Governor Ned Lamont recently joined lawmakers and industry leaders from the state’s telecommunications companies for a bill signing ceremony to commemorate the adoption of legislation the governor introduced that will accelerate the deployment of high-speed, wireless 5G technology in Connecticut.

When compared to today’s wireless networks, 5G networks are up to five times more responsive, up to 100 times faster, and allow up to 100 times more devices to be connected, opening up multiple benefits for residents, businesses, public safety departments, and educational institutions.

While there is a process in place for the placement of 5G infrastructure on utility poles and wires, in many high-density areas utility distribution infrastructure is undergrounded, requiring alternative siting to ensure adequate coverage. This legislation sets up a process to set 5G infrastructure on state property, and also establishes a process for municipalities that are interested in taking advantage of the technology in cases where utility or light poles are not available.

“There is a direct connection between the ability of nearly every sector of our economy to conduct business and their ability to connect to high-speed networks,” Governor Lamont said. “To stay ahead in today’s global economy, businesses need the ability to move files and information around the world at lightning speed. Access to ultra-fast internet speeds is critical to our economic future. I want Connecticut to be ahead of the curve, and to do that we are moving quickly on deploying 5G access across our state. I want to build a Connecticut that has a national reputation for being at the forefront of these kinds of modern, technological advancements so that when businesses are trying to decide where to locate to take advantage of the best that technology has to offer, they know Connecticut is where they need to be.”

“We applaud the actions of Governor Lamont and the Connecticut legislature as he signs this bill into law,” David J. Lamendola, Director of State Government Affairs for Verizon New York and Connecticut, said. “This bill sends the message that Connecticut is open for investment in next-generation technology. Verizon will invest hundreds of millions of dollars locally over the next several years as we build our network, including 5G that will pave the way for new jobs and innovation.”

Governor Ned Lamont announced that he is directing executive branch state agencies to begin a major restructuring of their human resources operations in an effort to reduce bureaucracy and implement efficiencies with the goal of improving the ability of residents to interact with the state, all while saving taxpayer dollars.

The governor, who has been in office for a little over six months, explained that one of his top priorities as the state’s chief executive upon taking office has been to streamline the processes of state agencies in a way that reengineers how state government serves its residents, particularly through a transformation of operations and modernization of the technologies the state uses.

To begin this process, Governor Lamont this morning signed Executive Order No. 2, which directs the execution of a human resources centralization plan in order to provide state government with the highest quality human resources services at the lowest possible cost, and further the uniform administration of processes, systems, and functions among state agencies. Office of Policy and Management (OPM) Secretary Melissa McCaw, Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Commissioner Josh Geballe, and Governor Lamont’s Chief Operating Officer Paul Mounds, Jr. will be responsible for leading these efforts. The executive order also creates a steering committee, co-chaired by Commissioner Geballe and Secretary McCaw, to provide governance for the initiative and oversight of the planning and implementation of the plan.

This is believed to be the first time the executive branch has ever commenced a restructuring of its human resource offices.

“As a business owner, I understand the critical need to continually evaluate how your operations are functioning in order to ensure that you are being cost-efficient while providing the best possible services to your customers,” Governor Lamont said. “There are a number of duplicative functions within state government that we should streamline in order to drive down costs and make interacting with government easier for residents. We are going to break down artificial silos and centralize functions that don’t require independent fiefdoms, knocking down bureaucracies that were allowed to needlessly develop over many years that don’t serve a logical or financial purpose. My mission is to give Connecticut residents the best possible services at a cost-efficient level, all while implementing modern technologies that make it easier to interact with state government.”

Amazon has a new fulfillment center in North Haven. Executives announced that they are on track to soon begin hiring up to 1,800 full-time employees who will work at the location. The company said the new jobs will provide industry-leading pay and comprehensive benefits, starting on day one.

The North Haven facility, which is currently under construction and scheduled to open this summer, will become the company’s second fulfillment center in Connecticut and fourth location in the state overall. Amazon first launched operations in the state in 2016 with a fulfillment center in Windsor, which currently employs more than 1,500 full-time workers. The company also has a sortation center in Wallingford, a delivery station in Bristol, and an Amazon Air Hub in Hartford. In total, Amazon currently employs more than 2,000 people in Connecticut.

“Amazon’s relationship with Connecticut continues to grow as the company is seeing the value of our state as an emerging hub of its northeast operations,” Governor Lamont said. “Our state meets the needs of an innovative, 21^st century company like Amazon – with an in-demand talent pool of workers and some of the nation’s top educational institutions. My administration remains committed to developing a strong relationship with Amazon so that we can meet the company’s needs as it continues to grow and expand as a forward-moving, global business.”

Amazon has invested more than $1 billion into its local fulfillment center infrastructure and through compensation to thousands of employees in the state. The company said that its investments have contributed an additional $604 million into Connecticut’s economy between 2010 and 2018. Using methodology developed by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Amazon estimates that its investments in the state have created an additional 3,000 or more indirect jobs on top of its direct hires.

“Amazon is proud to call Connecticut home and to serve customers throughout the state and the northeast U.S.,” Richard Dyce, director of operations for Amazon’s North Haven fulfillment center, said. “When choosing where to expand our operations, we look at two main factors – an engaged workforce and great local support – and we have found both here in North Haven and Connecticut. We appreciate the strong support we’ve received from the State of Connecticut, as well as from our local county and community leaders, who have all been invaluable partners in the success of this facility, even before we launch operations. We are excited continue to work closely with Governor Lamont and community leaders as we create 1,800 new, full-time jobs with industry-leading pay and comprehensive benefits starting on day one. At Amazon, we are committed to being a good community partner and look forward to truly becoming a part of the fabric of North Haven.”

Preliminary Connecticut nonfarm job estimates from the business payroll
survey administered by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show the state lost 1,500 net jobs (-0.1%) in May 2019, to a level of 1,694,000 seasonally adjusted. Over the year, nonagricultural employment in the state grew by 6,600 (0.4%). The April 2019 originally-released job gain of 300 was revised up by 200 to a gain of 500. The number of the state’s unemployed residents was estimated at 71,700, seasonally adjusted, down 800 from April.

Private sector employment fell by 1,600 (-0.1%) to 1,457,400 jobs over the month in May, and remains up 6,300 (0.4%) seasonally-adjusted jobs over May 2018. The government supersector was up slightly in May (100, 0.0%)
to a total of 236,300, and is up 300 jobs (0.1%) over the year. The government supersector includes all federal, state and local employment, including public higher education and Native American casino employment located on tribal land.
Five of the ten major industry supersectors gained employment in May, while four declined and the information supersector remained unchanged. Leisure & hospitality led gainers with an increase of 500 jobs (0.3%, 161,300
total jobs). The financial activities supersector (0.2%, 127,300) was next with a gain of 300 jobs. The professional & business services (0.1%, 219,100) supersector picked up 200 jobs while education & health services added 100 (0.0%, 338,500). The above mentioned government supersector added 100 positions.

The trade, transportation, and utilities supersector led declines, dropping 1,400 jobs (-0.5%, 294,100). Construction and mining was next, losing 900 positions (-1.5%, 59,600). Other services dropped 300, (-0.5%, 64,000) while manufacturing saw a small decline of 100 jobs (-0.1%, 160,700).

Connecticut has now recovered 80.8% (97,200 jobs) of the 120,300 seasonally adjusted jobs lost in the “Great Recession” (3/08-1/10). The job recovery is into its 111th month and the state needs an additional 23,100 net new jobs to reach an overall nonfarm employment expansion.

The state’s private sector continues fully recovered at 100.0% (112,000) of the 112,000 private sector jobs lost in that same employment downturn.

The Connecticut House of Representatives voted to approve legislation authorizing the development of offshore wind in Connecticut. The legislation, which was approved in the House by a 134-10 vote, will next be referred to the State Senate.

Earlier this month, Governor Lamont announced that the State of Connecticut, through the Connecticut Port Authority, and terminal operator Gateway are partnering with Bay State Wind, a joint venture between Ørsted and Eversource, on a deal that will redevelop State Pier into a world-class, state-of-the-art port facility through combined public-private investment of $93 million to upgrade its infrastructure and heavy-lift capability. These upgrades will allow State Pier to meet the facility requirements of the offshore wind industry and will benefit the port’s long-term growth by increasing its capability to accommodate heavy-lift cargo for years to come.

“Our administration is working hard to put Connecticut in a place to become the center hub of the offshore wind industry in New England, and this legislation moves us one step closer to making that a reality,” Governor Lamont said. “Our valuable shoreline has the potential to provide multiple benefits to Connecticut residents – by delivering zero carbon renewable energy, we can increase the regional grid’s fuel security and make significant progress toward meeting our climate goals, all while driving economic growth and creating good jobs. This is an opportunity that we cannot squander, and the growing, unified momentum behind this bill shows just how important this is to Connecticut. I’ve spoken with numerous members of the Senate about this bill, and I am confident that we can get it approved in that chamber so that I can sign it into law.”

In particular, Governor Lamont thanked the Energy and Technology Committee’s co-chairs and ranking members – Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), Representative David Arconti (D-Danbury), Senator Paul Formica (R-East Lyme), and Representative Charles Ferraro (R-West Haven) – for their leadership in working together in a bipartisan manner with his administration to draft the legislation and achieve its approval in the House.

“This legislation sends an unmistakable signal that Connecticut is poised for historic investment in offshore wind,” Commissioner Dykes said. “I applaud the legislature’s support for this bill, and here at DEEP we are looking forward to implementing this policy once it secures final passage.”

Governor Ned Lamont recently signed legislation he championed alongside a number of state legislators that will increase the minimum hourly wage in Connecticut to $15.00 through a series of gradual increases over the next several years, with the first one taking place this October.

After the scheduled increases take effect, the new law requires the minimum wage to grow according to federal economic indicators, so everyone can continue to share in Connecticut’s prosperity.

The governor signed the law at the Parkville Care Center in Hartford, where he was surrounded by advocates, working men and women, business leaders, and legislators, including State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) and State Representative Robyn Porter (D-New Haven), the co-chairs of the labor and public employees committee who passionately led the approval of the bill through the state legislature.

“This is perhaps one of the most impactful pieces of legislation for working families that a governor can sign, and I am proud to place my signature on this law because it is the right thing to do,” Governor Lamont said. “With this new law, thousands of hardworking women and men – many of whom are supporting families – will get a modest increase that will help lift them out of poverty, combat persistent pay disparities between races and genders, and stimulate our economy. This is a fair, gradual increase for the working women and men who will invest the money right back into our economy and continue supporting local businesses in their communities.”

The new law requires the minimum wage to increase from its current level of $10.10 to:

• $11.00 on October 1, 2019;
• $12.00 on September 1, 2020;
• $13.00 on August 1, 2021;
• $14.00 on July 1, 2022; and
• $15.00 on June 1, 2023.

The Eastern Connecticut Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative is a partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor and local manufacturers that has
resulted in over 1,300 job placements at local manufacturers, including over 700 jobs at Electric Boat.

At Murphy’s request, Secretary Acosta visited Connecticut to see the program firsthand.

Murphy, Blumenthal, and U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) secured millions in federal funding for the manufacturing initiative, and continue to work with the Trump Administration to secure additional federal funding to strengthen Connecticut’s growing manufacturing industry.

The officials visited Quinebaug Valley Community College’s Manufacturing Pipeline training program and met with students enrolled in the “Manufacturing Pipeline Inside Machinist Course.”

They then met with local manufacturers, pipeline graduates, and representatives from Electric Boat, the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, and the Connecticut Department of Labor at the new American Job Center in Uncasville.

Finally, they visited General Dynamic Electric Boat in Groton. General Dynamic Electric Boat will need to hire 900 people in 2019 alone to keep pace with building two Virginia-class submarines a year.
“I’m really glad Secretary Acosta came today to see the Eastern Connecticut Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative and talk to manufacturers and students firsthand. We have an exciting story to tell about the boom in jobs in our submarine manufacturing supply chain, and the pipeline
initiative is critical to making sure we have workers with the right skills to fill jobs in demand,” said Senator Murphy.

“I appreciate the opportunity to see firsthand how workforce education is helping workers learn in-demand job skills here in Connecticut. Initiatives like the ones we saw today help to fill the current 7.1 million job openings across the nation with family-sustaining jobs,” said Secretary Acosta.
“More skilled training is the key to unlocking Connecticut’s workforce potential. Ongoing educational investments is vital to ensuring that we have a well-trained and highly skilled workforce to build the next generation of jet engines, helicopters, and nuclear-powered submarines. I am proud to stand with Senator Murphy and Governor Lamont as we fight to
secure the funding which will produce the next generation of workers our local companies depend upon,” said Senator Blumenthal.