Major wins by Democrats for inflation reduction, job growth, health care affordability and climate

US Senate Democrats passed game-changing legislation on party line vote

Senate Democrats passed historic legislation this week that will reduce health care costs for millions of Americans, limit pollution while creating up to 900,000 clean energy jobs per year, crack down on tax cheats, and bring the corporate income tax in line with world standards. Every Republican senator voted “no.” 

       In a letter to Congress, 126 economists said the legislation will put downward pressure on inflation, quickly and noticeably bring down health care costs for families, and would be more than fully paid for. “These investments will fight inflation and lower costs for American families while setting the stage for strong, stable and broadly-shared long-term economic growth,” wrote the economists. 

Large employers in CT are expanding their operations, and small businesses got a boost from the state

Unemployment in CT fell to 4% in June, representing 18 months in a row of job growth. Major CT employers such as Yale New Haven Health, General Dynamics and semi-conductor maker ASML continue to hire. With airline travel rebounding, several CT-based aviation component companies announced expansion plans.

To help employers tap into the pipeline of available workers, the state is plowing nearly $24 million of federal funds into a workforce training initiative. “With this significant federal grant, CT's Office of Workforce Strategy will be able to train thousands of people for high-demand jobs within the manufacturing, healthcare, information technology and biomedical industries—bolstering our economy while investing in the next generation of workers,”said U.S. Senator Dick Blumenthal (D-Conn).

        Small businesses and non-profits also got a helping hand this month. Governor Lamont announced a $150 million public-private partnership called the Small Business Boost Fund. The Fund will accept applications for loans of $5,000 to $500,000. The loans will have a fixed 4.5% interest rate and are available to small businesses and non-profits with fewer than 100 employees and annual revenues of less than $8 million. Click here to learn more and apply.

CT gas prices lowest in the Northeast

Gas prices have fallen for 50 consecutive days, with the national average down 86 cents from this year's high. CT is leading the way with the lowest gas prices in the Northeast, according to AAA. Governor Lamont signed a law this year suspending the 25 cent excise tax on gasoline until December.

National gas retail prices by state

Source: AAA

Candidates' Corner

An interview with Representative

Steve Meskers, running for re-election for the 150th district

Q: What do you think are the biggest issues worrying Greenwich voters?

A: Four years ago our state’s economic recovery was the biggest issue, along with our large pension debt. Now, with our state’s budget in surplus and large payments made to our pension fund, voters are more concerned about the erosion of reproductive rights, gun safety and the high cost of living.

Q: What would you most like to accomplish in your next term?

A: I’d like to reduce the cost of prescription drugs, disallow bulk purchases of firearms, increase funding for school safety, and continue to make sure that Greenwich gets its fair share in funding from Hartford. 

Q: What’s one thing many people don’t know about you?

A: I sang all through college in the Glee Club and the Choral Society.

Editorials that caught our eye

The Erosion of Freedom in Greenwich

A number of editorials this week took exception to recent attacks on local freedom of expression by the Greenwich Republican Party.

Greenwich Time columnist Alma Rutgers contrasts the Greenwich Republicans/Patriots use of the word "freedom" with their attempt to ban an objectionable book from the Greenwich library, and their attack on Greenwich Country Day School for holding a welcoming event for minority students. Rutgers writes, “We should be prepared to see, in the name of ... freedom and unity, an increase in the efforts of local Republicans to undermine our democratic institutions, limit freedom, and enforce an ultimately divisive uniformity.”

Don't like it, don't read it

In Disappointment at Characterization

of Award-Winning LGBTQ+ Book as “disgusting” by First Selectman Fred Camillo, Allison Kahn asks “If you spot an item on the menu at a restaurant that you don’t think you’ll like, don’t order it ... Why should your opinions inform what others can do? ... The same is true for books available at the public library.”

Will Greenwich RTC learn from Alex Jones' reckoning?

The Hearst editorial board wondered whether the $45 million award against Alex Jones to Sandy Hook families is a warning to others who make baseless claims. “The Greenwich RTC’s public voice is guided by Carl Higbie. Higbie was member of President Donald Trump’s administration, only to resign after sexist and bigoted comments resurfaced that he attributed to wanting to be a ’shock jock.’ The RTC tweets now strive for shock value.”

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Volume 1, Number 9    August 10, 2022

Paid for by the GDTC, Robert Brady,Treasurer