Category: State News

“My office will not stand idly by while [drug makers] prioritize profits over access to affordable prescription medications and other critical medical services for vulnerable communities.  Therefore, I urge [Eli Lilly, Astra Zeneca, Merck, Sanofi, and Novartis] to abandon [their] unilateral and unlawful actions,” Attorney General Tong states in the letters.

The 340B Drug Pricing Program requires drug manufacturers to provide discounted drugs to eligible health centers and hospitals, including community health centers, nonprofit and public hospitals, and Ryan White HIV/AIDS clinics. The facilities can either directly provide discounted drugs to low-income patients, or contract with pharmacies to dispense the drugs at a discount. Since 1992, the 340B Drug Pricing Program has been a lifeline to low-income patients and community-based health centers and hospitals who serve vulnerable and low-income populations, ensuring access to care and medication that might otherwise be unaffordable.

Flouting federal requirements, drug makers including Eli Lilly and Astra Zeneca have threatened unilateral changes to their participation in the program, instituting new data sharing requirements that may violate federal health privacy laws, and abruptly refusing to ship drugs to pharmacies.

“This is outrageous.  By refusing to honor contract pharmacy orders, [the drug manufacturers] would disrupt an essential mode used by many covered entities for dispensing 340B drugs to underserved and vulnerable patient populations who rely on these pharmacies in their communities to fill their prescriptions,” Attorney General Tong states in the letters.

Attorney General Tong states that the drug makers actions directly undermine the 340B Drug Pricing Program, obstruct patient access to critical prescription medications, and devastate the financial stability of healthcare centers and hospitals serving vulnerable communities.  He warns that the changes flout federal requirements. The unilateral changes are especially appalling given the role these critical safety net healthcare institutions are playing during the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There is no legal basis for [these] actions.  Denying outpatient access to appropriate 340B drug pricing is a clear violation of federal law.  Nothing in the Act allows [Eli Lilly, Astra Zeneca, Merck, Sanofi, and Novartis] to impose conditions or restrictions on covered entities’ access to 340B drug pricing, including discontinuing the longstanding practice of shipping drugs to contract pharmacies,” Attorney General Tong states in the letters.

Click here to download the letters.

Hartford, CT – Attorney General William Tong sent letters to Eli Lilly, Astra Zeneca, Merck, Sanofi, and Novartis demanding the drug makers immediately abandon unlawful actions imperiling access to affordable prescriptions for low-income patients.

“My office will not stand idly by while [drug makers] prioritize profits over access to affordable prescription medications and other critical medical services for vulnerable communities.  Therefore, I urge [Eli Lilly, Astra Zeneca, Merck, Sanofi, and Novartis] to abandon [their] unilateral and unlawful actions,” Attorney General Tong states in the letters.

The 340B Drug Pricing Program requires drug manufacturers to provide discounted drugs to eligible health centers and hospitals, including community health centers, nonprofit and public hospitals, and Ryan White HIV/AIDS clinics. The facilities can either directly provide discounted drugs to low-income patients, or contract with pharmacies to dispense the drugs at a discount. Since 1992, the 340B Drug Pricing Program has been a lifeline to low-income patients and community-based health centers and hospitals who serve vulnerable and low-income populations, ensuring access to care and medication that might otherwise be unaffordable.

Flouting federal requirements, drug makers including Eli Lilly and Astra Zeneca have threatened unilateral changes to their participation in the program, instituting new data sharing requirements that may violate federal health privacy laws, and abruptly refusing to ship drugs to pharmacies.

“This is outrageous.  By refusing to honor contract pharmacy orders, [the drug manufacturers] would disrupt an essential mode used by many covered entities for dispensing 340B drugs to underserved and vulnerable patient populations who rely on these pharmacies in their communities to fill their prescriptions,” Attorney General Tong states in the letters.

Attorney General Tong states that the drug makers actions directly undermine the 340B Drug Pricing Program, obstruct patient access to critical prescription medications, and devastate the financial stability of healthcare centers and hospitals serving vulnerable communities.  He warns that the changes flout federal requirements. The unilateral changes are especially appalling given the role these critical safety net healthcare institutions are playing during the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There is no legal basis for [these] actions.  Denying outpatient access to appropriate 340B drug pricing is a clear violation of federal law.  Nothing in the Act allows [Eli Lilly, Astra Zeneca, Merck, Sanofi, and Novartis] to impose conditions or restrictions on covered entities’ access to 340B drug pricing, including discontinuing the longstanding practice of shipping drugs to contract pharmacies,” Attorney General Tong states in the letters.

Click here to download the letters.

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HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration is dedicating $2.6 million of Connecticut’s Coronavirus Relief Funds to support the state’s public libraries as they continue to make health and safety improvements and offer more services to residents amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor said the funds will be distributed among 65 libraries across Connecticut based on their size and the number of residents they serve each year, which will allow much of the funding to particularly target those that serve low-income urban and rural communities. The funds are anticipated to be largely used to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies, signage, and furniture.

The funding announced today is in addition to the Lamont administration’s ongoing initiative to increase broadband infrastructure and create public Wi-Fi hotspots that offer free internet access, including at many libraries across the state.

“Libraries offer critical services for the public, including reliable Wi-Fi, access to computers and laptops, supportive learning materials and resources, and librarians who are trained in helping residents access key services,” said Governor Lamont. “Most importantly, libraries provide safe and quiet spaces for people to work and study, which is critical to many people who do not have the environment to do this at home. Especially during this difficult time, libraries and the work of so many generous librarians have played a critical role in supporting K-12 and post-secondary students with remote learning.”

“Our public libraries, the librarians, and the services they offer are tremendous assets to the residents of the state, especially for our K-12 students as schools reopen,” said Office of Policy and Management Secretary Melissa McCaw, who has been overseeing the distribution of the Coronavirus Relief Fund on behalf of the Lamont administration. “With these federal resources, we can help our local and community libraries with their health, safety, and technological needs so that our students can study, read, and write in a warm and safe place while alleviating some of the burden for our local governments. As the libraries expand their capacity, it is essential we assist where we can to ensure it is done safely and to enhance the odds of success for students under these unique circumstances.”

“This investment in our public libraries will enable their leaders and staff to extend and enhance the services and programs that are so valued and important to their constituents and communities,” said Interim State Librarian Maureen Sullivan. “Public libraries have always been places that support education and self-directed learning. They are now a critical community resource for virtual learning.”

“Libraries serve as important resource hubs outside of the classroom by providing students and their families with equitable access to engaging programs, supports and multimedia learning materials at no cost,” said Connecticut Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona. “As we make progress to close the digital divide and meet the remote learning needs of our students, we must do all everything we can to continue to support the crucial role our librarians and libraries play in this area by enhancing the overall educational experience for all learners in their communities.”

Libraries closed in March amid the initial outbreak of the pandemic, however they opened with 50 percent capacity when Phase 2 of Connecticut’s reopening efforts began in June. They will be permitted to increase the capacity to 75 percent when Phase 3 begins on October 8.

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HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont announced that he has signed legislation that increases accountability among Connecticut’s utility companies by implementing a performance-based incentive system that ensures their earnings and profits are tied to good performance and certain penalties can be enacted amid extensive service disruptions.

Under the legislation, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) will be responsible for establishing the system, which will focus on several factors such as safety, reliability, storm response, affordability, the state’s environmental goals, customer satisfaction, communication with municipalities, and equity.

The bill also enables PURA to implement an interim rate decrease, low-income rate, and economic development rates that provide consumer relief during the current recession, directs the administration to investigate whether Connecticut’s participation in the wholesale energy markets administered by the regional independent system operator advances the state’s policy goals, and expands a program that protects critical infrastructure from the threat of severe weather and other climate impacts.

“Utility companies provide a critical service that can quite literally mean life or death in certain situations, and ratepayers deserve a level of respect that puts them above profits,” Governor Lamont said. “I congratulate Senator Needleman, Representative Arconti, Senator Formica, Representative Ferraro, and subject-matter experts and stakeholders across the state on sending a bill to my desk that sets Connecticut firmly on the path toward tying utility rates to utility companies’ performance.”

The legislation is House Bill 7006, An Act Concerning Emergency Response by Electric Distribution Companies, the Regulation of Other Public Utilities and Nexus Provisions for Certain Disaster-Related or Emergency-Related Work Performed in the State.

It was approved by near-unanimous margins in both chambers of the state legislature, with only four Republicans in the House voting against the bill.

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Bridgeport, CT–   City of Bridgeport officials are advising residents of updates from Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) regarding the end of the utility shut off moratorium which concluded on September 30, 2020.   With the end of this moratorium, utility companies may begin to resume regular collection activities for most customers this month.

Residential and commercial customers who need assistance are strongly encouraged to enroll in a COVID-19 payment plan by November 1, 2020 with their utility company.  Payment plans can last up to 24 months, with no down payment required and no interest or late payment charges.

Any customer enrolled in a COVID-19 Payment Program who is current with their payment terms cannot be disconnected even once the Shut-off Moratoriums have concluded.   Enrollment for the COVID-19 Payment Program is open until November 1, 2020.

PURA encourages customers having trouble paying their utility bills to contact their utility company and to ask:

• First, whether the customer is eligible to be “coded hardship”, for either financial or medical situations. Special financial assistance programs are available to hardship customers. 
• Second, if ineligible for hardship status, to be placed on a COVID-19 Payment Plan.

COVID-19 Payment Plans:

• Available to customers requesting financial assistance, without demonstrating financial need;
• Require no initial or down payment;
• Can be up to twenty-four (24) months in length;
• Waive any fees or interest in the calculation of the monthly payment amount;
• Facilitate repayment of past due balances in addition to the customer’s current monthly bill.

To set up a payment plan and avoid disconnected service due to delinquent payments, contact:

Customer Service can be reached at:

UI        800-722-5584

SCG    800-659-8299 Customer Service & Billing

866-659-4140 SCG Credit & Collections

CNG   860-524-8361 Customer Service and Billing

860-727-3034 CNG Credit & Collections

On March 12, 2020 PURA directed United Illuminating, Southern CT Gas, and Connecticut Natural Gas to cease residential shutoffs during the COVID-19 outbreaks; utility companies temporarily stopped disconnecting customers for nonpayment and suspended security deposits and late fees.

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Hartford, CT– Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 43 attorneys general in urging the creative community to take action to protect young viewers from tobacco imagery in streamed movies and programs. 

The California and Nebraska-led coalition directed letters to five creative guilds as part of an ongoing effort to reduce youth exposure to tobacco. Last year, a coalition of 43 attorneys general sent letters urging the streaming industry to limit tobacco imagery in their video content. The creative guilds’ assistance and support is critical to stopping the renormalization and glamorization of tobacco use, especially youth vaping.

“We know that the more depictions of smoking young people see, the more likely they are to begin smoking and vaping, jeopardizing their health and well-being,” said Attorney General Tong. “Smoking kills thousands of Americans each year and we urge entertainment creators to consider the effects their work will have and act responsibly.”

 Tobacco is the number one preventable killer in the United States, with over 480,000 Americans dying from tobacco-related diseases every year. A growing body of evidence indicates that vaping can permanently damage lungs and lead to a lifetime of tobacco and nicotine use.

In the race to launch new platforms, provide more content, and capture audiences, many streaming companies failed to consider the impact that easy access to movies and programs with tobacco imagery would have on children. In 2012, following a decade of studies, the Surgeon General concluded that “[t]here is a causal relationship between depictions of smoking in the movies and the initiation of smoking among young people.” In August 2020, a study by the Truth Initiative found that children who watch episodic programs with tobacco content are significantly more likely to begin vaping than those who are not exposed to such content. Even those with low levels of exposure were more than twice as likely to start using e-cigarettes, and those with high exposure were over three times more likely. 

In today’s letters, the bipartisan coalition urges Hollywood’s creative guilds to use their collective influence to persuade members of the creative community to depict tobacco imagery more responsibly, while still supporting artistic freedoms.

Letters were sent to the Directors Guild of America, Producers Guild of America, Screenwriters Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

Attorney General Tong joins the attorneys general of Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, the Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, the Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin sending the f letters.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

HARTFORD, CT) – Members of Connecticut Congressional Delegation today sent a letter to President Donald Trump to urge him to grant Governor Ned Lamont’s request for a major disaster declaration following as a result of the damage caused by Tropical Storm Isaias.

“The significant outages and damage caused by the storm placed additional burdens on our state and local agencies, volunteers, and first responders at a time when they continue to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic – putting some of our most vulnerable populations at risk.  Federal assistance is critically necessary in order to facilitate full recovery from the storm,” wrote the delegation members.

The letter was signed by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Representatives John Larson (CT-1), Joe Courtney (CT-2), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Jim Himes (CT-4), and Jahana Hayes (CT-5).

A complete copy of the letter is below:

Dear Mr. President:

We write strongly urging you to grant Governor Ned Lamont’s request for a major disaster declaration for all Connecticut counties and the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations.  Specifically, we support the Governor’s call for activation of Public Assistance (PA) and implementation of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. 

On August 4, 2020, Tropical Storm Isaias tore through our state leaving over 750,000 residents and businesses without power, adversely affecting public transportation, causing damage to homes and infrastructure, and disrupting telecommunication systems.  The significant outages and damage caused by the storm placed additional burdens on our state and local agencies, volunteers, and first responders at a time when they continue to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic – putting some of our most vulnerable populations at risk.  Federal assistance is critically necessary in order to facilitate full recovery from the storm.    

The Governor’s request is pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 93-288), which provides financial aid and assistance for communities hit by unprecedented disasters like Tropical Storm Isaias.  As the Governor’s major disaster declaration request makes clear, the joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (DPA) confirms that the State of Connecticut and all of its eight counties met or exceeded the minimum per capita requirements for additional federal assistance.  The state and its partners took unprecedented steps to respond to the storm while continuing to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  It is necessary for the federal government to provide much-needed relief to our state during these unprecedented times.

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#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont today signed legislation that will provide municipal election officials with the option of having more time to begin the process of verifying absentee ballots that have been received for the upcoming general election. The use of absentee ballots is anticipated to significantly increase for the November 3, 2020 election due do the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill the governor signed today allows local election officials to open the outer envelope used in absentee ballots and verify the legitimacy of the inner envelope beginning on Friday, October 30 at 5:00 p.m., rather than 6:00 a.m. on Election Day, as was previously required. The inner envelope, which contains a voter’s submitted ballot, still cannot be opened or the ballot counted until the day of the election.

Beginning the verification process on October 30 is entirely optional for each municipality, and requires a joint agreement between a local town clerk and registrar. Municipalities that choose to use these pre-counting procedures must notify the Secretary of the State in advance and obtain her approval.

“In America, every voter has the right to cast their ballot and have that ballot accurately counted, even during a pandemic,” Governor Lamont said. “This slight change in our election laws will provide some extra time for our registrars and town clerks to do their necessary administrative work, while ensuring that each ballot is safe and secure.”

Governor Lamont is reminding voters that every municipality in the state has been given at least one drop-box for voters to drop off their applications to request an absentee ballot, as well as the actual absentee ballots. All of the drop-boxes are located in secure spots outdoors, and most towns and cities have placed them at their local town hall buildings. Using the drop-boxes is a good idea to ensure that the ballots do not get delayed in the mail, the governor said.

“Your voice is your vote,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “No voter should have to choose between their health and exercising the fundamental right to vote. This legislation protects the integrity of our elections by ensuring that every valid vote cast in our state is counted accurately.”

“Absentee ballots are a proven, reliable, and safe option for voters, and every valid vote cast will be a vote counted in the state of Connecticut,” Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said. “This modest change to the process will make it a little easier for local election officials as they prepare for Election Day. No one should have to choose between protecting their health and casting their ballot.”

The legislation is House Bill 7005, An Act Concerning a Municipal Election Monitor at the 2020 State Election and Processing of Absentee Ballots for the 2020 State Election.

Earlier this summer, Governor Lamont signed a bill granting all registered voters in Connecticut the ability to vote in the general election utilizing an absentee ballot due to the need to socially distance because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

For instructions on how to vote by absentee ballot in Connecticut, click here.

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State Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) is applauding the passage of the “Take Back Our Grid Act” following a lengthy discussion on the Senate floor today. Senate Democrats voted to pass the “Take Back Our Grid Act,” vital legislation seeking to change how Connecticut’s utilities are run. Most importantly, LCO 4202, “An Act Concerning Emergency Response by Electric Distribution Companies and Revising The Regulation of Other Public Utilities,” seeks to hold utility companies accountable for their actions and practices, additionally adding further oversight and restitution for customers who suffer extended power outages. 

“Utility companies such as United Illuminating and Eversource should be held accountable for how they respond to severe power outages across the state,” said Sen. Moore. “It’s a shame that we did not learn from past storms that we would not be prepared to handle Storm Isaias that knocked out power to thousands of residents across the state. The providers should have been prepared and because they were not, we knew that something had to be done. This legislation will help make sure nobody is left in the dark for days on end without some sort of compensation or responsibility held.”

The legislation as currently drafted would significantly change Connecticut utilities in many ways, with focal points including:

• By June 2022, the Public Utilities Regulation Authority, or PURA, would be required to create performance-based regulation of electric, gas and water distribution companies, establishing standards and metrics to measure performance in objectives including safety, reliability, equity, customer satisfaction, mutual engagement, resilience against rapid changes in conditions and environmental goals. Those metrics would then be applied to existing regulation guidelines, aligning utility performance to match them.
• PURA is given more time and authority, allowed to evaluate a company’s performance during rate amendment proposals and able to determine whether a company’s rate of return is reasonable compared to the new rate proposed; its deadlines are extended in rate cases by 200 days for electric distribution companies and 50 days in other cases; and it will have to consider performance-based incentives and penalties when reviewing and investigating EDCs and rate hearings for PURA-regulated utility companies.
  
   
• PURA can require that rate recovery for executive or officer compensation, as well as incentive compensation for employees, be dependent on performance.
  
• PURA would be allowed to implement interim rate decreases if a company sees excessive return, as well as low-income rates and economic development rates.
  
   
• Starting in 2021, entities could not become holding companies of PURA-regulated utilities unless the holding company’s board of directors has the same population percentage as the holding company’s total service area in Connecticut. PURA also gains an additional 30 days to hold a hearing on mergers or other changes, while the deadline for approving or disapproving a merger/change of control is extended by 80 days.
  
   
• The cap on civil penalties levied by PURA for failing to comply with performance standards in emergency preparation rises from 2.5 percent to 4 percent of annual distribution revenue, and penalties will continue to be assessed as ratepayer credits set at $10,000 per violation.
  
   
• Starting July 2021, if PURA determines an EDC failed to perform according to the PURA standards:
  • EDCs will be required to give customers $25 account credits each day they experience a power outage of more than 96 hours after an emergency, with EDCs not allowed to recover costs for those credits outside of petitioning for a waiver.
    
     
  • EDCs would be required to compensate residential customers $250 for any medication and food expiring or spoiling due to a power outage lasting more than 96 hours after an emergency.
    
     

• After EDCs submit information about their last five major storm responses, including data about their crew workers and damage and outage estimates compared to storm response, PURA would issue minimum staffing level standards for outage planning and restoration personnel directly responsible for post-storm recovery. EDCs would face civil fines if found to break these rules.
  
   
• PURA would be authorized to assess fines for noncompliance with laws, regulations and orders, with a portion of those fines going to energy assistance program nonprofits
  
   
• DEEP would be required to evaluate current regional energy market (ISO New England) use and recommend alternatives achieving public policy goals by adopting clean and renewable energy
  
   
• DEEP would also have to expand its microgrid grant and loan pilot program for resilience projects, prioritizing projects benefiting vulnerable communities.

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MIDDLETOWN, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced that as companies continue navigating the impact of the ongoing, global COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Connecticut will be expanding its Shared Work program, which helps businesses in the state prevent layoffs by allowing them to temporarily reduce employee hours and use partial unemployment benefits to supplement lost wages. The program will be expanded beginning the week of October 5, 2020.

To highlight the expansion, the governor today visited Pegasus Manufacturing, a 133-year-old design and engineering firm located in Middletown that is participating in the program, which is administered by the Connecticut Department of Labor. He was joined by Labor Deputy Commissioner Daryle Dudzinski and representatives from the company.

“COVID-19 is impacting businesses all over the world, and we are committed to working with those in Connecticut to lessen the impact and keep their workers employed,” Governor Lamont said. “This program has helped many companies over the years, and expanding it will allow these workers to keep their jobs, continue earning a paycheck, and help these Connecticut-based companies grow.”

“The impact of the pandemic is felt across Connecticut, state government must find every opportunity to support businesses and the workforce,” Deputy Commissioner Dudzinski said. “Over the past six months, Shared Work has benefited more than 24,300 workers from 1340 companies, allowing them to keep their jobs and benefits during a time of economic crisis. Employers like Pegasus Manufacturing have a skilled talent pool they don’t want to lose while waiting for economic recovery. Shared Work helps them temporarily reduce overhead without risking the human capital that makes the business successful. I want to thank Governor Lamont and Commissioner Lehman for their full support of the Shared Work program.”

The Shared Work program helps employers retain a talented workforce during economic downturns. Rather than laying off the workforce – and having to recruit, hire, and train new labor when the economy recovers – Shared Work employers are able to reduce overhead by temporarily cutting hours. Their employees keep their jobs at a reduced schedule, keep their benefits, and are able to file for partial unemployment benefits for the lost wages. Employer eligibility includes companies with two or more workers that have hourly reductions within 10 to 60 percent of normal hours, provided that the lost hours are not related to seasonal separations. Shared Work runs for a maximum of six months for each employee.

In the year prior to the pandemic – from March 2019 through March 2020 – the program served 288 companies and just under 2,900 workers. Over the past six months, the program has grown to 1,340 companies with more than 24,300 participating. An early-pandemic U.S. Department of Labor decision has renewed interest in Shared Work – the federal government will reimburse the Trust Fund for unemployment costs normally charged to the employers.

Sam Simons, co-president of OEM Controls, a Shelton-based company that is participating in the program, said, “The Shared Work program is vital for OEM Controls. It enables us to keep our highly skilled workforce employed with their benefits. We’ve used this program during economic downturns and come out better and stronger – preventing layoffs and allowing us to continue the design and manufacture of our products. The Shared Work unit has been very cooperative and helpful implementing the program for us, which has helped employee morale.”

Companies interested in participating in Shared Work must apply with the Connecticut Department of Labor. For more information on the program and the application process, click here.

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The governor’s special session call includes the consideration of legislation on the following policy areas:

1.     Establishing a performance-based regulation to hold the state’s electricity, gas, and water companies accountable for the critical services they provide to customers;

2.     Ensuring local officials may administer absentee ballots in a secure and orderly manner during the November 2020 general election;

3.     Authorizing school construction projects;

4.     Updating the state’s Transfer Act;

5.     Aligning Connecticut’s hemp program with federal law and providing opportunities for hemp growers and manufacturers in the state;

6.     Updating the state’s environmental justice law to require public notice and community benefit agreements in certain circumstances;

7.     Providing greater protection for employees in occupations engaged in construction on certain non-residential building, heavy, or highway works projects in Connecticut;

8.     Permitting homeowners’ associations to obtain loans through the Supplemental Collapsing Foundation Loan Program;

9.     Permitting some late property tax exemptions to be filed with towns; and

10.  Clarifying the ability of state marshals to recover costs for searching records of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The four judicial nominations include Appellate Court Judge Christine E. Keller to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court; and three Superior Court judges – Judge Joan Alexander, Judge Melanie Cradle, and Judge Jose A. Suarez – to fill vacancies on the Appellate Court. Each of the nominations was the subject of public hearings held by the Judiciary Committee in August and then received favorable approvals by the committee.

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