Applications For Operation Fuel Now Open

Applications for Operation Fuel, which provides emergency energy and utility assistance to Connecticut households facing financial challenges, are now open and available at www.operationfuel.org. Applicants can receive grants of up to $1,000 to heating customers earning up to the state median income, which is currently $66,270 for individuals and $127,443 for households of four. Applicants can visit www.operationfuel.org/gethelp/ for aid, with applications available online or in-person at a fuel bank partnering with Operation Fuel. The program’s website says that applicants should gather proof of the last four weeks of income for all household members, the name of their fuel vendors for deliverable fuel customers, or their utility bill and payment history for electric/gas/water customers. This press release was made possible…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT ACTIVATES SEVERE COLD WEATHER PROTOCOL FROM FRIDAY TO MONDAY

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that based on a weather forecast indicating that Connecticut may experience below-zero wind chills over the weekend, he will be activating the state’s severe cold weather protocol beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 23, 2022, and remaining in effect through 12:00 p.m. on Monday, December 26, 2022. This is the first time the protocol is being enacted during the 2022-2023 winter season. The purpose of the protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the severe cold conditions, which could be life threatening if exposed to the elements for extended periods of time. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies and municipalities to coordinate…

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ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG URGES FCC TO CREATE ANTI-ROBOTEXT PROTECTIONS

(Hartford, CT) - Attorney General William Tong supported the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) proposal to help cut down on unwanted text messages by requiring mobile wireless providers to block texts from invalid, unassigned, or unused numbers, and from numbers on a Do Not Originate (DNO) list. Connecticut has helped lead the fight to reduce the number of robocalls that plague Americans. However, scammers are now shifting to using robotexts to run similar scams. Just like spam calls, spam texts can result in people losing millions of dollars through phishing texts, imposter scams, and links containing ransomware. In 2021, the FCC received more than 15,000 consumer complaints about unwanted texts and, in 2020, scammers stole more than $86 million through frauds…

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PRE-AUTHORIZATION WAIVED FOR FULLY INSURED CONSUMERS DUE TO COVID-19, INFLUENZA, AND RSV STARTING MONDAY, DECEMBER 12 ON A TEMPORARY BASIS Connecticut Insurance Department Commissioner Andrew N. Mais joins Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani and Department of Social Services Commissioner Deidre Gifford to announce that Connecticut consumers in a fully insured health plan will have pre-authorization requirements waived for short term post-acute care effective Monday, December 12 on a temporary basis. Connecticut is facing a potentially serious challenge in hospital bed capacity in the coming weeks. Connecticut hospitals are seeing sharp increases in demand for services due to the simultaneous occurrence of influenza, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), COVID -19, and Behavioral Health surges.   As a result, ensuring that hospital beds are available is…

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$32 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT TO SUPPORT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN PUBLIC HEALTH

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced that the Connecticut Department of Public Health has been awarded a $32,253,484 grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that will be used to support the state agency’s newly launched Office of Public Heath Workforce Development. The initiative was created by Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, in August and is operating directly out of her office. It will have a broad focus on ensuring that the workforce development needs at state, local, and nonprofit public health agencies are met, specifically regarding future pipeline development academic and professional training, standards of practice, and workforce diversification. The federal funding was awarded through the CDC’s Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce,…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT AND CONNECTICUT STATE POLICE UNION ANNOUNCE TENTATIVE LABOR AGREEMENT

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut State Police Union NP1 today announced that they have tentatively agreed to the terms of a new successor labor agreement. The agreement covers troopers, sergeants, and master sergeants effective from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2026, covering wages, benefits, and working conditions. “Members of the Connecticut State Police are second to none, and this new contract recognizes their dedication, hard work, and sacrifice,” Governor Lamont said. “It is an investment in the future of public safety in our state by incentivizing the recruitment of top-quality candidates, as well as the retention of our current troopers. Additional education, training, and professional development benefits are provided under the terms of the agreement, while…

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LEGISLATION TO BAN PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF BIG CATS

The Big Cat Public Safety Act was approved by the House earlier this year and now heads to President Biden’s desk for signature [WASHINGTON, D.C] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) issued the following statement after the Senate passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act, bipartisan legislation prohibiting the ownership of big cats like lions and tigers and outlaws public contact with cubs. The House passed the legislation earlier this year and it now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature.  “The Big Cat Public Safety Act will end the horrific exploitation of big cats and bolster public safety,” said Blumenthal. “These beautiful but powerful predators deserve to live in the wild, not be kept in captivity for people’s entertainment—even…

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BILL TO PROTECT CONSUMERS & WORKERS FROM CORPORATE CRIMINAL CONDUCT

The Hide No Harm Act increases jail time & fines for corporate officers who knowingly conceal information that may harm consumers & workers [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Bob Casey (D-PA) and U.S. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) introduced bicameral legislation to hold corporate wrongdoers accountable for knowingly withholding information that risked the lives or safety of consumers and workers. Under the Hide No Harm Act, a corporate officer who conceals information about an action or product that poses the danger of serious physical injury or death would face up to five years in prison as well as potential fines. The legislation would also safeguard corporate whistleblowers by protecting from criminal liability those who chose to…

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SHORT-TERM CUSTOMER RELIEF PLAN TO REDUCE THE COST OF ENERGY SUPPLY PRICES

Public-Private Partnership Identifies Ways To Help Lower Winter Energy Prices, From Electricity to Gasoline (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced that in response to calls from his administration and other Connecticut state officials – including the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Office of Consumer Counsel – to do more for customers in the state amid historically high electric prices, utility companies Eversource and United Illuminating (UI) have agreed to work with state leaders on a short-term/interim Customer Relief Plan to provide immediate relief to electric customers this winter. Connecticut state leaders have emphasized the importance of acting quickly and advancing options to reduce bill impacts for low and middle-income customers who are struggling to pay…

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ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG ANNOUNCES MULTISTATE SETTLEMENT WITH CARMAX OVER THE DISCLOSURE OF SAFETY RECALLS

(Hartford, CT) -- Attorney General William Tong today announced a $1 million multistate settlement with CarMax Auto Superstores, Inc. and 35 attorneys general that will require CarMax to disclose open, unrepaired recalls related to the safety of its used vehicles. Connecticut will receive a payment of $20,589.46 through the settlement to support consumer protection enforcement. A multistate investigation found that CarMax advertised that its cars underwent “safety” inspections, but did not ensure safety-related recall services were complete before selling a vehicle. The settlement forces CarMax to provide written disclosures both in writing and on the vehicle itself of any open recalls, and information on how to check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website to confirm any recalls. Further, CarMax…

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