The CDC is urging Americans to remain cautious as COVID-19 vaccines roll out, and Connecticut says residents should be patient as vaccine eligibility expands. A minimum wage hike will not be included in a proposed $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package. And an analysis of tax revenues finds that the pandemic had disproportionate effects across the nation.
National
Senate Democrats will not pursue a $15 an hour minimum wage as part of the $1.9 trillion recently passed in the House. The measure was included as part of the House-approved bill, but the Senate parliamentarian has ruled that the wage hike would not comply with the chamber’s rules if the legislation is passed by reconciliation.
The head of the Centers for Disease Control is urging states to retain COVID-19 safety protocols as some begin to lift mask mandates and other restrictions due to the vaccine rollout and falling cases. Dr. Rochelle Wolensky says the infection rate could increase if states ease precautions too soon, with the emergence of more contagious COVID-19 variants posing a significant threat.
A recent analysis of states’ tax revenues finds that the pandemic has had a vastly disproportionate effect across the nation. Although the majority of states saw a decline in revenues, 22 saw revenues increase; Idaho had the largest gain compared to 2019 at 10.4 percent, while Alaska’s revenues had the greatest loss at 42.5 percent.
Connecticut
Governor Ned Lamont is urging Connecticut residents to be patient and perhaps delay setting up a vaccination appointment for a few days as the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available to residents ages 55 and older. Demand is expected to outweigh supply, as more than 500,000 residents and 160,000 educators are now eligible to receive a vaccine but the state’s supply is currently limited to 130,000 doses a week.
