A preliminary injunction against a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, a deal on the debt ceiling, a surge in Connecticut’s COVID-19 test positivity rate, key criteria for Connecticut recreational cannabis businesses, and the impending retirement of Connecticut’s chief manufacturing officer are among the top business news items this morning.
National
A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal contractors. The ruling applies nationwide and follows several other recent court decisions asserting that the White House does not have the authority to issue such mandates.
Congressional Democrats have passed legislation to start a process for raising the United States’ debt limit. A short-term deal struck in October increased the limit, but Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says further action must take place by Dec. 15 in order for the federal government to continue paying its bills.
Connecticut
Connecticut’s daily test positivity rate for COVID-19 jumped to 8.33 percent, the highest rate recorded since vaccines for the virus became widely available. Lamont said the infections have been primarily concentrated in unvaccinated individuals, and that he is not considering any restrictions or mandates at this time.
Connecticut’s Social Equity Council has established several requirements and criteria for establishing a legal cannabis business in the state. Connecticut legalized recreational marijuana earlier this year, and retail sales are expected to begin next year.
Colin Cooper, the state’s first chief manufacturing officer, will be leaving his post shortly to retire. The position was created by the Connecticut General Assembly in 2019 to help coordinate efforts to strengthen the state’s manufacturing sector.