Jeff Currey

Friends and Neighbors,

Before we get into our “hello” message, please be advised that we are likely in the direct path of Tropical Storm Henri which is expected to impact us for most of Sunday. Click here to see Henri's predicted path.  There are certain steps you may want to take to ensure you, your loved ones, and your personal property are protected. In the link after our opening message, you'll find some tips on how you can prepare and stay safe during the storm.

Aside from the impending weather, we hope you’re all enjoying your summer and finding time to safely reconnect with friends and family at home or at a variety of venues our great state has at its fingertips. In addition to getting in some of that fun time, I’m sure many of you are preparing for the start of another school year, including some of that back to school shopping us “seasoned” (I refuse to be “old”) folks haven’t done in a bit. But, regardless of why you’re shopping, we can all take advantage of Connecticut's 2021 Sales Tax Free Week running through tomorrow. This is a great opportunity to save while preparing the kids for going back to school.
 
During this one-week sales tax holiday, retail purchases of most clothing and footwear items priced under $100 are exempt from the Connecticut sales and use tax. The exemption during Sales Tax Free Week applies to each eligible item costing under $100, regardless of how many of those items are sold to a customer on the same invoice.

Many retailers in Connecticut offer additional clothing and footwear discounts during Sales Tax Free Week, resulting in even more savings for shoppers.

Specific information on Connecticut’s Sales Tax Free Week, including a listing of individual items that are exempt or taxable, can be found by visiting the Department of Revenue Services website.

If you're shopping in-person, please don't forget to bring your mask. Earlier this month, Executive Order No. 13A was signed enabling municipalities to implement universal mask mandates. Currently, East Hartford, Manchester, and South Windsor require masks to be worn in town buildings including Town Hall and libraries. Manchester and South Windsor also are requiring masks to be worn inside privately owned businesses regardless of an individual's vaccination status. East Hartford, even with an extremely low vaccination rate of 56% has not yet issued these safety protocols. I’d ask that we err on the side of caution, as recommended below and due to not knowing the status of the stranger at checkouts, it may be best to wear a mask. I mean, what’s wrong with looking out for your fellow human, right?

New COVID-19 cases are on the rise in our state due mainly to the Delta Variant, which has caused 100 percent of new cases. Because of the high community spread, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has designated Hartford County, along with Middlesex, New London and New Haven Counties, areas with high transmission. Every other Connecticut county is categorized as substantial community spread. 

The CDC recommends wearing a face mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial and high transmission. Masks remain one of the easiest methods to reduce the spread of the virus and prevent vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals from contracting the violence.

It's important to note that the best method of protection against COVID-19 is getting vaccinated. Over 2 million people in Connecticut are vaccinated and just about 0.06% have gotten COVID-19. Of those, about 7% have been hospitalized due to COVID-19. Currently, unvaccinated individuals make up a majority of COVID-19-related hospitalizations. 

It was recently announced that Connecticut has begun to implement the CDC's recommendations on additional COVID-19 vaccine doses for immunocompromised individuals. Those who have received an organ transplant and others who are moderately or severely immunocompromised and received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines should receive a third dose. This guidance does not apply to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. I didn't walk, I ran to get that third shot and I hope my fellow immunocompromised peeps do the same. Be sure to check in with your physician if you're unsure of your ability to receive the additional shot.

You can find walk-up vaccination sites throughout our community by visiting the state's vaccination portal here. If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, find a test site here.

By rolling up our sleeves for the vaccine and donning our masks, we will get through this most recent wave of the pandemic together. 

Stay safe and stay well and remember, we only get through this by doing it together.

Below you will find a guide to the following information. We've upgraded our e-blast so that you can click the links to go right to the topic. Click on the subject to navigate to the topic section in the body of this email.

• COVID-19 Update
• New Laws Took Effect July 1
• CT Earned Income Tax Credit to Increase
• Access Health CT Special Enrollment
• Unite-CT Rent & Utility Assistance
• Hurricane Safety
• Higher Education News
• Funding for Special Education Services
• Resources Regarding Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan
• In The News
• Support East Hartford K-9 Casus
• Job Opportunities & Resources

You can find additional resources and information on my web site,
www.housedems.ct.gov/currey. If there's something you need help with that isn't included in this email, please check my website. If you can't find what you're looking for there, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.

Data on COVID-19 associated deaths is updated once per week every Thursday. The most recently reported total number of deaths is 8,330, an increase of 23 since Thursday, August 12.

Weekly Update of the Department of Public Health's COVID-19 Alert Map

During the daily COVID-19 news conference Tuesday, the governor announced that students in Connecticut's K-12 schools will still be wearing masks for at least the first month. He also stated he may extend the order depending on community transmission rates of COVID-19. Read the update and watch the news conference here.

Inclusion of Black and Latino Studies in Public School Curriculum:

• HB 7082 – Passed in 2019 – requires public school curriculum to include Black and Latino studies to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of history.
• Under the act, boards must offer the course in the 2022-23 school year, but they may do so in the upcoming 2021-22 school year.
• The State Board of Education (SDE) will conduct an annual audit to ensure that the required courses are being offered and report their findings to the Education Committee.

Access to Birth Certificates:

• HB 6105 – Passed in 2021 – takes steps to allow adoptees 18 and older to understand the history of their biological families by allowing them access to their birth certificates.

Ice Cream Truck Safety:

• SB 608 – Passed in 2021 – protects children who are buying ice cream from an ice cream truck
• The law requires these ice cream trucks to increase their visibility to other drivers, including flashing red lights and a stop signal arm.
• This will also establish limitations and conditions as to where ice cream trucks will be available to kids in order to optimize their safety.
• As of yesterday, ice cream trucks are prohibited from dispensing ice cream to a child coming from the opposite side of the road unless they have an adult present to assist them in crossing the road.

Legalizing Sports Betting:

• HB 6451 – Passed in 2021 – allows for the Governor to amend agreements with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Tribe in order to modernize and expand gaming in Connecticut. The agreement between the State and the tribes still needs to be approved by the U.S. Department of Interior.
• States across the country have already made critically needed expansions to their gaming industry by investing in new online technology, and this law allows our State to keep up with these developing efforts.
• This law will generate additional revenue for the Connecticut’s General Fund.

Legalizing Adult-Use of Recreational Cannabis:

• SB 1201 – Passed in 2021 – is a multi-part bill that will take effect in annual increments with the first portion taking effect yesterday. The breakdown is as follows:
  • Possession: Possession of cannabis for recreational use became legal in Connecticut for adults age 21 and over on July 1^st, 2021. Adults cannot have more than 1.5 ounces of cannabis on their person, and no more than 5 ounces in their homes or locked in their car truck or glove box.
  • Retail sales: Retail sales of cannabis are projected to begin in Connecticut by the end of 2022. The sale, manufacture, and cultivation of cannabis for commercial purposes requires a license from the state.
  • Homegrown: Patients who are participating in Connecticut’s medical marijuana program will be permitted to cultivate up to six cannabis plants (three mature, three immature) in their homes beginning October 1, 2021. All adults age 21 and over will be permitted to grow a similar number of plants indoors within their homes beginning July 1, 2023.
• The bill erases convictions related to possession of less than 4 oz. of marijuana, for offenses occurring between 2015 – 2021 and erases convictions related to possession of any amount of marijuana for offenses occurring between 2000-2015.
• The majority of revenue from cannabis sales will be utilized to establish an Equity Fund.
  • The Equity Fund will help Connecticut right the wrongs of the War on Drugs by initiating criminal justice reforms while creating economic opportunities for communities disproportionately affected by this divisive tactic.

Plastic Bag Ban:

• The second and final stage of Connecticut’s single-use plastic bag law that passed in 2019 also took effect on July 1.
• The first phase of this bill initiated a 10-cent charge for plastic bags back in August 2019.
• You no longer will be able to get a plastic bag at grocery store check outs—however, paper bags will still be available for a fee. Connecticut residents are of course to continue to use and bring their reusable bags (also sold in stores).

These are just a few of the laws and provisions that took effect on July 1. You can read the full list of bills by clicking the button below. If you're curious about if a particular bill was passed this session in another piece of legislation, the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Research compiled a detailed report. 

Under the newly enacted budget, the Earned Income Tax Credit increased from 23% to 30.5%. 

The Connecticut Earned Income Tax Credit is a refundable state income tax credit for working individuals and families. Qualifying Connecticut workers can now deduct 30.5% of their earned income from their annual state taxes. To qualify, individuals must have an adjusted gross income that is less than:

• $51,464 ($57,414 married filing jointly) with 3 or more qualifying children;
• $47,915 ($53,865 married filing jointly) with 2 qualifying children;
• $42,158 ($48,108 married filing jointly) with 1 qualifying child; or
• $15,980 ($21,920 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children.

This increase will result in an additional $40 million delivered to the nearly 195,000 eligible households to assist with necessary expenses such as groceries, transportation, housing and more. 
 
I am proud that our state budget supports the working families and residents across the state who were impacted most by the pandemic. 

Nearly half of all Access Health CT customers are paying less than $50 per enrollee per month for their health insurance plan thanks to newly available financial help made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
 
Additionally, some Connecticut residents may be eligible to pay $0 for health insurance through AHCT's new Covered Connecticut Program. Those who qualify can continue to enroll after October 31^st. To enroll in Covered Connecticut, call the Access Health CT Call Center at 1-855-805-4325, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
 
To be eligible for the Covered Connecticut Program, Connecticut residents must:

• Have at least one dependent child in the household under age 19; Children age 18 must be a full-time student in secondary school.
• Be eligible for Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) and Cost Sharing Reductions (CSRs).
• Use 100% of APTCs and CSRs available to them, along with the expanded American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) financial assistance.
• Be enrolled in an eligible Silver Level Plan.
• Have a household annual income that is greater than 160%, and up to and including 175% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

Also, please remember Access Health CT will continue to offer free help: 

• Online: AccessHealthCT.com (Live chat: AccessHealthCT.com click “Live Chat” icon).
• Phone: 1-855-805-4325, Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. If you are deaf or hearing impaired, you may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.
• In-person help at either of AHCT’s Navigator partner locations*:  
  • Project Access New Haven located at 63 York Street in New Haven 
  • Community Renewal Team located at 330 Market Street in Hartford

*Please note: In-person locations are by appointment only with strict safety protocols (mask-wearing, hand sanitizing, temperature checks, social distancing, and standard health questionnaire).
 
If you need good, quality, affordable health insurance, sign up today through Access Health CT. Don’t delay!

To apply online, visit Operation Fuel's secure portal here.
 
You can also connect with a fuel bank in your area. To schedule an appointment, enter your town in Operation Fuel’s Fuel Bank Finder. If you have questions or need assistance, call 860-243-2345.

Thanks to last year’s Take Back Our Grid Act (H.B. 7006), the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is now empowered to direct fine money, paid by utility companies and suppliers for violations, to Operation Fuel, 100% of which goes directly to supporting residents in need.
 
Don't miss this opportunity to get help now if you're struggling to pay your utility bills. Operation Fuel is here to help. Learn more at operationfuel.org.

Landlords and tenants can initiate the online application process. Paper applications are not being accepted. Tenants and landlords can check their eligibility and start the online application by clicking the button below. 

While the federal eviction ban has been extended to October 3, 2021, Valley landlords and tenants should still complete an application for the UniteCT program as processing times may impact when funds are disbursed to landlords. 

Below are some simple steps you can take to prepare:

• Download the CTPrepares' App in the Apple iTunes or Google Play store.
• Download or request a free copy of the CT Ready! Personal Preparedness Guide(available in ten languages) and use this guide to pack an Emergency Supply Kit and develop a Family Emergency Plan.
• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Environmental Health has tips for how you can prepare for a tropical storm or hurricane.
• Sign up for the State of Connecticut Emergency Notification System.
• Be aware of inclement weather forecasts and follow instructions from public safety officials.
• Visit www.211ct.org or dial 2-1-1 for the latest information on emergency shelters and storm relief resources in your community. You can also find tips on how to prepare and stay informed during different weather emergencies. 

Students who are currently enrolled or were previously enrolled in a community college at any point since March 13, 2020 will receive a check. Read more about this program here.

Borrowers who do not have federal student loans that qualify for the extension can learn more about their relief options here.

Where the money will go:
 
Addressing Delayed, Interrupted, Suspended or Inaccessible Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Supports and Services: Up to $13 million in funds will assist districts with addressing delayed, interrupted, suspended, or inaccessible IEP supports and services for students with IEPs in each school district.
 
Special Education Evaluations: Up to $1 million in funds will increase the capacity of state’s six Regional Educational Service Centers (RESC) to assist school districts in conducting special education evaluations, which will benefit approximately 240 students, as well as planning and placement teams.
 
Supplementary Tutoring and Reading Instruction: Up to $2 million in funds will assist 170 districts with supporting supplementary tutoring and reading instruction to address the needs of 3,092 students with an IEP and a primary disability category of SLD/dyslexia in alignment with the reading goals in the student’s current IEP.
 
Individualized In-Home Support for High Needs Students: Up to $272,000 in funds will provide for 8,000 hours of individualized in-home support through partnership with the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services to provide 1:1 in-home assistance and support for up to 200 students.
 
More than 50,000 students in Connecticut have already been impacted by these grants, with an emphasis and commitment on children and communities most impacted by the pandemic. I will remain committed to fighting for accessible enrichment programs and funding for all students throughout our state.

• U.S. Department of State: Individuals in Afghanistan OR family members of individuals in Afghanistan can email the new State Department channel for information at HAfghanInquiries@state.gov. Please be sure to include a clear description of the request or question.
  • Information about the Special Immigrant Visa process is available here.
• U.S. Embassy Kabul: Individuals who are US citizens, or those who are asking for guidance on behalf of US citizens in Afghanistan should complete the following Repatriation Assistance Request via the US Embassy Kabul online. Please fill out the request as soon as possible in order to be evacuated. Those eligible for repatriation assistance are US Citizens, or spouses or minors of US citizens awaiting visas.   
• Refugee Processing Center: Individuals can find general information about the Priority-2 Refugee designation here and here.

For more information about CIRI and the assistance it provides, click here.

This competition is one of many events during the 3-day expo that runs from Friday, August 20 through Sunday, August 22 at the Farmington Polo Club. Friday kicks off with a Dream Ride Gold Cup Polo Match. Sunday closes with the Dream Show - the East Coast's largest car show. 

In addition to these exciting events, there will be pet adoptions, live music, carnival rides, firefighters' chili cook-off and so much more. Learn more about this event here.

• Administrative Secretary
• Teen Center Program Supervisor
• Mini-Bus Driver

To learn more about these positions and get started on the job application, click the button below.

Click here for the Public Meetings calendar.

Click here for the Community Events calendar.

Click here for information on the South Windsor Public Library. 

Click here for South Windsor's Government Television Programming - watch LIVE town council meetings! 

Click here for the Town Meetings and Community Events Calendar.

Click here for information on the Manchester Public Library. 

Click here for Manchester Public Television.