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State News

Connecticut Declines to Sign Federal Civil Rights Letter, Says It’s Already in Compliance

Apr 16, 2025 Alex

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker today announced that the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) has responded to a recent request from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) regarding Title VI compliance and has opted not to sign the letter, citing that Connecticut “already does and will continue to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” CSDE regularly reaffirms its compliance with all federal program assurances, through which USDOE continues to provide federal funding. Additionally, Local Education Agencies in Connecticut certify their compliance with Title VI to CSDE in annual applications with all assurances required for federal programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. “In Connecticut, we’re proud to support…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG STATEMENT REGARDING TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDER ON BEHALF OF FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY

Apr 11, 2025 Alex

Any opinions expressed are solely those of Attorney General Tong and do not necessarily reflect the views of DoingItLocal. The statement below is in its original, unedited form: (Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong released the following statement in response to a series of executive orders issued this week by President Donald Trump seeking to force the revival of dirty and dangerous energy generation and to block states from lawful efforts to combat the climate crisis. “This is a war on our environment, waged by a reckless President on behalf of his fossil fuel industry backers who do not care if our air and water are toxic so long as they make money. Decades of scientific consensus prove that…

State News

Tong Triple Header: Claims on Trump Election Executive Order, Drug Price Fixing, and Ghost Gun Ruling

Mar 29, 2025 Alex

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG STATEMENT ON LAWLESS TRUMP ELECTION ORDER (Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong released the following statement in response to the executive order issued last night by President Donald Trump seeking to illegally defund states who do not comply with his list of voter suppression measures. “This is a lawless attempt to suppress and manipulate free and fair elections across the United States, from an unhinged aspiring dictator still seeking to rewrite history to erase his defeat more than four years ago. Since 1788—plainly spelled out in Article 1 of the Constitution and repeatedly affirmed by the Supreme Court—elections are run by the states. This is about Donald Trump trying to pick and choose who gets to…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG VOWS TO FIGHT FOR CONNECTICUT CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER AND CLIMATE AS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THREATENS TO GUT ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

Mar 18, 2025 Alex

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today promised to fight for Connecticut clean air, clean water and climate following the announcement by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin that his agency will gut regulations protecting Americans from airborne toxins, smog, dirty power plants and more. The Trump Administration has also taken steps towards rescinding the 16-year-old “endangerment finding” establishing the non-controversial, scientifically-supported and widely understood connection between greenhouse gases and harm to human health and the environment. That finding is the foundation enabling regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from numerous sources, including power plants and motor vehicles. “This is a dangerous attack on the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the planet we all rely on…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SUES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO STOP DISMANTLING OF DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TO PROTECT STUDENTS

Mar 16, 2025 Alex

(Hartford, CT) -- Attorney General William Tong today joined a coalition of 20 other attorneys general in suing the Trump administration to stop the dismantling of the Department of Education (ED). On March 11, the Trump administration announced that ED would be firing approximately 50 percent of its workforce as part of its goal of a “total shutdown” of the Department. Attorney General Tong and the coalition today filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the targeted destruction of this critical federal agency that ensures tens of millions of students receive a quality education and critical resources. “Do not play politics with our kids’ education. Donald Trump, his unelected billionaire wrecking ball Elon Musk, and their enabler Linda McMahon want to…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG ISSUES TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL STREET TAKEOVERS AND RECKLESS DRIVING

Mar 9, 2025 Alex

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong issued testimony today in support of S.B. 1284, An Act Concerning the Illegal Use of Certain Vehicles and Street Takeovers, which would enable municipalities to seize certain motor vehicles and increase penalties for those engaged in illegal street takeovers. Attorney General Tong has previously called for increased penalties for reckless driving, including temporary forfeiture of vehicles. “There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t see someone driving recklessly on our roads and highways on my commute up to Hartford. From excessive speeding and reckless lane changes to distracted and intoxicated driving, this brazen lawlessness puts all of us at risk and cannot be tolerated,” Attorney General Tong states in his testimony.…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SECURES COURT ORDER BLOCKING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FROM FREEZING FEDERAL FUNDS

Mar 8, 2025 Alex

(Hartford, CT) -- Attorney General William Tong and a coalition of 22 other attorneys general today won a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration to block its illegal policy that would freeze funding for essential federal agency grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs. Judge John J. McConnell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island today granted the preliminary injunction after Attorney General Tong and the coalition sued the Trump administration to stop the funding freeze. “This is a major early victory, signaling the strength of our case and the brazen lawlessness of Trump’s overreaching executive order. Let’s not forget what Donald Trump did on January 27—this was a blanket freeze on trillions of dollars of…

State News

Governor Lamont Announces Job Assistance Available for Displaced Federal Workers

Mar 5, 2025 Alex

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced today that the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) has launched several programs to assist Connecticut residents who have been fired or placed on unpaid administrative leave from their federal government jobs. “The federal government may have decided that they don’t want these skilled workers, but we want them to know that we value their public service and that Connecticut employers can use their skills,” Governor Lamont said. “Right now, Connecticut has more than 70,000 jobs available, and the Connecticut Department of Labor can help connect jobseekers to new employment or even help them begin an entirely new career if that’s what they want to do.” Information specifically for federal workers and contractors is…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROPOSES ELIMINATING FEES FOR OBTAINING AND RENEWING OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES

Mar 4, 2025 Alex

Fee Elimination Will Save Taxpayers $18.8 Million in FY 2026 and $25 Million in FY 2027 (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is urging the Connecticut General Assembly to approve legislation he is proposing that eliminates the fees workers in certain professions are required to pay when initially applying for occupational licenses, as well as the fees associated with renewing them. By eliminating these costs, the governor is hoping to remove a barrier and encourage jobseekers to pursue careers within in-demand fields in which employers have indicated a need to hire skilled workers. The fee elimination plan was included as part of the governor’s fiscal year 2026/2027 biennial budget proposal that he presented to the legislature last month. “Workers…

State News

Jason Perillo Sworn in as a State Senator of Connecticut’s 21st District

Mar 1, 2025 Stephen Krauchick

HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Jason Perillo (R-Shelton) was sworn in at the State Capitol following his victory in this month's special election. Senator Perillo now represents Connecticut’s 21st Senate District, which includes the towns of Shelton, Stratford, Seymour, and Monroe. "I am incredibly honored and humbled to have earned the trust of the voters in the 21st Senate District. It has been a privilege to serve as the State Representative for Shelton for over 18 years, and now in the role of State Senator. I am ready to continue fighting for the hardworking residents of the 21st district", said Sen. Perillo. Sen. Perillo served as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, where he was appointed Deputy…

Connecticut Declines to Sign Federal Civil Rights Letter, Says It’s Already in Compliance

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG STATEMENT REGARDING TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDER ON BEHALF OF FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY

Tong Triple Header: Claims on Trump Election Executive Order, Drug Price Fixing, and Ghost Gun Ruling

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG VOWS TO FIGHT FOR CONNECTICUT CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER AND CLIMATE AS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THREATENS TO GUT ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SUES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO STOP DISMANTLING OF DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TO PROTECT STUDENTS

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG ISSUES TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL STREET TAKEOVERS AND RECKLESS DRIVING

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SECURES COURT ORDER BLOCKING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FROM FREEZING FEDERAL FUNDS

Governor Lamont Announces Job Assistance Available for Displaced Federal Workers

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROPOSES ELIMINATING FEES FOR OBTAINING AND RENEWING OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES

Jason Perillo Sworn in as a State Senator of Connecticut’s 21st District

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