#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and State of Connecticut flags to be lowered to half-staff statewide effective immediately in recognition and mourning of all those who have lost their lives and been affected by COVID-19. The flags will remain lowered throughout the emergency. Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags – including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise – should also be lowered during this same duration of time.
“This global pandemic is impacting the lives of so many families, friends, and loved ones in Connecticut, and we mourn for those who have been impacted,” Governor Lamont said. “This is an incredibly trying time and a tragic period in our state’s history. I continue to urge every resident of Connecticut to stay home and practice social distancing as much as possible, because not only may your life depend on it, but it could also impact the lives of others.”
“My family and I are thinking of every person who has lost someone during this pandemic, especially as we begin to approach Easter, Passover, and Ramadan,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “It is truly heartbreaking to know that so many Connecticut communities will be in mourning during this holy season. Our prayers and sympathies are with them in this very difficult time.”
The Office of the Governor will send out a notification when flags should be returned to full-staff.
Mayors from cities across Connecticut will submit a letter in support of state legislation to protect tenants from eviction until 30 days after the end of a declared state of emergency, such as the current COVID-19 public health crisis. Please find the letter, the proposed bill language:
(Note, this is not law yet)
Proposed Sec. 47a-15b. Nonpayment of rent by tenant: Landlord’s remedy during
declared public health emergency or public health-related school closure.
(1) Whenever a landlord would be entitled to terminate a rental agreement or tenancy due
to unpaid rent pursuant to section 47a-15a, and (a) a public health emergency was
declared, pursuant to section 19a-131a, for the town or region where the rental premises is
located during any ten consecutive days within the 30 days immediately preceding the date
when the landlord would be entitled to issue notice to quit under section 47a-23 or (b) public
schools in the town where the rental premises is located, if ordinarily in session, were
closed for public health reasons during any ten consecutive days within the 30 days
immediately preceding the date when the landlord would be entitled to issue notice to quit
under section 47a-23, such termination shall be stayed until 30 days after the last day of the
declared public health emergency or public health-related school closure.
(2) If, during the 30-day stay, the tenant makes payment of at least half of the rent owed at
the time the landlord first became entitled to terminate the rental agreement or tenancy
pursuant to section 47a-15a, the termination of the rental agreement or tenancy shall be
stayed an additional 60 days for the tenant to pay all outstanding rent.
(3) If at the end of such 60-day period, the tenant has paid all outstanding rent, the landlord
shall not be entitled to terminate the rental agreement or tenancy as a result of the tenant’s
initial failure to pay.
(4) Whenever a landlord has terminated a rental agreement or tenancy due to unpaid rent
pursuant to section 47a-15a and has sought a judgment of eviction pursuant to section 47a-
42 prior to the declaration of a public health emergency or a public-health related school
closure of at least ten days in duration, and then such public health emergency or public
health-related school closure occurs prior to entry of a judgment or the execution of such
judgment, execution of the judgment shall be stayed until 30 days after the last day of such
public health emergency or public health-related school closure.
#Hartford, CT – Attorney General William Tong and Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull today announced an investigation into Frontier Communications following consumer complaints regarding excessive charges, poor service quality and unsatisfactory customer service that began after Frontier acquired Southern New England Telephone Company (SNET) in 2014.
Since June 2015, the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Consumer Protection have jointly received over 1,000 consumer complaints regarding Frontier. Those include complaints involving charges for equipment already returned, poor voice, video and internet quality, unsatisfactory customer service, charges that exceeded promised rates, and charges that continued after services had been cancelled.
The Office of the Attorney General and DCP have issued a civil investigative demand seeking comprehensive records regarding customer complaints, including contracts, correspondence, and billing records to determine whether Frontier’s actions have violated the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act. Should violations of law be identified, Frontier could be required to pay fines and comply with other injunctive relief to protect consumers.
“Since Frontier took over SNET, we have seen a steady onslaught of consumer complaints ranging from poor service quality and customer service to improper charges and excessive rates. Jointly with DCP, we are seeking comprehensive records from Frontier regarding their customer complaints to determine whether the company may have violated the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act,” said Attorney General Tong. “Frontier made promises to Connecticut that they had the ability to provide safe, adequate and reliable service, and they need to live up to that promise now.”
“It’s important that consumers and families get what they pay for – especially when it comes to utilities like internet access that are increasingly important in every day life,” said Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull. “Like the Office of the Attorney General, we have had a steady stream of complaints about issues with Frontier, and I am pleased that we are taking this next step in our investigation. I want to thank the staff at DCP and the Office of the Attorney General who have put so many hours of hard work into this effort.”
“PURA supports the AG’s effort to protect consumers of telecommunications and video services in the state. The AG’s investigation into certain consumer complaints arising from The Southern New England Telephone Company d/b/a Frontier Communications of Connecticut (”Frontier”)’s competitive services is critical to maintaining a level, consumer-friendly playing field. PURA expects a cooperative investigation and encourages Frontier to resolve any consumer protection issues identified in an expedient manner,” said Marissa Paslick Gillett, Chairwoman of the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.
Assistant Attorneys General John Wright, Lauren Bidra and Mike Wertheimer, head of the Consumer Protection Department are assisting the Attorney General in this matter.
Bridgeport, CT – Action for Bridgeport Community Development Inc. (ABCD) during this health emergency is providing residents with supportive services such as rental and energy assistance. Of course, ABCD is closely monitoring the ever-changing COVID-19 situation and taking proactive steps to ensure our community is safe. Although ABCD is not open to the public, we are here for our residents. ABCD will remain a constant resource and connection to the community during these uncertain times. Those in need continue to have the opportunity to apply for many of the resources we provide. Supportive services, rental services, and energy assistance program applications may be requested by phone by contacting the office at 203-384-6904. For more information from ABCD, residents can contact 203-366-8241 for Bridgeport and 203-838-8110 for Norwalk.
The priority of ABCD is to maintain the health and safety of children, families and staff. Our organization has been following the lead of the Board of Education. As a result, ABCD’s early learning and youth programs are closed. ABCD is connecting their students and families with online resources. These resources include educational packets, as well as social and emotional care for students and parents. It should also be noted that the Bridgeport Public Schools district has conducted an emergency meal service which includes breakfast, lunch, and supper at 20 different locations. Residents may visit these locations from 9 AM to 1 PM during school closure. For a list of locations, community members can visit bridgeportedu.net for more information. Bridgeport Public Schools district has included ABCD’s preschool in their emergency meal service.
While practicing social distancing, ABCD has found numerous ways how to serve our community. ABCD is actively supporting food pantries, with the intention that the community will get through this together. ABCD is here for you, your children, your families, and the community. Unity, patience, and hope will allow us to get through this tough time together.
2020-03-08@9:47pm–#Milford CT– The McDonald’s at 1376 Boston Post Road was evacuated after there was some sort of liquid coming from the grill. Firefighters discovered there was a fire in the grill area and that was the fire suppression equipment that put the fire out.
2020-03-02@4:19pm–#Easton CT– Heavy first responder presence in the 2oo block Rock House Road for a missing person. K-9 has lost the scent. Newtown is providing a drone.
HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont visited the campus of UConn Hartford, where he highlighted the recent success of a program the state operates that prepares youth in foster care to attend college, ensuring that they have access to the skills needed to prepare them for success throughout their careers.
Administered by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, the UConn Rising Scholars Program is a collaboration between the state agency and the University of Connecticut’s Center for Academic Programs. It features an intensive four-week summer immersion experience at the UConn Storrs campus. The students – all of whom are in high school and demonstrate the capacity to attend college – live on campus, attend classes, and have access to the same facilities as any other UConn student.
Academic courses in English, math, social studies, and science are taught by certified teachers and UConn graduate students. Other courses are devoted to learning about important aspects of life in college, including financial aid, college admissions, study, and other practical skills. In addition, before and after students come to Storrs in July, monthly “Academic Day” meetings are held on campus that offers support year-round.
“If we can introduce youths in foster care to a college experience while they are still in high school, we can show them that they have the capacity to succeed,” Governor Lamont said. “Being a child in foster care may feel difficult for some, and programs like this are designed to provide greater opportunities.”
DCF Commissioner Vannessa Dorantes said Rising Scholars is an important partnership between two state agencies that benefit youth in foster care in many ways.
“The summer immersion program and the monthly meetings serve to enlighten youth to the opportunities, build their skills, and provide the first-hand experience of college life,” Commissioner Dorantes said. “Bringing them to a college campus helps them to see themselves as college students and gives them the confidence and encouragement they need to stay on track academically.”
Children in foster care nationally have poorer educational outcomes due to the trauma they experience and the transitory life of too many children in foster care. Nationally, it is estimated that only 30 percent of children who grow up in foster care graduate from high school. Only about 7 to 13 percent of children in foster care enroll in higher education. While 24 percent of adults nationally get a bachelor’s or an advanced degree, only about two percent of youth in foster care do.
The lack of access to higher education is something Connecticut seeks to address by offering youth in foster care financial support to attend a two or four-year college, a training program to gain entry to trade, or other post-high schools educational program leading to a good career and independent, successful adulthood. More than 500 youth have participated annually over the past four years. Youth can participate until they reach 23 years old, and financial support is capped at the cost of attending one of the Connecticut state university system schools.
“As proud as we can be of supporting the education of deserving youth this way, youth in foster care need both the opportunity and the encouragement to take advantage of the opportunity,” Commissioner Dorantes said. “The Rising Scholars not only experience success themselves through the program, but they also receive actual college credits, and research shows that students who attain college credits in high school are more likely to attend college.”
Since the program started in 2013, 158 youth in foster care coming from 103 high schools across Connecticut have participated in Rising Scholars. This year, 35 students from 27 high schools are in the program.
Of those who completed the program:
· 99 percent graduated high school;
· 95 percent were accepted to a college; and
· 93 percent enrolled in college.
In addition to UConn and all four universities in the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, Rising Scholars students have enrolled at Norwich University, Roger Williams University, Sacred Heart University, Bennett College, Mitchell College, Bentley University, Oakwood University, Delaware State University, Mercy College, University of Bridgeport, Mount Ida College, Fisher College, the Culinary Institute of America, and several Connecticut community colleges.
Rising Scholars is recruiting high school students to attend the summer session this July and then continue with the monthly meetings.
Governor Lamont said the program is just one of a number of examples that show the positive results that flow from providing sufficient support to DCF.
“Given the right level of resources, we see DCF is able to ensure that social workers have the time to do quality work, make good decisions, and connect children and families to services in a timely manner,” Governor Lamont said, adding that for the first time in 30 years of federal court oversight the department has adequate staffing to meet caseload standards. “The Rising Scholars Program is another example of the success we can attain when we give DCF the resources it needs to help our young people grow into successful and contributing adults.”
