Major Airline News Announced By Lamont + More Tax Cuts?

Good Thursday morning Connecticut,

Here is a look at the trending news stories across Connecticut.

Gov. Ned Lamont, Connecticut Airport Authority Executive Director Kevin Dillon, and Breeze Airways founder and CEO David Neeleman today announced that Breeze Airways has chosen Bradley International Airport as the location where the company will establish its fifth base of operations under a plan that includes the creation of more than 200 new jobs in Connecticut.

In addition, Breeze plans to add 8 new nonstop destinations at Bradley, bringing the total number of destinations the airline serves from the airport to 12.

“Over the last few years, Bradley has gained a national reputation as one of the best operated and most convenient airports in the country, and airlines are taking note as they increase their service and add more routes from Connecticut’s largest airport,” Lamont said. “Bradley is a key economic driver for our state, and the more airlines and destinations that we can add from the airport, the more attractive Connecticut becomes to companies that are seeking to grow their own operations. I am excited that Breeze has committed to establishing a base of operations at Bradley, and I look forward to their continued growth here.”

When Breeze first took flight on May 27, 2021, Bradley was one of three destinations the airline served from day one. Establishing Bradley as a base means that the airline will permanently house aircraft at the airport; hire local pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics; and fly new routes. Nationally, by the end of February, the airline will provide service between 18 cities and 14 states.

“As a long-time Connecticut resident, it’s personally really exciting for me to announce today with Governor Lamont that Hartford’s Bradley International Airport is becoming Breeze’s fifth base of operations,” Neeleman said. “We also can’t wait to share the news of all the eight new destinations coming from BDL in just a matter of weeks.”

The four nonstop destinations that Breeze currently serves from Bradley include Charleston, South Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Norfolk, Virginia; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Breeze plans to announce the eight new destinations that it is adding at the airport in the coming weeks.

The first of Breeze’s 80 brand-new Airbus A220s will operate on all four routes starting in June. Each of the four existing routes will have more weekly frequencies added, most notably the Hartford-Charleston route, which will operate daily this summer.

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is supporting the project by providing a grant in arrears up to $1,262,000 contingent on the company creating and retaining 212 full-time jobs.

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The state Department Of Public Health extends suspension requirements for licensed health care professionals from other states

The order has been issued by DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD and suspends for a period of 60 days, the requirement of licensure, certification or registration for health care professionals who are appropriately licensed, certified, or registered in another state or territory of the United States and the District of Columbia. The 60-day period will not extend past April 15. The temporary suspension of licensure, certification, or registration to practice in Connecticut applies to:

• Physicians

• Physician assistants

• APRNs

• Registered nurses

• Licensed practice nurses

• Respiratory Care Practitioners

• Psychologists

• Marital and family therapists

• Clinical and master social workers

• Professional counselors

“We continue to trend in a positive direction in terms of hospitalizations, but we continue to need to utilize all resources to optimize staffing in healthcare settings,” Juthani said in a news release. “With health care staffing shortages still being a nationwide issue, this order will offer some immediate relief to Connecticut’s health care infrastructure by authorizing licensed health care providers from other states to immediately work in Connecticut. The professions authorized include those who provide critical mental health services which are in high demand.”

Any out-of-state professional must comply with all provisions of the order to practice in Connecticut including that they are in good standing in their home state and have appropriate malpractice insurance. The order permits both in-person practice and telehealth services provided that the practitioner complies with the requirements of the recently enacted Public Act 21-9 that regulates telehealth providers.

Juthani stressed that any out of state licensed provider who practices in Connecticut during this temporary order should apply for a Connecticut license to help ensure that the care they are providing does not abruptly stop once the temporary order expires and the practitioner’s authority to practice in Connecticut ends.

Additionally, Juthani extended an order that authorizes health professionals who are trained to administer anesthesia to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. These professionals include podiatrists, dentists, and dental hygienists. Veterinarians, advanced emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians with training in intramuscular epinephrine administration also may administer the COVID-19 vaccine. These current orders expire on April 15.

More tax cuts?

CT Mirror reported that House Republicans have pitched a series of tax cuts which total more than $700 million. Leading GOP officials said the high cost of living in CT remains a serious concern. Due to federal stimulus funds, Connecticut has billions of dollars in surplus funds. The proposals include: income and property tax relief, and repealing Gov. Lamont's mileage tax on commercial trucks. Lamont last week pitched his own tax relief plan. (Read More at CT Mirror).

Conditions on CT's major roadways

CHESHIRE - Road Work on I-691 Westbound between Exits 3 and 1 (2.1 miles) in effect today until 3:00 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 17 at 8:59 am.

MERIDEN - Road Work on I-91 Southbound between Exits 19 and 17 (1.2 miles) in effect today until 4:34 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 17 at 8:34 am.

NEW LONDON - Road Work on I-95 Northbound between Exits 83 and 86 (1.8 miles) in effect today until 1:19 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 17 at 7:20 am.

NORWALK - Delays. I-95 Southbound is congested between Exits 16 and 13 (3.1 miles). Reported Thursday, February 17 at 6:26 am.

STAMFORD - Delays on I-95 Southbound between Exits 9 and 6 is now clear. Reported at 7:35 am and updated at 8:41 am.

CHESHIRE - RT 42 Closed Between RT 69 & Mountain Crest Dr. until further notice because of Crash (Load Spillage/HAZMAT). Reported Thursday, February 17 at 06:00 am.

PORTLAND - Road Work on RT66 on Arrigoni Bridge right lane closed in effect today until 4:52 pm. One lane open for each direction. Reported Thursday, February 17 at 8:53 am.

TRUMBULL - Road Work on RT8 Southbound between Exits 8 and 5 (2.5 miles) in effect today until 4:00 pm. The right lane is closed. Reported Thursday, February 17 at 8:49 am.

This article originally appeared on the Milford Patch