In a release, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said he wrote to Russian Ambassador Sergey I. Kislyak urging "Russian authorities to overturn the conviction of Alexei Navalny – an attorney, activist, and former Yale World Fellow who last week was convicted of embezzlement. The conviction is widely believed to be politically motivated since Navalny is a leading critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his administration."   (scroll down to read the full letter)

“Freedom of the press and the ability to speak openly about political views are crucial elements of a democratic society,” Blumenthal wrote, according to the release. “Sadly, Mr. Navalny’s conviction seems to indicate a lack of political freedom in Russia. I am particularly concerned by statements by the prosecution seeming to indicate that Mr. Navalny was charged due to his outspoken opposition of the Putin administration. Additionally, I am gravely concerned by reports that defense lawyers were not allowed to cross-examine a key prosecution witness and that the judge barred the defense from calling many of its witnesses.”

Blumenthal added, “If Mr. Navalny’s conviction is not reversed upon appeal, it will raise further questions regarding the state of the rule of law in Russia. I ask you to urge Russian authorities to immediately reconsider their decisions to target members of the political opposition and work to restore faith in the legal system. It is in the best interest of democracy not to let Mr. Navalny’s conviction stand.”

Navalny Kislyak Letter

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In a prepared statement, the White House Friday released the text of President Barack Obama's remarks on Trayvon Martin

This is the statement:

Remarks by the President- Trayvon Martin

In a release,Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said he, "signed on to a joint letter calling on House Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to support common sense and comprehensive immigration reform legislation. Such legislation passed the U.S. Senate with strong bipartisan support on June 27, 2013."

Read the letter here:

Governors Immigration Reform Letter

A sampling of what New Haven mayoral candidates are saying on Twitter. Join the conversation @nhrmayor2013

Governor Malloy’s Bill Notification Release No. 20:

2013.7.2 Bill Notification 20

Prepared statement by OPM Secretary Ben Barnes on the "credit-rating agencies maintaining the state’s bond ratings."

This release, unedited here, was sent out Tuesday:

Statement on Rating Agencies Connecticut

 

Treasurer Denise L. Nappier statement on the credit-rating agencies on the state’s bond ratings

Press Release - Bond Ratings Affirmed

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In a press release, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Secretary of the State Denise Merrill announced that all state agency regulations have been made electronically available to the public through the state website at www.ct.gov/eregulations.  

?In addition to an accessible database of state agency regulations, the new eRegulations website will also contain all agency notices of intent to adopt new regulations, as well as all emergency regulations," the release said.

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