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.
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,
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 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.
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 back to you and help in any way I can.
Advocating For You During this Time
This has been a remarkably challenging time for us all. I have worked with 173 people on unemployment issues, helped dozens of businesses apply for financial incentives, and worked with the Department of Social Services and the Department of Public Health to provide additional services to our friends and neighbors. It is during these challenging times when we need government help the most. While this process is far from perfect, many people in need were able to make it through the pandemic even if they lost their job, were furloughed, or temporarily unemployed.
I worked with my colleagues to advocate for 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.
The Legislative Session That Wasn’t
When we began this year’s legislative session on February 5th, I expected to be working on many of the issues that you all prioritized for me including expanding access to health insurance, continuing to expand our state’s investment in pre-K through college and technical education, and bringing bonding dollars back to our community. As a member of the Finance Committee, I was deeply involved in removing the income tax on pension and social security income. This work continues now, and will continue through any special session of the legislature this summer or fall, and into next year.
2020 Infrastructure Dollars By Town
| Town Aid Road | LoCIP (Local Capital Improvement Projects) |
Grants for Municipal Projects |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Hill | $345,102 | $114,129 | $221,199 |
| Newington | $413,929 | $207,562 | $1,365,802* |
| Wethersfield | $399,515 | $183,310 | $21,785 |
*Newington’s manufacturing sector received a one-time reimbursement of $448,000 for tax-exempt equipment.
Where Do We Go From Here?
While we continue to be guided by public health experts on the steps 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 have adequate stock of personal protective equipment and we are working with farmers and food banks to protect and localize our food supply chain. Now is the time to be investing more than ever in our local businesses.
Your feedback is important for helping me to serve you better. 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!