AGP Executive Report

Veterans’ Health: Connecticut opened a Neuromodulation Center of Excellence for Veterans at UConn Health, using mild electrical pulses to improve mobility and help with conditions like stroke recovery, chronic pain, PTSD, and mobility impairment; the state and lawmakers put $2 million in the 2025 budget, with the first veterans expected later this summer. Public Safety: A Hartford judge sentenced Shawn Milner to 45 years in prison for the 2010 Hartford murder of Waqas “Victor” Rehman, after a jury found him guilty of felony murder and kidnapping. Sports & Policy: The Supreme Court upheld states’ ability to restrict girls’ sports to biological women, a ruling that has governors weighing what to do next. Economy & Consumer Costs: DOJ and 17 state AGs moved against egg price-fixing, alleging major producers manipulated pricing benchmarks; the settlement includes $3.3 million and 53 million eggs donated. Independence Day Prep: With July 4 on Saturday, guidance is circulating on what’s open Friday, July 3, including mail and bank hours.

Connecticut Workforce: Gov. Ned Lamont says CT is joining the RAISE US national AI workforce initiative, aiming to help workers and employers prepare for AI-driven job change. Local Libraries: Willington Public Library is cutting hours and closing on Mondays indefinitely after town budget reductions. Education & Training: Central Connecticut State University will host a “Scholars for Life” program on July 7 on Connecticut’s role in the American Revolution, including its “Provision State” support for the Continental Army. Legal & Courts: A Connecticut attorney told the state’s highest court he’s “extremely embarrassed” after ChatGPT allegedly made unprompted changes in briefs. Public Safety & Health: Connecticut regulators and officials are in the spotlight as Eversource and United Illuminating fight back in federal court over a 2025 energy bill provision tied to ISO-New England. Business: Liberty Bank promoted two CT employees to senior vice president roles. Procurement: West Hartford selected PlanetBids to modernize purchasing and expand vendor reach.

Trump Accounts / 250th Birthday Push: The Trump administration plans to launch “Trump Accounts” for kids born during his second term, with parents able to open investment accounts and receive $1,000 from the government; private billionaires have already pledged billions more, with funds invested in the stock market and restricted until age 18. Connecticut Courts & Energy: AG William Tong is partnering with a billionaire-backed law firm in the ExxonMobil climate-related restitution case, as states pursue major payouts over alleged fossil-fuel deception. Trans Athletes in CT: A transgender UConn fencer is rebuilding after losing her team and scholarship following the Supreme Court’s upholding of state bans on transgender girls and women in school sports. Local Housing Pressure: Norwalk added thousands of apartments, but rents still jumped sharply, with median asking rent rising from $1,589 (2015) to $2,679 (2026). Affordability Summit in Greenwich: Connecticut AG William Tong hosted a bipartisan AG summit focused on driving down costs in housing, energy, and food, including scrutiny of major companies. Egg Price-Fixing Fallout: Multistate actions are moving forward after egg producers agreed to pay $3.3M and donate tens of millions of eggs to settle price-fixing claims. CT Social Services Automation: A new report warns Connecticut’s DSS is shifting benefits work onto families through portals and automated eligibility systems, turning technical failures into compliance problems. Revolutionary War on Stage: Connecticut theaters are leaning into America’s 250th with productions of “1776,” including shows in Ivoryton and Danbury.

AI Workforce Push in CT: Connecticut is joining RAISE US, a new national nonprofit backed by major AI firms, to expand training and workforce policies so residents can benefit from the AI economy. Medicare Agent Pressure: A Medicare agent says the market is “chaotic” as insurers cut commissions on new enrollments and pull plans from areas, squeezing independent brokers. Egg Price-Fixing Fallout: DOJ and 17 states reached a $3.3M settlement with major egg producers accused of colluding to inflate prices; Connecticut is among the states set to receive eggs and money, with compliance steps required. Union Leadership Fight: The NEA will elect its next president in Denver as a candidate faces a lawsuit alleging misuse of union dues for a failed New Jersey campaign. Local Government Accountability: New Britain plans to sue former Mayor Erin Stewart over missed restitution deadlines tied to legal costs from her income-boosting scandal. Heat Safety Reminder: With extreme heat expected, officials urge residents to limit strenuous outdoor activity, hydrate, and use cooling breaks. America 250, Connecticut Angle: Hartford-area events are rolling out for July 4 as states debate how to mark the 250th anniversary.

Supreme Court, CT immigration: Connecticut officials and immigrant advocates are reacting to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision upholding birthright citizenship, rejecting President Trump’s push to restrict automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents with illegal or temporary status—while warning the fight over the rest of the administration’s immigration agenda is far from over. Antitrust, eggs: A multistate DOJ and attorney general settlement requires major egg producers to pay $3.3 million and donate 53 million eggs after allegations of coordinated price manipulation; Connecticut is among the states involved, with officials highlighting the impact on grocery costs. Transgender sports, CT impact: The Supreme Court also upheld state bans on transgender girls and women participating in school athletics, prompting questions about what changes next for Connecticut schools and families. CT tech & research: Yale-led quantum work got a boost as D-Wave secured a $1.57 million NSF grant for fault-tolerant quantum computing, with Connecticut-based operations tied to the project. Local governance: Southbury and Woodbury community updates and events continue, from a library lecture on Connecticut cryptids to town board discussions on staffing and open-space maintenance.

Supreme Court Ruling on Trans Athletes: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld state bans on transgender girls and women from school sports, rejecting claims under the 14th Amendment and Title IX and leaving Connecticut and other states to adjust policies. Birthright Citizenship Fight: The Court also upheld birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump’s effort to limit citizenship for children of noncitizen parents. Egg Price-Fixing Fallout: DOJ and 17 states reached settlements with major egg producers over alleged antitrust collusion, securing $3.3 million and 53 million eggs for food banks; Connecticut is among the participating states. CT Early Childhood Funding: Gov. Lamont directed $411.7 million in surplus money into the Connecticut Early Childhood Education Endowment, expanding services statewide. Police Accountability in New Britain: Connecticut’s Office of the Inspector General released body camera footage tied to last week’s officer-involved shooting, describing a foot chase and a suspect firing at a detective. Medicaid Work Requirements Lawsuits: 25 Democratic-led states sued the Trump administration over Medicaid work requirements, arguing the “medically frail” exemption is too narrow. Housing & Transit Politics: Lamont and challenger Josh Elliott clashed in a policy forum over housing, transportation, and taxes, with Elliott pushing major tax changes. Local Business Compliance: Southington police and state officials conducted surprise tobacco and vape retailer inspections, citing one shop for under-21 sales. Youth Sports Oversight: A bipartisan House panel examined private equity’s growing role in youth sports, focusing on access and rising costs for families.

Homelessness Funding Fight: New York AG Letitia James and a coalition of 18 states plus KY and PA won a court case blocking the Trump administration from imposing unlawful conditions on more than $3 billion in HUD Continuum of Care funding used to support families facing homelessness, including veterans and people with disabilities. Connecticut Housing: Norwalk cut the ribbon on Oak Grove Apartments, a $36 million, 69-unit affordable project with income limits of 30%–80% of area median income, rooftop solar, and a partnership set-aside for people who’ve experienced homelessness. CT Crime: The FBI charged four Venezuelan nationals in a $500,000-plus ATM “jackpotting” scheme that hit machines across Connecticut, including Milford, Branford, Madison, Darien, and Ansonia. Medicaid Work Requirements: Democratic-led states sued to stop new federal guidance that narrows “medically frail” exemptions from Medicaid work rules, arguing it could kick vulnerable people off coverage. Egg Price Collusion: CT AG William Tong announced a $3.3 million settlement with major egg producers over coordinated price manipulation, with Connecticut set to receive 1.5 million free eggs for food banks. Tech & Business: Middletown-based Charles IT earned No. 259 on the MSP 501 ranking, and a CT-linked report found a 2,000-page CSCU improvement plan was largely AI-generated.

Medicaid Fight: Connecticut is among 25 Democratic-led states suing the Trump administration to block new Medicaid work requirements, arguing the federal “medically frail” exemption is too narrow and will force vulnerable patients off coverage. Workforce & AI: Gov. Ned Lamont announced Connecticut is partnering with the new RAISE US initiative, a nonprofit backed by states, employers, and educators aiming to build training and job-transition support for the AI economy. Local Tech Education: Central Connecticut State University says its computer science students built AI and vehicle-safety projects with The Hartford, plus other aerospace and AI showcases. Immigration Pressure in West Hartford: ICE detained West Hartford restaurant owner Seyo Cecunjanin outside a Dunkin’ on Park Road; Rep. John Larson and Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined calls for his release while his residency case proceeds. Health Care Leadership: Yale New Haven Health System CEO Christopher O’Connor stepped down, with Pamela Sutton-Wallace named acting CEO. Business/Real Estate: Zillow faces another lawsuit tied to its Redfin deal, with an investor alleging the transaction was misrepresented to shareholders. Sports: UConn’s Alex Karaban is featured in NBA Draft coverage as the PGA Tour moves on after Viktor Hovland’s Travelers playoff win over Scottie Scheffler.

CT Housing & Voting Rules: More than six dozen Connecticut laws take effect July 1, including zoning changes that require towns to allow more “middle housing” near transit and limits on parking-based rejections, plus new absentee ballot rules and AI-related updates. Medicaid Costs: Connecticut Medicaid spending per enrollee rose 14% from 2023 to 2024, but the state says HUSKY is still the cheapest coverage option. Social Security Watch: July 2026 payments follow the SSA’s Wednesday schedule (July 8, 15, 22), with SSI checks on July 1; Connecticut has hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries. Gambling & Addiction: A Canton, Mass. Gamblers Anonymous meeting shows a younger wave of people seeking help for online sports betting. Sports in CT: The Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands heads to a Monday playoff after Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland finish tied. Public Safety: Tri-state officials warn about illegal fireworks ahead of the Fourth, citing serious injuries and fires. AI & Power Grid: Experts say data center growth forecasts are key to protecting the grid as AI demand surges. Business Courts: Connecticut’s Appellate Court ordered a new trial after ruling that after-repair photos were improperly used in a landlord negligence case.

Connecticut Politics: Sen. Chris Murphy dodged questions about a New York Democratic nominee’s controversial past while arguing Democrats need a “big tent” and a real contest of ideas, pointing to his push for a $25 minimum wage as a unifying issue. Connecticut Crime & Courts: A Hartford man says he wired $22,000 to a fake dealership after a “virtual vehicle vendor” scam left him with a loan and no truck. Connecticut Community & Safety: Volunteers in Windsor are funding and researching proper Revolutionary War headstones for veterans missing markers, with Lions support helping sandblast new stones. Connecticut Sports & Weather: The Travelers Championship final round was delayed at TPC River Highlands by lightning, with play set to resume later. Connecticut Housing & Costs: States are loosening building code rules to cut construction costs, but safety experts warn changes like fewer stairways could raise risk for residents. National/Global: Lockheed Martin won a $2.2B F-35 maintenance contract; the World Cup’s softer whistle approach is speeding up play, raising fitness demands.

WNBA Safety Debate: Caitlin Clark’s rise has come with a spotlight on hard hits to the face and how officials handle them, fueling broader arguments that mix sports, race, and politics. Connecticut Aviation: Avelo is expanding from Tweed-New Haven Airport with new nonstop service to Houston (starting Sept. 21) and Puerto Rico’s Aguadilla (starting Nov. 19), adding more options for southern Connecticut travelers. Local July 4 Culture: Hartford Bonanza returns to Bushnell Park with music, food, and fireworks, adding a special 250th-anniversary procession tied to the Declaration of Independence. Connecticut Environment: DEEP christened the new Long Island Sound research vessel, Sound Outlook, as officials point to decades of water-quality gains while still pressing for sewer upgrades in Old Lyme. Public Safety & Housing Costs: States are loosening building code rules to cut construction costs, but safety experts warn changes like fewer stairways could raise risk for residents. Travelers Championship (CT): Viktor Hovland surged past Scottie Scheffler into the final round at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell. CT Politics/Policy: Connecticut schools are doubling down on early reading detection as parents push for more help with special education. EPA Brownfields: EPA funding will revitalize three historic Connecticut sites, including the Earl M. Witt School, the Collinsville Axe Factory, and the former Porter & Chester Institute Trade School. Crime/Community: A family fundraiser is underway to send victims of a deadly West Haven shooting back to Jamaica.

Connecticut Education: Connecticut schools are leaning harder into early detection and science-of-reading screening to lift reading scores, with districts expanding tools and training after the state’s Right to Read push. Maternal Health: A new national study ranks Connecticut among the top states for having a baby, citing strong maternal and infant support measures alongside access and affordability factors. Workforce & Child Care: North Carolina’s child care crisis is worsening, driven by staffing shortages and low wages—an issue Connecticut families will recognize as early-care access strains ripple across the region. AI Workforce: A $500 million initiative called RAISE US is launching with major AI backers to retrain workers for the AI economy, and Connecticut is one of the pilot states. Long Island Sound: Connecticut DEEP christened a new Long Island Sound research vessel, touting water-quality gains while spotlighting ongoing sewer uncertainty in Old Lyme. Sports (CT): At the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Viktor Hovland surged to take a one-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler heading into the final round. National Politics: A pro-Trump mob occupied parts of Congress during certification proceedings, escalating chaos and violence in the Capitol.

Connecticut Cannabis Reinvestment: Connecticut’s Social Equity Council is set to distribute tens of millions from cannabis proceeds to neighborhoods hit hardest by the War on Drugs, with Norwalk ACTS among groups expecting major help through the Reimagine & Revitalize Program. State Environment: DEEP christened the new research vessel Sound Outlook to monitor Long Island Sound water quality, aiming to spot problems early like rising nitrogen that can trigger low-oxygen conditions and beach closures. Politics & Labor: The Connecticut AFL-CIO endorsed Gov. Ned Lamont and other Democratic candidates ahead of the Aug. 11 primary, backing Lamont over challenger Josh Elliott. AI Workforce Push: Raise US—backed by OpenAI, Microsoft, Amazon and Anthropic—will pilot workforce programs including wage insurance and short-time compensation in Connecticut. Public Health Guidance: CDC updated mask guidance, shifting focus to hospital risk levels and easing mask recommendations in many areas while keeping rules for high-risk settings and public transit.

Cannabis Social Equity Funding: Connecticut’s Social Equity Council is set to distribute tens of millions from cannabis proceeds to neighborhoods hit hardest by the War on Drugs, with Norwalk ACTS among groups eligible for up to $300,000 over three years for re-entry, mentoring, and community infrastructure. Kids Online Safety Fight: CT’s Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Sen. Maria Cantwell are urging House lawmakers to stop a House version of KOSA/KIDS, warning it could be “sham” legislation that Big Tech will lobby to weaken. Water Quality Monitoring: DEEP is launching a new research vessel, the RV Sound Outlook, to track Long Island Sound conditions like nitrogen and dissolved oxygen to catch problems early and reduce beach-closure surprises. CT Politics—Labor Endorsement: The AFL-CIO endorsed Gov. Ned Lamont over Josh Elliott, while the union declined to weigh in on the 1st District congressional primary. Immigration Update: Connecticut Haitian and Syrian residents are reacting to a Supreme Court decision ending TPS protections, scrambling for next steps as deportations move forward.

Retirement Worries: A new CareScout report says Americans at 65 face an average $109,000 retirement shortfall, and retirees are likely to outlive savings in 41 states—especially high-cost places like New York, California, Alaska, and Massachusetts. CT Education & Special Ed: Parents in Seymour Public Schools filed a state complaint after a special education student was restrained and secluded 53 times in seven months; the district must provide staff training. Workforce & AI: RAISE US, backed by major employers and led by Gina Raimondo and Eric Holcomb, launches with $500M+ to help workers transition as AI reshapes jobs, with early pilots including Connecticut. Minimum Wage Push in CT: Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal introduced a plan to more than triple the federal minimum wage to $25 an hour over time, phasing out tipped wages. Safe Harbor Fund: Connecticut’s new Safe Harbor Fund opens July 1 to help patients who travel to the state for abortions, removing financial barriers. Gun Law Fallout: Hawaii’s AG will review a Supreme Court decision striking down parts of its gun-carry restrictions, while Connecticut lawmakers continue to debate gun violence prevention. Local Growth: Bridgeport’s Steelpointe Harbor gets a new Residence Inn by Marriott as construction begins.

Bridge Project Update (Guilford): CTDOT will hold a virtual public information meeting on July 9 at 7 p.m. about replacing Bridge No. 04861 carrying Twin Bridge Road over Iron Stream. The meeting will be on Zoom with a Q&A right after; it’s recorded and comments are accepted via portal.ct.gov/DOTGuilford0059-0170. CTDOT says the roughly $5 million job is expected to start in spring 2029, with no right-of-way impacts anticipated. Housing Grants (Mansfield & Coventry): The state awarded $10.7 million in CDBG Small Cities grants to modernize housing and fund infrastructure upgrades. Mansfield gets $2.2 million for window, roof, and paving work at Wright’s Village public housing; Coventry and other towns also receive funding. Housing Grants (New Britain & Berlin): New Britain’s Housing Authority received $2.67 million to remediate and redevelop the Mount Pleasant public housing site into mixed-income housing; Berlin will renovate a former Knights of Columbus building into 70 affordable homes for residents 62+ with state and tax-credit support. Rent Board Legal Win (Middletown): Connecticut’s Supreme Court allowed the Middletown Fair Rent Commission to intervene in a landlord-tenant eviction case, saying the local board has a statutory interest in enforcing its orders. Consumer Protection (CT): Starting July 1, Connecticut’s “all-in” pricing law requires restaurants and hotels (and other businesses) to show mandatory fees up front, aiming to cut down on surprise charges. Workforce & AI (RAISE US): Former Gov. Gina Raimondo and Eric Holcomb launched RAISE US with $500M+ to help states and employers retrain workers for an AI-driven economy, including partnerships in Connecticut. Safe Harbor Fund (CT): Connecticut Treasurer Erick Russell announced the Safe Harbor Fund received a $25,000 private donation and will open grant applications July 1 to help out-of-state patients travel for legal reproductive or gender-affirming care.