CCAG History

Founded on Earth Day in 1970 by Ralph Nader and Toby Moffett, CCAG has been fighting for justice for over forty four  years. By utilizing grassroots power, CCAG has created change on the issues our members care about including quality, affordable health care, protection of consumers, the environment, and democracy.

Below are some highlights from our past victories

Expanding Access to Health Care

• 1985 Acquired ConnPACE prescription drug assistance program for the elderly
• 1997 Won passage of CT’s HUSKY program, Healthcare for UninSured Kids and Youth
• 1997 Secured health care protections for patients in managed care health plans
• 2000 Championed legislation for a new prescription drug program, ConnPACE part B which allows seniors and disabled persons to get a 10 to 15 % break on drug costs
• 2003 The Municipal Employees Health Insurance Program (MEHIP) was opened to expand health care access for small businesses and the self-employed
• 2010 Passed historic health care reform legislation “susti-net” laying the groundwork for affordable health care for all

Preserving the Environment

• 1978 Achieved the Bottle Bill after a five year campaign for safe and economical solid waste management
• 1979 Won a law requiring the DEP to publish a list of toxic waste producers
• 1982 Secured right to know legislation on chemicals that are produced at work and in communities
• 1983 Blocked the I-84 expansion to Rhode Island
• 1984 Won the first ban on landfilling toxics and created the state’s first Superfund
• 1987 Won the nation’s second mandatory recycling program
• 1990 Won passage Global Warming Act, the first in the nation
• 1992 Childhood lead poisoning standards enacted
• 1995 Prevented out-of-state toxic sludge from being landfilled in CT
• 2005 Successfully fought back attempts to repeal the state’s bottle bill that encourages recycling
• 2006 Won landmark legislation protecting young children from pesticides
• 2007 Landed a great victory with the passage of the lead screening bill that requires lead screening for children up to 3 years old.
• 2007 Won legislation banning the use of toxic pesticides linked to serious health effects on school grounds from pre-school up to the 8th grade.
• 2009 In 2009 CT was the first state to ban the chemical BPA from infant formula and baby food containers as well as reusable food and beverage containers.
• 2011 The ban on BPA was expanded to include thermal receipt paper

Protecting Our Democracy

• 1993 Won legislation that requires the disclosure of lobbyist’s campaign contributions
• 1998 Secured a ban on federal soft money contributions to state elections
• 1999 Won disclosure requirements on sham issue advertisements during elections
• 2003 CCAG filed and won a landmark suit against the state for unconstitutional primary election laws that were so restrictive that it essentially prevented anyone from challenging an established member of Congress or state lawmaker
• 2004 Won legislation strengthening ethics laws concerning gifts, financial disclosure and state contractors, increased the ability of the State Ethics Commission to investigate ethical violations and assess the appropriate penalties
• 2005 Organized and led the fight to successfully pass the most comprehensive Campaign Finance Reform legislation in the nation
• 2006 Deadly glitch in public financing laws fixed during the last 2 minutes of session
• 2010 Deadly glitch in public financing laws fixed during the last 2 minutes of session

Protecting Consumers

• 1972 Won legislation requiring expiration dates on dairy products
• 1974 Became the first group to intervene in a Northeast Utilities rate hike request resulting instead in a $22 million rebate to consumers
• 1985 CWIP - Blocked utility companies from charging consumers for construction of nuclear plant construction until operational
• 1993 Won legislation keeping auto insurance rates from skyrocketing
• 1998 Prevented a billion dollar taxpayer bailout of Northeast Utilities

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