New Laws & New Canaan Playhouse Funding

December 21, 2023


The holiday season truly is a special time for bringing people together and spreading joy. Whether it's celebrating traditions with family or creating new memories with friends, it's a time filled with warmth and togetherness. Wishing you and everyone around you abundant cheer, peace, and joy this holiday season! 

My colleagues and I are celebrating a huge victory for New Canaan. The Playhouse in town received $2 million in state bonding to renovate and reopen the 100 year old building. Please read below to learn more.

As we prepare to ring in the new year, several new laws will take effect impacting early voting, hospice care, online privacy, and so much more. Keep scrolling for a full list of what to expect in 2024.

Here are the sections in today's email:

  • Happy Holidays!
  • $2 Million For New Canaan Playhouse
  • New Laws Effective January 1
     
    Happy Holidays!
    From my family to yours, I want to take a moment to send my best wishes for the holiday season, and express that it is my sincere honor to represent you and work on issues that matter to our community and Connecticut.
     
    Remember that as we celebrate, we also share many blessings, so in the spirit of the season, please spread joy and make these holidays truly special.
    I hope the holidays bring you peace, happiness and good health today, tomorrow, in the New Year, and beyond.
     
    $2 Million for New Canaan Playhouse

    I applaud the State Bond Commission for approving $2 million in funds to the Playhouse in New Canaan. The facility has been an artistic gem for 100 years. It’s a historic building that needs a facelift, and this vital funding will bring the Playhouse back to its full potential.

    The revival of this facility will support the local economy by supporting Elm Street businesses, creating job opportunities, supporting the arts, and attracting visitors. 
    For context, bonding comes from an existing pot of money the legislature approves every two years. From there, the bonding commission decides how to spend it within those approved limits. New Canaan taxpayers send hundreds of millions of dollars every year to fund the state government, and I am thrilled to help get some money back for New Canaan taxpayers this year.
    I am grateful for Governor Ned Lamont and the State Bond Commission for green lighting this investment into our community. Thank you to my colleagues for their bipartisan support.
     
    New Laws Effective January 1
    As we approach a new year, there are some laws taking effect January 1 addressing key issues including early voting, health and mental health, as well as online privacy and data protection.
     
    There will also be an increase in the minimum wage effective January 1 from $15.00 to $15.69 made possible through legislation passed in 2019, which implemented five incremental increases in the minimum wage followed by future adjustments that are tied to the percentage change in the federal employment cost index.
     
    Although extensive, below I share some highlights, and a link to the complete list of new laws. Please share and reach out to my office if you would like more detail on any of the new laws.

    EARLY VOTING (PA 23-5)

    Establishes a framework for early, in-person voting requiring a 14-day early voting period for general elections, a seven-day period for most primaries, and a four-day early voting period for special elections and presidential preference primaries.

    SUPPORT FOR DEPENDENT SPOUSES (PA 23-7)

    Sets a timeframe within which the court must hold a hearing on temporary financial support in divorce, legal separation, annulment, and custody proceedings.

    HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE (PA 23-174)

    Includes the creation of a Hospice Hospital at Home pilot program to provide in-home hospice care to patients through in-person visits and telehealth.

    PROTECTING MATERNAL HEALTH (PA 23-147)

    Establishes a new license category for freestanding birth centers, an Infant Mortality Relief Program to review medical records and other data on infant deaths and a midwifery working group to study and make recommendations on advancing choices for community birth care.

    ONLINE PRIVACY, DATA AND SAFETY PROTECTIONS (PA 23-56)

    Makes various changes to laws on data privacy and related issues, including provisions on consumer health data, minors’ social media accounts and online services, online dating operators, and a task force on internet crimes against children. 

    RESOURCES FOR PERSONS WITH AN INTELLECTUAL 
    OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY (PA 23-137)

    Among many supportive measures, creates a plan to establish a Transitional Life Skills College program to support certain people with IDD who are transitioning out of high school or to independent living. 

    WORKERS' COMPENSATION FOR POST-TRAUMATIC 
    STRESS INJURIES (PA 23-35)

    Expands eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress injuries to all employees covered by the workers’ compensation law.
    New Laws Effective January 1, 2024
    Your calls, emails, and testimony at public hearings during the legislative session had a direct influence on these new laws. Thank you for your input, and please continue sharing your views and making your voice heard during our legislative process.