Connecticut
Growing fight over submarine funding
A fight is looming down in Washington over whether to fund two submarines for the Navy.
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, (D, 2nd), is among those backing a bill to fund construction for two subs. “I think this is not just sort of a hometown, parochial priority,” Courtney said.
Many congressional Republicans and the White House are backing a spending plan that would only call for one sub, though.
“This bill procures where we can, trains where we must and invests in capabilities that make our adversaries wake up every day and say, ‘today is not the day to provoke the United States of America,’” U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert, (R, California), said during debate on a spending bill last week.
A budget deal last year caps the Defense Departments budget at $886 billion, and some say that money would be better spent on fighter jets and supporting innovation in the military.
It’s not clear if the reduction in submarine building would impact orders to Groton-based Electric Boat and the company did not respond to a request for comment this week.
EB has said it wants to hire 5,000 workers are year to meet expected increases in production.
Supporters of a the two-sub plan say maintaining construction also sends a message to parts builders and suppliers.
“Electric boat supplies work for over 700 companies here in Connecticut, supports tens of thousands of jobs outside their own direct jobs,” Chris Davis, vice president of public policy for the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, said.
Courtney said ramping up the supply chain can be difficult, which is why he’s opposed past efforts to scale back construction.
He also said nuclear submarines need to be a part of a modern military, pointing to China’s stockpile of missiles capable of shooting down ships.
Courtney also noted Ukraine has been able to fend off Russia’s surface-level ships.
“It’s submarines that really, um you know, kind of change the dynamic,” he said.
That’s also part of the reason why Australia reached an agreement in 2021 with the U.S. and U.K. to buy nuclear submarines.
As part of the AUKUS deal, the U.S. agreed to sell three submarines to Australia beginning in 2032.
The president can back out if the Navy needs more subs, though. Courtney said the Navy is supposed to have 66 attacking submarines but currently only has 50, with three scheduled to be decommissioned in the next few years.
“Every time you take a sub out of inventory, in my opinion, you’re making that decision harder,” Courtney said.
The AUKUS deal included orders for Electric Boat.
WETHERSFIELD, Conn. (WFSB) – A tractor trailer’s diesel fuel saddle tank ruptured on I-91 north between exits 25 and 27, state police said.
Approximately 25 to 30 gallons of fuel was released to the road surface, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. No ground soil or waterways were involved, DEEP said.
The two right lanes were closed, according to the state Department of Transportation.
No other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported, state police said.
Wethersfield Fire Department solidified the diesel fuel on the ground surface with Speedy Dry, DEEP said. An environmental cleanup contractor was en route for cleanup.
Copyright 2026 WFSB. All rights reserved.
WESTPORT — A two-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 caused a traffic slowdown stretching for miles into Fairfield Friday afternoon, according to state officials.
The crash scene has since been cleared.
Connecticut State Police said the two-car crash was reported near Exit 17 in the southbound lanes at 3:03 p.m.
One driver was taken to the hospital for reported injuries, the agency said.
The crash closed the right lane of the highway, causing cars and trucks to be backed up for miles along I-95 into Fairfield, traffic cameras showed.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Connecticut
Joe Deko Appointed to State Legislature’s Group Studying Prepaid Funeral Contracts to Protect Consumers
- Reviewing contract structures: Examining issues related to pre-need funeral contracts and cremation service agreements.
- Strengthening oversight: Recommending stronger consumer protections and improvements to state regulation of the funeral services industry.
- Developing compensation mechanisms: Creating rules for distributing funds to affected consumers and exploring the framework for a future industry-backed guarantee fund.
Deko took to Facebook to share the news.
“I am honored to announce my appointment to the Connecticut State working group focused on reviewing and strengthening Connecticut’s prepaid funeral laws.
This important effort brings together professionals and stakeholders committed to ensuring that prepaid funeral arrangements continue to serve and protect Connecticut families while maintaining the highest standards within our profession.
I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute my experience and perspective to this process and look forward to working collaboratively with fellow members of the group.
A special thank you to Senator Paul Cicarella for his confidence in me and for entrusting me with this appointment. Your support and leadership are greatly appreciated. I look forward to helping shape thoughtful policies that will benefit Connecticut families and the funeral profession for years to come.”
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