Christopher G. Donovan

During his legislative career, Donovan has championed many successful healthcare initiatives which include expanding prescription drug assistance for seniors and disabled adults (ConnPACE); health insurance for low-income children (HUSKY) (HB7065) ; adding supplemental Medicare coverage, and; establishing school-based health clinics. Other notable healthcare initiatives include:

SustiNet (PA 09-148) lays out a framework for leveraging the bargaining power of state health care purchasing to create a large pool open to individuals and groups and a structure for a state-wide healthcare delivery system that contains costs and promotes preventive care. The 2009 legislation authorized the SustiNet Board of Directors and its task forces and committees to make recommendations on the implementation of SustiNet to the 2011 General Assembly. The final report is expected prior to the start of session. The Public Health Committee anticipates that it will raise a bill outlining the next phase of the SustiNet proposal based on these recommendations.

In addition to insurance reforms, the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [^ Pub.L. 111-148, 124 Stat. 119, to be codified as amended at scattered sections of 42 U.S.C.] contains provisions related to health care workforce, long term care, slowing cost growth, prevention and wellness. The SustiNet framework provides many opportunities for capturing and coordinating these new resources and the committee will have the chance to consider targeting resources at areas that could benefit from cost and quality improvements. For example, there are many grants opportunities for workforce development and community health promotion.

The Connecticut Healthcare Partnership legislation (last considered in 2009 as PA 09-147) would allow municipalities, small businesses, and non-profits to voluntarily join the state employee health insurance plan, creating a large pool of insured lives yielding significantly lower costs. The governor vetoed this measure twice, but finally signed a less sweeping form of the legislation, which permitted municipalities to purchase prescription coverage through the state, in 2010. This legislation will be considered again in 2011.

Donovan has been recognized for his efforts by numerous groups.[5]

On July 13, 2010, House Speaker Donovan came out in favor of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit decision in Green Party of Connecticut v. Garfield on campaign finance ("pay to play"), in solidarity with Governor Rell.[6]

In 1998, 2000 and again in 2002, as chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee, Donovan successfully brought out of committee bills that raised the state's minimum wage (HB 5160).

In 2000 he set the first standard wage for service workers across the state. PA 99-142

Other bills he helped pass include; balancing the state budget and eliminating a $10 billion deficit (HB 6802); stem cell research (SB 934); creating green technology jobs (SB 494); addressing the education achievement gap (HB 5491); campaign finance reform; allowing civil unions; paid family medical leave; and fully funding the Teacher's Retirement Fund at $235 million (HB 5845).

Donovan has convened a bipartisan legislative task force to formulate Connecticut's response to domestic violence and the legislature approved its most sweeping reforms to domestic violence laws in over 25 years when it approved a package of bills addressing criminal justice, housing and human services, and education issues related to this crime. The changes include GPS monitoring for high risk domestic violence offenders, improvement of enforcing protective orders, the creation of three additional domestic violence court dockets, school family and teen dating violence programs, and measures to ensure victims can remove themselves from dangerous and unsafe living environments.

The Speaker's Commission on Municipal Opportunities and Regional Efficiencies (MORE) initiated a new approach to finding cost efficiencies through regional collaboration between state and local governments in Connecticut. Employee health insurance plans and school transportation agreements can now be jointly contracted and cities and towns can now take advantage of the negotiating power of the state's health plan for prescription drug coverage for their employees.

During his tenure as Speaker in 2009 and 2010, Donovan brought forth a 2/3 majority vote, successfully overturning the governor's veto 15 times on important issues, such as

• Clean Elections (SB 551)
• Standard Wage for Certain Connecticut Workers (HB 6502) []
• Establishment of the Sustinet Plan (HB 6600)

Donovan has been recognized for his efforts by numerous groups, such as:

• The Purple Tie Award for "men who have taken a stand against domestic violence" by the Meriden-Wallingford Chrysalis Inc.;
• The Mental Health Outstanding Advocate Award from the Region II Regional Mental Health Board;
• The CT Early Childhood Alliance Legislator of the Year Award;
• The Connecticut Family Resource Center Alliance "Friend of the Family Award;"
• The Connecticut Police Chief's Association Legislative Award;
• The Connecticut Voices for Children "First for Kids 2009 Legislative Leadership Award;"
• The Child Advocacy Legislative Leadership Award, was NASW's Legislator of the Year;
• Capitol Community College's recognition as an honorary member of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society.[3]