Thumbs up, thumbs down
Thumbs up
to the executive order by Gov. Ned Lamont that will provide supplemental unemployment benefits to an estimated 38,000 workers who earned less than $100 a week. That group was not eligible to receive federal pandemic support of up to $300 a week during July, August and September, so Lamont’s order in effect will give them a retroactive payment of about $1,800 each. We expect that will be a relief for many who are struggling to provide food and shelter for their families and is well worth the $7.5 million expense to the state to leverage $55 million in federal funds. The financial devastation wrought by the pandemic underscores the urgency for Congress to pass a second stimulus package soon.
Thumbs up
to U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro winning election by the Democratic caucus to chairmanship of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. The New Haven Democrat, who has represented the Third District for 15 terms, will now be at the center of all federal spending decisions and will be able to ensure Connecticut’s priorities get attention. She had been campaigning for more than a year for the position, after having served on the committee for 25 years and as the chair of the subcommittee that oversees education, labor and health spending. DeLauro is wellequipped for her leadership role and has the distinction as the first representative from Connecticut to lead the Appropriations Committee.
Thumbs down
to a record number of gun sales in the United States, which is unfortunately mirrored in Connecticut. By the end of November, state sales already surpassed the totals for each of the last three years. The pandemic is not generally recognized as the only reason for the uptick. The year 2020 will also be remembered for months of civil unrest as well as a transition to a Democratic president. Nationally, the 35 million background checks documented by the FBI through November break the previous record of 28 million set in 2019 by an uncomfortable margin.
Thumbs up
to businesses large and small that are maintaining charitable giving throughout the pandemic. The Garden Catering chain, which has restaurants from Old Greenwich to New Haven, has donated thousands of meals to residents in need in their markets over the last nine months. Other companies are making financial donations to food banks and the like. On a larger scale, Greenwich resident Ray Dalio, who runs the Westport-based hedge fund Bridgewater, is offering $100 gift cards people can claim to pass on to a charity of their choosing. It’s a smart way to literally spread the wealth.
Thumbs down to the latest COVID-driven pause in activities for the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team, which has joined the women’s team in missing practice time and games after positive tests. With everything happening in the world it could seem inappropriate to focus on sports. But after all that has been taken away in 2020, so many people are craving any kind of normalcy they can find, and sports helps provide that. Here’s hoping they can get back on the court and salvage something of the current season.
Thumbs up
to Jeff DeWitt, finance officer for the Frank C. Godfrey American Legion Post 12 in Norwalk, for his efforts, and those of others, to get the remains of Army Staff Sgt. Louis Doddo identified and returned to his home city — 75 years after his death during World War II. DeWitt created a website to learn about those lost while serving; he estimates 46 from Norwalk are still unaccounted for. Doddo was only 30 when he was killed on the island of Saipan when his division was attacked. A ceremony will be held for him in the spring and we hope it brings a measure of solace for his family.