Category: State News

Connecticut – Tuesday, February 14th at 9 a.m. healthcare advocates, immigrants rights groups, immigrant community members, and legislators gathered in support ahead of a public hearing where over 220 individuals signed up to testify via zoom, and hundreds more submitted written testimony in support of H.B. 6616, An Act Concerning Expansion Of HUSKY Health Benefits To Those Ineligible Due To Immigration Status. The bill would provide HUSKY health coverage to all Connecticut residents through the age of 25, who meet eligibility criteria, regardless of immigration status and was introduced in the Human Services Committee after a campaign by immigrants and healthcare providers and advocates.

The coalition’s legislative push comes off the heels of back-to-back legislative wins. In 2021 and 2022, the HUSKY for Immigrants Coalition successfully fought for expanding HUSKY to undocumented kids 12 and under and pregnant and postpartum people. In the past, public hearings lasted over 12 hours and included over 200 submissions of support.

During the press conference, immigrants shared their personal struggles with lack of access to healthcare and urged the Connecticut legislature to vote favorably for H.B. 6616. Their stories highlighted the very real impact on the lives, bodies, and individuals when our state continues to choose to deny its residents healthcare access. With COVID-19 pandemic being far from over, the undocumented community continues to risk their lives to provide essential services in our state, while having no access to care when they get ill. Lastly, State Representative Jillian Gilchrest, who is championing the bill as Co-chair of the Human Services committee, discussed the importance of having an inclusive healthcare system and how elected leaders can and must end health disparities in Connecticut.

“As the HUSKY for Immigrants Coalition, we believe that healthcare is a human right and no one should be denied healthcare and a chance at survival because of their immigration status. We thank the Human Services Committee Chairs and Members for introducing H.B. 6616, moving it to a public hearing, and for their commitment to supporting our state’s most marginalized communities. Passage of this bill would provide healthcare to a wide variety of persons: parents, workers, students. If Connecticut wants a future that includes healthy families and a stable, thriving, growing workforce that is ready to meet the needs of our future, Connecticut must ensure that these individuals have access to health coverage. After today’s powerful show of support, we ask that Human Services Committee members do what is morally and fiscally right- vote on and pass HB 6616 out of Committee in its current form and expand access to HUSKY for all income eligible Connecticut residents under the age of 26, no matter their immigration status,” said Luis Luna, HUSKY for Immigrants Coalition Manager.

“Expanding HUSKY to all, regardless of immigration status, has the support of 58 percent of Connecticut voters, according to opinion research conducted by Lake Research Partners. Modeling by RAND Corporation puts the cost estimate of expanding to all income-eligible people at 83.7 million dollars – which is about 3 percent of Connecticut’s Medicaid budget. H.B. 6616, which opens HUSKY to age 26, regardless of status, would be a smaller portion of that – in the ballpark of 18.4 million dollars. There would be savings for our state’s hospitals as more people with health coverage means that hospitals have less uncompensated care spending. The state would spend less on emergency care, and could even recoup federal dollars through a waiver. Voters support this, providers support this, research supports this – it’s just good policy. Passing H.B. 6616 would move us towards true health justice,” said Rosana Ferraro of Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut.

“Not having health insurance affects my mental and physical health. I have anemia and this causes me to have many headaches and low energy. This greatly affects my school performance and therefore my mental health. Not having health insurance makes everything worse because it results in having many absences from school without a valid excuse. If I had health insurance, I could go to the doctor without stressing and worrying about the high costs. Improving my physical and mental health would help me to give my 100 percent at school. Unfortunately, I am not the only immigrant who is in the same situation. Many immigrants in this country and in Connecticut do not have access to medical care simply because they do not have a social security number. This is very unfair because access to good health is an undeniable right for all human beings regardless of where you come from or where you were born,” said Valentina Diaz, CT Students for a Dream, Wilbur Cross Student, New Haven.

“I suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes and have difficulty breathing. Although I am in the discount program at my clinic, I still get high bills. They have done X-rays twice to check my lungs. They also did blood tests multiple times for the severe pain that I suffer in my knees, elbows and hands due to my work. The doctor wanted to do other types of studies with a specialist but since I don’t have health insurance, the doctor suggested that instead we continue with X-rays every three months since the studies are too expensive. How can I care for my children with this constant feeling of uncertainty? I am not well. I need care. I deserve healthcare access. If I am not healthy, then my children will suffer, my neighbors will suffer, my community will suffer. That’s why I’m here to make myself heard, not just for me, but also for all the people whose stories have not yet been heard. Providing healthcare for all, regardless of immigration status, would be a great relief,” said Make the Road CT member Victor Sanchez, who is an undocumented Connecticut resident.

“As a pediatrician, I have a simple mission: to provide compassionate care for children and families. However, not all children and adults are currently eligible for state Medicaid health coverage, and I cannot provide care equitably. Over the past few years, Connecticut has made significant strides. Just last month, we joined a growing number of states to provide young children with health insurance, regardless of documentation status. This session, with House Bill 6616, Connecticut is poised to lead the way to ensure that more of our residents, regardless of documentation status, receive the health care they need and deserve,” said Julia Rosenberg, MD, MHS, FAAP [she/her], Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine.

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Yale New Haven Health will host a press conference on Thursday, February 9 beginning at 4pm to unveil their second SkyHealth Helicopter, designed with advanced features to provide the latest in emergency critical care.

SkyHealth emergency patient transport helicopter is staffed by highly skilled medical professionals, including a critical care flight nurse and a critical care flight paramedic. The SkyHealth transport team is vital in providing life-saving treatment for patients in critical medical situations en route to the destination hospital, including the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital.

Designed specifically for helicopter EMS use, SkyHealth has the latest technology and safety features. It meets and exceeds all safety recommendations set forth by the National Transportation Safety Bureau and includes advanced satellite tracking to monitor aircraft position, air traffic, and weather so that every flight is a safe one. The crew is equipped with night-vision goggles for secure flying in the dark.

Clinical capabilities on SkyHealth helicopter are:

• Full ICU capabilities while en route

• Invasive and non-invasive monitoring

• Multiple channel IV pumps

• Fetal heart monitoring

• Intra-aortic balloon pump

• Advanced airway and ventilation management

• Response Time

On average, it takes five to seven minutes from the time a call is accepted until lift-off. Though flight times vary depending on distance and weather, the helicopter can often cover 25 miles in about 10 minutes. SkyHealth travels within a 200-mile radius of New Haven, CT. While SkyHealth can fly patients over 200 miles, there are times when a fixed-wing aircraft capable of transporting patients at a much greater distance is more appropriate. 

Governor Calls for Connecticut’s First Income Tax Rate Reduction in Almost Thirty Years and the Largest Rate Reduction in State History

(EAST HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today held a news conference in East Hartford to announce that the fiscal years 2024 and 2025 biennial state budget proposal that he will present to the General Assembly later this week calls for a broad-based reduction in income tax rates for middle-class workers in Connecticut.

Currently, single (joint) filers pay a 3% state personal income tax on their first $10,000 ($20,000) of adjusted gross income and a 5% tax on income up to $50,000 ($100,000). Governor Lamont is proposing to permanently lower the 5% rate to 4.5% and the 3% rate to 2% beginning with income year 2024. This is expected to save taxpayers $440 million annually. Depending on adjusted gross income, some joint filers could receive almost $600 in income tax relief and single filers could save almost $300. In total, about 1.1 million of the state’s 1.7 million tax filers will see some amount of relief under the plan.

If approved by the legislature, this will become Connecticut’s first income tax rate reduction since 1996 and the largest rate reduction since the income tax was implemented in 1991.

“I want to cut taxes for the middle class,” Governor Lamont said. “When I took office four years ago, the state was operating under a $3.7 billion deficit and analysts were projecting more deficits for many years to come. For the sake of our economic growth, I made it a top priority of my administration to turn that instability around. Four years later, we now have a surplus that we achieved without implementing broad-based tax increases, and at the same time we’ve been making historic investments in our pension obligations while leaving the rainy day fund untouched. Today, Connecticut’s fiscal health is stronger than it’s been in decades. Considering the state’s strong financial position, it is time to provide tax relief for Connecticut’s residents.”

This is one of several tax relief measures that will be included in Governor Lamont’s upcoming budget proposal. In addition to reducing the income tax rate, he has already announced a plan to permanently increase Connecticut’s Earned Income Tax Credit from the current rate of 30.5% to 40%, enabling low-income workers to receive an additional $44.6 million in state tax credits. Under that increase and today’s rate reductions, families with children earning less than $50,000 a year will pay no state income tax. He has also announced a plan to restore the pass-through entity tax credit to its original level, fully protecting small businesses from being double taxed under President Donald Trump’s changes to the federal tax code.

“This budget that I am presenting to the legislature provides a smart, strategic, and fiscally-sound plan to provide meaningful tax relief while also maintaining our overall budget discipline so that we can keep Connecticut’s fiscal health strong for many years to come,” Governor Lamont said.

Connecticut ended fiscal year 2022 with a surplus of $1.3 billion, its fourth consecutive year-end surplus for a cumulative total of $2.1 billion over that four-year period. In addition to those surpluses, since fiscal year 2018, the volatility cap provisions that were enacted in the 2017 state budget have directed $7.2 billion in resources to the state’s rainy day fund. The combination of these unprecedented levels of resources has allowed the state to fully recapitalize the rainy day fund to the 15% level of the operating budget, which triggered a statutory provision requiring $5.8 billion to be directed toward the state’s unfunded pension liabilities. This has led to a dramatic change in the state’s financial trajectory from the one that it experienced following the 2008 global financial crisis. These historic payments toward pension obligations have led to credit rating upgrades by all four of the agencies that rate the state’s bonds.

Governor Lamont is scheduled to deliver his budget address to the General Assembly on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. Documents containing the full details of his biennial state budget proposal will be released at that time.

This press release was made possible by:

GOVERNOR LAMONT AND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ANNOUNCE CONNECTICUT RECEIVING $18 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT TO ADDRESS UNSHELTERED AND RURAL HOMELESSNESS

(NEW HAVEN, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Senator Chris Murphy today held a news conference in New Haven to announce that the State of Connecticut is receiving an $18 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to address homelessness among people in unsheltered settings and in rural communities.

The funds are being directed toward two state agencies – the Connecticut Department of Housing and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services – and will be distributed over a three-year period with the state receiving approximately $6 million annually. These funds will be used for three separate services:

• Access point to homeless services: The Connecticut Department of Housing will invest $6 million ($2 million annually over three years) toward the state’s newly created regional hubs, which provide an access point to homeless services, including walk-in referrals. Connecticut has seven hubs strategically located throughout the state within each of its regional Coordinated Access Networks. These hubs provide intake services and diversion services, which ultimately can be used to prevent individuals and families from entering homelessness.
• Homeless outreach services: The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services will invest $6 million ($2 million annually over three years) to provide homeless outreach services. These funds will be directed to private, nonprofit agencies and used to hire homeless outreach workers who will identify individuals and families living outside and in places not meant for human habitation. These workers will be able to quickly identify these individuals and families and act as quickly as possible to house them. They will also be able to refer these individuals to other services they may need, such as mental health services, medical support, and employment services.
• Permanent supportive housing: The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services will invest $6 million ($2 million annually over three years) to provide approximately 40 rental assistance vouchers, along with supportive services, that will house people directly from unsheltered homelessness. This allocation for permanent supportive housing will include a services component that will assist unsheltered individuals and families who have rental assistance vouchers but do not have ongoing housing supportive services. This funding will help the participants have a safe, affordable, and permanent place to live and will provide services to assist with addressing issues that may have contributed to their homelessness.

Governor Lamont said, “Stable housing is not only critical for the development of safe communities, but it is a moral imperative. We have an obligation to ensure that everyone has access to a safe and stable place to call home. Here in Connecticut, we have a strong network of support services that are not only focused on providing housing for those in need, but also connect people to the related services that can cause housing instability, such as those related to mental health, employment, and healthcare. This $18 million commitment Connecticut is receiving for homelessness support will provide a significant boost for our state. I appreciate the Biden administration and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for their commitment to addressing homelessness, not only in our state but throughout the country.”

Senator Richard Blumenthal said, “This $18 million in federal funding is a lifeline. As temperatures drop to dangerous levels in Connecticut today, too many people are still struggling to find shelter in our state. These critical funds will be transformative and will no doubt help many vulnerable people at the time when they need it most. I am proud to see these funds delivered to Connecticut and will keeping fighting for more resources to address this crisis.”

Senator Chris Murphy said, “Every person deserves a safe, warm, and stable place to call home. We have a lot of work to do to address the shortage of affordable housing in our state, but this $18 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development will go a long way to ensure more people can access support services and ultimately find permanent housing. It’s an enormous investment in Connecticut’s work to tackle homelessness, especially for those without shelter and those in rural communities.”

U.S. Representative John B. Larson (CT-01) said, “It is a real honor for Connecticut to be one of the first states in the country awarded funding from HUD to offer services for the homeless population, both in the urban and rural corners of our state. These funds will support new hubs to offer resources for individuals without phone or internet access, permanent housing options for residents at risk for homelessness, and dedicated funding to support homelessness initiatives in Litchfield County. I am proud these groundbreaking initiatives are all made possible by an $18 million federal grant.”

U.S. Representative Joe Courtney (CT-02) said, “We have some outstanding leaders in towns throughout eastern Connecticut who have been successful helping people struggling with homelessness to get back on their feet. The only barrier to sizing up that success is a lack of resources. Today, Connecticut is becoming one of the first states nationwide to receive federal funding through the Department of Housing to help ramp-up services that provide direct, critical assistance to people in our communities without homes or shelters – helping folks get out of the cold, into safe housing, and on the way towards a healthy and sustainable future. Resources like these are an investment in the hearts of our communities, and I’m proud to know it’s being made possible with federal funding.”

U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) said, “We have to do everything we can to provide support for people and families who are experiencing homelessness throughout Connecticut. This $18 million in funding will now support the work of the newly created hubs that provide an access point to services for unsheltered individuals who do not have access to a phone to contact 2-1-1 emergency services. Additionally, this funding will be used for supportive housing to help those unsheltered who have rental assistance vouchers but lack critically needed support services like case management and access to healthcare. Increasing coordinated access, diversion services, and homeless services systems will allow our communities to intervene before individuals and families even become homeless.”

U.S. Representative Jim Himes (CT-04) said, “It is our moral duty to protect our communities’ most vulnerable citizens. This $18 million will be a transformative lifeline for families across Connecticut, helping them access health care, diversion services, and temporary housing through the cold winter months.”

U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes (CT-05) said, “Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Today, I join in celebrating $18 million in federal funds coming through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help address homelessness across Connecticut. This infusion of federal funding will promote healthy and safe communities where all can live in dignity.”

This $18 million in funding for Connecticut is part of a larger announcement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide $315 million in grants for homelessness services throughout the country.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia L. Fudge said, “Homelessness is a crisis, and it is solvable. Housing with supportive services solves homelessness. That’s why, for the first time the federal government is deploying targeted resources to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness in unsheltered settings or in rural areas. With these grants and vouchers, HUD is filling this gap and giving communities the resources and tools to improve housing and health outcomes for people on the streets, in encampments, under bridges, and in rural areas.”

Connecticut Department of Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno said, “On cold days like today, we need to ensure that our unsheltered citizens have access to a warm place. This generous HUD award will allow Connecticut to expand our services to the unsheltered population by providing funding to increase homeless outreach, coordinate entry to the newly created hubs, and permanent supportive housing.  With these funds, the Department of Housing is excited to work with our partners to end unsheltered and rural homelessness across Connecticut.”

Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Commissioner Nancy Navarretta said, “This funding will enhance DMHAS efforts to provide targeted outreach to persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness, connecting them to housing services across Connecticut. Our goal is to ensure that people exit homelessness quickly and are able to address the factors that impacted, and may have exacerbated, their housing crisis. DMHAS looks forward to continued partnership with HUD, sister state agencies, our dedicated service providers, and those we serve.”

Anyone experiencing homelessness is strongly urged to call 2-1-1 to get connected to supportive services.

This press release was made possible by:

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) on Thursday noted growing support for the Workforce Mobility Act, legislation to limit the use of non-compete agreements, which negatively impact almost one in every five American workers. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) co-sponsored the legislation, and U.S. Representative Scott Peters (D-Calif.-52) and U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.-08) reintroduced the bill in the U.S House of Representatives.

The Workforce Mobility Act would:

Narrow the use of non-compete agreements to include only necessary instances of a dissolution of a partnership or the sale of a business;

Charge the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Labor with enforcement, as well as making explicit a private right of action in federal court;

Require employers to make their employees aware of the limitation on non-competes, as studies have found that non-competes are often used even when they are illegal or unenforceable. The Department of Labor would also be given the authority to make the public aware of the limitation; and

Require the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Labor to submit a report to Congress on any enforcement actions taken.

Below is a roundup of support from think thanks, non-profits, and advocacy organizations:

“Restricting the use of non-compete agreements is necessary to ensure that hardworking Americans have the freedom to pursue the jobs they want in the professions they have chosen at the wages they deserve,” said John Lettieri, President & CEO of the Economic Innovation Group. “The bipartisan Workforce Mobility Act would restore healthy competition to the labor market and foster a more entrepreneurial and innovative economy to the benefit of all Americans. EIG applauds Senators Murphy and Young and Representatives Gallagher and Peters for their leadership on this urgently needed legislation.”

“Running a rapidly growing business at Steam Logistics, we have seen firsthand how non-compete agreements hurt workers and employers alike, and impede economic growth. They drive talented workers out of industries they’ve developed expertise in and shrink the pool of qualified candidates for employers trying to grow their businesses. The worst part is that non-competes are unnecessary: Employers have many other tools to protect their businesses, such as trade secrets laws and non-solicitation agreements. Saying anyone shouldn’t compete is un-American, and I commend Senators Murphy and Young and Representatives Gallagher and Peters for their legislation to boost competition and strengthen our economy,” said Steve Cox, President, Steam Logistics.

“We need to ensure that all US workers have the opportunity to earn a good life where they live. Work should be accessible, there should be dignity in it, and it should give everyone a shot at prosperity. We applaud the bipartisan, bicameral group of policymakers for coming together to narrow the use of non-compete agreements that helps to deliver on this promise,” said Gabe Horwitz, Senior Vice President for the Economic Program, Third Way.

“The Workforce Mobility Act’s banning of noncompete clauses will have a major impact on new business growth in America. Noncompete clauses have long been a barrier in the way of entrepreneurs, despite the fact that new and young businesses create nearly all net job growth in America. Noncompete clauses or agreements stifle competition, undermine innovation, limit job growth, and restrict wages,” said Victor Hwang, Founder and CEO, Right to Start.

“Non-compete agreements are simply inconsistent with a free, open labor market. They cut wages, reduce mobility and hurt workers. The FTC’s recent efforts show that the political tide is turning against them. Congress can now assert its own power, pass a ban on non-competes and deliver results for American workers,” said Eli Lehrer, President, R Street.

“Non-compete agreements restrict workers from pursuing better job prospects; reducing competition in the labor market and overall economic growth. It’s simple – your previous employers should not be able to stop you from going to a new job. Letting workers decide where and how they use their skills will empower them and create a more dynamic job market for the benefit of all,” said Matthew Darling, Employment Policy Fellow, Niskanen Center.

“Building a 21st-century economy that works for all Americans requires worker empowerment, which requires mobility – the freedom to take a better job or launch a new business,” said John Dearie, President of the Center for American Entrepreneurship (CAE). “By restricting the enforcement of noncompete agreements to only the most necessary of circumstances, the Workforce Mobility Act empowers American workers and promotes a more dynamic and entrepreneurial U.S. economy, to the benefit of all Americans. CAE thanks Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Scott Peters (D-CA) for their leadership on this critical issue.”

“Corporate abuse of non-compete agreements is a classic example of the reality, understood by economists since Adam Smith, that workers operate at an inherent disadvantage dealing with employers and need help to advance and protect their interests. Blind faith in markets has led inadvertently to a situation where millions of American workers cannot switch to better jobs, which is the opposite of what a well-functioning market would produce. Senators Young and Murphy, Representatives Gallagher and Peters, and their colleagues deserve great credit for doing exactly what capitalism requires: setting rules within which competition will lead to prosperity for American families,” said Oren Cass, Executive Director, American Compass.

“NELP applauds the reintroduction of the Workforce Mobility Act, which would ban non-competes for most workers and, together with the Federal Trade Commission’s rulemaking, would ensure that workers have the freedom to change jobs and the right to seek better pay and working conditions. We urge Congress to quickly pass the Workforce Mobility Act,” said Najah Farley, senior staff attorney with the National Employment Law Project.

“Non-compete clauses strengthen the power of employers at the expense of millions of workers across America. These unfair contracts reduce job market mobility and depress competition among employers for workers’ services, lowering wages and wage growth and impeding new business creation. Banning non-competes across occupations and at all income levels, whether through legislation as the bipartisan group in the House and Senate propose or regulation as the FTC proposed earlier this month, would be a major step in advancing workers’ freedom in the labor market,” said Sandeep Vaheesan, Legal Director, Open Markets Institute.

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(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today held a news conference in Hartford to announce a proposal he will introduce during the 2023 legislative session that will cancel overdue medical debts for thousands of Connecticut residents who are struggling to pay their bills.

Based on a model that other governments throughout the United States have used recently, the governor’s proposal calls for the state to invest $20 million in federal COVID-19 recovery funding it received from the American Rescue Plan Act and use those dollars to contract with a nonprofit organization that buys medical debt and eliminates it at a fraction of the original cost. The nonprofit will contact local hospitals and hospital systems directly, purchase entire portfolios of debt owed by eligible households, and negotiate with the hospitals to cancel that debt. There is no application process for eligible households to have their debt canceled. In other jurisdictions that have pursued this strategy, the amount of medical debt canceled for households has ranged from $25 to six-figure amounts. Two-thirds of personal bankruptcies are caused by medical debt.

One nonprofit working under this model states that they have been able to generate more than a one-to-100 return on investment of government dollars. This is because hospitals often sell medical debt for pennies on the dollar.

The Lamont administration estimates that this $20 million investment has the potential to eliminate about $2 billion in medical debt for Connecticut residents – an astounding amount of financial relief for a relatively small investment. The investment will be included as a component of Governor Lamont’s fiscal years 2024 and 2025 biennial state budget proposal, which he will present to the General Assembly next week.

“Several state and local governments have seen significant success at canceling medical debt for their residents using this model, and I think this is absolutely the right way to use this COVID-recovery funding,” Governor Lamont said. “This initiative will not only help Connecticut residents who are saddled with debt financially, but it also lifts the significant emotional toll that this type of debt has on individuals who do not have the means to get out, especially for those who are simultaneously experiencing significant medical problems. This debt erasure will put millions of dollars back into the Connecticut economy and provide an economic stimulus to local communities.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 19% of American households carry medical debt, and the median amount owed is $2,000. Medical debt disproportionately impacts Black and Latino families – 27.9% of Black families and 21.7% of Latino families have medical debt, compared to only 17.2% of White households. About 31% of households with a member in fair or poor health have medical debt, compared to 14.4% of those with no members in fair or poor health. More than one in four households with at least one member with a disability have medical debt, compared to 14.4% of households with no members of disabilities.

Individuals who have their medical debt canceled under Governor Lamont’s proposal will not experience any financial tax burden associated with this assistance because the IRS does not count medical debt canceled via nonprofits as taxable income.

To reduce the chances of medical debt building up again, Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to take advantage of a number of no-to-low cost insurance options through qualified health plans under Access Health CT and will seek legislative support for a number of transparency and affordability initiatives. The ultimate solution to this problem is to drive down the unsustainably high costs of medical care, ensure universal access to primary and preventative care, and make sure health care coverage is affordable and easy to access. The governor has called on all parties – including insurers, employers, providers, and consumers – to step up and be part of the solution.

Governor Lamont is scheduled to deliver his annual budget address to the General Assembly on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. Documents containing the full details of his state budget proposal will be released at that time.

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U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) will join advocates to announce significant federal funding increases for both the Supplemental Nutritional Insurance Program (SNAP) and child nutrition programs, which include school meal programs, as growing numbers of Connecticut families face food insecurity this winter.

The federal budget includes $154 billion for SNAP, an increase of $13.4 billion over last year, $28.5 billion for Child Nutrition Programs including historic funding allowing schools to serve healthy meals, and $6 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Connecticut’s SNAP and child nutrition programs are expected to receive a boost of millions of dollars to support access to affordable and nutritious foods.

According to Feeding America, nearly 400,000 people in Connecticut face hunger, equating to one in every 10 residents. Nearly one in 8 children is food insecure.

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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has launched a new digital tool that illustrates Connecticut’s electric vehicle (EV) market and EV infrastructure. It was developed in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (CTDMV) and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP).

EValuateCT is a comprehensive dashboard providing insights into the current state of vehicle electrification in Connecticut—including where public EV chargers are located throughout the state, what EV makes and models are most popular, in which communities EVs are registered, and more.

“This new, innovative dashboard makes the data of Connecticut’s electric vehicle infrastructure accessible and serves as a valuable tool for residents, travelers, policymakers, and other stakeholders,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “I want to thank our partners at CTDMV and CTDEEP for their partnership on this project. We are proud to say we have the most current data visualization for vehicle electrification and the locations for public EV chargers—a valued convenience for travelers with electric vehicles.”

“DEEP is pleased to support the EValuateCT dashboard through our ongoing data analysis efforts,” said Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes. “Data metrics are critical to informing our efforts to expand the Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Purchase Rebate (CHEAPR) program to be more equitable in how we include low to moderate income EV purchasers, as well as including more EVs, public and private fleets, medium-heavy duty vehicles, school buses and even electric bicycles! This dashboard will be a valuable tool to help consumers navigate the growing EV landscape in Connecticut and the exciting options available.”

Since January 1, 2020, the number of registered EVs in Connecticut has increased by 158%. As of December 2022, there were 30,124 EVs registered with CTDMV (including battery and plug-in hybrid EVs). With over 360 available public EV charging stations in the state and additional chargers being planned in the coming years, EV drivers living in or visiting Connecticut can access vehicle charging at many convenient locations. The new EValuateCT tool will make these trends easier for everyone to see as more Connecticut drivers are discovering that EVs are fun to drive, and offer increasing ranges along with lower operating costs. 

In September, Connecticut’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) plan was approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). NEVI was established and funded by President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, allowing states to receive federal funding to build a convenient, reliable, and affordable electric vehicle charging network across the country. CTDOT will receive $52.5 million in federal funding over the next five years to deploy the state’s plan.

EValuateCT is made possible through a collaboration between CTDOT, CTDMV, CTDEEP, and Atlas Public Policy to provide analytics regarding the state of transportation electrification in Connecticut. CTDEEP provides aggregate vehicle registration data to Atlas Public Policy twice a year. All other data sources , such as demographic data, retail electricity prices, and charging data , are obtained through federal government databases. 

EValuateCT was created with the support of and funding from the U.S. Climate Alliance and is powered by Microsoft Power BI.

To learn more about Connecticut’s electric vehicle resources, visit portal.ct.gov/DOT/Sustainability-and-Resiliency/Connecticut-Electric-Vehicle-Planning-Resources.

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Bridgeport, CT – Yesterday, Governor Ned Lamont and Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno announced the Eviction Prevention Fund that will assist renters who are on the verge of eviction because of past due rent. UniteCT and the Rent Bank have provided $12.5 million for the fund and plans to allot households up to $5,000 to cover the cost of rent that may be past due.

To inquire for eligibility, renters must call the UniteCT Call Center at 1-844-864-8328 where they will be directed to speak with a local UniteCT Resource Center. Tenants will be able to complete the application and will also be granted access to mediators at Quinnipiac University’s Center on Dispute Resolution if a tenant requires but does not have legal representation.

State Representative Antonio Felipe stated, “Protecting our most vulnerable populations, especially those at risk of eviction and homelessness, is essential to supporting our communities as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and pre-existing challenges. I thank Governor Lamont for extending this important protection and look forward to continuing to find tangible ways to ensure that we are providing opportunities for all communities to recover and thrive.”

“Everyone deserves a place they call home and the financial implications due to unforeseen circumstances should not constitute those who are struggling financially to be evicted,” said State Senator Herron Gaston. “I am thankful to Governor Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Housing for this new funding that is set to assist those in need.”

Mayor Ganim stated, “I would like to thank Governor Lamont and Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno for initiating the Eviction Prevention Fund. The fund will serve as a crutch for a lot of renters in our city that may need extra assistance during their time of need. I’m hopeful this will allow renters to remain in their homes and not fall victim to displacement from their communities.”

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