State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES CONNECTICUT’S 2025 SALES TAX-FREE WEEK RUNS FROM AUGUST 17 TO 23

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that Connecticut will hold its annual Sales Tax-Free Week from Sunday, August 17, through Saturday, August 23, 2025. During this weeklong sales tax holiday, retail purchases of most clothing and footwear items priced under $100 are exempt from the Connecticut sales tax. The exemption applies to each eligible item costing under $100, even if those items are purchased in the same transaction. “Our annual sales tax holiday gives Connecticut consumers some extra savings during the busy back-to-school retail season,” Governor Lamont said. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of these savings and, as always, support our many locally-owned small businesses.” “As students are preparing to head back to the classroom, Sales Tax-Free Week…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT ACTIVATES EXTREME HOT WEATHER PROTOCOL FOR THE COMING WEEK

Cooling Centers Will Open and Can be Located by Visiting 211ct.org or Calling 2-1-1 (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that due to a weather forecast indicating that Connecticut will experience another stretch of severely hot and humid conditions over the coming week, he is directing the state’s Extreme Hot Weather Protocol to be activated effective at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, August 11, 2025, and remain in effect through at least 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 14, 2025. During this period, heat index values are expected to exceed 100 degrees, particularly on Wednesday and Thursday. This is the fourth time the protocol has been activated so far this year. The purpose of the protocol is to ensure that the most…

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BLUMENTHAL SLAMS VA’S MOVE TO STOP PROVIDING LIFE-SAVING ABORTIONS TO VETERANS

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today released a statement slamming the Trump Administration’s Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) move to stop providing abortion care to veterans who have been raped or whose pregnancy is threatening their health. “The government should not be able to impose a pregnancy on anyone— least of all survivors of rape, abuse, or those whose health is at risk. Current VA policy guarantees that, at the very least, veterans who are raped or who could die without an abortion can get the care they need. It is disgusting and dangerous that the Trump Administration will strip VA’s ability to provide essential health care to veterans in these harrowing situations. It…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT DIRECTS FLAGS TO HALF-STAFF IN HONOR OF PLAINVILLE FIREFIGHTER RAYMOND MOREAU

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff in honor of Plainville Firefighter Raymond “Ray” Alan Moreau, who died in the line of duty this morning while operating at fire at a residence in Plainville. Flags should be lowered effective immediately and remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not yet been determined. The Office of the Governor will send out a notification indicating when flags should be returned to full staff. “It is with extreme sadness today that we mourn the life of Plainville Firefighter Raymond Moreau, who selflessly put his life on the line to serve and protect his community,” Governor Lamont…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT ACTIVATES EXTREME HOT WEATHER PROTOCOL BEGINNING MONDAY

Cooling Centers Will Open and Can be Located by Visiting 211ct.org or Calling 2-1-1 (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that due to a weather forecast indicating that Connecticut will experience a multi-day heat wave over the coming week, he is directing the state’s Extreme Hot Weather Protocol to be activated effective at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025, and remaining in effect through at least 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. During this period, temperatures are expected to reach into the 90s and will be accompanied by humid conditions pushing the heat index near or above 100 degrees. This is the third time the protocol has been activated this year. The purpose of activating the protocol is…

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Senator Tony Hwang Announces $4.4 Million Awarded to Fairfield for Commerce Drive Bridge Replacement Project

HARTFORD, CT — Senator Tony Hwang (R–Fairfield) today applauded the awarding of $4,437,138 to the Town of Fairfield for the Commerce Drive Bridge Replacement project, a major infrastructure improvement made possible through the state’s Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP). As Ranking Member and leading Republican on both the Transportation Committee and the Transportation Bonding Subcommittee, Senator Hwang played a role with Bridgeport legislators in advancing this project and more than a dozen others funded through the LOTCIP initiative. His efforts, in collaboration with state officials and committee leadership, helped ensure a transparent, data-driven process that prioritized local needs and long-term sustainability. “I would like to acknowledge the work of the Transportation Committee and Transportation Bonding Subcommittee leadership for their collaborative efforts, particularly…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS WITH TO BOOST MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Department of Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves today announced that the Lamont administration has reached an agreement with the 17 community health centers in Connecticut regarding a three-year plan to boost Medicaid reimbursement rates for the centers that service 440,000 people across the state each year. The agreement will phase in rate increases over three years totaling approximately $80 million by June 30, 2028. The deal also clarifies the process for these centers to request rate adjustments based on the scope of services they offer and authorizes collaboration between the state and the centers to develop alternative payment models. “While Republicans in Congress are defunding Medicaid and raising health care costs…

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2025 Independence Day Weekend Traffic Statistics 7/3 – 7/5

These are reflective of the time period beginning Thursday July 3rd at midnight, and ending at 11:59 pm, on Saturday July 5th, 2025. Calls for service: 4,036 Total Traffic Stops: 963 Traffic Services (Where CSP provided traffic related services such as debris removal, assisting with disabled or hazardous motor vehicles etc.): 430 DUI: 25 Motor vehicle crashes: 248 with injuries: 26 with serious injuries: 0 with fatal injuries: 2 (7/4 - Southbury, 7/4 - Prospect)

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State Police 2025 Independence Day Weekend Traffic Statistics 7/3

The following are preliminary Independence Day Weekend traffic statistics. These are reflective of the time period beginning Thursday July 3rd at midnight, and ending at 11:59 pm, on Thursday, July 3, 2025. Calls for service: 1,487 Total Traffic Stops: 317 Traffic Services (Where CSP provided traffic related services such as debris removal, assisting with disabled or hazardous motor vehicles etc.): 199 DUI: 4 Motor vehicle crashes: 104 with injuries: 8 with serious injuries: 0 with fatal injuries: 0

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GOVERNOR LAMONT SIGNS LEGISLATION CRACKING DOWN ON STREET TAKEOVERS

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed into law legislation overwhelmingly approved by the Connecticut General Assembly (Public Act 25-80) that increases penalties and fines against individuals who participate in, organize, or spectate a street takeover, and provides police with more tools to combat these reckless situations. The bill received support from municipal leaders and police departments throughout the state. “This disruptive and dangerous trend, which has been increasing with frequency in states all over the country, puts people’s lives at risk and cannot be tolerated,” Governor Lamont said. “This bill gives state and local law enforcement and municipal leaders additional tools to protect the safety of our roads and our communities. It is the…

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