State News

State News

Covid Insurance

Jul 3, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais wants to remind every front-line worker and volunteer who cares for COVID-19 patients and their families about two very important programs, Healthbridge and the Brave of Heart Fund. Healthbridge from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) offers eligible front-line health care workers and volunteers up to $25,000 of life insurance at no cost. Cigna and New York Life established the Brave of Heart Fund to provide monetary grants of up to $75,000 to survivors of front-line U.S. healthcare workers who give their lives in the fight against COVID-19. “MassMutual filed Healthbridge to help front-line health care workers, volunteers and their families and this was quickly approved by this Department. Cigna and New York Life similarly stepped in to support…

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State News

DMV Openings

Jul 2, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

WETHERSFIELD, CT – The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles resumed road testing services for driver’s licenses as well as new vehicle registration services on June 30, 2020 at select DMV locations. Knowledge testing for motorcycle learner’s permits is slated to resume on July 7, 2020 at DMV’s Bridgeport and Waterbury locations. “We will continue to slowly reopen our doors and expand our service options,” said DMV’s Deputy Commissioner Tony Guerrera. “Safety remains our primary focus.” The DMV began collaborating with driving schools on June 23, 2020 in an effort to reduce its backlog, and was able to schedule nearly 1,000 road tests through June 30, 2020. Customers whose appointments were canceled due to the COVID-19 global health pandemic are encouraged…

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State News

Senators Investigate Denied VA Claims

Jul 2, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), and Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced legislation today that would mandate the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reimburse veterans’ emergency health care expenses from non-VA facilities that are not covered by the veteran’s private insurance. This legislation follows the 2016 Staab v. McDonald and 2019 Wolfe v. Wilkie decisions, both ruling that the VA must reimburse veterans for emergency medical expenses. The Wolfe decision also found that more than 600,000 veterans may have been affected by the VA’s denial of these claims, with anywhere from $1.8 to $6.5 billion owed to veterans. The VA appealed this decision last month to avoid paying these claims. “This bill will tremendously help…

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State News

737 Investigation

Jul 2, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Inspector General issued its first report on the Boeing 737 MAX development and certification: “The Inspector General’s report makes crystal clear that the 737 MAX plane crashes were the direct result of a pattern of Boeing’s deliberate concealment. The crewmembers and loved ones lost in these crashes never had a chance because Boeing decided to conceal MCAS from pilots and federal regulators. The report lays bare the company’s reprehensible actions and the Federal Aviation Administration’s deficient oversight. It is long past due for Boeing to be held accountable…

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State News

Senators Want Increased Funding For Children With Disabilities

Jul 1, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), both members of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) on Tuesday introduced legislation that would increase funding for children with disabilities. The Supporting Children with Disabilities During COVID-19 Act appropriates $11 billion for state grants under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), $1.2 billion for early childhood education programs, $55 million under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, and requires recipients of funds to report to Congress how this money is spent.   “COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on our education system—forcing millions of Americans into distance learning. This has been uniquely challenging and harmful for students with disabilities. Now is not the time to backtrack on our commitment to provide a quality education…

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State News

ASSISTANCE FOR RENTERS, HOMEOWNERS, AND RESIDENTIAL LANDLORDS IMPACTED BY COVID-19 EMERGENCY

Jul 1, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Lamont announced today a comprehensive plan to put more than $33 million in state and federal resources to work providing emergency assistance to renters, homeowners, and residential landlords impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency.   Elements of this plan include:   $10 million rental assistance program for Connecticut residents impacted by COVID-19, administered through the Department of Housing, which will provide payments to landlords on behalf of approved tenant applicants, with a priority on lower-income households who have been denied unemployment insurance; $5 million for eviction prevention to help renters who were in the process of eviction before the declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency; $10 million to provide mortgage relief to homeowners who…

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State News

Small Business Covid Help

Jun 30, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) along with U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) and a number of House members introduced the Rebuilding Main Street Act, legislation to help small businesses, nonprofits, and workers weather the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and support safe reopening. The legislation expands existing work share programs to allow employers to share their payroll costs with the federal government while receiving grants help to cover other fixed costs such as rent and needs for reopening safely like cleaning and protective equipment. After 14 straight weeks in which more than one million workers filed for unemployment benefits, the legislation would help laid off workers safety return to their jobs…

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State News

$11.3 For Head Start Programs

Jun 29, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

HARTFORD—U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representatives John Larson (CT-1), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) and Jahana Hayes (CT-5) announced $13,485,100 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to Head Start programs in the Greater Hartford and New Britain area.   “This federal funding will help grow Head Start early education programs, helping hundreds of our youngest learners thrive during these critical early years,” said Murphy, Blumenthal, Larson, DeLauro and Hayes. “We know that kids who participate in Head Start are served by that experience for decades to come – helping them to succeed in school and into adulthood. We’re proud to advocate for increased funding for these programs so they can continue to support Connecticut families for years to…

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State News

Connecticut Community Nonprofit Alliance

Jun 26, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, in partnership with the Connecticut Community Nonprofit Alliance and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, today announced the launch of ConnectiCorps, a new community service program set to launch in August that will help address the growing demand on essential services provided by Connecticut’s nonprofits in the areas of food security, housing, and antipoverty assistance.   An AmeriCorps program, it will offer an opportunity for high-impact service in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency and will provide a modest income and a stipend for higher-education costs for young adults in Connecticut. ConnectiCorps is funded by a significant grant from the Hartford Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund and an AmeriCorps state and federal grant approved…

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State News

Justice in Policing Act Passes

Jun 26, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

#Washington DC--The Justice in Policing Act which passed the House of Representatives of 236-181.  This comprehensive legislative package would drastically reform policing, hold bad actors accountable, and help mend the relationship between law enforcement agencies and local communities. It sends a clear message that Black lives matter, are important, and must be protected. “The House of Representatives has done its job today and acted on behalf of the people,” said Himes.  “The Justice in Policing Act will bring reforms to police departments across the country, increasing accountability and showing a commitment to change and improvement.” The Justice in Policing Act will: Make lynching a federal crime Limit and regulate the federal transfer of military weapons and equipment to state and local…

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