Local Museums, CRIS Radio, Collaborate to Bring Audio Narration to the Art

CRIS Radio and the New Britain Museum of American Art (NBMAA) are working together to offer CRISAccess™ at the museum, which offers instant, on-demand audio descriptions of selected masterpieces on display by using a personal smartphone and QR Code reader.  The new initiative launched earlier this month. The goal of CRIS Radio and NBMAA’s collaboration is to provide its museum visitors with disabilities the same experience and access enjoyed by their friends, classmates and family, officials explained.

CRIS (Connecticut Radio Information System) is a 39-year-old nonprofit and is Connecticut’s only radio-reading service, providing audio access 24/7 to news and information for people who are blind or print-challenged, including those unable to read due to a medical condition/treatment, physical, learning, intellectual or emotional disabilities.

The New Britain Museum of American Art’s founding in 1903 entitles the institution to be designated the first museum of strictly American art in the country. The singular focus on American art and its panoramic view of American artistic achievement make the NBMAA a significant teaching resource available to the local, regional, and national public.

CRIS Radio is integrating QR Code technology to instantly “link and play” audio files of information posted on signs or other printed materials for people who are blind or print-handicapped. Visitors can access the audio files with any mobile device downloaded with a QR Code Reader application.

CRISAccess™ is part of CRIS Radio’s new Adaptive Audio Accessibility services initiative that promotes access to information at museums for people who have difficulty reading posted signs. The audio displays are triggered by QR code (Quick Response Codes) apps downloaded onto smartphones. A patron simply captures the QR code with the camera phone. The QR code apps are available for download on most online app stores, like Apple or Google.

Michelle Hargrave, Deputy Director at the NBMAA, said, "The New Britain Museum of American Art is thrilled to partner with CRIS Radio in this endeavor to bring greater accessibility to the institution. The Museum is committed to being a welcoming, dynamic, distinguished, and educationally ambitious art museum, and we are very excited that this opportunity will open our galleries to a broader audience."

CRIS Radio’s state-of-the art broadcast center is headquartered in Windsor, where numerous audio recordings are produced. CRIS also operates regional studios located in Danbury, Norwalk, Norwich, Trumbull, and West Haven.

National studies report that only 11 percent of people with disabilities visit museums. The collaboration between the two nonprofits provide a low-cost and simple approach to enhance the visitor experience for people with visual or other print disabilities. CRIS Radio based its CRISAccess program on the recommendations of a focus group comprised of people with visual disabilities convened by the Smithsonian.

CRIS has already been working with leading museums in the state and region, with more to come.  Plans are underway to add the Mark Twain House & Museum to the QR code portfolio. Those already up and running include:

• Connecticut Valley Agriculture Museum
• Jonathan’s Dream
• Mystic Aquarium
• New Britain Museum of American Art
• New England Air Museum
• Old Sturbridge Village 

The recently re-opened Jonathon's Playground, in Bloomfield, is the first outdoor venue to use the technology.  CRIS provided audio descriptions of the playground equipment.

The core of CRIS services is the daily recording of articles featured in more than 70 newspapers and magazines, including the most extensive line-up in the nation of award-winning children’s magazines featuring human narration, all available online and on demand.

CRIS also provides streaming CRIS programs directly to hospitals and other health care facilities through their in-house systems, or through Internet radios installed at assisted living facilities or nursing homes.

The Connecticut Valley Tobacco Museum also recently launched special digital audio guides for the sight impaired, or for patrons who have reading difficulties, as part of the CRIS museum initiative.  The project was funded by the Windsor Lions Club, with the assistance from the Connecticut Radio Information System (CRIS).

Programs powered by CRIS Radio include: CRIS Radio; CRIS Listen Now (online streaming); CRIS Listen On Demand; CRISKids™ and CRISKids™ for Schools;  CRISAccess™ (for museums); and CRIS En Español (featuring Spanish-language newspapers and magazines). CRISKids and CRISKids for Schools offer teachers a low-cost tool to help improve student literacy and reading ability.

CRIS employs a staff of four full-time and three part-time people. Operations rely on approximately 300 volunteers statewide to help with the production, programming and the day-to-day operations of CRIS.

PHOTO:  At left, Michelle Hargrave, deputy director of the New Britain Museum of American Art, watches as Diane Weaver Dunne, executive director of CRIS Radio, demonstrates CRISAccess, which provides audible information about selected masterpieces on display at the New Britain Museum of American Art.

Feds Urged to Complete Study Assessing Safety of Crumb Rubber Playing Fields, Playgrounds

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.  That’s not only a well-worn adage from youth, it is apparently the game plan for Connecticut U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and his multi-year quest for a comprehensive federal study of the health risks of crumb rubber turf, a surface made of recycled tires that is widely used on playgrounds and athletics fields in Connecticut and nationwide. Blumenthal, along with colleagues in the Senate, are this week urging a federal task force to finish a long-overdue study into potential health risks.  The crumb rubber used in artificial turf fields is mainly composed of recycled tires, which contain man-made and natural rubber, according to the state Department of Public Health.  Chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be found in the crumb rubber.  Crumb rubber can also contain heavy metals such as zinc and copper.

After a year and a half, WTNH-TV reported, the Senators are convinced progress on a comprehensive federal study has stalled.

It isn’t the first time that Blumenthal has been a lead voice to prompt action.  In November 2015 Blumenthal and Senate colleague Bill Nelson of Florida urged the Consumer Product Safety Commission to conduct a study.  In March 2016, Blumenthal was among those urging Congress and the President to allocate sufficient funds to conduct the study.  “Parents deserve to know if there is a danger to their children playing on these fields,” he said that month at a news conference held at Yale University.

A synthetic turf study was undertaken in 2016 by four United States agencies  — EPA, Consumer Products Safety Commission, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry — which has yet to be finalized.

With it’s completion in doubt, Blumenthal is highlighting the imperative to get scientific answers to guide communities that are considering how best to replace natural grass or other types of field surfaces.  It is estimated that there are more than 10,000 artificial-turf surfaces in use across the country.

Earlier this year, plans for a crumb rubber synthetic turf field in North Haven brought local opposition. The town decided to go forward with the less controversial encapsulated crumb-rubber infill over the traditional crumb rubber option, according to an article on the controversy published this month in The Atlantic.

Last year, Hamden opted not to go ahead with plans for crumb rubber, switching to a mix of cork shavings and coconut husk, called “GeoFill,” along with a “shock pad” in response to safety concerns. Bloomfield High School installed a synthetic turf field, South Windsor decided to use acrylic-coated sand instead of crumb rubber.  Madison and Guilford are also among the communities with crumb rubber surfaces for fields or playgrounds, according to published reports.

Testifying at the Connecticut State Capitol earlier this year, medical staff from the Children’s Environmental Health Center at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, urged that “Until the findings of these studies are available and conclusively demonstrate the safety of recycled rubber playground surfaces, we recommend a ban on the use of these materials where children play.”

Legislation that would have prohibited the installation of ground cover that contains shredded or ground rubber recycled from motor vehicle tires in municipal and public school playgrounds in Connecticut was approved by two legislative committees (Committee on Children, Committee on Planning & Development) in March, but the proposal was not considered by the full legislature in the session that concluded in June.

Blumenthal first became concerned about the artificial surface when his children were playing on the crumb-rubber athletic fields.  “I became concerned as a parent, as much as a public official, ten years ago, and at first was somewhat skeptical, but now very firmly believe that we need an authoritative, real study about what’s in these fields,” Blumenthal told ABC News two years ago.

The state Department of Public Health (DPH) website points out that “the advantages of these fields include less maintenance costs, ability to withstand intense use and no need for pesticides.”  To address public safety concerns, four Connecticut state agencies collaborated in 2010 to evaluate the potential exposures and risks from athletic use of artificial turf fields, the DPH website explains.

A two year investigation of releases from five fields during active play was conducted by the Connecticut departments of Public Health, Energy and Environmental Protection, University of Connecticut Health Center, and The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. The study was peer-reviewed by the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering.

The overall conclusion of the report, according to the DPH website, is that “use of outdoor artificial turf fields does not represent a significant health risk.”  A news release issued by the department did note “higher contaminant levels at one indoor field indicate that ventilation of indoor fields should be considered.  Storm water run off findings indicate that proper management of this run off is prudent to address possible environmental effects.”

Done Deal: Upstate New York Will be Home to Northeast’s First Legoland

The bricks have fallen into place, and Legoland will be coming to upstate New York in 2020.  Despite local opposition groups, a change in the preferred host community, and two years of uncertainty, United Kingdom-based Merlin Entertainment has announced that the third Legoland in the United States and the first in the Northeast will be built in Goshen, New York.  The site is just an hour or two from most parts of Connecticut and 60 miles north of Manhattan. There are no indications that Connecticut was ever seriously considered for the theme amusement park.  Currently, there are two operating Legoland locations in the U.S., in California and Florida. 

The $500-million amusement park and hotel are scheduled to be built on 500 acres right off Route 17 near exit 125 in Orange County, New York.  Legoland anticipates generating $283-million in taxes for Orange County over 30 years, more than 1,000 jobs at the park and 800 for construction.

In 2015, Merlin Entertainment had tried to build in a nearby community, but the plan fell through.  They next turned to Goshen, a small community with a population of just over 5,000. New York will support the project by investing $18 million, according to published reports, improving the current road infrastructure, upgrading traffic signals and building a bridge over Route 17. The project will also receive $7.1 million in grants through the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative and $8 million through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative.

The timing of the announcement followed a planning board vote in October, approving an umbrella resolution for its site plan, and permits to clear and grade the land. The review process took 17 months. The proposed Legoland theme park in Goshen had cleared a major hurdle in September when the Town Board amended Goshen’s comprehensive plan to allow commercial entertainment. A year ago, the plan was in doubt due to a variety of concerns raised locally, from traffic to environment to history.

“We have spent a lot of time building relationships in the community, listening and responding to concerns, and we are looking forward to building a theme park that will enhance the community and be a tremendous neighbor,” said Merlin Entertainments Chief Executive Officer Nick Varney. “I am honored to announce Legoland New York is officially moving forward.”

Merlin Entertainments, the developer of Legoland in New York, is one of the largest entertainment company operating in Europe, operating 123 attractions in 24 countries across four continents. About 2 million visitors annually are projected for Legoland New York, with the facility to be open each year from April 1 through Halloween.

The design of the New York location will build upon parks operating in California, Florida, the United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, Denmark, Dubai and Japan, where the most recent Legoland debuted.

Charter, Henkel Select Connecticut for Growth, With Some Help from the State

Charter Communications has 92,000 employees worldwide.  The company’s headquarters is in Stamford.  Henkel employs 50,000 people worldwide.  The company’s world headquarters is in Dusseldorf, Germany; their Consumer Goods R&D Headquarters is in Stamford.  Both companies have announced major growth in the city, bringing jobs and boosting the economy in the region. They are the flipside of Aetna, Alexion and GE, whose corporate leadership drove highly publicized departures from the state.

Henkel is #158 on Forbes magazine’s Global 2000 list of Top Multinational Performers, and #307 on the list of America’s Best Employers.  Charter Communications is #38 on the Forbes list of Growth Champions and ranks #107 on the Global 2000.

Henkel operates worldwide with leading brands and technologies in three business units: Laundry & Home Care, Beauty Care and Adhesive Technologies. Many are unfamiliar with the corporate name, but know their products well:  Dial, Snuggle, All, Purex, Sunlight, and Surf, among many others.  The company’s United States Adhesive Technologies R&D headquarters is in Rocky Hill.

Just over a year ago, in September 2016, Henkel acquired Wilton-based Sun Products Corporation.  Jobs became available almost instantly for a variety of positions across Henkel’s Connecticut footprint – with locations in Trumbull and Rocky Hill as well as the new office planned in Stamford.  With the acquisition, Henkel reached the number two position in the laundry care market in North America, behind only Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble.  North America is one the most important regions for Henkel, according to the company, and the U.S. accounts for the highest sales globally.

A month later, the state announced it would be providing the company with up to $25 million in state aid to support the company’s move of employees from Arizona to Connecticut (and Wilton to Stamford) as part of a consolidation and growth plan.   The Department of Economic and Community Development, as part of its “First Five” program, is to provide a 10-year, $20 million low-interest loan to support the project., and the company may be eligible for up to $5 million in tax credits for capital investment on eligible projects.  Projections were for 266 jobs in Stamford initially, with a workforce of 500 anticipated, according to published reports.

The move began into new headquarters began this summer, with about one-third moving here from Arizona, one-third from Sun Products, and one-third employees new to the company, Fairfield County Business Journal reported.

Henkel North America Consumer Goods Headquarters is a “new workspace” that will “showcase a forward-thinking office design, fostering a high level of creativity and collaboration, which are fundamental for growth and success as a thriving consumer goods business,” officials said.  The company’s website now features a video touting the advantages of Stamford, and why it was selected.

“We look forward to moving into our exciting new home, with the space and opportunity for growth,” the video narration declares. “Stamford is a vibrant community, brimming with restaurants, arts and entertainment within walking distance of our new office.  The city is a transportation hub, with easy access.”

Most Connecticut residents may also be unfamiliar with Charter Communications.  Connecticut has 24 cable franchise areas; Charter provides local cable service in only three of them, in the western and northeastern regions of the state for about 35 mostly rural communities.  The larger franchise owners in Connecticut are Cablevision, Comcast and Cox.  But the Connecticut map is deceiving – nationally Charter is the second largest cable provider in the nation.

Last month, Charter announced plans for a new 15-story headquarters building in Stamford.   The new building at the Gateway Harbor Point development along Long Island Sound is projected to have 500,000 square feet of work space. Employees are expected to move in during 2019.

“Since relocating Charter’s headquarter operations to Stamford in 2012, the company has undergone a transformation to become the second largest cable provider in the U.S.,” said chairman and CEO Tom Rutledge in a press release. “This new, state-of-the-art facility in downtown Stamford will provide Charter the necessary resources to facilitate its continued growth. ”

The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) will provide a 10-year, $10 million low-interest loan to support the project through the state’s First Five Plus program. The company may be eligible for loan forgiveness based on job creation and if employment obligations are met. Charter Communications will also receive up to $10 million in tax credits through DECD’s Urban and Industrial Sites Reinvestment Tax Credit program. Additional tax credits are available if the company exceeds job targets.

In a news release, the Governor’s Office indicated that “following its commitment to create and retain 400 jobs under the state’s First Five Program in 2012, Charter has committed to create an additional 1,100 new corporate headquarters jobs and has agreed to a total of $100 million in planned capital expenditures in Connecticut over the next several years. It was Stamford’s largest real estate announcement of the year. The new headquarters would become the first commercial facility with “direct access” to the station’s platform, company officials said, citing the location’s proximity to both rail and Interstate 95.

Charter’s growth is drive by the acquisitions during the past year of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.  That expanded Charter’s reach to about 50 million homes and businesses and earned them the ranking of second-largest cable company in the country, just behind Philadelphia-based Comcast.

New Wallingford Rail Station Opens Ahead of Next Year's Hartford Line Expansion

The next step in the development of the Hartford line, which will significantly expand daily passenger rail service between New Haven and Springfield, takes place on Monday with the opening of a newly constructed passenger station in Wallingford. The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) will officially open the new CTrail Hartford Line Wallingford Station to the public on Monday afternoon. The new station is located at 343 North Cherry Street, approximately one mile north of the existing station.

It will be opening in advance of the May 2018 launch of CTrail Hartford Line passenger rail service. Gov. Malloy and state officials announced last month that a one-way trip between Hartford and New Haven will run $8 when the expanded commuter service gets underway next spring. A trip along the entire length of the rail line — Springfield to New Haven — will cost $12.75.

The Wallingford station features amenities “aimed at providing a high-quality passenger experience,” officials point out, including high-level platforms on both sides of the track as well as elevators, stairways with an overhead pedestrian bridge to cross the tracks, and canopies covering approximately 50 percent of the platform length. There will be parking for approximately 221 vehicles in two surface parking lots at the station. There is also a passenger information display system, security cameras, electric vehicle charging, and bicycle racks. Limited seating on the platform is also available.

Construction began in December 2014 and cost approximately $21 million.  New rail stations in Meriden and Berlin are under construction, and are expected to come on line prior to the launch of the expanded passenger service in the spring. DOT officials have previously indicated that all stations will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and none of the stations will have bathrooms.

Once underway, the new daily service will mean that from New Haven to Hartford, trains will increase from six to 17 per day. Between Hartford and Springfield, trains will increase from six to 12 per day. A new station in North Haven station is currently being designed, and is not due to be built and open until 2020. Stations in Enfield, Newington, West Hartford, Windsor and Windsor Locks stations are also part of the Hartford Line plans. Trains will arrive at stations in New Haven, Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin and Hartford every 45 minutes during peak hours and every 60 to 90 minutes during off-peak periods.

The DOT is accepting comments on the new fares through Nov. 27 by email (dot.hartfordlinecomments@ct.gov) or mail.  In addition, there will be three public comment forums: at 5 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the New Haven Hall of Records; 4 p.m. on Nov. 14 at Capital Community College in Hartford; and 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 15 at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission in Springfield.

There is more than a rail station at work in Wallingford.  The town has completed a Transit-Oriented-Development (TOD) Plan that features shifting existing industrial development to the north, freeing up space for mixed-use and retail development in Downtown, officials said. The existing Parker Place apartment complex near the station offers a precedent for TOD and is expanding 200 units. The Town is also making efforts to encourage and support TOD by creating a new Town Center zoning district and reducing off street parking requirements. Transit-Oriented-Development refers to a high density, pedestrian oriented, mixed-use development located within a short walk of transit stations. TOD plans are also anticipated at the other stations along the Hartford line.

PERSPECTIVE: 10 Reasons Why Starting a Captive Insurance Company in CT is a Great Idea

by Michael Maglaras  A captive insurer is an insurance company that is wholly owned and controlled by a parent company, an association or a group, to insure its own risk. The owner can reinvest savings back into the operation.  Captive insurers are not just for large corporations but play a very important role for many small and mid-size employers.  Connecticut businesses can always benefit from an extra competitive edge to succeed and grow, and captive insurance can often provide that unique, cost-effective and profitable competitive advantage. There are 10 solid reasons to start a captive insurance company in Connecticut:

1. Workforce Talent and Skills in Abundance

Connecticut is home to a wide-ranging population of smart, resourceful employees who think big and work hard.  The workforce in Connecticut is well-educated, highly industrious with deep knowledge of insurance practices, functions and operations.  Connecticut ranks #1 nationally in insurance employment as a percentage of total employment and #1 in the U.S. for the greatest concentration of actuarial talent per worker.  This uniquely talented, creative workforce is meeting today's challenges, defining tomorrow's captive insurance innovations and setting the stage for the future of the industry.

2. Competitive Operating Costs for Captives

Connecticut’s operating costs are highly competitive and among the lowest in the U.S. in the insurance space.  A wide variety of business facilities are available at highly competitive costs, with prime office rents among the lowest in the Northeast. Cost efficient insurance is readily available, and tax and investment professionals are abundant.

3. New CT Captive Insurance On-Line “Tool-Kit”

A new online resource for business owners exploring ways to control insurance costs and manage their risk, “CT Captive Solutions for Business,” has recently been launched by state Insurance Commissioner Katharine Wade.  The toolkit includes instructions on licensing a captive in Connecticut, a list of recognized captive managers, FAQs and Insurance Department contacts.  Click here for the new “Toolkit.”

4. Innovative New Captive Policy Law

The General Assembly passed Public Act 17-198 (An Act Concerning Captive Insurance Companies) this year, with broad bi-partisan support.  The new law, which went into effect on July 1, created a number of new innovative policies that make Connecticut a tremendous domicile option for new and redomiciling captives.  The law allows the insurance commissioner to waive capital and paid-in surplus requirements for certain captives and lowers the minimum surplus requirements for sponsored captives.  It also establishes an innovative new category of “dormant captive insurers” so businesses can stay current through different economic cycles and re-start quickly as new business opportunities present themselves.

5. Insurance Sector Strength

With over 1,400 insurance companies licensed to do business in the state, Connecticut’s insurance industry is one of the largest in the world and a key part of Connecticut’s economy.  Connecticut Insurers write more than $32.8 billion in premiums annually and contribute $13.7 billion to Connecticut’s Gross State Product (GSP).  The state also leads the nation in insurance payroll, which contributes 5.3% of the total state payroll.  This can be attributed to the industry’s workforce of relatively high-paying occupations including management, legal, computer and math professionals, and business and financial operations.

6. Excellent University & Captive Insurance Linkages

Connecticut’s internationally renowned universities have been key drivers in the development of the region’s technology and knowledge industries.  Home to over 40 colleges and universities, including the University of Connecticut and Yale University, Connecticut’s higher education programs are unique in the nation and the world.

UConn has an undergraduate major in Actuarial Science, which is one of the few Actuarial Science programs in New England.  UConn also has an Actuarial Science Program that has been named a “Center of Actuarial Excellence,” one of only 12 chosen by the Society of Actuaries.  In addition, t the UConn School of Business offers an M.S. in Actuarial Science and an M.S. in Financial Risk Management.

At Yale, the Graduate School of Management offers a unique Masters of Management Studies in Systemic Risk for early and mid-career employees of central banks and other major regulatory agencies with a mandate to manage systemic risk.  The year-long program focuses in macroprudential policy, financial crisis management, global financial regulation, monetary economics, capital markets, and central banking.

7. Location, Location, Location!

Connecticut, strategically and conveniently located between New York and Boston, is ideally positioned geographically for captive insurance companies in the U.S. and throughout the world.  Connecticut is within 500 miles of one-third of the total U.S. population and two-thirds of the total Canadian population.  Connecticut offers a robust transportation network including a growing international airport, an integrated network of major highways, commuter rail, Amtrak services, bus rapid transit and bus routes.

8. Strong and Dynamic Insurance Economy

The insurance industry in Connecticut ranks second nationally in gross state product as a percentage of total gross state product and, as noted above, contributes 5.3% or $13.7 billion to Connecticut’s GSP.  Additionally, Connecticut defines “super sectors” for reporting purposes and the insurance “super sector” is the state’s largest by far, accounting for nearly 22.6% of Connecticut’s GSP.  In addition, Connecticut ranks #2 in the U.S. for Insurance activity that drives the largest percentage (18.1%) of the State’s Gross State Product from it’s over 60,000 insurance professionals.

9. Pro-Insurance Business climate

Connecticut has a pro-insurance, pro-captive insurance business climate.  The Department of Insurance and all branches of State Government are committed to developing new captives and encouraging innovation and insurance entrepreneurship.  The State provides potential companies and associations with high quality, abundant start-up tools and a welcoming and flexible regulatory leadership.

Connecticut also provides insurance brokers and producers, captive insurance managers, and tax professionals in insurance fields access to innovative solutions and resources to drive the industry forward, including a collaborative workforce and support from leadership at all levels of State government.  The Connecticut Department of Insurance Captive Division has significant regulatory expertise and a collaborative consultative approach that can help support and grow innovative captive insurance companies.

10. Generous Support and Financial Assistance for Captives

Connecticut provides many options for attractive and lucrative support packages of financial incentives, recruitment and training, research and development support tailored to each captive insurance company’s needs.  The state offers a wide range of programs and services to help companies prosper in Connecticut with financing, tax credits and other incentives including site selection services.

The state works with captive insurance companies in an ongoing partnership to ensure all the necessary support is given from the start-up phase and throughout the lifetime of the captive insurance companies growth to develop and expand the business and to improve legal and financial soundness.  Connecticut also has a strategic venture capital arm and the leading source of financing and ongoing support for innovative, growing companies.

Recent Growth and Success That Speaks for Itself!

In recent years, Connecticut has become known for attracting top-notch innovative captive insurance companies.  Just this year, Charter Communications, the second-largest cable company in the nation, expanded its business footprint in Connecticut by basing its entire captive insurance operations in the state.  The captive, Spectrum Communications Indemnity, Inc. will be the largest captive licensed in Connecticut and will provide coverage for Charter’s workers compensation, auto liability, general liability and employment practices liability.

The State has also recently licensed the state’s first health care liability captive.  That company, Keystone Indemnity Company, Ltd. had originally been licensed in Vermont and is has now elected to re-domesticate to Connecticut.  Keystone is owned by Masonicare of Wallingford, the state’s leading provider of health care and retirement living communities for seniors.

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Michael Maglaras is President of the CT Captive Insurance Association and owner of Michael Maglaras & Company, a CT based international insurance consulting firm specializing in providing insurance program consulting advice, including self-insurance feasibility testing and other alternatives to traditional insurance programs for a variety of clients.

Longstanding Coverage of State Government to End; Drastic Reduction in Funding, Imposition of Content Limitations Cited

CT-N, which has provided coverage of State Senate and House sessions and all three branches of state government for nearly two decades, will cease operations on Friday, November 3, due to severe budget cuts and limitations on coverage being imposed by the legislature on the network’s operator, the Connecticut Public Affairs Network (CPAN). CPAN has operated the network, under a series of contracts with the legislature’s Joint Committee on Legislative Management (OLM), since March, 1999, and was among the first in the nation to provide comprehensive coverage of state government.

“CPAN was created with a nonpartisan, educational mission to run CT-N as a three- branches network, at arm’s length from the government,” CPAN Executive Director Paul Giguere wrote in a letter notifying the non-partisan OLM that CPAN would be ending coverage. “It was a mission and purpose once supported by the Leadership of the General Assembly. Even the state statute governing CT-N’s revenue intercept refers broadly to coverage of ‘state government deliberations and public policy events.’ The thinking has clearly changed.”

At least one of those contracts, covering November 2003 - October 2006, clearly delineates that CPAN’s operation of CT-N would provide coverage of “the legislature, events of public interest in the Executive and Judicial Branches and other events of statewide interest.”  That contract also indicates that “many of the executive branch events to be covered will be taking place at locations away from the Capitol Complex.”  A subsequent contract, which ran through last year, also stated that “CPAN retains full editorial discretion regarding day-to-day programming.”  CT-N broadcasts seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

CPAN’s most recent contact expired in September, was extended through October, and was on a day-by-day basis this week. The 33-person staff worked with an annual operating budget that was unexpectedly reduced by 65 percent in the budget approved by the legislature this week for the current fiscal year.  At the same time, the legislature sought reductions in coverage of state government outside the State Capitol, limitations on editorial content decisions, and cutbacks on public affairs programming.  Those changes, which were revealed in the RFP for a new five-year in April, drew sharp criticism at that time, which were renewed this week.

“For some time now, we have contended with encroachments on our editorial independence, despite our best efforts to be responsive to concerns while continually working to improve the CT-N service and over-delivering on every contract we have ever signed,” Giguere wrote.

The National Alliance of Public Affairs Networks (NAPAN), points out that while many variations exist in programming and operating models among state public affairs networks, a series of “Best Practices” can be drawn from “the most effective strategies used by highly regarded networks across the country.”

NAPAN points out that “citizens’ trust in all three branches of government is at all-time lows,” and “while the judicial, executive and legislative branches actively operate in states daily, the understanding of what and how decisions are being made at the highest levels go largely unreported and consequently unnoticed by the general public.”  CT-N coverage was available on television and on-line, both live and in archives that are easily accessible to the public.  CPAN also has provided educational materials for classroom teachers and the general public.

In his letter, Giguere, who brought the concept for such a network to the Connecticut legislature in the 1990’s and led its launch and development, said “the scope at which we would be obliged to operate CT-N would cease to provide any meaningful level of transparency:  even less so, if the few coverage decisions we would have the opportunity to make were controlled by the CGA (Connecticut General Assembly) to the extent that recent events convince us they would be.”  He continued:  “at best, CT-N would provide the façade of transparency, cloaked – at least temporarily – in the credibility and reputation that CPAN has spent 18 years building.  We will not abet that course of action by the CGA by participating in it.”

In recent days, CT-N has provided coverage of Gov. Malloy’s news conference announcing he had signed the state budget into law, a news briefing on state infrastructure and resiliency improvements since Super Storm Sandy, meetings of the Connecticut Board of Firearms Permit Examiners and the Governor’s Nonprofit Health & Human Services Cabinet, and a hearing by the legislature’s Judiciary Committee considering nominations of individuals to serve on the State Supreme Court and Appellate Court.

Earlier this year, Danbury State Rep. Bob Godfrey cited the role of CT-N in providing the public with access to government, noting that "The General Assembly itself has provided more public access to lawmaking through both our web site (www.cga.ct.gov) and the Connecticut Television Network (CT-N, at www.ct-n.com)."

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Five best practices for state public affairs networks are described on the NAPAN website:

1. Accessible to All: 24/7 programs on a dedicated channel across multiple platforms

A state public affairs network is most effective in connecting citizens to state government when it is available full-time to the maximum number of citizens possible, including a robust online presence with strong searchable streaming and on-demand content, accessibility enhancements such as closed captioning for the hearing impaired and a permanent archive of programming produced.

2. All Three Branches of State Government

A state public affairs network is most effective in connecting citizens to state government when it provides a nonpartisan, unbiased and unfiltered window on all official state business.

3. Operating at Arm’s Length

A state public affairs network is most effective in connecting citizens to state government when it is structured with an independent governing body using a set of agreed-upon operating guidelines to make programming and operational decisions free from political influence.

4. Citizen Engagement

A state public affairs network is most effective in connecting citizens to state government when it seeks to demystify the process of governing by providing additional information and context through on-screen graphics, online reference materials and links to other resources.

5. Programming Breadth

A state public affairs network is most effective in connecting citizens to state government when it provides a broad range of high-quality public affairs programming beyond gavel to gavel coverage of government proceedings, as well as official emergency information from appropriate state public safety agencies.

More Changes Proposed as Enrollment Drops at State Colleges, Universities; Feedback Sought on Consolidation Plan

The recent decision by the Board of Regents of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU)  to begin offering students from New York and New Jersey the considerably lower in-state tuition rates in an effort to stem an increasing drop in enrollment at Western Connecticut State University may be the tip of the iceberg. Since 2011, enrollment numbers at higher education institutions in Connecticut have been moving in very different directions, according to data developed by the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges (CCIC) from the National Center for Education Statistics.

The data show that the state’s community college system has experienced a net loss of 7,126 students, and the state’s four regional universities – Western, Central, Southern and Eastern Connecticut – saw a net loss of 3,518 students between 2011 and 2016.

Trending in the opposite direction has been the University of Connecticut, with a net increase of 1,502 students, and the independent, non-profit institutions, was an increase of 4,626 students.

CCIC member institutions include Albertus Magnus College, Connecticut College, Fairfield University, Goodwin College, Mitchell College, Quinnipiac University, Rensselaer at Hartford, Sacred Heart University, St. Vincent's College, Trinity College, University of Bridgeport, University of Hartford, University of New Haven, University of Saint Joseph, Wesleyan University and Yale University.

Currently, in-state students pay $10,418 in annual tuition at Western, while out-of-state students pay $23,107.  Published reports indicate that enrollment at the university has dropped by more than 700 students over the past six years.  The university serves about 5,700 students, with more than 90 percent of them coming from Connecticut.

Similar initiatives at the other three colleges are less likely, as they are located in Willimantic, new Haven and New Britain, not adjacent to any state line.  Central Connecticut State University is the largest of four universities within the CSCU system, serving nearly 11,800 students--9,800 undergraduates, and 2,000 graduate students.

Last year, in a program that was promoted with radio advertising, the CSCU board approved a plan that permitted Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield to admit students from Massachusetts to enroll at in-state rates. And last spring, the board allowed six other community colleges located near state borders to do the same starting this fall.  The plan boosted enrollment at Asnuntuck; data on the other colleges is not yet available. 

Earlier this year, the CSCU system proposed merging the 12 community colleges into one college with 12 branch campuses, as a cost-saving measure, and, officials say, to direct more resources to students.  That plan is pending.  If approved, the change would make the newly named Connecticut Community College the fifth largest in the country with more than 52,000 students, reports indicate.  Officials indicate that "Only a few of these recommendations will require policy changes by the Board of Regents. The majority of the administrative recommendations can be implemented as soon as time and resources are available to complete."

Currently, the system is soliciting feedback on the proposal with an on-line poll on the CSCU website.  The survey asks respondents to offer opinions on the plans, as well as suggestions and opinions on strengths of the 12 into 1 plan.  The survey is open until Nov. 20.

Varied Economic Development Projects, People and Programs to be Celebrated by State

The Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. (CERC) has named top economic development projects, programs and leaders from throughout the state to be honored at the annual CELEBRATE CT! event on November 30, 2017 at The Bushnell in Hartford. The 21 honorees were selected by economic development officials in each of 10 regions across Connecticut for their contribution to the state’s economy – such as consistent or growing employment levels, playing a critical role in changing the character of its community or civic engagement, strong public/private collaboration to encourage new investment, or leadership resulting in growth or improvements.

The honorees include initiatives, businesses, organizations and individuals that are widely known in their communities, and some that are less well-known.  Reflecting the growth of the craft beer industry in Connecticut, the honorees include three breweries: Stony Creek Brewery in Branford,  Beer'd Brewing Company in Stonington, Alvarian Beer Company in New Britain. 

“These awards acknowledge key people, programs and projects that are stimulating new jobs and investment in our economy,” said CERC President and CEO Robert Santy. “They are well earned and well-deserved, and CERC is proud to recognize the 2017 honorees and their noteworthy accomplishments that are having a positive impact on Connecticut’s business environment.”

The 2017 honorees also include the UCONN Hartford Campus, which began operations this fall in downtown Hartford, the long-running Goodspeed Musicals, and the Heirloom Food Company in Danielson, an organic cafe and juice bar.  The state's increased emphasis on rekindling the manufacturing industries is reflected in the selections of Pegusus Manufacturing and Hurley Manufacturing.

This is the eighth year the event is being hosted by CERC, a nonprofit corporation and public-private partnership that provides economic development services, working closely with an extensive network of state, regional, local and utility partners to leverage Connecticut’s unique advantages as a premier business location.

Nearly 200 economic development and business professionals from around the state are expected to attend CELEBRATE CT! (To register or sponsor the event, visit www.cerc.com/celebratect)

The 2017 CELEBRATE CT! award honorees:

• Capitol Region/Hartford Joining Technologies UCONN Hartford Campus
• Central/New Britain Alvarium Beer Company Jasko Development LLC
• South Central/New Haven Stony Creek Brewery Mike Freda (for Amazon Fulfillment Center, North Haven)
• Southeastern/New London Beer’d Brewing Sean Nugent (for Preston Riverwalk)
• Lower CT River Valley/Middlesex Goodspeed Musicals Pegasus Manufacturing
• Naugatuck Valley/Waterbury Basement Systems Bristol Centre Square Project
• West/Danbury-Fairfield BRT General Corporation Ferguson Library (1 Million Cups) Inspira Marketing Group
• Metropolitan/Bridgeport Corvus Capital Partners LLC Future Health Care Systems
• Northeastern/Windham Heirloom Food Company Thompson Branding Plan
• Northwest Hills/Torrington Hurley Manufacturing Whiting Mills

CT Among States Most Vulnerable to Identity Theft and Fraud, Analysis Finds

Identity theft and Connecticut seem to go hand-in-hand, according to a new analysis of the prevalence of identity theft across the country. Connecticut ranked among the most vulnerable, at number 10 for identity theft and fraud and number 7 in identity theft complaints per capita. The credit-monitoring site WalletHub released a study this month identifying the states most vulnerable to identity theft and fraud. Analysts compared data for all 50 states and the District of Columbia across eight key metrics, ranging from identity theft complaints per capita to average amount lost due to fraud.

"Connecticut ranked #2 when it comes to Identity Theft in particular. It has the 2nd highest combined rate of identity theft complaints per capita and amount of losses per complaint (in dollars),  WalletHub Analyst Jill Gonzalez told CT by the Numbers. The data sets for the study included identity-theft complaints per capita and average loss amount due to fraud.

The most vulnerable top 10: California, Rhode island, Washington DC, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Texas, New York, and Connecticut.

WalletHub noted that according to the Identity Theft Resource Center’s most recent Data Breach Report, 2017 is on track to register the highest number of data breaches since the center began tracking them in 2005.  Major data breaches this year include Equifax, which potentially impacted more than 145 million Americans.

"The metrics which show truly alarming results in Connecticut's case are Identity Theft Complaints per 100,000 Residents (ranking 7th at 137.90) and Average Loss Amount Due to Online Identity Theft, calculated as the Total Reported Amount Paid / Total Number of Complaints Stating the Amount Stolen (ranking 5th at $12,174.48),” Gonzalez said.

A breakdown of the rankings found that Connecticut was:

• 7th in identity-theft complaints per capita
• 5th in average loss amount due to online identity theft
• 25th in fraud and other complaints per capita
• 23rd in state security-freeze laws for minors’ credit reports
• 24th in compliance with the REAL ID Act. The REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for license issuance and production.

The WalletHub analysis included three areas of data:  Identity Theft (47.5 points), Fraud (47.5 points) and Policy (5 points).

Among the policy measures, the state ranked tied for first in the Identity Theft Passport program metric.

"Identity Theft Passport programs help victims of identity theft reclaim their identity,” Gonzalez explained.  “When presented to a law-enforcement agency, for instance, an “identity-theft passport” allows a victim to prevent his or her arrest for offenses committed by an identity thief."

Data used to create the WalletHub ranking were collected from the Federal Trade Commission, Internet Crime Complaint Center, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security and National Conference of State Legislatures.