I received this email but didn't immediately post because not many in our viewership have Comcast. But at 11:30pm I got a phone call. Why call so late and scare viewers thinking something happened to a loved one? Way to go State of CT! We have received reports from COMCAST (Voice Over IP) phone customers may be having difficulties dialing 9-1-1 emergency number across the state. If you have an emergency please try 911 first. If you experience difficulties placing a 9-1-1 emergency call and have a 9-1-1 emergency, you can use a mobile device or please contact your local police or fire department by dialing their local number. You can also use TEXT-TO-911 from your mobile device. Thank…
Attorney General To Sue Big Oil
Hartford, CT – Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 13 states in filing an amicus brief supporting the State of Rhode Island in its lawsuit State of Rhode Island v. Shell Oil Products Co., LLC, et al., which seeks to hold oil and petroleum companies accountable for their actions contributing to climate change and the resulting harms, including from sea-level rise, changes to the hydrologic cycle, and increased air and ocean temperatures. "Big Oil ignored science and peddled the use of fossil fuels, dangerously accelerating climate change. Connecticut stands with Rhode Island in its fight to protect future generations, and holding these corporations accountable for their role in our climate crisis," said Attorney General Tong. In its suit, Rhode Island alleges that the major fossil…
Food Banks To Help More
HARTFORD, CT – U.S. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) are working to help food banks collect and distribute more food to needy families with the introduction of the bipartisan Food Donation Improvement Act of 2019. New and innovative food assistance models repurpose items from donating entities and sell prepared dishes like microwavable dinners for a nominal cost. But federal law does not currently extend liability protections to food donors when food is either given directly to a person in need or when a recipient pays a deeply reduced cost. “Too many manufacturers, retailers, restaurants and other potential food donors across the country regularly decide against donating food to those in need out of fear of liability,” said Blumenthal. “As…
$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.…
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…
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…
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:
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…
$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:
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…