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State News

Daylights Savings Time…AGAIN

Nov 4, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

Daylight saving time ends on November 5 and the American Red Cross encourages everyone to test their smoke alarms as they turn their clocks back to make sure the alarms are working. “Home fires claim more lives every year than all natural disasters combined, but working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half,” said Rebecca Johnson, regional disaster officer, American Red Cross Connecticut, and Rhode Island Region. “The sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get out. When you turn your clocks back this weekend, test your smoke alarms too to help prevent a tragedy in your home.” Over the past year, local Red Cross volunteers responded to…

State News

Access Health CT (AHCT) has announced Open Enrollment for 2024 health insurance

Nov 2, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

Access Health CT (AHCT) today announced the Open Enrollment period will take place Nov. 1, 2023 to Jan. 15, 2024 for health insurance plans for 2024. Connecticut residents can shop, compare, and enroll or renew their health insurance plans with coverage beginning in the 2024 plan year. Customers must enroll on or before Dec. 15, 2023 for coverage to begin Jan. 1, 2024. Customers who enroll between Dec. 16, 2023 and Jan. 15, 2024 will have coverage starting Feb. 1, 2024. AHCT is the only place Connecticut residents can qualify for financial help to lower health insurance costs. Open Enrollment gives customers the opportunity to review health coverage options to ensure they are making the best choice that meets their…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG, BIPARTISAN COALITION OF ATTORNEYS GENERAL SUE META FOR HARM TO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH

Oct 30, 2023 Alex

(Hartford, CT) -- Attorney General William Tong today joined 42 attorneys general throughout the country suing Meta in federal and state courts alleging that the company knowingly designed and deployed harmful features on Instagram and its other social media platforms that purposefully addict children and teens. At the same time, Meta falsely assured the public that these features are safe and suitable for young users. The attorneys general assert that Meta’s business practices violate state consumer protection laws and the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). These practices have harmed and continue to harm the physical and mental health of children and teens and have fueled what the U.S. Surgeon General has deemed a “youth mental health crisis” which…

State News

MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL PUSH TO FUND PROGRAM TO LOWER COST OF HIGH-SPEED INTERNET

Oct 29, 2023 Alex

WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined a group of 32 colleagues in urging Congressional leaders to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides financial assistance to access high-speed internet for 172,54 households in Connecticut and more than 21 million working families across the nation. “We write to urge you to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides over 21 million working families with financial assistance for broadband access, to help bridge the digital divide so they can continue to afford the broadband services they need for work, school, health care, and more,” wrote the senators. “Should ACP funding not be extended, millions of Americans could be at risk of losing access…

State News

CONNECTICUT LEADS $20 MILLION MULTISTATE SETTLEMENT WITH ACI WORLDWIDE OVER UNAUTHORIZED WITHDRAWALS

Oct 23, 2023 Alex

Connecticut, alongside a coalition of 50 states and territories, has reached a $20 million settlement with payment processor ACI Worldwide. This settlement stems from a 2021 testing error by ACI, which led to the unauthorized withdrawal of $2.3 billion from Nationstar Mortgage (also known as Mr. Cooper) customers. In Connecticut, the state will receive $558,740 from this settlement, which includes a $220,000 additional payment due to the state's leadership role in the multistate, multi-agency action. The violations occurred on April 23, 2021, when ACI Payments erroneously used live customer data during a test of its Speedpay platform, leading to unexpected and sometimes multiple mortgage payments being withdrawn from customer accounts. In some cases, this exposed consumers to overdraft or insufficient…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT AND COMMISSIONER RUSSELL-TUCKER ANNOUNCE THE LEAP EFFECT: A SYSTEMIC APPROACH TO BOOSTING STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND ENGAGEMENT

Oct 22, 2023 Alex

Governor Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker have unveiled a comprehensive report, titled "The LEAP Effect: Taking A Systemic Approach to Improving Attendance & Engagement." The report showcases the success of Connecticut's Learner Engagement and Attendance Program (LEAP), an effective student intervention program. LEAP focuses on building trust with families, removing attendance barriers, and reengaging students in school through home visits and check-ins. It emphasizes community partnerships and collaborative efforts to address chronic absenteeism by visiting families and identifying solutions that involve both schools and the community. The report highlights that LEAP is succeeding as part of a comprehensive system of attendance support, reinforcing the importance of a unified approach. Hedy Chang, Executive Director of Attendance Works, notes…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROCLAIMS OCTOBER AS DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

Oct 19, 2023 Alex

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has proclaimed October 2023 as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Connecticut in recognition of all Connecticut residents with disabilities in the workplace and in honor of their many accomplishments. “Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrates the important role of workers with disabilities, past and present, and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices that benefit employers and employees in Connecticut,” Governor Lamont said. “I am proud of the way that Connecticut has been a leader in protecting the rights of people with disabilities when it comes to employment issues, and particularly proud of the many businesses in our state that make every effort to include people of all abilities as valued…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT STATEMENT ON RELEASE OF CONNECTICUT’S ANNUAL CRIME STATISTICS REPORT FOR 2022

Oct 18, 2023 Alex

Governor Ned Lamont responded to the release of Connecticut's 2022 annual crime statistics report, emphasizing the state's continued position as one of the safest in the nation. The report, compiled by the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection's Crime Analysis Unit, presents data on crimes reported to law enforcement agencies in the state throughout the year. Governor Lamont acknowledged that while any instance of crime is unacceptable, the state has shown a decrease in violent and property crimes compared to the previous year, and the numbers are approaching pre-pandemic levels. He emphasized the state's commitment to implementing intelligent crime policies, enhancing gun safety, and providing support to vulnerable residents. The annual report is created by the Crime Analysis…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF HEALTH.CT.GOV

Oct 13, 2023 Alex

A New Digital One-Stop-Shop Portal for Health and Human Services in Connecticut (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced the launch of the State of Connecticut’s new health and human services portal, health.ct.gov. The portal is the latest development in the state’s journey toward an all-digital state government and is aimed at providing health and wellness services to Connecticut residents at every stage of life. “It has long been our administration’s priority to offer more services online and create a digital state government where residents can easily access the services they need in one place, regardless of which particular state agency they may be interacting with,” Governor Lamont said. “The launch of the health.ct.gov portal represents a multi-state agency…

State News

CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS CAN NOW SIGN UP FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARD

Oct 6, 2023 Alex

Connecticut residents can now enroll in a new program that offers a discount card for savings on prescription medication, announced by Governor Ned Lamont and Comptroller Sean Scanlon. This initiative, facilitated through ArrayRx, includes several states aiming to provide accessible pharmacy solutions through bulk purchasing. The card offers up to 80% savings on generic drugs and 20% savings on name-brand prescriptions. Connecticut residents can obtain the card for free online, with no age or income restrictions. The partnership was authorized by Governor Lamont's health care affordability bill, and it's administered by the Office of the State Comptroller. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden of prescription drugs for Connecticut residents as healthcare costs continue to rise. The ArrayRx card…

Daylights Savings Time…AGAIN

Access Health CT (AHCT) has announced Open Enrollment for 2024 health insurance

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG, BIPARTISAN COALITION OF ATTORNEYS GENERAL SUE META FOR HARM TO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH

MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL PUSH TO FUND PROGRAM TO LOWER COST OF HIGH-SPEED INTERNET

CONNECTICUT LEADS $20 MILLION MULTISTATE SETTLEMENT WITH ACI WORLDWIDE OVER UNAUTHORIZED WITHDRAWALS

GOVERNOR LAMONT AND COMMISSIONER RUSSELL-TUCKER ANNOUNCE THE LEAP EFFECT: A SYSTEMIC APPROACH TO BOOSTING STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND ENGAGEMENT

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROCLAIMS OCTOBER AS DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

GOVERNOR LAMONT STATEMENT ON RELEASE OF CONNECTICUT’S ANNUAL CRIME STATISTICS REPORT FOR 2022

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF HEALTH.CT.GOV

CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS CAN NOW SIGN UP FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARD

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