Lamont goes after retailers
CRN statement on Lamont campaign proposal
CRN Golf Outing update
Last chance for CRN Health Survey
News and notes from the State Capitol
News and notes from around the state
- Yesterday, Governor Lamont made a campaign stop outside a Walmart store in Rocky Hill to announce his support for a proposal to charge employers who have employees on the State’s Medicaid program.
- This is a proposal that CRN strongly opposes.
- It would punish businesses, while not dealing with the reason health care costs have skyrocketed during the year. And it would hit retailers especially hard.
- We are very disappointed that the Governor is advocating this proposal; clearly, he is feeling some heat from his primary opponent, Josh Elliott.
- CRN issued the following statement in response to the Lamont proposal:
- “Governor Lamont’s campaign proposal is flat-out bad policy. It penalizes retail employers for a federal funding gap they didn’t create, which would harm precisely the entry-level, part-time, and seasonal opportunities that give first-time and lower-income workers a foothold in the labor market and a potential career path when it is most needed.
This misguided proposal does not offer any real solutions to rising health care costs, as it provides no substantive action to lower premiums, reduce prescription drug prices, or address the drivers of health care inflation that increasingly are adversely impacting Connecticut families and businesses.
What it would do is penalize employers – and their customers – by driving up the cost of doing business in Connecticut, while putting at risk the very jobs that families depend on for economic security. That is the exact opposite of what sound policy would achieve.
The Governor has previously championed Connecticut as open for business, but this proposal contradicts that record. A thriving Connecticut economy depends, in large measure, on a thriving retail sector. Connecticut retailers – large and small – provide good jobs and advancement opportunities, an array of career paths, and meaningful investments in local communities across the state.
This campaign proposal is beyond disappointing, particularly in the current economic environment that retailers and their customers face every day. It would be counterproductive and detrimental, resulting in more harm than good for Connecticut families.”
- We will keep you posted on any developments with the proposal.
CRN Golf Outing update
- The CRN Golf Outing is now just days away – on Tuesday, June 30.
- This year, we are on track to have our best year ever! We expect a record number of golfers and sponsors, led by Liberty Bank – and we have room for more!
- If you can’t golf, PLEASE consider donating a raffle prize or purchasing a tee sign.
- You can also join us for post-golf activities.
- You can go here to see our schedule for the day, and we hope you are inclined to help support us.
CRN Health Insurance survey
- We are also closing in on our important health insurance survey to determine how CRN can develop a group health insurance program to help retailers.
- You can go here to take the brief survey.
- Please consider helping us by responding to this survey. It is very important, and we are grateful for your response.
News and notes from the State Capitol
- Internal controls at the Secretary of State’s office were not sufficient to prevent payments without purchase orders, to conduct revenue reconciliations or to accurately track unearned revenue, a recent audit details. CTNewsJunkie has that news here.
- A dozen blighted properties in Connecticut will receive help with assessment and remediation under a $15.2 million program announced Wednesday by Gov. Ned Lamont. Details of the program reported here by CTNewsJunkie.
- California-based Grand River Solutions has been selected to conduct an independent review related to the ongoing matter involving CT State Colleges and Universities Interim Chancellor John Maduko. CTNewsJunkie reports on the hiring here.
- Connecticut’s homeless population increased for the fifth year in a row — but at a lower rate than the previous two years. CT Mirror has that data here.
News and notes from around the state
- The lawsuit filed by Connecticut’s two major utility companies against the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority has concluded with PURA having to admit that former Chairman Marissa Gillett broke numerous statutes. CT Inside Investigator has the details here.
- A Fairfield-based dental surgery center operator is moving forward with plans to expand across Connecticut nearly two years after proposing a statewide network of dental surgery centers. Hartford Business Journal has that news here.
- For the second time in nine years, Connecticut’s largest city is facing a decision about the future of an expensive sports venue that’s going vacant. Details here from the Hartford Courant.
- The Travelers Championship is branded as a regional event. It is the lone PGA Tour stop in New England, not just Connecticut. But it’s home is Cromwell, one of the state’s smallest towns at 13.5 square miles, with a population just above 14,000. CT Post takes a look here.