State News – Page 22

State News

CTDOT Celebrates National Bike Month this May

May 2, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is celebrating National Bike Month this May by encouraging the public to get outside and go for a ride. CTDOT is planning Bike, Walk, and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, with nearly 20 schools across Connecticut. The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) established a Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS) in 2005. Since then, many communities participating in the Safe Routes to School Program have shown improved safety and accessibility for students with and without disabilities. “Bike, Walk, and Roll to School Day is a great way to kick off Bike Month here in Connecticut. Active transportation allows us to get some exercise and fresh air while being a more…

State News

LEGISLATION OPENING THE COURTHOUSE DOORS

Apr 29, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

TO CONSUMERS, WORKERS [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Hank Johnson (D-GA) led a group of 37 senators, including U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), and more than 80 members of the House of Representatives in introducing legislation to stop the use of unfair forced arbitration clauses, which are widely used to limit Americans’ access to justice. The FAIR (Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal) Act would eliminate forced arbitration clauses in consumer, antitrust, employment, and civil rights cases, and would allow consumers and workers to freely choose arbitration after a dispute occurs. “Forced arbitration is unfair and un-American. Workers forced into a rigged arbitration system have lost one of the most powerful tools they have to hold…

State News

TONG CALLS ON PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY TO REJECT “BLOATED, UNSUPPORTED” RATE HIKE

Apr 28, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today called on the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to reject a “bloated, unsupported” $130.7 million rate hike sought by United Illuminating, and to further impose a $2 million annual penalty for the company’s ongoing failure to remediate the former English Station power plant in New Haven. United Illuminating is requesting to raise electric rates by as much as 8 percent over three years, increasing its revenues by $91.1 million in the first year alone, followed by an additional $20.1 million in the second year, and yet another $19.5 million in the third year. New rates would take effect after September 2023. Attorney General Tong’s brief identifies numerous areas where the utility is seeking to…

State News

CNG OVER-COLLECTED $8 MILLION FROM CONNECTICUT RATEPAYERS

Apr 26, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

Following a recent earnings report showing Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation over-collected $8 million from Connecticut families and businesses, Attorney General William Tong, Consumer Counsel Claire E. Coleman, Connecticut Industrial Energy Consumers, and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority Office of Education, Outreach, and Enforcement submitted a joint petition to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority seeking a new rate hearing to drive down costs for consumers. It has been five years since CNG’s last rate case before PURA. Per state statute, rate review hearings must be conducted at least every four years. CNG’s most recent earnings report shows the company has been earning 177 basis points above its authorized return on equity (“ROE”) of 9.3 percent. This was not a billing error—CNG…

State News

LEGISLATION TO HELP CAREGIVERS RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY CREDIT

Apr 21, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-Ill.-10) on Wednesday reintroduced legislation that would allow caregivers to receive a Social Security credit. The Social Security Caregiver Credit Act would provide retirement compensation in the form of Social Security credits to individuals who leave the workforce to care for their loved ones. U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) also co-sponsored the legislation More than 1 in 5 Americans are currently caring for loved ones who are ill, disabled, or elderly, and tens of millions of Americans leave the workforce entirely or reduce their hours significantly to care for loved ones at some point in their career. Studies…

State News

BILL TO FULLY FUND TITLE I, SPECIAL EDUCATION

Apr 20, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Wednesday joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in introducing the Keep Our Promise to America’s Children and Teachers (PACT) Act, legislation to put Congress on a fiscally responsible path to fully fund Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on a mandatory basis. “Schools serving students from low-income backgrounds and children with disabilities have been short-changed for far too long because Congress has failed to fully fund IDEA and Title I. This legislation would ensure that our most vulnerable students get the support they need by providing the range of services and resources that…

State News

Stone Academy Investigation

Apr 19, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

Attorney General William Tong tsought a court order forcing Stone Academy’s owners to comply with the state’s ongoing investigation into potential violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act by Stone Academy. On March 15, Attorney General Tong served Joseph Bierbaum and Richard Scheinberg with civil investigative demands seeking detailed information regarding their financial and legal interests and duties and responsibilities at Stone Academy and other for-profit education entities in Connecticut. The demand also sought information regarding where Stone Academy records are stored, as well as payroll, staffing, enrollment and attendance records. The investigative demand further sought answers from both Bierbaum and Scheinberg as to efforts they made to ensure Stone’s compliance with Connecticut Law, including their awareness or involvement in efforts…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT STATEMENT ON THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE’S FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 SPENDING PROPOSAL

Apr 18, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont issued the following statement in response to the fiscal year 2024-2025 spending proposal that was released today by the leadership of the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee: “I appreciate the Appropriation Committee’s hard work to deliver a document that appears to respect the fiscal guardrails that have been a key component of our state’s success over the past few years. We’re reviewing the details of the legislature’s spending plan, look forward to meeting with them to discuss their proposals, and will work with them to pass an honestly balanced budget that provides growth, opportunity, and affordability for Connecticut’s residents, families, and businesses.” This press release was made possible by:

State News

CTDOT Reminds Drivers to Play a Role in Work Zone Safety

Apr 17, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is promoting National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) from April 17-21, 2023, highlighting this year's theme of “You play a role in work zone safety. Work with us.” NWZAW has been observed for more than 20 years and was launched as a public awareness campaign to help everyone understand how they play a role in keeping workers, motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists safe on the roads. “Every day, thousands of people drive through work zones across our state,” said Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “We encourage drivers to work with us in allowing CTDOT crews, construction workers, and emergency responders to make it home safe to their families. Playing a role means slowing down your speed,…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT APPOINTS KAREN PASCALE AS DIRECTOR OF THE CONNECTICUT HEAD START STATE COLLABORATION OFFICE

Apr 12, 2023 Stephen Krauchick

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is appointing Karen Pascale to serve as director of the Connecticut Head Start State Collaboration Office. Pascale has a long career in the field of early childhood with extensive experience being a leader in the Head Start community. The creation of state Head Start Collaboration Offices were authorized by the federal Head Start Act. These offices facilitate work between state and local entities to improve policies and practices that impact low-income children from birth to school entry their families, and communities. The Connecticut Head Start State Collaboration Office is housed within the Office of Early Childhood, a state agency serving young children age birth to five and their families. “I…

CTDOT Celebrates National Bike Month this May

LEGISLATION OPENING THE COURTHOUSE DOORS

TONG CALLS ON PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY TO REJECT “BLOATED, UNSUPPORTED” RATE HIKE

CNG OVER-COLLECTED $8 MILLION FROM CONNECTICUT RATEPAYERS

LEGISLATION TO HELP CAREGIVERS RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY CREDIT

BILL TO FULLY FUND TITLE I, SPECIAL EDUCATION

Stone Academy Investigation

GOVERNOR LAMONT STATEMENT ON THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE’S FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 SPENDING PROPOSAL

CTDOT Reminds Drivers to Play a Role in Work Zone Safety

GOVERNOR LAMONT APPOINTS KAREN PASCALE AS DIRECTOR OF THE CONNECTICUT HEAD START STATE COLLABORATION OFFICE

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