Tag: Attorney General William Tong

Connecticut’s Vaccine Exemption Ban Survives Legal Challenge

The Center Square
COVID Vaccine

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a case challenging Connecticut’s 2021 ban on religious exemption for school vaccination requirements.

A lawsuit filed by parents and conservative groups argued that the state violated their First Amendment rights by approving a bill that eliminated the option for Connecticut families to request a religious exemption to mandated immunizations when a student enrolls in public school. Several previous court rulings rejected the legal challenge. 

Read the full story

Gas Customers ‘Overcharged’ by $8 Million, Connecticut AG Says

The Center Square

Connecticut’s natural gas customers have been “overcharged” more than $8 million, according to Attorney General William Tong, who calls on utility regulators to order consumer rebates.

Tong said a review of the most recent earnings report by Connecticut Natural Gas, which serves about 184,000 customers, shows the company has been earning 177 basis points above its authorized return on equity of 9.3%. He said that based on the report, the company’s rates “appear well beyond what is necessary to cover their expenses.”

Read the full story

Connecticut Sues Rest Stop Owner over Worker Wages

The Center Square

Connecticut’s top law enforcement officer is taking aim at a rest stop operator with a legal challenge alleging it cheated food service workers out of wages they were owed. 

The lawsuit, filed by Attorney General William Tong, claims plaza operator Food Project LLC owes workers at Dunkin Donuts, Subway and other rest stop businesses collectively more than $2.7 in lost wages for underpaying them under state labor laws. 

Read the full story

Connecticut Sues Firearm Companies over ‘Ghost Gun’ Parts

The Center Square

Connecticut has filed a lawsuit against several gun manufacturers, accusing them of violating state law by selling components that are used to build untraceable ‘ghost’ guns.

The civil lawsuit, announced by Attorney General William Tong Tuesday, targets four out-of-state firearm companies accusing them of violating the state’s consumer protection laws, which carry fines of up to $5,000 per violation.

Read the full story

Settlement Forces Electric Companies out of Connecticut Market

The Center Square

A parent company and three additional electric companies will be exiting the market in Connecticut, Attorney General William Tong said.

A $3 million settlement, the attorney general announced, has been reached with Public Power to resolve litigation that the company did not publish next cycle rate information as required. The company also is to have alleged denying customers a chance to switch to another provider to avoid increased charges.

Read the full story

Tong, Lamont Speak Out Against Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade Decision

The Center Square

Connecticut’s top law enforcement official said Friday he would sue to prevent a nationwide ban on abortions.

Attorney General William Tong said following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, a 1973 landmark decision that prevented states from banning abortions, that if Congress tries to invoke legislation that would ban abortions across the nation, he would be the first to take court action.

Read the full story

Connecticut Attorney General Investigating Gas Stations for Potential Violation of Gas Tax Holiday

Cooper Moran

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is investigating dozens of potential violations of the state’s gas tax holiday by gas stations throughout the state.

If a specific station is found to have violated the law, the Attorney General’s office may impose penalties, including injunctive terms, restitution, and civil financial penalties.

Read the full story

Lawmakers Call for Challenge to ARPA Rules Limiting Connecticut Tax Reduction

Bradley Vasoli
Ned Lamont

Connecticut Republican legislators said on Saturday they want the state to challenge a part of the American Rescue Plan Act which limits states’ ability to cut taxes.

GOP senators and representatives are calling for tax reduction beyond the targeted relief backed by Gov. Ned Lamont (D). A major roadblock to greater decreases will be the COVID-relief bill President Joe Biden signed into law last year. The act included $195.3 billion in recovery funds for states and barred states accepting allocations from using them to “directly or indirectly offset a reduction in net tax revenue… or delay the imposition of any tax or tax increase.”

Read the full story

Connecticut Files Motion to End Federal Oversight of Department of Children and Families

Cooper Moran

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and Attorney General William Tong filed a joint motion to end federal oversight of the state’s Department of Children and Families (DCF).

In 1989, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of children that fell under the services of the state agency, arguing the children were subject to alleged abuse and neglect. Therefore, an order gave federal officials continued oversight of the group.

Read the full story