Economic Justice
We demand dramatic investment in the programs and services our communities desperately need to survive and flourish.
CT Voices Presents: A Roadmap to Fully Funded Communities 6/11
Join us for a community conversation on how Connecticut can secure more funding for our children and families.
CT Voices Presents: A Roadmap to Fully Funded Communities.
Join us June 11th from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM for an enlightening event at Rose City Senior Center, Dining Room!
Wondering why Connecticut has had billions of dollars in budget surpluses and yet we can’t invest in the things we need?
At this event, we’ll share new research on the State’s fiscal controls (or what politicians are calling “fiscal guardrails”) that will shed light on how Connecticut can raise revenue to invest in all of our children and families.
CT voices will offer child care, food and translation services while you learn and engage! RSVP so they can plan accordingly.
CT Voices Presents: A Roadmap to Fully Funded Communities.
Join us June 11th from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM for an enlightening event at Rose City Senior Center, Dining Room!
Wondering why Connecticut has had billions of dollars in budget surpluses and yet we can’t invest in the things we need?
At this event, we’ll share new research on the State’s fiscal controls (or what politicians are calling “fiscal guardrails”) that will shed light on how Connecticut can raise revenue to invest in all of our children and families.
CT voices will offer child care, food and translation services while you learn and engage! RSVP so they can plan accordingly.
Governor Lamont -- CT needs Health Justice Now!
SPEAK UP FOR HEALTHCARE!
CCAG and our allies believe that healthcare is a human right. Despite our collective work, our healthcare systems in the US were not meeting everyone’s needs even before Trump took office.
Now, with the passage of HR1 last year and even more federal cuts possible, more than 200,000 Connecticut residents, from every city and town, have lost or stand to lose healthcare.
We cannot let this happen, and Connecticut has the financial means to stop it. We must step up and make sure no one loses healthcare and no one goes hungry.
CCAG and allies have formed the Health Justice Now coalition to call on Governor Lamont and lawmakers to make sure Connecticut meets this moment.
Please take a moment to send a letter to Governor Lamont telling him how important health justice is to you, and that we need to support good bills and create tax equity to pay for them. Click here to send your letter today! For background details to help personalize your letter, view the Health Justice Now Fact Sheet.
HR 1 gave the top 25% of CT taxpayers a $3.4 billion annual tax cut, according to Data Haven. We need to enact common sense reforms and make sure Connecticut remains a safe and fair place where no one goes without healthcare.
Mark your calendar and join us April 28 for Health Justice Now’s lobby day at the Capitol, where we will gather to meet with lawmakers. The event runs from 9 am - 2 pm and you can join us when you can.
CCAG and our allies believe that healthcare is a human right. Despite our collective work, our healthcare systems in the US were not meeting everyone’s needs even before Trump took office.
Now, with the passage of HR1 last year and even more federal cuts possible, more than 200,000 Connecticut residents, from every city and town, have lost or stand to lose healthcare.
We cannot let this happen, and Connecticut has the financial means to stop it. We must step up and make sure no one loses healthcare and no one goes hungry.
CCAG and allies have formed the Health Justice Now coalition to call on Governor Lamont and lawmakers to make sure Connecticut meets this moment.
Please take a moment to send a letter to Governor Lamont telling him how important health justice is to you, and that we need to support good bills and create tax equity to pay for them. Click here to send your letter today! For background details to help personalize your letter, view the Health Justice Now Fact Sheet.
HR 1 gave the top 25% of CT taxpayers a $3.4 billion annual tax cut, according to Data Haven. We need to enact common sense reforms and make sure Connecticut remains a safe and fair place where no one goes without healthcare.
Mark your calendar and join us April 28 for Health Justice Now’s lobby day at the Capitol, where we will gather to meet with lawmakers. The event runs from 9 am - 2 pm and you can join us when you can.
Coming to a Town Near You in 2026!
Connecticut families are struggling. The stakes are only getting higher thanks to deep federal cuts and new, rigorous work requirements to access food assistance as well as similar hurdles to access health coverage and more on the horizon.
Fully funding our communities will require reforming outdated fiscal controls that limit how much our state can invest in. Please join us to learn more, including what we can do about it!
In 2026 CT Voices for Children will visit Greenwich, Torrington, and Norwich.
They will provide dinner, child care and translation services. We hope you’ll join us to be part of the conversation.
THESE ARE FREE EVENTS REGISTER FOR ONE HERE NOW.
Fully funding our communities will require reforming outdated fiscal controls that limit how much our state can invest in. Please join us to learn more, including what we can do about it!
In 2026 CT Voices for Children will visit Greenwich, Torrington, and Norwich.
They will provide dinner, child care and translation services. We hope you’ll join us to be part of the conversation.
THESE ARE FREE EVENTS REGISTER FOR ONE HERE NOW.
May Day Strong coming up 5/1! RSVP Today!
May Day didn’t start as a holiday. It started as a general strike — immigrant workers in Chicago demanding an eight-hour day, taking risks together, and changing history.
Join us on Friday May 1st as we march to say ENOUGH and demand justice,dignity, and stability for all working people in our state!
We must make it clear that the CT legislature has a role in this time of chaos—we demand workers rights, good housing, community safety, and funding to ensure our needs are met no matter what is happening with Trump in Washington DC.
From the fight against union busting and mass firings to the fight for fair wages, to the fight for fair taxes and to protect critical public services and civil rights, to the fight for a livable climate, to the fight for immigrant rights, we stand united in the struggle for justice! Now is the time for CT to STAND UP to the billionaire agenda and prioritize the needs of the working class majority!
May Day in CT RSVP Today!
Join us on Friday May 1st as we march to say ENOUGH and demand justice,dignity, and stability for all working people in our state!
We must make it clear that the CT legislature has a role in this time of chaos—we demand workers rights, good housing, community safety, and funding to ensure our needs are met no matter what is happening with Trump in Washington DC.
From the fight against union busting and mass firings to the fight for fair wages, to the fight for fair taxes and to protect critical public services and civil rights, to the fight for a livable climate, to the fight for immigrant rights, we stand united in the struggle for justice! Now is the time for CT to STAND UP to the billionaire agenda and prioritize the needs of the working class majority!
May Day in CT RSVP Today!
- 05/01: Hartford May Day March
- 05/01: New Haven May Day March
- or find a May Day action near you here
A Sad Day for CT Ratepayers & Families
On September 19th, Commissioner Marissa Gillett stepped down from her position at the Public Utilities and Regulatory Agency (PURA). Read her resignation letter here.
This news comes after a multi-year bullying campaign carried out by the for-profit utility companies, Eversource and United Illuminating, and their highly paid lobbyists.
CCAG first wants to thank Commissioner Gillett for her years of service and commitment to the ratepayers of Connecticut. She has done more than any other commissioner in recent history to protect consumers from corporate greed and their attempts to drive up their profits at the expense of ratepayers.
We are very concerned about the future of PURA and will continue to hold the agency, and the utility companies accountable for their actions. PURA should be responsible for protecting ratepayers, not protecting corporate greed.
Finally we call on Governor Lamont to fill any vacancies on PURA with appointees who will continue Commissioner Gillett's legacy of protecting ratepayers instead of people who will bend to the will of the companies. Read CCAG's statement here.
On September 19th, Commissioner Marissa Gillett stepped down from her position at the Public Utilities and Regulatory Agency (PURA). Read her resignation letter here.
This news comes after a multi-year bullying campaign carried out by the for-profit utility companies, Eversource and United Illuminating, and their highly paid lobbyists.
CCAG first wants to thank Commissioner Gillett for her years of service and commitment to the ratepayers of Connecticut. She has done more than any other commissioner in recent history to protect consumers from corporate greed and their attempts to drive up their profits at the expense of ratepayers.
We are very concerned about the future of PURA and will continue to hold the agency, and the utility companies accountable for their actions. PURA should be responsible for protecting ratepayers, not protecting corporate greed.
Finally we call on Governor Lamont to fill any vacancies on PURA with appointees who will continue Commissioner Gillett's legacy of protecting ratepayers instead of people who will bend to the will of the companies. Read CCAG's statement here.
2025
The Next Roadmap Event is Scheduled for 10/30 in New Britain - Hope to See you There!
We’re coming to a town near you in 2025! Wondering why Connecticut has had billions of dollars in budget surpluses and yet we can’t invest in the things we need?
The State’s fiscal controls have been hampering our ability to invest in policies that children and families need, like a state-level Child Tax Credit, more affordable housing and healthcare options, affordable access to high-quality childcare, and more!
At this series of events we’ll share new research on the State’s fiscal controls (or what politicians are calling “fiscal guardrails”) that will shed light on how Connecticut can raise revenue to invest in all of our children and families.
We plan to offer child care, food and translation services at these free events.
We need your help to achieve the change we seek. You can help three ways: Join us (sign up below); share the research; and/or sponsor an individual event or the series.
REGISTER FOR AN EVENT (click on links below to get to the registration page for that particular event)
The next event is scheduled for October 30th, 5:30 pm: 20 High Street, New Britain Public Library
The State’s fiscal controls have been hampering our ability to invest in policies that children and families need, like a state-level Child Tax Credit, more affordable housing and healthcare options, affordable access to high-quality childcare, and more!
At this series of events we’ll share new research on the State’s fiscal controls (or what politicians are calling “fiscal guardrails”) that will shed light on how Connecticut can raise revenue to invest in all of our children and families.
We plan to offer child care, food and translation services at these free events.
We need your help to achieve the change we seek. You can help three ways: Join us (sign up below); share the research; and/or sponsor an individual event or the series.
REGISTER FOR AN EVENT (click on links below to get to the registration page for that particular event)
The next event is scheduled for October 30th, 5:30 pm: 20 High Street, New Britain Public Library
Rise Up! Join CCAG & Our Nation on Labor Day Sept 1st
Labor and community are planning more than a barbecue on Labor Day this year because we have to stop the billionaire takeover. Trump and his billionaire friends are stealing from working families, destroying our democracy, and building private armies to attack our towns and cities turning our government into a slush fund for the wealthy, gutting Medicaid, firing federal workers, and ravaging our families through ICE raids
The way we stop the takeover is with collective action. We are working people rising up, not just through the ballot box or the courts, but through building a bigger and stronger movement.
On September 1st, thousands of communities across the country are taking a stand on Labor Day, join us!
Together, we will march with laborers, parents, community members, students, and everyday people who are coming together and raising their voices for better, safer, and stronger communities–places that center the needs of working families, neighborhood public schools, affordable housing and access to high-quality healthcare above the interests of the billionaires and their corporations.
The way we stop the takeover is with collective action. We are working people rising up, not just through the ballot box or the courts, but through building a bigger and stronger movement.
On September 1st, thousands of communities across the country are taking a stand on Labor Day, join us!
Together, we will march with laborers, parents, community members, students, and everyday people who are coming together and raising their voices for better, safer, and stronger communities–places that center the needs of working families, neighborhood public schools, affordable housing and access to high-quality healthcare above the interests of the billionaires and their corporations.
Stop the Trump/Musk Attack on America- April 5th
UPDATE: NEW START LOCATION FOR STAMFORD- Mill River Park, 1092 Washington Blvd. Rain or shine!
Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them. Stamford is fighting back!
They're taking everything they can get their hands on—our health care, our data, our jobs, our services—and daring the world to stop them. This is a crisis, and the time to act is now.
On Saturday, April 5th, we're taking to the streets to fight back with a clear message: Hands off! RSVP & details are here.
Where: Mill River Park, 1092 Washington Blvd. Rain or shine! When: 12 pm, April 5, 2025
The good news? No autocracy has ever survived once at least 3.5% of the population mobilizes. Our resistance matters, and Connecticut is proving we can fight back and win.
This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies. Alongside Americans across the country, we are marching, rallying, and protesting to demand a stop the chaos and build an opposition movement against the looting of our country.
A core principle behind all Hands Off! events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.
Download a flyer to share here.
Check out handsoff2025.com for more rally locations and information.
Thank you to everyone who has taken action so far to Stand Up to Utility Bullies- your voices have been heard! Governor Lamont has called a press conference for Tuesday, 2/18 at 10 am inside the Legislative Office Building (LOB) in Hartford at 210 Capitol Ave.
It is very important that as many of us as possible show up. If you're able, please attend to show your support for PURA Chair Marissa Gillette and to stand up to Utility Bullies. You can bet that the Bullies will be there and we need to be there too.
Please try to arrive early to give yourself time to park, the presser will start promptly at 10 am.
Parking info: There is free parking in the LOB Garage (LOG) if that is full you will be directed to overflow parking.
No one likes a bully. Thank you for standing up for yourself, for Connecticut and for protecting Marissa Gillett’s position on PURA.
Background: If you haven't sent your message to the CT Executive and Nominations Committee yet you can do that here now.
It is very important that as many of us as possible show up. If you're able, please attend to show your support for PURA Chair Marissa Gillette and to stand up to Utility Bullies. You can bet that the Bullies will be there and we need to be there too.
Please try to arrive early to give yourself time to park, the presser will start promptly at 10 am.
Parking info: There is free parking in the LOB Garage (LOG) if that is full you will be directed to overflow parking.
No one likes a bully. Thank you for standing up for yourself, for Connecticut and for protecting Marissa Gillett’s position on PURA.
Background: If you haven't sent your message to the CT Executive and Nominations Committee yet you can do that here now.
Rally for Climate Action & Affordable Energy Feb. 11TH - 3PM
Join the Stop Project Maple Coalition at the Eversource corporate headquarters to protest unaffordable rate increases, harmful to low income customers, and the continued expansion of fossil fuels.
In Massachusetts, Eversource publicly stated that they offered a bid on the expanded gas from Project Maple. In Connecticut, Eversource is the monopolistic electric utility for most of the state and also provides gas to many towns. Connecticut relies primarily on fossil fuels for both electricity and home heating, which raises rates, creates air pollution and destroys the climate. There are grave concerns about the continued increase in use of fossil gas and the possible purchase of additional gas from Project Maple in Connecticut.
We will rally to call out the role of our utility companies, especially Eversource, in the promotion and expansion of fossil fuels, as well as how they have consistently taken advantage of low income ratepayers. RSVP at: tinyurl.com/eversourcerally
In Massachusetts, Eversource publicly stated that they offered a bid on the expanded gas from Project Maple. In Connecticut, Eversource is the monopolistic electric utility for most of the state and also provides gas to many towns. Connecticut relies primarily on fossil fuels for both electricity and home heating, which raises rates, creates air pollution and destroys the climate. There are grave concerns about the continued increase in use of fossil gas and the possible purchase of additional gas from Project Maple in Connecticut.
We will rally to call out the role of our utility companies, especially Eversource, in the promotion and expansion of fossil fuels, as well as how they have consistently taken advantage of low income ratepayers. RSVP at: tinyurl.com/eversourcerally
Electric Rate Shock - Two Critical Actions to Take NOW!
Republican leaders and utility companies are spreading lies about the cause of skyrocketing energy bills - and throwing clean energy under the bus.
Here are the facts: In 2017, mostly Republican lawmakers caved to pressure from Dominion and voted to give it a sweetheart deal on power generated by the Millstone nuclear plant.
More recently, two PURA commissioners voted to recoup associated costs in just 10 months instead of 3 years.
Your voice is needed! Please take both of the following actions now!
Here are the facts: In 2017, mostly Republican lawmakers caved to pressure from Dominion and voted to give it a sweetheart deal on power generated by the Millstone nuclear plant.
More recently, two PURA commissioners voted to recoup associated costs in just 10 months instead of 3 years.
Your voice is needed! Please take both of the following actions now!
- Tell PURA Commissioners Betkoski and Caron to reverse their decision to recoup costs over a 10 month period and adopt Chairperson Marissa Gillett's recommendation that costs be spread out over three years. Let Commissioners Betkoski and Caron know we are sick and tired of energy corporations driving up our costs. Click here to send your message.
- Tell Your Legislators to Support Efficiency to Lower Energy Costs and start addressing the real issues driving up electric bills. Send your message to your legislators and Republican leadership today!
Getting Our Fair Share from the American Rescue Plan
Thanks to all who joined us for the January 31st meeting re: the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and accessing our share of those available funds.
Most of us know that the ARP, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act have allocated unprecedented funds for state and local governments and nonprofits to carry out critical work that is so often underfunded - or not supported at all.
What many of us don't know is that billions of dollars are still available. In addition to grants, these funds include "direct pay," providing reimbursement for clean energy projects that meet criteria.
There is still $1.77 BILLION left for Connecticut - $31 million in Hartford alone. Community work deserves support, let's make it count!
At our January 31st meeting, well attended by nearly 100 community leaders in person and by Zoom, we took a deep dive into remaining funds, and started to share ideas and information about how best to organize and use these resources in Connecticut.
We all discussed how these laws contain unprecedented opportunities to fund the work we all care about, and for projects that emphasize equity and community voice.
Please be sure to join the CCAG email list and send a message to Liz Dupont-Diehl to express your interest in future meetings and next steps.
As promised, here are some resources gathered at the meeting to move us forward:
Huge shoutout and thanks to Kai Thompson and Ann Pratt of Peoples Action who joined us and lent their expertise on how to access federal infrastructure dollars.
Final shout out to Swift Factory in Hartford. CCAG highly recommends that folks check out this space for meetings and their website for all they do. They are a true community space.
Most of us know that the ARP, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act have allocated unprecedented funds for state and local governments and nonprofits to carry out critical work that is so often underfunded - or not supported at all.
What many of us don't know is that billions of dollars are still available. In addition to grants, these funds include "direct pay," providing reimbursement for clean energy projects that meet criteria.
There is still $1.77 BILLION left for Connecticut - $31 million in Hartford alone. Community work deserves support, let's make it count!
At our January 31st meeting, well attended by nearly 100 community leaders in person and by Zoom, we took a deep dive into remaining funds, and started to share ideas and information about how best to organize and use these resources in Connecticut.
We all discussed how these laws contain unprecedented opportunities to fund the work we all care about, and for projects that emphasize equity and community voice.
Please be sure to join the CCAG email list and send a message to Liz Dupont-Diehl to express your interest in future meetings and next steps.
As promised, here are some resources gathered at the meeting to move us forward:
- The presentation with links is here.
- There was also a good deal of interest in Direct Pay. People's Action's prior presentation on that topic is here.
Huge shoutout and thanks to Kai Thompson and Ann Pratt of Peoples Action who joined us and lent their expertise on how to access federal infrastructure dollars.
Final shout out to Swift Factory in Hartford. CCAG highly recommends that folks check out this space for meetings and their website for all they do. They are a true community space.
Systemic Racism of Major Investment Firms
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Despite the woke-washing of major investment managers in 2020, BlackRock, Vanguard, Fidelity Investments, and State Street continued to use their outsized shareholder power to uphold systemic racism in the 2021 shareholder season.
As a follow up to the Equity in the Boardroom report, Majority Action and SEIU have just released a new video featuring Rahna Epting, MoveOn; Dorian Warren, Community Change; and Rashad Robinson, Color Of Change to shed light on how these asset managers failed to live up to their own statements & used money from our communities to block accountability. Watch & share. |
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Connecticut Citizen Action Group, 30 Arbor Street Ste 107, Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 233-2181 - [email protected]t
(860) 233-2181 - [email protected]t