State News Archives - Page 66 of 113

State News

COVID-19 CODING COMPUTING CHALLENGE FOR 3-12 GRADERS

May 13, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

HARTFORD, CT) - Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, joined by OPM Secretary Melissa McCaw, Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona, Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Sibongile Magubane, and Department of Higher Ed Executive Director Tim Larson, today announced the launch of the “Lt. Governor’s COVID-19 Computing Challenge: A statewide challenge to address a global concern.” Connecticut students in grades 3 through 12 are challenged to work individually or as a team to propose an idea for a computing technology application (functioning apps are not required). The idea for the coding challenge was inspired by the work of the Council on Women and Girls Education and STEAM Subcommittee in partnership with its Steering Committee community partners. “Due to the novel coronavirus radically disrupting the 2019-20 academic year for the state’s students, this computing challenge provides a valuable…

State News

Senators Push For Diaper Assistance

May 11, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON—With parents facing layoffs due to unprecedented unemployment during COVID-19, plus recent reports of diaper shortages as a result of stockpiling and supply chain issues, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) are teaming up to urge the Senate to support low-income families and front-line workers who are in critical need of diaper assistance to provide for the health, safety, and economic security of their children. In a bipartisan letter to Senate leaders, Murphy and Ernst write, “Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, nonprofit diaper bank distribution only met five to six percent of diaper need. Most diaper banks, which were already oversubscribed and had waiting lists for partner agencies, are now facing severe supply shortages due to the demand increase as more families experience job…

State News

Senators Want Help To Seafood Industry

May 11, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON— U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), who led a bipartisan group of 25 lawmakers in pushing to make sure urgently needed federal assistance is delivered to America’s fishermen and seafood processors, who have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. In their letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the senators request that upcoming coronavirus relief legislation include funding and provisions to support this critical industry. “Our seafood processors and fishermen have been dealt a significant economic blow as a result of coronavirus and are in desperate need of federal assistance,” the senators wrote. “It has been reported that many of the nation’s fisheries have suffered sales declines…

State News

Senators Want Well Being For Veterans

May 9, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, led a group of 24 Senators, including U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), in a letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), urging the agency to develop and implement comprehensive mental health care plans to ensure veterans’ well-being during and after the pandemic. “The stress, uncertainty, and isolation associated with the pandemic – all risk factors for suicide in a population where an estimated 17 veterans tragically die by suicide a day— will further increase demand for mental health care among our veteran population, necessitating a comprehensive plan to meet that need,” the Senators wrote in a letter to VA Secretary Robert…

State News

Senator Wants Cash Refunds For Cancelled Flights

May 8, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON, D.C.] – During a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Wednesday, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) pressed Airlines for America President & CEO Nick Calio on why airlines are preventing consumers from receiving cash refunds for flights cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports indicate that airlines are misleading consumers seeking refunds, intentionally steering them toward vouchers. Blumenthal pointed out that these practices are especially brazen given the airline industry received more than $25 billion in taxpayer coronavirus relief funding. “[W]hen you come to us and ask for more assistance, my mind goes back to the bailout we’ve just given you,” Blumenthal said to Calio. “More than $25 billion in taxpayer money and now in effect you are continuing to mislead and…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG OPPOSES PLAN TO GUT FEDERAL NUTRITION STANDARDS FOR SCHOOL MEALS

May 6, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

Hartford, CT) -- Attorney General William Tong joined a multistate coalition of 20 attorneys general opposing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed rollbacks of nutrition standards for school meals. In comments filed with the USDA, the coalition argues that the proposed rule substantially weakens existing standards for the school meals that tens of millions of children rely on every day and lacks any sound basis in nutrition science. “School meals are a main source of nutrition for many kids across Connecticut and nationwide. With millions more parents now unemployed due to the COVID-19 crisis, these meals are even more critical. All kids need access to healthy fruits and vegetables and foods not laden with processed fats, sugar and salt. This rule…

State News

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES STATEWIDE LAUNCH OF FREE ONLINE JOB TRAINING PROGRAM FOR UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMANTS

May 6, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced the statewide expansion of a program that will make free online learning licenses available to recipients of unemployment insurance, including those who have been impacted by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 public health crisis. The SkillUp CT program will significantly expand access to comprehensive online course work from a leading global provider for thousands of Connecticut residents. Originally launched in eastern Connecticut, a sustained rollout of the program across the state over the coming weeks will enable recently laid-off workers to upgrade their skills and earn industry-recognized certifications even while the doors to most brick-and mortar education and training providers remain closed. The program is coordinated by the Connecticut Workforce Development Council in…

State News

Attorney General Wants Enforcement On Telemarketers

May 6, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today joined a bipartisan coalition of 52 attorneys general in calling on USTelecom and its Industry Traceback Group (ITG) to expand its collaboration with state attorneys general by bolstering technological capabilities to improve enforcement against illegal robocallers. In a letter to USTelecom-- the leading organization representing telecommunications-- the coalition urges further development of robocall traceback and other tools suited to law enforcement needs. “Robocalls are annoying and incessant, and often fraudulent. Attorneys general across the country are working closely with the telecom industry to strengthen our ability to track and trace these scammers and hold them accountable. Our bipartisan letter today outlines several important steps the industry can take to build on that partnership,…

State News

FEMA Approved Declarations

May 5, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved another portion of his ongoing request for disaster assistance as part of the State of Connecticut’s Major Disaster Declaration due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s approval includes funding for crisis counseling under the individual assistance category, which will help support mental health initiatives designed to benefit individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, FEMA approved Governor Lamont’s request for public assistance for Connecticut, allowing impacted state agencies, municipalities, and tribal nations in all eight of the state’s counties to be reimbursed by the federal government for 75 percent of the costs associated with their response and emergency protective measures. A supplemental request from the governor to increase…

State News

AG Files Suit On Clean Water Act

May 4, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

Hartford, CT) --Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s effort to gut longstanding Clean Water Act protections by unlawfully narrowing the definition of “Waters of the United States. The EPA final rule removes protections for all ephemeral streams, many wetlands, and other waters that were previously covered under the Act. In the lawsuit, the coalition argues that EPA’s rule directly conflicts with the text of the Clean Water Act, Supreme Court precedent, and the EPA’s own scientific findings. “The whole point of the Clean Water Act was to clean up our nation’s waterways, and that requires a full and comprehensive application of the law. This revised rule,…

COVID-19 CODING COMPUTING CHALLENGE FOR 3-12 GRADERS

Senators Push For Diaper Assistance

Senators Want Help To Seafood Industry

Senators Want Well Being For Veterans

Senator Wants Cash Refunds For Cancelled Flights

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG OPPOSES PLAN TO GUT FEDERAL NUTRITION STANDARDS FOR SCHOOL MEALS

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES STATEWIDE LAUNCH OF FREE ONLINE JOB TRAINING PROGRAM FOR UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMANTS

Attorney General Wants Enforcement On Telemarketers

FEMA Approved Declarations

AG Files Suit On Clean Water Act

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