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LEGISLATION TO PROTECT PEOPLE’S PERSONAL DATA ONLINE

Mar 13, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and a group of 19 senators in reintroducing legislation to protect people’s personal data online. The Data Care Act would require websites, apps, and other online providers to take responsible steps to safeguard personal information and stop the misuse of users’ data. “We constantly hear reports of online companies misusing or exploiting data they collect from their users, and most people don’t realize just how much personal information these websites and apps can access. This legislation would ensure these companies are held to a higher standard that prioritizes protecting consumer data and give users some peace of mind,” said Murphy. “Websites and apps that collect data from their users…

State News

GOVERNOR EXTENDS COVERAGE PERIOD FOR DELIVERABLE FUEL ASSISTANCE

Mar 10, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has directed the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) to extend the coverage period for households receiving deliverable fuel assistance under the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) during the 2022-2023 winter season to March 31, 2023. The original deadline to receive fuel deliveries this winter season was March 15, 2023. Governor Lamont explained that thanks to the work of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation in securing the unprecedented fiscal year 2023 federal funding for the program, the state has resources available to provide for a slight extension to the deadline, giving residents a few extra days to receive assistance for fuel deliveries. Households that heat their homes with deliverable fuels such as home heating oil,…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SUES FOUR GHOST GUN DEALERS FOR ILLEGAL SALES IN CONNECTICUT

Mar 7, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today sued four out-of-state firearm dealers selling and advertising illegal, untraceable “ghost gun” parts in Connecticut. On October 1, 2019, Connecticut banned the sale and receipt of unfinished frame and lower receiver gun components lacking serial numbers or unique identification, which are used to build ghost guns. Despite that, defendants Indie Guns of Florida, Steel Fox Firearms of Florida, Hell Fire Armory of North Carolina, and AR Industries of Utah each sold and shipped illegal ghost guns to an undercover investigator from the Office of the Attorney General. The four firearm dealers each advertise and sell a variety of firearms and components, including ghost gun components that allow consumers to easily assemble handguns,…

State News

Insurance For All

Mar 3, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

Connecticut - On Thursday, March 2nd, the Connecticut General Assembly’s Human Services Committee voted to pass House Bill 6616, to expand HUSKY to those otherwise eligible, regardless of immigration status, up to age 18. The committee vote comes just over two weeks after the bill received overwhelming support during a 12-hour public hearing in which over 700 people testified in support of expanding HUSKY to undocumented immigrants. While this is great news for undocumented youth who are now one step closer to receiving the healthcare coverage they need, the amended bill falls short of the original proposal to expand HUSKY to age 26. “We are thankful to the co-chairs and members of the Human Services Committee who were instrumental in…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT DIRECTS STATE OFFICE BUILDINGS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC TUESDAY DUE TO WINTER STORM

Feb 27, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is ordering all executive branch state office buildings closed to the public on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, due to the winter storm that is anticipated to impact Connecticut. The governor is directing that: All level 2 state employees who are able to telework shall telework for the duration of the storm related closures; and All level 2 state employees whose job duties cannot be performed via telework should not report to work in-person. Level 2 state employees include all of those who were previously designated as “nonessential” based on their respective job duties. Level 1 state employees are those who were previously designated as “essential” and shall report as scheduled or directed. The…

State News

Traffic Stops

Feb 26, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

Senator Herron Gaston (D-Bridgeport), Chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee, is leading a public hearing on Senate Bill 1022, 'An Act Requiring Police Officers To Provide A Driver With The Reason For A Traffic Stop And Concerning Certain Police Officer Training,' a bill Senator Gaston introduced this legislative session. Senate Bill 1022 will require police officers to inform drivers of the reason for a traffic stop and encourage additional police officer trainings on de-escalation, use of force, customer service, diversity, and bias. "I know there are times when a person has broken a law and they deserve to be pulled over, rightfully so, but they also deserve to be treated with dignity and respect," said Sen. Gaston. "There…

State News

CT To Receive Additional $ For Heating

Feb 24, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

Connecticut will receive an additional $19.6 million in federal funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), as part of the 2023 omnibus appropriations bill. Since November, Connecticut has received more than $105 million in LIHEAP funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “LIHEAP helps thousands of Connecticut families and seniors keep their lights on and their homes warm each year. This winter’s high energy costs have put a major strain on the program, and that’s why our delegation has consistently pushed the administration to get as much federal funding out the door as possible. I’m glad to see our state receive an additional $19.6 million to help more people afford their energy bills and stay…

State News

AG, LEGISLATORS ANNOUNCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO STRENGTHEN CONNECTICUT’S ANTI-ROBOCALL LAWS

Feb 24, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong and a bipartisan coalition of legislators announced new proposed legislation to strengthen Connecticut’s ability to fight obnoxious and intrusive robocalls. The legislation would modernize the state’s anti-robocall statutes to match new tactics and technology used to inundate Connecticut households with relentless, unwanted calls. Connecticut’s robocall statutes have not been updated since 2015. Some portions have not been updated since they were first enacted in 1996. Our laws have failed to keep up with current tactics used by scammers. Specifically, the proposal expands the statutes to cover text messages, bans “gateway” voice over internet protocol (VoIP) providers from facilitating overseas scammers’ access to the U.S. telecom networks, allows for enforcement action against calls received…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES FORGE ESTABLISHES OPERATIONS IN CONNECTICUT, OFFERING FREE SUPPORT TO LOCAL STARTUPS

Feb 22, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that FORGE – a nonprofit organization that connects startups creating physical products with the product development, manufacturing, and supply chain resources they need to grow and succeed – is establishing operations in Connecticut and will begin providing its services – free of charge – to local startups. The staff at FORGE are experts in helping innovators navigate the journey from physical prototype to commercialization. They do this by connecting startups with experienced product experts, manufacturers, engineers, and the local supply chains to drive business relationships. Since its founding in 2015, the organization has operated in Massachusetts, where it has supported hundreds of creators of physical products, leading to the creation of more than 5,000…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROPOSES LEGISLATION TO REDUCE HEALTH CARE COSTS

Feb 22, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today held a news conference in New Britain to announced that he has submitted multi-pronged legislative proposals to the General Assembly that focus on reducing health care costs for Connecticut residents, with a particular emphasis on enhancing competition, eliminating unnecessary charges, reducing rising prices, and increasing affordability for residents and employers. The legislation is House Bill 6669, An Act Protecting Patients and Prohibiting Unnecessary Health Care Costs, and Senate Bill 983, An Act Limiting Anticompetitive Health Care Practices. “Gallup recently reported that record-high numbers of Americans are putting off care due to costs,” Governor Lamont said. “Approximately 38% of Americans put off care in 2022, the highest percentage Gallup has ever seen in its…

LEGISLATION TO PROTECT PEOPLE’S PERSONAL DATA ONLINE

GOVERNOR EXTENDS COVERAGE PERIOD FOR DELIVERABLE FUEL ASSISTANCE

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SUES FOUR GHOST GUN DEALERS FOR ILLEGAL SALES IN CONNECTICUT

Insurance For All

GOVERNOR LAMONT DIRECTS STATE OFFICE BUILDINGS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC TUESDAY DUE TO WINTER STORM

Traffic Stops

CT To Receive Additional $ For Heating

AG, LEGISLATORS ANNOUNCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO STRENGTHEN CONNECTICUT’S ANTI-ROBOCALL LAWS

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES FORGE ESTABLISHES OPERATIONS IN CONNECTICUT, OFFERING FREE SUPPORT TO LOCAL STARTUPS

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROPOSES LEGISLATION TO REDUCE HEALTH CARE COSTS

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