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State News

Senator Tony Hwang Requests Update on Unemployment Processing

Apr 21, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

Fairfield - State Senator Tony Hwang (R-28) concerned about the growing chorus of residents suddenly unemployed by the economic upheaval of the Covid-19 pandemic and their frustration on lack of information and claim status wanted accountability and answers from the CT Department of Labor (CT DOL). Hwang joined the entire Senate Republican Caucus in a letter sent to CT DOL Commissioner Kurt Westby, making very specific requests for detailed information surrounding how the agency is handling the sharp surge in new unemployment claims. “Unemployment applications have skyrocketed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic with the Governor’s orders to close all non-essential businesses. I hear every day from constituents who have been trying to get in touch with the CT…

State News

CT Attorney General: Governor Has Broad Authority

Apr 20, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

#Hartford, CT – Attorney General William Tong issued the following statement in support of Governor Lamont’s executive orders: “Our Constitution is unambiguous (not open to more than one interpretation)—the Governor has broad authority to protect Connecticut families during a public health emergency. His executive orders have been both lawful and justified and I am behind him 150 percent. We are focused on only one thing—keeping people safe and saving lives. Every action we take serves that purpose, and every order has been appropriate and absolutely necessary. People are frustrated and impatient. I get that. I want my old life back too. I want businesses to reopen. I want my kids back in school. I want to be able to see…

State News

Senators Demand Exemptions For Assistance Checks

Apr 20, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

#WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined 12 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin demanding an exemption for direct assistance checks from debt collectors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Families across the nation are in dire need of assistance to pay their rent and put food on the table. “We ask you to act right away to use Treasury’s rulemaking authority to exempt Americans’ direct assistance payments from private debt collection so that American families can receive critical assistance to help them get through this unprecedented crisis,” the Senators wrote. The Senators continued, “The American people are struggling right now to find ways to navigate the current crisis and keep themselves…

State News

Senator Proposes Paycheck Security Act

Apr 20, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Doug Jones (D-AL) today released a proposal to establish a ‘Paycheck Security’ program to cover the wages and benefits of employees of affected businesses and non-profits until the economic and public health crisis is resolved. “Instead of allowing businesses to go into free fall and trying to pick up the pieces later, we’re proposing a guardrail at the edge of the precipice. Our plan gives workers the steady comfort of a consistent paycheck from an employer they can go back to when the crisis abates. And we’re offering business the ability to hold onto those workers, so they can start up again as easily as possible. If…

State News

Multi-State Council To Get People Back To Work

Apr 15, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

HARTFORD, CT) – Recognizing that their states have one integrated regional economy, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, Delaware Governor John Carney announced Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker is joining the multi-state council to restore the economy and get people back to work. This announcement builds on the states’ ongoing regional approach to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. The coordinating group – comprised of one health expert, one economic development expert and the respective chief of staff from each state – will work together to develop a fully integrated regional framework to gradually lift the states’ stay at home orders while minimizing the…

State News

Legislators Call On SBA to Issue Economic Emergency Loans and Grants to Small Businesses

Apr 13, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined a letter led by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), along with 17 colleagues, in calling on the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure small businesses receive Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) associated with the COVID-19 crisis and the new Emergency Economic Injury Grants (EEIGs) within three days of application as mandated by Congress. The senators' letter to SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza follows reports that small businesses across the country are not receiving EEIG advances, despite the fact that they are eligible entities and have taken the necessary steps of applying for an EIDL and requesting an EEIG. "Small businesses across the country are counting on this federally-mandated relief, and it is imperative that the SBA ensure they…

State News

Governor’s Rent And Other Protections

Apr 13, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced he has signed an executive order that enacts a series of protections for residential renters struggling to pay their housing costs during the COVID-19 emergency, ensuring that they will not be evicted during this nationwide crisis and receive grace periods over the next several months. The order also extends all previously enacted closures, distancing, and safety measures – including for schools, restaurants, bars, retail stores, gyms, and other establishments – through at least May 20, 2020. In addition, it permits food trucks to operate at certain highway rest areas, and also modifies educator certification testing. Protections granted to residential renters during COVID-19 crisis Governor Lamont’s order – Executive Order No. 7X…

State News

Governor Trying To Get Laptops For Students

Apr 7, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

#HARTFORD, CT) – On Tuesday morning, Governor Ned Lamont will participate in a special board meeting of the Partnership for Connecticut. The board will consider proposals and take necessary action to secure 60,000 laptops for Connecticut high school students consistent with the Equitable Access Program approved by the board on March 23. In order to maintain social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will be held via conference call. Members of the public are invited to listen. WHERE: To listen to the meeting, dial 631-992-3221 and use access code 179421823# This press release was made possible by:

State News

Blumenthal Calls For Better Zoom Security

Apr 6, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON, DC] – With millions of Americans turning to video conference platform Zoom to stay connected amid the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) called on the company to provide clear answers about its consumer data privacy rules and safety practices. “The millions of Americans now unexpectedly attending school, celebrating birthdays, seeking medical help, and sharing evening drinks with friends over Zoom during the Coronavirus pandemic should not have to add privacy and cybersecurity fears to their ever-growing list of worries,” Blumenthal wrote in a letter to Zoom CEO and Chairman Eric Yuan. “Zoom has a troubling history of software design practices and security lapses that have posed significant risks to the privacy and safety of its users.” Blumenthal…

State News

Senators Want Refunds For Covid Cancellations From Airlines

Apr 3, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined a group of their colleagues in a letter sent to each of the major domestic airlines, urging every company to issue full cash refunds to all customers who cancel their flights during the COVID-19 crisis, and to American citizens who encounter flight cancellations while stranded in countries that implemented travel restrictions. This request comes in the wake of Congress passing an unprecedented bailout for the airline industry, including $25 billion in loans and loan guarantees for passenger air carriers. Although most domestic airlines have taken some steps to temporarily waive coronavirus-related change and cancellation fees, travelers who cancel their flights are finding that they will receive only airline credits,…

Senator Tony Hwang Requests Update on Unemployment Processing

CT Attorney General: Governor Has Broad Authority

Senators Demand Exemptions For Assistance Checks

Senator Proposes Paycheck Security Act

Multi-State Council To Get People Back To Work

Legislators Call On SBA to Issue Economic Emergency Loans and Grants to Small Businesses

Governor’s Rent And Other Protections

Governor Trying To Get Laptops For Students

Blumenthal Calls For Better Zoom Security

Senators Want Refunds For Covid Cancellations From Airlines

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