State News

Governor Vetoes 3 Bills

HARTFORD, CT – Following his veto messages issued on Friday evening, Governor Ned Lamont released the following statement regarding the vetoes he penned on three bills:   “In issuing these three vetoes, I did so only after careful consideration and deliberation about not only the underlying cause of concern, but also in understanding the message that this action would send.   “In all three cases, my veto pen was used on behalf of the workers and consumers in this state who don’t have lobbyists to mount a campaign against the special interests that too often try to determine our legislative agenda and focus.   “In particular, on the issue of restaurant workers, this bill deprives these individuals of their day…

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Lamont Offers ICE Toolkit

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont is encouraging families in Connecticut who are concerned about separation due to raids by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) to utilize a toolkit offered by the state that provides a user-friendly, step-by-step guide for parents who seek to have a plan in place for the safe care of their children in the event that they are detained or deported.   Available in nine languages, the State of Connecticut’s Family Preparedness Plan includes a guide on steps people can take on their own – without the help of an attorney – to develop a child care plan, and includes important forms and documents that families can fill out and store in a…

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Governor Signs PTSD Law For Police and Firefighters But NOT EMS

WATERBURY, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, joined by first responders and state lawmakers, today held a bill signing ceremony at Engine 10 of the Waterbury Fire Department to commemorate the adoption of a state law that will provide workers’ compensation benefits to police officers, parole officers, and firefighters who have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing an unnerving event in the line of duty.   Previously, workers’ compensation covered mental health injuries only when they were sustained in conjunction with physical injuries. This law extends that coverage, recognizing that first responders in particular can be exposed to events on the job that can cause difficulty coping or adjusting for weeks and months at a time, sometimes leading to…

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Senator Murphy Wants Smart Guns

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) this week introduced the Start Advancing Firearms Enhancements and Technology (SAFETY) Act, legislation that would provide tax incentives to small businesses and firearm manufacturers for the development of smart gun technologies. The bill also encourages consumers to buy firearms that utilize new breakthroughs in safety to reduce gun violence. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) is a co-sponsor of the legislation. U.S. Representative Jim Himes (CT-4) introduced the companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. “Smart guns are an innovative way to control who has access to your gun. If I can use my finger or face to unlock my cell phone, then firearm manufacturers can be innovative in using technology to secure guns. We know…

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Senator Murphy Looks For College Accountability

WASHINGTON – As the U.S. Congress begins considering a reauthorization of the Higher Education Act,U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released a policy paper on Tuesday outlining new accountability proposals on how students and taxpayers can get a better return on their investment by expecting outcomes around completion, value, and access. “I’m a revolutionary when it comes to reforming higher education. I just don’t believe that we can afford the system we have today, especially when so many kids start degrees and never finish them. We’re facing a cost and completion crisis in higher education that threatens to bankrupt students, families, and the American treasury if we don’t get serious about expecting…

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LGBTQ Pride Month in Connecticut

State of Connecticut By His Excellency Ned Lamont, Governor: An Official Statement   WHEREAS, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities are an integral part of Connecticut’s population; and   WHEREAS, the fight for dignity and equality for LGBTQ people is reflected in the tireless dedication of advocates and allies who strive to make this a more inclusive society; and   WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut celebrates the diversity of its people and their right to live their lives out loud, free of discrimination, fear, and prejudice; and   WHEREAS, the month of June is recognized internationally as Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall Riots of June 1969, when people in the LGBTQ community in New York City…

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Governor’s Statement On United Technologies Corporation

HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont Sunday released the following statement regarding United Technologies Corporation (UTC):   “UTC and its subsidiaries, including Pratt & Whitney, Otis Elevator, and Collins Aerospace, continue to be an important part of Connecticut’s fabric. It’s important to note that nearly all of UTC’s 19,000 employees will remain in Connecticut, with roughly 100 moving to the new headquarters.   “I’ve spoken directly with Greg Hayes and made it clear that Connecticut will always be open should things change, as they often do. This serves as reminder that we live in an increasingly competitive economy, domestically and internationally. As such, it’s critical we invest in education, workforce development, and our transportation infrastructure to stay competitive.   “Our…

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Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie,Explains The Mission Act.

Imagine if Republicans and Democrats worked together to pass reforms that improve the lives of millions of people. And imagine if those reforms put America’s Veterans at the center of their healthcare decisions, leading to better customer service for our Nation’s heroes. This isn’t hypothetical. It happened last year when Congress passed the MISSION Act. Through state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge technology, and increased clinician recruiting and retention incentives, VA continues to enhance its coordinated care system through high-quality VA health care and community care provider networks. The legislation sailed through Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support and the strong backing of Veterans’ service organizations. President Donald J. Trump’s signature put us on a path to implementing these reforms. On June 6, the MISSION…

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Governor To Sign ICE Bill

HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont is applauding both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly for adopting legislation that makes updates to the Trust Act of 2013 and plans to sign the bills into law when they are transmitted to his desk in the coming days.   The Trust Act sets conditions for state and local law enforcement authorities for voluntarily cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials seeking to detain and deport undocumented immigrants. It was created in an effort to strike a balance between assisting ICE agents when it serves the interests of public safety, and maintaining effective relationships between state and local law enforcement officials and those who live in the community.   Legislation that…

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Connecticut Tries To Woo Businesses Over Abortion

Dear Alabama, Georgia and Missouri Women-Owned Businesses,  Your state legislature’s recent decision to severely curb women’s reproductive rights is sending shockwaves across the country, including in the business world. Condemnation of this extreme measure has been swift and calls for corporate boycotts grow stronger by the day.  This is clearly an issue that won't be going away any time soon.  As a staunch supporter of women’s rights, we are appalled at these actions that erode the ability of women to make informed decisions about their health and bodies.  If you are as concerned as we are about this issue, we would urge you to relocate your operations to a state that supports the rights of women and whose actions and…

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