(photo) In Newtown, Sen. Hwang Hears from Students

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“How Does a Bill Become Law?”

Sen. Tony Hwang (at right) on Oct. 27 visited Newtown Middle School to speak to an assembly of students and answer their questions.

Sen. Hwang told the students about his background as an immigrant from Taiwan, his duties as their state senator and his passion for serving the community.

Sen. Hwang commended the students, teachers and administrators at Newtown Middle School for their emphasis on civics and urged them to continue to stay apprised of the debates taking place in Hartford and in Washington, DC. Sen. Hwang introduced legislation this year which increases the penalties for when a threat involves a preschool, K-12 school or an institution of higher education. The new Safer Schools state law makes threats felonies which would result in a prison sentence.

Sen. Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport. He can be reached at 800 842-1421 and at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov . On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com.

Sen. Hwang Lauds Grant for Easton Public Library

Sen. Hwang Lauds Grant for Easton Public Library;
“Idea Factories” Provide Opportunities for All

Noting the recent state grant to the Easton Public Library, Sen. Tony Hwang today praised libraries in the region as community treasures, idea factories and key education resources.

On Oct. 5, the State Library Board approved a $24,250 grant to fund a high-speed fiber connection between the Easton Public Library and the Connecticut Education Network (CEN). The connection is expected to be completed in early 2017.

“This improvement will allow all residents in Easton and surrounding communities to access the World Wide Web,” Sen. Hwang said. “That access will be there for those who do not own a computer, those who are not yet computer-savvy and for anyone who simply wants to learn. I carefully weigh each dollar that is spent in a difficult budget, and I thank the state for recognizing the need for this wise investment.”

Sen. Hwang said he remains committed to helping local libraries flourish in Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport.

“What was once simply a place to read books and conduct research has evolved into full-fledged idea factories, business incubator lab, job search central, meeting place, and an all-around hub of economic activity, innovation and entrepreneurship,” Sen. Hwang said. “In Easton and across the state, our libraries are helping to usher in a new grassroots level of economic development and social enrichment.”

* Sen. Hwang represents the 28th Senate District, which includes Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport. He can be reached at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov and at 800 842-1421. On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com

Sen. Hwang Welcomes St. Rose of Lima Students, Faculty to State Capitol

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Sen. Tony Hwang on June 6 welcomed students and educators from St. Rose of Lima Catholic School. Sen. Hwang, who represents Newtown, brought students into the historic State Senate Chamber and discussed his duties as their state senator. Sen. Hwang took questions from students, explained the legislative process, and discussed how senate debates are conducted.

The students were allowed to sit in the Charter Oak Chair, which stands on the dais in the Senate Chamber. The chair, also called “The Wishing Chair,” was carved in 1857 from the fallen Charter Oak tree, which in 1687 hid the self-governing charter given to the Connecticut colony by King Charles II in 1662. The Charter was hidden to prevent British officials from returning it to King James II. One by one, students were allowed to briefly sit in “The Wishing Chair” and make a special wish.

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“We had a great time and I thank everyone at St. Rose of Lima for the visit,” Sen. Hwang said. “I encourage anyone who is considering a visit to our beautiful State Capitol to contact me at 800 842-1421 or at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov .”

On the web: www.senatorhwang.com .

Sen. Hwang: Legislation Cracks Down on Ongoing Threats to Schools

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With school threats taking place this week in Ansonia, Norwich, and South Windsor, Sen. Tony Hwang noted that legislation passed earlier this month by the Connecticut General Assembly aims to make schools safer in Connecticut.

The legislation, which was passed overwhelmingly by the House and Senate, increases the penalties for when a threat involves a preschool, K-12 school or an institution of higher education.

“Clearly, Connecticut needs to get tougher,” said Sen. Hwang, “These threats have a devastating impact on the psyches of parents, educators and students. In a school environment, this is absolutely, positively unacceptable. If someone does commit such a despicable act, they should face severe penalties. Those penalties should bring the punishment more in line with the crime.”

  • By law, 1st degree threatening includes threats to commit a violent crime, or a crime using a hazardous substance, with intent to cause, or with reckless disregard of the risk of causing, (1) evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or public transportation facility; (2) serious public inconvenience for hazardous substance crimes; or (3) terror. The bill increases the penalty for such 1st degree threatening, from a class D felony to a class C felony, if the threat was made with intent to cause the evacuation of a building or the grounds of a public or private preschool, school, or higher education institution during instructional hours or when the facility or the grounds are being used for school- or institution-sponsored activities. By law, a class D felony is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. A class C felony is punishable by imprisonment for one to 10 years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
  • By law, a person is guilty of 2nd degree threatening when he or she (1) by physical threat, intentionally places or attempts to cause someone to fear imminent serious physical injury or (2) threatens to commit a violent crime with intent to terrorize someone or in reckless disregard of the risk of doing so. The bill increases the penalty for this crime, from a class A misdemeanor (punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to $2,000, or both) to a class D felony, if the threatened person was in the building or on the grounds of such a school facility during instructional hours or when the facility or the grounds is being used for school- or institution-sponsored activities.
    The new legislation has an effective date of Oct. 1. It awaits the governor’s signature.

Sen. Hwang said local school superintendents, law enforcement officials, and concerned residents from across Connecticut supported the measure.

Sen. Hwang (www.senatorhwang.com) represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport.

Attached photo:

Sen. Tony Hwang (right) was joined by the Reidy family of Newtown on Feb. 26 at the State Capitol to raise awareness about the need for safe schools legislation in Connecticut. Safe Schools legislation has been approved by the state legislature now awaits the governor’s signature.