To Combat Rising Thefts, CT SNAP Recipients Urged to Change PINs

The Connecticut Department of Social Services reminded residents to exercise caution in response to a recent increase in reported thefts of SNAP and EBT benefits after reports initially declined earlier this year.

Criminals have been working to undermine efforts to connect residents with the state support they need, which has placed undue harm on residents already working hard to keep their finances in order.

Despite communication efforts to increase the number of EBT residents protecting their benefits by regularly changing their PINs, the agency said a downturn in benefit thefts from June to August has ended and rates of stolen benefits are increasing again.

The Connecticut Mirror reported in July that there had been a more than 1,800% increase in theft of SNAP benefits, or food stamps, from the 2023 fiscal year to FY 2024. Reported thefts rose as high as 2,855 in June before declining, according to reports.

Criminals were installing skimming machines on point-of-sale devices and used phishing attempts to steal individuals’ personal identification numbers. The DSS statistics suggest that efforts to combat the thefts worked as the agency raised public awareness of the issue.

Although outreach efforts contributed to a 48% decline from a peak in June, requests for stolen benefit replacement rose again in August, according to DSS.

These thefts were increasingly concerning as many families received summer EBT benefits meant to help children’s nutrition when they had limited access to school meals. The program provided an additional $120 per child for families, and was expected to serve 303,000 children in the state over the summer.

State officials ask that anyone who receives food stamps change their PIN code after each purchase to fight the skimming and phishing efforts. Changing a PIN at the beginning of the month, when funds are deposited, is another recommended strategy.

These steps are more important now than ever, as replacing stolen benefits may soon become much more challenging. NBC News recently reported that if no action was taken by federal lawmakers by September 30, most victims of benefit theft will no longer get their benefits back.

There has been a provision in place for the last two years to pay back victims of theft, but when the program ends, states won’t have the resources to aid victims. The Biden administration and lawmakers have called for changes, including extending the program and pushing states to switch to chip-based EBT cards, which will protect against theft.

Posted by Joe O’Leary

Free Tuition Draws Diverse, Working Students to Connecticut Community Colleges

The Connecticut State Community College system has grown in popularity since 2019, when the General Assembly voted to create a free tuition program, a recent news story in the Connecticut Post and a new report by the community college system suggest.

According to the state report, Connecticut’s community college system is now the largest college in the state, with nearly 65,000 students – 27,000 of whom are attending college for the first time in their families. With an average student age of 27, 30,000 are working while attending school – including 6,300 parents. 98% of community college students are from Connecticut, and more than 90% remain in Connecticut after graduation – filling needed jobs and becoming taxpayers.

“Making public higher education affordable and accessible creates an expressway for working families and young people to achieve higher paying jobs and financial security,” said state Senator Derek Slap, who is chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. “In 2019 we created a debt-free community college program, and we continue to expand eligibility for Connecticut residents. This year our community college system saw the highest enrollment in the state, proving that removing barriers to higher education opens the door for more students to invest in their future.”

According to Hearst CT Media, about a third of all community college students come from just 10 Connecticut cities: Bridgeport, Waterbury, New Haven, Hartford, Stamford, Norwalk, New Britain, Manchester, Danbury and Meriden.

Connecticut’s community colleges are the largest producers of jobs in the fields of allied health and nursing, information technology and computer science, and manufacturing – professions which pay $42,000 to $86,000 a year. Our community colleges are also ranked as the second-most affordable in the nine New England region states of Maine, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Originally called the “Pledge to Advance Connecticut,” PACT was established in 2019 by the state legislature to provide free tuition for students attending any of the 12 community colleges. PACT was designed to bridge the tuition gap students may have after receiving scholarships and other financial aid, serving as a “last-dollar” scholarship in which a state grant would cover any expenses remaining after students have exhausted federal, state and institutional financial aid opportunities. In fact, even students who have all their tuition and fees covered by financial aid are eligible for at least $250 per semester.

Qualified students must be a graduate of a public or private high school (or have a GED or be home-schooled); be a first-time college student; complete the FAFSA and accept all awards; participate in a degree or credit-bearing certificate program; and once enrolled, remain in good academic standing.

This year, the state legislature re-named the PACT program the “Mary Ann Handley Award,” after the late Democratic state Senator Mary Ann Handley of Manchester who was a history professor at the former Manchester Community College and who was a keen advocate for Connecticut’s community college system and all it has to offer state residents.

Posted by Lawrence Cook

Inflation Declined in August, Nearing Pre-Pandemic Levels

Inflation declined to 2.5% in August as gas prices fell around the country, according to a monthly report of the consumer price index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which found inflation returning close to pre-pandemic levels.

The CPI report found inflation nearing the rate observed in the month just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and at its lowest point since February 2021.

In a Wednesday press release, National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard said the report served as evidence the United States was “turning the page on inflation” and reinforced the importance of preserving historic gains for American workers.

“The President and the Vice President are fighting to lower costs, expand opportunities, and grow the middle class,” Brainard said. “That means creating jobs and supporting small businesses in communities across the country. It means cutting taxes for middle class families and hardworking Americans, while asking billionaires and large corporations to pay their fair share to reduce the deficit. And it means making housing, health care, and prescription drugs more affordable.”

Meanwhile, gasoline prices declined by 0.6% during the month of August, according to the report. The relief at the pump nationwide corresponds to falling gas prices observed here in Connecticut.

On the Thursday before Labor Day Weekend, the Automobile Association of America (AAA) placed the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline at about $3.39 in Connecticut — a decline of around 41 cents from the previous year. Last week, News12 reported gas for sale at prices as low as $2.94 a gallon in Bridgeport.

The decline in the costs of some consumer goods come as wages continue to climb while unemployment rates decline around the country. According to the White House, wages have outpaced prices for 18 consecutive months and have accompanied the lowest unemployment rate in decades.

Meanwhile, Connecticut employers have steadily added jobs throughout 2024 amid a decline in the state’s unemployment rate. The state Department of Labor announced in August that the unemployment rate had dropped to 3.6% — well below the national average of 4.3%.

“Overall, the data points to a strong economy with low unemployment and tens of thousands of job opportunities across industry sectors,” Connecticut Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo said in an August press release.

Posted by Hugh McQuaid

Connecticut Claims Multiple Spots Rankings of Top U.S. Colleges and Universities

With high school seniors preparing their applications for next year and students back on campus, Forbes and the Wall Street Journal recently published lists of the top colleges and universities in the United States, and Connecticut punched above its weight, landing four and three schools in the top 100 nationally in each respective list.

Behind only Princeton, Stanford and MIT, New Haven’s Yale University took fourth place overall in Forbes’ rankings. Yale, a renowned member of the Ivy League, has tight acceptance standards and strong research capacity, with more than half of the undergraduate student body earning financial support in the 2021-22 school year. Yale ranked highly in past metrics as well, with Forbes ranking it one of the 15 best values in higher education dating back to 2019.

Wesleyan University also placed well in Forbes’ rankings, at 54, with the Middletown school receiving a B+ for students’ financial performance. Students earned an average of nearly $150,000 a decade after graduation from Wesleyan, with graduates accruing relatively low average debt.

The university’s extensive network and extracurricular activities help to ensure students receive well-rounded educations; Wesleyan ranked in the top 50 for American private colleges and the top 15 for liberal arts universities nationwide.

Trinity College, in Hartford, placed 71st on the list, with its financial value placed highly thanks to an average grant aid of nearly $47,000 per student. After 10 years, Trinity students earned an average of more than $140,000 and experienced relatively low student debt. Trinity’s study-abroad system and student traditions were cited as strong benefits for students.

Rounding out the list, UConn was recognized for more than just basketball success, with the Storrs-centered school landing in the top 100 this year at 85th place. UConn’s traditions, values and academics all helped it achieve a strong ranking. Although the median alumni salary was $126,000, lower than private schools on the list, its annual cost was lower than those schools and its average grant aid was high.

Forbes ranked schools using a variety of metrics, which included alumni salary earnings six and ten years after graduation; student debt over the course of their time in school; six-year graduation rates; and the number of significant distinctions achieved by alumni. Other metrics included students’ return on investment, school retention rates and academic success rates.

The Wall Street Journal also released its own list of college rankings this month with significant changes to its grading policies. The publication prioritized graduation rates, salaries, and the ability of students to pay off their education costs.

Despite these changes, Yale retained its fourth-place ranking on the list, with two additional Connecticut schools landing in the top 100. Quinnipiac University in Hamden placed 91st, while UConn stood just above Boston College in 99th place.

The Wall Street Journal’s new metrics led to some surprising changes in its listings. For instance, Babson College in Massachusetts took second place, Claremont McKenna College in California standing at fifth and Harvey Mudd College in California took 20th, above more well-known schools like the University of Michigan and Cornell University.

Posted By Joe O’Leary

UI Parent Company Exec Receives $1.5 Million Departure Payment

The former president and chief executive officer of United Illuminating’s parent company, Avangrid Networks, will collect a $1.53 million payment as part of a separation agreement, Hearst Connecticut Media reported Monday.

The payment follow’s Catherine S. Stempien’s July resignation from her position as the CEO of Avangrid Networks and comes amid widespread frustration from Connecticut ratepayers, who have seen their electricity bills increase following rate adjustments requested by UI and Eversource.

Stempien was the first woman president and CEO of Avangrid Networks. The company has not provided a reason for her departure, according to news reports.

Stempien’s exit represents the second time in the last two years that a senior Avangrid executive has left the company and received a pay-out. Her predecessor, Dennis Arriola, left the company in May 2022. According to SEC filings, he received a $600,000 pay-out from the company after he left.

Stempien joined Avangrid in March 2021 following her work as Duke Energy’s state president in Florida, serving approximately 1.8 million electric retail customers in the central region of the state.

Avangrid Networks, which is a subsidiary of Avangrid, owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities in New York and New England, including The United Illuminating Co., Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas. The company’s serve about 3.3 million customers.

Households had their electric power shut off more than 1.5 million times in the first 10 months of 2022, a 29% increase over the same period in the previous year. In that same period, households were also disconnected from gas more than 380,000 times, a 76% increase over 2021. Utility customers struggling to pay their energy bills to avoid disconnection may accrue debt and forgo other key expenses such as food and use space heaters or even ovens to warm their homes.

Posted By Michelle Rappaport

As Florida Removes LGBTQ+ Tourism Resources, Connecticut Launches Inclusive Campaign

The state Office of Tourism took steps this week to highlight Connecticut’s commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all residents and visitors by promoting LGBTQ+ businesses and attractions, even as states like Florida step away from inclusive tourism.

In advance of LGBTQ+ History Month in October, Connecticut’s tourism website has promoted an LGBTQ+ Pride section to showcase the state’s thriving community and destinations.

In a Monday press release, Connecticut’s chief marketing officer, Anthony Anthony, contrasted the state’s welcoming philosophy with that of Florida, where, according to news reports, officials recently removed references to LGBTQ attractions from the state’s tourism website.

“We want to send a strong message to everyone, particularly to those in Florida—and across the country—who may feel their needs and identities are being sidelined, to know that in Connecticut you will always find acceptance,” Anthony said. “Here, diversity is celebrated, and we remain committed to ensuring everyone who visits or lives here feels valued, respected, and free to be yourself.”

Connecticut’s tourism office plans to conduct a digital marketing campaign directed at LGBTQ+ residents of Florida in response to that state’s decision to remove resources from its tourism website, according to the release.

“Our marketing efforts showcase Connecticut as a beacon of safety, acceptance, and opportunity for all, ensuring our state remains a destination where everyone can truly belong,” Anthony said.

Connecticut’s inclusive laws and climate have been recognized by advocacy groups as fostering a safe and welcoming environment. In May, LGBTQ+ business network Out Leadership ranked Connecticut second after only New York in a national index ranking states by factors like legal protections, political attitudes, and safety.

The group awarded the state a 93.27 for its business climate, noting “Connecticut’s comprehensive nondiscrimination law protects LGBTQ+ people, so the state is already experiencing the positive economic impacts of such policies. One estimate suggests that the state’s economy may have grown 3%, or $7.9 billion, thanks to its inclusive approach.”

Posted by Hugh McQuaid

Federal Funding to Boost Home Visit Services for Pregnant Residents

Home visiting services for pregnant Connecticut residents and the parents of young children will get a boost through a $10.8 million allocation of federal funding to the Office of Early Childhood, the state’s congressional delegation announced Monday.

The funding stems from 2022 legislation supported by every member of the state’s congressional delegation and will help to pay for evidence-based home visiting services under the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, according to a press release from U.S. Rep. John Larson’s office.

Larson, a Democrat who represents Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District, said he co-authored the legislation on the Ways and Means Committee in honor of the late Rep. Jackie Walorski, a Republican who represented Indiana.

“No parent should go without a support system,” Larson said. “The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program improves health outcomes for families, sets up kids for success, and connects parents with critical resources in their communities to thrive.”

The MIEHCV Program supports more than 1,200 households in Connecticut and has helped provide more than 19,000 home visits across the state, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Home visits under the program in Connecticut have led to improvements in developmental screening rates and “well child visits” that help ensure the health of children by preventing illness and promoting early identification of concerns, according to the agency.

U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, a Democrat who represents the state’s 5th Congressional District, said she has advocated for the program due to its critical role in ensuring the lifelong success of Connecticut children.

“This $10.8 million award to the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood will provide evidence-based services to pregnant women and parents of young children statewide as they navigate formative years and prepare for kindergarten,” Hayes said. “I am delighted to see this federally-led program continue to support families in the Fifth District and across Connecticut.”

Posted by Hugh McQuaid