Former East Haven Mayor April Capone Reappointed to Serve on the Permanent Commission of the Status of Women

State Representative James Albis (D-East Haven) announced in a prepared statement by his office that he is “proud to say that East Haven’s own April Capone” has been reappointed to the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW). Capone served as Mayor of East Haven from 2007-2011 and has served on the PCSW since 2010.

“I am pleased to begin my third term as a PCSW commissioner. Women’s issues not only impact individual woman but their children, parents, partners and ultimately, the entire community. This agency has achieved many advances for women, including, most recently, legislation to advance paid family and medical leave, create wage transparency, and strengthen laws against human trafficking, to name but a few. All of these initiatives help strengthen the economic security and safety of women, which has a direct bearing on the wellbeing of families,” Capone said in a statement released by Albis’ office.

“Every year, the PCSW plays an important role advocating for women’s rights issues in state policy, and I think it is vital to have an East Haven woman who understands the challenges that the women of our community face each day leading the charge on these important issues,” said Rep. Albis. “April Capone’s work over the past five years has been stellar and I want to thank Senate Majority Leader Duff for reappointing her to the commission as we continue working to eliminate gender discrimination and advance women’s causes.”

The PCSW has twenty-one appointed volunteer commissioners, along with staff and volunteers who work to eliminate gender discrimination in Connecticut. They are to inform leaders about the nature and scope of discrimination, to serve as a liaison between government and private interest groups concerned with services for women, to promote considerations of women for governmental positions, and to work with state agencies to access programs and practices as they affect women.

This session, the General Assembly took significant steps toward establishing a Paid Family and Medical Leave Program in Connecticut—one of the PCSW’s top legislative priorities. The state Labor Commissioner will now be required to submit and establish procedures to implement a Paid Family and Medical Leave program and report to the General Assembly by February 1st, 2016.

The legislature also voted in favor of greater transparency in wage amounts in an effort to reduce wage inequality. Employers are now prohibited from barring an employee from discussing his/her wage with another employee. The mean income for men in the 99th Assembly District (East Haven) is $52,911 while the mean wage for women stands at just $36,338.

Rep. Albis said, “It is my hope that the wage transparency bill will aid in the fight for equal pay for equal work. It is unacceptable that a woman in East Haven makes $16,500 less than a man on average each year. We need April Capone on the PCSW, advocating on behalf East Haven’s women and the women of Connecticut.”

“Like Representative Albis, I’ve been very impressed by April Capone’s advocacy for women’s rights and causes,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “The PCSW is such an effective organization because of the outstanding leadership demonstrated by its commissioners, its volunteers and its exceptional staff. April is an important part of that and I look forward to her continued work on the Commission.”

The legislature also honored the important sacrifices made by our female veterans by establishing the Connecticut Women Veterans’ Program. The new law requires the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to conduct benefits and services outreach for female veterans, and offer recommendations to the legislature on what types of service initiatives would be best for female veterans.

Rep. Albis was also happy to support a new law requiring the timely transfer and processing of sexual assault evidence collection kits to help better prosecute sex offenders. The law also strengthens the state’s “rape shield” law which prevents a victim’s sexual history from being made public.

State Representative James Albis is serving his third term representing the 99th district of East Haven. He serves as Chair of the Environment Committee and as a member of both the Finance and Executive and Legislative Nomination Committees.