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| Dear Friend,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of August 21.
If you prefer to watch rather than read, click the image below to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter. |
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Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- Governor Lamont Declares State of Emergency in Response to Severe Flooding. Click here.
- Black Bear Agricultural Damage Program. Click here
- Energy Bill Assistance. Click here.
- Reminder - Tax Free Week is Next Week. Click here.
- DOT Update. Click here.
- Upcoming Events. Click here.
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Monday, Governor Ned Lamont declared a state of emergency in response to the significant flooding that is impacting portions of Connecticut due to the historically severe rainfall that began yesterday afternoon and has caused extensive structural damage to roadways.
Governor Lamont and the state’s emergency management team have been leading unified command calls with state and municipal officials and other partners to lead coordinated response to the storm. The Connecticut Emergency Operations Center has been in enhanced monitoring mode since Sunday afternoon and will remain active throughout the duration of this weather event.
Municipal officials in the impacted areas are strongly advised to continue coordinating with their assigned regional coordinators from the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security on any requests for assistance.
For real-time travel updates on road closures, visit ctroads.org.
**Download: Civil preparedness emergency declaration in response to severe flooding |
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Following legislation passed in 2023, the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced this week that the
Black Bear Agricultural Damage Permit is now available at Black Bear Agricultural Damage (ct.gov). The goal for this program is to help constituents implement non-lethal methods to prevent damage to their agricultural crops, apiaries, and livestock wherever possible, following the directives in the new statute authorizing this program. As a result, potential permit applicants will take the following steps:
- Attempt non-lethal methods to protect crops, apiaries, and livestock.
- Consult with a CT DEEP wildlife division biologist.
- If still experiencing damage, consider applying for a Bear Agricultural Damage Permit (Steps 1 and 2 must occur before applying for a permit). The application must be filled out completely to be processed.
Electric fencing is the most effective non-lethal method to protect most types of agriculture from bears, including beehives, apiaries, gardens, chicken coops, small livestock pens, feed storage, fruit trees/small orchards, and small crop fields. We believe electric fencing and other non-lethal methods will eliminate the need for permits for many types of damage to crops apiaries and livestock. The website provides links to resources on how to install electric fencing, which you can share with constituents. However, electric fencing may not be feasible in all agricultural settings, such as large crop fields and orchards, due to cost and operational constraints.
Each agricultural setting is unique, which is why our wildlife biologists will be inspecting each applicant’s property to verify the extent of the damage and ensure that non-lethal methods have been attempted properly, and if they have been attempted, they are not likely to work in the future. Where appropriate, our wildlife biologist will then issue permits for the take of black bear. All animals taken under the program must be turned over to DEEP. |
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| If you need assistance with your energy bills, here are a few resources that may help"
Checking Your Rates
Third-party electricity suppliers can potentially lower costs through reduced rates at EnergizeCT.com. Additionally, the Office of Consumer Counsel offers a guide to understanding the line items on your electricity bill here.
Available Programs
If you are struggling financially, call your power supplier before missing a payment if possible. Programs are available, including financial hardship designations that provide access to a Low-Income Discount Rate and payment arrangements for customers in need; energy assistance through the state Department of Social Services; negotiated flexible payment arrangements for non-financial hardship customers; and energy efficiency programs offered by utilities to evaluate customers' homes and provide rebates and discounts on needed improvements.
While CEAP applications are not yet open, if you anticipate needing help with your utility bills, Operation Fuel provides emergency energy and utility assistance to households in Connecticut facing financial crisis. You can learn more at operationfuel.org/gethelp. |
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Connecticut's annual Sales Tax-Free Week is underway runs through Saturday, August 24. It provides a chance to save money, whether it is taking the kids back-to-school shopping or treating yourself or your loved ones.
Retailers throughout the state offer additional discounts on clothing and footwear during Sales Tax-Free Week, providing consumers with even more ways to stretch their spending power.
During this tax holiday, most clothing and footwear items priced less than $100 are exempt from Connecticut's 6.35% sales tax. The exemption applies to each eligible item costing less than $100, regardless of how many of those items are sold to a customer in the same transaction. It applies to purchases made in-store, online, mail-order, and over the phone.
Click here for a list of exempt and taxable items.
Shop smart – and locally whenever possible to support small businesses – to save during Connecticut’s Sales Tax-Free Week! |
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CTDOT will be conducting tree clearing, new storm drainage installation, and sewer main relocation and this will impact traffic traveling on Route 44 at Old Colony Road. The work is scheduled to finish on Friday, August 23.
LANE CLOSURE INFO
Motorists can expect alternating lanes to be closed on Route 44, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Traffic control signing patterns and flaggers will guide motorists through the work site.
Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions, particularly with trenching operations. motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed, be hands-free with cell phones, to ignore phone notifications/car center console screens when driving in the work zone. |
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| ICMYI - Northwest Corner Events |
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| Goshen Recreation Summer Concert Series
The Goshen Recreation Summer Concert Series is underway. Bring your family, friends, snacks, chairs, blankets, and come have a good time!!! |
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| It is my honor to represent our district. I look forward to hearing from you about the issues raised in this newsletter, or any other topics you think I should know about. You can email me at maria.horn@cga.ct.gov or call me at (860)-240-8585. Thanks for reading, and I wish you a safe weekend.
Click here to forward to forward this email to a friend. |
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| Sincerely,
Maria Horn
State Representative |
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