AGP Executive Report

Student Loans Fight: Connecticut’s AG is among a coalition suing the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule that narrows “professional degree” definitions and could cut off federal aid for many advanced programs. Credit Ratings Pressure: State Treasurer Erick Russell joined other fiscal officers warning that political pressure on rating agencies could raise borrowing costs for states. Social Security Shock: A new analysis says Social Security could trigger an automatic 24% benefit cut in 2032, with Connecticut retirees facing about a $556 monthly drop. SNAP Relief: Gov. Lamont is sending $300 grocery gift cards to about 25,000 residents who lost federal nutrition assistance. Charity Probe: Connecticut opened an investigation into former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart’s handling of charitable assets tied to the Mayor’s Trophy Charitable Fund. Fraud & Scams: Wilton police made a second arrest in a $333K check fraud tied to the police headquarters project, and the BBB warned of a Hartford-address employment scam targeting job seekers nationwide. Campus Hate Crime: A Connecticut man faces hate-crime charges after allegedly raising a swastika flag at NYU. AI in CT: Connecticut signed a sweeping AI law adding new transparency and responsibility requirements for developers and employers. Offshore Wind Lawsuit: Seven Northeastern states, including Connecticut, sued the Trump administration over a deal to cancel offshore wind leases.

Federal Courts/Justice: Acting AG Todd Blanche says the Trump administration is scrapping a $1.8B “compensation” fund for allies after a judge paused it and lawmakers blasted it over oversight and Jan. 6 payout concerns. Connecticut Health: Lamont’s administration is sending letters to 97,000 residents this week to erase qualifying medical debt, cutting nearly $315M more, with no application needed. Workplace Tech: Connecticut’s new AI transparency rules for employers take effect for hiring and other employment decisions starting Oct. 1, 2026, under the state’s Online Safety Act. Offshore Wind: Connecticut joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s deal to end offshore wind leases tied to TotalEnergies, arguing it’s illegal and threatens jobs and clean-energy goals. Public Health: CDC wastewater surveillance funding is slated for a major cut, raising alarms as a new COVID “cicada” variant spreads. Schools/Phones: More states are moving toward cellphone bans in classrooms, but new research questions whether the bans deliver the promised benefits. Nursing Homes (CT): CMS ratings updates show a mix of 3-star and 2-star facilities across multiple counties, with some reporting fines while others had spotless records.

Homeland Security Showdown: Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy pressed DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin on whether the agency will follow court orders, but Mullin refused to commit—sparking a tense hearing over alleged noncompliance with nearly 100 rulings. Offshore Wind Fight: New York AG Letitia James led a lawsuit with Connecticut and other states challenging a Trump administration deal that would pay TotalEnergies about $1 billion to cancel offshore wind leases and shift investment to fossil fuels. Veterans Health Trial: The VA is launching an MDMA-assisted therapy clinical trial for veterans with PTSD and alcohol addiction, enrolling 80 and drawing attention to the push to fast-track psychedelic treatments. CT Politics & Ballot Access: A Democratic panel upheld the nominating convention results in Connecticut’s 3rd District, rejecting challenger Andrew Rice’s bid to get on the primary ballot. Local Business: Tavello Pizza is coming to Bristol’s North Main Street, promising wood-fired Neapolitan-style pies and a new downtown draw. Crime Linked to Crypto: A Connecticut carjacking case tied back to California’s “crypto Godfather,” Adam Iza, who pleaded guilty to orchestrating an attempted abduction tied to a major Bitcoin theft.

Universal Childcare Push: Gov. Ned Lamont kicked off Pride Month by touting a signed budget that adds $300 million to Connecticut’s Early Childhood Education Endowment, aiming to expand day care slots, boost teacher pay, and lower costs for working parents. Cybersecurity Warning: Connecticut’s Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas warned businesses about a spoofing email scam using a fake Team OpenSign link to trick recipients into signing undisclosed documents. Gun-Trafficking Fallout, CT Angle: A California man dubbed the “Crypto Godfather” pleaded guilty in federal court tied to a Bitcoin theft scheme that led to a violent Danbury kidnapping in 2024. Public Safety Tech: Northwell Health’s firearm safety screening tool is being integrated into Epic electronic health records and rolled out nationwide for standardized gun-violence prevention screening. Road Rage Ranking: ConsumerAffairs research places Connecticut 13th for road rage frequency, citing AAA Foundation findings that aggressive driving can spread from driver to driver. Local Education Dollars: The Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation awarded more than $201,000 in scholarships to 107 students in Windham County. Infrastructure Meetings: CTDOT set public meetings for Route 6 signal upgrades in Bristol and bridge replacements over I-91 in Wallingford.

AI Legal Push: Florida and other states are suing major AI companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Gemini developers, arguing public-safety risks, consumer-protection violations, and mishandled data—setting up a new wave of state-by-state rules. CT Housing & Infrastructure: Connecticut’s State Bond Commission approved about $652M in statewide spending, including housing and projects tied to the Connecticut Municipal Development Authority’s push to loosen zoning and speed up transit-oriented development. Unilever in New Haven: Unilever plans a $270M global innovation center in downtown New Haven at 2 Church St., adding major R&D space and tying into the city’s growing bioscience cluster. Workplace Safety Staffing: A new look at safety manager ratios shows Connecticut among the lowest in the U.S., while other states land in the middle or bottom ranges—highlighting staffing pressure as OSHA rules expand. Medical Debt in CT: Connecticut residents describe being sued over unpaid medical bills as confusing and frightening, with advocates pointing to gaps in how patients navigate denials and appeals. SNAP Hunger Crunch: Connecticut SNAP enrollment dropped about 10% since federal rule changes took effect, worsening a hunger crisis lawmakers say needs faster relief. LGBTQ+ Climate: Tennessee ranks near the bottom for LGBTQ+ inclusion, with the report citing a surge in anti-LGBTQ+ bills—another reminder of how policy drives economic risk. Pride Center Saved: New Haven’s Pride Center says it avoided permanent closure after a fundraising push, following a difficult financial year.

Maine Senate Shake-Up: Graham Platner’s Democratic bid for Susan Collins’ seat is roiled by fresh reporting about sexually explicit texts with multiple women; his wife Amy Gertner called the coverage “shameful,” while Sen. Cory Booker said he has “concerns” and that campaigns are for answering questions. Connecticut Health Care Fallout: A Connecticut Mirror/KFF Health News report spotlights patients sued over medical bills after hospitals disputed costs they say insurers quoted—leaving people facing baffling charges and court fights. State Workplace Policy: Hartford Business Journal columnist Greg Bordonaro urges Gov. Ned Lamont to push harder to bring state employees back in office, arguing remote-work rules were left largely unchanged in recent union negotiations. Public Safety & Community: Connecticut officials reminded cottage food makers and shoppers about licensing, labeling, and food safety as farmers markets ramp up. Local Infrastructure: East Hartford’s Rentschler Field received $9 million from the State Bond Commission for field, scoreboard, LED lighting, and repairs. Norwalk Science Hub: A new research and education station at Manresa Wilds will turn a former power plant site into a coastal science lab with partners including Woods Hole and Norwalk schools.

Connecticut Politics & Governance: Sen. Chris Murphy appeared on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” arguing President Trump is blocking bipartisan Ukraine support and pointing to unused funds Congress set aside for the war effort. Online Safety & Consumer Tech: Connecticut’s attorney general is drawing scrutiny toward Roblox, with company officials responding to questions about safeguards and user protections. State Budget Pressure: A new report highlights how Medicaid work requirements are stressing GOP-led states’ budgets, forcing cuts to other services—an issue Connecticut policymakers are watching as costs rise. Local Business: New Haven’s Hanmi Foods is drawing crowds with made-from-scratch Korean grab-and-go dishes, including kimchi, bibimbap and kimbap. Food Safety: Connecticut officials are reminding residents and cottage food makers to follow licensing, labeling and food safety rules as farmers markets ramp up. Health Care Costs: A Connecticut-focused investigation describes patients being hit with unexpectedly high medical bills and lawsuits after surgeries, underscoring billing disputes in the state. Workplace & AI Rules: Connecticut’s omnibus workplace law is changing employer obligations around pay, accommodations and AI compliance for 2026/27.

WNBA Spotlight (CT): The Connecticut Sun host the surging Los Angeles Sparks, with LA riding a 3-game win streak and scoring freely even as Kelsey Plum sits out again; the betting focus is on a high-scoring matchup despite the Sun’s struggles. Public Health: De Dio’s Ice Pops II LLC recalled 3.7 oz ice pop packs after undeclared ingredients raised the risk of serious allergic reactions. Energy & Policy: Connecticut lawmakers approved extending plug-in solar incentives through 2035, with batteries emerging as the big winners; separately, the Trump administration is pushing offshore wind inspection fees that critics say could further choke the industry. Local News (CT): Norwalk’s Luca’s Beach Kitchen opened at Calf Pasture Beach, replacing Ripka’s Cafe; in Clinton, a fire at Beach Donut displaced residents while crews investigate. Housing & Finance (CT): VA home purchase loans fell in Q1, and the state bond commission approved major investments tied to childcare, housing, education, tech, public safety, and infrastructure. Business & Tech: Unilever plans a $270M New Haven research center, while Walmart rolls out digital shelf tags for overnight dynamic pricing.

Connecticut Budget & Housing Push: Gov. Ned Lamont and the State Bond Commission approved major investments, including $16.5M for childcare capital upgrades and a new One Entry Portal to streamline child care access, plus broader funding for education, housing, technology, public safety, and infrastructure. Bond Commission Boost for Local Projects: The commission also backed about $652.7M for housing, transportation, redevelopment, and school construction needs through the Connecticut Municipal Development Authority, aimed at helping towns rezone for more housing. Eversource Rate Fight: State leaders are pushing back hard on Eversource’s proposed electric rate hikes—up to about $25 a month—arguing the increases will worsen affordability for families and small businesses. Local Housing Compliance: Old Lyme’s zoning commission is moving to update rules to meet a new state housing mandate that limits local review and requires towns to allow certain small multifamily or mixed-use projects. Job-Scam Warning: CT Attorney General William Tong urged job seekers to watch for recruiter scams on sites like Indeed and LinkedIn that aim to steal money and personal data. Gun Law Update: Connecticut joined other states in signing laws targeting Glock-style firearms with cruciform trigger bars, setting up fresh legal challenges. Federal Court Block: A federal judge temporarily halted Trump’s $1.8B “anti-weaponization” fund, delaying disbursements while lawsuits proceed.

Connecticut Energy Costs: State leaders are pushing back hard after Eversource proposed electric rate hikes of up to $25 a month, with lawmakers warning the average 13% increase could hit families harder if storm costs are approved. Courtroom Fallout in New Haven: A jury awarded Stefon Morant $38 million after finding he was wrongfully convicted of two murders, and the city says it has no insurance to cover the verdict. Federal Legal Fight: A judge temporarily blocked the Trump DOJ from moving forward with a nearly $1.8B “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” pausing transfers, claims review, and payouts while the case proceeds. State Higher Ed Oversight: Connecticut State Colleges and Universities general counsel Karen Buffkin was placed on administrative leave amid a third-party review tied to the system’s former interim chancellor. Scam Warning: Attorney General William Tong urged job seekers to watch for recruiter impersonation scams that ask for money or sensitive information before hiring. Privacy: Gov. Ned Lamont signed a law banning the sale of precise geolocation data and adding limits on surveillance pricing and facial recognition. Business/Expansion: Sprouts says it plans 30–40 new stores across southern New England, with Connecticut and Rhode Island sites reportedly approved but not yet disclosed.

Connecticut Politics & Courts: A CT Senate proposal would impose a 100% state tax on any payouts from Trump’s “Anti-Weaponization Fund” tied to Jan. 6 cases, with Sen. Bob Duff saying no one in Connecticut should profit from the Capitol riot. Healthcare & Consumer Costs: CT Mirror reports doctors and other non-hospital providers are suing patients more often than hospitals for medical bills, raising fears of garnished wages, liens, and added debt. Business & Jobs: Unilever announced a $270 million Global Innovation Center in downtown New Haven, aiming to open in 2029 and add at least 300 jobs, while also shifting R&D from Trumbull. Public Safety: Fairfield’s speed safety cameras moved from a warning period into citations, with police citing a 33% drop in speeding violations during the notice phase. Housing & Local Economy: Routine Properties acquired Bristol Business Park (383 Middle St.) and plans upgrades plus a leasing push for industrial and logistics tenants. Sports Betting Regulation: The CFTC moved to block Rhode Island from applying state gambling rules to CFTC-registered prediction markets, escalating a broader legal fight that also includes Connecticut. International: U.S. lawmakers urged sending more air-defense missiles to Ukraine as Russia escalates strikes.

Cybersecurity in Health Care: Connecticut’s “Husky” Medicaid portal was targeted in a hack attempt that tried to reroute hospital reimbursements to cybercriminals, affecting about 22,500 people; Hartford HealthCare says it spotted unusual activity tied to compromised employee credentials. State Health Policy: Gov. Lamont signed major changes to Connecticut’s certificate of need (CON) process, shifting oversight to a new CON Panel and setting new compliance timelines starting in 2026–2027. Affordable Housing: Connecticut Housing Finance Authority awarded $11M+ in federal tax credits for projects across the state, supporting nearly 500 apartments with about 90% reserved as affordable. Jobs & Innovation: Unilever will move its Trumbull operations to a new Global Innovation Center in New Haven, investing $270M and bringing about 300 jobs, with a state forgivable loan tied to job retention. Energy Reliability: New research says power outages in the U.S. are lasting longer—especially after extreme weather—raising stakes for Connecticut residents heading into summer. Business & Growth: Photronics reported fiscal Q2 net income of $31.4M and outlined expectations for the next quarter.

Connecticut Politics & Courts: The CT Supreme Court reversed wins for Wilmington Savings in a foreclosure fight over a lost $751,000 mortgage note, saying mortgage-servicer affidavits were deficient and contradictory. Local Housing & Development: West Haven’s old Debonair Motel site is moving forward with a scaled-down plan for 23 housing units after revised approvals. State Government & Privacy: Connecticut is finally rolling out Mobile ID for driver’s licenses in Apple Wallet after a five-year wait, with DMV saying data stays secure even as civil liberties groups raise privacy concerns. Consumer Protection: The state Department of Consumer Protection is reminding shoppers and cottage-food sellers about food safety rules ahead of farmers market season. Cybersecurity: Beacon Mutual’s cyber-attack exposed data tied to current and former state employees, with Rhode Island reporting the breach involved about 132,000 people. Sports Betting Regulation: A bipartisan group of state attorneys general, led by Ohio AG Dave Yost, urged federal regulators to keep sports-related prediction markets under state jurisdiction.

Connecticut Privacy: Gov. Ned Lamont signed a new privacy law that bans the sale of precise geolocation data and lets residents delete data from registered brokers with a single request, taking effect Oct. 1, 2026. Gun Policy: Lamont also signed Connecticut’s Glock pistol ban into law, making the state the third to prohibit future sales of the popular handgun model. Higher Education Leadership: Natalie Braswell was named interim chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system for about a year while a national search begins. Housing Push: A new CT coalition, the Housing for All Network, is launching to build local, grassroots support for pro-housing policies across suburbs and rural areas. State Budget/Financing: Connecticut’s Bond Commission will consider about $2.4B in financing, with major focus on housing, transportation, and redevelopment. Consumer Watch: AAA reports gas prices are high heading into summer travel, with Connecticut among the higher-cost states. Local Business: Milford’s Lioce Properties Group merged into Lamacchia Realty, keeping a Milford office and expanding regional reach. National Courts/Politics: House Democrats plan a bill to block construction of Trump’s proposed “triumphal arch” outside Arlington National Cemetery.

Connecticut Budget: Gov. Ned Lamont signed the FY 2027 budget adjustment, boosting education and municipal aid and aiming to stabilize property taxes while expanding early childhood funding. CT Politics: Republicans in the 66th House District unanimously backed Karen Reddington-Hughes for re-election as she keeps pushing local-control themes. Housing & Accountability: A new critique says CT housing programs aren’t “walking the walk,” pointing to repeated auditor findings on oversight and payments. Public Safety: Connecticut lawmakers are again debating cannabis expansion’s impact on already-dangerous roads. Fraud Crackdown: Vice President JD Vance hosted a White House anti-fraud roundtable with state AGs, claiming tens of billions in stolen benefits and highlighting a push for tighter coordination. Prediction Markets: Trump urged the CFTC to keep exclusive control over prediction markets as states and regulators escalate legal fights. Food Safety: A New Jersey cheese maker pleaded guilty tied to a deadly listeria outbreak linked to queso fresco. Local Jobs: Guida’s Dairy in New Britain will close this summer, ending operations and affecting 205 workers.

VA Psychedelic Breakthrough: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a long-awaited clinical trial testing MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD and alcohol use disorder, enrolling about 80 people at VA sites in Providence and West Haven; results are expected in May 2030. Public Safety: Utah police say a father planned an abduction for weeks before taking two young sons, prompting an Amber Alert. Connecticut Tech & Privacy: CT DSS says a data breach tied to Hartford HealthCare accounts exposed about 22,500 people. Housing & Courts: A court order restores Zillow’s listing feed in Chicago after a dispute with the MLS, a reminder that transparency battles are heating up. Environment: A new satellite-based study finds U.S. wetlands are vanishing faster than decades of protections anticipated. Energy Costs: New England governors urge federal regulators to reject a proposal that would raise transmission companies’ allowed profits, warning it could push up electricity bills.