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.
My commitment to you and your family has not changed. I know we will get through this and 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.
If you have any questions, concerns, or if I can be helpful to you in working with any state agency or in understanding how any of our state laws or regulations can affect your work, our schools, or opportunities, please call or email me anytime.
Best,
Coronavirus Resources
For the most up to date information please visit portal.ct.gov/coronavirus
The CDC and the state of Connecticut continue 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 continues to update 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 artists to farmers to helping our schools deal with unexpected expenditures. For more on these, please visit my website: www.housedems.ct.gov/Haddad.
I know that working with state agencies and our partners during this time can be complicated. Phone lines may be crowded and applications can be confusing, but please know that my office is here to help. Call or email me anytime, and I will try to assist you in any way possible.
Advocating For You During COVID-19
This has been a remarkably challenging time for all of us. My office has worked with many of our neighbors to fix issues with unemployment applications, help businesses apply for financial aid and work with the DMV to get cars registered. I know that it is during these challenging times when we need government help and services the most.
We have expanded tele-medicine, expanded affordable childcare options for front-line workers, and delayed due dates for state income taxes and municipal property taxes.
Where Do We Go From Here?
While we continue to follow the guidance of public health experts on the steps needed to safely “reopen”, we have an opportunity to build a stronger and more robust state.
We are working to ensure hospitals and health care providers such as nursing homes have adequate stock of personal protective equipment. We are also working with farmers and food banks to protect and localize our food supply chain.
E.O. Smith Referendum Fixed!
The one and only bill that passed into law in the regular session this year was the bond package which included important authorizations for state aid for our town and validated the results of last November’s school construction referendum for the installation of new solar panels on the roof of E. O. Smith High School.
Working together as a delegation, Senator Flexer, Representatives Smith and Wilson Pheanious and I were able to get early action to allow these clean, sustainable solar panels to be installed on our high school despite a technical notice problem that threatened this important project.
Furthermore, the budget we passed delivers over $18 million in funding to Mansfield for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. This money ensures that our schools, services and roads get the resources they need.
On This Summer’s Special Session
When we began this year’s legislative session on February 5th, I expected to be working on many of our shared priorities including reducing the cost of health insurance, making it easier to exercise your right to vote, and bringing back more support for our schools. This work continues now in a special session of the legislature this summer or fall.
Our legislative leadership and the Governor agreed that it will soon be safe for the General Assembly to meet and pass reforms in response to the current crises our state faces. We’ll act to ensure that our residents have the resources to cope with this pandemic and we intend to ensure that everyone has access to absentee ballots in the November general election. Importantly, we also plan to act to pass our annual school construction bill which will include final authorization for Mansfield’s new elementary school.
The legislature will also address the scourge of systematic racism and work to pass police accountability and transparency reforms in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and many others. This is an important inflection point in the history of our country and we must meet the moment.