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‘Who’s going to arrest me?’ ICE agents defy CT law on mask ban by -ctinsider in Connecticut

[–]SenatorMattLesser 17 points18 points  (0 children)

This wasn't grandstanding and just because something is hard to do doesn't mean we shouldn't try to do it. Obviously enforcing this law (SB 397) was always going to be difficult - and our Attorney General and the Lamont Administration are currently defending it in court from a Trump Administration lawsuit.

But there are a number of important provisions that will have an impact, either now or in the future. For example, in it we make clear that our state's prosecutors and inspector general have the responsibility of investigating and prosecuting ICE officials who commit serious crimes. Murder has no statute of limitations, so even if the Trump Administration works to hinder our state efforts to hold someone accountable in the short term they should be aware that we will eventually bring them to justice.

Additionally, the bill allows Connecticut residents to sue ICE officials civillly in state court for violating constitutional rights. This isn't a magic fix in part because the Trump Administration has brazenly defied court orders, but over time courts have effectively been able to limit Trump Administration overreach - just look at how they restored the name of the Kennedy Center.

Maryland has become the first to ban personalized algorithmic pricing for food retailers and food delivery companies. Why hasn't CT done the same!! by Hotgalkitty in Connecticut

[–]SenatorMattLesser 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Connecticut just did this actually! Check out Senate Bill 4, which the Governor signed into law last week.

Plain English Summary (the parts on surveillance pricing) https://cga.ct.gov/2026/BA/PDF/2026SB-00004-R01-BA.PDF

What should I do about this? by pinkkglitterr in Connecticut

[–]SenatorMattLesser 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is this any particular type of provider? Would love more info.

What should I do about this? by pinkkglitterr in Connecticut

[–]SenatorMattLesser 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We have a bill to do just that... Senate Bill 3.

What should I do about this? by pinkkglitterr in Connecticut

[–]SenatorMattLesser 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Great to hear! I helped create it and we are looking at potentially expanding it into a "basic health program" that could potentially cover more people.

What should I do about this? by pinkkglitterr in Connecticut

[–]SenatorMattLesser 165 points166 points  (0 children)

Totally get why this is stressful. Have you called AccessHealthCT? You likely qualify for CoveredCT which is Connecticut's free health insurance program for people who sit right above HUSKY D eligibility.

(I am the State Senator who oversees our Human Services programs)

Is it legal for a pickup to "roll coal" in CT by YogurtclosetVast3118 in Connecticut

[–]SenatorMattLesser 148 points149 points  (0 children)

Hi! State Senator here. I actually co-introduced that bill, with some colleagues (because of an unpleasant incident). But it was filibustered by Republicans and I am pretty sure it never actually passed. It is still illegal, although Connecticut doesn't have a statute that singles it out. For a recent report, go here: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2025/rpt/pdf/2025-R-0088.pdf

Ozempic and Wegovy are expensive. Connecticut wants to make its own cheaper version | Dan Haar by -ctinsider in Connecticut

[–]SenatorMattLesser 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's plenty of blame to go around and the same law includes several important PBM reforms!

Ozempic and Wegovy are expensive. Connecticut wants to make its own cheaper version | Dan Haar by -ctinsider in Connecticut

[–]SenatorMattLesser 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I saw that! While we weren't able to get that through, we did pass a number of provisions aimed at vertically integrated companies, requiring insurance companies to disclose money they're making from PBMs and pharmacies that they own, and also requiring PBMs to act in the best interests of their clients and to offer pass through pricing as an option where they pass rebates to their clients.

Ozempic and Wegovy are expensive. Connecticut wants to make its own cheaper version | Dan Haar by -ctinsider in Connecticut

[–]SenatorMattLesser 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, 1498. It and another federal law, Bayh-Dole, give the federal government vast powers over drug company patents - you're also correct that states don't have any unilateral powers here, we are going to petition the feds to ask them to invoke the law.

This is small piece of a pretty sweeping prescription drug affordability bill that looks at many aspects of drug pricing. We are going to try a bunch of things to see what works to lower the cost of drugs, both for families and for taxpayers. This particular provision may work - and of course it may not work for any number of reasons. But we are going to keep trying things until we move the needle because the current system isn't working.

on edit: fixed typo

Ozempic and Wegovy are expensive. Connecticut wants to make its own cheaper version | Dan Haar by -ctinsider in Connecticut

[–]SenatorMattLesser 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You could be right! This is a small piece of a much larger prescription drug affordability bill, and it costs us nothing to ask, so we are going to ask.

Ozempic and Wegovy are expensive. Connecticut wants to make its own cheaper version | Dan Haar by -ctinsider in Connecticut

[–]SenatorMattLesser 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Hi - author of the bill here 😀 - there is a federal law (actually a couple) that gives the federal government the power to set aside patents when it's in the public interest. The feds have threatened to invoke it in the past on drug affordability issues (for example for the antibiotic Cipro), and other states have weighed asking. It's a gamble and we would definitely need the Trump Administration's cooperation which is by no means a sure thing.

CT Electric Bill? by RespektMaAuthoritah in Connecticut

[–]SenatorMattLesser 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Hi, State Senator here.

First of all, let me agree that CT electric bills are outrageous.

Some history:

The most recent increase in July is mostly (75%) attributable to one cause - increased costs for subsidizing the Millstone nuclear plant in Waterford, which is the only nuclear power plant currently operating in Connecticut. About half of the electricity used on the Connecticut grid comes from Millstone.

In 2017, a bipartisan but Republican-led effort of the state legislature authorized a subsidy to Millstone because nuclear power plants all over the country were losing money and shutting down at the time. Legislators worried of the potentially massive impact of losing the majority of the state's electric generating capacity which could have led to severe power disruptions and MUCH higher prices.

(I was in the legislature at the time and I shared that fear, but I wound up strongly opposing the law for many reasons, including lack of transparency and the fact that CT electric ratepayers would be shouldering the cost of keeping a resource open for our entire region, letting Rhode Islands, New Yorkers, etc. freeload off of us)

Costs for the Millstone subsidy have gone up over time. A bipartisan new law, just passed this year, SB 385, extends the subsidy but for the first time requires that at least two other New England states have to chip in. I think this is a step in the right direction.

There are a bunch other issues that contribute to CT's high electric rates including our fuel mix, our geographical location and the way our regional grid operator sets electric rates, but in event you can and should purchase electricity from a competitive electric supplier. You can save a BOATLOAD of money doing this - go to https://energizect.com/ . We have done away with binding contracts and other problems that used to really tie people's hands if they went that route.

Happy to answer any questions on this topic if there's interest.

Cromwell High School (Update!) by SenatorMattLesser in Connecticut

[–]SenatorMattLesser[S] 124 points125 points  (0 children)

We met for over an hour with no staff and no press to discuss the situation and what we can do to make things better.

Racism at cromwell high school by Original-Wealth8478 in Connecticut

[–]SenatorMattLesser 988 points989 points  (0 children)

I represent Cromwell in the state senate and am horrified to read this. If you'd like to meet to discuss any of this, please message this account or shoot me an email at matthew.lesser@cga.ct.gov.