State News

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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AG Wants Trail Like Proceeding On UI and Eversource

Attorney General William Tong released the following statement after the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority granted his motion to open a “trial-like” proceeding to hold Eversource and United Illuminating accountable for their failed storm response. Attorney General Tong had called on PURA to open a contested case and prudence review—legal proceedings to enable the Attorney General to make the strongest claims on behalf of ratepayers and the states; seek fines, penalties and injunctive relief; and oppose the utilities’ requests for profits and reimbursement of storm-related costs. Attorney General Tong first made his request of PURA last week. When that first request was denied, Attorney General Tong filed a motion for reconsideration, cautioning that failure to open a contested case at the onset could…

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Attorney General Wants Facebook To Crack Down

Hartford, CT -- Attorney General William Tong today joined 19 attorneys general from across the United States in calling on Facebook to take additional steps to prevent their site from being used to spread hate and disinformation. The attorneys general also urged Facebook to provide stronger support for users who fall victim to online intimidation and harassment on its platforms. In a letter today to Facebook Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg and Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, the attorneys general assert that despite its stated commitment to working to keep its user community safe, Facebook has fallen short in keeping hate content off its platforms and protecting users from online harassment. The letter follows the release of a Civil Rights Audit…

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BLUMENTHAL STATEMENT FOLLOWING MEETING WITH EVERSOURCE CEO JAMES JUDGE

#HARTFORD, CT – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement following a meeting Monday afternoon with Eversource CEO James Judge: “I insisted to James Judge that he must make refunds to customers, and avoid any rate increase or charge for restoring power. He declined to commit to such action. In addition to money back to consumers and businesses for their losses, I also told him that there must be leadership changes, including his resignation. Connecticut residents and businesses suffered severe financial harm because of Eversource’s failure to prepare for this storm, and they should be made whole. I will continue to fight for consumer rebates, removal of Eversource’s senior leadership team, and a complete evaluation of the company’s abjectly poor performance including…

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Senator Wants To Dissolve The NRA

WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the New York Attorney General’s lawsuit to dissolve the National Rifle Association (NRA):   “The NRA is rotten to the core – and this legal action will hasten its disintegration. For years, the NRA has been crumbling from within – rife with fraud, abuse, and misconduct. Responsible gun owners should be outraged that this organization has claimed to represent their interests while, instead, executives personally profit from their donations and work against reforms the majority of its membership supports. As the NRA implodes, its vice-like grip on lawmakers is weakening and we are finally seeing overdue gun violence reforms passed in…

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