Keith Denning

You may have heard about Governor Ned Lamont’s decision to withdraw from a plan to ban the sale of gas powered vehicles in Connecticut by 2035. While the issue has been tabled for the time being, it is a major legislative priority in 2024.

Connecticut legislators voted nearly unanimously 19 years ago for legislation requiring the state to adopt standards mirroring California's for light-duty passenger vehicles. We began implementing clean car standards in 2008 and have updated the standards periodically since then to maintain California's standards.

Governor Ned Lamont's proposal was an attempt to keep our environment safe and clean for the 21st century. He made it clear that we need a plan to move forward. In the words of Taylor Swift, "failing to plan is planning to fail." It's time to move forward to protect our planet and the lives of our next generation.

We are focused on collaborating with important stakeholders like electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, local businesses, municipalities, and residents to ensure infrastructure necessary to support this transition, such as charging stations, is widely available.

We want to move forward with thoughtful policy allowing our society to invest in EVs with realistic goals and costs. We also want to pass legislation that would make emerging EV technology affordable and accessible for everyone. We can accomplish this by providing more incentives, starting initiatives informing the public about the benefits of EVs, and investing in research and development for EV technology.

Electric vehicles are part of the future for a clean planet. Industry experts explain the average price Americans are paying for new EVs continues to drop from year to year. Connecticut will likely not dictate the EV market, but the action we take now will better prepare our communities for the inevitable transition to alternative sources of energy.

More than 12,000 Connecticut residents have signed up for the state’s prescription drug discount program called ArrayRx. Registration started about two months ago after my colleagues and I voted this program into law.

Those who sign up, including those on Medicare, will receive a free Rx card with savings up to 80% on generics. All FDA approved prescriptions are included. This program is a tool to deal with the dramatic rise in the cost of prescription drugs.

The Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) will host an online seminar on Thursday, December 14 at 10:00 A.M. Organizers will provide an overview on Connecticut’s Unemployment Insurance system, eligibility requirements, and the responsibility of employers who are subject to Connecticut’s Unemployment Compensation Law.

Several experts from the CTDOL's Legal Division will provide valuable information. Each speaker has more than 30 years of experience working within the Unemployment Insurance Program.

Topics will include:

• Background of the Unemployment Insurance system
• Claims filing in Connecticut
• Eligibility determinations
• Employer charging
• Overview of eligibility regulations
• Employers’ obligations