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
- At CRN, we are very sensitive to the rising costs and limited options that many retailers face regarding health care.
- That’s why we have been trying for many years to convince the Connecticut General Assembly to pass Association Health Plan legislation that would allow organizations like CRN to form group health plans, just like big companies and big unions can do.
- Unfortunately, the legislature has not heeded our request. But that is not stopping us from trying to develop a plan to help all sizes and types of retailers with health insurance.
- We are going to try and develop our own group captive insurance offering. We believe this approach will give us the ability to offer health plans that are more affordable for members.
- We are now beginning that process – and need your help!
Please complete the CRN health insurance survey
- The first step in this process of developing a plan is for us to gather some critical information. This is where we need your help.
- Please take our health insurance survey, which will help us get the information we need so that we can take the next step in this important process.
- You can take the survey by going here.
- To give you a little more push to take our survey, the first 15 members who take the survey will get a free ticket to our upcoming Big Fall event this October.
- Thank you so much for helping us with this project. We believe it has great potential.
News and notes from the State Capitol
- Prior to the close of the legislative session in May, Senate President Martin Looney (D- New Haven) announced that he would not be seeking re-election for his State Senate seat.
- Looney’s announcement will bring an end to the career of one of the longest-serving legislators in Connecticut history. And on Wednesday of this week, his colleagues in both the Senate and the House, along with former governors and legislative colleagues, came together to honor the Senator for his long service.
- Chris Keating of the Hartford Courant takes a look at the day, which was an invite-only event held in the State Senate Chamber. That news story can be seen here.
- One of the few points of leverage that the minority party has in the legislature is the ability to slow down legislation by simply talking and talking and talking.
- The CT Mirror takes a look at which State Senator spoke the most this past session. You can go here to read that story.
- Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff is calling for 100% tax on any money collected by folks under the Trump Administration’s proposed “Weaponization” Fund. The CTNewsJunkie has that story here.
- Last week, we told you about an upset in a Glastonbury House District, when moderate incumbent Democrat Jill Barry did not get the party nomination. Mark Pazniokas of CT Mirror has more on what took place behind the scenes in that race.
- You can go here to read more about that.
CRN Golf Outing update
- Our 2026 CRN Golf Outing is just a month away – on Tuesday, June 30. We’ll be returning this year to the Farms Country Club in Wallingford. 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 many 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. 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 the date on your 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
- Local employers are invited to host young adults looking to gain first-hand experience in the workforce this summer. With over 3,000 applications already, Capital Workforce Partners (CWP) is currently accepting applications for its Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program (SYELP) from both young adults and employers. CTNewsJunkie has the details here.
- The Connecticut Science Center and Hartford health insurer Aetna have launched a multiyear partnership focused on expanding STEM education and workforce development programs across Connecticut. Hartford Business Journal has details here.
- In recent days — following the high-profile departures of top leaders at Connecticut State Colleges and Universities — faculty groups have cast multiple votes of ‘no confidence’ in the system’s administration and its Board of Regents. The latest developments reported here by CT Mirror and here by the Hartford Courant.
- Eversource and United Illuminating agreed to drop a lawsuit against Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority on Wednesday, likely ending a legal battle that saw the departure of the state’s top utilities regulator. Details reported by CT Mirror here.
- Multinational giant Unilever announced a $270 million global innovation center to house the company’s research and development for its personal care, beauty, and wellbeing businesses in the U.S. and globally. The new center is expected to open at 2 College Street in New Haven in 2029. Details reported by CTNewsJunkie here.
- Santander’s proposed acquisition of Webster cleared a major hurdle with overwhelming shareholder approval. Details reported by Hartford Business Journal here.
- Three members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation have jointly announced the awarding of a $30.8 million Pentagon contract for Pratt & Whitney to produce F135 jet engines at its plant in Cromwell. Fairfield County Business Journal has the details here.