Dear Neighbor,
On March 8th, Connecticut had its first confirmed case of coronavirus. On March 9th, the Governor declared a state of Public Health and Civil Preparedness Emergencies. And our lives have been radically changed ever since.
However, my commitment to you and your family has not changed. We will get through this period, and I know our state will be stronger on the other side.
This newsletter is intended to provide you with helpful information and resources, as well as an overview of some of the work my office has been doing during this time.
If you have any questions, concerns, or if I can be helpful to you in working with any state agency or understanding how any of our state laws or regulations can affect your work, our schools, or your opportunities, please call or email me anytime.
Best,
Tom Arnone
State Representative
Coronavirus Resources
For the most up to date information please visit:
portal.ct.gov/coronavirus
The CDC, and Governor Lamont, are continuing to require individuals wear masks in public when you are unable to “social distance” more than 6 feet away from others.
If you are out of work, you have the right to file for unemployment
insurance. Visit: www.FileCTUI.com to file your claim or call: 860-263-6975, 203-455-2653, 860-263-6974 or 203-455-2650.
If you are a business owner, the Department of Economic and Community Development is developing and updating guidelines on safe ways to operate your business: business.ct.gov/Recovery. They have also opened a small business hotline: 860-500-2333.
If you notice a business not operating in a safe manner, call 2-1-1.
If you are having trouble paying your residential mortgage or rent, we have worked with banks and landlords to provide you additional time to put together payments. For more information on these programs, visit: portal.ct.gov/coronavirus/information-for/homeowners-and-renters.
In addition, we have worked with the federal delegation and the Governor’s office to develop and fund a number of smaller assistance programs ranging from funding for energy assistance to bioscience innovation funds, to helping our schools deal with unexpected expenditures. For more on these, please visit my website: www.housedems.ct.gov/Arnone.
I know that working with state agencies and our partners during this time can be complicated. Phone lines are crowded, applications may be confusing. My office is here to help. Call or email me anytime, and I promise I will get you help.
Advocating For You During this Time
This has been a remarkably challenging time for all of us. My office has worked with many of you to fix issues with your unemployment applications, help your business apply for financial aid, work with the DMV to get your car registered. I know that it is during these challenging times when we need government help and services the most.
That’s why I have worked with my colleagues to advocate for all of you with the Governor and his administration. I am proud to say that because of our advocacy, we have expanded tele-medicine, brought additional COVID-19 testing sites to our community, expanded affordable childcare options for front-line workers, and delayed due dates for state income taxes and municipal property taxes. If there are more ways that we can make state government work better for you, please let me know.
I Proudly Championed This Piece of Legislation
One bill I am particularly proud of is legislation that requires health insurers to treat those of us with mental health and addiction problems the same way we treat physical health conditions: HB 7159 - AN ACT ADDRESSING OPIOID USE. As a Town Councilor, I worked closely with first responders and non-profits to find treatment options for those that suffer from mental health and addiction. I have the opportunity as your representative, to serve on the Public Health Committee where I told the other committee members the personal stories of Enfield residents. It was an honor to co-sponsor this bill, vote it out of committee, vote for it again on the floor of the House of Representatives, and then be there when Governor Ned Lamont signed it into law.
| FY 20 | FY 21 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Adult Education |
$100,209 |
$100,209 |
| ECS: Education Cost Sharing |
$29,169,999 |
$29,169,999 |
| Enfield Total Appropriated Aid (Bond Authorizations and non-Appropriated Aid Not included) |
$31,168,008 | $31,585,664 |
In addition, the bill contained funds for workforce development, launching the Paid Family Medical Leave insurance program and funding transportation improvements. It is now up to Governor Lamont and the Bond Commission to release these funds, and I will hold them to that.
Where Do We Go From Here?
While we continue to be guided by public health experts on the steps we need to take to safely “reopen”, we also have an opportunity to build a stronger and more robust state.
Already we are working to ensure hospitals and health care providers such as nursing homes have adequate stock of personal protective equipment. And we are working with farmers and food banks to protect and localize our food supply chain.
Your stories and experiences are important to helping us improve the quality of life for you. How well did the safety net work for you and your family? How can we do better? What services were not available that you really needed?
I want to hear from you!
More than ever, it continues to be an honor and privilege to represent you.