Connecticut Archives - The Star News Network

Sen. Richard Blumenthal Urges Biden Administration to Declare ‘Public Health Emergency’ After Supreme Court’s Decision Overturning Roe v. Wade

by Admin | Jul 7, 2022

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) was at a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Waterbury, Connecticut, Tuesday to urge Biden Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to declare a “public health emergency” in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that returns issues about abortion to the states.

“We’re pressing President Biden to use whatever authority he has, to the maximum extent to explore the possibility of a national emergency that would enable telemedicine prescription, which could then result in medication abortion through the mail,” Blumenthal said, according to the Stamford Advocate.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont Pitches State’s ‘Family-Friendly’ Pro-Abortion Stance to Businesses While Costs Soar Due to Diesel Tax Increase

by Susan Berry, PhD | Jul 6, 2022

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont’s (D) recent video pitch encourages businesses to relocate to his “family friendly” state where women are welcome to end the lives of their unborn babies, but neglects to mention his now effective 23 percent tax increase in diesel fuel is crushing businesses and consumers already reeling from unprecedented inflation and high gas prices.

In Connecticut, Higher Electricity Prices with Higher Temperatures

by The Center Square | Jul 4, 2022

Connecticut residents will see an increase in their electricity bills beginning in July.

The Public Utility Regulatory Authority has approved a rare summer electricity rate increase for both residential and business customers, effective July 1 through Dec. 31.

Newtown-Based Firearms Trade Association Spends More Lobbying Congress than NRA

by The Center Square | Jul 3, 2022

One Connecticut-based firearms industry trade group has spent more on lobbying than the National Rifle Association.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, an industry trade association based in Newtown, has spent 40% more than the NRA lobbying Congress since 2019. For 2021 alone, OpenSecrets – a nonpartisan nonprofit tracking money into politics – reports an estimated $5 million spent by NSSF on lobbying; the NRA spent $4.92 million.

Governor Lamont Calls on Companies in States with Abortion Bans to Relocate to Connecticut

by Cooper Moran | Jul 2, 2022

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont pitched companies to relocate to the state, if they are currently located in a state that may implement an abortion ban.

Since the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade, some states have enacted abortion bans, often correlated to when an infant’s heartbeat is detected.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont Names New Secretary of the State

by Cooper Moran | Jul 1, 2022

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont on Thursday appointed Mark Kohler as the state’s new secretary of the state.

Kohler will take the place of former Secretary Denise Merrill, who announced her resignation in order to take time to care for her husband.

Connecticut Secretary of the State Announces Resignation to Care for Ailing Husband

by Susan Berry, PhD | Jul 1, 2022

Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill (D) announced she will resign Thursday in order to spend time with her husband who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease.

Merrill, 73, told the Associated Press (AP) trying to juggle her job with caring for her husband has grown too difficult.

Children’s Biography of Drag Queen RuPaul Temporarily Removed from Connecticut Town Library After Complaint by Parent

by Susan Berry, PhD | Jun 30, 2022

A children’s biography of LGBTQ activist and drag queen RuPaul was temporarily removed from the children’s section of the public library in Colchester, Connecticut, after a parent complained about a “sexually provocative graphic” in the book, town First Selectman Andreas Bisbikos (R) told The Connecticut Star.

Bisbikos explained the book, Who Is RuPaul?, has been temporarily removed until the Cragin Memorial Library director can assess the best location for it.

Connecticut’s Minimum Wage Set to Increase

by Cooper Moran | Jun 29, 2022

Connecticut is set to raise its minimum wage from $13.00 per hour to $14.00 per hour in compliance with a law passed by the state’s leaders in 2019.

The legislation implemented a plan to raise the state’s minimum wage from $10.10 in 2019 to $15 over the span of five years.

Tong, Lamont Speak Out Against Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade Decision

by The Center Square | Jun 25, 2022

Connecticut’s top law enforcement official said Friday he would sue to prevent a nationwide ban on abortions.

Attorney General William Tong said following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, a 1973 landmark decision that prevented states from banning abortions, that if Congress tries to invoke legislation that would ban abortions across the nation, he would be the first to take court action.

Tong Announces Settlement with Cruise Line over Data Breach

by The Center Square | Jun 24, 2022

A $1.25 million multistate settlement has been reached in a data breach case, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said.

Connecticut is one of 45 states named in the settlement against Florida-based Carnival Cruise lines. The case was filed after a 2019 data breach revealed personal information for 180,000 Carnival employees and customers across the country.

Economist: ‘When It Comes to Connecticut, Businesses Are Being Incentivized to Look Elsewhere’

by Susan Berry, PhD | Jun 23, 2022

LEGO Group’s decision to spend $1 billion to build a new factory near Richmond, Virginia, has led economy and industry experts to raise questions about the status of the Denmark company’s Connecticut headquarters.

The global toymaker announced at a press conference with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) its plans to build a new factory in Chesterfield, a move that would expand its production in the United States and create about 1,760 new jobs.

Tong: Connecticut Homeowners Should Be Aware of Solar Power Contracts

by The Center Square | Jun 22, 2022

Residents are being advised to research solar companies before entering into contracts, Attorney General William Tong said.

The state’s top law enforcement official and Michelle Seagull, commissioner of the Department of Consumer Protection, are warning Connecticut homeowners who are interested in installing solar panels on their property to perform research and be cognizant of misleading marketing and high-pressure sales tactics.

Connecticut Governor Signs Consumer Data Privacy Act into Law

by The Center Square | Jun 19, 2022

Greater safeguards to personal data are the focus of legislation that has now become law in Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont said.

The governor announced Public Act 22-15 has been signed. The legislation creates a comprehensive set of protections designed to help consumers by creating a stronger ability to safeguard personal data that is collected with online businesses.

New Connecticut Tax Could Raise Diesel Prices to New Highs

by Cooper Moran | Jun 17, 2022

A new tax will be hitting certain drivers in Connecticut, as the state’s tax commissioner announced an increase of the state’s diesel tax.

According to an announcement from the office, the rate will increase from 40 cents to 49 cents—a 23 percent increase for consumers.

More Headlines…

New Home Buying Program Is Now Open in Connecticut

Jun 15, 2022

A new Connecticut program that aids residents with down payment assistance for home purchases is now open, Gov. Ned Lamont said.

The governor announced the Time to Own program offering down payment assistance to low- and moderate-income homebuyers is now accepting applications. The program is funded with $20 million the State Bond Commissioner allocated in December 2021 to help families purchase homes.

Connecticut School Districts Weigh Armed Security Guards in Schools

Jun 14, 2022

Parents and school district officials in Connecticut are considering hiring armed security guards in schools in the wake of the recent shooting massacre of 21 children and staff in Uvalde, Texas.

“We are proposing, due to our concerns over police response time, and I don’t say that as a fault to the police, that’s simply just a matter of reality that the police can’t get to a school immediately,” said Ian Neviaser, superintendent of Regional School District 18, Lyme-Old Lyme.

Connecticut School Districts Weigh Armed Security Guards in Schools

Jun 14, 2022

Parents and school district officials in Connecticut are considering hiring armed security guards in schools in the wake of the recent shooting massacre of 21 children and staff in Uvalde, Texas.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont Signs Bill Establishing Juneteenth as a State Holiday

Jun 13, 2022

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed SB 350 into law Friday which establishes Juneteenth Independence Day as an official, legal state holiday.

Lamont: Manufacturing Company Expanding in Connecticut

Jun 10, 2022

An advanced coatings manufacturer is undertaking an expansion project in Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont said.

The governor announced Element 119, which currently employs 14 people, plans to add an additional 36 workers over the next two years at its production facilities in Thomaston and Cheshire.

Connecticut Request for Planning Regions to Be Used in Census Approved

Jun 9, 2022

Connecticut’s nine planning regions will now be used by the U.S. Census rather than traditional counties when the next decennial county rolls around, Gov. Ned Lamont said.

The governor announced the state has received approval of a request sent to the U.S. Census Bureau that will allow each planning region, represented by a Council of Government, to be used for tabulating and disseminating census data. The planning regions will be used as a county equivalent.

Connecticut Secretary of State Issues Guidance Broadening Absentee Voting Eligibility, Citing New Law

Jun 6, 2022

Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill (D) on Friday issued an opinion regarding a new statute that expands absentee voting, emphasizing that voters need not themselves be sick or away all day to vote by mail.

Merrill said she issued the interpretation to “more closely conform” the law, which Gov. Ned Lamont (D) signed on April 8, to Article Sixth, Section 7 of the Connecticut Constitution which states, “In all elections of officers of the state, or members of the General Assembly, the votes of the electors shall be by ballot.”

Lamont: Taxpayers Will Help Aspiring Teachers Earn Certifications

Jun 6, 2022

Connecticut is spending taxpayers dollars to help defray testing costs for teachers, Gov. Ned Lamont said.

The governor announced that $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding will be used to help aspiring teachers defray the costs of certification-related testing in the state over the course of the next two years.

Connecticut Child Tax Credit Program Accepting Applications

Jun 5, 2022

Connecticut’s child tax credit program is now taking applications, Gov. Ned Lamont said.

The governor announced the application period for the 2022 Connecticut Child Tax Rebate will accept applications through July 31. The rebate was developed within the budget bill Lamont signed last month and provides a rebate of up to $250 per child up to three children.

Connecticut to Hire Full-Time ‘Misinformation’ Expert to Flag Social Media Posts Containing ‘False’ Statements About Elections

Jun 4, 2022

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont (D) and Secretary of the State Denise Merrill (D) plan to channel the Biden administration by hiring a full-time “misinformation” expert who will seek to flag social media posts that suggest “bad information” about the state’s elections ahead of the midterms.

“We need to know what’s out there before it goes viral,” said Scott Bates, deputy secretary of the state, according to the New Haven Register. “We need to get ahead of the curve and knock down bad information to protect people from misinformation that would get in their way of voting.”

House Republican Conference Chair Representative Elise Stefanik Endorses Republican George Logan in Bid to Flip Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District

Jun 4, 2022

U.S. House Republican Conference Chair Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) endorsed Connecticut Republican congressional nominee George Logan in his bid to unseat Representative Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05) in the state’s 5th Congressional District.

“George has a strong record as a champion for veterans, law enforcement, students, and small business, and he has what it takes to FLIP Connecticut’s 5th District red this November!” Stefanik tweeted.

Report Finds Connecticut Still Has the Second-Highest State and Local Tax Burden

Jun 3, 2022

According to recent data from the center-right Tax Foundation, Connecticut taxpayers continue to shoulder nearly the highest revenue burdens of anyone in the U.S.

As stated in a report titled “State and Local Tax Burdens, Calendar Year 2022,” the average state resident paid 15.5 percent in combined state and local taxes last year. That places Connecticut in second among all states in that category, second only to New York which claims 15.9 percent of residents’ annual earnings on average. Neighboring Massachusetts and Rhode Island both have tax onuses under 12 percent, hovering around the national mean.

Connecticut to Hire ‘Misinformation’ Specialist to Police the Internet

Jun 2, 2022

Connecticut is hiring a “misinformation” specialist to police the internet ahead of the midterm elections, according to the state’s budget statement.

The position of a misinformation “security analyst” was proposed by Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill to combat alleged election misinformation that has “undermined public confidence in the fairness and capability of election results,” according to the budget statement.

Report: Ballot Access More Restrictive in Connecticut Than in Other States

Jun 1, 2022

Legislative and congressional candidates have a harder time getting onto the ballot in Connecticut than they do in any other state, according to a report by a state House candidate.

Andy Gottlieb is running for the state House of Representatives from the 98th District. In 2018, the 28-year-old liberal Democrat ran for state Senate and received nether the required number of supportive delegates at his party’s state convention nor a sufficient number of petition signatures to get onto the ballot that year.

Cannabis Home Delivery Slated to Begin in Connecticut

Jun 1, 2022

Home delivery to Connecticut cannabis consumers is one step closer to reality as the lottery for delivery licenses closed last week.

“Delivery service is one of the license types now available in Connecticut as part of the new adult-use program,” Kaitlyn Krasselt, communications director at the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, told The Center Square. “Home delivery will also be available to patients in the medical marijuana program.”

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