State News – Page 16

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG TO INSURANCE DEPARTMENT: UNJUSTIFIED RATE REQUESTS MUST BE REJECTED

Aug 27, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

(Hartford, CT) – In a letter today to Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais, Attorney General William Tong argued that double-digit rate increases sought by Anthem, Cigna and ConnectiCare are unjustified, unsupported by evidence, and must be rejected. The proposed average individual rate request for the plan year starting January 1, 2024 is a 12.4 percent increase, compared to 20.4 percent in plan year 2023. Increases requested range from 9.8 percent to 17.5 percent. The proposed average small group rate request is a 14.8 percent increase, compared to 14.8 percent in 2023 and ranges from 7.5 percent to 23.0 percent. While the Connecticut Insurance Department does not approve large and self-insured plans covering the majority of Connecticut residents, Attorney General…

State News

CDOT Street Design Change

Aug 24, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has implemented new Complete Streets design criteria to be incorporated into all projects. The Complete Streets design criteria is an expansion of CTDOT’s Complete Street Policy, ensuring that every project includes a focus on pedestrian and bicyclist facilities and public transportation operations to create stronger intermodal transportation networks and improve safety. Complete Streets Policies are aimed at creating roadways that work for everyone. By ensuring the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit customers of all ages and abilities, safety is improved, and a stronger transportation network is created. “While this change may sound technical, it is a big deal for improving the safety of our transportation network. I am incredibly proud of our…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES CONNECTICUT’S 2023 SALES TAX-FREE WEEK RUNS FROM AUGUST 20 TO 26

Aug 17, 2023 Alex

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that Connecticut will hold Sales Tax-Free Week from Sunday, August 20, 2023, to Saturday, August 26, 2023. During this one-week sales tax holiday, retail purchases of most clothing and footwear items priced under $100 are exempt from the Connecticut sales and use tax. The exemption applies to each eligible item costing under $100 regardless of how many of those items are sold to a customer on the same invoice. “This tax-free holiday is scheduled at the perfect time to help families stretch their dollars during the back-to-school season, while also giving businesses an extra boost to their bottom line,” Governor Lamont said. “I encourage everyone taking advantage of these savings to shop…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT SIGNS LEGISLATION PROTECTING SENIORS FROM FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION

Aug 16, 2023 Alex

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed into law legislation implementing procedures into state statutes that protect seniors from suspected cases of financial fraud, scams, and exploitation by a person who is taking care of an older adult. Specifically, this law authorizes financial institutions to temporarily suspend or hold transactions involving an account of an adult over the age of 60 if there is a reasonable suspicion of financial exploitation, which is defined as taking advantage of an eligible adult by another person or caretaker for monetary, personal, or other benefit, gain, or profit. When such cases occur, the financial institution should disclose the suspected abuse to the Connecticut Department of Banking or the Connecticut…

State News

STATE REPRESENTATIVES JENNIFER LEEPER, CRISTIN McCARTHY VAHEY, SARAH KEITT APPLAUD $162K GRANT FOR FAIRFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

Aug 14, 2023 Alex

State Representatives Jennifer Leeper (D-Fairfield, Southport), Cristin McCarthy Vahey (D-Fairfield, Bridgeport), and Sarah Keitt (D-Fairfield, Trumbull) today applauded the $162,000 grant announced for the Fairfield School District for school mental health specialists. The funds will be broken up over three years, with the school district receiving $60,000 in 2024, $60,000 in 2025, and $42,000 in 2026. The competitive grant comes from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and is meant to increase the number of mental health workers in schools. “As Vice-Chair of the Education Committee, I have heard firsthand from parents and educators how important mental health is to the success of our students,” Rep. Leeper said. “Funding for mental health specialists is critical for every school district…

State News

Sen. Tony Hwang: CT Construction Industry Stands Ready to Build Transportation Infrastructure, Recruit Future Workers

Aug 12, 2023 Alex

Sen. Tony Hwang, the Ranking Senator on the Transportation Committee, on Aug. 7 met with Connecticut Construction Industries Association (CCIA) President Don Shubert and Tilcon Connecticut President Carolina Cavalcante to discuss the industry’s challenges, innovations in transportation infrastructure improvements and workforce recruitment efforts. “I wanted to hear firsthand from CCIA, which represents various sectors of the construction industry, and Tilcon, a business that has played a key role in building transportation infrastructure around the region,” Sen. Hwang said. “What I heard from these experts is this: The construction industry is not only hiring, but also anxiously looking to recruit and train the next generation of Connecticut workers. Tilcon, a division of CRH, for example, does business in my senate district…

State News

BLUMENTHAL, ESPAILLAT, & MURPHY INTRODUCE BICAMERAL LEGISLATION TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES FROM UNTRACEABLE GHOST GUNS

Aug 11, 2023 Alex

Loopholes in current statutes allow anyone – including felons, traffickers, & extremists – to manufacture or assemble untraceable firearms using a 3-D printer or do-it-yourself kit [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) led a group of 26 lawmakers including U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) in reintroducing the Ghost Guns and Untraceable Firearms Act, legislation to ban dangerous “ghost” guns. These weapons, which are easily assembled with a 3-D printer or a do-it-yourself gun making kit purchased from an unlicensed seller, can be obtained without passing a background check and have become the weapon of choice for criminals and extremists. Without a unique serial number, these guns are often untraceable and impede investigations…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT AND COMMISSIONER RUSSELL-TUCKER ANNOUNCE EXPANSION OF CONNECTICUT’S FREE SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM

Aug 10, 2023 Alex

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker today announced plans to expand Connecticut’s free school meals program for the 2023-2024 school year, enabling more students to receive access to nutritious breakfast and lunch at no additional cost to them or their families. Under the plan, $16 million of funding the state received from the American Rescue Plan Act will be invested into the program. Funds will be utilized to support the provision of meals at no cost in the following ways: All students in non-Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools participating in the federal School Breakfast Program (SBP) will be able to receive breakfast meals at no cost, including day students within residential childcare institutions. Approximately…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT AND CONNECTICUT OFFICIALS RECOGNIZE BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS MONTH

Aug 9, 2023 Alex

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut Department of Administrative Services Commissioner Michelle Gilman, and Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Alexandra Daum are recognizing Black-Owned Business Month, which is celebrated nationally each August. The commemoration provides an opportunity to acknowledge the resilience, innovation, and economic impact of Black-owned businesses in Connecticut and across the country. “Our administration is proud to celebrate Black-Owned Business Month and acknowledge the many businesses across Connecticut that contribute to our communities and our economy,” Governor Lamont said. “By supporting small minority-owned businesses, we are strengthening our local economy and creating more job opportunities in our neighborhoods.” “The Department of Administrative Services is committed to promoting inclusivity and economic growth by providing resources,…

State News

EXPANSION OF CONNECTICUT’S FREE SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM

Aug 7, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG TO INSURANCE DEPARTMENT: UNJUSTIFIED RATE REQUESTS MUST BE REJECTED

CDOT Street Design Change

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES CONNECTICUT’S 2023 SALES TAX-FREE WEEK RUNS FROM AUGUST 20 TO 26

GOVERNOR LAMONT SIGNS LEGISLATION PROTECTING SENIORS FROM FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION

STATE REPRESENTATIVES JENNIFER LEEPER, CRISTIN McCARTHY VAHEY, SARAH KEITT APPLAUD $162K GRANT FOR FAIRFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

Sen. Tony Hwang: CT Construction Industry Stands Ready to Build Transportation Infrastructure, Recruit Future Workers

BLUMENTHAL, ESPAILLAT, & MURPHY INTRODUCE BICAMERAL LEGISLATION TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES FROM UNTRACEABLE GHOST GUNS

GOVERNOR LAMONT AND COMMISSIONER RUSSELL-TUCKER ANNOUNCE EXPANSION OF CONNECTICUT’S FREE SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM

GOVERNOR LAMONT AND CONNECTICUT OFFICIALS RECOGNIZE BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS MONTH

EXPANSION OF CONNECTICUT’S FREE SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM

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