Month: April 2020

#Hartford, CT– Attorney General William Tong today joined a bipartisan group of 25 attorneys general led by North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein and Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery urging the telecommunications industry to make further commitments to protect consumers who are struggling financially as a result of COVID-19 and in calling upon the FCC for support.

“As much of our lives, from work to family dinners, move online, it is vital to our economy and well-being that we stay connected,” Attorney General Tong said. “Connecticut and her sister states commend the FCC and these companies’ for suspending of shutoffs for 60 days but we all know that the economic ramifications will last well beyond that. That’s why I and 24 other attorneys general are asking for that suspension to be extended to 90 days and include customer support like reasonable payment plans and education on COVID-19 related services.”

On March 13, 2020, the FCC announced that many companies had pledged for 60 days to (1) not terminate service to residential or small business customers for nonpayment; (2) waive late fees; (3) open Wi-Fi hotspots to anyone who needs them. These commitments are commendable, but 60 days is not enough.

In their letter, the Attorneys General ask that the companies:

• extend the FCC pledge an additional 90 days,
• use fair and reasonable payment plans,
• reconnect previously disconnected customers,
• expand data caps, and
• educate their customers on the COVID-19 related services they are providing and about COVID-19 related scams.

Attorney General Tong is joined in signing this letter by the attorneys general of North Carolina, Tennessee, California, Colorado, Delaware, Guam, Washington, D.C., Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

 

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Insurance Department Commissioner Andrew N. Mais warned all life insurers doing business in Connecticut to refrain from asking applicants about exposure to the novel coronavirus.

“The state of emergency has already placed undue hardship on families and businesses during this pandemic. Families need the security that life insurance brings and any new barriers to coverage must be avoided,” said Commissioner Mais. “Some carriers may want to know if people applying for coverage have self-isolated due to symptoms, or been tested for the disease or diagnosed with it. That won’t be allowed in Connecticut.”

In a Department Notice

, the Connecticut Insurance Department issued guidance to all insurance companies offering Life Insurance coverage in Connecticut are advised that any life insurance application form filed for review should not include questions related to COVID-19, including questions about being quarantined. Any life insurance application form filing that contains such questions will not be approved.

Consumers, insurers and brokers with questions can contact the department directly by email at cid.pc@ct.gov or by calling the Department at 800-203-3447 or 860-297-3900.

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including guidance and other resources, visit ct.gov/coronavirus .

Consumers with questions about their insurance can contact the department, by:

Email at insurance@ct.gov. Ask a question or file a complaint online Call the Consumer Helpline at 800-203-3447 or 860-297-3900.  Sign up for e-alerts  to get the latest news, warnings and rate changes that may affect your premium.

Download consumer FAQs  on health, homeowner and auto coverage.Use the Department’s Speakers Bureau  for public events.

Visit our Web site and follow the Department on Facebook and Twitter.

 

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Bridgeport, CT –  Congressman Himes released the following statement on the ongoing negotiations to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program and provide additional support to American families, workers, and small businesses:

As the House and Senate approach a deal that will refill the funds for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), tensions are running high. While our nation struggles with the largest crisis in modern history, it’s easy to use the negotiations over PPP to attack whichever party or person or position we don’t share.  This mindset is counterproductive and leads us to believe the worst of each other. In all situations, I strive to treat everyone, whether I agree with them or not, as though they are coming from a place of good faith.  Impugning each other’s motives is the easy way out.  Listening with sincere earnestness to our opponents to achieve the common good is the more difficult, but essential, path.

The PPP ran out of money on Thursday. The President and Senate Majority Leader McConnell asked for $250 billion more. This is a reasonable request.  I and others wanted more, which is also reasonable. A significant portion of the original $350 billion went to well-connected businesses with strong banking relationships and lawyers. It was hard for smaller businesses – and almost impossible for really small businesses without banking relationships – to secure loans. Democrats wanted to make changes to the program to give these businesses a shot, as well as provide money to hospitals and state and local governments to mitigate the burdens they’re facing.  Republicans preferred a stand-alone expansion of the PPP program.

None of that is wildly unreasonable.  Nobody (in this situation) is being stupid, awful, or greedy. There’s a negotiation going on. Right now. I hope and expect it will be resolved today.

Some have pushed back on the Democrats’ position. Why not just say yes to the PPP money now and fund hospitals and states later? This is a fair question. The answer is that hospitals and health centers are getting absolutely crushed right now, with many at risk of going insolvent, and Democrats believe this may be the only chance to save them.  In other words, there may not be a “later.”

Can this process be frustratingly slow? Yes. Our system, particularly when the government is divided, is designed to create this kind of deliberate compromise. We come from very different places and have different pressures. And yet we must somehow meet in the middle and get the business of the American people done.

I’ve been telling leaders of both parties that these rescue bills can’t contain items that aren’t timely, targeted, and temporary. Ideological paralysis is not an option.  I’m only one of 535 voices in Congress, but I know I am not alone in that assessment.

That’s where we are.  Those who require a bad guy or clash between good and evil in order to understand politics will be disappointed when faced with the reality of the situation.  Instead, they’ll find the conflict and compromise that inevitably rises from differing political ideologies struggling to find a solution to an unprecedented challenge.  The result will not be perfect, and many will wish it looked different, but it will undoubtedly help those who are in dire need of assistance.  And, when all is said and done, isn’t that the whole point?

 

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Fairfield – State Senator Tony Hwang (R-28) concerned about the growing chorus of residents suddenly unemployed by the economic upheaval of the Covid-19 pandemic and their frustration on lack of information and claim status wanted accountability and answers from the CT Department of Labor (CT DOL). Hwang joined the entire Senate Republican Caucus in a letter sent to CT DOL Commissioner Kurt Westby, making very specific requests for detailed information surrounding how the agency is handling the sharp surge in new unemployment claims.

 

“Unemployment applications have skyrocketed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic with the Governor’s orders to close all non-essential businesses. I hear every day from constituents who have been trying to get in touch with the CT DOL, are worried about the status of their claim and are depending on a response to be able to provide for themselves and their families,” said Senator Hwang.

 

CT DOL announced on April 15, 2020 that significant computer system upgrades have been made with the goal of speeding unemployment claims processing, the letter asked for an update this week on how those upgrades are working to help constituents obtain the financial assistance they desperately need and have been waiting on for many weeks.

 

“While the necessary tech upgrades are a positive step to improving this situation, that is not enough,” said Senator Hwang. “I have spoken with countless people who are not able to apply for benefits themselves because they are not able to access a computer or the internet. I have others with questions about their claims who need to talk to someone.  What steps are the Department and the administration taking to make this process smoother and more responsive in Connecticut?”

 

Click HERE to read the letter.

The letter included the following asks:

1. A summary of the 60,000 claim test performed on April 15, 2020.
2. How many claims have been processed since the system upgrades were implemented,
3. How many outstanding claims remain.
4. Whether or not the CT DOL remains on track to begin distributing the additional weekly $600 benefit in federal stimulus funds by April 24th.
5. Whether or not CT DOL remains on track to begin the new benefit program for self-employed individuals by April 30th.
6. A timeline for processing claims over the phone.
7. A timeline for being able to address case specific questions over the phone.

 

“We are all facing major changes to our daily lives as we adapt to a new reality during this unprecedented health crisis. It’s a challenging time fraught with fear and uncertainty. It’s imperative that Connecticut’s workers have access to information and personnel handling if, when and how their next paycheck may arrive.  The public health concerns are eclipsed with financial concerns when your return to work is unknown. I offer my services if they are needed in making the necessary changes to get the unemployment system operational, said Senator Hwang. “Transparency, responsiveness and accountability are essential to the process. Working together is the only way to overcome this pandemic health and economic upheaval.”

 

State Senator Tony Hwang serves CT’s 28th District, which includes the towns of Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Westport, and Weston.

 

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