Union snubs state senator
When is an invitation to talk politics with rank-andfile union members not an invitation?
State Sen. George Logan says it happened last weekend when he attended an Service Employees International Union District 1199 candidates’ event at the request of a member of the health care workers union, where the first-term Republican expected to make his election pitch.
But when he got there, Logan was barred from speaking with the workers gathered in a Hamden union hall. On Tuesday, Logan charged the union was biased against Republicans.
Union officials said he had not filled out a questionnaire on his political philosophy. Logan says he could have written it while waiting for several Democrats, including those seeking to challenge his incumbency, to take their turns in front of SEIU members.
Logan, whose district includes Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck and Woodbridge, said one of the SEIU members invited him two or three weeks earlier for the meet-thecandidates event.
“I get invited to meet with many groups and have never experienced anything like that before,” he said. “It became clear to me that there was no desire to speak with me. I don’t serve any particular party. I am here to help my district and the state of Connecticut. I was more than willing to take all the hard questions.”
Union President David Pickus said the other candidates at the meeting had completed the questionnaire and scheduled appearances.
“All candidates whether Republican or Democrat are required to fill out a questionnaire before attending a member interview,” he said in a statement. “When Sen. Logan completes the questionnaire, we look forward to having him meet with our members at a scheduled time.”
State Republican Party Chairman J.R. Romano, in a statement, said union officials and Democrats are working in tandem to keep other messages from reaching the rank-and-file.
“By silencing Republicans, Democrats and union leaders are doing what they always do, trying to protect state employees’ wildly unaffordable benefits, even when it means union members outside of state government are the ones who suffer as a result,” Romano said.
State attorneys general unite on immigration
Attorney General George Jepsen joined 20 other attorneys general across the country in calling for an end to the separation of children from their families seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“The policy is not only inhumane, but it also raises serious concerns regarding the violation of children’s rights, constitutional principles of due process and equal protection, and the efforts of state law enforcement officials to stop crime,” reads the letter addressed to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who announced the new “zero tolerance” policy April 6. “Because of these concerns, we demand that the Department of Justice immediately cease these draconian practices.”
The letter is also addressed to Kirstjen Nielsen, secretary of Homeland Security. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan are included in the addressees.
Jepsen endorses Bysiewicz
Susan Bysiewicz picked up an endorsement for her bid for lieutenant governor from Attorney General George Jepsen.
“Susan has a long history in public service, both in the General Assembly and for three terms as our secretary of the state, and has been a fierce advocate for voting rights, privacy, and protecting victims of domestic violence,” Jepson said in a statement.
“Her experience and deep understanding of the workings of state government make her uniquely qualified to serve as our next lieutenant governor,” he said.
Bysiewicz, who is Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont’s running mate, faces an Aug. 14 primary against Eva Bermudez Zimmerman.
Murphy seeking insurance protections
Sen. Chris Murphy is working to protect people with pre-existing conditions after the Trump administration last week said it supports challengers in a Supreme Court case that would repeal key components of the Affordable Care Act that protects people with such conditions.
Murphy blamed President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans for rising insurance rates. The Republican budget passed last year and signed by the president repealed the penalty for the people who fail to carry health insurance.
“Insurers are beginning to file their rate increases for the coming year and the increases that have been announced thus far are absolutely catastrophic,” Murphy said at a news conference Monday in Hartford where he was joined by individuals and advocates for people with pre-existing conditions. He saidinsurers are padding their rates in anticipation of healthy individuals opting to forgo health insurance because they will no longer be penalized.
Murphy is a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.