According to a recent study from the National Bureau of Economic Research, when educators text tips to parents, preschoolers benefit. As reported in the New York Times, “[t]he research…found that preschoolers whose parents received text messages with brief tips on reading to their children or helping them sound out letters and words performed better on literacy tests than children whose parents did not receive such messages.”
Over the course of eight months, the researchers sent text messages to 440 participating families with preschoolers. Half of the parents received texts three times a week with specific suggestions such as “Let your child hold the book. Ask what it is about.” The other half only received one text every two weeks with general information about vaccinations or kindergarten enrollment. When tested for letter and sound recognition, the children whose parents received the more frequent, specific texts performed at a level two to three months ahead of those whose parents received the general, biweekly texts.
The Times article notes that the cost for the program was less than $1 per child since most parents’ phone plans include unlimited text messages. For more information, click here to read the full study (subscription required).
January 7, 2015
January 6, 2015
New Report: Requirements for English Language Learners in Several States
OLR Report 2014-R-0292 summarizes Connecticut and federal education requirements for public school students whose first language is not English (a.k.a. English language learners (ELLs)) and compares those with a sample of states with significant ELL populations.
Connecticut’s law requires eligible ELL students to receive up to 30 months of bilingual education if they are in a school with at least 20 students who speak the same non-English native language and need assistance learning English. Once the 30 months ends, the district must provide language transition support services to the students if they do not meet the English language mastery standard. These services could include English as a second language (ESL) programs, sheltered English programs, English immersion programs, tutoring and homework assistance, or other programs taught in English.
Like Connecticut, New York law requires bilingual education programs, but California and Massachusetts have each passed ballot measures that removed the bilingual education requirement. These two states instead require English immersion, another approach for ELL students.
Click here to read the full report.
Connecticut’s law requires eligible ELL students to receive up to 30 months of bilingual education if they are in a school with at least 20 students who speak the same non-English native language and need assistance learning English. Once the 30 months ends, the district must provide language transition support services to the students if they do not meet the English language mastery standard. These services could include English as a second language (ESL) programs, sheltered English programs, English immersion programs, tutoring and homework assistance, or other programs taught in English.
Like Connecticut, New York law requires bilingual education programs, but California and Massachusetts have each passed ballot measures that removed the bilingual education requirement. These two states instead require English immersion, another approach for ELL students.
Click here to read the full report.
Growing Berries Year-Round in Connecticut?
That is the hope among some Connecticut farmers. For most of the year, strawberries are shipped to Connecticut from California, Florida, Mexico, and South America. But what if berries could be grown in-state year-round?
According to Fox Business, Agrivolution LLC, a New Haven company, has received a $73,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assess the feasibility of year-round, indoor farming in Connecticut. The money will be used to research if hydroponics can work here. (Hydroponics is a method of growing plants in water without soil.) In addition to potentially expanding farming operations, there may be economic development opportunities for state manufacturers to produce indoor farming equipment. But a possible snag in the growth of indoor farming is the high cost of energy in the state. So the grant recipient also will be working with fuel cell companies to try to reduce energy costs.
According to Fox Business, Agrivolution LLC, a New Haven company, has received a $73,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assess the feasibility of year-round, indoor farming in Connecticut. The money will be used to research if hydroponics can work here. (Hydroponics is a method of growing plants in water without soil.) In addition to potentially expanding farming operations, there may be economic development opportunities for state manufacturers to produce indoor farming equipment. But a possible snag in the growth of indoor farming is the high cost of energy in the state. So the grant recipient also will be working with fuel cell companies to try to reduce energy costs.
January 5, 2015
Tips for Hiring Roof Snow Removal Contractors
Winter officially began on December 21 and snow accumulation has been light thus far. But if the storm events of recent years are any harbinger, we should expect to be shoveling driveways and clearing off roofs and vehicles soon.
The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) provides guidelines for consumers to consider when hiring someone to clear home roofs. Specifically, DCP recommends:
The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) provides guidelines for consumers to consider when hiring someone to clear home roofs. Specifically, DCP recommends:
- checking references and obtaining written estimates from contractors who go door-to-door; call; or post notices on bulletin boards, utility poles, or online;
- using a registered home improvement contractor who specializes in roofing to evaluate the roof; and
- ensuring the company or person performing the work has liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance, if applicable.
DCP cautions consumers that the cost of clearing a roof may vary depending on the nature of the roof, but the price should be reasonable based on the (1) roof’s size, (2) time needed to remove the snow, and (3) hourly rates for comparable home improvement work under normal circumstances. It also cautions homeowners and contractors of the need for care to avoid above-ground wires.
January 2, 2015
Paid Sick Leave Becomes Law in the Bay State
And then there were three. With November’s elections, Massachusetts has joined California and Connecticut as the only states that require private employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave.
In Massachusetts, voters approved a ballot measure that requires all private employers with 11 or more employees to provide their employees with up to 40 hours of leave per calendar year, reports the Massachusetts & Connecticut Employment Law Blog. According to the blog, “employers with fewer than 11 employees will be required to provide, at minimum, unpaid sick leave to their employees.” The new law takes effect July 1, 2015, and the blog advises employers to revise their policies in order to comply.
Employees will accrue at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked up to a maximum of 40 hours a year. According to the blog, “employees who are exempt from overtime are assumed to work 40 hours a week unless their normal workweek is less than 40 hours.”
Overall the efforts on paid sick leave across the country vary considerably. While USA Today notes a number of cities have passed ordinances requiring leave, at least two states, Florida and Wisconsin, have prohibited municipalities from enacting their own laws in order to avoid a patchwork of policies across a state.
In Massachusetts, voters approved a ballot measure that requires all private employers with 11 or more employees to provide their employees with up to 40 hours of leave per calendar year, reports the Massachusetts & Connecticut Employment Law Blog. According to the blog, “employers with fewer than 11 employees will be required to provide, at minimum, unpaid sick leave to their employees.” The new law takes effect July 1, 2015, and the blog advises employers to revise their policies in order to comply.
Employees will accrue at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked up to a maximum of 40 hours a year. According to the blog, “employees who are exempt from overtime are assumed to work 40 hours a week unless their normal workweek is less than 40 hours.”
Overall the efforts on paid sick leave across the country vary considerably. While USA Today notes a number of cities have passed ordinances requiring leave, at least two states, Florida and Wisconsin, have prohibited municipalities from enacting their own laws in order to avoid a patchwork of policies across a state.
Calculating College Living Expenses
The Chronicle of Higher Education examined the results of two recent College Board reports, “Trends in College Pricing” and “Trends in Student Aid.” These reports found that the average list price of tuition and fees for in-state students at public, four-year colleges in 2014-15 ($9,139) is surpassed by room and board charges for the same students ($9,804). The Chronicle explored whether and how cost of living should be calculated as part of the price of college.
When colleges and universities calculate the estimated cost of attendance, they add tuition, fees, room, board, and books, among other things. This calculation is important because it’s used to determine (1) a student’s financial need and (2) a college’s net price, as defined by the federal government.
The Chronicle explores how institutions are free to make choices when adding up estimated attendance costs (i.e., calculating transportation by bus pass versus car maintenance), as well as how institutions located in the same city vary greatly in their estimates for housing and food, especially for off-campus students. Such freedoms and variations raise questions about whether students and their families can rely upon an institution’s estimation of living expenses when making consumer-driven choices.
The full article can be read here.
When colleges and universities calculate the estimated cost of attendance, they add tuition, fees, room, board, and books, among other things. This calculation is important because it’s used to determine (1) a student’s financial need and (2) a college’s net price, as defined by the federal government.
The Chronicle explores how institutions are free to make choices when adding up estimated attendance costs (i.e., calculating transportation by bus pass versus car maintenance), as well as how institutions located in the same city vary greatly in their estimates for housing and food, especially for off-campus students. Such freedoms and variations raise questions about whether students and their families can rely upon an institution’s estimation of living expenses when making consumer-driven choices.
The full article can be read here.
December 31, 2014
Fraud and Abuse in Online Payday Lending
Payday loans are short-term loans that are typically repayable by the borrower’s next pay check. In-store loans account for the majority of the payday lending market. However, online payday lending has grown substantially over recent years.
The Pew Charitable Trusts recently released the fourth report in their Payday Lending in America series. This report focuses on the issues specific to online payday lending and finds that some of the internet-based practices have detrimental effects on consumers. Some of the report’s key findings include the following:
Click here to read the full report.
The Pew Charitable Trusts recently released the fourth report in their Payday Lending in America series. This report focuses on the issues specific to online payday lending and finds that some of the internet-based practices have detrimental effects on consumers. Some of the report’s key findings include the following:
- one in three online loans automatically renews, resulting in long-term indebtedness;
- “30% of online payday loan borrowers report being threatened by a lender or debt collector”;
- borrowers report aggressive practices such as unauthorized withdrawals from bank accounts (46% of online borrowers reported that lenders made withdrawals that overdrew their checking accounts, twice the rate of in-store borrowers);
- “[n]ine in 10 payday loan complaints to the Better Business Bureau are made against online lenders, although online loans account for only one-third of the market”; and
- online payday loans usually cost more than store loans because defaults are more common in online lending.
Click here to read the full report.
California Enacts Insurance Requirements for Uber, Lyft
California law makers enacted, and the governor signed on September 17, 2014, a new law that sets insurance requirements for transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft. Assembly Bill 2293, which becomes operative on July 1, 2015, “requires TNCs to provide insurance coverage or make sure their drivers have coverage during all times the TNC application is on,” according to California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. Under the new law, TNCs or their drivers must maintain $1 million primary insurance coverage from the time the driver accepts a passenger until the time the passenger exits the car. The insurance must cover a minimum of $50,000 for injury to one person, $100,000 for injury to multiple people, and $30,000 for property damage. The California Department of Insurance recently announced it is ready to begin reviewing auto insurers’ policies to be offered to TNCs.
December 30, 2014
Stop & “Shop” For Behavioral Health
According to a recent New Haven Independent article, the Stop & Shop on Whalley Avenue in New Haven established the nation’s first community behavioral health “help desk” located in a grocery store. In addition to groceries, shoppers can also pick up free information on a variety of behavioral health services, such as stress reduction techniques and tips for improving communication between parents and children.
The helpdesk is one of 12 “hubs” (or “solution centers”) the MOMs Partnership plans to set up throughout the city. The partnership is a Yale School of Medicine program that works to provide supports and resources for mothers and their families to help reduce stress and increase their overall health and wellness. Hubs will be staffed by “Community Mental Health Ambassadors,” New Haven mothers who serve as liaisons between families and behavioral health resources.
The project was primarily funded from the Hurricane Sandy Supplemental Social Services Block grant to address behavioral health needs of those affected by the storm.
The helpdesk is one of 12 “hubs” (or “solution centers”) the MOMs Partnership plans to set up throughout the city. The partnership is a Yale School of Medicine program that works to provide supports and resources for mothers and their families to help reduce stress and increase their overall health and wellness. Hubs will be staffed by “Community Mental Health Ambassadors,” New Haven mothers who serve as liaisons between families and behavioral health resources.
The project was primarily funded from the Hurricane Sandy Supplemental Social Services Block grant to address behavioral health needs of those affected by the storm.
New Report: Bitcoins
OLR Report 2014-R-0290 describes the use of bitcoins as virtual currency, the laws that govern it, and other states' attempts to regulate it.
“Bitcoin” is a form of virtual or digital currency, that allows financial transactions to be conducted on a network using computer codes. It is a form of exchange that operates like a currency but does not have all the attributes of real currency.
There are no federal or state laws that specifically govern bitcoins. However, many existing laws apply to certain virtual currency activities.
Two states, California and New York, have attempted to regulate the use of virtual currencies. The regulation of virtual currencies has implications for many areas of law, including financial crimes, taxation, labor, campaign finance, and cyber security.
Click here to read the full report.
“Bitcoin” is a form of virtual or digital currency, that allows financial transactions to be conducted on a network using computer codes. It is a form of exchange that operates like a currency but does not have all the attributes of real currency.
There are no federal or state laws that specifically govern bitcoins. However, many existing laws apply to certain virtual currency activities.
Two states, California and New York, have attempted to regulate the use of virtual currencies. The regulation of virtual currencies has implications for many areas of law, including financial crimes, taxation, labor, campaign finance, and cyber security.
Click here to read the full report.
Walkable Communities Can Stave Off Cognitive Decline
A recent University of Kansas study found that walkable communities keep older adults’ cognition sharp. And, contrary to popular belief, complex neighborhood layouts do not necessarily confuse older residents — instead they appear to protect cognitive performance over time.
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| Image Source: i.tokaris via Flickr |
Watts thinks that planners and architects could benefit from these findings. She notes that “[f]eatures of a neighborhood that encourage walking for transportation require having someplace worth walking to, like neighbors’ houses, stores and parks…[f]or older adults, safety is a key issue in walkability…That includes things like traffic lights that give ample time to cross, sidewalks that are in good repair, and benches to stop and rest.”
December 29, 2014
Has The World Wide Web Become The Wild Wild Web?
Today’s world is more interconnected than ever before. But increased connectivity has increased risk of theft, fraud, and abuse. As people become more reliant on modern technology, they also become more vulnerable to cyber attacks, as criminals exploit the speed, convenience, and anonymity of the Internet.
In a report released earlier this year, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, estimated that cybercrime costs the global economy more than $45 billion annually, with the more advanced economies, such as the United States, Germany, and China bearing the brunt of the cost.
According to a recent report from Rand Corporation, a nonprofit think tank, “today, malicious hackers have the upper hand. The maturation of cybercrime markets threatens individuals, businesses, law enforcement agencies, national governments, and military services around the world. The deleterious effects on cybersecurity suggest the need for coordinated efforts across the private and public sectors, nationally and internationally, to suppress the black market activity.” The report identifies several strategies to fight cybercrime. Click here to learn about these strategies and read the full report.
In a report released earlier this year, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, estimated that cybercrime costs the global economy more than $45 billion annually, with the more advanced economies, such as the United States, Germany, and China bearing the brunt of the cost.
According to a recent report from Rand Corporation, a nonprofit think tank, “today, malicious hackers have the upper hand. The maturation of cybercrime markets threatens individuals, businesses, law enforcement agencies, national governments, and military services around the world. The deleterious effects on cybersecurity suggest the need for coordinated efforts across the private and public sectors, nationally and internationally, to suppress the black market activity.” The report identifies several strategies to fight cybercrime. Click here to learn about these strategies and read the full report.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data for 2013 Released
Power plants in Connecticut emitted 6.8 million tons of greenhouse gas in 2013, according to data recently released by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). The data includes reports from 19 power plants in Connecticut. The data also includes greenhouse gases from other sources such as petroleum and natural gas systems, refineries, and other facilities. Last year, 20 Connecticut power plants submitted data and emitted a total of 6.6 million tons of greenhouse gas.
Nationwide, over 8,000 facilities reported to GHGRP, including 1,572 power plants. Power plant emissions have generally decreased over the past three years from 2.2 billion tons in 2011 to 2.1 billion tons in 2013.
Highlights of the GHGRP report are available here. For more on greenhouse gases and their relationship to climate change, see OLR Report 2013-R-0388.
Nationwide, over 8,000 facilities reported to GHGRP, including 1,572 power plants. Power plant emissions have generally decreased over the past three years from 2.2 billion tons in 2011 to 2.1 billion tons in 2013.
Highlights of the GHGRP report are available here. For more on greenhouse gases and their relationship to climate change, see OLR Report 2013-R-0388.
December 26, 2014
Some Cities Look to Build Apps for City Taxis in Response to Uber’s Popularity
The New York Times recently reported that officials in Chicago and New York have introduced proposals to design mobile smartphone applications that would allow users to hail cabs from their smartphones and other devices. These efforts are in response to the increasing popularity of ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft, which allow users to request a ride from an app on their smartphones. In Chicago, efforts to create a mobile application come along with a package of reforms to modernize its taxi industry, which modifies driver lease rates and other regulations.
Uber and companies like it have created controversy since they began approximately five years ago. Taxi and limousine services believe companies like Uber are operating outside of the regulatory scheme and have an unfair advantage; many other officials question the services’ safety, because the drivers who provide the rides are not company employees (although they are background checked) and use their personal vehicles to give rides. As many states and cities look to regulate Uber and other services, they may also look to modernize existing taxi services, because the popularity of Uber makes it clear that many people favor a convenient, high-tech solution for their transportation needs.
Uber and companies like it have created controversy since they began approximately five years ago. Taxi and limousine services believe companies like Uber are operating outside of the regulatory scheme and have an unfair advantage; many other officials question the services’ safety, because the drivers who provide the rides are not company employees (although they are background checked) and use their personal vehicles to give rides. As many states and cities look to regulate Uber and other services, they may also look to modernize existing taxi services, because the popularity of Uber makes it clear that many people favor a convenient, high-tech solution for their transportation needs.
Maryland Legislative Report Ignites Film Tax Credit Debate
A recent Maryland Legislative Services Department report evaluating the economic benefits of the state’s film tax credit ignited a debate about whether the state gets anything in return from credits. “The economic development activity generated by the film production credit is of short duration,” the report found. “As soon as a film production ends, all positive economic impacts ceased.” Consequently, the report recommends letting the program credit expire on its July 1, 2016 sunset date.Maryland awarded $62.5 million in credits in FY 12-16, and although they “comprise a small percentage of the total income tax revenue, the number and amount of credits claimed significantly increased over time.”
The report was triggered by a 2012 law requiring the legislature to evaluate certain tax credits. The authors presented their findings to legislators at a December 2 public hearing, during which film industry representatives criticized the report’s conclusions, claiming the legislative analysts “don’t understand how the [film] industry works” and fail to understand “the indirect effect of having a major production in town,” according to a Washington Post article.
Department of Business and Economic Development Assistant Secretary Hannah Byron said the program was modest, focused on tourism, film, and the arts, according to the article. “We’re not looking to be Hollywood of the East. We’re not looking to be California or New York. We’re looking to just keep the infrastructure and keep the jobs and keep what we have.”
The Maryland debate suggests that the tax credit debate is as much about what to expect from economic development programs and when to expect those things as it is about measuring the programs’ results.
December 24, 2014
Secretary of the State Releases Turnout Statistics
Slightly fewer than 56% of Connecticut’s registered voters cast ballots in the November election. That’s according to turnout statistics recently released by the Office of the Secretary of the State (SOTS). Statewide, 1,096,509 of the state’s 1,973,332 (55.57%) registered voters cast ballots. Cornwall led the way at 74.77% and was one of nine municipalities to exceed 70% turnout. Conversely, five municipalities fell short of 40% turnout, with Hartford’s 32.18% rate being the lowest.
The 2014 election was also the first statewide election in which people could register to vote and cast a ballot on Election Day (i.e., Election Day Registration (EDR)). According to SOTS, 13,995 voters cast ballots through EDR, which represents 1.3% of votes cast in 2014. New Haven led all municipalities with 616 EDR ballots.
SOTS provides more information and data on each town’s voter here.
The 2014 election was also the first statewide election in which people could register to vote and cast a ballot on Election Day (i.e., Election Day Registration (EDR)). According to SOTS, 13,995 voters cast ballots through EDR, which represents 1.3% of votes cast in 2014. New Haven led all municipalities with 616 EDR ballots.
SOTS provides more information and data on each town’s voter here.
Santa on Your Dollar Bill?
Until the U.S. Treasury took over responsibility for printing paper money in 1861, banks across the country issued their own bank notes. These notes varied widely in color and design. During the holidays, some even issued notes with pictures of Santa Claus!
These notes lost their value and became collectibles after the treasury started printing money. A blog from the New York Federal Reserve explains this piece of America’s banking history and has pictures of notes featuring Santa Claus.
Click here to read the full story and see the festive notes.
These notes lost their value and became collectibles after the treasury started printing money. A blog from the New York Federal Reserve explains this piece of America’s banking history and has pictures of notes featuring Santa Claus.
Click here to read the full story and see the festive notes.
December 23, 2014
OLR Backgrounder: Autonomous Vehicles
Although autonomous vehicles (AVs) may seem futuristic, the reality is that the technology that makes it possible for vehicles to operate without a driver is very close to maturity and commercial introduction. Every major automaker is engaged in research in this area and AVs are predicted to be commercially available in five to 20 years.
A new OLR report provides answers to several questions about AVs, which are generally defined as vehicles with the capacity to self-drive without being actively controlled or monitored by a human operator.
Click here to read the full report.
A new OLR report provides answers to several questions about AVs, which are generally defined as vehicles with the capacity to self-drive without being actively controlled or monitored by a human operator.
Click here to read the full report.
Justice Department Issues New Guidance Barring Racial Profiling by Federal Agents
Since 2003, the federal government has banned profiling on the basis of race or ethnicity, with an exception for national security investigations. A new policy, released this month, also bars profiling on the basis of religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The policy applies to federal law enforcement officers performing federal law enforcement activities, including national security and intelligence work. It does not apply to (1) federal non-law enforcement personnel, such as the U.S. military, intelligence, or diplomatic personnel, and their activities; (2) interdiction activities near the border or to protective, inspection, or screening activities; or (3) state or local law enforcement officers, except when they are participating on federal law enforcement task forces.
Click here for the complete text of the policy.
Click here for the complete text of the policy.
December 22, 2014
Christmas Tree Production in the United States
According to a recent Hartford Courant article, in 2009 Connecticut produced the third-highest number of Christmas trees in New England – 101,000. Vermont and Maine produced more trees, cutting 121,000 and 124,000 respectively.
The largest Christmas tree producing states aren’t in New England, though. That same year, Oregon produced close to five million trees and North Carolina cut more than 2.8 million trees.
The National Christmas Tree Association reports that there are between 25 and 30 million real Christmas trees sold each year in the United States. The most common Christmas tree species are balsam fir, Douglas fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine, and white pine.
The largest Christmas tree producing states aren’t in New England, though. That same year, Oregon produced close to five million trees and North Carolina cut more than 2.8 million trees.
The National Christmas Tree Association reports that there are between 25 and 30 million real Christmas trees sold each year in the United States. The most common Christmas tree species are balsam fir, Douglas fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine, and white pine.
Hot Report: 2015 Major Issues
The Office of Legislative Research (OLR) has released Major Issues for 2015.
Every year, legislative leaders ask OLR to identify and provide brief descriptions of important issues that the General Assembly may face in the coming session.
The report represents the professional, nonpartisan views of staff in OLR, the Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA), and the Legislative Commissioners’ Office (LCO) regarding possible upcoming legislative issues. It does not represent staff suggestions or recommendations. The office identified issues based on interim studies; research requests; non-confidential discussions with legislators, other legislative participants, and executive branch agencies; and our general subject matter knowledge.
The report lists the issues according to the committee in whose jurisdiction they primarily fall. Since more than one committee may consider aspects of the same issue, descriptions may overlap. Where appropriate, it provides links to OLR Reports and other online documents that contain additional information about particular issues.
Click here to read the full report.
Every year, legislative leaders ask OLR to identify and provide brief descriptions of important issues that the General Assembly may face in the coming session.
The report represents the professional, nonpartisan views of staff in OLR, the Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA), and the Legislative Commissioners’ Office (LCO) regarding possible upcoming legislative issues. It does not represent staff suggestions or recommendations. The office identified issues based on interim studies; research requests; non-confidential discussions with legislators, other legislative participants, and executive branch agencies; and our general subject matter knowledge.
The report lists the issues according to the committee in whose jurisdiction they primarily fall. Since more than one committee may consider aspects of the same issue, descriptions may overlap. Where appropriate, it provides links to OLR Reports and other online documents that contain additional information about particular issues.
Click here to read the full report.
December 19, 2014
Medicaid Providers Face Pay Cut for Primary Care Services
The Urban Institute, a nonpartisan think tank that researches and analyzes U.S. social and economic issues, recently released a report detailing the impending decrease in Medicaid physician fees. As the report explains, “because of long-standing concerns about the level of physician reimbursement in the Medicaid program and its effect on physicians’ willingness to accept Medicaid patients, the [Affordable Care Act included] a mandatory two-year increase in Medicaid fees for primary care services.” That increase is set to expire in 2015. The federal government covered the full cost of the increase from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2014.
The expected fee decrease for ACA primary care services in 2015 varies from state to state; Rhode Island physicians face the most dramatic drop (67.3%). Connecticut provider fees would drop 21.8% in 2015, but according to the report, Connecticut is among fifteen states currently planning to extend the fee increase through 2015. These states cover 15.6% of Medicaid enrollees, while the 23 states that do not plan to extend the increase cover 71.3% of enrollees. (Some states are still undecided.)
The report also notes that it is unclear if the fee increase has led to an increase in the number of providers who accept Medicaid. According to a related Washington Post article, in Connecticut, the number of Medicaid primary care doctors increased by close to 900 in 2013 (from 2,370 in January 2013 to 3,256 in December).
The expected fee decrease for ACA primary care services in 2015 varies from state to state; Rhode Island physicians face the most dramatic drop (67.3%). Connecticut provider fees would drop 21.8% in 2015, but according to the report, Connecticut is among fifteen states currently planning to extend the fee increase through 2015. These states cover 15.6% of Medicaid enrollees, while the 23 states that do not plan to extend the increase cover 71.3% of enrollees. (Some states are still undecided.)
The report also notes that it is unclear if the fee increase has led to an increase in the number of providers who accept Medicaid. According to a related Washington Post article, in Connecticut, the number of Medicaid primary care doctors increased by close to 900 in 2013 (from 2,370 in January 2013 to 3,256 in December).
CDC Finds Most Excessive Drinkers are Not Alcohol Dependent
According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 90% of excessive drinkers are not alcohol dependent.
The study was based on surveys of over 138,000 adults across the country. The study defined excessive drinking as any of the following within the prior 30 days:
The study notes that “even among those who reported binge drinking 10 or more times in the past month, more than two-thirds did not meet diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence according to their responses to the survey.”
For more information, read the full report.
The study was based on surveys of over 138,000 adults across the country. The study defined excessive drinking as any of the following within the prior 30 days:
- binge drinking—i.e., having at least five drinks (for men) or four drinks (for women) on the same occasion at least once;
- heavy drinking—i.e., having at least 15 drinks per week (for men) or 8 drinks per week (for women);
- any drinking by respondents aged 18 to 20, if not included in another drinking category; or
- any alcohol consumption by pregnant women.
The study notes that “even among those who reported binge drinking 10 or more times in the past month, more than two-thirds did not meet diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence according to their responses to the survey.”
For more information, read the full report.
December 18, 2014
The U.S. Supreme Court’s Next Juvenile Sentencing Case
In recent years, the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a number of rulings on the constitutionality of sentences for juvenile offenders. Most recently, in 2012, the Court ruled that the Eighth Amendment prohibits automatically imposing a sentence of life without parole on offenders who committed homicides while under age 18. While the Court did not prohibit these sentences in all circumstances, it required courts to consider how juveniles are different from adults and how that counsels against a life sentence without parole (Miller v. Alabama, 132 S.Ct. 2455).
In Miller, the Court did not say whether its ruling applied retroactively to inmates sentenced before the Court issued its ruling. After a number of state supreme courts reached opposite conclusions on this question, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to decide the issue. In Toca v. Louisiana, the Court will consider whether someone automatically sentenced to life in prison without parole for a crime committed while a juvenile is entitled to a new sentencing hearing.
The Court granted permission to hear the case on December 12th. A ruling is likely before the Court’s term ends next June.
Read more about the case in the New York Times.
Read OLR reports on juvenile sentencing:
In Miller, the Court did not say whether its ruling applied retroactively to inmates sentenced before the Court issued its ruling. After a number of state supreme courts reached opposite conclusions on this question, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to decide the issue. In Toca v. Louisiana, the Court will consider whether someone automatically sentenced to life in prison without parole for a crime committed while a juvenile is entitled to a new sentencing hearing.
The Court granted permission to hear the case on December 12th. A ruling is likely before the Court’s term ends next June.
Read more about the case in the New York Times.
Read OLR reports on juvenile sentencing:
- 2014-R-0108, Juvenile Sentencing Laws and Court Decisions After Miller v. Alabama
- 2012-R-0290, Summary of U.S. Supreme Court Case on Mandatory Life Sentences Without Parole for Juvenile Homicide Convictions
- 2012-R-0045, Summary of U.S. Supreme Court Case on Life Sentences Without Parole for Juvenile Nonhomicide Convictions
Mystery Parents Take Some of the Mystery Out of Charter School Enrollment
Charter school authorizers in the District of Columbia have taken up a new tactic to attempt to ensure that their charter schools are not turning away students who have specialized needs, such as those with a disability. Modeled on the “mystery shopper” used in retail, staffers pose as parents of students with a disability and call charter schools inquiring about the schools’ enrollment process, according to The Notebook blog in Philadelphia.
According to the blog:
The program has been running for three years. In the first year, 2011-12, 11 schools gave inappropriate answers in the first round of mystery calls, and 10 such schools failed to respond appropriately in the second round. By 2013-14, 17 schools gave inappropriate answers in the first round and two did so in the second round, according to the blog. The wrong answers in the second round of 2013-14 were partially attributed to the District’s new single enrollment system.
“We started this because there was a huge perception among the public that charters counseled out students with disabilities,” says Naomi R. DeVeaux, the deputy director for the district’s public charter school board. “We wanted to know if this was true,” the blog quotes her as saying.
The blog notes that Massachusetts has started a similar mystery parent program.
According to the blog:
If the school answers all the questions about the enrollment process correctly, it passes. If the school answers any question inappropriately — for example, if it tells the “parent” that the school across the street is better suited for students with disabilities — the charter board calls back again at a later date. If the school gives a wrong answer twice, it gets a warning. And if it fails to address the problem, its charter could be revoked.
The program has been running for three years. In the first year, 2011-12, 11 schools gave inappropriate answers in the first round of mystery calls, and 10 such schools failed to respond appropriately in the second round. By 2013-14, 17 schools gave inappropriate answers in the first round and two did so in the second round, according to the blog. The wrong answers in the second round of 2013-14 were partially attributed to the District’s new single enrollment system.
“We started this because there was a huge perception among the public that charters counseled out students with disabilities,” says Naomi R. DeVeaux, the deputy director for the district’s public charter school board. “We wanted to know if this was true,” the blog quotes her as saying.
The blog notes that Massachusetts has started a similar mystery parent program.
December 17, 2014
Body Cameras
In recent months there have been many public cries for law enforcement agencies to use body cameras. President Obama recently announced that he would request $75 million in federal funds to distribute 50,000 body cameras to police departments nationwide, as part of a package to improve police relations with the public. The cameras are seen as a way to improve evidence collection, strengthen officer performance and accountability, enhance agency transparency, document encounters between police and the public, and investigate and resolve complaints involving officers.
But according to a recent Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) report, although the cameras offer benefits, their use also raises concerns, including concerns about misuse and the public’s privacy rights. The report recommends that “before agencies invest considerable time and money” to deploy body cameras, they consider these concerns and consult with frontline officers, unions, prosecutors, community groups, other stakeholders, and the general public. The report suggests that such input will, among other things, increase the perceived legitimacy of a department’s body camera policy. PERF recommends that agency policies cover the following topics, among others:
- basic camera usage, including who will wear the cameras and where the cameras will be placed;
- the staff member responsible for ensuring cameras are charged and working properly;
- recording protocols, including when to activate or turn off the camera and the types of circumstances in which recording is required, allowed, or prohibited;
- procedures for downloading, storing, and safeguarding the data;
- the method for documenting chain of custody of the data;
- how long records will be retained;
- data access and review;
- the policies for releasing recorded data to the public;
- training; and
- policy and program evaluation.
States Challenge President’s Immigration Actions
As reported by CNN last week, 24 states (led by Texas) are suing President Obama over his executive actions on immigration announced in November. (Maine is the only state from New England to have joined the lawsuit.) These states allege that the President’s immigration initiatives violate the U.S. Constitution and federal law. The lawsuit was filed in a federal district court in Texas.
A Congressional Research Service (CRS) report from November sheds some light on the legal issues surrounding the President’s immigration actions. The report summarizes the President’s initiative and addresses several other questions about the issue, including (1) the legal authority for the administration’s actions, (2) whether there are constitutional constraints on the executive’s discretionary authority over immigration, and (3) other legal issues that may be raised by the administration’s actions.
The report, which is dated November 24 (four days after the President announced his immigration initiative), states that its “answers are necessarily preliminary.” CRS expects to update this report although their reports are not always publicly available.
A Congressional Research Service (CRS) report from November sheds some light on the legal issues surrounding the President’s immigration actions. The report summarizes the President’s initiative and addresses several other questions about the issue, including (1) the legal authority for the administration’s actions, (2) whether there are constitutional constraints on the executive’s discretionary authority over immigration, and (3) other legal issues that may be raised by the administration’s actions.
The report, which is dated November 24 (four days after the President announced his immigration initiative), states that its “answers are necessarily preliminary.” CRS expects to update this report although their reports are not always publicly available.
December 16, 2014
Wooden Skyscrapers in the Works
In an effort to find environmentally friendly alternatives to steel and concrete, some architects are turning to wood as their building material of choice.
As noted in a recent NPR article, “wood has long been considered too weak for high rises — not to mention a towering inferno just waiting to ignite.” Architects and biochemists are working to solve these shortcomings. According to the article, researchers are studying wood at the cellular level to see how it could be strengthened. The article also explains that the flammability of tall wooden buildings is actually a misconception. Unlike small homes, massive structures are not flammable “because the surface of timber burns and chars just enough to provide a good insulator that protects the interior.”
Researchers are also trying to improve concrete by studying it at the molecular level. An MIT professor is examining how to make concrete more resilient while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by changing the ratios of concrete’s ingredients. He and his team hope their efforts were result in a stronger, greener building material.
As noted in a recent NPR article, “wood has long been considered too weak for high rises — not to mention a towering inferno just waiting to ignite.” Architects and biochemists are working to solve these shortcomings. According to the article, researchers are studying wood at the cellular level to see how it could be strengthened. The article also explains that the flammability of tall wooden buildings is actually a misconception. Unlike small homes, massive structures are not flammable “because the surface of timber burns and chars just enough to provide a good insulator that protects the interior.”
Researchers are also trying to improve concrete by studying it at the molecular level. An MIT professor is examining how to make concrete more resilient while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by changing the ratios of concrete’s ingredients. He and his team hope their efforts were result in a stronger, greener building material.
New Report: Threats to Schools
OLR Report 2014-R-0282 explains (1) existing laws that pertain to threats to schools and (2) state agency efforts to track the number and nature of threats made to schools.
When someone threatens to harm a school, the school district takes precautionary measures to protect students and staff including (1) lock-ins (conducting classes while refusing building entrance or exit), (2) lockdowns (confining students and staff to hiding positions in secure rooms), and (3) school closures with class cancellations. State criminal laws and school disciplinary measures are available to punish someone who makes such threats.
SDE is required by federal law to track all student disciplinary offenses reported by Connecticut school districts. SDE data shows a state average of 67 offenses labeled as “school threat/bomb threat” that led to disciplinary action over the last three school years. This number does not capture all threats as it only reflects incidents that resulted in student discipline.
Click here to read the full report.
When someone threatens to harm a school, the school district takes precautionary measures to protect students and staff including (1) lock-ins (conducting classes while refusing building entrance or exit), (2) lockdowns (confining students and staff to hiding positions in secure rooms), and (3) school closures with class cancellations. State criminal laws and school disciplinary measures are available to punish someone who makes such threats.
SDE is required by federal law to track all student disciplinary offenses reported by Connecticut school districts. SDE data shows a state average of 67 offenses labeled as “school threat/bomb threat” that led to disciplinary action over the last three school years. This number does not capture all threats as it only reflects incidents that resulted in student discipline.
Click here to read the full report.
2014 Connecticut Insurance Market Brief Released
The Hartford Courant reports on the 2014 Insurance Market Forecast, which the Connecticut Insurance and Financial Services Cluster (CT IFS) hosted on November 20 in Hartford. The day brought together more than 350 insurance professionals at this annual insurance convention. This year’s gathering featured the release of the 2014 Connecticut Insurance Market Brief, the latest installment in a series of reports on the insurance industry in Connecticut. The CT IFS collaborated with PwC on the brief, a report that includes executive perspectives and a summary of information and trends on the sector, including Connecticut’s 200-year insurance history.
According to the brief, Connecticut’s insurance industry is one of the world’s largest. There are 110 domestic insurance and 1,288 non-domestic insurance entities doing business in the state. “Insurance continues to be a keystone in Connecticut’s economy, representing 2.8% of the workforce, 5.6% of the payroll, and 5.7% of the gross state product.” Also, “according to the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, one new job in the insurance industry adds an additional 1.73 jobs to the Connecticut economy.”
According to the brief, Connecticut’s insurance industry is one of the world’s largest. There are 110 domestic insurance and 1,288 non-domestic insurance entities doing business in the state. “Insurance continues to be a keystone in Connecticut’s economy, representing 2.8% of the workforce, 5.6% of the payroll, and 5.7% of the gross state product.” Also, “according to the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, one new job in the insurance industry adds an additional 1.73 jobs to the Connecticut economy.”
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