State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG LAUNCHES INQUIRY INTO BUY NOW, PAY LATER LENDERS

Dec 2, 2025 Stephen Krauchick

BNPL products may expose consumers to unclear terms, hidden fees, and debt traps (Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong led a multistate coalition of seven attorneys general sending letters to the six largest buy now, pay later (BNPL) providers seeking detailed information regarding their pricing and repayment structures, consumer contracts, user agreements, and disclosures. The inquiry aims to determine if BNPL companies are complying with consumer protection laws and whether their products may be placing Connecticut consumers at financial risk. Letters were sent to Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna, PayPal, Sezzle, and Zip. Connecticut’s action follows a decision by the Trump Administration to abandon a federal rule issued by the Biden Administration that would have required BNPL providers to adhere to…

State News

BLUMENTHAL LEADS COLLEAGUES IN INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO INCREASE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

Nov 30, 2025 Stephen Krauchick

The SWIFT Act would expand Social Security benefits for over one million Americans [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced legislation to expand Social Security benefits for widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment (SWIFT) Act makes necessary changes to Social Security benefit rules by addressing outdated benefit caps, arbitrary legal restrictions, and claiming requirements—resulting in increased benefits for widow(ers) and surviving divorced spouses. “The SWIFT Act corrects outdated rules and restrictions and removes barriers limiting Social Security benefits—ensuring widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses receive the Social Security benefits they rightfully deserve. Social Security is a lifeline for Americans,…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG CALLS ON SHOPIFY TO CRACK DOWN ON E-CIGARETTE SALES

Nov 29, 2025 Stephen Krauchick

(Hartford, CT) — Attorney General William Tong joined a bipartisan coalition of 25 attorneys general and the City of New York in sending a letter to Shopify Inc., urging the company to take stronger action against merchants using the platform to sell illegal tobacco products, particularly e-cigarettes. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Shopify describes itself as “a commerce platform that helps you sell online and in person” and explains that “[e]ntrepreneurs, retailers, and global brands use Shopify to make sales, run stores, and grow their businesses.” Despite Shopify’s policies that prohibit merchants from using its services for unlawful activities, merchants continue to use Shopify’s services to sell illegal e-cigarettes. The letter is the latest action by Attorney General Tong to address…

State News

CDC Issues Alert on Multistate Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to ByHeart Infant Formula

Nov 14, 2025 Stephen Krauchick

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is alerting medical and public health partners to a multistate outbreak of infant botulism associated with ByHeart powdered infant formula. This advisory provides updated epidemiologic information, guidance for early case identification, and critical actions for clinicians, hospitals, and public health agencies. CDC has identified 15 infants with suspected or confirmed infant botulism across 12 states, all of whom required hospitalization and treatment with BabyBIG® (Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous). While no deaths have been reported, new national data reveal a disproportionate number of illnesses among infants who consumed ByHeart Whole Nutrition formula, prompting an immediate nationwide recall of all ByHeart Whole Nutrition products on November 11. Neither CDC nor FDA has identified…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SEEKS TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER TO BLOCK TRUMP FROM DEMANDING STATE “UNDO” SNAP BENEFITS

Nov 11, 2025 Stephen Krauchick

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong shortly after midnight sought a temporary restraining order to block the Trump Administration from demanding that states “undo” Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits already paid out to millions of Americans.“Donald Trump wants us to take food off the plates of Connecticut families who finally just now got the chance to eat. Undo food stamps? Those funds were out the door on Saturday, and families were in the grocery stores all weekend. We’re fighting this one to the bitter end,” said Attorney General Tong. “Trump’s actions have been unconscionable, unlawful and erratic, and states like Connecticut had a moral imperative and legal right to act quickly to get funds out the door. Trump never had the…

State News

Shutdown Ends After Bipartisan Senate Breakthrough; Connecticut Senators Vote No

Nov 10, 2025 Stephen Krauchick

The federal government shutdown is effectively over after seven Senate Democrats crossed party lines late Sunday to join Republicans in voting to reopen the government. The 60–40 vote advances a temporary funding bill that restores federal operations and guarantees back-pay for furloughed workers. The Democrats who broke ranks — including senators from New Hampshire, Nevada, Illinois, Virginia, and Pennsylvania — said the deal was the only viable path to end the 40-day standoff. Notably, Connecticut’s senators, Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, did not join the crossover vote and remained aligned with party leadership. The bill now moves to the House, where a final vote is expected soon. Once signed by the president, federal agencies will resume normal operations and workers…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES NOVEMBER SNAP BENEFITS RELEASED

Nov 9, 2025 Stephen Krauchick

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that as of Saturday afternoon, full SNAP benefits for November have been loaded onto the EBT cards of Connecticut SNAP recipients. Approximately 65% of the funding is from the federal government as directed under a court order, and the remainder is state funding that has been authorized by Governor Lamont. Connecticut SNAP recipients should now have access to the full funding they would have normally received for the month. “I’m pleased to share the news that as of this afternoon, all SNAP recipients in Connecticut have access to full November funding on their EBT cards,” Governor Lamont said. “Families in need of food assistance never should have been used as political pawns by…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SUES U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO BLOCK PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS RESTRICTIONS

Nov 7, 2025 Stephen Krauchick

(Hartford, CT) -- Attorney General William Tong and 21 other attorneys general today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education (ED) for unlawfully restricting eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which allows government and nonprofit employees to have their federal student loans forgiven after ten years of service. The attorneys general are challenging a new federal rule that would deem certain state and local governments or nonprofit organizations ineligible employers for PSLF if the federal government determines they have engaged in actions with a substantial illegal purpose – in practice, activities, or actions that are disfavored by the administration. The coalition argues that the sweeping new rule is unlawful and targeted to punish states and organizations that…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SUES TRUMP ADMINSITRATION FOR ILLEGALLY SUSPENDING SNAP BENEFITS

Oct 31, 2025 Stephen Krauchick

Coalition Urges Court to Immediately Restore SNAP Funding Relied Upon by 42 Million Americans (Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 21 other attorneys general and three governors today in filing a lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its Secretary Brooke Rollins for unlawfully suspending the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps more than 40 million Americans buy food, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. “Trump is stealing food from hungry Connecticut families—it’s unconscionable, unlawful, and we’re going to court today to free these funds. There are billions of dollars in contingency funds, paid for by taxpayers and appropriated by Congress sitting there to help American families buy food at a time…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT, CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ANNOUNCE FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR ROAD AND BRIDGE REPAIRS FOLLOWING AUGUST 2024 FLOODS

Oct 12, 2025 Stephen Krauchick

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and the members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation today announced that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has approved $25 million in emergency relief funding to reimburse the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) for costs related to road and bridge repairs following the historic August 18, 2024, rain and flooding event that impacted the western portion of the state. The state applied for the funding after making significant repairs to dozens of roads and bridges that were washed out and damaged by the storm. The funding announced today comes in addition to $3 million in “quick release” emergency relief funds FHWA approved last year, bringing the total federal emergency relief funds allocated to Connecticut for road and…

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG LAUNCHES INQUIRY INTO BUY NOW, PAY LATER LENDERS

BLUMENTHAL LEADS COLLEAGUES IN INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO INCREASE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG CALLS ON SHOPIFY TO CRACK DOWN ON E-CIGARETTE SALES

CDC Issues Alert on Multistate Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to ByHeart Infant Formula

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SEEKS TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER TO BLOCK TRUMP FROM DEMANDING STATE “UNDO” SNAP BENEFITS

Shutdown Ends After Bipartisan Senate Breakthrough; Connecticut Senators Vote No

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES NOVEMBER SNAP BENEFITS RELEASED

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SUES U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO BLOCK PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS RESTRICTIONS

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SUES TRUMP ADMINSITRATION FOR ILLEGALLY SUSPENDING SNAP BENEFITS

GOVERNOR LAMONT, CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ANNOUNCE FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR ROAD AND BRIDGE REPAIRS FOLLOWING AUGUST 2024 FLOODS

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ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG LAUNCHES INQUIRY INTO BUY NOW, PAY LATER LENDERS

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