State News

Multi-State Council To Get People Back To Work

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…

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

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…

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Governor’s Rent And Other Protections

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…

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Governor Trying To Get Laptops For Students

#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:  

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Blumenthal Calls For Better Zoom Security

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…

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Senators Want Refunds For Covid Cancellations From Airlines

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,…

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Himes On Helping Small Business

Jim Himes reports that he has been in constant communication with the Fourth District’s small business and non-profit communities during this uncertain time. Congress’ aggressive and escalating response to the crisis - embodied in the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and the CARES Act - demonstrates the seriousness with which we take this threat to our local communities. These economic relief packages can help small businesses, certain non-profits, and other employers survive the coronavirus pandemic. Please review the information below and attached to this email that the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship and I compiled to assist you and organizations in the Fourth District. Payment Protection Program (PPP) Loans The program…

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Murphy: $500 Million To UN For Covid-19

#WASHINGTON—In response to the United Nations’ $2 billion emergency appeal last week to help fight COVID-19, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, on Wednesday led 16 Senate Democrats in urging the State Department to join the international community in funding international humanitarian assistance and protect the more than 70 million displaced people globally. Specifically, the senators urged United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to contribute at least $500 million to the United Nation’s interagency emergency appeal issued last week to fight COVID-19 around the world. Murphy issued a similar call last week when the United Nations announced its appeal.   “While all countries are struggling to respond to…

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Governors Update

HARTFORD, CT) – As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2020:   Data updates on testing in Connecticut   Since yesterday’s update, an additional 557 Connecticut residents have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 3,128. To date, more than 15,600 tests have been conducted in Connecticut among both state and private laboratories. Approximately 608 patients have been hospitalized. The total statewide total number of fatalities is 69.   In addition to the deaths related to COVID-19 that have been reported to the Department of Public Health (DPH), this update contains information on the number of deaths that have been…

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