[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6348561,"mediaKeyId","2241579-cb19467fcbad76e470b55b2ed2ad1e34","parentId",2241579,"title","State marshals press for state health insurance; union leaders and marshals detail safety risks","audioSeconds",357,"startMs",6390000,"endMs",6747000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2241579-cb19467fcbad76e470b55b2ed2ad1e34&start=6390&end=6747","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2241579-cb19467fcbad76e470b55b2ed2ad1e34/thumbnail_6390000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6348561/Connecticut/State-marshals-press-for-state-health-insurance-union-leaders-and-marshals-detail-safety-risks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348561-d9db166648d3a3b8b1f10bf2a957f579/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447895&Signature=Jotnjws37h5UqP0YvfUre91BeZvn-sbrw6DM8gwe7S5DDXXz6hMyq6OjxSKkQI3ysLBxJ8fYgrcWdFxYP-2v~PqK3U5IsNEiZ2Nn5tf4Uq0RQybSruOfvCukwCuuZ1msWe5ncLRfPPj8c7T4vJWyLxN7l422g0Qn~7ZgW3ICgn8SW74LPP~2yOpPDCjKeAKDFOoLhLP9k0hfYtXr0Y0-cIhNOoHdhjSVYljUpWMfr3-JUjcUPQYKcKbouP4C~nBLzZL1modL7jjDyHyrBHsGsKPW1YujZ4UFxg6qzdokQEfYh0wKIb78ALpNSFCvE-ZQr-Z7FR8WuG0Mghro0ACi7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CGA - Labor and Public Employees Committee","date","2025-02-06T00:00:00Z","article","Hartford — Current and former state marshals and AFSCME representatives told the Labor Committee that state marshals carry out dangerous duties — serving court orders, executing evictions and civil arrests — and that many cannot accept appointments or stay in the corps because they lack affordable health insurance.

Union leaders said the job can expose marshals to threats, assaults and traffic‑related danger; testifying marshals described assaults, being chased, a shooting incident in Bridgeport and repeated workplace hazards. The witnesses said current practice allows marshals to participate in state employee health plans but only at full COBRA‑style cost, which most cannot afford.

Why it matters: The witnesses argued that adding state marshals to state‑employee benefit terms for health coverage would: (1) improve recruitment and retention, (2) reduce the number of marshals working other full‑time jobs to maintain coverage, and (3) provide basic protection for public servants who sometimes face violent confrontations.

Most important facts
- AFSCME and state marshal witnesses said marshals are paid into state plans but typically must pay the full premium themselves (COBRA‑level cost); several current marshals testified that they or their dependents rely on Husky or other programs for healthcare coverage because of unaffordable premiums.
- Marshals and union leaders described incidents including assaults and an on‑the‑job shooting; witnesses asked the committee to treat marshals like other public safety personnel with access to standard state employee health benefits.

Testimony in the hearing
Brian Mesick, president of AFSCME Local 2193, told the committee the union has repeatedly raised recruitment and safety concerns and that prior committee studies confirmed the problem. State marshals who testified described being chased, threatened with weapons, and one veteran recounted a gunshot wound suffered while attempting an arrest. Members said these risks and the lack of affordable insurance deter qualified applicants and force some marshals to keep second jobs.

Administration and fiscal context
Witnesses said the number of state marshals is small (testimony referenced roughly 60 marshals statewide) but the public benefit of stable, insured marshals outweighs the fiscal cost. Committee members asked for a fiscal note; AFSCME said the measure would cover fewer than 100 people but would improve recruitment, retention and public safety.

Next steps
Committee members acknowledged bipartisan support for the principle of providing health coverage but asked for a fiscal estimate and language to confirm which marshals would be covered. No vote was taken at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Labor & Public Employees Committee Public Hearing 2/6","oneSentenceSummary","State marshals, their union and advocates testified in favor of SB 1220 to allow state marshals access to health benefits comparable to other state employees, citing dangerous fieldwork, recruitment and retention problems and the high personal cost of current coverage.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature CT, Connecticut","taxId",77677,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348567,"Workers and advocates press for 45 wage‑and‑hour investigators; audit shows backlog",19673,3215000,22888000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2241579-cb19467fcbad76e470b55b2ed2ad1e34&start=3215&end=22888","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2241579-cb19467fcbad76e470b55b2ed2ad1e34/thumbnail_3215000.jpg","/articles/6348567/Connecticut/Workers-and-advocates-press-for-45-wageandhour-investigators-audit-shows-backlog","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348567-c5eb89d3c2df3fcdb4c47c476dbc223c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447895&Signature=kl4Vbqrt--S7DPvI-LgkoWHXTeIXvk~1qL27zosBd~sNkPMmOrEqR4i6HwrImYp6q3fP4hC~EK8NmsRo9WeZm7a2WRkwgl7mb0tlQFCdla~OzvRE9By6teB22hsoLJjQUih0XW4KErQ8JrX6LdCSbweI3E3~UvahV7T0ek~9lu-ikncrp19kHRIE7--2oGnOV-cw7x3w~BllCBgo6E9afLr6SFv6eE8U8TKoB9Nfby3CJl9mjttTFH6Bkp2c5F4TLxVr8ADPQej-9ZJjhSABqimXIl9v0IL0W5PbcX~RlJ0rfvfHbKONocOaGv1l~u6-h0G7WQhjw8aUn6I7uSIR1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hartford — Unions, worker centers and dozens of affected workers told the Labor and Public Employees Committee that Connecticut’s Wage and Workplace Standards Division is understaffed and cannot investigate the volume of wage-theft claims that reach the department.

Union representatives, community‑based organizers and several workers gave firsthand testimony about cases that took months or years to resolve, citing a state auditors’ report that found large backlogs and long waits for case assignment. “Workers file complaints and then wait months without resolution,” said Ed Hawthorne of the Connecticut AFL‑CIO.

Why it matters: Wage theft — unpaid minimum wage, unpaid overtime, unpaid tips and misclassification — reduces worker incomes, depresses local spending and gives unscrupulous employers an unfair price advantage. Witnesses and documents cited during the hearing show that more investigators would produce faster recoveries for workers and better deterrence for bad actors.

Most important facts
- Witnesses said the Department of Labor recovered about $3.4 million in unpaid wages in 2022; advocates said that figure undercounts uninvestigated claims.
- The state auditors’ review noted a backlog in 2023 with hundreds of complaints unassigned and at least one case left pending for nearly a year; witnesses said staffing in that enforcement division has declined over the past decade and that many current investigators are covering heavy caseloads.
- HB 6843 would require staged hiring to reach up to 45 wage‑and‑hour investigators by June 2026; witnesses said that level would allow case assignments within a reasonable timeframe and support proactive inspections and outreach.

What witnesses told the committee
Construction union representative Miguel Fuentes and others documented large projects where owners, general contractors or labor brokers failed to pay wages, provided cash-only pay, or failed to carry workers’ compensation and payroll taxes. Worker‑center witnesses described individual cases where complaints took many months to be assigned and where employers closed or declared bankruptcy before wages could be collected.

Organizers and union leaders stressed enforcement’s economic benefits. “This is revenue positive work,” said Ed Hawthorne, meaning recoveries, fines and remediations frequently recoup money for workers — money that returns to local economies and reduces pressure on public assistance programs.

Department capacity and budget details
Current staffing numbers cited at the hearing varied by witness, but multiple speakers said investigator head counts have fallen over the last decade; organizers and previous audit language referenced roughly 20 investigators or fewer assigned to field work in recent years. Advocates urged a return to historical staffing levels (40–45 investigators) and asked the legislature to appropriate funds in the next budget.

Bipartisan tone, appropriations hurdle
Representatives and senators from both parties said the topic deserved action. Multiple members observed that the real test is in appropriations, where funding must be authorized. Representative Tim Ackert, newly assigned to Appropriations, said he would press for resources to reduce the backlog and expedite collection of owed wages.

Ending
HB 6843 drew extensive public testimony and broad support from labor and community groups. Committee members asked for fiscal notes and workload analyses; advocates said they would continue to press appropriators to fund the hires so the department can both investigate claims promptly and perform routine inspections that deter violations.","Dozens of workers, unions and community organizations urged the Labor Committee to fund more wage-and-hour investigators (HB 6843), citing a multi-month backlog, recurring large-scale wage-theft cases and millions recovered in past years.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348572,"Comptroller presses changes to Connecticut’s myCT savings program; PCAs, advocates press for enrollment access",17876,1080000,18956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2241579-cb19467fcbad76e470b55b2ed2ad1e34&start=1080&end=18956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2241579-cb19467fcbad76e470b55b2ed2ad1e34/thumbnail_1080000.jpg","/articles/6348572/Connecticut/Comptroller-presses-changes-to-Connecticuts-myCT-savings-program-PCAs-advocates-press-for-enrollment-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348572-68ae51a55516087ef2a67f56b6c9ebbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447895&Signature=OWV~M7IgPtN7ItsmmrInIIcKm~bfxMdX3FfdH-sMc9UmH6O8rRx1vwIvyCxz8JYCRLLJx-qDWjhq4sWUDrp6Hi8Ku-g1MqAkzPuQyCV5GwiNcO14J4yV4oLJweX2Y4JoaK~GzEkR0cSyXCBKLyLsSIUDB8433TKNKqcsHggzBnXDQ9Ktx95G~LzrS5qU4oFCQWx6~jDLb~rTF1lOKDuol~a25Z9PiNkYuZQ9SWbELiPKqJeJZpyt0wZ2HlSzGm-xAP8zrK0l1jLiJB7IRRBWxZ9tq7qcnZzl8pT6XmuvWF7qirWDAMAMUOGpmH918hP-1HCRklBMHnFx8vKvyIwWYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hartford — Comptroller Sean Scanlon told the Labor and Public Employees Committee that Senate Bill 1221 would make technical and operational changes to myCT savings, Connecticut’s state-sponsored retirement program, including allowing personal care attendants to enroll and aligning contribution rules with federal standards.

Scanlon, who said his office has run the program since rollout, told the committee the statute creating the program dates back to 2016 and that the proposed changes are intended to update the law and increase participation. “This program is personal to me,” he said, noting his small-business background and describing the effect retirement access has had for workers who previously had no accounts.

Why it matters: myCT savings is a state-run automatic IRA program meant to reach employees without employer-sponsored retirement plans. Advocates and the comptroller say expanding the program to cover roughly 12,000 personal care attendants (PCAs) and aligning it to federal contribution standards and the federal savers match would expand retirement access for low- and moderate-income workers.

Most important facts
- Comptroller Scanlon said myCT savings has more than 6,900 participating employers, roughly 30,000 enrolled employees and about $36,000,000 in assets under management (figures given in testimony). He said the program is operating in 61 of Connecticut’s 169 municipalities.
- SB 1221 would allow consumer employers of PCAs to enroll those workers in myCT savings, permit the program to open traditional IRAs to accept the federal savers match, align contribution levels with the federal Secure 2.0-era standards, and add a modest compliance regime for noncompliant employers.
- The comptroller’s staff told the committee the program has three full-time staff, annual personnel costs of about $500,000 and an operational budget typically under $200,000 ($150,000 cited for the most recent year).

What supporters said
Comptroller Scanlon and the program’s executive director, Jessica Muirhead, said the changes are modest operational updates intended to increase enrollment and to enable low-income workers to receive a federal savers match that begins in 2027. Scanlon said the office aims to pair outreach (town-by-town \"business walks\") with statutory updates and asked the panel to approve a compliance mechanism so the program can be enforced.

Union representatives, senior advocates and PCAs testified in support of the bill. AARP, the CT AFL-CIO and multiple PCAs described the program as a first step that will help workers who lack any retirement savings and said automatic payroll deductions dramatically increase the odds that people will save. PCAs described decades of caregiving work, low pay and no retirement options and asked legislators to allow PCAs to participate so they can accumulate accounts and — organizers said — reduce future strain on public safety-net programs.

Concerns and questions
Several committee Republicans expressed reservations about a state-run retirement product that some said competes with private providers. Senator Sampson and others questioned whether the program’s scale justifies state involvement and asked for clearer projections (the comptroller provided an internal estimate that if fully implemented compliance could cover about 100,000 people in scope, an estimate Scanlon attributed to program staff).

Committee members also asked about fees, staffing and marketing budgets. Comptroller staff said program fees pay the operation (no ongoing taxpayer appropriation to run the trust); the office has used a line-of-credit arrangement and fee revenue to start operations. Muirhead said the program sends quarterly account statements to participants and that operational costs are largely consultant-driven investment oversight.

What the bill would change (as described in testimony)
- PCA access: allow consumer employers who directly hire PCAs (many paid through Medicaid programs) to be treated as qualifying employers for myCT savings so residential caregivers can be enrolled; the state would facilitate payroll processing for those arrangements.
- Federal alignment and contribution levels: permit the program to adopt federal contribution standards so the automatic default contribution can move from the law’s original 3% toward widely used default rates nearer 5%.
- Savers match: permit opening traditional IRAs (in addition to Roth IRAs) so eligible participants can receive the federal savers match beginning in 2027.
- Compliance: create a limited, graduated compliance regime for noncompliant employers (Scanlon reiterated his longstanding stance against suing small businesses but said the program needs a credible enforcement option to increase coverage).

Next steps and context
This was a public hearing with testimony from the comptroller, program staff, unions and many personal care attendants. No committee vote was recorded at the hearing. Supporters urged the committee to advance the bill so program rules can be updated ahead of the federal savers-match rollout in 2027.

Ending
Committee discussion continued after this testimony with detailed questions about contribution schedules, notice to participants, outreach funding and the tradeoffs between state-run and private retirement options.","At a Labor and Public Employees Committee public hearing, Comptroller Scanlon outlined a four-part bill (SB 1221) to update the state-run myCT savings retirement program; personal care attendants, unions and advocates urged the panel to expand access and fund enforcement and outreach.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State marshals press for state health insurance; union leaders and marshals detail safety risks

Workers and advocates press for 45 wage‑and‑hour investigators; audit shows backlog

Comptroller presses changes to Connecticut’s myCT savings program; PCAs, advocates press for enrollment access