The following is a statement from David McGuire, Legislative and Policy Director and Interim Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut (ACLU-CT), regarding proposed state budget cuts that would eliminate or consolidate Connecticut’s anti-discrimination commissions, including the African American Affairs Commission (AAAC), the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission (LPRAC), the Connecticut Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, Connecticut Commission on Children (CCC), Connecticut Commission on Aging (COA), and Permanent Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW):
“As a defender of liberty, justice, and equality for all, the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut is concerned about budget proposals to eliminate or consolidate state commissions for marginalized communities. Connecticut still has a long way to go to ensure that women, minorities, older residents, and the youngest among us all receive the equal rights guaranteed to them by the state and federal constitutions.
The African American Affairs Commission, Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission, Connecticut Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, Connecticut Commission on Children, Connecticut Commission on Aging, and Permanent Commission on the Status of Women promote a more equitable, just, and free Connecticut. We call upon the legislature to continue funding these important commissions, this year and beyond.”
