There is another statewide race to keep an eye on
News and notes from the State Capitol
News and notes from around the state
- With most of the political world in CT focused on the race for governor and other Connecticut state office holders, as well as nearly the entire membership of the General Assembly up for reelection, sometimes we can forget that there is another statewide race that is taking shape.
- The race for a seat in the United States Senate is also on the ballot this fall. We know that the Democrats will once again run Richard Blumenthal as their candidate, but what hasn’t been focused on is who the Republicans will pick to face off against him.
- There will be a Republican primary for that spot just one month from now on August 9, with former House Minority Leader Themis Klarides taking on Greenwich Republican and National Party representative, Leora Levy.
- Klarides received the endorsement from the GOP at their convention in May, but Levy had enough delegates to run a primary.
- Although it would be a surprise if Klarides were to be upset by Levy, an August primary is a tricky thing to predict. Like all primaries, the key will be turnout so that also means that each candidate’s committee must focus on getting their voters to actually vote.
- You can learn more about both candidates, by going to their websites. Klarides is here https://themis2022.com/ while Levy’s is here https://leoraforct.com/. The third candidate in the race is perennial candidate Peter Lumaj https://peterlumaj.com/
- Meanwhile, Blumenthal, who has to sit back and wait to see who he is up against, is in Ukraine with Sen. Lindsay Graham for a visit. You can go here to read more about that visit.
News and notes from around the State Capitol
- This week, Governor Lamont announced that he will take part of Connecticut’s’ ever expanding budget surplus to pay down CT’s pension debt. Our friends at the CT Mirror do a great job of explaining what that means and the plans for how Lamont plans on using the savings.
- Nine insurance companies have asked the state Insurance Department to approve double-digit rate hikes for individual and small business health insurance plans that start in 2023. Matt Lesser, co-chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, said these proposals are “jaw dropping.” CTNewsJunkie has more here.
- Connecticut’s Labor Department launched an overhauled unemployment filing system this week after years in development. State officials expect the streamlined benefit and tax system to save time for both filers and employers. CTNewsJunkie has the details here.
- Candidate for Connecticut State Treasurer Dita Bhargava has qualified for $484,125 in public funds in her challenge of Democratic-endorsed Erick Russell for the August 9 primary. Only in Bridgeport has the story here.
- Attorney General William Tong and Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman announced a $3 million settlement with third-party electric supplier Public Power that resolves allegations that the company failed to publish required data, thus denying consumers the chance to switch to another supplier to avoid a rate increase. Fairfield County Business Journal has the news here.
News and notes from around the state
- News8 will air debates among candidates for the US Senate and for Governor beginning this month. The first debate will take place on July 26 at 8 pm between Republican U.S. Senate primary candidates Themis Klarides, Leora Levy and Peter Lumaj. This fall, News 8 will sponsor a gubernatorial debate, with Gov. Lamont and Bob Stefanowski, scheduled for Oct. 25. More about the debate plans can be seen here.
- Avelo Airlines, with a strong presence in New Haven’s Tweed Airport, just opened its third U.S. base at Orlando International Airport (MCO). The young low-fare airline says its goal is to fly more than one million visitors into Orlando annually. The story is in Forbes, here.
- Bradley International Airport is getting a $20 million boost from the massive federal infrastructure package that will help fund the construction of a $185 million facility where checked bags will undergo security inspections. The Hartford Courant has the details here.
- The University of New Haven announced this week that it’s collaborating with a national education company to offer cannabis certificate programs. West Haven’s UNH and Green Flower, a California-based cannabis education company, are launching four marijuana certificate programs this year beginning Sept. 5. Hartford Business Journal has the details here.
- UConn, Connecticut’s flagship university, has approved a $1.7 billion budget, although UConn officials expressed concerns about how the system would prevent a shortfall in 2024 when one-time state funding dries up. CT Mirror has the details here.
- A master plan has been unveiled that would reconnect Middletown to the Connecticut River, transforming an underused 220-acre stretch of riverfront land into a mix of uses, including restaurants, multifamily housing, entertainment, recreational trails and a pedestrian bridge leading to downtown. Hartford Business Journal reports on the plan, here.
- KeyBank announced Wednesday that its Connecticut commercial sales leader Matthew Hummel has been promoted to market president for the state and Massachusetts market. New Haven BIZ details the announcement here.