State News

PUSH FOR VA TO COVER K2 VETERANS’ TOXIC EXPOSURE CARE

#WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced legislation today, mandating the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide health care and benefits to all veterans who served at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base (K2) in Uzbekistan and have illnesses associated with the toxic substances found at the site. “This bill will bring life-saving relief to hundreds – and potentially thousands – of veterans who were exposed to extremely harmful toxins in the black goo and glowing ponds reported at K2,” said Blumenthal. “When we send people to war, we make a commitment and accept an obligation to treat them no matter the costs. We know that K2 veterans are suffering from cancers and other illnesses at a great rate, so…

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EXTENSION FOR SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM URGED

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and 26 of their Senate colleagues joined a letter led by U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fully extend school meal waivers through the end of the 2020-2021 school year so that schools have the flexibility to fully serve students whether or not they are attending school in person.   The senators initially made this request in July, and the USDA recently announced that it will agree to extend some of the school meal waivers. The USDA extended until the end of the 2020-21 school year waivers that allow parents and guardians to pick up school meals – rather than students themselves – and remove the requirement that school meals…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT APPOINTS ANGEL QUIROS TO SERVE AS COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION

HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is appointing Angel Quiros to serve as commissioner of the Department of Correction (DOC).   A veteran of the DOC, Quiros has worked at the agency since 1989, first joining as a correctional officer and then working his way up the ranks as lieutenant, captain, major, deputy warden, warden, district administrator, and his current position as deputy commissioner of operations and rehabilitative services, which he has held since January 2019. He has also been serving in the capacity of interim commissioner since July, following the departure of the agency’s most recent commissioner, Rollin Cook, from the position.   In addition to his work within the state’s criminal justice system, Quiros brings a…

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$400,000 in Coronavirus Relief Funding

Representatives Jim Himes (CT-04), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) announced that the Shelton Economic Development Corporation received $400,000 in CARES Act federal coronavirus relief funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for the Naugatuck Valley Economic Development District. This grant will be used to implement the necessary economic development strategies required to address the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic in the Naugatuck Valley Economic Development District. “Bringing federal dollars to Southwest Connecticut is good for our economy, workforce, and community,” said Congressman Jim Himes. “The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for many Southwest Connecticut communities. Federal grants like this will help combat the economic havoc and encourage growth and recovery. I look forward to working with the…

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So Much For That Flattening Of The Curve Promise

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed orders extending to February 9, 2021, Connecticut’s states of civil preparedness and public health emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally declared in March and scheduled to expire on September 9, the governor said that the states of emergency must remain in place in order for the state to effectively respond to the unprecedented and ongoing global pandemic.   “We’ve come a long way from where we were when COVID-19 first hit Connecticut back in March, and working with our public health officials, other stakeholders, and residents, we’ve built an infrastructure that has taken our state to one of the lowest rates of transmission in the country,” Governor Lamont said. “But…

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SENATORS CALL ON FCC TO BOLSTER LIFELINE PROGRAM TO KEEP STUDENTS CONNECTED

WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) led a group of 25 senators, including U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), in calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to boost its Lifeline program to keep students connected as millions return to school both virtually and in person. Since 1985, the FCC’s Lifeline program has made basic internet and telephone service more affordable for low-income Americans and has had bipartisan support. “As millions of American families face unprecedented financial pressures and educational challenges, we urge the FCC to reverse proposed changes to the Lifeline program, take immediate steps to open its assistance to more households, and ensure that its services meet the pressing needs of families during this crisis,” the Senators wrote…

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HARTFORD, CT U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) called on regulators to urgently enact a number of reforms to ease the burden on Connecticut consumers, including breaking up utility provider giant Eversource. Despite rising profits and multi-million dollar executive compensation, electricity costs increased amid the pandemic, followed by staggering power outages resulting from its lack of adequate preparation for Tropical Storm Isaias. “The time for tinkering is over. We need to think big about becoming smaller, more responsive, and smarter in the way we do public utilities and deliver power to the consumers of Connecticut.” said Blumenthal at the hearing. “This system is clearly failing men and women in Connecticut who every day pay their electric bills. It is a particularly egregious failure…

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Insurance Commissioner Mais leads national discussions on race, diversity and inclusion

As the nation grapples with issues of race and inclusion, Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) Commissioner Andrew N. Mais has led discussions in several National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) forums on race, diversity, and inclusion within the insurance industry and in insurance practices. “Inclusion means having everyone having a voice, and for as vital industry like insurance, it means helping all members of our Connecticut family get access to the products that are relevant to them,” Mais said. Commissioner Mais has also participated in efforts led by Governor Ned Lamont and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz to address social inequities in Connecticut, including the Council on Women and Girls and cultural competency initiatives. Mais is also a member of the NAIC’s recently…

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SENATORS CALL FOR COLLEGE ATHLETES BILL OF RIGHTS

WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), the Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection, with jurisdiction over the NCAA and amateur athletes, Chris Murphy (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) today announced the framework for a new college athletes bill of rights that will advance justice and opportunity for college athletes. Blumenthal previewed the framework with Booker while serving as Ranking Member during a July Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on “Protecting the Integrity of College Athletics.” The proposal will guarantee fair and equitable compensation, enforceable health and safety standards, and improved educational opportunities for all college…

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Bipartisan Effort To End Human Trafficking

With human trafficking on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced the bipartisan Leveraging Information on Foreign Traffickers (LIFT) Act to combat modern day slavery. This legislation supports survivor-centered efforts to monitor and prevent trafficking, and improves the U.S. Department of State’s ability to gather information on this crime. U.S. Representatives Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) are lead cosponsors of this bicameral legislation in the House and introduced the House version of the bill in January. “This bipartisan measure mobilizes survivors and better information to fight human trafficking,” said Blumenthal. “It seeks to stop modern day slavery, even as the COVID-19 crisis is exacerbating it. The increasing urgency of protecting innocent victims — before…

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