State News

Important Resources for Workers During COVID-19 Challenges

The CT Department of Labor now has important information on unemployment benefits and frequently asked questions related to COVID-19 on their website at www.ctdol.state.ct.us/DOLCOVIDFAQ.PDF  . More help available at filectui.com  . This includes information for workers and information employers can share with their employees. DISASTER LOANS The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved CT’s request asking the federal agency to issue a declaration that will enable Connecticut’s small business owners to receive economic injury disaster loans. Small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Connecticut that have been negatively impacted by the global COVID-19 outbreak are now eligible for disaster relief loans of up to $2 million from the SBA. Small businesses can learn more about the program and apply for financial assistance at www.sba.gov/disaster   or…

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Department Of Housing Changes

(Hartford) - The Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) announced today that it has waived its policy of waiting thirty (30) days to implement an income change for the rental assistance program and federal section 8 vouchers. For the next 90 days, families already participating in the programs will have immediate adjustments for rental payment.   DOH has also increased our rapid exit and rapid rehousing funding by $735,000 to assist individuals and families leave shelters and find permanent housing. For homeless individuals over the age of 60, DOH has provided funding for 100 hotel rooms to serve 200 elderly homeless. The goal of these hotel rooms are to separate those who are most at risk from communal living situations. There…

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Senator Calls For Consumer & Worker Protections In Financial Assistance

WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), in calling for basic consumer and worker protections in any coronavirus financial assistance for the airline and cruise industries. In a letter, sent to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL), and Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) today, the Blumenthal and his Senate colleagues outlined a list of ten requirements that should be met before issuing federal aid to the airline and cruise industries. “While we agree that financial assistance may be necessary for some of our industries most impacted by the ongoing pandemic, we…

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DMV Closing

 Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Commissioner Sibongile Magubane announced effective as of the close of business on March 17, 2020, all DMV Branch Offices will be closed to the public for the transaction of business until further notice. Employees will continue to report to their work locations, unless otherwise instructed, and will assist with transactions that are completed online, through the mail and by phone through Interactive Voice Recognition.  DMV partners, including AAA and Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union, will make independent determinations of whether to conduct license transactions. Please go to https://www.ctdmv.info/ for a list of services and daily status updates on DMV and partner locations. As a reminder, DMV announced last week it is offering a 90-day extension to…

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State Reminds You To Complete Census

HARTFORD, CT)- Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz is reminding Connecticut residents to check their mailboxes for an invitation to complete the 2020 Census. Beginning tomorrow, March 12, 2020, initial invitations to respond to the census online and by phone will be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to households across the state. Areas that are less likely to respond online will receive a paper questionnaire along with the invitation to respond online or over the phone. This is the beginning of the self-response operation. Residents should complete the census questionnaire as soon as they receive their letter invitations in the mail. Each invitation will include a unique 12-digit number used to access the questionnaire online or by phone to answer basic…

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Gathering Restrictions

In in coordination with governors from New York and New Jersey, in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 with guidance provided by US Centers for Disease Control, Governor Ned Lamont has issued the following: Restrict gatherings of more than 50 people. Order the closure of Connecticut restaurants, bars, gyms and movie theaters. Restaurants and bars will be allowed to continue food delivery and takeout. Supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations and other essential businesses will remain open. This State mandate will begin at 8 p.m. Monday, March 16th, and remain in effect until further notice. Governor Lamont stressed the importance of social distancing, particularly for older residents and those with weakened immune systems.   This press release is made possible by:  

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Additional Nursing Home Restrictions

HARTFORD, CT – In response to the ongoing developments regarding the COVID-19 outbreak and the need to protect residents of nursing home facilities, residential care homes, and chronic disease hospitals, Governor Lamont today signed an executive order granting the commissioner of the Department of Public Health additional authority to restrict visitation at such facilities.   The order – Executive Order No. 7A – revises the nursing home visitation provisions in Executive Order No. 7, which the governor issued on Thursday. All of the other provisions of Executive Order No. 7 remain in effect. Both orders were issued to protect public health and safety pursuant to the civic preparedness and public health emergencies that Governor Lamont declared on March 10 in response to the outbreak.  …

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Legislation For Bond & Aid To Municipalities

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed legislation adopted earlier this week by the Connecticut General Assembly that authorizes bonding for several items, including aid to municipalities.   “I thank the General Assembly for overwhelmingly approving a bipartisan bond package that keeps a promise I made to our state’s towns and cities,” Governor Lamont said. “From investments in local education to capital projects to long-overdue improvements in our state’s infrastructure, this bond package makes smart investments, all while holding the line on borrowing and maintaining our commitment to being fiscally responsible.”   The legislation is House Bill 5518. It is the first bill the governor has signed of the 2020 regular session of the state legislature.…

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Connecticut State Census Website

HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz  announced they have launched an official State of Connecticut website for the 2020 U.S. Census. Accessible at ct.gov/census , the website provides the state’s residents with trustworthy and reliable resources about this year’s census and its impact on Connecticut, including information for completing the census, ways to get involved, events that are being held around the state, and opportunities for job openings with the census.   Connecticut’s census activities are also active on social media by following @CTCounts2020 on both Twitter  and Facebook “An accurate census count is critically important to Connecticut because it is the foundation that helps determine the allocation of billions of dollars in federal resources,” Governor Lamont said. “The results…

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