State News

Sen. Tony Hwang Named Legislator of the Year by Connecticut Library Association

Sen. Hwang Named “Legislator of the Year” by Statewide CT Library Association REDDING – State Sen. Tony Hwang (R-28) was recently honored as “Legislator of the Year” by the Connecticut Library Association, the representative body for Connecticut libraries, during a recognition event at the Mark Twain Library in West Redding, recognizing his bipartisan leadership supporting libraries, freedom to read, digital access, and public education across Connecticut. The association specifically recognized Sen. Hwang’s role in drafting and advancing landmark bipartisan legislation in 2025 that protected Connecticut libraries from restrictive and costly e-book licensing practices, helping expand digital access for residents while easing financial pressure on local communities and taxpayers. Sen. Hwang offered remarks at the event and emphasized the important role…

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Attorney General Tong Challenges Federal Rule Limiting Student Loans for Professional Degrees

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SUES U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OVER STUDENT LOAN RULE LIMITING ACCESS TO STUDENT LOANS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEGREE PROGRAMS Coalition challenges unlawful rule that could restrict access to advanced education and worsen workforce shortages (Hartford, CT) — Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule that unlawfully limits access to federal student loans for students pursuing professional degree programs, including many healthcare and other critical workforce fields. The lawsuit challenges a recently finalized Department of Education rule that narrows the federal definition of “professional degree” and imposes restrictions Congress did not authorize. The coalition argues the rule unlawfully excludes many degree programs…

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Governor Lamont Launches Statewide CT250 Celebration Across Connecticut

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES CT250: CONNECTICUT’S STATEWIDE CELEBRATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE For a Full Calendar of CT250 Events, Visit 250inCT.com (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today joined state officials and community leaders to announce CT250, Connecticut’s statewide initiative to commemorate, celebrate, and reflect on the 250th anniversary of American independence. Announced at the historic Old State House in Hartford, CT250 will bring together communities across all of the state’s 169 municipalities through a dynamic calendar of events, immersive experiences, educational programs, and community-driven celebrations. “Moments like this remind us that history isn’t just something we look back on – it’s something we carry with us,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “Connecticut has a powerful story to tell as America marks its…

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Attorney General Tong Announces Court Ruling Against Federal Tariffs

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG WINS LAWSUIT AGAINST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S ILLEGAL TARIFFS Court of International Trade Invalidates Tariffs that are Increasing Prices and Inflicting Chaos on the American Economy Following Lawsuit Filed by 24 States (Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong yesterday secured an order invalidating President Trump’s latest efforts to impose illegal tariffs on products purchased by American consumers and businesses. A federal court granted summary judgment in the lawsuit filed March 5 by 24 states, including Connecticut. “We just beat Donald Trump for the second time in the Court of International Trade to stop his illegal tariffs from inflicting needless chaos and costs on American families. We sued to block his first round of lawless tariffs and won 6-3…

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Sen. Tony Hwang Honored After Nearly Two Decades of Public Service

Sen. Hwang Bids Farewell to CT State Senate Following Nearly Two Decades of Public Service; Honored by Bipartisan Colleagues HARTFORD – State Sen. Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield) on Tuesday delivered an emotional farewell address in the State Senate circle as colleagues honored his nearly 20 years of service in the Connecticut General Assembly ahead of the close of the 2026 legislative session on May 6. Sen. Hwang served six years in the House of Representatives before joining the State Senate in 2014. Sen. Hwang, who historically became the first Asian American elected to the Senate, reflected on his American immigrant experience, the privilege of public service, and the responsibility of preserving the institution of integrity, civility and statesmanship. “We are truly…

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Construction Begins On Waterbury Branch Line Station Upgrades

Governor Ned Lamont today announced the start of construction on major upgrades to four stations on the Metro-North Waterbury Branch Line, located in Derby-Shelton, Ansonia, Beacon Falls, and Seymour. Construction on all four stations is beginning now and is anticipated to be completed by spring 2028. The upgrades will transform these stations with new 350-foot platforms designed to accommodate full train boarding, along with covered canopies and enclosed windscreens to improve comfort in all weather. Stations will feature real-time arrival information, ticket vending, improved lighting, and clear wayfinding. Each location will be ADA accessible, with better pedestrian access and safer passenger flow. In Derby, the project will restore the vacant historic station building to provide indoor waiting space and add…

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Flags Lowered Sunday For Fallen Firefighters Memorial

Governor Lamont Directs Flags To Half-Staff Sunday For The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, May 3, 2026, in recognition of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, an annual ceremony that serves as the official national tribute honoring all firefighters in the U.S. who have died in the line of duty. Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags – including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise – should also be lowered during this same duration of time. During Sunday’s ceremony, which is held at National Fallen Firefighters Memorial…

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Lamont Announces Progress on I-91/I-691/Route 15 Interchange Project in Meriden

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES MILESTONES AND NEXT STEPS FOR I-91, I-691, ROUTE 15 INTERCHANGE PROJECT IN MERIDEN Governor Ned Lamont today announced major progress on the ongoing Interstate 91, Interstate 691, and Route 15 interchange reconfiguration project, including the on-time and on-budget completion of phase one, continued advancement of phase two, and the start of phase three. Phase two, which has been underway for two years, remains on track for completion by 2028, while the full three-phase program is expected to be complete by 2030. The announcement was made during a news conference held this morning at the newly constructed ramp to East Main Street from the new Route 15 northbound bridge over I-91 in Meriden, which is scheduled to open…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT ESTABLISHES COMMISSION TO REEVALUATE CONNECTICUT’S EDUCATION FUNDING SYSTEMS, IMPROVE STUDENT OUTCOMES

Governor Says Formulas for Funding Public Schools Need To Be Modernized To Reflect Current-Day Needs Governor Announces Substantial Investment in Education From $500M Affordability Fund (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed an executive order (Executive Order No. 26-3) calling for the development of a strategic plan to reform the funding streams used to support the operations of Connecticut’s K-12 public schools, saying that the existing methodologies – including the state’s main funding formula, known as the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grant – were developed several generations ago, are outdated, and need updating to reflect school districts’ current-day needs. “Significant increases in investments made in our education system over the past seven years have made…

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DOJ Sues Connecticut Over Trust Act as CT Leaders Defend “Sovereign State” Rights

Attorney General William Tong, Governor Ned Lamont, and New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker released the following statements after the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit targeting Connecticut’s Trust Act. “This is the sovereign state of Connecticut, and it is my honor to be its Attorney General. The sovereign people of Connecticut have exercised our right to pass state laws like the Trust Act that prioritize public safety and ensure that all people can trust and rely on law enforcement to keep us safe. “It is our policy and the law of the state of Connecticut to respect and honor immigrant workers and families, and we welcome their contributions to our state. It is a shame that the President and…

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