Month: April 2020

Bridgeport News: Water Rescue

2020-04-20@8:41pm--#Bridgeport CT-- Firefighters were called for a water rescue t 8:41pm for 3 fishermen trapped out on the rocks at Seaside Park.  At 9:40pm firefighters reported on the radio that the 3 are now onboard and on the way to the Ferry Dock.  EMS was called to check for their well being.  None of them fell into the water but the water temperature was 38 degrees.  As you can see in the picture they were not 6 feet apart and only one of them was wearing a face mask.  

Read More

CT Attorney General: Governor Has Broad Authority

#Hartford, CT – Attorney General William Tong issued the following statement in support of Governor Lamont’s executive orders: “Our Constitution is unambiguous (not open to more than one interpretation)—the Governor has broad authority to protect Connecticut families during a public health emergency. His executive orders have been both lawful and justified and I am behind him 150 percent. We are focused on only one thing—keeping people safe and saving lives. Every action we take serves that purpose, and every order has been appropriate and absolutely necessary. People are frustrated and impatient. I get that. I want my old life back too. I want businesses to reopen. I want my kids back in school. I want to be able to see…

Read More

Senators Demand Exemptions For Assistance Checks

#WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined 12 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin demanding an exemption for direct assistance checks from debt collectors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Families across the nation are in dire need of assistance to pay their rent and put food on the table.   “We ask you to act right away to use Treasury’s rulemaking authority to exempt Americans’ direct assistance payments from private debt collection so that American families can receive critical assistance to help them get through this unprecedented crisis,” the Senators wrote.   The Senators continued, “The American people are struggling right now to find ways to navigate the current crisis and keep themselves…

Read More

$$ For Universities

Greenwich, CT – Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) announced that colleges and universities in Southwest Connecticut will receive a total of $37,855,848 from the newly created Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Half of this fund, $18,927,926, is specifically designated for emergency cash grants to eligible students in need of assistance. “The emotional, educational, and economic toll that the coronavirus has inflicted on colleges and students has been massive,” said Himes.  “Higher education has always been a priority for our communities, and having the year cut short so abruptly is disruptive and costly. These funds are needed to mitigate the damage, and I am especially pleased that such a large portion has been set aside for direct student aid.” Using this funding, the schools listed…

Read More

Governor Assisting Nursing Homes

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing his administration to boost Medicaid payments for all of the state’s 215 nursing homes by an additional five percent above the recently announced ten percent increase. Together, the 15 percent across-the-board financial relief will provide an additional $65 million in Medicaid payment increases to the state’s nursing homes.   The administration notified nursing home association leaders and representatives of the nursing home employees’ union in letters that were delivered this weekend.   “Connecticut’s nursing home operators and their employees provide an incredible service to the people of our state, including the 22,000 residents receive direct care in nursing homes on a daily basis,” Governor Lamont said. “I want to extend my…

Read More

Senator Proposes Paycheck Security Act

WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Doug Jones (D-AL) today released a proposal to establish a ‘Paycheck Security’ program to cover the wages and benefits of employees of affected businesses and non-profits until the economic and public health crisis is resolved. “Instead of allowing businesses to go into free fall and trying to pick up the pieces later, we’re proposing a guardrail at the edge of the precipice. Our plan gives workers the steady comfort of a consistent paycheck from an employer they can go back to when the crisis abates. And we’re offering business the ability to hold onto those workers, so they can start up again as easily as possible. If…

Read More