GOVERNOR LAMONT REMINDS PUBLIC OF PARKCONNECT PROGRAM THAT OFFERS INCREASED BUS SERVICES TO STATE PARKS AND BEACHES THIS SUMMER
(WESTPORT, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont is reminding Connecticut residents about the state’s ParkConneCT program, which is offering increased bus services to Connecticut state parks and beaches. A continuation of a pilot program launched last year, the program offers fare-free shuttles and enhanced existing transit service to various state parks and beaches this summer through Labor Day (Monday, September 5, 2022).The program, which is a collaboration of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), aims to connect people to Connecticut state parks for the summer season, support seasonal employment, and promote recreational activity to improve physical and mental wellbeing.The governor, along with CTDOT and DEEP officials, today highlighted the program by…
ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG URGES CONGRESS TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM CANNABIS COPYCAT PRODUCTS
(Hartford, CT) -- Attorney General William Tong joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general urging Congress to protect children from cannabis copycat products. These unregulated, illegal products are designed to look like popular snack items and are contributing to increased accidental THC consumption in children. On June 16, the FDA warned that between January 1, 2021 and May 31, 2022, National Poison Control Centers received 10,448 single substance exposure cases involving edible products containing THC. Of these cases, 77 percent involved patients 19 years of age or younger. The Connecticut Poison Control Center has reported 189 cases of marijuana edible ingestion in children under age 19 since 2020. Of those, 150 were sent to the emergency department, and 66 were…
GOVERNOR LAMONT ISSUES DECLARATION ENABLING CRUCIAL FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE TO CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL MORE MONTHS
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced that he has signed a declaration that will enable crucial federal support Connecticut has been receiving throughout the COVID-19 pandemic – including supplemental food benefits for households in need and non-congregate housing for individuals experiencing homelessness – to continue through December 28, 2022, or until the federal public health emergency ends, whichever is earlier. The governor specifically stated in the declaration that he does not intend to issue any executive orders under this declaration but rather wants to ensure that his administration has the authorities necessary to apply for and receive federal assistance in response to the pandemic. “We cannot ignore the reality that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted low-income families and communities, many…
GOVERNOR LAMONT REMINDS RESIDENTS THAT CONNECTICUT’S MINIMUM WAGE IS SCHEDULED TO INCREASE ON FRIDAY
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont is reminding Connecticut residents that the state’s minimum wage will increase from the current rate of $13.00 per hour to $14.00 per hour beginning on Friday, July 1, 2022. The change is the result of legislation he signed into law three years ago that schedules several increases in the minimum wage over a five-year period. “For too long, while the nation’s economy grew, the income of the lowest earning workers has stayed flat, making already existing pay disparities even worse and preventing hardworking families from obtaining financial security,” Governor Lamont said. “This is a fair, gradual increase for workers who will invest the money right back into our economy and continue supporting local businesses in their communities.”…
Connecticut Taxes
Paid for by Bob for Governor. David Becker, Treasurer. Approved by Bob Stefanowski.
Connecticut Families Can Now Apply for the Child Tax Credit
The state is now receiving applications for families seeking the Child Tax Rebate, one of several tax cuts approved by Democrats in this year’s state budget. Any Connecticut resident who claimed at least one dependent child under the age of 18 on their 2021 federal income tax return may be eligible for the maximum state tax rebate of up to $250 per child. The following income guidelines will determine eligibility for the maximum rebate of $250 per child, while those with higher income rates may be eligible for a reduced rebate:Single or married, filing separately: $100,000 or lessHead of household: $160,000 or lessMarried, filing jointly: $200,000 or lessApplications will remain open until the end of July, with qualified recipients beginning…
Bob Stefanowski on Lamont’s Diesel Fuel Tax Increase
Branford, CT- Bob Stefanowski, candidate for Governor of Connecticut, reacts to today's announcement on the 9.1 cent increase on the Motor Vehicle Fuels Tax Rate on Diesel Fuel: “Governor Lamont says he is a tax cutter. Really? He raised taxes by $1.8 billion his first year in office, tried his best to put up tolls, settled for the truck tax, and today, with inflation at its highest level in 40 years, raised the diesel tax by over 20%. Higher costs for goods means higher inflation, and an even more expensive state. I urge Governor Lamont to suspend all state taxes on gas and diesel to help residents get through the current crisis that he and President Biden have created.”
BLUMENTHAL STATEMENT ON NHTSA’S ELEVATED INVESTIGATION INTO TESLA’S AUTOPILOT SYSTEM
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA), members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, issued the following joint statement after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) upgraded its investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot system from a preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis after identifying additional crashes at first responder sites:“We are encouraged that NHTSA has escalated its probe into Tesla’s Autopilot after discovering even more crashes that point to a disturbing, deadly pattern. The agency must swiftly complete this important investigation to determine if a recall is necessary while taking all steps in its power to prevent any more lives from being lost. NHTSA’s findings will be essential to improving the safety…
CTDOT Announces First Universal EV Fast Chargers in CT Service Plazas Now Available
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced that level three electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers are now available at the Interstate 95 Southbound service plaza in Madison. This is the first set of universal access fast chargers at a Connecticut service plaza and can fully charge a vehicle in less than 30 minutes. Additional publicly available fast chargers at service plazas in New Canaan, Greenwich, and Fairfield will be online over the next several weeks, with more to come. CTDOT made the announcement at a special event earlier today with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), elected officials and various stakeholders.“These universal fast chargers make it easier for people to travel to and through Connecticut. With convenient…