State News Archives - Page 29 of 113

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES BOND COMMISSION SET TO APPROVE $25 MILLION FOR NEW VOTING MACHINES

Oct 2, 2023 Alex

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the Connecticut State Bond Commission will vote at its upcoming meeting to approve an allocation of $25 million that will be used to purchase new ballot-counting tabulators for use in elections and primaries statewide. The equipment will replace Connecticut’s existing voting machines, which are used at every polling place in the state to tabulate the choices that voters make on their paper ballots. The governor, who serves as chair of the commission and sets its meeting agendas, said that he is recommending the members to approve the funding because the existing machines, which were first put into use in 2006, are beginning to show signs of aging and should be replaced…

State News

CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS CAN NOW SIGN UP FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARD

Oct 2, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

Free Discount Card Enables Consumers To Receive Savings on Certain Prescription Drugs (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Comptroller Sean Scanlon announced that effective today, Connecticut residents can now enroll in a newly launched program enabling them to receive a discount card that can be presented at pharmacies to receive savings on certain medication. The discount card is provided through ArrayRx, a multistate consortium Connecticut recently joined that has a goal of providing accessible pharmacy solutions for state partners. Other participating states include Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. The multistate consortium uses the leverage of bulk purchasing to offer up to 80% savings on generic prescription drugs and 20% savings on name-brand prescription drugs. To receive a discount card, Connecticut residents…

State News

Eversource Announces New Low-Income Discount Rate to Begin December 2023

Sep 19, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

Eligible customers receive 10% or 50% off electric bill BERLIN, Conn. (Sept. 19, 2023) – A new Low-Income Discount Rate will be available for Eversource financial hardship customers in Connecticut beginning in December 2023. Depending on their household income, eligible customers will receive 10% or 50% off their electric bills per month. For example, if a customer has a $100 monthly bill, it would be $10 less if they receive a 10% discount or $50 less if they receive the 50% discount. Customers must have a financial hardship status on their electric account to receive the discount on their bill.“We know how challenging high energy costs can be and we want to help customers to afford their energy bill, especially those who are struggling to make ends…

State News

SPECIAL SNAP BENEFITS TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE FAMILIES OF MORE THAN 209,800 CHILDREN ON MONDAY

Sep 3, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the Connecticut Department of Social Services, in collaboration with the Connecticut State Department of Education, will distribute an additional $25.1 million in special food assistance benefits to the families of 209,820 children on Monday, September 4, 2023. Families of children who are enrolled in the free or reduced-price meals program at their schools and who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Family Assistance (TFA), or Medicaid (HUSKY A) assistance will receive the additional benefits. These one-time supplemental benefits are in the amount of $120 per child. Funding will automatically be transferred to the electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards of eligible households. Governor Lamont said, “These additional SNAP benefits will help provide quality, nutritious…

State News

Connecticut State Troopers Gear Up for Labor Day Weekend Traffic

Sep 1, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

Connecticut State Troopers Gear Up for Labor Day Weekend Traffic Middletown, CT (August 30, 2023) – As the Labor Day weekend approaches, Connecticut State Troopers are urging drivers to brace themselves for increased traffic on roadways across the state. State Troopers will be actively patrolling highways and ensuring public safety throughout the holiday weekend, as individuals gather for beach outings, backyard barbeques, and local park festivities, resulting in higher vehicular presence on the roads. Commencing from 12:00 a.m. on Friday, September 1, 2023, through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 4, 2023, Troopers from each of the agency's 11 divisions will be conducting mobile DUI patrols. Moreover, Troopers will also be on the waterways, monitoring State Police watercraft activities, as numerous…

State News

Train Service on the Metro-North New Canaan Branch Line Resumes Saturday, September 2, 2023

Aug 28, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) alerts riders that train service on the Metro-North (MNR) New Canaan Branch Line resumes on Saturday, September 2, with the 6:20 a.m. train. Over the last several months, a track improvement project was underway along the line. Now that the project is completed, an existing speed restriction in the Stamford area has been eliminated, allowing trains to travel 20 miles per hour faster through this section. In advance of train service resuming, test trains will be operating along the New Canaan Branch Line between Stamford and New Canaan in both directions to test and inspect the railroad crossings and tracks. “We appreciate the public remaining patient as this important work took place over the…

State News

Heating Assistance

Aug 28, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

Noting that the State of Connecticut is “literally leaving people out in the cold,” Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly today testified at a legislative public hearing in support of bolstering Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding. “The administration and the majority touted a major state income tax cut this year, but I want you all to consider this fact: Many vulnerable households effectively could lose all of their tax relief - and more - unless state officials act to fix heating assistance,” Sen. Kelly told an Aug. 28 joint hearing of the Appropriations, Human Services and Energy & Technology Committees. Sen. Kelly told the committees that Connecticut’s poorest families on emergency heating assistance could get nearly $1,000 less in government aid this winter. “To put it in…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG TO INSURANCE DEPARTMENT: UNJUSTIFIED RATE REQUESTS MUST BE REJECTED

Aug 27, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

(Hartford, CT) – In a letter today to Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais, Attorney General William Tong argued that double-digit rate increases sought by Anthem, Cigna and ConnectiCare are unjustified, unsupported by evidence, and must be rejected. The proposed average individual rate request for the plan year starting January 1, 2024 is a 12.4 percent increase, compared to 20.4 percent in plan year 2023. Increases requested range from 9.8 percent to 17.5 percent. The proposed average small group rate request is a 14.8 percent increase, compared to 14.8 percent in 2023 and ranges from 7.5 percent to 23.0 percent. While the Connecticut Insurance Department does not approve large and self-insured plans covering the majority of Connecticut residents, Attorney General…

State News

CDOT Street Design Change

Aug 24, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has implemented new Complete Streets design criteria to be incorporated into all projects. The Complete Streets design criteria is an expansion of CTDOT’s Complete Street Policy, ensuring that every project includes a focus on pedestrian and bicyclist facilities and public transportation operations to create stronger intermodal transportation networks and improve safety. Complete Streets Policies are aimed at creating roadways that work for everyone. By ensuring the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit customers of all ages and abilities, safety is improved, and a stronger transportation network is created. “While this change may sound technical, it is a big deal for improving the safety of our transportation network. I am incredibly proud of our…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES CONNECTICUT’S 2023 SALES TAX-FREE WEEK RUNS FROM AUGUST 20 TO 26

Aug 17, 2023 Alex

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that Connecticut will hold Sales Tax-Free Week from Sunday, August 20, 2023, to Saturday, August 26, 2023. During this one-week sales tax holiday, retail purchases of most clothing and footwear items priced under $100 are exempt from the Connecticut sales and use tax. The exemption applies to each eligible item costing under $100 regardless of how many of those items are sold to a customer on the same invoice. “This tax-free holiday is scheduled at the perfect time to help families stretch their dollars during the back-to-school season, while also giving businesses an extra boost to their bottom line,” Governor Lamont said. “I encourage everyone taking advantage of these savings to shop…

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES BOND COMMISSION SET TO APPROVE $25 MILLION FOR NEW VOTING MACHINES

CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS CAN NOW SIGN UP FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARD

Eversource Announces New Low-Income Discount Rate to Begin December 2023

SPECIAL SNAP BENEFITS TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE FAMILIES OF MORE THAN 209,800 CHILDREN ON MONDAY

Connecticut State Troopers Gear Up for Labor Day Weekend Traffic

Train Service on the Metro-North New Canaan Branch Line Resumes Saturday, September 2, 2023

Heating Assistance

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG TO INSURANCE DEPARTMENT: UNJUSTIFIED RATE REQUESTS MUST BE REJECTED

CDOT Street Design Change

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES CONNECTICUT’S 2023 SALES TAX-FREE WEEK RUNS FROM AUGUST 20 TO 26

You missed

Mayor Ganim and Mayor Chess Issue Joint Testimony in Support of H.B. 5500; Seek to Refund Tax Interest Payments to Success Village

STRATFORD’S ST. PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVITIES SET FOR MARCH 17

Carjacking!

Pedestrian Struck

DoingItLocal