AGP Executive Report

Connecticut Rail Upgrade: Gov. Ned Lamont and ConnDOT broke ground on TIME-1 in Stratford, a $1.6 billion New Haven Line project aimed at faster, more frequent service, with the first phase starting on a key Stratford-to-Bridgeport track segment. Energy & Permitting: Connecticut reopened public comment for a controversial Brookfield natural gas compressor expansion tied to the Iroquois Gas Transmission System, as residents push back over potential nitrogen oxide impacts. Public Safety Infrastructure: New York launched a coordinated bridge-strike awareness and enforcement push, and Connecticut’s own bridge projects are drawing local debate, including Clinton’s proposed Hammock River bridge changes. Courts & Criminal Justice: Connecticut’s Supreme Court tightened guidance on “conscious-of-guilt” jury instructions, while an appeals panel ordered a new murder trial after bad attorney advice during plea talks. Consumer/Business Watch: A class action was filed in Connecticut federal court against GeneDx Holdings, with an Aug. 3 lead-plaintiff deadline. Tech/Service Disruption: T-Mobile customers reported phones stuck in SOS mode during a reported outage. Immigration: Haitian and Syrian TPS holders in Connecticut brace as statuses near expiration, with advocates warning of scams. Health/Industry: The cyclosporiasis outbreak keeps spreading nationally, with lettuce-linked cases and recalls affecting food businesses.

AI in Retail: Rocky Hill’s ExperienceMINT says its AI in-store platform (ELEVATE) can drive measurable ROI for brick-and-mortar shops by adding personalization, virtual visualization, voice help, and analytics. Insurtech Investment: Hartford’s Insurity plans to put $100M into AI over two years to modernize underwriting, policy, billing, and claims. Food Safety & Local Impact: Connecticut retailers and restaurants are feeling fallout from the expanding cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce, with lettuce sales and foot traffic dropping as consumers avoid leafy greens. Consumer Data Rules: New Jersey signed a “surveillance pricing” ban for groceries, joining Connecticut and Maryland and setting up private lawsuits starting Feb. 1, 2027. CT Public Safety Tech: Speed cameras are now active in the I-691/I-91 Meriden work zone, with fines for repeat speeding. Energy/Community Solar: Altus Power is buying five community solar projects in Virginia to deliver bill credits to about 5,000 homes under a shared-solar program. Workforce & Immigration: Connecticut’s TPS for Haitians is set to end Monday after a brief extension, putting pressure on employers and workers in health care and elder services.

Food Safety & Retail Impact: The U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce has spread to 9 states, with confirmed cases topping 4,000 and restaurants reporting traffic drops as consumers avoid leafy greens; in Connecticut, Stew Leonard’s says it didn’t receive the implicated lettuce, but the broader scare is still hitting demand. Consumer Protection: New Jersey has signed the Fair Price Protection Act, banning “surveillance pricing” in grocery and giving shoppers a private right of action; Connecticut is already among states moving in this direction. Pharma & Antitrust: Utah AG Derek Brown announced a $29.6M settlement with Glenmark over alleged generic drug price-inflation and trade restraint, with a first trial expected in Hartford later in 2026. State Policy Watch: More than 80 Connecticut laws took effect July 1, including a sales tax exemption for many school supplies and new behind-the-scenes directives for agencies on AI, trafficking response, and fire emergencies. Industry & Jobs: Paramount agreed to pause its Warner Bros. Discovery merger until at least June 1, 2027, as state lawsuits continue—an ongoing shakeup for media and Connecticut’s broader business ecosystem. Workforce & Immigration: Connecticut’s Temporary Protected Status for Haitians is set to end Monday after a brief extension, raising near-term staffing uncertainty for health care and elder services employers.

Retail Pricing Rules: New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed the Fair Price Protection Act, banning “surveillance pricing” that uses shoppers’ data to charge different prices for the same groceries, with penalties up to $20,000 and a one-year pause on new electronic shelf labels. Food Safety & Local Business: The cyclospora-linked lettuce scare continues to hit demand as Taylor Farms recalls iceberg lettuce shipped to 27 states, including Connecticut; Stew Leonard’s says its leafy greens come from Canada and California, but overall grocery traffic is still shifting. CT Policy Watch: More than 80 Connecticut laws took effect July 1, including a sales-tax exemption for many school supplies bought for personal use and new behind-the-scenes directives for agencies on AI, trafficking response, and fire emergencies. Energy & Jobs: The Trump administration acknowledged in court filings it canceled $7.6B in clean-energy grants “based solely” on the political identity of recipient states, escalating the fight over federal energy funding. Infrastructure & Transit: CTfastrak is set for security upgrades, and Vernon’s Talcottville Road road-diet plan moves forward as officials push safety improvements.

Food Safety & Retail Impact: The Great Lettuce Scare keeps widening as CDC/FDA track thousands of cyclosporiasis cases tied to iceberg lettuce from Mexico and served at some Taco Bell locations, prompting Taylor Farms to recall lettuce shipped to 27 states including Connecticut; local grocers like Stew Leonard’s say sales are down about 10–11% as shoppers avoid leafy greens. Consumer Protection Law: New Jersey’s Fair Price Protection Act bans “surveillance pricing” for groceries and lets shoppers sue retailers if algorithms use personal data to charge them more; it takes effect Feb. 1, 2027, making NJ the third state after Maryland and Connecticut to act. Connecticut Policy Watch: More than 80 CT laws took effect July 1, including a sales tax break on many school supplies for personal use and behind-the-scenes updates for agencies handling AI, trafficking, and fire emergencies. Corporate & Antitrust: Paramount agreed to pause its Warner Bros. Discovery merger while lawsuits play out, with Connecticut among states in the AG coalition challenging the deal. Agriculture & Research: URI is backing a new snapdragon study to improve growing guidance for southern New England conditions. Public Health Reminder: Connecticut consumer officials highlight medication safety at home, noting most poisonings happen in households and often involve children.

Clean Energy Grants: The Trump administration told a court it canceled $7.6B in clean-energy grants “based solely” on whether the recipient state backed Kamala Harris in 2024, drawing fresh backlash from Democrats and environmental groups. CT Agriculture Relief: Gov. Ned Lamont and partners announced $52.9M in federal recovery funds for Connecticut farmers hit by severe weather losses in 2023 and 2024. Food Safety & Local Business: Health officials say the Cyclospora outbreak tied to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce is broader than first thought, with Connecticut among affected distribution states; Taylor Farms says it expanded recalls and paused central Mexico sourcing. Antitrust in Media: Paramount Skydance agreed to delay its $110B Warner Bros. Discovery merger until at least June 1, 2027 as state and WGA lawsuits continue. CT Transit Security: Lamont announced new security and station upgrades for CTfastrak/CTtransit, including more officers and changes at Downtown New Britain. Housing & Zoning: Southington approved a zoning change for a 55-and-older development, adding more age-restricted housing options. Surveillance Pricing: New Jersey signed a ban on “surveillance pricing” for groceries, with Connecticut already among states that have moved first.

Media & Antitrust: Paramount agreed to pause its $110B Warner Bros. Discovery merger until June 2027 while a coalition of state attorneys general pushes an antitrust case in federal court. Utilities & Rates: CT Attorney General William Tong says PURA’s draft decisions further cut Connecticut Natural Gas and Southern Connecticut Gas rates after prior decreases, targeting over-collection and unjustified expenses. Rural Infrastructure: Chaplin and Scotland won state DOT transportation grants for road and bridge work, including drainage improvements and a rigid precast concrete frame bridge replacement. Food Safety & Retail Impact: The cyclosporiasis investigation expanded to nine states, with FDA warning consumers not to eat recalled Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce; businesses tied to lettuce-heavy menus report visit declines. Agriculture Relief: After long delays, Connecticut finalized $53M in federal disaster relief for farmers, with an application portal expected to open in early fall. Workforce Housing & Development: New London advanced a tax assessment plan for a waterfront apartments project that includes workforce housing, despite “extraordinary costs” tied to remediation and site prep. Business Moves: IPA Capital Markets hired Ryan Demadis as managing director, focused on industrial and multifamily financing across the Northeast. Insurance & Data Breach Fallout: Georgia AG joined a multistate settlement with 23andMe’s bankruptcy trustee over the 2023 genetic data breach. Public Health & Consumer Recall: Amy’s Kitchen recalled more than 184,000 cans of organic lentil soup due to a pull-tab defect that could lead to spoilage.

CTfastrak Safety Push: Gov. Ned Lamont announced new security staffing, upgraded lighting, and safer station shelter designs across the bus rapid transit system, aiming to improve visibility and enforcement. Transit Speed Upgrade: Norwalk plans $4 million in transit signal priority at 55 intersections so buses and fire trucks can move faster, using onboard transmitters to adjust signal timing. Rural Roads Funding: Lamont and CTDOT awarded nearly $10 million through the Transportation Rural Improvement Program to nine rural communities for bridge and road safety projects. Housing Tools in Action: Connecticut is preparing to use new federal housing tools to boost production and reduce barriers, as lawmakers argue the shortage is hurting wages and workforce recruitment. Energy Workforce Question: A new look at whether CT has enough workers to support a nuclear future highlights aging talent and long gaps in nuclear construction demand. Food Safety Recall: Amy’s Kitchen recalled 184,200 cans of organic lentil soup in 27 states due to a pull-tab defect that can compromise seals. Data Privacy & Pricing: New Jersey signed a ban on “surveillance pricing,” limiting algorithmic price discrimination tied to personal data—an issue CT businesses will be watching closely.

Insurance & Finance: Mapfre will buy Massachusetts-based Safety Insurance Group for about $1.54B in cash, a 44% premium, after AM Best flagged worsening weather-related loss pressure. Legal & Public Safety: CT AG William Tong joined a multistate suit challenging FEMA/DHS grant conditions that would force election changes and DHS immigration enforcement. Consumer Protection: New Jersey and Connecticut are moving against “surveillance pricing,” with NJ’s Fair Price Protection Act signed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill to bar grocery price hikes based on personal data. Food Industry: Amy’s Kitchen recalled 184,000+ cans of organic lentil soup due to a can-lid defect that could cause spoilage; earlier lettuce recalls also kept food-safety scrutiny high. Workforce & Education: Connecticut launched a free Paraeducator Preparation Academy to fill hundreds of open para roles, aiming to train 200–250 new staff in year one. Housing: Hartford Land Bank cut the ribbon on a new-build affordable home on a long-vacant lot, adding fresh supply in the city’s Behind the Rocks area. Energy & Jobs: A CT nuclear workforce study highlights the challenge of building talent for small modular reactor plans as the state weighs future electricity needs.

CTDOT Road Safety: CTDOT is planning a road diet on Talcottville Road (Route 83) in Vernon, shifting from two lanes each way to one lane each way plus a two-way left turn lane, shoulders and bike space, with design targeted for December 2027 and construction in spring 2028. Clean Tech & Jobs: Connecticut’s NSF Quantum Technologies Engine (QuantumCT) won a two-year, $15M Regional Innovation Engines award led by UConn with Yale and other partners, aiming to speed quantum commercialization and strengthen supply chains. Food Safety: Connecticut reported 61 cyclosporiasis cases as the lettuce-linked outbreak grows; a Hartford hydroponic farm says its product isn’t connected to the outbreak. Consumer Protection & Finance: A class action was filed against LPL Financial over Phoenix/PHL variable insurance products, alleging failures to disclose the issuer’s financial condition. Energy Policy: State AGs joined a lawsuit challenging a federal freeze on onshore wind reviews, arguing projects are stuck because DoD stopped routine coordination. Workplace/Industry: W.R. Berkley’s CEO criticized delegated underwriting authority practices, warning of misaligned incentives in property insurance. Local Business: Waterbury ordered Lit Ultra Lounge to close after a deadly shooting, citing liquor permit violations and ongoing violence.

Consumer Tech & Law: Connecticut moves to treat AI subscription fine print as a consumer protection issue, requiring covered providers to disclose material terms and get written confirmation before customers buy or renew. Utilities & Infrastructure: Eversource asks Connecticut regulators to approve a $1.25B, six-year smart meter rollout covering about 1.35 million meters from 2029-2032. Workforce & Families: A new UConn-led survey finds 53% of CT families struggle with childcare costs, with toddlers and low-income households facing the biggest access gaps. Innovation & Jobs: NSF selects Connecticut’s QuantumCT Engine for a two-year, $15M award to scale quantum tech, workforce development, and commercialization. Housing Policy: Gov. Ned Lamont joins tenants and lawmakers pressing corporate landlord Alpha Capital over eviction practices and property conditions. Food Safety: The FDA says a Taylor Farms cyclospora test was a false positive, but the recall and investigation remain in effect as illnesses linked to shredded iceberg lettuce continue. Health Care Expansion: Greenwich Hospital wins state approval to expand elective coronary angioplasty services. Local Economy: Connecticut Innovations posts record $66.5M in FY’26 cash proceeds, driven by major biotech exits.

Utility Rates & Cost of Living: Eversource filed its first electric rate case in eight years, seeking an annual increase that could push the average CT bill up about 11% (or 18% with storm costs), putting PURA scrutiny front and center for ratepayers already squeezed. Energy Storage Market: Tesla and a new entrant, Haven Energy, are rolling out lower-cost home battery payment plans in Massachusetts and Connecticut, using demand-response payouts to help delay grid upgrades. Food Industry & Consumer Safety: Cal-Maine Foods reported sharply lower fourth-quarter and fiscal 2026 results, while the iceberg lettuce/cyclospora recall fallout continues to ripple through retailers and shoppers. Connecticut Business Recognition: More than two dozen CT-headquartered firms landed on TIME/Statista’s America’s Best Companies list, led by Cigna and including Booking Holdings, Hartford Financial, Gartner, Amphenol, and Eversource. Legal & Workplace Risk: A new report warns HR teams that hiring-process missteps can turn into costly lawsuits years later, as regulators ramp up enforcement. Local Community & Health: A Southbury clinic is bringing Physiologic Insulin Resensitization (PIR) to treat diabetes and diabetic neuropathy, and Hollister House Garden named a new executive director.

Food Safety: FDA and Taylor Farms kept the Cyclospora iceberg lettuce recall in motion after a false-positive lab result, with affected products tied to distribution in 27 states including Connecticut—health officials say most lettuce is still fine, but shoppers should check labels and “best if used by” dates. Energy & Utilities: Connecticut regulators selected AmpUp’s East Hartford–based Adapt & Earn managed EV charging pilot for statewide scale under PURA’s Innovative Energy Solutions program, aiming to expand managed charging at public and shared ports. Workplace Health: SEIU 1199 raised alarms about injuries and understaffing at the Solnit South children’s psychiatric facility in Middletown, saying preventable harm is linked to chronic resource gaps. Legal/Antitrust: A federal judge ordered Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to pause their $110B merger for 14 days while a multistate antitrust case proceeds, with Connecticut among the coalition. Local Business & Construction: Hartford’s new $345M federal courthouse is moving toward design-build contracting, with two teams shortlisted and a subcontractor/supplier info event set. Tech & Health Innovation: Greenwich students launched “Soothe Note,” an app built to help cancer patients and caregivers track symptoms, meds, and appointments.

Antitrust Watch: A federal judge ordered Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to pause their $81B merger for at least two weeks after 12 states sued, arguing the deal would “extinguish competition” and reduce choices for consumers. Energy Policy: Connecticut is among states challenging Trump administration offshore wind buyout deals, with more legal action being prepared as the administration pushes to end development. Food Safety: Taylor Farms expanded a recall of iceberg lettuce shipped to 27 states, including Connecticut, as the cyclospora outbreak investigation shifted after an FDA “false positive” update. Connecticut Economy: CT’s unemployment rate rose to 5.2% in June even as payrolls hit a record high, with job growth continuing but hiring slowing. Local Business & Manufacturing: Quantum Cyber closed on a Bridgeport facility purchase and plans to expand drone manufacturing jobs, signaling a defense-tech push in Connecticut. Workforce & Education: New Britain received $400K for middle-school after-school programs aimed at learning, leadership, health, and personal growth. Utilities & Rates: A Connecticut op-ed argues utility regulators are being pressured, warning ratepayers could pay the price as monopoly utilities seek more profit.

Connecticut Jobs Watch: The CT Department of Labor’s mid-year report says payroll jobs hit an all-time high of 1,726,500, with employers adding about 1,500 jobs in June and the unemployment rate edging up to 5.2%. Food Safety & Retail: The FDA walked back an earlier cyclospora finding tied to Taylor Farms, calling it a false positive, while the company’s broader iceberg lettuce recall and distribution pause remain in effect across multiple states including Connecticut. Antitrust in Media: A federal judge temporarily blocked the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger, granting states a 14-day pause as the antitrust fight continues; the case argues the deal would “extinguish competition” and reduce choices. Local Business & Growth: New Britain is set to receive $400,000 for middle school after-school programs, expanding learning, leadership, health and personal growth options for nearly 350 students. Solar Policy: Plug-in balcony solar gets a boost as UL 3700 certification arrives, with Connecticut among states that have already passed related legislation. Made in Connecticut: Essex’s Winthrop Tackle highlights Connecticut manufacturing strength with rod components built for offshore anglers.

Food Safety: The FDA says a Cyclospora-positive lettuce result tied to Taylor Farms de Mexico was a false positive, but the broader recall for shredded iceberg lettuce linked to the outbreak in multiple states remains in effect. Retail & Supply Chain: Walmart pulled certain Taylor Farms-supplied iceberg products in 27 states as a precaution, while Taco Bell removed affected lettuce from restaurants tied to the investigation. Manufacturing: Industrial Flow Solutions (New Haven) says it has assumed full manufacturing operations for its OverWatch® Direct In-Line Pump product line, positioning the company as the integrated design, build and support source. Energy Policy: AG Anthony G. Brown co-led a lawsuit challenging EPA’s Solar for All program cancellation and clawback, arguing the agency unlawfully ended the low-income solar effort. Local Business & Jobs: A Boston Fed report finds small businesses drove most net job creation in New England from 2020–2023, underscoring their role in regional employment growth. Consumer Protection: States are moving to curb “surveillance pricing,” with Connecticut and Maryland preserving discounts while New York and New Jersey proposals could restrict targeted deals.