Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
The NBA's Ryan Gomes & I Advocate for AED Legislation
Last week I was contacted by NBA superstar Ryan Gomes to help him garner support for two pieces of legislation which deal with the use of automatic external defibrillators. Ryan is a long time friend and I was happy to help him by co-sponsoring SB 981 AAC the Availability of Automatic External Defibrillators in Schools and SB 1089 AAC Automatic Defibrillators. Ryan grew up in Waterbury and played college basketball at Providence College. He was drafted by the Boston Celtics and after a trade last season now plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
As a way of background for those of you unfamiliar with AEDs, they are portable automatic devices used to restore normal heart rhythm to people having heart attacks. An AED consists of a small computer or microprocessor, electrodes, and electrical circuitry. If the heart is beating abnormally, the microprocessor recommends a defibrillating shock to restore a regular rhythm. The shock is delivered through adhesive electrode pads. These small machines can save lives. At a press conference on Thursday Ryan shared a personal story of a close friend in AAU basketball whose life could have been saved had there been an AED present at the Boys & Girls Club where they were playing.
SB 981 would require all schools to have at least 1 AED during/after school provided funding is available. It also allows schools to accept donations to buy defibrillators. This bill has passed in the Public Health, Education and Appropriations Committees.
SB 1089 addresses Good Samaritan immunity for an organization that provides the AED. There are already Good Samaritan Laws that protect the person who uses the AED. Passage of this bill will make it possible for youth sports leagues, churches, health clubs and businesses to acquire an AED without fear of liability.
Ryan has dedicated a great deal of time to this effort. The tragedy he witnessed motivated him to begin Hoops For Heart Health (http://www.hoopsforhearthealth.org/), his non profit foundation that addresses the issue of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in sports.
Hopefully this year with Ryan’s help we can pass these two important pieces of legislation.
As a way of background for those of you unfamiliar with AEDs, they are portable automatic devices used to restore normal heart rhythm to people having heart attacks. An AED consists of a small computer or microprocessor, electrodes, and electrical circuitry. If the heart is beating abnormally, the microprocessor recommends a defibrillating shock to restore a regular rhythm. The shock is delivered through adhesive electrode pads. These small machines can save lives. At a press conference on Thursday Ryan shared a personal story of a close friend in AAU basketball whose life could have been saved had there been an AED present at the Boys & Girls Club where they were playing.
SB 981 would require all schools to have at least 1 AED during/after school provided funding is available. It also allows schools to accept donations to buy defibrillators. This bill has passed in the Public Health, Education and Appropriations Committees.
SB 1089 addresses Good Samaritan immunity for an organization that provides the AED. There are already Good Samaritan Laws that protect the person who uses the AED. Passage of this bill will make it possible for youth sports leagues, churches, health clubs and businesses to acquire an AED without fear of liability.
Ryan has dedicated a great deal of time to this effort. The tragedy he witnessed motivated him to begin Hoops For Heart Health (http://www.hoopsforhearthealth.org/), his non profit foundation that addresses the issue of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in sports.
Hopefully this year with Ryan’s help we can pass these two important pieces of legislation.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Lawmakers Still Don't Grasp Magnitude of Crisis
The following appeared in Sunday's Waterbury Republican American 4/19/09
Connecticut's business owners and their employees understand their future depends to a large extent on the state budget adopted by the legislature this year. It is well past time for the legislature's Democratic leadership to realize it as well.As a small-business owner, I was dismayed when the majority unveiled its proposal to impose the biggest tax increase in Connecticut history. I hope there will be insufficient support in the legislature to impose a $3.3 billion increase in property, income and business taxes.Nevertheless, that the Democrats were even willing to put such a devastating plan on the table should send a chill down the spine of every business owner in Connecticut. Tax increases are always unwelcome, but when unemployment is at 7.4 percent, even half-hearted talk from legislators about punitive tax increases sends a powerfully negative message to businesses trying to survive.While Connecticut businesses decide between pay cuts and layoffs, legislative Democrats have turned to huge tax increases without any serious attempt to cut spending or streamline government.Recently, the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) released its economic analysis of proposals advanced by the legislature's Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. The DECD analysis found imposing a 30 percent surcharge on corporate taxes and eliminating the sales-tax exemptions on computer and data-processing services could cost the state 2,670 jobs each year for the next 10 years. Under that scenario, the state's gross domestic product would decline by $344 million and personal income would drop by $250 million each year.I will do everything I can to convince my fellow legislators that passing a budget that includes punitive tax increases would plunge Connecticut into an even deeper recession. Meanwhile, judging from what we have seen so far, Connecticut's business owners, employees, taxpayers and families must be worried about exactly what kind of state budget the legislature will adopt. Whom will it help? Whom will it hurt? Does the legislature have the collective courage to reduce the size of state government? Cut spending? Control taxes?Connecticut's businesses and the workers who depend on them for their jobs need a clear, strong message from the legislature that its members are ready to work together, and with Gov. M. Jodi Rell, to pass a responsible state budget. Now.Republican legislators are and have been ready to help craft a state budget that encourages economic growth and provides necessary services at a cost taxpayers can afford. We owe it to the citizens who depend upon us to put aside partisan politics and pass a responsible state budget.Sen. Rob Kane, R-32nd District (rob.kane@cga.ct.gov), represents Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Middlebury, Oxford, Seymour, Southbury, Thomaston, Roxbury, Watertown and Woodbury.
Connecticut's business owners and their employees understand their future depends to a large extent on the state budget adopted by the legislature this year. It is well past time for the legislature's Democratic leadership to realize it as well.As a small-business owner, I was dismayed when the majority unveiled its proposal to impose the biggest tax increase in Connecticut history. I hope there will be insufficient support in the legislature to impose a $3.3 billion increase in property, income and business taxes.Nevertheless, that the Democrats were even willing to put such a devastating plan on the table should send a chill down the spine of every business owner in Connecticut. Tax increases are always unwelcome, but when unemployment is at 7.4 percent, even half-hearted talk from legislators about punitive tax increases sends a powerfully negative message to businesses trying to survive.While Connecticut businesses decide between pay cuts and layoffs, legislative Democrats have turned to huge tax increases without any serious attempt to cut spending or streamline government.Recently, the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) released its economic analysis of proposals advanced by the legislature's Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. The DECD analysis found imposing a 30 percent surcharge on corporate taxes and eliminating the sales-tax exemptions on computer and data-processing services could cost the state 2,670 jobs each year for the next 10 years. Under that scenario, the state's gross domestic product would decline by $344 million and personal income would drop by $250 million each year.I will do everything I can to convince my fellow legislators that passing a budget that includes punitive tax increases would plunge Connecticut into an even deeper recession. Meanwhile, judging from what we have seen so far, Connecticut's business owners, employees, taxpayers and families must be worried about exactly what kind of state budget the legislature will adopt. Whom will it help? Whom will it hurt? Does the legislature have the collective courage to reduce the size of state government? Cut spending? Control taxes?Connecticut's businesses and the workers who depend on them for their jobs need a clear, strong message from the legislature that its members are ready to work together, and with Gov. M. Jodi Rell, to pass a responsible state budget. Now.Republican legislators are and have been ready to help craft a state budget that encourages economic growth and provides necessary services at a cost taxpayers can afford. We owe it to the citizens who depend upon us to put aside partisan politics and pass a responsible state budget.Sen. Rob Kane, R-32nd District (rob.kane@cga.ct.gov), represents Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Middlebury, Oxford, Seymour, Southbury, Thomaston, Roxbury, Watertown and Woodbury.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Oxford Office Hours
Representative David Labriola and I will be hosting office hours on May 18 from 6:30 to 8 pm. I encourage anyone with concerns or questions to stop by Oxford Town Hall that evening. We look forward to seeing you and providing whatever assistance we can. If you have any questions please contact my office at 860 240 0381.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Middlebury Office Hours Reminder
Just a reminder...
I will be holding office hours on Tuesday May 5, 2009 from 5 to 8 pm. Representative D'Amelio and I will be at the Shepardson Community Center Dining Room in Middlebury located at 1172 Whittemore Road. I encourage everyone to attend and look forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions please contact my office at 860 240 0381.
I will be holding office hours on Tuesday May 5, 2009 from 5 to 8 pm. Representative D'Amelio and I will be at the Shepardson Community Center Dining Room in Middlebury located at 1172 Whittemore Road. I encourage everyone to attend and look forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions please contact my office at 860 240 0381.
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Thursday, April 9, 2009
Senator Kane Participates In National Donate Life Month Event At State Capitol
Senator Rob Kane (R-32) recently joined constituents and other legislators at a National Donate Life Month event at the State Capitol. The event was organized by Donate Life Connecticut, a volunteer coalition of professionals, donor family members, and transplant recipients that are dedicated to educating the public about the life-saving benefits of organ and tissue donation.
“I was so moved by the stories I heard that day from people who benefited from the generosity of those who chose to save the lives of others when their own lives could not be saved. Deciding to become an organ and tissue donor is an act of kindness and, from my point of view, an expression of one’s belief that life is a precious gift to be shared,” said Senator Kane, adding that he is now making plans to register as an organ and tissue donor.
Those attending the event included David Yish, a 42-year old Oxford resident who is celebrating his second anniversary as a heart transplant recipient. He said that Oxford is among the communities in Connecticut flying a Donate Life flag in April as part of the national “Flags Across America” initiative to raise awareness of organ donation.
“I was truly blessed with a second chance at life on April 4, 2007 when I received my transplant at Hartford Hospital. Since then, I have returned to work full time, managed to improve my condition enough to run a few 5 K races, and I became involved with Donate Life Connecticut. Donate Life Connecticut gives me the opportunity to speak publicly about my transplant and, in some way, give back for all I have received. I genuinely appreciate that Rob came and expressed sincere support for our efforts on behalf of Organ, Eye, and Tissue donation,” said David Yish.
According to Donate Life Connecticut, there currently more than 101,000 patients on the national transplant waiting list, and 18 people die every day due to the shortage in organs. According to the organization, organ donation can occur with a deceased donor, who can give kidneys, pancreas, liver, lungs, heart, intestinal organs, or with a living donor who can give a kidney, or a portion of the liver, lung, intestine, or pancreas. Deceased donors can also give corneas, skin, bone and heart valves.
Further information about organ donation and becoming an organ donor is available at http://www.donatelifect.org/.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Office Hours
I will be holding office hours on Tuesday May 5, 2009 from 5 to 8 pm. Representative D'Amelio and I will be at the Shepardson Community Center Dining Room in Middlebury located at 1172 Whittemore Road. I encourage everyone to attend and look forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions please contact my office at 860 240 0381.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Stay Tuned
Updates on the weekly and monthly happenings of my office in Hartford and events all around the 32nd District are coming soon. I look forward to you feedback and support.
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