 180-day school year requirement.
2019 CT Against Gun Violence Policy Luncheon Registration
Solving the crisis of gun violence, especially in urban communities, requires a multi-dimensional approach—more than just strong gun laws. It requires hands-on work by people in the community where the violence is happening. Hear about the experiences of these heroes, in their own words, at How Community Activism Saves Lives.
Childcare Centers Receive Increase In Care4Kids Funding
HARTFORD, CT — For the first time in 17 years, child care centers across the state that accept Care4Kids, a state and federal subsidy program for working parents, will see a significant increase in their rates. Thanks to $14 million in new federal Child Care Development funds an estimated 1,200 childcare centers across the state will receive increases for children with Care4Kids certificates.
New Commissioner Working To Reduce Backlog of Childcare Subsidy Applications
HARTFORD, CT — It’s not completely solved, but the new commissioner at the Office of Early Childhood is doing what she can to reduce the backlog of payments to childcare providers who participate in Care4Kids. For the past three months Beth Bye and her team have been trying to reduce the backlog of applications, which delay providers from getting paid.
State legislative vacancies, 2019
From Ballotpedia Jump to: navigation, search As of April 2019, there have been 60 state legislative vacancies created across 32 states in 2019. Thirty-seven of those vacancies have been filled. The process for filling vacancies varies among the state legislatures. Twenty-five states fill vacancies in their state legislature through special elections.
Polls open for special elections to replace 5 lawmakers
Latest Political Stories HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) - Polls just opened in a dozen cities and towns for the special elections happening Tuesday to replace five lawmakers who joined Governor Ned Lamont's new administration. Voters are picking three new state senators and two state representatives. Governor Lamont needs some people in his new administration who know how Hartford works. So the governor went right to the General Assembly.
5 Democratic lawmakers will not take oath on opening day
Five Democratic Connecticut lawmakers will not be taking the oath of office when the new General Assembly opens.
Cantor endorsement boosts Slap in race to succeed Bye - The CT Mirror
New state Rep. Derek Slap of West Hartford, a former chief of staff to the Democratic Senate caucus. West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor endorsed Rep. Derek Slap, D-West Hartford, in the special election for state Senate on Monday, an effort to nudge Democrats to close ranks behind Slap for a nomination under the control of the local party organization. Slap was the first declared candidate for the Democratic nomination to succeed Sen.
Lamont names Bye to lead Office of Early Childhood - The CT Mirror
Arielle Levin Becker / The CT Mirror Sen. Beth Bye, D-West Hartford (file photo) Gov.-elect Ned Lamont tapped Sen. Beth Bye, D-West Hartford, to lead the state Office of Early Childhood. Bye, who succeeds Commissioner David Wilkinson, will resign her post representing the 5th Senate District, which includes Burlington, Farmington, West Hartford and western Bloomfield. Bye’s appointment also means Senate Democratic leadership must appoint a new co-chair of the legislature’s Education Committee.
Bye to resign as state senator after being tapped to lead a state office
WEST HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - A state senator for West Hartford will resign to lead a state office. Sen. Beth Bye was nominated by Gov.-elect Ned Lamont to lead the Office of Early Childhood. The position was created in 2013 to focus on the coordination and improvement of early childhood programs in the state.
Behind Democrats' win, a senator and one million phone calls - The CT Mirror
mark pazniokas / ctmirror.org Jenna Shapiro thanks Fight Back volunteers. At left, U.S. Chris Murphy and Gary Turco. Jenna Shapiro woke up miserable the day after Donald J. Trump’s election in 2016. The 21-year-old daughter of Democratic activists from Manhattan, Shapiro had canvassed for Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire and worked on phone banks at Wesleyan, where she was a first-semester senior studying history and contemplating a career in teaching.
Lamont Calls On Opponent To Take A Position On Kavanaugh
HARTFORD, CT — Joined by dozens of female candidates from across Connecticut, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont called on his Republican opponent to express an opinion about whether there should be an investigation before Judge Brett Kavanaugh gets to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court for life. The request was made a few hours before the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 11-10 to forward the nomination to the full Senate. U.S. Sen.
Beth Bye and Andy Fleischmann named ‘Children’s Champions’
HARTFORD – State Senator Beth Bye and State Representative Andy Fleischmann, both of West Hartford, are among 12 legislators selected as 2018 “Children’s Champions” by the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance. Bye and Fleischmann, who were among 12 legislators to be so honored, received their awards on June 26 at the School for Young Children in West Hartford.
Lisa Vaeth elected co-chair of Jewish Cemetery Association of NA
WEST HARTFORD – Lisa Vaeth, who has served as director of the Association of Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Hartford for the past 15 years, has been elected co-chair of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Cemetery Association of North America (JCANA). Vaeth shares the position with Jamie H. Cotel of the New York-based Community Alliance for Jewish-Affiliated Cemeteries. Prior to her appointment she served as JCANA’s treasurer, “I am very honored to be elected co-chair of JCANA,” said Vaeth.
20 CT students receive college scholarships from fund created by Sen. Joe Lieberman
Five Connecticut students have been named recipients of the 2019 Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund. Headed to college this coming fall, the students are the sixth class of Lieberman Scholars to receive scholarships from the Fund. In addition, 15 current college students who received scholarships beginning in their freshman year will have the scholarship renewed for their upcoming sophomore, junior and senior year.
A Tale of Two Philanthropies
I like to believe that I’m passionate about a lot of things in the world, but the two causes closest to my heart are the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and the Jewish day school movement. I have had the privilege of being a Federation professional, a Federation campaign chair, a Federation board president and a National Women’s Philanthropy chair for JFNA.
General Assembly Fails To Override Any of Malloy’s 7 Vetoes
HARTFORD, CT — The General Assembly overrode none of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s seven vetoes Monday. The House did vote 103-33 to override one of the bills, but the Senate failed to find the two-thirds it needed to override that same bill. The Senate voted 19-10, but 24 votes were necessary for an override. “I think the Senate Democrats are lockstep with the most unpopular governor in the country,” Senate Republican President Len Fasano said Monday referring to Malloy.
CSCU consolidation plan rejected; school closings possible
The Connecticut State Colleges & Universities’ controversial plan to consolidate its 12 community colleges into one system has been resoundingly rejected by accrediting agency the New England Association of Schools and Colleges – leaving open the possibility that one or more Connecticut campuses could be closed.
Revote sought on pick for top court
HARTFORD — Democratic Senate leaders are calling for at least one of the 19 senators who voted against Andrew McDonald as the state’s next chief justice of the Supreme Court to make a motion to reconsider the nomination.Unanimous Republican opposition, a negative vote from Sen. Joan Hartley, D-Waterbury, and the recusal of Sen.
Republicans reject state supreme court chief justice nominee because he’s gay
Connecticut Democrats are accusing Republicans of rejecting a supreme court nominee because he’s gay. Yesterday, the Connecticut Senate voted to reject Andrew McDonald for Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. McDonald was nominated by Governor Dannel Malloy (D). There are 18 Republicans and 18 Democrats in the Connecticut Senate. One Democrat recused herself from the vote, citing a personal issue between her and McDonald, and one Democrat crossed party lines and voted with Republicans.
Medicaid Public Option Bill Makes It Out of Committee
HARTFORD, CT — A study of what a Medicaid public option for health insurance would look like in Connecticut squeaked through the Human Services Committee Thursday on a party line vote. The committee sent it to the House by a 10-9 vote. Republicans objected to the makeup of the group which would be overseeing the study because seven of the nine members would be Democrats.
Wilbur Cross Dreamers School Legislators
Hartford — Wilbur Cross High School student Hazel Mencos came to the state Capitol Tuesday and exercised a right that many American citizens never use: She testified in a public hearing in favor of a bill, answered questions from a lawmaker, and had her view entered into the public records.
Connecticut General Assembly Will Examine Its Sexual Harassment Policy
HARTFORD, CT — The Connecticut General Assembly will reflect this year on its sexual harassment policy for lawmakers and employees at the state Capitol complex. In what seems to be a proactive move and response to the #MeToo movement, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are calling for retraining for lawmakers, who are only mandated to take sexual harassment training once no matter how long they’ve been in office.
Women’s March 2018 Draws Another 10,000 to Hartford
HARTFORD, CT — When the Women’s March last year drew 10,000 people to the state Capitol, many wondered whether they would be able to maintain the enthusiasm and repeat the performance in 2018. Turns out they did. The Capitol Police estimated this year’s crowd at around 10,000 once again.
Budget deal reached at 11th hour
HARTFORD — It took them literally until the 11th hour on Tuesday, but after a day of shuttle diplomacy by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Democratic leaders, a compromise budget deal was reached that may be voted before the General Assembly’s Wednesday-midnight deadline. Democratic leaders of the House and Senate said there are over $830-million in tough budget cuts, with no tax increases for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
Immigrant student's arrest scuttles Connecticut legislation
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A student originally from Mexico, Eric Cruz Lopez was among the most visible immigration activists on the University of Connecticut campus — up until he was charged with spray-painting expletives about President Donald Trump on the walls of school buildings. Now his arrest is hurting the push for a bill that would allow students without legal immigration status at the state's public colleges and universities access to financial aid.
Immigrant student's arrest scuttles Connecticut legislation
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A student originally from Mexico, Eric Cruz Lopez was among the most visible immigration activists on the University of Connecticut campus — up until he was charged with spray-painting expletives about President Donald Trump on the walls of school buildings. Now his arrest is hurting the push for a bill that would allow students without legal immigration status at the state's public colleges and universities access to financial aid.
Activist’s arrest sets back college aid for undocumented students
One activist’s arrest has counteracted months of lobbying for a bill that would have allowed undocumented students to receive financial aid at Connecticut’s public colleges. For years, undocumented immigrant activists and allies have pushed for passage of a bill to grant undocumented students access to the $165-million pot of financial aid at public colleges and universities in the state. Undocumented students pay into the pot with their tuition dollars.
Palmer overcomes GOP opposition, wins another term on high court
Justice Richard N. Palmer, author of state Supreme Court decisions that struck down the last vestige of capital punishment and legalized same-sex marriage in Connecticut, was confirmed for a fourth and final eight-year term on the court Wednesday after a rare second-guessing of the court’s opinions and conduct by the General Assembly.
People Behind The Budget Cuts Make Their Pitch
Community providers, doctors, nursing homes, hospitals, unions, and autism advocates came to the state Capitol to beg lawmakers Wednesday not to approve $1.3 billion in spending cuts proposed by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. At the Legislative Office Building, nonprofit community providers who care for individuals with developmental disabilities decried about $160 million in cuts to their programs.
10,000 Attend Women’s March In Hartford
An estimated crowd of about 10,000 rallied Saturday in Hartford at the state Capitol to fight for women’s rights and express their emotions about what President Donald Trump’s administration might mean for women and their families. State Sen.
A lot at stake for Connecticut as Trump, GOP eye Medicaid changes
Asked about the future of federal funds for Connecticut under President-elect Donald J. Trump and a Republican Congress, state budget director Benjamin Barnes prefaced his reply with a big “who knows?” shrug. There’s lots of room for surprises, he said. But – he was quick to add – he has deep concerns about what could happen to health care funding – particularly for Medicaid. Both Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan have called for significantly restructuring the way the program is funded.
Decision 2016 | NBC Connecticut
U.S. PRESIDENT - CONNECTICUT RESULTS Hillary Clinton 1,410 79% Donald Trump 325 18% Gary Johnson 35 2% Jill Stein 25 1% U.S. SENATE Richard Blumenthal 448 86% Dan Carter 64 12% Jeffery Russell 7 1% Richard Lion 2 0% U.S. HOUSE - DISTRICT 1 John B. Larson 0 0% Matthew M. Corey 0 0% S. Michael DeRosa 0 0% U.S. HOUSE - DISTRICT 2 Daniel Reale 0 0% Daria Novak 0 0% Joe Courtney 0 0% Jonathan Pelto 0 0% U.S. HOUSE - DISTRICT 3 Angel Cadena 0 0% Rosa L.
Press Release from Senator Bob Duff
Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) today released the following statement regarding Hartford Superior Court Judge Thomas G. Moukawsher’s ruling in the case brought by the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding: “Judge Thomas Moukawsher has given the Connecticut General Assembly 180 days to fix our education funding system in Connecticut.
Joseph J. Crisco, Jr.
State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge) today declared his opposition to any sort of “vehicle mileage tax” (VMT) while also seeking to end what he believes are public misperceptions about the issue. “The idea of a vehicle mileage tax was one of many options that was offered last year by a non-partisan transportation group as a means of paying for the huge commitment that Connecticut has to improving its transportation infrastructure.
In suburban schools, student poverty growing faster than education aid - The CT Mirror
The number of students from poor families attending suburban schools in Connecticut is rising. Numerous legislators say these increases justify providing $14.2 million in additional state aid over the next two fiscal years to help several suburban districts cover the cost of educating these high-need students. “If we keep underfunding communities that have growing poverty, it won’t be long before their schools fall behind,” said state Sen.
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