Latest polls show Lamont with a commanding lead
CRN health insurance survey
News and notes from the State Capitol
CRN Golf Outing update
Save the date for our Fall event
News and notes from around the state
- As we approach the dog days of summer, the most exciting action in the political world involves primary elections that will take place in August.
- August is a challenging time for a primary, given it is peak vacation time, so the critical action for those involved is getting the vote out.
- With respect to one major primary that is taking place – in the race for governor on the democratic side – this week, Governor Lamont’s team got some good news when polling showed him ahead of his opponent, State Rep. Josh Elliot (D-Hamden).
- Dan Haar of Hearst CT takes a deeper dive into the poll results in the Lamont/Elliot matchup here.
Please take the CRN Health Insurance Survey
- As we mentioned in last week’s FF, CRN is looking into developing our own group captive insurance offering. We believe this approach will give us the ability to offer fully insured health plans that are more affordable for members.
- We are now beginning that process – and need your help! The first step in developing a plan is for us to gather some critical information.
- This week, we had a number of members take our survey, but we need more responses.
- So, we would ask you again to please take our health insurance survey, which will help us gather the information we need so that we can take the next step in this important process.
- You can take the survey by going here.
- Thank you so much for helping us with this project. We believe it has great potential.
News and notes from the State Capitol
- Gov. Ned Lamont’s Blue Ribbon Commission on K-12 Education Funding and Accountability has officially launched. Details reported by CT Mirror here.
- An anti-LGBTQ+ social media post by Jadon MacCormack, a Republican candidate and religious podcaster in the 50th House District of Eastern Connecticut, drew bipartisan condemnation. CT Mirror has that news here.
- About 25,000 state residents who are about to lose their federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as a result of changes to eligibility will receive a little relief from the state, according to Gov. Lamont. CTNewsJunkie has that story here.
- Nearly 100,000 state residents were said to be receiving letters in the mail starting this week informing them that some or all of their medical debt has been erased under a partnership between the state and the national nonprofit organization Undue Medical Debt. CTNewsJunkie has more on that here.
- The State Bond Commission has approved just over $650 million in allocations, providing funds for everything from education to housing opportunities and improved public safety. CTNewsJunkie has the highlights of the allocations here, and Fairfield County Business Journal has the numbers here.
- DeWayne Wynn Jr. is running as a Democrat to represent the 77th House District. Wynn will be challenging Republican incumbent Cara Pavalock-D’Amato, who has represented the district since 2015. The New Britain Herald has a look at that contest here.
CRN Golf Outing update
- Our 2026 CRN Golf Outing is this month! It’s coming up on Tuesday, June 30, and we’ll be returning to the Farms Country Club in Wallingford this year. The day begins at 11:30 AM, and we hope to see you with us.
- It promises to be a special afternoon for all – along with golf, there will be numerous options for sandwiches, refreshments, and snacks throughout play, and then following golf, attendees and guests can join us for a special reception and BBQ.
- Please consider donating a raffle prize for the CRN Golf Outing to add to the excitement of this special day of camaraderie. Contact CRN President Tim Phelan at tim@ctretailnetwork.com with your donation information.
- To learn more about the 2026 CRN Golf Outing and for registration information, please go to the CRN website here.
- Our lead sponsor for this year’s event, once again, is Liberty Bank. We greatly appreciate their support of CRN and Connecticut retailers.
Save the date for our BIG Fall event
- Save this date on your fall calendar – join us for the CRN Annual BIG Fall event on Thursday, October 15. It’s a great way for members to get together to talk about the changing climate in the world of retail in Connecticut.
- We are very excited to once again be holding the event at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford – and looking forward to seeing everyone!
- The funds raised from the Fall Event go directly to our bottom line so that CRN can maintain a strong presence for our members at the State Capitol and in the marketplace.
- Details about this year’s event will be announced in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned.
News and notes from around the state
- Fifteen Connecticut companies appear on Fortune’s 2026 list of the 500 largest U.S. companies by revenue, reflecting the state’s continued strength in insurance, financial services and advanced manufacturing — even as its corporate roster has contracted over the years. CIGNA leads the state companies. Details here from Hartford Business Journal.
- Led by the Division of Academic Affairs and the Provost’s Office, UConn is launching a comprehensive initiative called “AI for ImpaCT.” Details of the new initiative are highlighted here by UConn Today.
- Former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart continues to be in the headlines, as investigators continue looking into an array of practices during her time in office. The latest is reported here by CT Mirror and here by the Hartford Courant.
- Walmart is seeking approval to expand its New Haven store by about 8,000 square feet to support growing online grocery pickup operations. Hartford Business Journal reports on the plans here.