#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont is applauding both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly for voting to approve an historic agreement his administration reached with the state’s hospitals that will result in the withdrawal of all pending legal claims that various hospitals filed against the state. The governor said that he intends to sign the legislation shortly. The agreement is the result of a months-long effort between the Lamont administration and the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) to bring conclusion to the various claims against the state challenging the hospital user fee. The governor explained that it represents a new chapter in the relationship between the State of Connecticut and its hospitals and he looks forward to maintaining this connection…
Governor Activates Cold Weather Protocol
#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that as bitter cold temperatures and wind chills are anticipated to impact the state over the next several days, he will be activating the state’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, and lasting through 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 21. This is the first time this season that the protocol has been enacted. The protocol directs staff from the relevant state agencies to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the severe conditions. A listing of available shelters throughout Connecticut can be located by calling 2-1-1 or visiting www.211ct.org. “Bitter cold…
Senator To Fight Robocalls
#HARTFORD, CT – On Monday, December 16 at 10:30 AM in the atrium of the Hartford Public Library, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) will urge the U.S. Senate to pass the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act before the holiday recess to prevent and prosecute robocallers who defraud consumers. Blumenthal has led and cosponsored measures to fight robocalls including the TRACED Act. Passed in the U.S. House last week, it increases penalties for robocallers, prevents carriers from adding charges for blocking, promotes call authentication and blocking adoption, as well as brings relevant federal agencies and state attorneys general together to coordination prosecution of robocallers. Blumenthal has also introduced the Repeated Objectionable Bothering of Consumers on Phones (ROBOCOP)…
Living Shorelines Act Passes House
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) this week applauded the House of Representatives after it passed the Living Shorelines Act, legislation that invests in protecting coastal communities from rising sea levels and stronger storms by creating a new grant program for nature-based shoreline protection projects known as living shorelines. In June, Senators Murphy and Harris introduced the Living Shorelines Act in the Senate. Representative Frank Pallone (NJ-06) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. “As a sponsor of the Senate version of this bill, I want to applaud my friends in the House of Representatives, led by Congressman Pallone, for passing this important legislation. The Living Shorelines Act helps protect coastal communities along Long Island Sound, by sending money to towns that are working on environmentally friendly projects to fortify against…
Land Conservation
HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the state is set to approve $5 million in funding that will permit a new round of grants to begin under Connecticut’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Program. The initiative, administered by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, provides grants to municipalities, nonprofit land conservation organizations, and water companies to acquire land and have it designated as open space. The allocation has been placed on the agenda to be approved during next week’s meeting of the State Bond Commission. Governor Lamont serves as chairman of the commission. “Our administration has set high goals to mitigate the effects of climate change and implement policies that better preserve our air,…
Protecting Online Data
#WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) who led a group of 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. “I have heard countless times from constituents who fear their personal information can be easily accessed, or worse, stolen and used against them. This legislation would require tech companies to do a better job protecting the sensitive information we entrust them with every day, and I hope to see it pass soon.” said Murphy. “People have a basic expectation that the personal information that is collected by websites and apps is well-protected and…
Troops On The Border
#WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement after the Department of Defense Inspector General announced a new investigation into the Trump Administration’s deployment of thousands of U.S. military troops to the southern border. Blumenthal has previously raised concerns about the politicization of the military directly with the Pentagon, specifically requesting “legal justification for the expanding mission of active duty troops deployed to the southern border,” and “training and legal guidance provided to servicemembers deployed to the border.” “I welcome this investigation – accountability is long overdue,” Blumenthal said. “I have long held serious concerns about the politically motivated, potentially unlawful deployment of our servicemen and women to the southern border. Over the last two…
CT To Divest From Gun Manufacturers
HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont released the following statement regarding the decision announced today by State Treasurer Shawn Wooden on state investments with firearm manufacturers: “The treasurer’s decision to divest from gun manufacturers and enact a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive, responsible gun policy should be applauded. Connecticut continues to be a leader in responsible gun safety policies and as a state we must go beyond legislation in order to reflect the importance of protecting our communities from gun violence. While divesting sends a strong message, we still need a moment of action in Washington that will bring an end to the mass shootings that have become an everyday tragedy for our country.” This press release was made possible by:…
Senator Wants Action On YouTube Influencers
#Washington D.C. On Friday U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) demanded that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) take action against YouTube influencers who are deceptively and unfairly advertising to children as young as two years old through their content. YouTube has created a new generation of child-directed online influencers. However, few parents understand that these channels are often little more than advertisements for toymakers, media companies, and fast food, with some influencers earning tens of millions in ad deals and sponsorships. Eager to exploit this new social media gold rush, many advertisers and sponsors have thrown basic ethics and the law out the window, disregarding even the minimal standards adopted to protect children. A study by ad watchdog group, truthinadvertising.org (TINA.org)…
Senator Applauds House Passage On Robocalls
WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) applauded House of Representatives passage of bipartisan legislation to help block robocalls. The Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act approved by the House this week is the result of months of negotiations between the House and Senate. The legislation gives regulators more time to find robocall scammers, increases penalties for violators, promotes call authentication and blocking adoption, and brings federal agencies and state attorneys general together to address obstacles to criminal prosecution of robocallers who intentionally flout laws. “I will work for swift strong Senate action to approve the robocall protection measure passed overwhelmingly yesterday by the House,” Blumenthal said. “I have been a leading champion of such robocall…