State News

Blumenthal Calls For Better Zoom Security

Apr 6, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON, DC] – With millions of Americans turning to video conference platform Zoom to stay connected amid the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) called on the company to provide clear answers about its consumer data privacy rules and safety practices. “The millions of Americans now unexpectedly attending school, celebrating birthdays, seeking medical help, and sharing evening drinks with friends over Zoom during the Coronavirus pandemic should not have to add privacy and cybersecurity fears to their ever-growing list of worries,” Blumenthal wrote in a letter to Zoom CEO and Chairman Eric Yuan. “Zoom has a troubling history of software design practices and security lapses that have posed significant risks to the privacy and safety of its users.” Blumenthal…

State News

Senators Want Refunds For Covid Cancellations From Airlines

Apr 3, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined a group of their colleagues in a letter sent to each of the major domestic airlines, urging every company to issue full cash refunds to all customers who cancel their flights during the COVID-19 crisis, and to American citizens who encounter flight cancellations while stranded in countries that implemented travel restrictions. This request comes in the wake of Congress passing an unprecedented bailout for the airline industry, including $25 billion in loans and loan guarantees for passenger air carriers. Although most domestic airlines have taken some steps to temporarily waive coronavirus-related change and cancellation fees, travelers who cancel their flights are finding that they will receive only airline credits,…

State News

The Court System During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Apr 2, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

What courts are open during this time of social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic? I turned to BDK law firm to find out. Attorneys are still at work using Zoom for depositions. Dennis Bradley and Peter Karayiannis took time out from their practice to let us know what's happening.

State News

Himes On Helping Small Business

Apr 2, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

Jim Himes reports that he has been in constant communication with the Fourth District’s small business and non-profit communities during this uncertain time. Congress’ aggressive and escalating response to the crisis - embodied in the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and the CARES Act - demonstrates the seriousness with which we take this threat to our local communities. These economic relief packages can help small businesses, certain non-profits, and other employers survive the coronavirus pandemic. Please review the information below and attached to this email that the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship and I compiled to assist you and organizations in the Fourth District. Payment Protection Program (PPP) Loans The program…

State News

Murphy: $500 Million To UN For Covid-19

Apr 1, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

#WASHINGTON—In response to the United Nations’ $2 billion emergency appeal last week to help fight COVID-19, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, on Wednesday led 16 Senate Democrats in urging the State Department to join the international community in funding international humanitarian assistance and protect the more than 70 million displaced people globally. Specifically, the senators urged United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to contribute at least $500 million to the United Nation’s interagency emergency appeal issued last week to fight COVID-19 around the world. Murphy issued a similar call last week when the United Nations announced its appeal. “While all countries are struggling to respond to…

State News

Governors Update

Apr 1, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

HARTFORD, CT) – As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2020: Data updates on testing in Connecticut Since yesterday’s update, an additional 557 Connecticut residents have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 3,128. To date, more than 15,600 tests have been conducted in Connecticut among both state and private laboratories. Approximately 608 patients have been hospitalized. The total statewide total number of fatalities is 69. In addition to the deaths related to COVID-19 that have been reported to the Department of Public Health (DPH), this update contains information on the number of deaths that have been…

State News

Mortgage Payment Relief During COVID

Mar 31, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration has reached an agreement with over 50 credit unions and banks in Connecticut to offer mortgage relief to the state’s residents and businesses who continue to face hardship caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Under the agreement, the following relief policies are being offered by participating financial institutions: · 90-day grace period for all mortgage payments: Participating financial institutions are now offering mortgage-payment forbearances of up to 90 days, which will allow homeowners to reduce or delay monthly mortgage payments. In addition, the institutions will: o Provide a streamlined process for requesting forbearance for COVID-19-related reasons, supported with available documentation; o Confirm approval and terms of forbearance program; and o Provide the…

State News

DMV Authorizes Online Classes

Mar 30, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

WETHERSFIELD, CT) – The Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Sibongile Magubane – acting under the authority of a recent Executive Order signed by Governor Ned Lamont – approved the request from Connecticut licensed driving schools to provide online classroom training to their students. “In the face of this unprecedented health crisis and at a time when social distancing is so important, we want to help businesses regulated by DMV to continue to operate, as well as assist driving school students with continuing their education on the path to getting a driver’s license,” Commissioner Magubane said. Driving schools were notified yesterday of the Commissioner’s approval. The approval is effective immediately and until further notice. For answers to questions, updates, or more…

State News

Connecticut COVID Update

Mar 30, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

HARTFORD, CT) – As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, 2020: Data updates on testing in Connecticut Since yesterday’s update, an additional 469 Connecticut residents have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,993. To date, more than 11,900 tests have been conducted in Connecticut among both state and private laboratories. Approximately 404 people have been hospitalized. There has been another fatality due to complications of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total number of fatalities to 34 (21 in Fairfield County, 6 in New Haven County, 4 in Tolland County, 2 in Hartford County, and 1 in Middlesex County). It should be noted that the increase in hospitalizations reflected…

State News

Press Release From Senator Blumenthal

Mar 28, 2020 Stephen Krauchick

U.S. Senator Blumenthal (D-Conn.) posted the following Tweet regarding President Trump’s travel advisory for Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey: Erratic. Impulsive. Dangerous. 180 degree flip flop in less than 8 hours. Now no quarantine. Less talk, more action, Mr President. We still lack ventilators, masks, tests, & other medical supplies. This press release was made possible by: [caption id="attachment_81162" align="aligncenter" width="591"] Visit Perez Tires at: https://www.pereztirecenter.com/[/caption]

Blumenthal Calls For Better Zoom Security

Senators Want Refunds For Covid Cancellations From Airlines

The Court System During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Himes On Helping Small Business

Murphy: $500 Million To UN For Covid-19

Governors Update

Mortgage Payment Relief During COVID

DMV Authorizes Online Classes

Connecticut COVID Update

Press Release From Senator Blumenthal

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