State News

Blumenthal Upset With Amtrack

Dec 2, 2019 Stephen Krauchick

#WASHINGTON, D.C. – As thousands of Americans prepare to journey by train during the busy holiday travel season, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), lead sponsor of the Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal (FAIR) Act, led a group of fourteen senators writing Amtrak to “demand that Amtrak immediately eliminate [its] anti-consumer arbitration and class action policy.” In January, Amtrak implemented a broad new policy that not only prevents Amtrak riders, employees, and others from seeking justice in the courts, it also prohibits them from banding together in a group to seek accountability for their claims. “We write to express our concern that Amtrak’s mandatory arbitration and class action policy is gravely imperiling traveling Americans’ access to justice and public accountability. As our national…

State News

Governor Urges Caution On First Winter Storm

Dec 2, 2019 Stephen Krauchick

HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont is urging people in Connecticut to use caution as the first significant winter storm of the season begins impacting the state. The forecast as of Sunday afternoon shows that moderate to briefly heavy snow at times will develop across Connecticut during the afternoon and it will mix with sleet and rain by the evening. Moderate precipitation will continue during Sunday evening and is anticipated to change over to rain by midnight. Light rain will impact the state during the Monday morning rush hour, with light snow developing around noon. Light to moderate snow will continue through Monday night and remain through Tuesday morning, causing some snow and slush patches and black ice on…

State News

Governor Announce Special Elections

Dec 1, 2019 Stephen Krauchick

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has scheduled Tuesday, January 14, 2020 as the date to hold special elections to fill two vacancies in the Connecticut House of Representatives, including: · the 48th Assembly District, which consists of portions of Colchester, Lebanon, Mansfield, and Windham. The seat was most recently held by Linda Orange, who passed away on November 20; and · the 132nd Assembly District, which consists of portions of Fairfield. The seat was most recently held by Brenda Kupchick, who resigned on November 22. Under state law, the governor is required to issue a writ of special election within ten days of a vacancy in the General Assembly and a special election must be held exactly…

State News

Blumenthal Wants Answers

Nov 27, 2019 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON, DC– Following alarming reports of Google’s efforts to obtain the health records of millions of Americans without their awareness or consent, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) wrote Google today demanding answers to the serious questions and concerns raised by “Project Nightingale.” “We write with concern over reports that Ascension has entered into a partnership that provides Google with the health records of tens of millions of Americans without their awareness or consent,” the senators wrote. “Health information and records of medical care are exceptionally sensitive information that, when mishandled, expose patients to embarrassment, discrimination, exploitation, and other harms. Based on prior privacy violations and security failures from the company, we have substantial…

State News

Student Loan Forgivness

Nov 26, 2019 Stephen Krauchick

#Hartford, CT -- Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 21 state attorneys general today in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in support of public servants who have been denied promised federal student loan debt forgiveness. The U.S. Department of Education has committed pervasive errors in administering the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. As a result, less than one percent of all applicants have received relief. In their brief, Attorney General Tong and the coalition stress the importance of the PSLF programs and ask the Court to closely review borrowers’ specific allegations. In July, the American Federation of Teachers sued Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and the Department of Education for…

State News

Blumenthal Concerned About Keyless Cars

Nov 26, 2019 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) introduced the Stop CO Poisoning Exposures (SCOPE) Act to help protect consumers from the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning associated with keyless ignition technology in vehicles. The bipartisan SCOPE Act requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to finalize a rule that vehicles automatically shut off after a period of time to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Because different vehicles emit carbon monoxide at different rates, this bill would authorize NHTSA to establish different periods after which a vehicle would have to shut off. ““This legislation will require NHTSA finally take action to protect American drivers from the fatal risk of carbon…

State News

Hwang Named to Governor’s Workforce Council

Nov 25, 2019 Stephen Krauchick

State Senator Tony Hwang (R-28) was named by Governor Ned Lamont to the Governor’s newly revamped Workforce Council, a body which will be responsible for partnering with the business community and knocking down barriers among state government agencies so that Connecticut can have the most aligned, high-quality, and equitable workforce development system in the country. The council was created by an executive order signed by the Governor who made the announcement at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury. Senator Hwang emphasized the critical need for workforce development, “The Connecticut Office of Higher Education has found that by 2025, about 70 percent of workers will need some form of education and training beyond high school. Meeting this demand will require about…

State News

Clean Energy Goals

Nov 20, 2019 Stephen Krauchick

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), joined Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ed Markey (D-MA) in sending a letter to ISO New England (ISO-NE) calling on the regional grid operator to pursue changes to the energy markets consistent with the ambitious clean energy goals set by each of the New England states. The letter requests that all relevant energy stakeholders and state officials be included in the grid operator’s process for determining changes to these markets. “New England states take the threat of climate change seriously and have adopted some of the most ambitious climate and clean energy laws in the country,” wrote the Senators. “ISO-NE has…

State News

Bradley International Airport Named 5th Best In USA

Nov 17, 2019 Stephen Krauchick

#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont today released the following statement following the announcement made by Condé Nast Traveler, one of the nation’s leading travel publications, that Bradley International Airport has been named the fifth best airport in the United States in its 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards: “Bradley International Airport is a conveniently located, accessible option for travelers throughout the New England region and its value needs to be utilized in our efforts to drive growth and serve as a magnet for economic activity. Over the last several years, many new improvements have been made at the airport to make it an even more convenient travel option, and we are determined to build on that success. That is why…

State News

Save Our Seas

Nov 16, 2019 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) applauded committee passage of Save Our Seas 2.0, bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) to combat marine debris. Murphy and Murkowski are both cosponsors of the bill. The legislation includes a Murphy-Murkowski drafted provision to fund a Genius Prize for Save Our Seas Innovation to be given out for the development of projects to replace single use plastic and innovations that remove and prevent plastic waste. “Addressing plastic pollution is critical to protecting our oceans and coastlines, including the Long Island Sound in Connecticut. I’m glad to see this legislation pass Committee with our provision that sets up a genius prize to reward projects that…

Blumenthal Upset With Amtrack

Governor Urges Caution On First Winter Storm

Governor Announce Special Elections

Blumenthal Wants Answers

Student Loan Forgivness

Blumenthal Concerned About Keyless Cars

Hwang Named to Governor’s Workforce Council

Clean Energy Goals

Bradley International Airport Named 5th Best In USA

Save Our Seas

You missed

Fairfield News: Manhunt

Bridgeport News: Pedestrian Struck

Fairfield News: Grease Fire Burns Individual

Bridgeport Police Boat Dedication