Blogs

President Joseph R. Biden Jr. spoke today with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohamed bin Salman about the situation in the Middle East region.  The President affirmed that the United States fully supports the defense of U.S. partners facing terrorist threats, whether from state or non-state actors.  He discussed ongoing diplomatic and military efforts to deter state and non-state actors from widening the conflict between Israel and Hamas.  The two leaders agreed on pursuing broader diplomatic efforts to maintain stability across the region and prevent the conflict from expanding.  They welcomed the delivery of humanitarian assistance from Egypt into Gaza and recognized that much more is needed for civilians to have sustained access to food, water, and medical assistance.  The President welcomed the Gulf Cooperation Council’s contribution of $100 million to support these humanitarian efforts, and discussed the disbursement of $100 million from the United States to support the response.  Both leaders welcomed ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and called for their immediate release.  They also affirmed the importance of working towards a sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians as soon as the crisis subsides, building on the work that was already underway between Saudi Arabia and the United States over recent months.  They agreed to remain in close coordination directly and through their teams over the coming period. 

Governor Ned Lamont, Kiana Foster-Mauro, and Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker( NEW LONDON, CT) 

Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker today announced that Kiana Foster-Mauro, a fourth-grade teacher at Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School in New London, has been selected as Connecticut’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. The recognition is the state’s highest honor celebrating extraordinary teachers.

Governor Lamont, Commissioner Russell-Tucker, and other state and local officials delivered the news to Foster-Mauro this morning during a surprise visit to her classroom, which was followed by a schoolwide assembly and celebration with the honoree’s students, fellow educators, and family.

“We are grateful to have a hardworking educator like Ms. Foster-Mauro teaching in our public schools,” Governor Lamont said. “We’ve heard so many impressive stories about her from her colleagues and students at Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School. She embodies the qualities needed to prepare students for success throughout their lives. It was an honor to visit her in her classroom today to deliver this great news. Connecticut has the best public school teachers in the nation and they should be recognized and celebrated.”

“Teachers are the heartbeat of our education system, and it is a privilege to acknowledge Kiana Foster-Mauro as Connecticut’s 2024 Teacher of the Year,” Commissioner Russell-Tucker said. “Kiana empowers her students through culturally-sustaining learning and recognizes the importance of diverse representation and practices in education. We are thankful for all she does to uplift and recognize the infinite possibilities of all students. Congratulations to Kiana for achieving the state’s highest recognition honoring extraordinary teachers.”

Foster-Mauro is a lifelong learner who is committed to empowering her students. As a Black, biracial woman, Foster-Mauro understands the importance of diversity in education. She believes teaching is a radical act that impacts minds and hearts, designing lessons that empower and tackle critical and relevant topics.

Foster-Mauro has presented at conferences, nationally and locally. She has been a member of the National Association for Multicultural Education since 2018 and was recently accepted to present on facilitating critical conversations around current events, identity, human rights, and mental health.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in education with minors in history and human rights, and a Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction from the University of Connecticut. At UConn, she served on the executive board of Leadership in Diversity, a student-led organization dedicated to diversifying education.

She is passionate about community and empowering others. She enjoys teaching her students reading, writing, and social studies daily and connecting with former students just down the hall and at her annual classroom family reunion. Outside of the classroom, she extends her commitment to education, diversity, and community as a dance teacher at The Dance Extension and company advisor to the Community Dance Ensemble.

“Kiana has shown exceptional qualities, such as intentional planning, unwavering responsibility, and a genuine commitment to the craft of teaching,” Jason Foster, principal of Nathan Hale Arts Magnet Elementary School, said. “Her passion and dedication to our students exemplify the highest standards of education. She is a critical part of our school community, and we are proud to honor this achievement.”

“Kiana Foster-Mauro is an exceptional teacher who represents all that is good about our profession,” David Bosso, president of the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Council and Connecticut’s 2012 Teacher of the Year, said. “She joins an impressive group of Connecticut Teachers of the Year, and her selection is a testament to the prevalence of teaching excellence in our state. The positive, enduring impact that Kiana has on the lives of her students, her school community, and beyond is abundantly evident. We look forward to working with her and her fellow district honorees this year.”

“We are beyond thrilled to highlight and honor Ms. Foster-Mauro,” Dr. Cynthia Ritchie, superintendent of New London Public Schools, said. “She is an exemplary teacher, role-model for our students, and an integral part of the New London Public School community who ignited a passion for learning among all. She will continue to inspire others to understand that education is truly a tool to make a positive difference in the world. We are incredibly proud and grateful for her contributions.”

“Kiana Foster-Mauro exemplifies how early career educators are effecting change in their classrooms and their profession,” Kate Dias, president of the Connecticut Education Association, said. “From her college days as a member of Leadership in Diversity, where she encouraged students of color to enter the teaching profession, to her role as a fourth-grade teacher in New London, she tackles each new challenge with confidence, enthusiasm, and the desire to do what’s right for students and public education in Connecticut.”

The designation of Connecticut Teacher of the Year is decided annually by the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Council, a group composed of former recipients of the honor and representatives from educational organizations, businesses, and the community. The council reviewed nearly 100 district-level Teachers of the Year through a rigorous selection process that included candidate applications, interviews, and school site visits, including focus groups with faculty, parents, administration, and students.

Kiana Foster-Mauro will now become Connecticut’s representative for 2024 National Teacher of the Year. She succeeds Connecticut’s 2023 Teacher of the Year, Carolyn Kielma, a science teacher at Bristol Eastern High School in Bristol.

Twitter: @GovNedLamont

Facebook: Office of Governor Ned Lamont

Governor Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker today announced that the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) is releasing $11.5 million to 46 school districts across Connecticut to build and expand high-dosage tutoring through the Connecticut High-Dosage Tutoring Program.

This significant investment underscores the commitment of the Lamont administration and CSDE in empowering students with enhanced educational opportunities and addressing the education disparities that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The need for robust accelerated learning interventions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has never been greater, and by dedicating this funding to create an intensive tutoring program, we can provide school districts with greater support to identify students who are struggling and connect them with the resources they need to succeed,” Governor Lamont said.

“We were truly inspired by the energy, vision, and thoughtfulness displayed in so many of these applications,” Commissioner Russell-Tucker said. “It is evident that district and school leaders are enthusiastic and deeply committed to implementing high-dosage tutoring programs, which research has found time and time again to have a significant, positive impact on accelerating academic recovery for students.”

Governor Lamont and Commissioner Russell-Tucker announced the launch of the Connecticut High-Dosage Tutoring Program in March 2023 to target students in Grade 6 to 9 with a primary focus on enhancing mathematics proficiency. CSDE initially allocated $10 from American Rescue Plan Elementary Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funding for this program. In light of the high interest from districts during the application period, CSDE increased its commitment to $11.5 million.

Following an application period, a rigorous review process culminated in the allocation of funding to 46 districts, which are collectively expected to serve nearly 11,000 students. Among these districts, 26 have been identified by CSDE as high-needs districts, where at least 43% of students qualified for free or reduced-price meals between 2014 and 2022. Additionally, 15 of these districts are Alliance Districts. Funding amounts were determined based on individual district grant requests, anticipated student enrollment in the high-dosage tutoring program, and an analysis of each district’s 2021 ARP ESSER allocation. LEA applications that scored above the minimum cutoff score were offered grant funding through this program.

This strategic investment in mathematics education follows recent data released by CSDE, revealing that while there have been improvements in mathematics proficiency across nearly all grades and student groups over the past year, the state is still striving to exceed pre-pandemic performance levels. Research indicates that in-person, in-school tutoring is the most effective means of addressing learning gaps. As a result, more than 40 districts in the state have committed to using the funding to integrate or expand in-person tutoring during regular school hours.

In an additional announcement, CSDE today announced a new partnership with TNTP (formerly The New Teacher Project), a prominent national education nonprofit organization. TNTP will support CSDE by providing guidance for all participating school districts, technical assistance, coaching, and a suite of resources to aid schools as they establish new tutoring programs.

The efficacy of this program will be evaluated by researchers through CSDE’s research collaborative called the Center for Connecticut Education Research Collaboration. The lessons learned from this evaluation are expected to inform all Connecticut districts and the state as high-dosage tutoring is considered as a key long-term strategy for accelerating student learning and closing access, engagement, and achievement gaps.

Scheduled to begin by January 2024, the Connecticut High-Dosage Tutoring Program will allocate funding to schools for 2023-24 and the first half of the 2024-25 school year.

The 46 school districts selected to receive this funding is provided in the chart below.

For more information on the Connecticut High-Dosage Tutoring Program, visit portal.ct.gov/sde/covid19/acceleratect/high-dosage-tutoring.

Twitter: @GovNedLamont

Facebook: Office of Governor Ned Lamont

Governor Lamont and Connecticut Public Health Officials Encourage Breast Cancer Screenings, Highlight Program Providing Access To Free Mammograms

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and October 20, 2023, is National Mammography Day

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and Connecticut Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, are encouraging women across Connecticut to schedule an appointment for a breast cancer screening, noting that early detection of breast cancer is when it is most treatable.

The month of October is recognized nationally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the third Friday of each October is celebrated as National Mammography Day. This year, that day falls on Friday, October 20, 2023. The officials say that these commemorations are a good reminder about the importance of making an appointment to get screened for breast cancer on a regular basis.

Anyone can develop breast cancer. The standard screening test for breast cancer is called a mammogram, which are x-ray exams used to detect breast cancer in those who may not be showing or be aware of breast cancer symptoms. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all women between the ages of 50 and 74 have a mammogram screening every two years. Women ages between the ages of 40 and 49 are recommended to discuss with their health care provider whether and how often they should get screened.

“Getting screened on a regular basis is key to detecting breast cancer early when it is most treatable,” Governor Lamont said. “We have incredible medical services in Connecticut that specialize in detecting and treating breast cancer. If you are uninsured or underinsured, we can connect you with providers that will give you a mammogram at no cost. This is critically important and can save your life.”

“Early detection saves lives,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “Today we want to remind women – no matter your age – to attend your annual well woman exam and talk with your primary care physician to determine when to begin annual mammograms or other regular cancer screenings. I know that those appointments can be anxiety inducing, but it’s too important to skip. When cancer is caught earlier, before it has a chance to grow or spread, it is much easier to treat.”

“Early detection is the best defense against cancer for all women,” Commissioner Juthani said. “Regular mammograms are still the best method to find breast cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage. Screening early and regularly saves lives.”

People who live in Connecticut and cannot afford regular mammograms may be eligible for free services. The Connecticut Department of Public Health’s Early Detection and Prevention Program provides breast cancer screenings at locations throughout the state for patients who have low income and who have no or limited health insurance.

Anyone who needs assistance obtaining a mammogram can find resources available online at ct.gov/dph/screening or they can call 860-509-7804 for more information.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women of all races and ethnicities. In 2020, the incidence of breast cancer in Connecticut was 133.2 per 100,000 women – the highest rate in the U.S. The national rate that year was 119.2 per 100,000 women. In 2020, the breast cancer mortality rate in Connecticut was 18.0 per 100,000 women. The national breast cancer mortality rate that year was 19.1 per 100,000 women. These rates highlight the importance of detecting breast cancer early when treatments are more effective.

In 2022, Connecticut ranked fourth in the nation for breast cancer screening rates in women 40 years and older (76.2%), which is higher than the national rate of 70.2%. A total of 81.7% of women in Connecticut between the ages of 50 and 74 reported that they had a mammogram within the preceding two years, while the rate nationally is 76.3%.

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 43,700 women in the U.S. will die this year from breast cancer and that more than 480 will be in Connecticut. These numbers warrant attention because when detected early, a women’s chance of surviving breast cancer decreases. Breast cancer screening exams can help detect the disease at its earliest stages of development, often resulting in less aggressive treatments and ultimately saving lives.

Twitter: @GovNedLamont

Facebook: Office of Governor Ned Lamont

I am outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza, and the terrible loss of life that resulted. Immediately upon hearing this news, I spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and have directed my national security team to continue gathering information about what exactly happened. The United States stands unequivocally for the protection of civilian life during conflict and we mourn the patients, medical staff and other innocents killed or wounded in this tragedy.

Governor Lamont Statement on Release of Connecticut's Annual Crime Statistics Report for 2022

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont issued the following statement in response to the release today of Connecticut’s annual crime statistics report for 2022. Prepared by the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Crime Analysis Unit, the annual report compiles data on crimes reported to law enforcement agencies in the state during each calendar year.

“This report demonstrates that Connecticut continues to be one of the safest states in the country, with violent and property crimes down from the previous year and below or trending toward pre-pandemic levels,” Governor Lamont said. “Any instance of crime in our state is unacceptable, and we will continue to improve our public safety record by prioritizing smart on crime policies, gun safety, and support for our most vulnerable residents.”

Background on the report

The annual report is created by the Crimes Analysis Unit of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and is now in its 45^th year of publication. It is the most comprehensive source of crime-related data for the state.

Data from the report released today shows that between 2021 and 2022, Connecticut experienced a:

• 4% reduction in overall crime;
• 13% reduction in violent crime, including a 13% reduction in homicides and an 18% reduction in robberies; and a
• 3% reduction in property crimes.

Additionally, the report finds that over the last ten years overall crime in Connecticut has fallen 26%, including a 41% reduction in violent crime and a 23% reduction in property crime.

Background on recent public safety initiatives

During the last five years, the Connecticut State Police Training Academy has graduated 376 new state troopers through seven training troops. The 134^th Training Troop is currently in progress and anticipated to graduate an additional 32 new state troopers by the end of January 2024. The Connecticut State Police plans to commence the 135^th Training Troop in February 2024, which will graduate in August 2024. The recruitment for the 136^th Training Troop will begin in November and the class will graduate in 2025.

Bipartisan legislation Connecticut enacted this year, following introduction by Governor Lamont, targets further reductions in violent crime and gun violence. Public Act 23-53 (An Act Addressing Gun Violence) makes communities safer by closing loopholes in existing gun safety laws, banning the open carry of firearms, cracking down on ghost guns and bulk purchases, expanding safe storage laws, and keeping guns out of the hands of bad actors and high-risk repeat offenders.

Connecticut is also employing a public health and community-centered approach, by providing the Department of Public Health’s gun violence prevention program in the FY 2024-2025 budget with $7.8 million to support grants to community violence intervention programs plus $12 million in bond authorization for communities and nonprofit organizations to complete capital projects. Another $9.5 million is provided for the Project Longevity gun violence reduction program along with $5 million for housing vouchers for populations at risk of gun violence.

Other community safety items in the FY 2024 and 2025 budget appear below.

Services and added protections for crime victims

• $33.2 million to fill the gap in federal Victims of Crime Act Assistance funding.
• $6.0 million for enhanced GPS monitoring, including high-risk populations with domestic violence charges.

Investments in prevention and services for system-involved youth

• $12.0 million for juvenile review boards to assess at-risk youth and connect them to services.
• $10.9 million for youth violence intervention programming.
• $14.6 million for prevention programs for at-risk youth.

Support for court system operations and personnel

• $17.6 million to increase assigned counsel rates.
• $4.2 million for judicial salaries to help with recruitment and retention.
• $1.3 million to modernize and upgrade courthouse security and technology.

Support for emergency services and public safety

• $34.9 million for the Connecticut State Police wage agreements to recruit and retain state troopers.
• $1.6 million to support State Forensic Science Laboratory operations.

Twitter: @GovNedLamont

Facebook: Office of Governor Ned Lamont

Approved for Improvements to Connecticut’s Transportation System

New Transportation Bonding Unlocks up to $2.5 Billion in Federal Funds for Connectic Governor Ned Lamont announced that the Connecticut State Bond Commission today voted to approve more than $1.1 billion in state funding that will be used to perform various and widespread improvements to Connecticut’s transportation system.

Governor Lamont serves as chairman of the State Bond Commission and determines which projects get placed on its agenda for approval. The governor said he prioritized transportation projects at today’s meeting to leverage all federal matching dollars available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“The $1.1 billion in state bond funding we are releasing today positions our state to create the transportation network of the future, which will connect people to jobs, employment, and all our state has to offer,” Governor Lamont said. “This funding will help bring upgrades to a wide variety of improvements across our transportation network, including roads, bridges, and public transit. Notably, it will support our ongoing goal of putting the infrastructure in place that will help reduce travel times between New Haven and New York. By leveraging all federal dollars available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can bring significant improvements to our state’s transportation system while lessening the burden on Connecticut taxpayers.”

“By advancing these funds, Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission are ensuring Connecticut residents will see a substantial increase in projects that will improve transportation access, grow the economy, increase safety and reliability, and improve quality of life,” Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said. “This funding is setting the stage for the next ten years of needed projects that will transform our infrastructure with improved roads and bridges and a robust multimodal transportation network that is accessible to everyone.”

The funding includes more than $666 million for public transportation and more than $300 million for roads and bridges. Some of the specific projects approved for funding today include:

• Northeast Corridor (NEC) Match Program: $398.1 million for 13 projects aimed at upgrading outdated passenger rail infrastructure and improving transit efficiency, speed, and capacity. This allocation will provide a match for up to $2.1 billion in matching federal funding.
• Fix-it-First Bridge Repair: $98 million for rehabilitation, reconstruction, repair, or replacement of bridges on the state highway system, matching $40 million in federal funds. Some examples of projects include:
  • Middletown – replace bridge carrying I-91 over an unnamed brook
  • New Britain/Plainville – rehab/replace five bridges carrying Route 72
• I-91/1-691/Route 15 Interchange in Meriden: $31.7 million for interchange reconstruction and realignment on I-91 Northbound, I-691 Westbound, and Route 15 Northbound to address operational and safety concerns that will improve safety and decrease congestion, matching $223 million in federal funds.
• New Haven Union Station Improvements: $15 million for the design of three enhancement projects to the property, including a new multimodal hub, parking structure, and rental car facility in the West Lot; Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in the existing East Lot; and the realignment of Union Avenue near Union Station to enhance traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian safety.
• Stamford Station Parking Garage Demolition: $9 million for the demolition of the 1985 parking garage at Stamford Transportation Center, the busiest rail station in the state. Demolition of the old garage will allow the state to proceed with solicitation of Transit-Oriented Development projects adjacent to the station, which is the busiest rail station in the state.
• Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP): $12.9 million for grants to provide funding to municipalities through the Councils of Government (COGs) to address regional transportation priorities through capital improvement projects.
• Installation of Advanced Wrong-Way Driving Technology: $12.4 million to support the implementation of wrong-way driver detection systems at 70 high-risk locations statewide. These systems will alert drivers of incorrect direction by flashing red lights and state police will be notified in real time through special alerts.
• Community Connectivity and Alternative Mobility Program: $12 million for an additional round of grant awards to local projects that improve safety for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit users in urban, suburban, and rural community centers, to be announced next month. To date, more than 100 projects have received grant funding totaling more than $38 million.
• Transportation Rural-Improvement Program (TRIP): $10 million for grants to provide funding to rural and small towns for infrastructure improvements. The first round of grants for this new program will be awarded over the next several months.
• State Local Bridge Program Improvements: $7.1 million for grants for local bridge projects across the state, to be matched by $7.1 million in local funds. Examples of projects include:
  • Burlington – Covey Road over Bunnell Brook
  • New Haven – Humphrey Street over Mill River
  • Washington – Rabbit Hill Road over Meeker Swamp Road
  • Windsor – Pleasant Valley Road over Podunk River
• New Haven Downtown Roadway Drainage Project: $5.8 million for the City of New Haven to improve drainage and reduce flooding on Union Avenue. This will provide a partial match for a $25 million federal FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant.
• Transit District Facility Improvements: $5 million to renovate the new headquarters facility for the Northwest Connecticut Transit District in Torrington.
• Groton/North Stonington Safety Improvements: $3 million for safety improvements and pavement rehabilitation from I-95 Exit 89 to the Rhode Island State Line, matching $54 million in federal funds.

Twitter: @GovNedLamont

Facebook: Office of Governor Ned Lamont

President Biden has long believed that college should be a ticket to the middle class, not a burden that weighs on families. That’s why from day one, his Administration has taken unprecedented steps to fix the broken student loan system, make college more affordable, and bring the promise of higher education in reach for more Americans.

Marking a key step forward in that effort, President Biden is announcing that an additional 125,000 Americans have been approved for $9 billion in debt relief through fixes his Administration has made to income-driven repayment (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and by cancelling debt for borrowers with total and permanent disabilities. Today’s announcement brings the total approved debt cancellation by the Biden-Harris Administration to $127 billion for nearly 3.6 million Americans.

The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing it has approved:

• $5.2 billion in additional debt relief for 53,000 borrowers under Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs.
• Nearly $2.8 billion in new debt relief for nearly 51,000 borrowers through fixes to income-driven repayment. These are borrowers who made 20 years or more of payments but never got the relief they were entitled to.
• $1.2 billion for nearly 22,000 borrowers who have a total or permanent disability who have been identified and approved for discharge through a data match with the Social Security Administration.

The Department of Education is also releasing state-by-state totals of debt relief approved under the Biden-Harris Administration through fixes to IDR and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Visit this link to see the state-by-state breakdown.

Today’s announcement builds on all that the Biden-Harris Administration has done to make college more affordable and ensure that student loans aren’t a barrier to opportunity for students and families. The Biden-Harris Administration earlier this year launched the most affordable student loan repayment plan – SAVE – which makes many borrowers’ monthly payments as low as $0 and prevents balances from growing because of unpaid interest. The Administration secured the largest increase to Pell Grants in a decade, and finalized new rules to protect borrowers from career programs that leave graduates with unaffordable debts or insufficient earnings. And, in the wake of the Supreme Court decision on the Administration’s original student debt relief plan, President Biden announced his Administration was pursuing an alternative path to debt relief through negotiated rulemaking under the Higher Education Act.

The Administration took an important step forward in the negotiated rulemaking process last week as the Department of Education announced individuals who will serve on the negotiating committee and released an issue paper to guide the first negotiating session. The paper asks the committee to consider how the Administration can help borrowers, including borrowers whose balances are greater than what they originally borrowed, those who would be eligible for relief under existing repayment plans but have not applied, and borrowers who have experienced financial hardship on their loans that the current loan system doesn’t address.

To date, the Biden-Harris Administration has approved $127 billion in debt cancellation for nearly 3.6 million borrowers, including:

• Nearly $42 billion for almost 855,000 borrowers who are eligible for forgiveness through income-driven repayment by fixing historical inaccuracies in the count of payments that qualify toward forgiveness;
• Almost $51 billion for 715,000 public servants through Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs;
• $11.7 billion for almost 513,000 borrowers with a total and permanent disability; and
• $22.5 billion for more than 1.3 million borrowers who were cheated by their schools, saw their institutions precipitously close, or are covered by related court settlements. 

### 

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has received notification from Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) Commissioner James C. Rovella regarding his intention to retire from state service effective next month.

To ensure a smooth transition of leadership at this critical state agency, which consists of six divisions and is responsible for providing a broad range of the state’s public safety, emergency response, and homeland security services, Governor Lamont announced that he will be nominating Ronnell A. Higgins to succeed Commissioner Rovella in this leadership position immediately upon his retirement.

Additionally, Colonel Stavros Mellekas, deputy commissioner of DESPP and commanding officer of the Connecticut State Police, which is a division of DESPP, plans to step down from his service with the state. Higgins will identify a successor to serve in this role.

Commissioner Rovella has served as the head of DESPP throughout the duration of the Lamont administration, which began in January 2019. His spent his career in public safety, first starting as a patrol officer, then detective, with the Hartford Police Department. He then spent 12 years working for the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, where he oversaw cold case and other investigations. Following this, he returned to the Hartford Police Department to become its chief of police, and then was asked by Governor Lamont to serve in his current position with the state.

“Commissioner Rovella is a valued and well-respected member of my administration and Connecticut’s law enforcement community, and throughout his career he has provided the people of Hartford and the residents of our entire state with service that has improved the safety of our neighborhoods while focusing on efforts that reduce recidivism and build stronger communities,” Governor Lamont said. “He is incredibly hardworking and has made many sacrifices to make himself available day and night in this critical role for longer than nearly any other commissioner in the past fifty years. I applaud his service to Connecticut and the people of our state, and I wish him nothing but the very best on this well-earned new chapter in his life.”

“I truly appreciate the opportunity to serve the people of Connecticut, as well as all of the many dedicated professionals who work across each division of DESPP,” Commissioner Rovella said. “I am immensely proud of our team and respect their passionate work and loyalty to ensure the safety and protection of the people of our state. Connecticut’s public safety and emergency response services and those who provide them are among the best, and I am thankful to have had this opportunity to serve as commissioner overseeing these operations.”

Higgins currently serves with Yale University in the position of associate vice president for public safety and community engagement, which he has held since June 2022. Immediately prior to being appointed to that position, he served as Yale’s chief of police beginning in 2011, and concurrently served as director of public safety beginning in 2015. He first joined Yale’s police department in 1997 as a police officer and served the department in several ranks, including as sergeant, patrol commander, and lieutenant. Prior to joining Yale, Higgins worked as a correction officer with the Connecticut Department of Correction at the Bridgeport Correctional Center from 1994 to 1997.

“Ronnell Higgins has been a member of Connecticut’s law enforcement community for nearly thirty years, including service as a correction officer before becoming a police officer and being promoted to several ranks that eventually led him to becoming a police chief, in which he oversaw public safety and emergency management operations at one of our state’s largest police departments,” Governor Lamont said. “He is respected locally and nationally for his knowledge, service, and aptitude, and his experience makes him more than capable of leading this critical, multi-division state agency. I appreciate his willingness to join state service and I look forward to his leadership in this role.”

“I am truly honored at the opportunity to serve as the next commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for the State of Connecticut,” Higgins said. “I am looking forward to applying my experiences, as well as listening, learning, and leading this important, six-division agency.”

In his current position, Higgins is responsible for developing relationships and partnerships among those in the Yale community with the goal of listening to every voice and ensuring those throughout the community have access and resources to the public safety resources they need. He also serves as a key liaison to the broader New Haven community by identifying points of intersection among campus safety, community safety, and community engagement. He is the first person to serve in the role.

During his tenure as police chief and director of public safety, Higgins was instrumental insignificantly reducing crime on campus, reducing UCR crimes to their lowest levels since Yale began reporting in 1985. He spearheaded numerous programs supporting excellence in on-campus safety, community policing, and deep collaborations with stakeholders, leaders, and members of both the university and the City of New Haven communities, while at the same time ensuring leading-edge focus on efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from state, national and global threats.

He has been an active member of several government and community groups, including the Connecticut Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparities, the Connecticut Police Officers Standards and Training Council, the Boys and Girls Club of New Haven, the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives for Connecticut. He was recently named among the "Most Influential People in Security" by Security magazine and named one of the "100 Most Influential Black People in Connecticut" by the Connecticut NAACP.

He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in law enforcement from the University of New Haven, and earned a Master of Arts degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

The Office of the Governor will forward Higgins’s nomination to the Connecticut General Assembly for its advice and consent upon the start of the 2024 regular legislative session. During the time prior to his confirmation by the legislature, Higgins will serve as interim commissioner.

DESPP is comprised of the following six divisions: the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control; the Connecticut State Police; the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security; the Police Officers Standards and Training Council; the Division of Scientific Services; and the Division of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications