Internal Press Release

"McMahon is a Lobbying Firm Running for Office"

in
Date: 
Thursday October 7, 2010
Contact: 
Phil Sherwood

CCAG Calls on Her to Come Clean on Connections to Lobbyists

There’s been a demonstrated effort on the part of Linda McMahon and her campaign to conceal her connections to lobbyists. Here are the facts we do know: At a meeting of Tea Party Activists in April in Waterbury Linda McMahon stated that she had not spent lobbying dollars in Washington DC. Here.

She has since admitted that her statements were false and said she has requested a complete review of lobbying expenditures by WWE. The public has the right to know what is in this review in what she spent at the state and federal level to lobby the government.

She also tried to give the false impression that these lobbying efforts were primarily designed to assist with non-partisan voter engagement and a program related to the armed services and not about directing advertising dollars to WWE.

But here are the facts. Between 1999 and 2009, WWE spent at least $1 million on federal lobbying, including lobbying on the fiscal year 2002 and 2003. One of the efforts included fighting Sen. Lieberman’s 2001 legislation that sought to reduce the marketing of violence to minors.

Six Major Provisions of the Affordable Care Act Kick in Today

in

September 23, 2010

HARTFORD – Residents from around the state gathered at the Capitol today to celebrate the six-month anniversary of the signing of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act by President Obama.

Today marked the start of the roll-out of consumer protections under the law, including the elimination of lifetime caps on insurance coverage, the prohibition of excluding children with pre-existing conditions from coverage and the end of the practice of dropping people from coverage when they become sick.

“Starting today, six major provisions of the Affordable Care Act kick in, including consumer protections that end insurance industry practices designed to prevent people from getting the care they need when they need it,” said John Olsen, president of the AFL-CIO and a member of Health Care for America NOW. “And which will make health care more accessible to everyone.”

Meriden resident Betty Berger told the story of how her son was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease while his family was between insurance coverage.

NextNewDeal.org

in

As our finance industry continues its descent and the economic crisis deepens, Americans are feeling the pain. Working families face the loss of jobs, homes, and health care. Students are finding it harder to pay for college and college graduates are struggling to find jobs. Our military is stretched thin and our planet is in peril. But there are no quick fixes to the challenges that confront our country. Tough times call for robust solutions.

They call for a Next New Deal.

USAction/TrueMajority.org have laid out a bold new plan to rebuild our economy. The Next New Deal:

  • Stabilizes our financial institutions
  • Guarantees quality, affordable health care for everyone
  • Grants all children access to high quality education from early childhood through college
  • Develops a clean energy economy and independence from fossil fuels and oil.
  • Strengthens our nation's infrastructure
  • Tackles poverty

    Visit NextNewDeal.org, read the plan or download the entire plan in pdf format.

    • One in 3 toys is toxic, group says

    in

    cnnmoney.com - December 3, 2008



    Environmental group says many items for sale have high levels of lead, arsenic and other chemicals.



    By Catherine Clifford, CNNMoney.com staff writer
    Last Updated: December 3, 2008: 5:03 PM ET



    NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- One in three toys tested was found to contain toxic chemicals such as lead, flame retardants and arsenic, according to a report issued Wednesday by an environmental group.



    Researchers for the Michigan-based Ecology Center tested more than 1,500 popular toys for lead, cadmium, arsenic, PVC and other harmful chemicals. They said they found that one-third of the toys contain "medium" or "high" levels of chemicals of concern.



    "Our hope is that by empowering consumers with this information, manufacturers and lawmakers will feel the pressure to start phasing out the most harmful substances immediately, and to change the nation's laws to protect children from highly toxic chemicals," said Ecology Center's Jeff Gearhart, who led the research, in a written release.

    Connecticut Health Care for America Now Group Asks Governor Rell, “Which Side Are You On?”

    in
    Date: 
    July 24, 2008
    Contact: 
    Phil Sherwood

    CT Citizen Action Group Challenges Governor to stand up to health insurance industry and be on the side of quality, affordable health care for all.

    Hartford, CT -- Today, Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG) and other allies, under the banner of the Health Care for America Now campaign, staged a march and demonstration that started at Union Train Station, proceeded to the CT Business and Industry Association, and ended at the State Capitol with a visit to Governor Jodi Rell. The roving rally was part of the Health Care for America Now (HCAN) Campaign which is holding similar events in 45 states in the next few months to highlight the need for quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

    Elections for CCAG Statewide Governing Board

    in
    Date: 
    July 11, 2008
    Contact: 
    Phil Sherwood

    UPDATE! September 10, 2008

    The CCAG Annual Meeting has been re-scheduled to Saturday November 8, 2008, from 10 AM to 12 NOON. More information here.

    UPDATE! August 26, 2008

    The CCAG Annual Meeting originally scheduled for September 9, 2008 has been postponed. Please check back for the new date.

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    The The CCAG Annual Meeting will occur on Tuesday September 9, 2008, from 6 pm to 8 pm.

    Light snacks and beverages will be served.

    The current board endorsed slate is:

    Nancy Benedict Coventry

    Bill Bloss New Haven

    Lynn Dallas Old Saybrook

    Steve Derby West Hartford

    Ted Feng New Fairfield

    Susan Goldman Norwich

    John Harmon West Hartford

    Steve Karp Newington

    Max Medina Bridgeport

    Bernie McKinnon Southington

    Darryl McMiller Vernon

    Lisa Reynolds Marlborough

    The current board list can be viewed here.

    Governor Rell to Insurance Industry: YOU WIN!

    in
    Date: 
    June 13, 2008
    Contact: 
    Phil Sherwood

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Local property taxpayers and small business to see no savings

    CT – Governor Rell Vetoed the state's most important health care reform bill this session, known as the Healthcare Partnership Bill. The bill, opposed primarily by the health insurance industry, would have increased competition in the marketplace by opening up the state employee health insurance pool to municipalities, non-profits and small businesses. Contrary to claims by Gov. Rell and the insurance industry lobbyists, this plan would have allowed cash-strapped cities and businesses to benefit from the savings derived from economies of scale and increased purchasing power.

    "Experience shows that the larger the insurance pool, the more purchasing power there is. The larger pool is more efficient, saves money and improves quality," stated Deputy Director Phil Sherwood of the CT Citizen Action Group (CCAG).

    Mayor Salina, Council Members, Legislators, Small Business and Unions Call on Governor to Deal with CT’s Health Care Crisis

    in
    Date: 
    May 21, 2008
    Contact: 
    Phil Sherwood

    State Legislation Would Create Greater Competition Among HMO’s And Save Local Taxpayer Dollars

    Berlin, CT – TODAY, Thursday, May22, 3PM, local leaders will urge Governor Jodi Rell to sign HB 5536, Connecticut Health Care Partnership Bill arguing that it makes good economic sense.

    The Healthcare Partnership Bill would open up the state employee health insurance pool to municipalities, non-profits and small businesses. Connecticut would be the first to open it up to the private sector.

    Because health care costs would be cheaper, small businesses and non-profits would be able to retain and hire more employees. For municipalities, the bill has the potential to save tax dollars on expensive health plans and alleviate pressure to cut back on community services.

    “Experience shows that the larger the insurance pool – the more purchasing power there is. The larger pool is more efficient, saves money and improves quality,” stated Legislative Director of the CT Citizen Action Group (CCAG). “Settling for the status quo is what wastes money.”

    Who: Local Leaders

    What: Press Conference to Urge Governor's Signature on Health Care Partnership Bill

    When: TODAY - Thursday, May 22nd

    Where: Berlin City Hall

    Lead, Cadmium, and Other Harmful Chemicals Found in Popular Children's Toys

    in
    Date: 
    December 5, 2007
    Contact: 
    Phil Sherwood, Legislative Director


    Leading Environmental Health Groups Release Testing Results today at www.HealthyToys.org

    Holiday Favorites, Including Hannah Montana, Geoffrey & Circo Contaminated with High Levels of Toxic Chemicals

    (Hartford-- December 5, 2007) - The Coalition for a Safe & Healthy CT, along with the CT Citizen Action Group (CCAG) today released the results of testing of 1,200 popular children's toys for toxic chemicals at www.HealthyToys.org. Along with the Washington Toxics Coalition, CT Citizen Action Group, and other leading environmental health groups across the country, the Ecology Center developed this site to better inform consumers about the products they will be purchasing this holiday season.



    "As parents, we should be able to have complete confidence that all of the toys we buy our children are completely safe for them. Recent information such as lead found in paint and toys containing asbestos reveal that our current manufacturing or import standards do not protect our most vulnerable citizens, our children," said Kathy Murphy, an Environmental Health Nurse who resides in Wolcott, CT with her husband, 2 sons and daughter.

    More Iraq Spending is Enough to Make CT Children Sick

    in
    Date: 
    September 17th, 2007
    Contact: 
    John Murphy (COW)



    Health Care and Anti-War Advocates Blast Lieberman at Health Care Forum for Squandering Money On War Instead of Investing a Fraction of that Money on Health Care for Children

    CT’s cost of war could fully fund health care for CT’s kids; Bush’s request for $50 billion MORE would fund SCHIP for 5 years

    Hartford, CT – The cost of the Iraq war to CT taxpayers is significantly greater than the funding needed to
    provide coverage to every uninsured child in CT, according to a USAction Education Fund report recently released by [USAction affiliate, Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG)]. CT’s share of the $456 billion in Iraq war funding through 2007 – $11 billion – could provide health care to 4,399,425 uninsured children, 17 times more than the 71,123 uninsured children in CT.



    This morning, dozens of Anti-War protesters and Health Care Advocates gathered outside a health care forum hosted by Senator Lieberman at the Legislative Office Building. The group called on Lieberman to invest in health care for children not on war. The group led by CT Opposes the War (COW) and the CT Citizen Action Group (CCAG) linked the rising cost of the war in Iraq and the relatively smaller investment of providing kids health care.



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