Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz January 2009 Newsletter
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| Friday, January 16th 2009 |
Secretary of the State's Electronic Newsletter
Issue 33 January 16, 2008
HELPING THE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STAY SAFE AT HOME
On January 13th I joined New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, members of the New Haven police department and advocates for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in launching a public awareness campaign to promote the 'Safe at Home' address confidentiality program. The 'Safe at Home' program, administered through the Secretary of the State's office since 2004, conceals from all state documents and records – including court papers – the addresses and any personal information of domestic violence and sexual assault victims who fear their safety.
Last year alone more than 47,000 people in Connecticut received services at shelters for domestic violence victims – that's nearly 130 every day. In fact, the FBI reports that nationwide a woman is battered every 15 seconds. The Safe at Home program is designed for the victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking who have had to move out of their homes with their families to find safety, and those who are planning to move. Keeping personal information private once a victim moves out is key to protecting the safety of their family.
The program is secure and effective and we are proud to work together with Connecticut law enforcement officers, the Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services (CONNSACS) and the Connecticut Coalition against Domestic Violence (CCADV) to provide this critical service throughout the state of Connecticut. You can find out more about the Safe at Home program by calling the 24-hour toll free hotline for the CCADV at 888-774-2900 or by going online at www.ctcadv.org or to the Secretary of the State's website www.sots.ct.gov
REDUCING THE COST OF ENERGY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND EXPANDING CONNECTICUT'S 'GREEN TECH' SECTOR
On January 14th I led a roundtable discussion with more than 40 members of the Greater Norwich Chamber of Commerce in the first in a series of forums focusing on reducing energy costs for small businesses in Connecticut. The panel discussion, held at the Otis Library in Norwich, featured Jeff Bringing, Energy Efficiency Program Director for Norwich Public Utilities, Rick Galipeau, Director of New Business Development for the firm RISE Engineering, Inc. and Bill Leahy, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic.
During the discussion, members of the Greater Norwich Chamber of Commerce discussed how the rising cost of energy has impacted their profits, and talked about ways to invest in energy efficiency and reduce energy costs. Another focus of the discussion was the emerging "green technology" sector of the economy and how small businesses can make a profit helping other firms maximize energy efficiency or developing alternative energy sources. Lastly, a focal point in the discussion was what actions Connecticut's state government should take – through tax policy or otherwise – to provide incentives for Connecticut small businesses to invest in energy efficiency or the development of green technology solutions and alternative fuels. This could lead to thousands of new jobs.
According to a 2008 study released by the federal Small Business Administration, the impact of energy costs is significantly more pronounced for small businesses than for large firms. We know that 90% of Connecticut's new jobs during the last decade were created by companies with less than 50 employees, and 75% of the small businesses in Connecticut employ between 3 and 9 people. Reducing energy costs for these small firms at the heart of Connecticut's economic engine has become a matter of survival. The year 2008 saw a record number of businesses shutting their doors in our state while the number of new business startups slowed to a crawl. Now is the right time to help our businesses reduce their costs, sustain themselves longer, revive our flagging economy and in turn benefit our environment.
SWEARING IN THE FIRST-EVER MINOR PARTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS EVER ELECTED IN CONNECTICUT!
On January 7th, a day when Registrars of Voters elected in November started new terms in office throughout the state, history was made in Connecticut as I swore into office the first-ever third party Registrar of Voters elected in Connecticut. As Secretary of the State of Connecticut, I administered the oath of office to Urania Petit, who was elected registrar of Voters in Hartford as a candidate of the Working Families Party, along with Republican Registrar Salvatore Bramante and Democratic Registrar Olga Vazquez.
The ceremony was truly a historic day for Hartford voters. It has always been my goal to increase voter registration and participation, especially in our large and vibrant urban areas. With three Registrars working together, the voters of Hartford will surely benefit and find more opportunities to participate in the democratic process.
Secretary Bysiewicz joins New Haven Police Lieutenant Julie Johnson at a press conference at New Haven City Hall that launched a public awareness campaign for the 'Safe at Home' program to protect the victims of domestic and sexual violence by making their addresses and personal information completely confidential from state records and documents.
SOTS TRIVIA CORNER
Did You Know?:
The only steam powered Cider Mill in the United States is located in Mystic, Connecticut!
To Learn More About The Secretary of the State's Office or the Safe at Home Program Visit:
http://www.swiftpage3.com/SpeClicks.aspx?X=2V0PICGYHQLZ83KK02VCWK
Contact Information
Susan Bysiewicz
Secretary of the State
Susan.Bysiewicz@po.state.ct.us
210 Capitol Avenue
Suite 104
Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 509-6200 |
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