State News

$1.1 Million Grant Supplement To End Homelessness

HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration is releasing an additional $1.1 million in state funding to support the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness (CCEH) in the state’s ongoing efforts to prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless, particularly those who are on the verge of homelessness. The flexible assistance funding will complement a $2.5 million donation to the Hartford-based nonprofit that was announced late last year by the Day 1 Families Fund, a philanthropic effort led by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.   Last week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released its 2019 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, which shows that homelessness in Connecticut decreased 23.7 percent between January 2018 and January 2019.…

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Governor Signs Restaurant Wage Issue

HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont announced that he signed into law legislation his administration negotiated that brings a long-sought solution to the ongoing legal issue concerning wages earned by restaurant employees. The legislation was approved by overwhelming bipartisan votes in both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly during a special session last month.   “This complex area of law governing wages earned by restaurant workers stirred up passions from those on all sides of the issue,” Governor Lamont said. “In the end, we were able to deliver a fair solution that strikes an appropriate balance that both ensures wages rightfully earned by employees are protected and provides some relief to restaurant owners who made good faith efforts to comply with…

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Supreme court Review Of ACA Sought

Hartford, CT)-- Attorney General William Tong  joined a California-led coalition of 20 states and D.C. in filing a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of the Fifth Circuit’s recent decision in Texas v. U.S. The decision held the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) unconstitutional and called into question whether the remaining provisions of the ACA could still stand, including those that protect and provide coverage to Americans with pre-existing conditions. Because this decision causes uncertainty that may harm the health of millions of Americans, and severely impact doctors, clinics, patients, and the healthcare market, Attorney General Tong and the coalition are petitioning the Supreme Court to take up the case and resolve it before the…

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Blumenthal On Iraq Airstrike

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) posted the following tweets after American airstrikes killed Qassem Soleimani, the leader of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps: Trump Admin owes a full explanation of airstrike reports—all the facts—to Congress & the American people. The present authorizations for use of military force in no way cover starting a possible new war. This step could bring the most consequential military confrontation in decades.   This press release was made possible by:

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Blumenthal Wants Action On YouTube Influencers

WASHINGTON, D.C --In a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman, Joseph Simons, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) urged the agency to take immediate, aggressive action against YouTube influencers who are deceptively and unfairly advertising to children as young as two years old through their content. Led by Blumenthal, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and U.S. Representative Anna Eshoo (D- Calif.).   “The popularity of YouTube with children has created a new generation of child-directed “online influencers,” video channels starring kids and young adults who play, live their lives, and review toys with their friends and family for millions of viewers. What parents may not see is that many of these channels…

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$500 Million Funding For Domestic Violence Prevention

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)  announced over $500 million in federal funding to assist law enforcement and domestic violence groups nationally to reduce the number of domestic violence incidents and provide support services to survivors. This funding will help victims of domestic violence in Connecticut. In 2019, there have been 13 domestic violence homicides in Connecticut, and over 33,000 calls for service to Connecticut’s statewide domestic violence hotline in between July, 2018 and July, 2019.   This press release was made possible by:      

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Tong Co-Chairs General Internet Safety/Cyber Privacy and Security Committee

#Hartford, CT – Attorney General William Tong has been named co-chairman of the National Association of Attorneys General Internet Safety/Cyber Privacy and Security Committee, continuing to position the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General as a national leader on digital privacy and online consumer protection. Among the issues the committee will examine are digital privacy, child safety online, and security of personal, business and government data. "Beginning under Attorney General Jepsen, the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General has earned a national reputation as an aggressive leader in the digital privacy field. Working closely with attorneys general across the nation, this work has remained a core priority under my administration," said Attorney General Tong. "Consumers have a right to know how their…

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FED Assistance On Election Interference

Hartford, CT) – , U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill  announced success in the fight for critically needed funding to protect election integrity that they advocated.  As a result of their fight, along with others, Congress just approved $425 million for states to enhance election technology and make election security improvements. Blumenthal advocated for not only more funding, but also has helped lead the fight for more funding for voting systems, has helped lead several measures to protect the integrity of our elections, and hold accountable anyone who attempts to interfere in our democratic process. These measures include legislation that would make it a federal crime to hack any voting system used in…

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#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont is applauding both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly for voting to approve an historic agreement his administration reached with the state’s hospitals that will result in the withdrawal of all pending legal claims that various hospitals filed against the state. The governor said that he intends to sign the legislation shortly.   The agreement is the result of a months-long effort between the Lamont administration and the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) to bring conclusion to the various claims against the state challenging the hospital user fee. The governor explained that it represents a new chapter in the relationship between the State of Connecticut and its hospitals and he looks forward to maintaining this connection…

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Governor Activates Cold Weather Protocol

#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that as bitter cold temperatures and wind chills are anticipated to impact the state over the next several days, he will be activating the state’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, and lasting through 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 21. This is the first time this season that the protocol has been enacted.   The protocol directs staff from the relevant state agencies to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the severe conditions. A listing of available shelters throughout Connecticut can be located by calling 2-1-1 or visiting www.211ct.org.   “Bitter cold…

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