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ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG ISSUES TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL STREET TAKEOVERS AND RECKLESS DRIVING

Mar 9, 2025 Alex

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong issued testimony today in support of S.B. 1284, An Act Concerning the Illegal Use of Certain Vehicles and Street Takeovers, which would enable municipalities to seize certain motor vehicles and increase penalties for those engaged in illegal street takeovers. Attorney General Tong has previously called for increased penalties for reckless driving, including temporary forfeiture of vehicles. “There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t see someone driving recklessly on our roads and highways on my commute up to Hartford. From excessive speeding and reckless lane changes to distracted and intoxicated driving, this brazen lawlessness puts all of us at risk and cannot be tolerated,” Attorney General Tong states in his testimony.…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SECURES COURT ORDER BLOCKING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FROM FREEZING FEDERAL FUNDS

Mar 8, 2025 Alex

(Hartford, CT) -- Attorney General William Tong and a coalition of 22 other attorneys general today won a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration to block its illegal policy that would freeze funding for essential federal agency grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs. Judge John J. McConnell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island today granted the preliminary injunction after Attorney General Tong and the coalition sued the Trump administration to stop the funding freeze. “This is a major early victory, signaling the strength of our case and the brazen lawlessness of Trump’s overreaching executive order. Let’s not forget what Donald Trump did on January 27—this was a blanket freeze on trillions of dollars of…

State News

Governor Lamont Announces Job Assistance Available for Displaced Federal Workers

Mar 5, 2025 Alex

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced today that the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) has launched several programs to assist Connecticut residents who have been fired or placed on unpaid administrative leave from their federal government jobs. “The federal government may have decided that they don’t want these skilled workers, but we want them to know that we value their public service and that Connecticut employers can use their skills,” Governor Lamont said. “Right now, Connecticut has more than 70,000 jobs available, and the Connecticut Department of Labor can help connect jobseekers to new employment or even help them begin an entirely new career if that’s what they want to do.” Information specifically for federal workers and contractors is…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROPOSES ELIMINATING FEES FOR OBTAINING AND RENEWING OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES

Mar 4, 2025 Alex

Fee Elimination Will Save Taxpayers $18.8 Million in FY 2026 and $25 Million in FY 2027 (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is urging the Connecticut General Assembly to approve legislation he is proposing that eliminates the fees workers in certain professions are required to pay when initially applying for occupational licenses, as well as the fees associated with renewing them. By eliminating these costs, the governor is hoping to remove a barrier and encourage jobseekers to pursue careers within in-demand fields in which employers have indicated a need to hire skilled workers. The fee elimination plan was included as part of the governor’s fiscal year 2026/2027 biennial budget proposal that he presented to the legislature last month. “Workers…

State News

Jason Perillo Sworn in as a State Senator of Connecticut’s 21st District

Mar 1, 2025 Stephen Krauchick

HARTFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Jason Perillo (R-Shelton) was sworn in at the State Capitol following his victory in this month's special election. Senator Perillo now represents Connecticut’s 21st Senate District, which includes the towns of Shelton, Stratford, Seymour, and Monroe. "I am incredibly honored and humbled to have earned the trust of the voters in the 21st Senate District. It has been a privilege to serve as the State Representative for Shelton for over 18 years, and now in the role of State Senator. I am ready to continue fighting for the hardworking residents of the 21st district", said Sen. Perillo. Sen. Perillo served as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, where he was appointed Deputy…

Bridgeport State News

Call for Federal Investigation into CT Election Fraud

Feb 28, 2025 Stephen Krauchick

Republican leaders in the Connecticut General Assembly have written to U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi today to formally request a federal investigation into whether election crimes in Bridgeport are part of a larger, coordinated effort to defraud voters statewide. Following the recent arrest of Democratic Bridgeport City Councilman Alfredo Castillo on multiple election-related charges, GOP lawmakers are urging federal officials to examine whether the fraudulent tactics uncovered in Bridgeport—ballot tampering, forgery, coercion, and the registration of illegal voters—are being replicated elsewhere in Connecticut. “Councilman Castillo’s own words suggest a broader operation at play, involving efforts to benefit high-profile Democratic candidates at the state and federal levels,” said House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora. “We cannot ignore the possibility that these corrupt…

State News

WALGREENS TO PAY $97.8M TO RESOLVE ALLEGATIONS IT BILLED THE GOVERNMENT FOR UNCOLLECTED PRESCRIPTIONS

Feb 27, 2025 Alex

(Hartford, CT) -- Attorney General William Tong and 49 other attorneys general joined the U.S. Department of Justice in settling allegations against Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. and Walgreen Co. (together, Walgreens). Under the terms of the agreement, Walgreens—which operates one of the largest retail pharmacy chains in the country from its headquarters in Deerfield, Illinois—will pay $97.8 million to resolve allegations that it unlawfully billed government health care programs for prescriptions that were never collected or otherwise received by patients. The settlement agreement will resolve allegations set forth in two qui tam lawsuits: United States ex rel. Turck, et al. v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., et al., No. 4:19-cv-315 (E.D. Tex. filed Apr. 26, 2019); and United States, et al.…

State News

Another State Official Targeted In Bomb Threat

Feb 27, 2025 Stephen Krauchick

State Senator Stephen Harding issued a statement late Tuesday night after law enforcement responded to a bomb threat at his residence. "Thank you to our state and local police for their work in responding to this threat. We are safe, and we are grateful to law enforcement for their professionalism and dedication," Harding said. He expressed appreciation for the Brookfield Police, State Police, and Capitol Police, commending their swift action and reassurance during a difficult time. Harding called the incident a “distraction” and emphasized his continued commitment to key issues affecting Connecticut families. "All families in Connecticut deserve to feel safe. My CT Senate Republican Caucus and I will never stop focusing on the issues that matter to Connecticut’s working…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG LEADS 38-STATE AND TERRITORY BIPARTISAN COALITION URGING CONGRESS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST RISE IN ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME

Feb 27, 2025 Alex

(Hartford, CT – Attorney General William Tong is co-leading a 38-state and territory bipartisan coalition in urging Congress to take action to address the rise in organized retail crime across the country. Organized retail crime has contributed to financial losses totaling over $121 billion in the U.S., and 76 percent of retail asset protection managers’ report their employees have suffered from violence at the hands of an organized retail criminal. Cargo theft remains a primary component of organized retail crime nationwide – disrupting supply chains and acting as an inflationary pressure on the price of everything from baby formula to clothing. “This is not run-of-the-mill shoplifting. These are criminal organizations who recruit desperate people to steal and stock sophisticated online…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROPOSES NEW LAW TO PROTECT VETERANS’ DISABILITY BENEFITS FROM CLAIM SHARKS

Feb 21, 2025 Alex

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is urging the Connecticut General Assembly to approve legislation he is proposing this session that will enact a new state law protecting veterans against being exploited by for-profit companies that charge exorbitant fees for filing disability claims on their behalf with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Commonly known as “claim sharks,” these unaccredited companies solicit veterans with the promise that their services can help them get disability claims approved by the VA. Frequently, these companies wait until after the claim has been approved to notify the veteran that they will be charged fees for this service, sometimes taking a large cut of the veteran’s future disability benefits, which…

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG ISSUES TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL STREET TAKEOVERS AND RECKLESS DRIVING

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SECURES COURT ORDER BLOCKING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FROM FREEZING FEDERAL FUNDS

Governor Lamont Announces Job Assistance Available for Displaced Federal Workers

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROPOSES ELIMINATING FEES FOR OBTAINING AND RENEWING OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES

Jason Perillo Sworn in as a State Senator of Connecticut’s 21st District

Call for Federal Investigation into CT Election Fraud

WALGREENS TO PAY $97.8M TO RESOLVE ALLEGATIONS IT BILLED THE GOVERNMENT FOR UNCOLLECTED PRESCRIPTIONS

Another State Official Targeted In Bomb Threat

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG LEADS 38-STATE AND TERRITORY BIPARTISAN COALITION URGING CONGRESS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST RISE IN ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROPOSES NEW LAW TO PROTECT VETERANS’ DISABILITY BENEFITS FROM CLAIM SHARKS

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