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On Wednesday, February 13th, the Transportation Committee will consider HB 7098, a raised bill concerned with all commuter rail infrastructure projects. State Senator Tony Hwang (R-28) released the following statement insisting fully operational Positive Train Control is a necessary component of this legislation.
“Metro-North Railroad is part of the way of life in southwestern Connecticut. Every day, thousands of residents rumble over its tracks for work, school, or to head into New York City for a show or a ballgame. Like the other parts of our daily lives, we want Metro-North to be efficient and, most importantly, safe. We don’t want to have to worry when we travel. Ten years ago, Congress passed legislation that all railroads in the United States must install Positive Train Control (PTC), a life-saving system that helps avoid deadly rail accidents, on their railways.
A computerized network of GPS, sensors, transmitters and other equipment that reduces the potential for human error, PTC could have prevented multiple rail accidents in the years since Congress instructed Metro North to act. The U.S. Government gave the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) $1 Billion to complete the task on all the rail lines they oversee, including Metro-North. A decade later, it’s still not finished.
In recent conversations with Metro-North leadership as well as CT DOT, I have been told that metro north has been fully installed, but is not yet fully operational.
I penned a letter to Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi, as well as an op-ed to the Hearst CT NewsTimes on September 7th, asking Metro-North leadership to answer this important question:
What is the plan to get PTC fully operational as quickly as possible and When?
Unfortunately, we learned that although Metro-North’s PTC system would be installed by the December 31st 2018 deadline, the system will not be “fully operational.” In her response, Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi stated she is “highly confident” that metro-north will have met the four required criteria to be approved for an “alternative schedule for PTC implementation” that gives them until 2020 to have the system fully operational.
A two-year delay? That is unacceptable and deeply troubling. Neither Metro-North nor CT DOT seem to grasp the urgency with which they need to act to ensure it is fully operational.
Passenger and worker safety, not meeting arbitrary deadlines, should be Metro-North’s and our CT Department of Transportation’s top priority in Commuter Rail service. We know PTC will improve railway safety. CT DOT and Metro-North needs to get this done. No excuses. No more delays. It’s about our money, our safety, and our rail line. We want accountability and action.
As Sarah E. Feinberg, [then] administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, said in 2016, “Every day that passes without PTC (Positive Train Control), we risk adding another preventable accident to a list that is already too long.” If the FRA administrator was that concerned, I am and our legislature should be too.”
For anyone wishing to submit testimony in support of this legislation, please write an email to me (tony.hwang@cga.ct.gov) and to the Transportation Committee (tratestimony@cga.ct.gov) with the subject heading “Vote Yes to Pass HB 7098 – Implement Positive Train Control”
Just last month, Apple iPhone and Mac users were shocked to hear that a glitch in the device’s FaceTime app allows anyone calling to use the recipient’s phone to eavesdrop. The glitch allows anyone to place a FaceTime call to any number, and even without the recipient accepting the call, the caller could gain access to the recipient’s microphone and even a live feed of the recipient’s front-facing camera.
This is an incredibly concerning breach of privacy, and highlights the need for government and private sector to coordinate and cooperate to ensure individual user privacy as well as the security of government and corporate entities.
State Senator Tony Hwang has introduced a bill to the CT General Assembly that, if passed, would establish the Office of the Cybersecurity Czar within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP). This bill will enhance and broaden the scope of our current Chief Cybersecurity Risk Officer beyond the Department of Administrative Services focusing on governmental and homeland security. This bill stipulates that the position would have the responsibility to develop policies, suggestions, and resources that will address the needs of (1) National and State Homeland Security including security of utilities and infrastructure, (2) Corporate Cybersecurity to protect trade secrets and clients’ data privacy, and (3) protection for individual consumer’s personal data and application security.
SB 709 – AN ACT CREATING A DIVISION OF CYBER SECURITY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
“It is time that our state has a dedicated group of people that deals with every level of cybersecurity in our state. We know that the pervasiveness of cyberspace and the World Wide Web has created opportunities for criminal and possible terror tactics to operate within it. Our personal and business dependency on unruly digital and cyber technology pose a real threat to the security of our state and the safety of Connecticut residents,” said Senator Hwang. “Government institutions, major corporations and individuals have suffered from hacking, and I believe the creation of this position within DESPP is a necessary step towards confronting the problems we are facing now and will continue to face in the future.”
“I envision this senior cybersecurity position to have the vision and responsibility to consult with and advise the Governor, the Legislature, state agencies, and private companies in the state to develop and implement a more integrated approach to protecting our cyber space, in addition to creating very clear recommendations and accessible resources for individuals,” Hwang continued. “It should be in everyone’s interest to protect our own and each other’s information, data, finances, etc. and the person who fills this position would have the expertise and the mandate to ensure we are all on the same page in this pursuit.”
This legislation has been reserved for a subject matter public hearing on February 14th at 11:00am. For any individuals, agency officials, and private sector professionals wishing to testify on this bill, please contact my office to arrange in-person testimony or send a copy of your written testimony to the Public Safety and Security Committee (pstestimony@cga.ct.gov) and to my office (tony.hwang@cga.ct.gov) with the subject line: “Vote to Pass SB 709 – Make CT Secure”
State Senator Tony Hwang (R-28), Senate Ranking Member on Higher Education & Employment Advancement Committee released the following statement in regard to the announcement by the University of Connecticut that the Board of Trustees had selected Katsouleas to be the 16th President of the University
“I would like to extend my most sincere congratulations to Thomas Katsouleas for his unanimous selection to be the new President of the University of Connecticut. Mr. Katsouleas is clearly an excellent fit for UConn, as a dedicated research scientist and focus entrepreneurial public/private collaboration, these are critical skills to lead our flagship state university,” said Senator Hwang.
“UConn has experienced some difficult times recently, as the state struggles to balance our budget and provide stability and appropriate financial assistance to its’ academic and community mission. However, the University has continued to offer academic and athletic excellence to it’s students, and I look forward to working closely with Mr. Katsouleas to ensure that UConn has what it needs to continue to be an economic and educational driver for this state. I hope especially to work with him on encouraging students to live and work in Connecticut after graduation. There are so many opportunities here, and we need to do our best to not only help develop these young adults but also provide them with the opportunity to find a good, high-paying job, an affordable place to live, and a community to enjoy.”
“I would also like to extend my thanks to UConn’s outgoing President, Susan Herbst, who did an admirable job during a very difficult time for the state and for the University. I appreciate her hard work and her willingness to make difficult decisions during her tenure. I will want wish her continued success.”
I am excited to work with new DOT nominee Joe Giulietti, a former executive of Metro North, to foster a reinvigorated relationship between Connecticut and our MTA partners. Rail lines in Fairfield county are a part of everyday life for so many of my constituents, but have been neglected, slow and in disrepair for far too long. I am encouraged that our new Transportation Commissioner comes from such a rich background of railway management experience who understands what needs to be done to improve the safety, speed, and reliability of Connecticut’s railways.
An integral part of that renewed infrastructure is the full implementation of Positive Train Control, a mechanized system of warnings and safety nets that will significantly increase commuter safety. Metro North has been slow in both its implementation and reporting of this system it is mandated to install, and I am hoping that Acting Commissioner Giulietti can assist in pressuring Metro North to finish this decade-long process.
Take a look at the footage from the Transportation Committee hearing yesterday where I had a chance to speak on these issues.
State Senator Tony Hwang announced today that the Legislature’s Aging Committee has raised the following bills to be considered by the committee.
State Senator Tony Hwang (R-28) proposed four bill concepts to the Aging Committee that were raised during Aging Committee meeting. These bills include increased funding for aging-in-place initiatives, expanded eligibility for Alzheimer’s respite care, an income tax deduction for long-term care insurance premiums, and increased financial assistance for grandparents and non-parent relatives raising children. The bills are scheduled for a public hearing on February 14th at 10:30am.
“We need to invest in our caregivers. Many of them are not professionals, and are not being paid for the thousands of hours of personal care they provide every year. People should be allowed to live their later years at home, and not have to move into a retirement home or assisted living center,” said Hwang. “And that option shouldn’t be accompanied by such immense financial pressure. In these times of tough budgets, we still need to prioritize caring for our most vulnerable populations, especially our seniors who have lived, worked, and paid taxes to the state of Connecticut their whole lives.”
As a former Vice-Chair of the Aging Committee, Senator Hwang remains an effective and staunch advocate for senior issues, and is committed to ensuring that Connecticut’s valued seniors have all the resources and support to live their life with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Senator Hwang was one of the most outspoken advocates last year when the budget for the Medicare Savings Program, which helps seniors pay for certain healthcare expenses, was cut in half and helped successfully restore those funds before any damage was done. He was also able to introduce and pass greater protections for seniors inquiring about reverse mortgages, exempt social security income up to $100,000 for joint filers, and bring the estate and gift tax rates to parity with federal law.
“Caring for our loved ones can be incredibly difficult, and we should incentivize and reward those caregivers. If these bills are approved, I strongly believe that they will reduce the financial burden many face when caring for their family, and I am proud to still be leading the charge on these issues.”
All four of the above bills are scheduled for a public hearing on Thursday, February 14, 2019 at 10:30 AM in Room 1B of the LOB. To submit written testimony, email me at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov and also copy to agetestimony@cga.ct.gov. If you wish to testify in person, please contact our office to coordinate your arrival at the Legislative Office Building at the CT State Capitol (860) 240-8805.
On Wednesday, January 30th Sen. Hwang met with Christina Allen and Scott Smith of the Veterans Administration in Connecticut to release a public service announcement about mental health resources and support for Veterans, their families, and caregivers.
24/7 crisis line: 1-800-273-8255, then press 1. (for veterans, family members and their caregivers)
The crisis line can also be found online at www.veteranscrisisline.net.
24/7 psychiatric emergency room at their West Haven Facility
950 Campbell Avenue
West Haven, CT 06516
State Senator Tony Hwang released the following statement in regards to Governor Ned Lamon’ts announcement about the appointments of David Lehman as Chief Economic Advisor and new Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner and partnership with non-profit Connecticut Economic Resource Center led by Jim Smith and Indra Nooyi.
“I applaud Governor Lamont’s innovative thinking and his continued dedication to using public-private partnerships to bring Connecticut into the future. I want to thank Indra Nooyi, Jim Smith, and David Lehman for stepping up to offer their time and talent toward creating a reinvigorated and entrepreneurial economic ecosystem. Economic development is the keystone to putting Connecticut back on track, and this out-of-the-box approach that draws on proven business leaders who have volunteered to help fix our state is a new and excellent way to think about growing our economy,” said Senator Hwang.
David Lehman is a former Goldman Sachs executive who offered his services to Governor Lamont. Lehman has been named the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), and will also serve as Governor Lamont’s Chief Economic Advisor. Indra Nooyi, former Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, and Jim Smith, former Chairman and CEO of Webster Bank, will co-chair the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC), the non-profit, recruitment arm of the public-private Partnership to Advance the Connecticut of Tomorrow (PACT) between CERC and DECD.
“If Connecticut is to retake our place as a leader in this nation, we need to resurrect the entrepreneurial spirit of this state, foster a sustainable business environment and develop the workforce necessary to compliment the businesses that want to be a part of a Connecticut comeback story. This partnership is a great first step in that direction and I look forward to what PACT can accomplish.”
Sen. Tony Hwang serves food at a local shelter during the Holiday Season
Republican State Sen. Tony Hwang says he’s ready to get to work — even if Connecticut’s towering $1.7 billion deficit will lead to “some hard decisions” during the newly begun legislative session.
“We didn’t get into this trouble overnight, and we’re not going to solve it overnight,” said the 54-year-old senator, whose district includes parts of Fairfield, Westport, Weston, Easton and Newtown. “But our time is running out to fix it.”
The Fairfield resident also opined that money should be spent on modernizing the DMV. “It’s all a part of addressing how we can create a better, more efficient delivery of government services,” Hwang said. “I hope we (the legislature) can take a pragmatic and cautious approach” to that and other issues.Hwang, re-elected in November to his second term in the state Senate after three terms in the state House, maintains a fairly moderate position when it comes to most topics. While state Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano and House Minority Leader Themis Klarides have rejected — sometimes vehemently — the idea of bringing electronic tolls to the state’s highways, Hwang, who sits on the Senate Transportation Committee, said, “I’m open to every discussion. I’m not a pure ‘no’ on something like that.”
Although he’s personally against gambling, Hwang declared that he accepts the fact that the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of legalized sports gambling being allowed in every state.
Hwang wants to push through legislation that would create a state cybersecurity czar who would report to the Connecticut Department of Public Safety. “That person would be responsible for working with Homeland Security, helping corporations and other businesses fight against espionage and attacks on customer databases, and educating the public about the risks they may not even know they’re facing.”
Hwang said that even though he’s rarely without his laptop or mobile device, he remains concerned that device makers like T-Mobile and Verizon, as well as platforms like Facebook, “continue to use our data in an invasive manner.”
He declined to say if he had anyone in mind for the czar position but said he “has confidence” that Gov. Ned Lamont understands the situation.
Hwang is the minority leader on the Housing and Higher Education & Employment committees. Of the former, he said he wants to address the shortage of affordable housing throughout the state as well as “the incredibly high cost of housing in southwest Connecticut. I hope we can talk about housing solutions that can be a catalyst for reinvigorating not just our urban but also our suburban centers to attract more and more young people to our area.”
As for education, Hwang said he hoped the state would renew its efforts to promote not only the University of Connecticut and other state schools, as well as private institutions like Yale and Trinity College, “but our vocational and technical schools as well. Those need a new, fresh look. There is an ongoing need for delivering a population that is not always interested in a four-year school, who can learn a trade alongside a craftsman. The skills we need are not always acquired in the towers of higher education.”
Hwang said he was confident that he and his fellow Republicans can find common ground with Lamont.
“I’ve met him a few times and he’s always been a gentleman,” he said. “He’s a genuinely likable person and truly seems to be taking a collaborative approach. I’m encouraged. I want him to succeed, just like I want the legislature to succeed and our businesses and constituents to succeed.”
State Sen. Tony Hwang: Legislature must deal with ‘hard decisions’ this year
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