Attorney General George Jepsen offered a legal opinion Tuesday that questioned the legality of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s plan to administer municipal aid in the absence of a state budget. But he offered Malloy and the legislature just one alternative — write a new state budget.
George Jepsen
Posted inJustice
CT questions Sessions over ‘sanctuary city’ policing grant ban
Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen on Tuesday asked U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to clarify new rules requiring that those seeking federal policing money certify they are cooperating with federal immigration authorities. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy also have written Sessions over his policy of cracking down on “sanctuary” cities and states by withholding federal law enforcement funds.
Posted inPolitics
Malloy hails EPA decision to tighten restrictions on smog
WASHINGTON – Gov. Dannel Malloy on Friday lauded the U.S. Environmental Agency’s reversal of its decision to delay a new rule that would lower the level of ozone emissions permitted from fossil-fuel burning, such as the exhaust from auto tailpipes and power plant smokestacks. Malloy had argued a stricter ozone rule is needed because Connecticut is polluted by emissions from other states, putting its businesses at a disadvantage and threatening the health of state residents.
Posted inMoney
AG opinion strikes middle ground on cutting wages, benefits
A formal opinion released Thursday by Attorney General George Jepsen warns of legal peril in rewriting state-employee contracts through legislation, but notes the free hand legislators have after contracts expire and the flexibility the courts have granted in some cases in the event of extreme fiscal emergencies.
Posted inEducation
CT joins suit against DeVos’ delay of rule protecting student borrowers
WASHINGTON — Connecticut joined 17 other states and the District of Columbia Thursday to sue the U.S. Department of Education and Secretary Betsy DeVos for delaying implementation of a new regulation aimed at protecting student borrowers. It was to become effective on July 1.
Posted inHealth, Justice
Growing number of states press opioid suits against Stamford’s Purdue Pharma
Updated at 10:15 a.m. with industry comment
WASHINGTON — Stamford-based Purdue Pharma, the maker of pain-killer OxyContin, is the target of an increasing number of suits by states, counties and cities alleging it is partly to blame for the nation’s opioid epidemic. The lawsuits are all different and some include other pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies as defendants. But Purdue is nearly always a main defendant.
Posted inPolitics
Jepsen to skip ‘the misery’ of running for governor
Attorney General George Jepsen, who has been talking with friends about the pros and cons of running for governor in 2018, made it official Thursday morning on a radio appearance: He is going to take a pass on what is likely to remain the toughest job in Connecticut politics for the foreseeable future.
Posted inMoney
Malloy seeks pivotal opinion from AG on casino expansion
Attorney General George Jepsen, who derailed a fast-moving campaign for casino expansion in 2015 by raising questions never fully answered, has been asked by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy for a formal opinion on the ramifications of allowing Connecticut’s two federally recognized tribes to jointly develop a casino off tribal lands.
Posted inHealth, Politics
AMA ‘alarmed’ political influence could sway DOJ on Anthem-Cigna merger
Updated at 6:25 p.m.
WASHINGTON — The American Medical Association, says it is “alarmed” Anthem may be taking advantage of changes in leadership in the Justice Department that would “bend antitrust laws” and result in a settlement of the federal case that has blocked its merger with Cigna.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Anthem’s pursuit of Cigna still in play, but faces huge hurdles
WASHINGTON — Anthem’s effort to merge with Cigna, which seemed to end with a huge thud when a federal court ruled the $54 billion deal is anti-competitive, may have been given new life – but the odds are long and Connecticut could stand in the way.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Federal judge rejects Anthem-Cigna merger
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department won a second big health insurer antitrust case late Wednesday when a federal judge blocked a proposed merger between Anthem and Cigna. The Justice Department said the merger would stiffle competition, resulting in higher premiums and poorer medical care.
Posted inNews
Connecticut supports challenge of Trump’s immigration order
Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen joined 15 counterparts Monday in filing an amicus brief in support of Washington state’s lawsuit challenging President Trump’s executive order temporarily banning immigration from seven predominantly Muslim nations.
Posted inPolitics
CT Lawmakers press opposition to Trump travel ban
WASHINGTON – Connecticut lawmakers on Monday were on the front lines of Democratic opposition to President Trump’s executive order regarding Muslim immigrants, fashioning legislation and participating in protests aimed at derailing the new policy.
Posted inJustice
How a small-state AG’s office plays in the big leagues
Connecticut increasingly is finding itself out front in multi-state litigation waged by state attorneys general, leading a bipartisan coalition in a drug-pricing investigation – and 16 Democrats in an early challenge to the policies of President Trump.
Posted inJustice
Moody’s settles with AG, to pay Connecticut $31.5 million
A lawsuit originated by the state attorney general’s office in 2010 against one of the villains in “The Big Short,” the book-and-movie depiction of the factors behind the 2008 market collapse, ended Friday with an $864 million national settlement that will bring Connecticut’s general fund $31.5 million.