State Capitol Update For The Week of December 6

December 5, 2024


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Dear Friend,

This is my State Capitol update for the week of December 6. 

If you prefer to watch rather than read, click the image below to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter.

 

I hope everyone was able to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday, whether it was relaxing with the family eating and watching a football game, or, especially for those who host, a therapeutically satisfying busy few days of cooking (and, in my case, also cleaning).  We had a houseful of family and friends which involved not only a lot of cooking (I have a Thanksgiving spreadsheet – anyone else?), but also various board games and a lot of knitting projects.  After a busy election season and results that are unsettling for many of us, it felt especially important.
 
And now we are in those packed few weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas where we are all trying to stuff in work before year end, and all the pre-holiday events that go along with that.  Trying to schedule anything additional right now is an Olympic sport. 

In Hartford, we are finalizing our committee chairs for the upcoming session.  As I noted in my last newsletter, I’m proud to be continuing as House Chair of Finance, Revenue, and Bonding.  Just now I texted my congratulations to colleagues who were named today as first-time committee chairs, and I spent time in Hartford yesterday with a couple of others who were recently named and excited to begin the work ahead. Vice chairs of committees are also being selected, which always puts the committee chairs into a little healthy competition. Having served as a Vice Chair of Appropriations as a freshman, I’m committed to using those roles to give newer members opportunities to learn and lead and I look forward to working with my two new Vice Chairs when they’re officially announced.
 
This week also included the funeral services for Governor Jodi Rell, whose casket lay in state in the Capitol on Tuesday.  Governor Rell, one of only two women governors in CT history, was cherished for many reasons, among them her calming influence when she took the reins after a corruption scandal caused her predecessor to resign.  Though I did not know her personally, I do know her family, and I spoke that day with several colleagues who had known her for decades.  We discussed her commitment to bipartisan leadership in particular, and the lessons we all took from that. She left a lasting impact on Connecticut and will be missed and remembered.

Here’s a list of today’s topics: 
  • Connecticut Pension Funds Achieve Highest Funded Ratios in Nearly 20 Years. Click here.
  • DOT Road Work in Norfolk. Click here. 
  • State Grants Awarded to Improve Blighted Properties. Click here. 
  • Upcoming Events. Click here.
Connecticut Pension Funds Achieve Highest Funded Ratios in Nearly 20 Years
Monday, Governor Ned Lamont, Comptroller Sean Scanlon, and Treasurer Erick Russell highlighted the release of two reports detailing the significant improvements made in recent years to strengthen the long-term health of Connecticut’s pension funds for retired state workers.
 
The annual State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) Actuarial Valuation for fiscal year 2024 shows that assets in the fund that benefits the general state employee population grew by more than $2.7 billion over the year due to strong investment performance and additional state contributions. The funded ratio of 55.2% is the highest achieved since fiscal year 2003.
 
Similarly, the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) Annual Valuation for fiscal year 2024, which was released earlier this month, shows that assets for the fund that benefits the state’s retired educators increased by more than $2.6 billion over the year. The funded ration of 62.3% for that fund is the highest achieved since fiscal year 2008.
 
The pension fund actuarial valuations provide detailed membership data, actuarial analysis, and cost breakdowns.
 
To view the reports for the State Employees Retirement System, visit osc.ct.gov/public/retirement/retirement-systems-actuarial-reports.
 
To view the reports for the Teachers’ Retirement System, visit portal.ct.gov/trb/content/other-resources/statistics-and-research/actuarial-valuation.
DOT Road Work in Norfolk
CT Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is replacing retaining walls, slope stabilization and reconstruction of Route 44 in Norfolk. This project is scheduled to occur on Monday, December 2, 2024, and be completed on September 16, 2026.

LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
There will be a temporary signal installed to coordinate one-way alternating traffic on Route 44 in Norfolk from Monday, December 2, 2024, to Friday, November 14, 2025. Traffic control signing patterns, temporary signal lights, and variable messaging will guide motorists through the work zone.

Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area.

State Grants Awarded to Remediate Blighted Properties and Put Them to Use to Grow Jobs and Housing 
This week a series of state grants totaling $20 million were approved that will be used to support the remediation and redevelopment of 21 blighted properties consisting of 150 acres of contaminated land in 18 municipalities across Connecticut. The funds will be used to support the costs of cleaning up these vacant properties so they can be redeveloped and put back into productive use to support economic growth and housing needs. 
 
The grants are being released through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Brownfield Remediation and Development Program. These state investments are expected to leverage approximately $530 million in private investments and facilitate the creation of 1,392 units of new housing, as well as the growth of new businesses. 
 
The grants announced today under this funding round include: 
  • Cornwall: $200,000 grant to the Northwest Hills Council of Governments to conduct assessment activities on a 12.38-acre parcel, formerly known as 282 Kent Road to study the feasibility for redevelopment for affordable housing. 
  • Torrington: $200,000 grant to the City of Torrington to assess two parcels totaling 21.5 acres located at 535 Migeon Avenue.  The studies will help identify potential development options on these sites along the Naugatuck Riverfront. 
  • Torrington: $200,000 grant to the Torrington Development Corporation for assessment of the Yankee Pedlar Inn, a 1.62-acre site located at 93 Main Street.  The assessments will help position this historical asset for future redevelopment. 
Northwest Corner Events 
Celebrate the Season at the Salisbury UCC Christmas Concert and Screening of A Charlie Brown Christmas Sunday, December 8 at 3:00 p.m.
Celebrated Artists Perform Holiday Program Blending Carol Favorites and Early Music!

Saturday,  December 7  | 4 PM
The Congregational Church
30 Main Street, Salisbury 

Saturday, December 28, 2024 at 4 pm at Trinity Church ~ 484 Lime Rock Rd., Lakeville, CT 06039
ICMYI - Northwest Corner Events
 
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.

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Sincerely,


Maria Horn
State Representative

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