Lamont Receives Praise from Educators For Vaccination Plan
Educators were spared when Gov. Ned Lamont flipped the script on his COVID-19 vaccination plan this week and it was with educators that he appeared Thursday to highlight the city’s teacher vaccination plan. Read more
Disability Rights Files Complaint Over Vaccine Schedule
Disability Rights of Connecticut filed a complaint with the U.S. Office of Civil Rights Thursday challenging Gov. Ned Lamont’s decision not to put people with underlying medical conditions first in line for the vaccine. Read more
$1.9 Billion Has Gone to 22,000 CT Businesses in Second Round of PPP
Connecticut employers have received $1.9 billion from the Paycheck Protection Program so far this year, but will it be enough to keep their doors open? Watch Christine's report on NBC Connecticut.
COVID-19 Briefing: Feb. 25
The governor announced another 975 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 out of 46,017 tested, bringing the total number of cases to 279,159. The statewide positivity rate was 2.12%. Another 19 deaths from coronavirus-associated causes were reported, bringing the total to 7,614. The number of patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 decreased by 10, bringing the total to 485.
Hospitals' 'Team Effort' Reduces Number Penalized For High Infection Rates, Injuries
Six Connecticut hospitals will lose 1% of their Medicare reimbursements this fiscal year under a federal program that levies penalties for high rates of hospital-acquired injuries and infections. C-HIT has details
Attorney General Tong Investigating Connecticut Port Authority
Attorney General William Tong confirmed that his office is investigating issues raised by the state auditors' reports and possible ethics violations. Yankee Institute has more
State Opposes Ending Utility Shutoffs Ban
Gov. Ned Lamont, the Office of Consumer Counsel, and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection are urging regulators not to allow electric and natural gas utilities to resume disconnecting customers for lack of payment, a practice temporarily prohibited last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. JI has it
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. Agenda Watch
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE will hear Transportation State Agency Budget presentations at 10 a.m. Watch
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE will meet to JF bills at 10 a.m. Agenda Watch
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE will hold a public hearing at 10 a.m. Agenda Watch
U.S. SEN. BLUMENTHAL, AG TONG will hold a news conference on the South side of the Capitol at 12:30 to announce steps to combat COVID-19 fraud and scams at the federal and state level
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE will hear Judicial and Corrections State Agency Budget presentations at 1 p.m. Watch
PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE will hold a CVH Whiting Task Force meeting at 1:30 p.m. Watch
YOUTH WORK GROUP of the Public Awareness Subcommittee of the PTATF will meet at 1:30 p.m. via Zoom
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE will hold a public hearing on the Governor's Proposed FY 2022-2023 Budget for Transportation, Judicial & Corrections & Legislative Agencies at 6:30 p.m. Watch
OFF SITE
U.S. SEN. BLUMENTHAL will participate in the following:
- 11 a.m. - Visit Grace Baptist Church at 65 Kingsbury Street in Waterbury to highlight efforts of the pop-up clinic to vaccinate communities of color
- 2:30 p.m. - Lead a webinar to help small business owners navigate the application process for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP, which have been reopened for six weeks. Media RSVP
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
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 tomorrow, Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Register
PODCASTS
 What High-Speed Rail Could Bring To New England
This week on NEXT, we hear more about a proposal for high-speed rail across New England that Congress may consider soon. LISTEN
CREAM & SUGAR
Opinion, Analysis and Other News
 Analysis: After Weeks of Decline, Connecticut’s COVID-19 Numbers Creep Upward
Susan Bigelow writes that after nearly a year of anxiously watching numbers, it’s hard not to twitch a little when they rise slightly for the first time in weeks
A Mister No More. Maybe. Mr. Potato Head Goes Gender Neutral
Hasbro wants to do something with its iconic toy, but isn't sure what, leaving a mashed message in its wake
This week's op-eds:
 Opinion: Unlike the Deniers, Teachers Trust the Science of Vaccines
Barth Keck points out a stark difference between teachers who want to be vaccinated and those testifying against vaccination at the Capitol.
 Opinion: Women Deserve Accurate Information to Make Their Choice
State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest provides her take on SB 835, An Act Concerning Deceptive Advertising Practices of Limited Services Pregnancy Centers
 Opinion: Vaccinate Teachers Now
CEA President Jeff Leake opines that if we prioritize school reopening, we must prioritize vaccination of teachers.
 Opinion: Lessons from Texas
The misery and disaster felt in Texas leave plenty of lessons for the rest of the country, even wintry New England, to learn, writes Susan Bigelow
 Opinion: Real Conversation Would Beget Lower Health Care Costs
Ellen Andrews explains how an actual conversation can achieve some agreement in discussions of health care policy
GOVERNOR & LT. GOVERNOR'S DAY
The governor did not release a public schedule in advance.
Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz will participate in the following events:
- 10 a.m. - Hold a virtual press conference on workforce development initiatives outlined in Governor Lamont’s budget proposal Media RSVP
- 1 p.m. - Hold virtual roundtable discussion with Black female nonprofit and educational leaders who will share their experiences as industry leaders, how they were able to rise through the ranks and overcome barriers in the workplace Registration
PUBLIC POLICY JOBS
SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTENT
CREATION ASSOCIATE:
The Narrative Project, Connecticut’s only anti-racist & social justice communications firm, is seeking a full-time associate who will be responsible for developing and producing social and digital-first creative content for The Narrative Project and the organizations we serve. FOR MORE INFO AND TO APPLY
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR TO THE SECRETARY: The Connecticut Office of Policy and Management is seeking an Information Technology Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of OPM, serving as one of the State’s lead Information Technology experts, advising the Secretary and working on the Secretary’s and Administration’s behalf on policy matters. FOR MORE INFO AND TO APPLY
SENIOR DATA ANALYST: TSNE MissionWorks is seeking a candidate with outstanding quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, familiarity with public finance and education policy, the ability to make complex information easily digestible to broad audiences, and proficiency in supporting analytical tools. FOR MORE INFO AND TO APPLY
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER ADVOCATE: BHcare is seeking a candidate To create an environment that supports individual safety and breaks the cycle of domestic violence by providing services that include crisis intervention/safety planning, prevention programs, and public policy advocacy. FOR MORE INFO AND TO APPLY
RESEARCH ANALYST: The Connecticut Department of Social Services is is recruiting for two (2) Research Analysts, in our Business Intelligence and Analytics Division. FOR MORE INFO AND TO APPLY
SENIOR PLANNING ANALYST – GRANT WRITER: The Community Renewal Team is seeking a senior staffer to research and analyze grant opportunities and make recommendations on their feasibility. This individual will be responsible for the planning, design and development of programs, and preparation of grant/program applications including: writing, budgeting and contract management in collaboration with appropriate agency staff, volunteers and other partners. FOR MORE INFO AND TO APPLY
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SHOUT OUTS
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THANK YOU TO OUR PRESS PATRONS
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