State News

Connecticut Begins Phasing OutGasoline Engines

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES CONNECTICUT ADOPTING CLEAN AIR CAR AND TRUCK EMISSION STANDARDS TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION, PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH, PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT Connecticut Joining Eight States – Including MA, NJ, NY, and RI – To Slash Tailpipe Emissions From Cars, SUVs, and Trucks Beginning in 2027 (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that the State of Connecticut is proposing regulations to make cars and trucks up to 90% cleaner and to require vehicle manufacturers to deliver more zero-emission vehicles to Connecticut drivers while also increasing consumer protections. The public comment period remains open until August 23, 2023. The light-duty vehicle standards being released implement legislation adopted in 2003, requiring…

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LEGISLATION TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM MEDICAL DEBT

WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), both members of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Tuesday introduced legislation to strengthen consumer protections and improve transparency for medical debt practices. The Strengthening Consumer Protections and Medical Debt Transparency Act would require health care entities to communicate with consumers about any medical debt that is owed and reform collection practices. It would also direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a public database that collects information from health care entities about their debt collection practices. “No one should be forced into bankruptcy simply because they got sick. It’s unconscionable that there are hospitals willing to sue patients, seize their tax…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT ACTIVATES CONNECTICUT’S EXTREME HOT WEATHER PROTOCOL

Cooling Centers Can Be Located by Calling 2-1-1 or Visiting 211ct.org (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that due to a weather forecast indicating that temperatures over the next several days are expected to be very hot and humid, he is directing Connecticut’s extremely hot weather protocol to be activated effective at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, and remaining in effect through 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 30, 2023. The current forecast indicates that the heat index during this period will range at times between 95 to 105 degrees and have lingering impacts during the overnight hours, particularly in urban areas throughout Connecticut. The purpose of this protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations…

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U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in launching a partnership between USDA and bipartisan attorneys general in 31 states and the District of Columbia to enhance competition and protect consumers in food and agricultural markets

Attorney General William Tong joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in launching a partnership between USDA and bipartisan attorneys general in 31 states and the District of Columbia to enhance competition and protect consumers in food and agricultural markets, including in grocery, meat and poultry processing, and other markets. Through a framework established in consultation with the state attorneys general, this new partnership will assist state attorneys general in tackling anticompetitive market structures in agriculture and related industries that are raising prices and limiting choices for consumers and producers. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the partnership at the White House Competition Council meeting, which marked the second anniversary of President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition. “The Biden-Harris Administration…

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$3.6 MILLION FOR BRIDGEPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS

HARTFORD–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Jim Himes (D-Conn.-04) announced that Bridgeport Public Schools will receive a $3.62 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Renew America’s Schools program to lower energy costs, create healthier and safer learning environments, and promote workforce development. This grant is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “Bridgeport has one of Connecticut’s highest rates of asthma in children, and this $3.6 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help lower harmful greenhouse gas emissions in the classroom. Not only will it make schools safer, healthier, and more energy efficient, it will also create good-paying union jobs and fund new apprenticeship opportunities,” said Murphy. “Connecticut children deserve to breathe clean air. This significant federal funding…

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Connecticut State Police Final July 4th Stats

2023 Independence Day Weekend Enforcement Stats(6:00 p.m. June 29 through 11:59 p.m. July 4): Calls for Service: 7,312TOTAL VIOLATIONS(to include unsafe lane change,Following Too CloselyCell Phone, Texting, Speeding, Seatbelt, etc.) : 835SPEEDING: 485SEATBELT: 18DUI Arrests: 43Motor Vehicle Accidents: 489With injury: 49 (2 Serious: Stamford and Manchester)Fatalities: 4 (Greenwich, North Canaan, Westbrook and Harwinton)

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State Police Stats

The stats are reflective of the time period starting at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 29, 2023 to 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July, 4, 2023. Calls for Service: 6,186 Motor Assists: 275 Motor Vehicle Accidents: 411 Serious Injury (Stamford) Fatal: 1 (Greenwich, North Canaan) DUI: 34 Speeding: 422 Citations Citations (seatbelts, unsafe lane change, distracted driving, etc.): 730

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NEW CONNECTICUT CAPTIVE INSURANCE LAWS

Public Act 23-15 Enhances Captive Insurance Companies and Strengthens Support for the Industry Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, has signed into law Public Act 23-15, An Act Concerning Captive Insurance Companies, a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at bolstering the captive insurance industry in the state. The bill, championed by Commissioner Andrew Mais of the Connecticut Insurance Department (CID), marks a significant milestone in advancing a business-friendly regulatory environment that encourages innovation and supports the growth of captives to provide more options for businesses to manage their risk. Public Act 23-15 introduces several key changes to Connecticut’s captive insurance laws, offering increased support and flexibility for captives, owners, and service providers. The legislation, which will become effective on October 1, 2023, introduces the…

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BLUMENTHAL & SCHAKOWSKY INTRODUCE ROAD TO ZERO RESOLUTION TO END ROADWAY FATALITIES & IMPROVE TRAFFIC SAFETY

Traffic fatalities are the leading cause of death for Americans under 54, killing over 100 people every day [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) reintroduced the Road to Zero resolution to reduce traffic fatalities and improve roadway safety for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and others on the road. Introduction of the resolution follows yesterday’s announcement by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that over 9,000 people died in traffic crashes during the first three months of 2023. By improving data collection and promoting access to safe, reliable transportation, the Road to Zero resolution aims to end roadway fatalities by 2050.   “Road to zero is reachable and responsible,” said Blumenthal. “Roads must be made…

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$6 MILLION IN VOLKSWAGEN SETTLEMENT FUNDS TO EXPAND ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS IN CONNECTICUT

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration is releasing more than $6 million from the legal settlement in the Volkswagen Corporation (VW) emissions cheating scandal to fund 54 electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) projects across Connecticut. Administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the state is making these funds available for the installation of EVSE to encourage the use of electric vehicles. Approximately $1.8 million is being awarded for EVSE deployment at state government sites to advance the sustainability goals of Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 1, with an additional $3.3 million awarded for municipal projects, ten of which are located in environmental justice communities. Additionally, nearly $1 million is being dedicated to…

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