State News

Senators Want Refunds For Covid Cancellations From Airlines

WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined a group of their colleagues in a letter sent to each of the major domestic airlines, urging every company to issue full cash refunds to all customers who cancel their flights during the COVID-19 crisis, and to American citizens who encounter flight cancellations while stranded in countries that implemented travel restrictions. This request comes in the wake of Congress passing an unprecedented bailout for the airline industry, including $25 billion in loans and loan guarantees for passenger air carriers. Although most domestic airlines have taken some steps to temporarily waive coronavirus-related change and cancellation fees, travelers who cancel their flights are finding that they will receive only airline credits,…

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Himes On Helping Small Business

Jim Himes reports that he has been in constant communication with the Fourth District’s small business and non-profit communities during this uncertain time. Congress’ aggressive and escalating response to the crisis - embodied in the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and the CARES Act - demonstrates the seriousness with which we take this threat to our local communities. These economic relief packages can help small businesses, certain non-profits, and other employers survive the coronavirus pandemic. Please review the information below and attached to this email that the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship and I compiled to assist you and organizations in the Fourth District. Payment Protection Program (PPP) Loans The program…

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Murphy: $500 Million To UN For Covid-19

#WASHINGTON—In response to the United Nations’ $2 billion emergency appeal last week to help fight COVID-19, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, on Wednesday led 16 Senate Democrats in urging the State Department to join the international community in funding international humanitarian assistance and protect the more than 70 million displaced people globally. Specifically, the senators urged United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to contribute at least $500 million to the United Nation’s interagency emergency appeal issued last week to fight COVID-19 around the world. Murphy issued a similar call last week when the United Nations announced its appeal.   “While all countries are struggling to respond to…

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Governors Update

HARTFORD, CT) – As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2020:   Data updates on testing in Connecticut   Since yesterday’s update, an additional 557 Connecticut residents have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 3,128. To date, more than 15,600 tests have been conducted in Connecticut among both state and private laboratories. Approximately 608 patients have been hospitalized. The total statewide total number of fatalities is 69.   In addition to the deaths related to COVID-19 that have been reported to the Department of Public Health (DPH), this update contains information on the number of deaths that have been…

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Mortgage Payment Relief During COVID

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration has reached an agreement with over 50 credit unions and banks in Connecticut to offer mortgage relief to the state’s residents and businesses who continue to face hardship caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Under the agreement, the following relief policies are being offered by participating financial institutions:   ·       90-day grace period for all mortgage payments: Participating financial institutions are now offering mortgage-payment forbearances of up to 90 days, which will allow homeowners to reduce or delay monthly mortgage payments. In addition, the institutions will: o   Provide a streamlined process for requesting forbearance for COVID-19-related reasons, supported with available documentation; o   Confirm approval and terms of forbearance program; and o   Provide the…

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DMV Authorizes Online Classes

WETHERSFIELD, CT) – The Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Sibongile Magubane – acting under the authority of a recent Executive Order signed by Governor Ned Lamont – approved the request from Connecticut licensed driving schools to provide online classroom training to their students. “In the face of this unprecedented health crisis and at a time when social distancing is so important, we want to help businesses regulated by DMV to continue to operate, as well as assist driving school students with continuing their education on the path to getting a driver’s license,” Commissioner Magubane said.  Driving schools were notified yesterday of the Commissioner’s approval. The approval is effective immediately and until further notice. For answers to questions, updates, or more…

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Connecticut COVID Update

HARTFORD, CT) – As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, 2020:   Data updates on testing in Connecticut Since yesterday’s update, an additional 469 Connecticut residents have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,993. To date, more than 11,900 tests have been conducted in Connecticut among both state and private laboratories. Approximately 404 people have been hospitalized. There has been another fatality due to complications of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total number of fatalities to 34 (21 in Fairfield County, 6 in New Haven County, 4 in Tolland County, 2 in Hartford County, and 1 in Middlesex County).   It should be noted that the increase in hospitalizations reflected…

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Press Release From Senator Blumenthal

U.S. Senator Blumenthal (D-Conn.) posted the following Tweet regarding President Trump’s travel advisory for Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey: Erratic. Impulsive. Dangerous. 180 degree flip flop in less than 8 hours. Now no quarantine. Less talk, more action, Mr President. We still lack ventilators, masks, tests, & other medical supplies.   This press release was made possible by:     [caption id="attachment_81162" align="aligncenter" width="591"] Visit Perez Tires at: https://www.pereztirecenter.com/[/caption]

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Governor Updates

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROVIDES UPDATE ON CONNECTICUT’S CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE EFFORTS Latest Data as of 9:00PM on Thursday, March 26, 2020   (HARTFORD, CT) – As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2020:   Data updated on testing in Connecticut   Since yesterday’s update, an additional 137 Connecticut residents have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,012. To date, more than 6,500 tests have been conducted in Connecticut among both state and private laboratories. Approximately 125 people have been hospitalized and there have been another 2 fatalities, bringing the total number of fatalities due to complications of COVID-19 to 21 (13 in Fairfield County, 3 in Tolland…

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