|
|
|
|
| Dear Friend,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of November 10.
If you prefer to watch rather than read, click on the play button to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter. |
|
With the municipal elections now behind us (mostly – we have at least one recount, in Salisbury), I extend my congratulations to all those who were elected to office, and my gratitude to everyone who ran, regardless of the result. We have four new First Selectmen in the district, and five incumbents continuing in the position. All the towns that had contested elections for the chief elected officer had turnout at 55% or higher: Falls Village topped the list with 63% of registered voters filing a ballot.
I’ve been at a couple of regional events since the election and one thing that impressed me most is that candidates who won as well as those who didn’t prevail both showed up to celebrate these events and work for the benefit of the town, looking ahead without rancor even in the immediate aftermath of the election. That says a lot about those who put themselves out there to serve our towns.
I look forward to working with each and every one of you!
Congratulations to Kent on the completion of significant work installing and upgrading sidewalks. This project took many years, and involved a lot of local leadership and work, as well as grants from the Department of Housing and the Department of Transportation. Come by and take a walk through town! |
|
| And a thank you to the Connecticut Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation at Western Connecticut State University for hosting an informational session with regional legislators this morning. They are doing impressive work with K-12 schools throughout the region (and throughout the state) on all aspects of school safety, and get uniformly high praise from those schools for the resources, information, and research they are able to provide to help our students and those who serve them. (Though I’m not quite sure how I got pasted by the QR Code in the photo.) |
|
| And finally, this evening I attended the Wamogo Agriscience Open House. My especial thanks to Hunter, a Junior at Wamogo who gave Representative Michelle Cook and me a great tour of machinery and equipment both new and old, and animals both large and small (and a new one for me) – met my first sugar glider! |
|
Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- “Maker’s Manifesto" Highlights Connecticut stories. Click here.
- Connecticut repays pandemic-related unemployment debt. Click here.
- Programs to Help Manage and Reduce Electric Bills. Click here.
- New England Farmer Microgrants Program is now Accepting Applications. Click here.
- ICYMI - Native American Heritage Month Events at the Institute for American Indian Studies. Click here.
- Upcoming Events. Click here.
|
|
This week Governor Lamont today debuted the “Maker’s Manifesto: Did You Know Edition,” a lighthearted video that tells the deeper stories about the many ways Connecticut is a state of makers, creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs who are here for the purpose of good. The video is a compliment to the 60-second “Maker’s Manifesto” commercial, which was unveiled on October 17 as part of the state’s new branding and “Make It Here” marketing campaign.
The distinctive short video and its companion website reveal almost two dozen “easter eggs” hidden within the “Make It Here” campaign’s cornerstone commercial. These stories offer a unique look at Connecticut’s maker history, culture, values, and future.
The “Make It Here” marketing campaign will have multiple components over the course of 2023 and 2024. The video heavy advertising and owned media portions were designed predominantly to engage target audiences online with the goal of improving state pride and changing perceptions of Connecticut.
In addition to the facts and accolades referenced in the video and on the companion website, here is Connecticut at a glance:
Live
- 50% lower housing costs than New York City, and 14 to 48% lower cost of living than Boston or New York City with a mix of city and country living options
- #1 state for college readiness (US News & World Report, 2023)
- #2 in the U.S. for quality public K-12 education (WalletHub, 2023)
- #3 best state for working moms and dads (WalletHub, 2023)
- #2 community college system in the U.S. (WalletHub, 2023)
- Top 10 State to Live and Work (CNBC, 2023)
- Top 10 safest states in America (US News & World Report, 2023)
Work
- Home to 14 of the nation’s Fortune 500 companies, more than 4,400 manufacturing companies, more than 500 bioscience companies, and more than 1,200 digital media companies
- Top states for innovation (WalletHub, 2023)
- #1 for aerospace worker productivity (Lightcast, 2021)
- Top destination for entrepreneurs looking to launch new businesses
- Ranked #1 for insurance wages and #2 in hedge fund-managed assets
- #4 in the U.S. for employees with advanced degrees (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey Five Year Estimates 2015-2019; AdvanceCT calculations)
- #7 in private R&D investments (National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Business Research and Development Survey, 2018; U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, 2019; AdvanceCT calculations)
Play
- #1 state for hiking in U.S. (Why This Place, 2023), including 101 state parks, more than 2,000 miles of hiking and biking paths, and pristine lakes and ponds of all sizes, perfect for fishing, hiking and exploring
- 618 miles of scenic coastline including picture-perfect New England beaches
- 21 world-class museums
- 5 Tony Award-winning regional producing theaters
- 97% of Connecticut’s 8,630 eating and drinking establishments are independently owned small businesses, including the nation’s #1 pizza (New Haven Style) and pizzeria (Modern)
- 3 James Beard award finalists in 2023, including multi-year nominee Coracora in West Hartford
- Winvian Farm in Morris named #1 spa in America (Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Awards)
For more information on the “Make it Here” marketing campaign, visit CTmakeithere.com. |
|
The State of Connecticut has repaid the $1.2 billion Trust Fund loan that was used to cover nearly $11 billion in pandemic unemployment payments. The pandemic debt retirement ensures that Connecticut employers will avoid an increase in the federal unemployment taxes they pay beginning January 1, 2024.
Over the past two years, Governor Lamont and the Connecticut General Assembly directed $195 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into the Unemployment Trust Fund and special assessments to mitigate the ongoing financial damage employers faced as a result of the pandemic.
The Unemployment Trust Fund, administered by the Connecticut Department of Labor, is the designated account from which all unemployment benefits are paid. It is funded solely through employer quarterly taxes. When the Trust Fund has insufficient funding to pay unemployment benefits, states borrow from the federal government. The federal government may raise employer taxes for every year they hold the debt; additionally, employers are required to pay an annual special assessment each September to cover the interest payments for the borrowing.
While Connecticut will borrow from the federal government for the Trust Fund over the next couple of years, Trust Fund solvency will be achieved in the future through a series of reforms proposed by Governor Lamont and unanimously enacted by the legislature in 2021 and 2022. Solvency, currently calculated at $1.7 billion in Connecticut, represents the Trust Fund balance that would prevent the need for borrowing should the state sustain recessionary unemployment levels for one year and receive zero Fund revenue. Updated 2024 Trust Fund solvency calculations are expected in December. |
|
| A new Low-Income Discount Rate will be available for Eversource financial hardship customers in Connecticut beginning December 1. Depending on household income, eligible customers will receive 10% or 50% off their electric bills per month. For example, if a customer has a $100 monthly bill, it would be $10 less if they receive a 10% discount or $50 less if they receive the 50% discount. Customers must have a financial hardship status on their electric account to receive the discount on their bill.
Verified financial hardship customers are eligible for a 10% discount on their total monthly electric bill. Customers with an annual household income at or below 160% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines can qualify for the 50% discount rate.
Customers can check if their income meets that criteria on Eversource's bill help page, or call (800) 286-2828. To verify eligibility, customers must submit receipt of a public assistance benefit for at least one household member or proof of income for all household members over 18, such as an Unemployment or Social Security benefit letter, current pay stubs or if self-employed, the most recent 1099 form.
Eversource customers enrolled in the Low-Income Discount Rate can still take advantage of additional assistance programs, including:
- The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program provides a basic benefit to help pay heating bills. Apply online at CT.gov/heatinghelp or visit your local Community Action Agency.
- The Matching Payment Program can lower the amount customers owe on energy bills. For every dollar they pay and every dollar they receive from the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program, we will subtract a dollar from the amount owed.
- The New Start Program forgives overdue balances if monthly budget payments are made on time.
- Medical Protection Plan protects from disconnections for residential customers who have a household member with a certified serious or life-threatening illness.
- Operation Fuel offers emergency energy assistance for heating expenses for qualified households.
Eversource also encourages all customers, regardless of income, to take advantage of its energy efficiency solutions that can help manage year-round energy usage. For more information about the new Low-Income Discount Rate as well as other assistance or energy efficiency programs available to support customers, customers can visit the bill help page or call (800) 286-2828. |
|
|
American Farmland Trust opened applications for the 2024 New England Farmer Microgrants Program (NEFMP) on October 1st. Now in its fifth year, the program continues to address key barriers faced by New England farmers: access to land, farm succession and land transfer planning, and adopting regenerative agriculture or soil health practices on livestock operations. Since its founding, NEFMP has awarded $1,310,000 to 234 farmers across New England and is 100% donor funded.
Applications are being accepted until November 21. For more information on applying, visit their website.
|
|
It’s Native American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultural, historical, and social contributions of indigenous peoples.
As a nation, we’ve often fallen tragically short in treating the First Americans with the respect and dignity they deserve. American Indian Heritage Month is an opportunity to reflect on this history while honoring the experiences of indigenous Americans today.
Connecticut is home to the Eastern Pequot, Golden Hill Paugussett, Schaghticoke, Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan nations. Their heritage is deeply woven into the fabric of our state's culture. The wisdom, strength, and enduring spirit of these communities have truly helped shape our shared Connecticut story.
This month, the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington has a number of events that provide a great opportunity to explore and engage with the traditions and legacy of Native American nations. Check out their website for more information. |
|
November 11 at 11am: Veterans Day Commemoration. Meet in front of Salisbury Town Hall to honor those who have served our country. Hosted by Post #70.
December 1 at 7:30pm: Our Pandemic Future in a Rapidly Changing World -- sponsored by the Salisbury Forum. This event will take place at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. Dr. James Shepherd, a faculty physician at Yale University, will lead a forum on how the world must confront infectious diseases in the 21st century. Dr. Shepherd has spent the last two decades as an infectious disease specialist, including in Africa and India treating HIV and TB, and managing public health systems and disease outbreaks. He is also a farmer in Sharon, growing hops for local brewers and raising cows and sheep. With his broad experience as a doctor and a farmer, Dr. Shepherd provides a unique perspective on epidemics, the changing environment, and the place of our species among the community of animals, plants, and pathogens. For more information click here. |
|
Sundays and More at Hotchkiss
Hotchkiss students will make Sunday your favorite day of the week! 3rd-8th graders can begin their Sundays at Hotchkiss' popular Coding Boot Camp from 10-11 am where they'll learn Scratch, Java, Python, explore AI and more.
Children 8-12 years old can then dash to a Basketball clinic on Sunday, November 12 and an Ice Hockey clinic on December 3, 11 am-noon. After the holidays, ultimate frisbee, soccer, and swimming will be offered.
On Sundays from 1-2 pm, Hotchkiss students of color are hosting a mentorship program for local students of color. Together they will enjoy sports, games, and other adventures on the Hotchkis campus.
Finally, for those 16 and older, Hotchkiss students invite you to kick off your holiday season with the greatest gift of all: the gift of life! To celebrate the season of giving please make an appointment to donate at the Red Cross Blood Drive on November 14, from 1:00-5:45 pm. The drive takes place in the school's main building and will feature Deano's and Mizza's pizza, refreshing beverages, and delectable homemade goodies. Blood donations save lives every two seconds; please save a life and donate. Thank you!
For more information about any program, including weekly tutoring and reading sessions for children of all ages, please email clburchf@hotchkiss.org. |
|
| Salisbury Affordable Housing Exhibit
The Salisbury Association is currently running an exhibit on affordable housing co-designed by the Salisbury Affordable Housing Commission, the Salisbury Housing Committee, and the Salisbury Housing Trust. Visit the exhibit at the Academy Building to learn more about what affordable housing is, why we need more of it, and the organizations creating housing solutions for Salisbury residents. Visitors will also get a preview of future affordable housing projects and will learn more about how to get involved in this movement. The exhibit will run through November 30. |
|
| 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. |
|
| Sincerely,
Maria Horn
State Representative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
