Month: January 2024

https://www.doingitlocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ATTORNEYGENERALTONGJ.mp4

Coalition Urges Appellate Court to Reverse Decision of Procurement Act Violation

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting the federal government’s actions to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour for certain federal contractors. The policy was first enacted by presidential executive order in April 2021, and then implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor in November 2021 in the final rule, “Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contract Workers.”

Attorney General Tong and the coalition submitted the amicus brief in Texas v. Biden, a case involving a challenge to the executive order and final rule raising the minimum wage for federal contractors. The coalition argues that both the president and the Department of Labor acted well within their authority when implementing the policies to ensure federal contract workers are paid fair living wages. In addition, the coalition argues that the minimum wage increase is fully supported by empirical evidence and is consistent with state and local experiences in raising the minimum wage for contractors.

“Every worker deserves a fair wage. The Biden Administration acted lawfully and appropriately in raising the minimum wage for federal contractors. This partisan challenge is without merit,” said Attorney General Tong.

At issue in the underlying lawsuit is an executive order and follow-on rule increasing the minimum wage for certain federal contractors, which had been set at $10.10 per hour since 2014. Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi filed a lawsuit challenging the validity of the executive order and final rule as unlawful. The district court concluded that the president exceeded his statutory authority under the Procurement Act and enjoined the federal government from enforcing the executive order and rule against those three states. The federal government appealed that decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.

The coalition argues that the appellate court should reverse the lower court’s decision. The coalition points to the ways an increased minimum wage benefits employers, employees and consumers, citing studies and reports demonstrating that an increased minimum wage leads to improved morale and productivity, reduced turnover and absenteeism, as well as improved income equality and decreased poverty for federal contractual workers. Those benefits lead to improved service and enhanced consumer experiences.

Joining Attorney General Tong in filing the brief are attorneys general from California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

I want to say and express here today. As I as I did on election night on Tuesday. My humble appreciation. For the thousands of residents voters in the city of Bridgeport who trudged through difficult weather in January to make sure that their votes counted and the hard leaders hard fought battle. And the hard fought progress that we’re making in the city of Bridgeport would continue. Fantasies that the Gomes campaign are trying to throw out to justify asking and forcing the City of Bridgeport to spend another $120,000 for the 4th election in four months. Business now forced, unnecessarily forced. General election forced by Mr. Gomes because he’s not satisfied with the last three losses and wants us to do it again.

Today, candidate for mayor of Bridgeport John Gomes promised to push forward to a February vote. These are the soundbites from his speech today which he said:

“We are deeply committed to this campaign. As residents of Bridgeport, there is a resounding concern that change is necessary. That status quo has become unbearable. We, yes. Represent the voice of those who feel trapped in the cycle . As you know, our campaign was derailed when evidence of systematic attempts to oppress voters and to cheat. As the election and it was surface. A Superior Court judge agreed that the validity of the September 23 primary. Its results could not be validated because we had overwhelming evidence that we presented in court. We will continue on to February 27th. Win or lose? We will never give up on Bridgeport”.

Report of a male child struck by a car at the intersection of Park Ave and West Liberty street.

On Saturday January 27, 2024, Bridgeport Police Officer Salce was patrolling the area of the Greens Apartment Buildings when he observed a vehicle parked in a limited parking zone for beyond the extended timeframe. While approaching the vehicle the male party exited the vehicle holding his waistband and proceeded to flee from the approaching officer. Officer Salce gave chase and apprehended the party without incident and subsequently located a loaded firearm on this male party, ( GLOCK 19) with an extended magazine containing 30 live rounds of 9mm ammunition as well as 1 loaded in the chamber. The firearm was tucked into his waist and then in spandex type leggings, no holster.
The male party later identified as a juvenile was also previously involved with 4 other gun charges. The juvenile was charged with the following:
Carrying Pistol w/o permit
Illegal Possession of Weapons in a M/V
Carrying a Dangerous Weapon
Violation of Large Capacity Magazine Req.
Reckless Endangerment 2nd
Interfering with an Officer
An order to detain was also completed and the juvenile was taken to JDC. Officer Salce was also assisted by Officer Santoro helping him subdue this male safely as well as Officer Mendoza.