Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has announced that AT&T has agreed to his request that it allow Connecticut consumers to block all third party charges on their phone bills.
Blumenthal earlier this month asked AT&T to give state consumers the option to block all third party fees on their phone bills to prevent unauthorized charges. He asked for the block because his office is receiving growing numbers of complaints about fees put on phone bills without consumers’ consent. His office is investigating the practice, which is called “cramming.”
“This major victory for consumers slams the crammers, nipping fraud in the bud,” Blumenthal said. “I am pleased that AT&T listened to my concerns and agreed to let Connecticut customers block all non-AT&T charges. This block is a powerful fraud fighter, scuttling scammer access to consumer bills.
“My office is vigorously and aggressively investigating alleged fraudulent charges on phone bills. If questionable fees appear on your bill, insist the phone company remove the charge and contact my office. I will fight to assure that consumers pay only for services that they want and request.”
Third party charges are typically for various services such as for pay web sites or travel services. The service providers hire so-called “aggregators” who contract with AT&T to put their clients’ charges on AT&T bills.
Scammers use a variety of methods to get their charges on phone bills, including deceptive web ads to trick consumers into signing up.
Consumers with unauthorized charges on their phone bills should call the Attorney General’s Office at (860) 808-5420.
Consumers will be able to request a full block by late September.
Categories: BLUMENTHAL
State Senator Rob Kane (R-32) voted with Senate Democrats to protect legislation important to local communities during the General Assembly’s recent veto session.
The legislation, House Bill 6649 (Public Act 09-186) An Act Concerning The Programs And Activities Of The Department Of Transportation, includes provisions for installing a sign at Exit 37, Route 8 southbound, for the Watertown Business Park, and for installing signs on I-84 at exits 15 east and west in Southbury for the Connecticut Antiques Trail. Senator Kane voted to preserve the legislation during the veto session.
“I respect Governor Rell’s efforts to control costs during these tough economic times, but I disagree with her on this bill. Supporting community efforts to promote local businesses is a way for the state to help revitalize our economy. These particular projects, installing highway signs pointing the way to the Watertown Business Park and to the Connecticut Antiques Trail, have a great deal of community support. Providing this type of help to our local businesses, especially during the recession, is an investment,” said Senator Kane.
Senator Kane did vote to sustain the Governor’s vetoes of seven other bills considered Monday, including legislation that begins the process of establishing a universal health care system in Connecticut, and that creates a cumbersome, time-consuming system of forecasting revenues as part of the budget process. However, the General Assembly successfully overrode seven of the eight gubernatorial vetoes acted upon.
“I was disappointed when the General Assembly overturned the Governor’s veto of the so-called SustiNet bill that creates a board charged with making recommendations for a very costly state universal health care system that might not even work with whatever plan Congress ultimately adopts. There is just too much we do not know, and need to know, before the state starts down this road,” said Senator Kane, adding that he joined other legislators in successfully helping to sustain Governor Rell’s veto of another bill that would have converted the state employee health care plan to a self-insured plan available to municipal government workers, non-profit employers and small employers.
Categories: KANE
Senator Sam Caligiuri (R-16) hailed the State Senate’s passage of legislation intended to strengthen Connecticut’s equal pay laws by, among other things, toughening the penalties imposed on employers who pay men and women differently for doing similar work.
The bill passed unanimously by the State Senate, and now subject to further action by the House of Representatives, is substantively similar to legislation proposed earlier this year by Senator Caligiuri. The legislation was offered in the form of an amendment to legislation adopted by the Senate today.
“I am always happy for the opportunity to work in a bipartisan fashion in order to pass worthwhile legislation that benefits the people of Connecticut. In this case, I want to thank Senator Edith Prague and Senator Martin Looney , both members of the Democratic majority, for taking up this cause. I look forward to working with them to convince members of the House of Representatives to act favorably on our legislation. Connecticut’s working women, and their families need, and deserve to have this become law,” said Senator Caligiuri.
The legislation would strengthen penalties against employers found to have engaged in illegal gender based pay discrimination, and require them to pay any wage differentials owed. Furthermore, employers could be liable for compensatory damages and punitive damages if the violation is found to be intentional or reckless. The legislation clarifies that an employer is liable for the illegal practice for as long as it existed, even if it is not discovered by the employee until after it began. It would extend the statute of limitations for bringing claims of pay discrimination from one year to two years, and would create whistleblower protection for those who oppose discriminatory pay practices, file a complaint or assist someone who has filed a complaint. Furthermore, the bill calls for shifting the burden of proof in gender-based pay discrimination cases from employees to employers once an employee has established that pay discrimination exists.
Earlier this year, the legislation originally proposed by Senator Caligiuri won the support of Teresa C. Younger, Executive Director of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women when it was the subject of public hearing before the General Assembly’s Labor & Public Employees’ Committee. Senator Caligiuri’s bill was later approved unanimously by that committee and by the legislature’s Judiciary Committee.
“The overwhelming support for this legislation in the Senate gives me hope that it will be passed by the House of Representatives and signed into law by Governor Rell. That will be excellent, and welcome news, to a lot of people in our state,” said Senator Caligiuri.
The equal pay for equal work legislation passed by the Senate today is an amendment to House Bill 6185, An Act Concerning Penalties For Violations Of Certain Personnel Files Statutes.
Categories: Sam Caligiuri
State Senator Donald DeFronzo (D-New Britain), chair of the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee, today led the Senate in overriding Governor M. Jodi Rell’s veto of legislation concerning the state Department of Transportation (DOT).
The Senate’s vote represented final action on the veto override; the governor’s veto was overridden by the state House of Representatives earlier this afternoon in a bipartisan 136-to-5 vote. The Senate voted to override in a 28-to-8 bipartisan vote.
“I’m disappointed by the governor’s veto of this bill,” Senator DeFronzo said. “Neither the governor nor a member of her staff nor the commissioner of the Department of Transportation ever indicated any objection to warrant a veto of this legislation. In fact, the Transportation Committee worked in a highly bipartisan manner, consulting with the Executive Branch, to work out each section of this bill. This override is warranted to uphold the bipartisan manner in which the bill was originally crafted and overwhelmingly approved.”
The omnibus bill covered several legislative initiatives. Specifically, it:
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Authorizes the State Traffic Commission director to certify documents and records;
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Modifies the methods DOT must use to advertise for consultant services;
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Permits DOT to sell property for potential use as the Route 7 Expressway from Danbury to Norwalk;
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Prohibits DOT from starting any phase of the Stamford Transportation Center parking garage demolition project unless it makes alternative parking spaces available nearby;
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Prohibits a town from terminating, reorganizing or modifying a port authority without the DOT commissioner’s written consent;
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Requires DOT to develop a plan to implement zero-emission buses throughout the state and identify locations for hydrogen refueling stations;
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Requires DOT to analyze the potential impact of establishing tolls in Connecticut;
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Exempts certain types of wheelchair-accessible taxis from certain DOT regulations;
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Authorizes an East Lyme boy scout troop to conduct an annual Labor Day weekend coffee stop at the Waterford weigh station;
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Designates 17 road segments and 11 bridges for commemorative or memorial names;
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Establishes a process for mediation for certain types of property sold by DOT because it is no longer necessary for highway purposes;
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Requires DOT to study the feasibility of providing commuter bus service to the Bridgeport train station; and
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Requires DOT to provide copies of any reports required under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee.
The bill, House Bill 6649, was approved unanimously by consent in the Senate during the regular legislative session following nine minutes of debate.
Categories: Donald DeFronzo
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today praised a final Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) ruling affirming its draft decision slashing Southern Connecticut Gas Company’s (SCG) rates 3.2 percent.
The final decision will reduce SCG’s rates $12.4 million.
Blumenthal opposed SCG’s original request for a $34.2 million, or 9.2 percent increase, calling instead on DUPC to reduce the company’s rates. Blumenthal argued that SCG’s rates should fall because the company’s petition showed that its natural gas costs have plummeted and it overstated costs for salaries, payroll and retirement.
“I am pleased that DPUC heeded my request to slash SCG’s bills 3.2 percent, providing consumers with the rate relief they need and deserve,” Blumenthal said. “The company’s own petition undermined its original outrageous and outlandish rate hike request, showing lower natural gas costs and exaggerated salary, payroll and retirement expenses. This decision rightly requires SCG to tighten its belt, just as its customers must in the midst of the current economic morass. This major victory for consumers and businesses sends a powerful message: profiteering during recession will not be tolerated. Utility rates must reflect real costs and economic conditions.
“I will continue fighting for fair, equitable and affordable utility rates for consumers and businesses.”
Last October, at Blumenthal’s urging, the DPUC ordered a temporary interim rate decrease of $15 million for SCG. Blumenthal fought in this proceeding to make that rate decrease permanent, and the DPUC’s decision today does just that, providing much needed rate relief for consumers.
The DPUC similarly rejected a Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG) rate increase and instead slashed rates 4.2 percent last month.
Categories: BLUMENTHAL
Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she is directing $14 million in extra federal energy aid to thousands of low- and moderate-income Connecticut households, boosting utility payments by $200 and upgrading furnaces to promote energy efficiency.
“Thanks to an unusually high level of energy assistance funding last winter, we are able to provide some additional help to families and single adults who are still dealing with the twin effects of high energy prices and a sluggish economy,” Governor Rell said. “This aid will go to people whose homes are heated with electricity or natural gas, since they typically receive less assistance during the winter than people who use heating oil, propane or other ‘deliverable’ fuels.
“We will also be using a portion of this money to make improvements to furnaces at recipients’ homes,” the Governor said. “These investments will more than pay for themselves over the long term by increasing efficiency and reducing energy expenses.”
The one-time boost in funding is part of Governor Rell’s larger plan to allocate $28 million in surplus funds from the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Block Grant. The funding can only be allocated to energy programs and the bulk of it – $16 million – must be used by September 30 or the state will be forced to return the money to the federal government. Earlier this week, the Governor announced she was directing up to $2 million in federal energy assistance funding to Connecticut’s extensive network of shelters for the homeless and victims of domestic violence.
Under the individual assistance plan, the Governor will use $13 million to help about 64,300 energy assistance-eligible households that heat with natural gas or electricity. She directed the Department of Social Services (DSS), which runs the Connecticut energy assistance program, to arrange for the release of federal funds to utility accounts on behalf of the residents.
The remaining $1 million will go toward repair and replacement of faulty furnaces in the homes of energy assistance recipients. DSS will work with the network of regional community action agencies to identify households in need of this service.
Connecticut will be able to carry over $12 million of the $28 million in surplus energy assistance funds to help cover winter heating costs for eligible households next winter.
The two measures announced by the Governor today do not require a state energy plan amendment. The plan to aid emergency shelters does require federal approval, which will be sought after the plan is reviewed by the General Assembly’s Human Services, Appropriations and Energy & Technology Committees.
Categories: ENERGY · JODI RELL
The city of Waterbury is to receive $608,548 in Economic Development aid from the federal government. A total of $3,920,040 is being sent to 14 municipalities in Connecticut for a wide range of activities intended to create jobs, provide affordable housing and create local economic opportunities. The awards were released by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Categories: WATERBURY
Democratic Leaders in the State Senate blasted Governor Rell for recent vetos. In a written press release the leaders stated:
“We are disappointed by Gov. Rell’s latest effort to stand in the way of substantial reforms in Connecticut that will help grow jobs, make health care more affordable and accessible, and protect our environment.
Gov. Rell cites cost as a reason she vetoed these bills. Make no mistake — the cost of doing nothing is far greater:
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Skyrocketing health care costs will force families into bankruptcy and drive jobs out of state.
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Federal stimulus dollars for green jobs will continue to flow to other states without any guarantee that Connecticut will apply for its share.
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And municipalities across Connecticut will struggle to identify and fund economic development opportunities.
This is the cost of doing nothing. We look forward to working with our colleagues in the General Assembly to override many of Gov. Rell vetoes and help move this state forward.” While for her part Governor Rell has accused the Democrats of providing to her a budget with out specifics on how to pay for it. This includes the selling of state property raise funds.
Categories: JODI RELL · SENATE DEMOCRATS
