Month: August 2020

Connecticut Settles With Honda

Connecticut has helped secure a more than $85 million multistate settlement with American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and Honda of America Mfg., Inc. (collectively “Honda”), over allegations Honda concealed safety issues related to defects in the frontal airbag systems installed in certain Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the United States. The systems were designed and manufactured by Takata Corporation, a long-time Honda supplier, and were first installed in Honda vehicles in the 2001 model year. Connecticut will receive $2,362,819.71 under the settlement. Honda estimates that the faulty airbags in question were used in approximately 223,578 vehicles in Connecticut. The settlement, reached between the attorneys general of 48 states and jurisdictions and Honda, concludes a multistate investigation into Honda’s alleged failure…

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HARTFORD, CT U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) called on regulators to urgently enact a number of reforms to ease the burden on Connecticut consumers, including breaking up utility provider giant Eversource. Despite rising profits and multi-million dollar executive compensation, electricity costs increased amid the pandemic, followed by staggering power outages resulting from its lack of adequate preparation for Tropical Storm Isaias. “The time for tinkering is over. We need to think big about becoming smaller, more responsive, and smarter in the way we do public utilities and deliver power to the consumers of Connecticut.” said Blumenthal at the hearing. “This system is clearly failing men and women in Connecticut who every day pay their electric bills. It is a particularly egregious failure…

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Funding Doubled In Rent Assistance- Extends Evictions To Oct. 1st

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced that he is doubling funding for the previously announced rental assistance program for Connecticut residents impacted by COVID-19 from $10 million to $20 million. That program, which is funded by the Coronavirus Relief Fund that is managed by the Office of Policy and Management, provides payments to landlords on behalf of approved tenant applicants, is administered by the Connecticut Department of Housing in partnership with the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) and 11 housing counseling agencies across the state.   Interested tenants can learn more on the department’s website or by calling 1-860-785-3111 during regular business hours.   The additional $10 million brings the total amount of state funding for renters, homeowners, and residential landlords impacted…

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Bridgeport News: Two Overnight Shootings

2020-08-23@11:33pm-- Bridgeport CT-- Police received a call of a person shot in the 200th block of Parrot Avenue. Initial reports was that the person was shot in the leg that was considered non-life-threatening and transported to the hospital. A 24-year-old male victim was shot in the area of Fifth Street and Connecticut Avenue, in the rear of Mango’z Sports Bar. The shooting appeared to have occurred as the result of a dispute. The victim was transported to Bridgeport Hospital and treated for gunshot wounds to his abdomen and legs. The victim is expected to survive. This press release was made possible by:    

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Push For Eversource Accountability in Wake of Isaias

Bridgeport, CT – Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) submitted testimony to Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) regarding the failures of Eversource before and after tropical storm Isaias that resulted in approximately a million Connecticut residents losing power, including tens of thousands who were without power for nearly a week.  PURA held a hearing this morning regarding Eversource’s recently proposed rate increase, which should receive heightened scrutiny during the coronavirus crisis and until critical issues with Eversource’s preparation and response are addressed. Congressman Himes’ full written testimony is here: “For years, we’ve been told that Connecticut’s high electricity costs are part of the trade-off to replace and update poles, wires and pipes, as well as make other infrastructure improvements, to build…

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Tips on insurance coverage for damage due to loss of electric power

In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias, Governor Ned Lamont and Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais are reminding policyholders to review their homeowner’s insurance policy to better understand their coverage for property damage due to loss of power as the state is at the height of the 2020 Atlantic Tropical Storm season. The Atlantic Tropical Storm season began on June 1 and runs through November 30. “Storm Isaias left nearly a million customers without power.  Many families and businesses experienced property damage, loss of work wages and other losses like spoiled groceries due to the mass power outage,” said Governor Lamont. “This is already a very difficult year and the Insurance Department is working to help with filing storm-related claims and…

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