State Confirms First Case of 'South African Variant' in Connecticut
A Connecticut resident has tested positive for the highly-infectious COVID-19 strain often called the “South African variant,” public health officials announced in a Monday press release marking the first known case in the state. Read more
Digital Legislative Hearings Require More Stamina, Patience
Lawmakers are expecting so much testimony on legislation requiring the vaccination of school children that they expect to cap the length of a public hearing that’s been forced online due to a global pandemic to 24 hours. Read more
Protecting Assets of Older Residents and Spouses Requires Legislative Action, Elder Law Attorneys Tell Lawmakers
CTByTheNumbers has more
COVID-19 Briefing: Feb. 15
The governor announced since Friday another 2,905 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 out of 97,516 tested, bringing the total number of cases to 270,242. The statewide positivity rate was 2.98%. Another 66 deaths from coronavirus-associated causes were reported, bringing the total to 7,447. The number of patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 decreased by 56, bringing the total to 618.
If Commuters Are No Longer Commuting Across State Lines, Who Collects Their Taxes?
14 states including Connecticut filed in support of New Hampshire's case before the U.S. Supreme Court. CT Examiner has more
Registries Of Disabled People Debated In Police Reform Talks
The AP reports on the proposal to expand on voluntary registry programs used by several police departments. Rep-American has more
LOB ACTIVITIES, MEETINGS & EVENTS
TODAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL
The State Capitol Complex is currently closed until further notice.
PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE will hold a Public Hearing at 9 a.m. in Room 2A and Zoom Agenda Watch
GENERAL LAW COMMITTEE will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 1C and Zoom Agenda Watch
HIGHER ED COMMITTEE will meet at 10 a.m. in Room 1D and Zoom Agenda Watch
HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE will meet at 10 a.m. followed by a Public Hearing at noon in Room 1A and Zoom Watch
APPROPS COMMITTEE will meet to Consider Proposed Bills and to Raise Concepts at 10 a.m. in Room 2C and Zoom Agenda Watch
DMHAS: Alcohol & Drug Policy Council will meet at 10 a.m. via Teams
FINANCE COMMITTEE will hold a Public Hearing at 11 a.m. in Room 2E and Zoom Agenda Watch
VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE will meet at 11 a.m. in Room 1B and Zoom Agenda Watch
COMMERCE COMMITTEE will meet at 11:30 a.m. followed by a Public Hearing at noon in Room 1E and Zoom Watch
CONTINUING LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON State Planning and Development will hold a Public Hearing at noon in Room 1B and Zoom Agenda Watch
COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN will meet at 1 p.m. in LOB Room 2B and Zoom Agenda Watch
AGING COMMITTEE will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 1C and Zoom Agenda Watch
U.S. SEN. BLUMENTHAL will hold a media availability discuss the ongoing rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine and call for swift passage of the American Rescue Plan at 1:30 p.m. on the south side of the Capitol
YOUTH UNDER 18 YOA Listening Session of the Youth Work Group of the Public Awareness Subcommittee of the Police Transparency & Accountability Task Force will meet at 4 p.m. via Zoom
OFF SITE
REP. SCANLON will hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom regarding the double taxation of Connecticut commuters by New York and Massachusetts. Click here to join the meeting.
U.S. SEN. BLUMENTHAL will participate in the following:
- 10 a.m. - Meet with owners of New Haven bakery to hear more about the unique challenges they’ve faced as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic at Pan Del Cielo 2, 523 Ferry Street, New Haven
- 12 p.m. - Hold a virtual roundtable with leaders from state and municipal government, restaurants, and hunger group to discuss potential opportunities to support the growing food insecurity crisis by providing federally funded meals through partnerships with local restaurants
- 3 p.m. - Join Connecticut Procurement and Technical Assistance Center (CT PTAC), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and SBA Connecticut for a webinar to help businesses understand the application process for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
U.S. SEN. MURPHY will host two roundtable discussions:
- 1 p.m. - Roundtable discussion with local health providers, community leaders, and elected officials on what Connecticut is doing to distribute vaccines equitably in communities of color at Wilson-Gray YMCA Youth and Family Center, 444 Albany Ave., Hartford
- 2:30 p.m. - Hold a roundtable with local leaders to discuss the need for federally funded youth summer enrichment programs at Middletown Municipal Building, 245 DeKoven Drive., Middletown
THE WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. JOSEPH will hold a virtual panel discussion, "Negotiation Skills for Women in the Workplace" from 7 p.m - 8 p.m. Register
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
FairPLAN is hosting a forum at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17 about the potential changes to the state's zoning regulations. To RSVP
REPRESENTATION MATTERS: ARE YOU READY TO RUN FOR LOCAL OFFICE?: CCM's free training for communities of color to learn the fundamentals to run for office or serve on a board or commission will take place in two sessions the second session is on Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Register
CREAM & SUGAR
Opinion, Analysis and Other News
 Opinion: Lamont Transportation Plan Dwindles from Revolutionary to an Afterthought
If you for some reason wanted an indication of whether Ned Lamont was going to run for another term, the budget he released last Wednesday should satisfy you. Columnist Susan Bigelow has more
 Opinion: Our Public Health Demands the Elimination of Non-Medical Exemptions
By protecting our communities from the spread of infectious disease, we are helping to ensure the health and safety of all of Connecticut's residents. Read more from the co-chairs of the General Assembly's Public Health Committee
GOVERNOR & LT. GOVERNOR'S DAY
The governor did not release a public schedule in advance.
Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz did not release a public schedule in advance.
SHOUT OUTS
Happy birthday wishes to Evelyn Mantilla and Kate Farrish!
Don't forget to email ctnewsjunkie@gmail.com if you have a shout out for a friend or colleague.
THANK YOU TO OUR PRESS PATRONS
And here's a shoutout to all of you Press Patrons who support public service journalism. We asked our members to consider writing a short message about why they became subscribers. We were overwhelmed by the kindness you all expressed. THANK YOU ALL! We are eternally grateful.
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