State News

Connecticut Consumers to Face Slight Increase in Winter Electric Bills

NEW BRITAIN, CT – Today, Connecticut’s two electric distribution companies, Eversource and United Illuminating, filed new standard service supply rates that, if approved by PURA, will be effective for six months beginning on January 1, 2024. These new standard service supply rates will result in an increased electric bill for customers using an average of 700 kWh per month by approximately $6.24 and $18.51 respectively. However, as compared to the last winter period spanning January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023, customers will see significant bill relief this winter season. “While supply prices are still higher than we’d like for standard service consumers, electricity bills will be more affordable this winter as compared to last winter, and that is a…

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State Police Prepare For Holiday Rush

Connecticut State Troopers are gearing up for the anticipated busy Thanksgiving travel week in 2023, with a focus on ensuring road safety by actively patrolling highways, addressing aggressive and unsafe driving, and preventing impaired driving. Assigned to Bradley International Airport, troopers will contribute to passenger safety, emphasizing the importance of adhering to regulations at the airport. Connecticut residents are urged to play a role in public safety by following traffic laws, while travelers are advised to check flight statuses, avoid leaving vehicles unattended, and utilize designated waiting areas. Interim Colonel Daniel Loughman emphasizes the need for drivers to report emergencies, follow traffic laws, and be patient on crowded highways during the holiday weekend. Troopers will employ traditional and non-traditional patrol…

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Teen E-Cigarette and Tobacco Addiction (PROTECT) Act

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) have reintroduced the bipartisan Preventing Opportunities for Teen E-Cigarette and Tobacco Addiction (PROTECT) Act to combat the rising usage of harmful e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco products among American youth. This legislation aims to address the adverse effects of nicotine found in these products on long-term health and adolescent brain development. The bill has received strong support from various policymakers and organizations, acknowledging the urgent need to counter the escalating public health crisis stemming from widespread teen e-cigarette use. Senator Blumenthal highlighted the urgency of preventing another generation from falling victim to tobacco addiction, emphasizing the detrimental effects posed by e-cigarettes and deceptive marketing strategies used by manufacturers. Representative…

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CONNECTICUT CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $1.7 MILLION FOR TRAFFIC & ROAD SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS & STUDIES

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds traffic safety projects that prevent fatalities, serious injuries [HARTFORD, CT] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) and U.S. Representatives John B. Larson (D-CT), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Jim Himes (D-CT), and Jahana Hayes (D-CT) announced $1.749 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support six traffic safety projects across Connecticut. The funds are awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program established to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. “More people are dying on Connecticut’s roadways than ever before, and this $1.7 million in federal funding will help towns plan and make serious safety improvements to prevent these senseless tragedies from occurring,” said…

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Consumer Counsel Challenges United Illuminating’s Rate Increase

The Office of Consumer Counsel filed Motions to Intervene in The United Illuminating Company’s (“UI”) administrative appeals to the Superior Court where the company is seeking to overturn the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (“PURA”) recent ruling rejecting the company’s rate increase request of $131 million over current rates and instead approving an increase of $22 million. “United Illuminating’s appeals have commenced another lengthy process where they will attempt to distort the impact of PURA’s decision and weaken the integrity of Connecticut’s regulatory framework for the benefit of their bottom line,” said Consumer Counsel Coleman. “That’s why my office filed motions to intervene in the Superior Court proceedings on behalf of the customers in their service territory. During the rate case over the course…

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Daylights Savings Time…AGAIN

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…

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

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…

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

(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…

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

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…

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