State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF NEW STATE GRANT PROGRAM ON HOME HEALTH CARE WORKER SAFETY

Home Health and Access Agencies Can Begin Applying for the Grants on August 7, 2024 (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced the impending launch of the In-Home Safety Grant Program, a new state grant program administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services aimed at enhancing the safety and security of home health care workers in Connecticut. Established by the enactment of Public Act 24-19 – which was approved by the Connecticut General Assembly during the 2024 regular legislative session and then signed into law by Governor Lamont – this program will provide grants to home health and access agencies to fund improved safety protocols and support services for their workers. This includes items such as emergency alert buttons, buddy…

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BLUMENTHAL, WARREN & WATERS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM PAYMENT SCAMS

[Hartford, CT] - Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) joined Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, to announce introduction of the Protecting Consumers from Payment Scams Act, legislation to better protect consumers making online payments through digital payment platforms like Zelle. As payment fraud skyrockets, the legislation would update the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) to clarify ambiguities and strengthen the law to better protect consumers harmed when they make payments. Specifically, it would protect consumers when they are defrauded into initiating a payment sent to a bad actor, when they lose funds through fraudulent bank wire transfers, and when their accounts are inexplicably frozen…

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ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG ANNOUNCES INVESTIGATION INTO ENERGYBILLCRUNCHER OVER FALSE CLAIM THAT ‘GOVERNMENT WILL COVER THE COST TO INSTALL SOLAR’

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today announced he has opened an investigation into EnergyBillCruncher.com regarding false claims on social media that “Government will cover the cost to install solar.” In addition to falsely claiming that the “Government” will cover the cost of solar installation, the company inappropriately uses the Connecticut state seal and creates a false sense of urgency, claiming that homeowners must “do this before Friday.” In an inquiry letter sent today, the Office of the Attorney General seeks information on the ownership of the EnergyBillCruncher website and social media accounts. The inquiry also seeks information regarding the number of inquiries received from Connecticut residents, information the company provided to Connecticut residents, and any Connecticut solar financing,…

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BLUMENTHAL & BARRAGÁN INTRODUCE BICAMERAL LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE END-OF-LIFE CARE

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Nanette Barragán (D-CA) today introduced the Compassionate Care Act,legislation to promote advance care planning and end-of-life care. Many Americans do not have plans in place in the event they experience severe illness. In order to help patients access the care they need and that is right for them, the Compassionate Care Act provides critical resources to educate patients and providers, develop core end-of-life quality measures, and expand access to advance care planning via telehealth.  “Our measure will empower Americans who are without plans for end-of-life care to be prepared in the event they experience severe illness,” said Blumenthal. “By promoting end-of-life care through public awareness, expanding telehealth services, and working with physicians, we can…

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MURPHY INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO EXPAND ACCESS TO SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING FOR ALL KIDS

45 Percent of Children Nationwide Lack Summer Learning Opportunities, Citing Cost As Biggest Barrier WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Friday introduced the Summer for All Act, legislation to provide high-quality summer enrichment opportunities to kids and families who otherwise would not have access to these programs. The bill would establish two new grant programs to provide long-term, direct funding that would help community-based organizations provide free summer camp and other activities to underserved kids and support states in the planning and implementation of initiatives to address summer programming gaps in sustainable ways. In 2021, Murphy secured a dedicated set-aside in the education funding in the American Rescue Plan for summer…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES CONNECTICUT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY’S BETTER CLIMATE CHALLENGE

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the State of Connecticut has joined the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Better Climate Challenge, becoming one of more than 50 organizations across the United States that are stepping up to the challenge and driving real-world action toward a low-carbon future. In joining the challenge, the state is committing to reduce portfolio-wide greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% within ten years and work with DOE to share successful solutions and decarbonization strategies. As Connecticut undertakes this challenge, DOE will support its efforts with technical assistance, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and a platform for the organization to demonstrate its commitment to being part of the solution to climate change. To reach its emissions…

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THE SENATE PERMANENT SUBCOMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATIONS RELEASES NEW STAFF REPORT ON ZELLE, BANK FAILURES TO PROTECT CONSUMERS

Ahead of hearing with Zelle owner and major banks, Majority staff report unveils stunning lack of consumer protections [WASHINGTON, DC] – Ahead of a hearing with Early Warning Services (EWS) CEO Cameron Fowler and major bank executives, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chair of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), released a majority staff report today detailing the Subcommittee’s findings thus far in its bipartisan inquiry into EWS and the three largest Zelle owner banks, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo (the “Three Banks”). “Zelle and the big banks who own it know that Zelle’s speed and convenience makes it a target,” said Blumenthal. “They are well aware that, every single day, some of their customers will…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES CONNECTICUT RECEIVES FEDERAL GRANT TO ACCELERATE ADOPTION OF AFFORDABLE ELECTRIC HEAT PUMPS

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Awards $450 Million to the Multi-State New England Heat Pump Accelerator Coalition (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and the members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation today announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding a coalition of states known as the New England Heat Pump Accelerator Coalition – which includes Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island – with a $450 million grant through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program to accelerate adoption of affordable electric heat pumps throughout the region. Cold-climate heat pumps are proven to substantially reduce emissions, provide significant health benefits, and deliver energy savings. The coalition’s application was led by the State of Connecticut through the Connecticut Department of Energy and…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT ACTIVATES EXTREME HOT WEATHER PROTOCOL FROM SUNDAY TO WEDNESDAY

Cooling Centers Are Open and Can be Located by Calling 2-1-1 or Visiting 211ct.org (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that as another heat wave is expected to approach Connecticut in the coming days, he is directing Connecticut’s Extreme Hot Weather Protocol to be activated effective at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, 2024, and remaining in effect through 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. The purpose of the protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the severe hot weather conditions. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies, municipalities, and other partners to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 to make sure that information regarding cooling centers is available statewide.…

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BLUMENTHAL INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO PROTECT FEDERAL WHISTLEBLOWERS FROM RETALIATION

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today introduced the Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act to shield federal employees who report information to Congress from retaliation. Under current law, federal employees are guaranteed the right to petition or provide information to Congress. However, without adequate protections in place, individuals who do so can face termination or retaliation. The Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act ensures that all federal employees, contractors, and applicants are able to file an administrative complaint if their right to share information with Congress has been interfered with or denied. Additionally, if corrective action is not reached within 180 days of filing a complaint, the legislation allows whistleblowers to pursue a lawsuit in federal court and seek a range of relief, including lost wages and…

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