The Courthouse News Service recently reported on the Connecticut Appellate Court’s decision that reporters covering a casino suicide are not entitled to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) printout (“rap sheet”) access.
Two reporters covering the death of a man who jumped from a parking garage at Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard requested his NCIC rap sheet from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) (now the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection). NCIC is a computerized criminal history database maintained by the FBI and accessible to DPS through the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact. When DPS refused to provide the information, the reporters appealed to the Freedom of Information Commission. The commission found that the reporters were entitled to the rap sheet under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act.
On appeal, the trial court upheld the commission’s decision, but the Connecticut Appellate Court reversed it on August 13th. It found that, under the compact, NCIC information may only be used for “limited purposes authorized by law” and noted that the state may lose NCIC database access if it allows unauthorized database disclosures.
August 30, 2013
Hot Report: Mental Health Services for Teenagers and Young Adults
OLR Report 2013-R-0319 summarizes information about facilities in Connecticut that offer mental health services to teenagers and young adults up to age 25.
Many Connecticut short-term public and private hospitals offer mental health services to teenagers and young adults, according to the Office of Health Care Advocacy. The services range from acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalization for those in need of rapid stabilization to outpatient services.
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) provides children's mental health services while the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) promotes and administers comprehensive mental health services for adults age 18 and older. Both agencies contract with public and private facilities to provide mental health treatment.
For more information, read the full report.
Many Connecticut short-term public and private hospitals offer mental health services to teenagers and young adults, according to the Office of Health Care Advocacy. The services range from acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalization for those in need of rapid stabilization to outpatient services.
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) provides children's mental health services while the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) promotes and administers comprehensive mental health services for adults age 18 and older. Both agencies contract with public and private facilities to provide mental health treatment.
For more information, read the full report.
Preschooler Obesity Rate Down in Some States, But Not Here
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that obesity rates among low-income preschoolers (age 2-4 years old) declined in 18 states from 2008-2011. This is good news after decades of rising national obesity rates among this population. During that same time period, the preschooler obesity rate rose in three states and remained the same in 20, including Connecticut. (However, the obesity rate fell in two of Connecticut’s neighbor states: New York and Massachusetts.)
Marlene Schwartz, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale, told the Washington Post that changes to the 2009 federal Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program likely played a role in the obesity decline. (WIC provides food vouchers for low-income women and children up to age 5.) According to the Post article, in 2009, the program was altered to encourage recipients to purchase more whole grains, lower-fat dairy products, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Click here for a related OLR blog post on preschooler obesity in Hartford.
Marlene Schwartz, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale, told the Washington Post that changes to the 2009 federal Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program likely played a role in the obesity decline. (WIC provides food vouchers for low-income women and children up to age 5.) According to the Post article, in 2009, the program was altered to encourage recipients to purchase more whole grains, lower-fat dairy products, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Click here for a related OLR blog post on preschooler obesity in Hartford.
August 29, 2013
Colorado Mulls Tax on Marijuana Sales
Last November, Colorado voters approved a constitutional amendment that legalizes recreational marijuana use. State officials are now considering how to tax and regulate marijuana. This coming November, voters will be asked to approve a 15% excise tax plus a 10% statewide sales tax on all retail marijuana purchases.
As reported in the Denver Post, Denver’s city council recently approved an additional 3.5% local tax on marijuana sales to cover the costs the city estimates it will incur in effectively regulating and enforcing the new law. If voters approve the local tax in November, it is expected to raise $3.4 million a year.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock had wanted a 5% tax on marijuana sales, with an option to increase it to up to 10% to cover the city’s costs. Some city council members had previously called for a tax rate of up to 15% to cover other service costs as well.
As reported in the Denver Post, Denver’s city council recently approved an additional 3.5% local tax on marijuana sales to cover the costs the city estimates it will incur in effectively regulating and enforcing the new law. If voters approve the local tax in November, it is expected to raise $3.4 million a year.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock had wanted a 5% tax on marijuana sales, with an option to increase it to up to 10% to cover the city’s costs. Some city council members had previously called for a tax rate of up to 15% to cover other service costs as well.
Charging Up Connecticut’s Transportation Sector
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), in partnership with the Department of Transportation, recently announced an initiative called EVConnecticut, which seeks to promote electric vehicles. The initiative’s website describes the benefits of owning an electric vehicle and how to take advantage of federal tax credits available to purchasers of these vehicles. It also describes state incentives (up to $2,000 per electric vehicle charger) and federal tax credits for facilities installing publicly accessible EV charging stations.
Further information about the initiative, including a map of electric vehicle charging stations, is available at a new page on DEEP's website.
Further information about the initiative, including a map of electric vehicle charging stations, is available at a new page on DEEP's website.
August 28, 2013
Are Health Insurance Exchanges Subject to the “Motor Voter” Law?
A recent article from Governing raises the question of whether state health insurance exchanges are subject to the federal “Motor Voter” act (i.e., the 1993 National Voter Registration Act). The act requires states to provide individuals with the opportunity to apply to register to vote in federal elections:
Additionally, the article notes that the answer could vary across the states because the state exchanges are not uniform. In some states, they are nonprofit organizations, in some they are part of a state agency, and in others they will be operated by the federal government.
- at the time that they apply for a driver's license or renew one,
- at offices providing public assistance and offices providing state-funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to people with disabilities, and
- by mail using forms that each state and the Election Assistance Commission develop.
Additionally, the article notes that the answer could vary across the states because the state exchanges are not uniform. In some states, they are nonprofit organizations, in some they are part of a state agency, and in others they will be operated by the federal government.
Hot Report: Acts Affecting Education
OLR Report 2013-R-0305 provides highlights of new laws (public acts) affecting education enacted during the 2013 regular and December 2012 special legislative sessions.
Policy areas covered in the report include:
Policy areas covered in the report include:
- Accountability and Achievement
- Charter Schools
- Early Childhood Education
- Grants and Funding
- Health and Safety
- Interdistrict Magnet Schools
- Private and Parochial Schools
- Reading
- Regional Education Service Centers
- School Construction
- School Districts and Boards of Education
- Special Education
- State Board and State Department of Education
- Teachers, Administrators, and Other School Employees
- Technical High Schools
- Higher Education
- Libraries
Read the full report for information about the acts passed in each of those areas.
Zoning Away Crime
Many theories exist on the human-made environment’s impact on crime, though few of them have been properly tested. However, a piece in The Atlantic Cities summarizes a University of Pennsylvania Law Review article that describes research on zoning’s impact on crime in Los Angeles. Working at the intersection of law and land use planning, researchers found that whether a parcel is zoned as residential, commercial, or mixed-use predicts crime rates.
The results show that residential-only zones have the lowest crime rates, commercial-only zones have the highest crime rates, and mixed-use zones fall in between. Curious as to whether longstanding neighborhood features were responsible for differing crime rates, researchers also studied the impact of zoning changes on crime rates and found that adding residential parcels to commercial blocks, creating mixed-use zones, reduces crime rates.
This research seems to debunk Greenwich Village author Jane Jacobs’ influential theory that integrating businesses into residential areas decreases crime by increasing the number of “eyes on the street.” Appalled by the city’s massive public housing projects, Jacobs (who passed away in 2006) argued that dense, mixed-use blocks were safer because their active streets and sidewalks were always under observation.
The results show that residential-only zones have the lowest crime rates, commercial-only zones have the highest crime rates, and mixed-use zones fall in between. Curious as to whether longstanding neighborhood features were responsible for differing crime rates, researchers also studied the impact of zoning changes on crime rates and found that adding residential parcels to commercial blocks, creating mixed-use zones, reduces crime rates.
This research seems to debunk Greenwich Village author Jane Jacobs’ influential theory that integrating businesses into residential areas decreases crime by increasing the number of “eyes on the street.” Appalled by the city’s massive public housing projects, Jacobs (who passed away in 2006) argued that dense, mixed-use blocks were safer because their active streets and sidewalks were always under observation.
August 27, 2013
Lyme Disease More Common Than Previously Reported
According to the The Washington Post, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that up to 300,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease annually.
This estimate is considerably higher than the 20,000 to 30,000 Lyme cases reported each year. According to the article, CDC officials have long known that not all doctors report all Lyme cases and the true Lyme count was likely higher than the reported figures.
Connecticut is one of 13 states accounting for a majority of Lyme cases. Many of the other states are also in the northeast.
CDC’s website contains considerable information about Lyme disease, for both patients and health care providers. For example, there is a reference manual for providers on Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Among other things, the manual provides information on where the diseases are found, incubation periods, signs and symptoms, and general laboratory findings and related information.
This estimate is considerably higher than the 20,000 to 30,000 Lyme cases reported each year. According to the article, CDC officials have long known that not all doctors report all Lyme cases and the true Lyme count was likely higher than the reported figures.
Connecticut is one of 13 states accounting for a majority of Lyme cases. Many of the other states are also in the northeast.
CDC’s website contains considerable information about Lyme disease, for both patients and health care providers. For example, there is a reference manual for providers on Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Among other things, the manual provides information on where the diseases are found, incubation periods, signs and symptoms, and general laboratory findings and related information.
August 26, 2013
Health Exchange Price Options Announced
On August 5, 2013, the Connecticut Insurance Department approved base rates for the health insurance plans to be offered through the state’s health insurance exchange, known as Access Health CT. The Hartford Courant reports that the rates individuals will be charged are more varied than these base rates. To calculate an actual rate, a person must modify the base rate for his or her age and location (i.e., county). The rates also depend on the carrier and “metal tier” plan selected. Plans will be offered at bronze, silver, and gold levels with each metal tier corresponding to the amount of coverage provided. For example, bronze plans will be the least expensive plans because they provide the least amount of coverage at 60%; silver covers 70%, and gold covers 80%.
The base rates, age and county modifiers, and some examples of rate calculations are shown below:
The base rates, age and county modifiers, and some examples of rate calculations are shown below:
Hot Report: State Inspectors General
OLR Report 2013-R-0315 identifies states with inspectors general (IG) and describe the scope of their authority. It also gives examples of their accomplishments.
We identified 11 states that have an IG with statewide authority and 26 that have one or more agencies with an IG (five of the states have both types). Agency IGs are most common in health and human services agencies.
In general, IGs are responsible for preventing and detecting fraud, waste, and abuse in state agencies, either upon a filed complaint or their own initiative. IGs' investigatory powers typically include authority to, among other things, (1) issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, records, and papers; (2) administer oaths; and (3) enter state agency premises without advance notice. They also assist in the development of processes to reduce the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse.
IG accomplishments include (1) identifying opportunities for cost avoidances and recoveries of improper payments and (2) making recommendations for disciplinary actions against employees. They also frequently refer their recommendations to other entities (e.g., prosecutors, ethics commissions, and licensing boards) for further action.
For more information, read the full report.
We identified 11 states that have an IG with statewide authority and 26 that have one or more agencies with an IG (five of the states have both types). Agency IGs are most common in health and human services agencies.
In general, IGs are responsible for preventing and detecting fraud, waste, and abuse in state agencies, either upon a filed complaint or their own initiative. IGs' investigatory powers typically include authority to, among other things, (1) issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, records, and papers; (2) administer oaths; and (3) enter state agency premises without advance notice. They also assist in the development of processes to reduce the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse.
IG accomplishments include (1) identifying opportunities for cost avoidances and recoveries of improper payments and (2) making recommendations for disciplinary actions against employees. They also frequently refer their recommendations to other entities (e.g., prosecutors, ethics commissions, and licensing boards) for further action.
For more information, read the full report.
DOL Cracking Down on Unemployment Fraud
According to hartfordbusiness.com, the state’s Department of Labor (DOL) and chief state’s attorney’s office have recently launched a criminal crackdown on people fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits. Using grants from the federal government, DOL hired extra investigators and a prosecutor to pursue fraudulent unemployment claims and is relying on new software tools to help cross-reference claimants with their employment, payroll, and other records to detect fraud. The new information and tips received from employers and others has helped lead the chief state’s attorney’s office to 15 arrests for alleged thefts totaling over $290,000.
Overall, the state has recovered $10 million this year through income-tax intercepts, wage garnishments, and individual overpayments. According to the federal department of labor, it ranks second (behind Rhode Island) in curbing improper unemployment benefit payments.
Overall, the state has recovered $10 million this year through income-tax intercepts, wage garnishments, and individual overpayments. According to the federal department of labor, it ranks second (behind Rhode Island) in curbing improper unemployment benefit payments.
August 23, 2013
“And first one now will later be last”…
…at least when it comes to bidding on big defense contracts, hinted The Atlantic Monthly’s James Fallows in his 2002 article on how Lockheed Martin beat Seattle-based Boeing for the contract to build the Pratt and Whitney-powered F-35 Lightening II Joint Strike Fighter. Fallows described the scene at Lockheed Martin when its managers and employees learned they won the contract. “Before the word ‘Lockheed’ was fully out of [Air Force Secretary James] Roche’s mouth, the audience in Fort Worth erupted and drowned out the rest of his remarks. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, a Republican from Texas who had come to show her support, leaped into the air and screamed.”
The reaction was understandable. In 2002, the Pentagon projected building over 6,000 F-35s, at around $200 billion. So it’s not hard to understand why Fort Worth’s gain was Boeing’s and Seattle’s loss. But Boeing officials didn’t seem that depressed, suggesting they were playing the long game, one that emphasized what they “considered to be the real future in aviation—unmanned combat and reconnaissance aircraft that were more advanced versions of the Predator drones used in Afghanistan.”
Fallows went on to describe how Lockheed’s version of F-35, some versions of which can take off and land like a helicopter, came out ahead in the process. In the end, though, he asked, “what did Lockheed win?” An unnamed civilian analyst answered:
They [Lockheed] have bought themselves the opportunity to compete continuously through twelve straight annual funding cycles to keep this thing alive. It’s going to be tough because the airplane is not exactly what anyone wanted, and more-pressing things will come along.
And what might those more-pressing things be? Unmanned aircraft. But wait: there’s more irony. As Fallows wrote,
Many members of Boeing’s JFS team have been switched to its unmanned-vehicles project. When meeting with several of them I mentioned a nightmare scenario for Lockheed Martin: that Boeing, while playing the good loser, would get its revenge by successfully promoting unmanned vehicles as the real way to make defense affordable. The Boeing men all laughed when I said this. Of course, that is what they have in mind.
How does the shift to unmanned aircraft affect Pratt and Whitney? The Hartford Business Journal recently reported that the Navy’s X-47B drone, which is as big a manned fighter and powered by a Pratt engine, made history when it became the first drone to land successfully on an aircraft carrier.
Charters Schools Not Rocking the World, But Showing Improvement
According to a new 26-state study, charter schools are showing slow and steady improvement in student performance compared to a similar study conducted by the same organization in 2009.
The National Charter School Study 2013, released in late June by the Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) at Stanford University, is an update and expansion of CREDO’s 2009 16-state study. The 2009 study found a wide variance in quality among charter schools, with students in charter schools not faring as well in the aggregate as those attending traditional public schools.
The 2013 study looks at performance of students in charter schools in 26 states (Connecticut was not included) and New York City. It found charter school students now have greater learning gains in reading than their peers in traditional public schools. Some of the charter improvement is attributed to the closure of a number of poor performing schools. Traditional public schools and charter schools have equivalent learning gains in mathematics.
While some have hailed the new study as a sign that charters are bringing real positive change, others point out the change is very small. Education expert Tom Loveless, blogging on the Brookings Institute education page, notes the changes may be statistically significant, but not real world significant.
The National Charter School Study 2013, released in late June by the Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) at Stanford University, is an update and expansion of CREDO’s 2009 16-state study. The 2009 study found a wide variance in quality among charter schools, with students in charter schools not faring as well in the aggregate as those attending traditional public schools.
The 2013 study looks at performance of students in charter schools in 26 states (Connecticut was not included) and New York City. It found charter school students now have greater learning gains in reading than their peers in traditional public schools. Some of the charter improvement is attributed to the closure of a number of poor performing schools. Traditional public schools and charter schools have equivalent learning gains in mathematics.
While some have hailed the new study as a sign that charters are bringing real positive change, others point out the change is very small. Education expert Tom Loveless, blogging on the Brookings Institute education page, notes the changes may be statistically significant, but not real world significant.
August 22, 2013
Connecticut DACA Applicants Granted Deportation Reprieve
According to a recent Brookings Institute report, approximately 2,100 (69%) of the 3,000 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applicants in Connecticut have been granted provisional legal status. The DACA program provides undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children 1) a temporary deportation suspension and 2) work authorization. (It does not provide applicants with permanent legal status.)
According to the report, United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) has approved approximately 72% of DACA applications and denied slightly less than one percent since the program began a year ago. USCIS is currently reviewing the remainder of the applications.
According to the report, United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) has approved approximately 72% of DACA applications and denied slightly less than one percent since the program began a year ago. USCIS is currently reviewing the remainder of the applications.
In order for USCIS to grant deferred action, the applicant must:
- have (1) arrived in the U.S. before age 16 and (2) continuously resided in the U.S. without legal status since June 15, 2007;
- be under age 31 as of June 15, 2012 and at least age 15 at the time of application;
- be currently enrolled in school, have graduated high school or obtained a GED, or be an honorably discharged veteran; and
- have not been convicted of a felony or multiple or serious misdemeanors and not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
A Connecticut Mirror article has more information about the report.
Hot Report: Encouraging Civil Engagement
OLR Report 2013-R-0279 gives examples of programs that community groups use to involve residents and property owners in solving a community's problems or improving a community's quality of life (i.e., civic engagement). Specifically, it gives examples of grassroots programs that have been used to improve residents' quality of life.
A table in the report describes five initiatives that foster civic engagement by placing residents at the center of a process aimed at improving a community's quality of life. Each stresses the importance of leadership and change from within a community and encourages community members to participate in making decisions that affect their community.
While all of these initiatives attempt to foster civic engagement, their methods vary. Some help residents develop the interpersonal skills to address a wide range of community issues (i.e., “network organizing” and “compassionate listening”). Others engage residents in addressing specific quality of life problems, such as blighted property or lack of social services (e.g., “community policing,” “participatory budgeting,” and “service exchanges”).
For more information, read the full report.
A table in the report describes five initiatives that foster civic engagement by placing residents at the center of a process aimed at improving a community's quality of life. Each stresses the importance of leadership and change from within a community and encourages community members to participate in making decisions that affect their community.
While all of these initiatives attempt to foster civic engagement, their methods vary. Some help residents develop the interpersonal skills to address a wide range of community issues (i.e., “network organizing” and “compassionate listening”). Others engage residents in addressing specific quality of life problems, such as blighted property or lack of social services (e.g., “community policing,” “participatory budgeting,” and “service exchanges”).
For more information, read the full report.
New “Juvenile Justice Resource Hub” Gathers Information on Juvenile Justice Trends Nationwide
A new website is gathering information on juvenile justice issues and best practices nationwide. The site, created by the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange (JJIE) and funded by the MacArthur Foundation, is in its early stages and still developing. When completed, it will focus on six areas:
- mental health and substance abuse,
- community-based alternatives,
- evidence-based practices,
- juvenile indigent defense,
- aftercare, and
- racial-ethnic fairness.
JJIE is also providing investigative journalism for these topic areas. Check out the new website at: http://jjie.org/hub/.
August 21, 2013
Energy Infrastructure Vulnerabilities to Climate Change
In July, the U.S. Department of Energy released a report on the vulnerabilities of the energy sector to climate change and extreme weather. The report notes that since the start of the 20th century, average annual temperatures across the contiguous United States have increased approximately 1.5°F. Since record keeping began in 1895, July 2012 was the hottest month in the U.S. and 2012 was the warmest year overall, marked by historic high temperatures and droughts, multiple intense storms that disrupted power to millions, and multiple extreme heat waves. The report observes that at least three major climate trends are relevant to the energy sector: (1) increasing air and water temperatures; (2) decreasing water availability in some regions and seasons; and (3) increasing intensity and frequency of storms, flooding, and sea level rise.
The report examines current and potential future impacts of these climate trends on the energy sector. It identifies activities underway to address these challenges and discusses potential opportunities to enhance energy technologies that are more climate-resilient. Its major findings include the following.
The report examines current and potential future impacts of these climate trends on the energy sector. It identifies activities underway to address these challenges and discusses potential opportunities to enhance energy technologies that are more climate-resilient. Its major findings include the following.
- Power generation facilities are at risk from decreasing water availability and increasing air and water temperatures. This reduces the efficiency of cooling, increases the likelihood of exceeding water thermal intake or effluent limits that protect the environment, and increases the risk of partial or full shutdowns of generation facilities.
- Energy infrastructure located along the coast is at risk from sea level rise, increased storm intensity, and higher storm surge and flooding which can disrupt oil and gas production, refining, and distribution, as well as electricity generation and distribution.
- Electricity transmission and distribution systems carry less current and operate less efficiently when air temperatures are higher, and they may face increasing risks of physical damage from more intense and frequent storm events and wildfires.
- Increasing temperatures will likely increase electricity demand for cooling and decrease fuel oil and natural gas demand for heating.
- improved energy efficiency and reduced water intensity of power generation through using innovative cooling technologies and non-traditional water supplies such as municipal wastewater and water capture and reuse;
- improved grid equipment and operations to manage changing load conditions and increase reliability and resilience;
- increased resilience of energy infrastructure to wildfires, storms, floods, and sea level rise, including “hardening” existing facilities and structures (e.g., transmission and distribution lines, power plants, oil and gas refineries, and offshore oil and gas platforms); and
- enhanced demand-side management and development of energy- and water-efficient and energy-smart appliances.
41% of Americans Live in Households with a Gun
According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, 41% of adults report having a gun in their household, with 27% saying they personally own a gun and 14% saying another person in the home owns a gun.
The survey found a substantial gender gap, with men almost three times more likely than women to own a gun. It also found age differences in gun ownership. Those surveyed in the 18-29 age group were the least likely to own a gun, with only 21% personally owning a gun, compared to 30% for those ages 50-64 and 31% for those 65 and over.
The survey found a substantial gender gap, with men almost three times more likely than women to own a gun. It also found age differences in gun ownership. Those surveyed in the 18-29 age group were the least likely to own a gun, with only 21% personally owning a gun, compared to 30% for those ages 50-64 and 31% for those 65 and over.
August 20, 2013
Hot Report: Property Tax on Golf Courses
OLR Report 2013-R-0273 explains the different ways in which states require golf courses to be assessed for property tax purposes and (2) whether floodplains impact their assessments.
Most states require real and personal property, including golf courses, to be assessed based on fair market value. Tax assessors use three standard approaches to calculate that value: the market, income, or cost approach. According to the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), the most common assessment method for golf courses is the cost approach. Assessors may also use the income and market approaches if certain data are available.
Many states have enacted preferential tax treatment programs for certain land uses, including golf courses and other open space or recreational land, that provide an economic incentive to property owners to preserve the land for open space or recreational purposes. These programs commonly require specified land uses to be assessed based only on the value of their existing use (i.e., current use value), rather than their fair market value, which could be potentially higher. The current use assessment generally applies to the unimproved sections of a golf course; Clubhouses and other buildings and improvements are assessed based on their fair market value.
We identified at least 23 states that assess golf courses and other open space or recreational land uses based on their current use value. Of these states, seven specifically name golf courses as eligible for such preferential treatment. We identified four states, Arizona, Hawaii, Maryland, and Nevada, where golf courses are the only recreational land use eligible for current use assessment.
The methods assessors use to calculate current use value under these preferential treatment programs vary. Some states establish a limit on the value or prescribe the value to be used. Others specify that assessors must use the market approach to value open space land. A few states prescribe methods specifically for valuing golf courses. Arizona, for example, establishes a $500 per acre value on the assessment of golf course playing, practice, and parking areas and requires the value of each golf course hole to be capped at its estimated 1988 replacement cost. Nevada, on the other hand, sets a $3,432 per acre cap (annually adjusted for inflation) on golf course open space land.
We also identified two other states, Indiana and South Carolina, that provide other forms of preferential tax treatment for golf courses. Among other things, both states require assessors to exclude the value of personal property, and any income derived from it, when valuing golf course property.
As to whether a floodplain on a golf course's property affects its assessment is fact specific, depending on the course's physical and economic characteristics and the variables the assessor considers when valuing the property. Consequently, it is hard to generalize about how floodplains affect golf course value.
For more information, read the full report.
Most states require real and personal property, including golf courses, to be assessed based on fair market value. Tax assessors use three standard approaches to calculate that value: the market, income, or cost approach. According to the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), the most common assessment method for golf courses is the cost approach. Assessors may also use the income and market approaches if certain data are available.
Many states have enacted preferential tax treatment programs for certain land uses, including golf courses and other open space or recreational land, that provide an economic incentive to property owners to preserve the land for open space or recreational purposes. These programs commonly require specified land uses to be assessed based only on the value of their existing use (i.e., current use value), rather than their fair market value, which could be potentially higher. The current use assessment generally applies to the unimproved sections of a golf course; Clubhouses and other buildings and improvements are assessed based on their fair market value.
We identified at least 23 states that assess golf courses and other open space or recreational land uses based on their current use value. Of these states, seven specifically name golf courses as eligible for such preferential treatment. We identified four states, Arizona, Hawaii, Maryland, and Nevada, where golf courses are the only recreational land use eligible for current use assessment.
The methods assessors use to calculate current use value under these preferential treatment programs vary. Some states establish a limit on the value or prescribe the value to be used. Others specify that assessors must use the market approach to value open space land. A few states prescribe methods specifically for valuing golf courses. Arizona, for example, establishes a $500 per acre value on the assessment of golf course playing, practice, and parking areas and requires the value of each golf course hole to be capped at its estimated 1988 replacement cost. Nevada, on the other hand, sets a $3,432 per acre cap (annually adjusted for inflation) on golf course open space land.
We also identified two other states, Indiana and South Carolina, that provide other forms of preferential tax treatment for golf courses. Among other things, both states require assessors to exclude the value of personal property, and any income derived from it, when valuing golf course property.
As to whether a floodplain on a golf course's property affects its assessment is fact specific, depending on the course's physical and economic characteristics and the variables the assessor considers when valuing the property. Consequently, it is hard to generalize about how floodplains affect golf course value.
For more information, read the full report.
Study Shows Voice-Activated Systems Pose Risks
A new study shows that the increasingly common voice-activated systems in new vehicles pose dangers that are different, and maybe even worse, than those caused by the hand-held devices they are meant to replace.
The June study by the AAA Foundation for Highway Safety found that voice-activated systems divert a driver’s attention from driving safely and interacting with them is more distracting than listening to the radio or talking with passengers.
According to a New York Times article, “the [driver’s] brain is so taxed interacting with the system, that, even with hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, the driver’s reaction time and ability to process what’s happening on the road are impaired.”
The June study by the AAA Foundation for Highway Safety found that voice-activated systems divert a driver’s attention from driving safely and interacting with them is more distracting than listening to the radio or talking with passengers.
According to a New York Times article, “the [driver’s] brain is so taxed interacting with the system, that, even with hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, the driver’s reaction time and ability to process what’s happening on the road are impaired.”
August 19, 2013
Connecticut Launches New Long-Term Care Information Hub
The Department of Social Services recently launched My Place CT, a long-term care information hub to complement the state’s online health insurance exchange (Access Health CT). My Place CT includes a website, call center, advertising campaign, and career opportunities for caregivers. It helps consumers identify their long-term care needs, shows them how they can pay for care, and links them to community resources, such as housing and transportation options.
In 2015, the website will directly link to DSS’ ConneCT Medicaid website to help seniors determine whether they need health care coverage through Medicaid or the state’s health insurance exchange.
In 2015, the website will directly link to DSS’ ConneCT Medicaid website to help seniors determine whether they need health care coverage through Medicaid or the state’s health insurance exchange.
Millennial Moochers
A recent Coldwell Banker Real Estate survey shows that boomerang kids (adult children who move in with their parents after college) are not ashamed of their living arrangements. Millennials, and American parents, think that living at home for up to five years after graduation is acceptable. But 65% of Americans feel that adult children should leave the nest as soon as they get a job.
Other survey findings include:
- 82% of Americans think adult children living at home should pay rent (but only 35% of millennials do);
- 70% of Americans feel too many adult children are living with their parents to avoid responsibility (though, in the northeast, this number is only 63%);
- 51% of American parents believe that boomerang children prevent parents from moving on with their own lives;
- 24% of parents believe it’s okay for adult children to live at home for was long as children want; and
- 16% of men and 11% of women don’t think adult children should spend any time living at home after college.
August 16, 2013
Rolling Out The Cost Of New Standardized Tests
Forty-six states have committed to one of the two consortia that are designing electronic standardized tests to align with the Common Core State Standards. The curriculum standards and accompanying tests are slated to roll out in the 2014-15 school year. Education Week reports that at least one state (Georgia) has withdrawn its commitment after seeing the price tag.
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC), of which Connecticut is a member, consists of 24 member states and released its pricing in March 2013. The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC), which now consists of 21 states after Georgia’s departure, released its pricing in July 2013. Both consortia released these per-student cost estimates after securing the multi-state commitments.
SBAC claims that its pricing estimates are less expensive than what two-thirds of its 24 member states already spend on student testing. (It is unknown if Connecticut is among those states that will save.)
As an SBAC member, Connecticut has two cost options. One, which includes only summative tests that are given during the last quarter of the school year, is priced at $22.50 per student. The other, which includes summative tests as well as interim and formative tests, costs $27.30 per student.
The cost projections include both the cost of services that SBAC will provide (developing test items and administration platform) and states will provide themselves or through vendors (delivering the test, providing help-desk services, scoring the tests).
In comparison, PARCC estimates that its summative tests will cost $29.50 per student, which is the only price option available. This cost exceeds what more than 50% of its member states currently pay. Unlike SBAC, however, PARCC will score the tests.
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC), of which Connecticut is a member, consists of 24 member states and released its pricing in March 2013. The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC), which now consists of 21 states after Georgia’s departure, released its pricing in July 2013. Both consortia released these per-student cost estimates after securing the multi-state commitments.
SBAC claims that its pricing estimates are less expensive than what two-thirds of its 24 member states already spend on student testing. (It is unknown if Connecticut is among those states that will save.)
As an SBAC member, Connecticut has two cost options. One, which includes only summative tests that are given during the last quarter of the school year, is priced at $22.50 per student. The other, which includes summative tests as well as interim and formative tests, costs $27.30 per student.
The cost projections include both the cost of services that SBAC will provide (developing test items and administration platform) and states will provide themselves or through vendors (delivering the test, providing help-desk services, scoring the tests).
In comparison, PARCC estimates that its summative tests will cost $29.50 per student, which is the only price option available. This cost exceeds what more than 50% of its member states currently pay. Unlike SBAC, however, PARCC will score the tests.
Hot Report: Campaign Finance Laws Applicable to Major Party Legislative Candidates
OLR Report 2013-R-0296 summarizes state campaign finance laws applicable to major party legislative candidates who participate in the Citizens' Election Program (CEP) and those who do not (i.e., “participating candidates” and “nonparticipating candidates,” respectively).
The report provides only an overview of the applicable laws' major components; it is not exhaustive. Throughout it, we include hyperlinks to other sources for more detailed information. Alternatively, readers may contact the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) (i.e., the enforcement agency) at (860) 256-2940 for answers to their campaign finance questions.
The report incorporates campaign finance changes that the General Assembly made in PA 13-180 during the 2013 session.
The CEP is a voluntary public campaign financing program for statewide office and legislative candidates. Those who agree to limit spending, forgo outside funding sources, and comply with other requirements may qualify for state grants from the Citizens' Election Fund (CEF) to finance their campaigns.
During a primary or general election campaign period, certain laws apply to both participating and nonparticipating candidates, while others apply to one or the other. This report is divided into three sections: state campaign finance laws and requirements applicable to (1) all legislative candidates, (2) participating candidates, and (3) nonparticipating candidates. It covers major party candidates.
For both types of candidates, the report addresses:
Finally, for nonparticipating candidates the report covers (1) contribution limits and (2) state contractor and lobbyist contributions and solicitations.
For more information, read the full report.
The report provides only an overview of the applicable laws' major components; it is not exhaustive. Throughout it, we include hyperlinks to other sources for more detailed information. Alternatively, readers may contact the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) (i.e., the enforcement agency) at (860) 256-2940 for answers to their campaign finance questions.
The report incorporates campaign finance changes that the General Assembly made in PA 13-180 during the 2013 session.
The CEP is a voluntary public campaign financing program for statewide office and legislative candidates. Those who agree to limit spending, forgo outside funding sources, and comply with other requirements may qualify for state grants from the Citizens' Election Fund (CEF) to finance their campaigns.
During a primary or general election campaign period, certain laws apply to both participating and nonparticipating candidates, while others apply to one or the other. This report is divided into three sections: state campaign finance laws and requirements applicable to (1) all legislative candidates, (2) participating candidates, and (3) nonparticipating candidates. It covers major party candidates.
For both types of candidates, the report addresses:
- the exploratory committee phase,
- dissolving an exploratory committee and forming a candidate committee,
- deciding whether to participate in the CEP,
- contributions and expenditures,
- organization expenditures,
- reporting requirements,
- attribution requirements, and
- terminating a candidate committee.
Finally, for nonparticipating candidates the report covers (1) contribution limits and (2) state contractor and lobbyist contributions and solicitations.
States Considering Charging for Rescuing Thrill-Seekers
According to Governing.com, Idaho, Maine, and Oregon allow local agencies to charge for rescues that involve recklessness.
These laws, along with similar bills in several states, generally target “risky adventure” during a state of emergency (e.g., kayaking during a flood). But some bills could also apply to residents who simply refuse to heed evacuation warnings that lead to dangerous and expensive rescues.
For example, two hikers in Orange County, California were recently rescued by helicopter after taking hallucinatory drugs and getting lost in a canyon. The rescue cost the local fire authority $55,000. A local legislator is now considering reviving an expired California statute that would charge individuals for extraordinary rescues due to reckless behavior. The expired law had a $12,000 cap, but under the revived version, there would be no such limit, so the state or local government could recoup the entire rescue cost.
These laws, along with similar bills in several states, generally target “risky adventure” during a state of emergency (e.g., kayaking during a flood). But some bills could also apply to residents who simply refuse to heed evacuation warnings that lead to dangerous and expensive rescues.
For example, two hikers in Orange County, California were recently rescued by helicopter after taking hallucinatory drugs and getting lost in a canyon. The rescue cost the local fire authority $55,000. A local legislator is now considering reviving an expired California statute that would charge individuals for extraordinary rescues due to reckless behavior. The expired law had a $12,000 cap, but under the revived version, there would be no such limit, so the state or local government could recoup the entire rescue cost.
August 15, 2013
Deal Reached on Student Loan Interest Rates
The Washington Post recently reported that a deal to scale back the recent doubling of federal interest rates for certain undergraduate loans was recently passed both houses of Congress and signed into law by President Obama. The agreement covers those loans plus other higher education loans by the federal government.
The deal ties the interest rate to the rate for 10-year Treasury notes plus a specified percentage that varies by loan type. For instance, according to the Post, the rate for subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans will be 2.05 percentage points higher than the Treasury rate. For unsubsidized graduate Stafford loans, the rate is 3.6 percentage points higher than the Treasury rate. For the PLUS loan, which is available to parents and graduate students, the rate is 4.6 percentage points higher than the Treasury rate. The rates are fixed for the period of the loan.
Under the new law, for the 2013-2014 academic year, loan rates will be set at 3.9% for undergraduates, 5.4% for graduate students, and 6.4% for PLUS loans. The interest rate for subsidized undergraduate loans doubled, from 3.4% to 6.8%, on July 1. The U.S. Department of Education will retroactively apply the lower interest rates to loans taken out since July 1.
The deal also establishes interest rate caps for each of the loans: 8.25% for undergraduates, 9.5% for graduates, and 10.5% for PLUS loans.
The deal ties the interest rate to the rate for 10-year Treasury notes plus a specified percentage that varies by loan type. For instance, according to the Post, the rate for subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans will be 2.05 percentage points higher than the Treasury rate. For unsubsidized graduate Stafford loans, the rate is 3.6 percentage points higher than the Treasury rate. For the PLUS loan, which is available to parents and graduate students, the rate is 4.6 percentage points higher than the Treasury rate. The rates are fixed for the period of the loan.
Under the new law, for the 2013-2014 academic year, loan rates will be set at 3.9% for undergraduates, 5.4% for graduate students, and 6.4% for PLUS loans. The interest rate for subsidized undergraduate loans doubled, from 3.4% to 6.8%, on July 1. The U.S. Department of Education will retroactively apply the lower interest rates to loans taken out since July 1.
The deal also establishes interest rate caps for each of the loans: 8.25% for undergraduates, 9.5% for graduates, and 10.5% for PLUS loans.
Consumer Recall Information Goes Mobile with Social Media
According to the Department of Consumer Protection, the national Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) now offers updates on social media. CPSC posts (1) recalls and news on its twitter feed (2) photos to help consumers identify recalled products on flickr, and (3) recall roundups of larger recalls on Google+.
In addition to social media, these recalls and safety reports are still available on www.saferproducts.gov and www.cpsc.gov/recalls.
In addition to social media, these recalls and safety reports are still available on www.saferproducts.gov and www.cpsc.gov/recalls.
August 14, 2013
The Political Geography of the Mortgage Interest Deduction
An earlier posting discussed how Alexander Hamilton saw the connection between politics and fiscal policy. Raising taxes to pay off the new nation’s war debt was certainly an option in 1789, when Treasury Secretary Hamilton tried his hand at fiscal policy. But he understood the paradox that option posed:
One deficit reduction option that wasn’t available to Hamilton was eliminating “tax expenditures,” tax revenue governments forgo when they allow taxpayers to deduct various expenses from the tax returns. But does Hamilton’s political logic apply to today’s tax expenditures, including the popular home mortgage interest deduction? A recent study by the Pew Charitable Trusts suggests that it might.
The study found that tax expenditures totaled about $1.1 trillion in FY 12, “rivaling the total federal discretionary spending that funds programs supporting activities ranging from national defense to education to highways.” The mortgage deduction alone that year ran about $72 million in forgone federal taxes. Is Congress ready to close this spigot?
The answer depends on whether Hamilton’s political logic holds up in a continental nation organized along federal lines. In her review of the Pew report, Stateline’s Pamela M. Prah noted how the mortgage deduction, “widely viewed as a tax break for a broad slice of middle-class America, benefits the residents of some states far more than others.” The geographic distribution is telling: “States with the highest claim rates were concentrated along the East Coast and in parts of the West; those with the lowest claim rates were mostly in the South, particularly in the band from Texas to Mississippi and stretching up to West Virginia…”
This deduction’s geographic distribution suggests Hamilton’s math gets a little more complicated, especially when Congress is part of the equation. Who said, “All politics is local”?
To extinguish a Debt which exists and to avoid contracting more are ideas always favored by public feeling and option, but to pay Taxes for one purpose or the other purpose, which are the only way of avoiding the evil, is always more or less unpopular.
One deficit reduction option that wasn’t available to Hamilton was eliminating “tax expenditures,” tax revenue governments forgo when they allow taxpayers to deduct various expenses from the tax returns. But does Hamilton’s political logic apply to today’s tax expenditures, including the popular home mortgage interest deduction? A recent study by the Pew Charitable Trusts suggests that it might. The study found that tax expenditures totaled about $1.1 trillion in FY 12, “rivaling the total federal discretionary spending that funds programs supporting activities ranging from national defense to education to highways.” The mortgage deduction alone that year ran about $72 million in forgone federal taxes. Is Congress ready to close this spigot?
The answer depends on whether Hamilton’s political logic holds up in a continental nation organized along federal lines. In her review of the Pew report, Stateline’s Pamela M. Prah noted how the mortgage deduction, “widely viewed as a tax break for a broad slice of middle-class America, benefits the residents of some states far more than others.” The geographic distribution is telling: “States with the highest claim rates were concentrated along the East Coast and in parts of the West; those with the lowest claim rates were mostly in the South, particularly in the band from Texas to Mississippi and stretching up to West Virginia…”
This deduction’s geographic distribution suggests Hamilton’s math gets a little more complicated, especially when Congress is part of the equation. Who said, “All politics is local”?
Hot Report: DCF Group Homes and "No-Nexus" Child Education Costs
OLR Report 2013-R-0318 answers four questions about DCF group homes and education costs. The questions are:
For answers to the other three questions, read the full report.
- how many Department of Children and Family (DCF) group homes there are in Connecticut,
- how many DCF group homes there are in Bristol and what is their capacity,
- what criteria DCF uses to place “no-nexus” students (students with no identifiable home school district) and
- who is responsible for paying such a child's special education costs.
According to DCF, there are currently 70 DCF group homes and 16 temporary shelters in Connecticut. DCF defines a group home as “a facility that meets long-term community-based placement needs during which the facility attempts to transition the child toward reunification with family, independent living or long-term foster care.” It defines a temporary shelter as “a facility that meets short-term emergency placement needs during which the facility attempts to stabilize, assess and prepare the child for a more permanent placement.”
For answers to the other three questions, read the full report.
Public Sector Retirement Reform: Budget Constraints Meet Changing Workforce Patterns
While 99% of full-time public sector employees have access to an employment-based retirement plan, budgetary pressures, evolving workforce demographics, and long-term finance and benefit trends have led many states and local governments to implement various reforms. A new joint report from the Rockefeller Institute of Government and TIAA-CREF gathers insights and actions from state and local officials and highlights issues associated with such reforms.
For example, pension plans can no longer be designed based on the premise that an employee will work for one employer his or her entire life. Also, pension reformers should look at individual defined benefit and defined contribution plan elements and consider hybrid arrangements of both plan designs that leverage complementary characteristics of each.
For example, pension plans can no longer be designed based on the premise that an employee will work for one employer his or her entire life. Also, pension reformers should look at individual defined benefit and defined contribution plan elements and consider hybrid arrangements of both plan designs that leverage complementary characteristics of each.
August 13, 2013
Congressional District Compactness
Governing Magazine recently posted data on its website that allows users to make state-by-state comparisons of congressional district compactness. Governing used data from Azavea, a geospatial software firm, that offers compactness measures based on four different methodologies. Azavea also identified the ten most gerrymandered districts nationwide.
Connecticut ranked between 11th and 18th in district compactness across the four methodologies.
Connecticut ranked between 11th and 18th in district compactness across the four methodologies.
Why do People Hate the Property Tax?
According to a recent study by economists at UT Austin and Stanford University, a major reason why voters hate property taxes is because the tax burden is obvious, easy to calculate, and hard to avoid.
Marika Cabral and Caroline Hoxby argue that the property tax’s “salience,” or visibility, helps explain its unpopularity, its decline as a share of GDP, and the prevalence of property tax revolts.
Traditionally, property owners have paid property taxes by writing one or at most a few checks a year to a local taxing authority. The payment amounts are typically so large that a household must either save in advance or increase their debt in order to write the check. Cabral and Hoxby argue that this process makes the property tax very salient and that this salience affects the political economy of the tax.
To test their hypothesis, Cabral and Hoxby examined taxpayers who pay their property taxes through tax escrow. Through survey evidence, they demonstrate that people with tax escrow are significantly less aware of the property taxes they pay. They also find that areas in which the property tax is less salient are areas where property taxes are higher and property tax revolts are less likely to occur.
Marika Cabral and Caroline Hoxby argue that the property tax’s “salience,” or visibility, helps explain its unpopularity, its decline as a share of GDP, and the prevalence of property tax revolts.
Traditionally, property owners have paid property taxes by writing one or at most a few checks a year to a local taxing authority. The payment amounts are typically so large that a household must either save in advance or increase their debt in order to write the check. Cabral and Hoxby argue that this process makes the property tax very salient and that this salience affects the political economy of the tax.
To test their hypothesis, Cabral and Hoxby examined taxpayers who pay their property taxes through tax escrow. Through survey evidence, they demonstrate that people with tax escrow are significantly less aware of the property taxes they pay. They also find that areas in which the property tax is less salient are areas where property taxes are higher and property tax revolts are less likely to occur.
August 12, 2013
Connecticut Receives Brownfields Grant Money
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that 41 U.S. communities are receiving approximately $15 million in total supplemental funding to help clean up and redevelop contaminated “brownfield” sites. Several Connecticut communities are included, receiving $1.25 million in total grant funding. Bridgeport and New Haven will each receive $350,000; Winchester will receive $200,000; and an economic development entity called Regional Economic Xcelleration (REX) Development, representing New Haven-area communities, will receive $350,000, according to the Hartford Business Journal.
Hot Report: Life Estates and Living Trusts
OLR Report 2013-R-0312 explains if there is a mechanism under Connecticut law that allows a person to sell his or her home to a relative but retain the right to live in it until death. The Office of Legislative Research is not authorized to issue legal opinions and this report should not be considered as one.
Under Connecticut law, a person can sell or otherwise transfer ownership of his or her home to a relative but retain a life estate, thus allowing the person to remain living in the property until death. A person can also create a living trust, transfer the home's ownership to the trust, but remain living in the home, and designate a relative as the beneficiary to take ownership upon the person's death. Both options avoid the probate process.
The report briefly summarizes the basic features of life estates and living trusts in the context of allowing a person to remain in their home after selling it to a relative. The report does not address related tax issues, which can be complex (especially regarding trusts).
For more information, read the full report.
Under Connecticut law, a person can sell or otherwise transfer ownership of his or her home to a relative but retain a life estate, thus allowing the person to remain living in the property until death. A person can also create a living trust, transfer the home's ownership to the trust, but remain living in the home, and designate a relative as the beneficiary to take ownership upon the person's death. Both options avoid the probate process.
The report briefly summarizes the basic features of life estates and living trusts in the context of allowing a person to remain in their home after selling it to a relative. The report does not address related tax issues, which can be complex (especially regarding trusts).
For more information, read the full report.
U.S. Life Expectancy Increases Three Years from 1990 to 2010
According to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, U.S. life expectancy at birth increased from 75.2 years in 1990 to 78.2 years in 2010. The study compares various health measures in the U.S. to the 33 other nations in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Some of the other findings include the following:
Some of the other findings include the following:
- In the U.S. in 2010, the ten diseases or injuries contributing to the largest number of years of life lost due to premature mortality (YLLs) were, in order: ischemic heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, road injury, self-harm, diabetes, cirrhosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and colorectal cancer (ischemic heart disease contributed to more YLLs than the next three conditions combined).
- From 1990 to 2010, healthy life expectancy at birth (HALE) in the U.S. increased from 65.8 to 68.1 years (HALE measures the number of years that a person at a given age can expect to live in good health, taking into account mortality and disability).
- Among the 34 OECD nations, U.S. life expectancy in 2010 ranked 27th, while its HALE ranked 26th. Japan ranked first in both categories (82.6 and 73.0, respectively).
August 9, 2013
Citi bike Proving to be a Success
According to a recent article by ABC News, New York City’s recently implemented bike sharing program is a success. The program, called Citi bike, allows for people to rent bicycles for a fixed period of time. Users (1) purchase an access pass that allows them to unlock a bike from a Citi bike station, (2) ride the bike for the duration allowed under the pass, and (3) return the bike to another station.
ABC News reported that since the program began (May 27) through early July, Citi bike has sold 75,500 daily passes and 9,000 weekly passes. It also has 54,000 annual members. Users of the bikes cite avoiding subway fees and being outside as some of the benefits to the program.
Other cities have experienced similar success with bike sharing programs. Washington, D.C. and Boston have had programs in place since 2008 and 2011, respectively. The article quotes the chief of staff for the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities as saying cities will offer bike sharing programs to remain competitive and provide their citizens with better service. Chicago and Houston also began bike sharing programs earlier this year and San Francisco, Phoenix, Philadelphia, and Portland will have programs in place by the end of 2014.
ABC News reported that since the program began (May 27) through early July, Citi bike has sold 75,500 daily passes and 9,000 weekly passes. It also has 54,000 annual members. Users of the bikes cite avoiding subway fees and being outside as some of the benefits to the program.
Other cities have experienced similar success with bike sharing programs. Washington, D.C. and Boston have had programs in place since 2008 and 2011, respectively. The article quotes the chief of staff for the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities as saying cities will offer bike sharing programs to remain competitive and provide their citizens with better service. Chicago and Houston also began bike sharing programs earlier this year and San Francisco, Phoenix, Philadelphia, and Portland will have programs in place by the end of 2014.
Dental Care Needs for Children on Medicaid Unmet
According to a recent report by the Pew Charitable Trusts, privately insured children are almost 30% more likely to go to the dentist than their publicly insured peers, even though low-income children are almost twice as likely as wealthier children to develop cavities.
The report also found that, in 2011:
The report also found that, in 2011:
- more than 14 million children on Medicaid nationwide did not receive dental services even though federal law requires Medicaid to provide dental benefits to enrolled children;
- in 22 states, less than half of children on Medicaid received dental care; and
- in Connecticut, more than one-third (35.6%) of children on Medicaid did not receive dental care.
The report attributes these numbers in part to the shortage of dentists who serve Medicaid patients. Dentists cite “low reimbursement rates” and “burdensome administrative procedures” among reasons for not participating in the program.
August 8, 2013
Prospects Somewhat Brighter for Class of 2013
Job prospects for the graduating class of 2013 are looking better than at any time since 2008, according to a NPR news report – and that goes for graduates from high school as well as community and four-year colleges.
NPR reports that companies plan to hire about 2.1% more college graduates from class of 2013, and will offer the graduates an overall starting salary of $44,928, or more than 5% more than they were offered in 2012.
NPR based the story on a spring survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
Despite the good news, job prospects greatly depend on which fields graduates enter. According to NACE, college graduates starting careers in the health sciences are being offered salaries 9.4% higher than they were in 2012. On the other hand, college graduates in the humanities and social sciences are receiving offers of only 1.9% more than last year.
NPR reports that companies plan to hire about 2.1% more college graduates from class of 2013, and will offer the graduates an overall starting salary of $44,928, or more than 5% more than they were offered in 2012.
NPR based the story on a spring survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
Despite the good news, job prospects greatly depend on which fields graduates enter. According to NACE, college graduates starting careers in the health sciences are being offered salaries 9.4% higher than they were in 2012. On the other hand, college graduates in the humanities and social sciences are receiving offers of only 1.9% more than last year.
Hot Reports: Acts Affecting ...
The Office of Legislative Research is in the process of completing reports that summarize acts passed in the regular session that affect various issue areas. The following reports are complete and available:
- Agriculture
- Businesses and Jobs
- Children
- Crime and Public Safety
- Energy and Utilities
- Environment
- Firefighters
- Health Professions
- Housing
- Insurance
- Municipalities
- People with Disabilities
- Real Estate
- Seniors
- Taxes
- Veterans and the Military
Television-Related Injuries to Children on the Rise
A study recently published in Pediatrics reveals a startling increase in the rate of U.S. children injured annually by televisions. The study found a 95% increase in the number of children under age 18 treated in emergency rooms for television-related injuries from 1990-2011 (380,885 total). Even more startling was the increase in the number of injuries (341% between 1995 and 2011) associated with a television falling from a dresser, bureau, chest of drawers, or armoire. The study found that of the number of children injured:
- 64.3% were under age three,
- 60.8% were boys,
- 36.7% suffered lacerations and 35.1% suffered soft tissue injuries,
- 52.5% were injured by a falling television and 38.1% were injured by striking a television, and
- 63.3% of injuries were to the head and neck region and 21.5% were to the lower extremities.
In a related Connecticut Post article, a federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) representative noted that the increase in flat screen TV popularity has led many families to move their old televisions to bedrooms and on top of unsteady pieces of furniture. The CPSC recommends anchoring such furniture to the wall or floor with brackets and anchoring televisions to sturdy surfaces.
August 7, 2013
School Residency and Larceny
A recent Hartford Courant article reported that a federal judge ruled against a grandmother seeking damages because her civil rights were violated when she was arrested for sending her grandchildren to a school in a town where they did not reside. The grandmother’s lawyer claimed that her equal protection rights were violated because she was singled out for the arrest. The school district argued that there was a “rational basis” for treating others who had committed the same offense differently. The grandmother may appeal the case, the lawyer stated.
Under a newly enacted Connecticut law taking effect October 1, 2013, such an offense will no longer constitute larceny (PA 13-211). By law, a person generally commits larceny when he or she wrongfully takes, obtains, or withholds, among other things, services from an owner. The new law excludes from the definition of “services” school accommodations school districts provide to (1) a child, (2) an emancipated minor, or (3) a student who is at least 18 years old and homeless. Thus, no one who wrongfully takes such services will be guilty of larceny under that law.
Under a newly enacted Connecticut law taking effect October 1, 2013, such an offense will no longer constitute larceny (PA 13-211). By law, a person generally commits larceny when he or she wrongfully takes, obtains, or withholds, among other things, services from an owner. The new law excludes from the definition of “services” school accommodations school districts provide to (1) a child, (2) an emancipated minor, or (3) a student who is at least 18 years old and homeless. Thus, no one who wrongfully takes such services will be guilty of larceny under that law.
SNAP And Medicaid for Low-Income Adult Caseloads Continue to Climb
The Department of Social Services (DSS) is reporting that in June 2013, caseloads for both the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps) and Medicaid for Low-Income Adults (LIA) (adults under age 65 without children) programs continue to rise, while the trend for other assistance programs went in the opposite direction.
The Active Assistance Units Report for June 2013 shows that last month:
The Active Assistance Units Report for June 2013 shows that last month:
- Over 220,000 families and over 400,000 state residents were receiving SNAP benefits, representing a 1% increase over the same period in 2012
- 91,000 individuals were enrolled in the Medicaid LIA program, representing a nearly 1% increase over the same period in 2012, yet Medicaid enrollment overall increased by only .2%
- Over 700,000 residents were receiving Medicaid
- Enrollment in the Temporary Family Assistance (time-limited cash assistance for families with children) program continued its downward trend
August 6, 2013
Capital Reserves at Largest U.S. Banks
A new Boston Federal Reserve Bank study examined how the capital reserves at 26 large U.S. financial institutions fared during the recent financial crises. Such reserves help ensure that the banking system has enough capital on hand to weather an economic crisis. Given their size, these institutions are more likely to affect that system during a crisis if they fail to maintain their reserve levels. The study found that the institutions experienced extensive, and often rapid, capital depletion during the crisis.
Since the crisis, governments have imposed many regulatory changes, and the authors cite the global efforts to increase capital requirements among the most significant. Based on the study’s findings, the authors conclude that the international capital standards adopted and proposed (known as Basel III) “do not appear excessive.” The authors believe their study shows the need for continued progress and consideration of additional options for capital requirements.
Since the crisis, governments have imposed many regulatory changes, and the authors cite the global efforts to increase capital requirements among the most significant. Based on the study’s findings, the authors conclude that the international capital standards adopted and proposed (known as Basel III) “do not appear excessive.” The authors believe their study shows the need for continued progress and consideration of additional options for capital requirements.
Hot Report: Comparison of Tax Rates in Connecticut and Massachusetts
OLR Report 2013-R-0301 compares tax rates in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
A table in the report compares tax rates in Connecticut and Massachusetts for the following taxes: personal income, sales and use, corporation income, business entity, insurance premium, real estate conveyance, estate, gift, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, tobacco products, and motor fuels. The table includes only the tax rate and basis for each tax. It does not include other provisions that could affect the amount of taxes an individual or business taxpayer must pay (e.g., exemptions, deductions, credits, and apportionment formulas).
For more information, read the full report.
A table in the report compares tax rates in Connecticut and Massachusetts for the following taxes: personal income, sales and use, corporation income, business entity, insurance premium, real estate conveyance, estate, gift, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, tobacco products, and motor fuels. The table includes only the tax rate and basis for each tax. It does not include other provisions that could affect the amount of taxes an individual or business taxpayer must pay (e.g., exemptions, deductions, credits, and apportionment formulas).
For more information, read the full report.
Expanded Economic Development Assistance for Veterans
New laws provide more economic development aid for veterans. PA 13-247 (§ 134) requires the Economic and Community Development Department to establish and maintain a registry of small business veterans own and control.
PA 13-63 opens the Veterans Subsidized Training and Employment Program to employers hiring any honorably discharged U.S. armed forces members who served for at least 90 days, regardless of whether that time was spent in combat. The program is run by the Labor Department.
PA 13-63 opens the Veterans Subsidized Training and Employment Program to employers hiring any honorably discharged U.S. armed forces members who served for at least 90 days, regardless of whether that time was spent in combat. The program is run by the Labor Department.
August 5, 2013
Medicare Links Physician Payments to Quality of Care
According to a recent Kaiser Health News article, Medicare will soon link physicians’ payments to the quality of care they provide. The federal Affordable Care Act requires large physician groups (those with 100 or more health professionals) to receive performance-based bonuses or penalties no later than 2015. All Medicare-certified physicians will be phased into the program by 2017.
The new performance-based program is an attempt to shift Medicare away from its traditional fee-for-service system, in which physicians are paid based on the services they provide, irrespective of their performance. Proponents believe that the current system incentivizes physicians to perform more procedures, escalating health care costs.
Opponents, including several major physicians’ groups such as the American Medical Association (AMA), are urging Congress to eliminate the program. Click here for a letter the AMA wrote to the House Ways and Means Committee in April.
According to the article, Medicare officials will calculate the bonuses and penalties based on quality measures that vary across specialties as well as each physician’s average patient costs. Initially, physicians will be able to choose which Medicare performance measures they want to be assessed by. According to draft Medicare regulations, large physician groups will gain or lose up to 1% of their pay in 2015, and up to 2% in 2016.
The new performance-based program is an attempt to shift Medicare away from its traditional fee-for-service system, in which physicians are paid based on the services they provide, irrespective of their performance. Proponents believe that the current system incentivizes physicians to perform more procedures, escalating health care costs.
Opponents, including several major physicians’ groups such as the American Medical Association (AMA), are urging Congress to eliminate the program. Click here for a letter the AMA wrote to the House Ways and Means Committee in April.
According to the article, Medicare officials will calculate the bonuses and penalties based on quality measures that vary across specialties as well as each physician’s average patient costs. Initially, physicians will be able to choose which Medicare performance measures they want to be assessed by. According to draft Medicare regulations, large physician groups will gain or lose up to 1% of their pay in 2015, and up to 2% in 2016.
CT Ranks 7th in Internet Speed
According to Statetechmagazine.com, Connecticut ranks 7th in the nation for internet connectivity speed. With an average speed of 9.10 megabits per second (Mbps), the state placed ahead of its northeastern neighbors New York (8.25 Mbps), Pennsylvania (8.07 Mbps), and New Jersey (7.79 Mbps). However, among the New England states, only Maine (6.84 Mbps) had slower speeds. New Hampshire (10.41 Mbps), Vermont (10.38 Mbps), Rhode Island (9.13), and Massachusetts (9.12) occupy the four rankings directly ahead of Connecticut, giving New England five of the top seven rankings. Delaware (10.88 Mbps) and the District of Columbia (10.75 Mbps) top the list, while Alabama and Arkansas (3.74) tied for the slowest internet in the country.
August 2, 2013
Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage Declines in Connecticut and the U.S.
Earlier this year, the Hartford Courant reported that, as in most of the United States, employer-sponsored health care coverage has declined in Connecticut. In 2011, about 136,000 fewer Connecticut residents had health coverage through their workplace than in 2000, according to a report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In 2011, 70.9% of Connecticut residents had health insurance through their employer, compared to 79% in 2000. Nationally, the proportion of people with employer-sponsored insurance fell even more, by more than 10 percentage points. Among the reasons the article offers for Connecticut’s decline are the recession and the growth in Medicaid enrollment.
On average, from 2000 to 2011, premiums for individuals in Connecticut with employer-sponsored health insurance increased from $2,871 to $5,447; premiums for families increased from $7,125 to $15,577.
On average, from 2000 to 2011, premiums for individuals in Connecticut with employer-sponsored health insurance increased from $2,871 to $5,447; premiums for families increased from $7,125 to $15,577.
Hot Report: Pet Shops and Imported Animals
OLR Report 2013-R-0275 answers a number of questions about pet stores and imported animals. These questions include:
- What are animal importers and what requirements does the law place on them?
- Does the state record the number of dogs and cats that animal importers bring into the state for sale to pet shops? If so, what information must the state record, and how many dogs were imported for sale to pet shops in Connecticut from 2010 to 2013?
- Does DoAG collect and retain records on out-of-state breeders from which pet shops purchase dogs or cats?
- Does DoAG advertise (e.g., with public service announcements) that the public can file a complaint concerning pet shops with the department?
- How often does DoAG inspect pet shops and what records does it review?
- Are pet shops required to take dogs and cats to a veterinarian within a certain period of time after their arrival at the shop?
- What is the state's pet lemon law, and does it require pet shops to report to DoAG the number of dogs returned to them due to illness or the reimbursement they have paid out for veterinarian bills?
Federal Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) to Connecticut
A new report from the U.S. Department of Justice describes the complicated formula used to distribute $278.4 million in federal “JAG” or “Byrne” grants in fiscal year 2013. These grants go to state and local governments for their criminal justice agencies. In total, Connecticut state and local governments received $3,027,995. Not surprisingly, the largest grant allocations went to California, Texas, Florida, and New York.
To find out more about the allocation process and how Connecticut compared to other states, see the report, Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, 2013.
To find out more about the allocation process and how Connecticut compared to other states, see the report, Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, 2013.
August 1, 2013
Can Marijuana Crops Harm the Environment?
According to a New York Times article from earlier this summer, the answer is “yes.” The article highlights several ways in which marijuana growers in Northern California are negatively impacting the environment. Growers are:
- using poisons, such as d-Con, to protect their plants in the deep woods, which is harming wildlife (poisons have been detected in spotted owls and the Pacific fisher);
- leveling hilltops for crop fields, which is causing landslides on erosion-prone mountains and clogging streams with dislodged soil; and
- diverting water from streams, which is depleting the salmon and other water populations.
The negative environmental impacts are difficult to address, in part, because the crop’s legal status is not clear: it is approved by California for medical use but is illegal under federal law. Thus, local governments are apprehensive about establishing permit systems for the crop. But, according to the article, the worst damage occurs on public lands with illegal operations run by drug cartels.
High Tech Guns That Can be Disabled Remotely
Private industry continues to experiment with “smart gun” technologies. According to an AP news report, Yardarm Technologies recently introduced a new system that would allow a gun owner to know when his or her gun was being moved by sending an alert message to the owner’s cell phone. The owner could then disable the gun remotely.
The technology, but not an actual gun, was recently demonstrated at a wireless technology conference. The system requires attaching a microchip to the gun’s body and winding antennas around the grip. It would increase the cost of a gun by $50 and require a $12 a year service fee.
The technology, but not an actual gun, was recently demonstrated at a wireless technology conference. The system requires attaching a microchip to the gun’s body and winding antennas around the grip. It would increase the cost of a gun by $50 and require a $12 a year service fee.
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