State News

Shutdown Ends After Bipartisan Senate Breakthrough; Connecticut Senators Vote No

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…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES NOVEMBER SNAP BENEFITS RELEASED

(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…

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

(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…

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ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SUES TRUMP ADMINSITRATION FOR ILLEGALLY SUSPENDING SNAP BENEFITS

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…

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

(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…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF YOUTH SERVICE-LEARNING TRAINING

Training Webinars Available at No Cost to Participants (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Higher Education Commissioner Timothy D. Larson today announced the availability of a Youth Service-Learning Training Series that is being offered at no cost to participants in a series of webinars that will be held during the 2025-2026 school year between October and April. Organized by the Connecticut Commission on Community Service, also known as Serve Connecticut, in partnership with the National Youth Leadership Council, this training series is designed for Connecticut high school-aged youths and adult youth development providers, education providers, and organizations that engage with high school-aged youth through service and service-learning. It includes six live, highly interactive 90-minute webinars, including four for high school-aged…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT PROCLAIMS OCTOBER AS DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has proclaimed October 2025 as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Connecticut. This proclamation honors the contributions and achievements of Connecticut residents with disabilities in the workplace. This year marks the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. “Disability Employment Awareness Month is a significant time to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities,” Governor Lamont said. “It highlights the importance of inclusive employment policies and practices that benefit both employers and employees. Connecticut is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workforce where people of all abilities are appreciated and integrated into the business community, enriching the diverse tapestry of our workplace and our state.” The Connecticut Department of Aging and…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF ONLINE CLIMATE RISK MAPPING TOOL FOR HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESSES

New Tool Provides Property-Specific Risk Assessments for Flooding, Wildfires, Wind, and Extreme Heat (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) Commissioner Andrew N. Mais today announced the launch of a free online risk mapping tool that allows Connecticut homeowners and businesses to assess their property’s risk from flooding, wildfires, and other perils to better understand their insurance needs. Provided through a public-partnership between CID and First Street, a leading global provider of physical climate risk data and analytics, the mapping tool gives residents access to property-level data through interactive maps and risk-rating reports. By simply entering an address, homeowners and businesses can immediately see their property’s exposure to a range of climate-related risks such as flooding,…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES LANDMARK INVESTMENTS IN DOWNTOWN NEW HAVEN TO ACCELERATE INNOVATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND JOB GROWTH

Investments Target Growth in the Life Sciences and Quantum Technologies Industries (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration is making a $50.5 million investment in public infrastructure and facilities in downtown New Haven that are targeted toward propelling growth in the life sciences industry and the emerging sector of quantum technologies, setting the stage for a new generation of cutting-edge research, innovation, and business and job growth in these sectors. The investments are included as part of the first grant award made under the state’s newly launched Connecticut Innovation Clusters Program, which is administered by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). “Every day in downtown New Haven, workers are developing the cutting-edge research,…

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CONNECTICUT JOINS FTC TO STOP DECEPTIVE CANCER CHARITY FUNDRAISING SCHEME

Kars-R-Us.com and its operators raised millions but only a fraction of donations went to fund breast cancer screenings, FTC and states allege (Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today joined the Federal Trade Commission and 22 agencies from 19 states announcing a settlement to stop a deceptive charity fundraising scheme and its operators who made false or deceptive claims to U.S. donors. Kars-R-Us.com, Inc. (Kars) and its operators, Michael Irwin and Lisa Frank, solicited charitable donations nationwide on behalf of United Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (UBCF), a charity that claims to assist individuals affected by breast cancer, according to a complaint filed by the FTC and states. Kars claimed that vehicle donations would allow UBCF to “save lives” by providing…

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