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| Dear Friend,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of November 3.
If you prefer to watch rather than read, click on the play button to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter. |
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Welcome to November! The month kicked off with enough of a snow squall out here to paint our yard white for a few hours, as a reminder of what is to come. No shoveling had to be done, but it did remind me to take in the last of the butternut squash still out in the garden.
November is Native American Heritage Month, and earlier this week I got a jump start on that with a tour of the Mashantucket Pequot reservation in the southeast corner of the state. The Finance Committee is wrestling with a complicated tax issue that affects our federally recognized tribes (the Mashantucket Pequots and the Mohegans), and the visit gave us the opportunity to see their system of government up close, as well as the services they provide to their tribal members and to the surrounding towns.
Here in the Northwest Corner, the Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS) in Washington provides a great opportunity to engage with the history of culture and Connecticut’s first residents. Within the newsletter I have included a list of November events at IAIS, but I wanted to flag the particular intersection with Veterans’ Day: Did you know that Native Americans have served in the United States military with the highest record of service per capita when compared to any other ethnic group?
I will miss this weekend’s events because my husband and I will be visiting our daughter Abby in Maine. After last weekend’s visit to our son Max, which included four hours of flight delays on our return, we’re very happy to be driving. Also, naturally, we are most relieved that the lockdown in Lewiston and surrounding towns is now lifted, though a heavy weight remains as communities gather to mourn those who lost their lives to this appalling violence that is all too common in our country. This one took place in a rural area where some hoped legislative measures to promote gun safety unnecessary because of their culture and experience: sadly this reveals that no communities are safe from gun violence.
To flag a few upcoming events, don’t forget that daylight savings time end this weekend, and that Election Day is Tuesday, November 7, for municipal elections throughout the district. |
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| Nelly, our rescue from North Carolina, would prefer that the warmer fall days stick around for a bit longer to accommodate more hikes. Anyone recognize this view? It’s a family favorite.
Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- Access Health CT's Open Enrollment Period is Now Open. Click here.
- Rural Health Network Funding Opportunity. Click here.
- Affordable Connectivity Program. Click here.
- Combating Hate Crimes on College Campuses. Click here.
- Dream Big! Deadline Approaches. Click here.
- First Off-Shore Wind Farm Update. Click here.
- Additional Funding for Broadband Infrastructure Plan. Click here.
- Winter Overflow Needs Your Help. Click here.
- Veterans and Military Affairs Committee Informational Public Hearing on November 8. Click here.
- Native American Heritage Month Events at the Institute for American Indian Studies. Click here.
- Upcoming Events. Click here.
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Access Health CT's (AHCT) Open Enrollment Period for 2024 is now open. During this period, individuals can enroll for the first time, renew their coverage, and explore the various policy options to see which will be the most beneficial.
If you are interested and have questions about the program, there are several ways to receive free assistance:
- In-person: There are in-person enrollment locations and events taking place across Connecticut. Find more information at accesshealthct.com/enrollment-events/.
- Online: Visit accesshealthct.com. You can learn more about the different plans and find free help online using the "live chat" feature.
- By phone: Call 1-855-805-4325. Help is available Monday - Friday, 8:00 am- 5:00 pm. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1- 855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.
- Work with a Broker: To find a Certified Broker or Enrollment Specialist, visit accesshealthct.com/get-help/
If you or your family need quality, affordable healthcare please don't miss this opportunity. Click here to learn more.
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Entities that serve rural underserved populations may be qualify for funding to expand access and improve quality of care in rural communities through the
Rural Health Network Development Planning Program.
To check if your organization is eligible for HRSA rural health grants, please check the Am I Rural Tool site. Applications are due January 26.
The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy will hold a technical assistance webinar via Zoom for applicants on Tuesday November 14, 2023 from 3-4 p.m. ET. Attendees without computer access or computer audio can use the dial-in information (Dial-in Toll Free: 833-568-8864 Meeting ID: 160 840 5541 Participant Code: 72200418). A recording will be available for those who cannot attend.
Successful award recipients of the Rural Health Network Planning Program will receive up to $100,000 for a one-year period to conduct planning activities that support at least one of the following:
- Achieve efficiencies. Focus on identifying ways to achieve better system efficiencies and improve regional and/or local rural health care services through collaboration, access to additional services, and quality improvement.
- Expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of basic health care services. Focus on ways to build capacity and a network infrastructure that enables entities to coordinate care and increase access to care for rural communities both locally and regionally.
- Strengthen the rural health care system as a whole. Focus on ways to enhance community and partner relationships to promote involvement and participation in network planning activities aiming to strengthen the rural health care system.
To learn more about the Network Planning Program click here.
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The Affordable Connectivity Program is a federal program that was created to ensure that American households can afford the broadband internet services needed for work, school, healthcare and more. It currently serves 20+ million homes across the nation!
You can learn more and apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program directly online by visiting www.affordableconnectivity.gov.
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Governor Lamont is organizing a meeting of security officials representing public and private higher education institutions from across the state to discuss and evaluate methods to prevent incidents of hate on campuses in Connecticut.
The governor is directing the leadership of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) to conduct the meeting. The Lamont administration is reaching out to campus security officials from every higher education institution in the state and asking them to participate.
DESPP has remained in close contact with officials at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Justice to monitor the threat environment and share information about available resources with local law enforcement and higher education officials.
Since the terror attacks on Israel, the Anti-Defamation League has recorded a nearly 400% increase in antisemitic incidents nationwide year-over-year.
To report a hate crime, contact local police or call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be submitted online to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or to the Hate Crimes Investigative Unit of the Connecticut State Police by emailing hate.crimes@ct.gov. If there are any imminent threats, call 9-1-1.
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Connecticut K-12 students have a fun and exciting opportunity to win up to $20,000 towards their future education with the CHET Dream Big! Competition.
The Dream Big! Competition, which is offered by the Connecticut Office of the Treasurer, asks students to answer a question in the form of a drawing, essay, or video. Younger students are asked to answer a question focused on improving their communities and the lives of others, and older students are asked to describe a lesson they’ve learned and how it will influence their future.
The deadline to enter is NOVEMBER 6!
Some amazing prizes will be awarded in the form of contributions to a CHET 529 college savings account and support for local schools.
- 3 Grand Prize winners receive $20,000 (one student from each age group)
- 24 winners receive $6,000 (eight students per age group)
- 336 winners receive $500 (112 students per age group)
- 10 randomly selected participating schools will win $7,500 in tech equipment
The competition is open to all Connecticut K-12 students, and every child has the chance to participate.
Here is the link to learn more and enter: https://chetdreambig.com/.
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This week joint venture partners Ørsted and Eversource made an announcement on their final investment decision regarding Revolution Wind, the first utility-scale offshore wind farm under development in Connecticut and Rhode Island. The decision means that the joint venture partners are committing to commencing the full scope of construction on the project, which is set to deliver 304 megawatts of clean, affordable energy to Connecticut.
Additionally, the partnership’s announcement included news that the first offshore wind turbine shipped out of State Pier in New London this week is on its way for installation at South Fork Wind – New York’s first offshore wind farm – a milestone step in the manufacturing and construction of a clean-energy project that is supporting hundreds of jobs in Connecticut. |
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The U.S. Department of Treasury has approved Connecticut’s plan to invest a $70.9 million grant the state received from the American Rescue Plan Capital Projects Fund to upgrade network and cybersecurity infrastructure in the Connecticut Education Network (CEN), connect up to 170 community anchor organizations to CEN, and expand public WiFi service.
The plan, entitled “CEN Connect,” is comprised of three parts: CEN Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI); CEN Connect Municipalities, Libraries and Charter Schools; and CEN Connect Community WiFi. The program’s website is located at ctedunet.net/cen-connect.
CEN Connect NGI is a direct implementation project and will provide a comprehensive update to the CEN to expand capacity to support the growth in internet use, accommodate the addition of new institutional members, and serve as the attach point for high-performance community wireless. This project will bring 100 gigabit per second network capability to every Connecticut community and serve as the platform to ensure ample internet bandwidth, capacity, and essential cyber security services are available to each community anchor institution (CAI) and open access member.
CEN Connect Municipalities, Libraries, and Charter Schools is also a direct implementation project offering 97 municipalities, 6 councils of government (COGs), 63 libraries, and 14 charter schools fiber-based, high-capacity CEN dedicated internet access (DIA) service. CEN’s DIA service is uniquely designed for CAIs and provides a host of benefits, including dedicated bandwidth with no slow-downs or data caps, exclusive access to the Internet2 national backbone, no-cost express on-ramps to cloud providers, essential cybersecurity protections for distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack detection and mitigation, Children’s Internet Protection Act-compliant web filtering, end-to-end management, and a proactive 24x7 Network Operations Center.
CEN is one of the nation’s leading all-optical research and education networks providing a premier level of internet access, value added services, and personalized member service to more than 670 member organizations representing every Connecticut community. Established in 2000 as a joint venture between the State of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut, CEN is rooted in service to community anchor institutions. The CEN Connect Broadband Infrastructure Program will further empower each institution in their respective roles to support workforce development, digital government, learning, innovation, and health and human services. |
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| We want to hear from our veterans, so please spread the word to any military personnel, families and advocates.
Sign up to testify at the Veteran's Committee public informational hearing here: tinyurl.com/yecz3jxt |
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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. |
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| MOHAWK SPONGY MOTH SALVAGE
You are invited to a short public hike to discuss the upcoming timber harvest at Mohawk State Forest in Cornwall, CT.
Join DEEP Forester David Irvin, DEEP Wildlife Biologist Peter Picone, and Dr. Jeffrey Ward, Chief Forestry Scientist Emeritus, Ct. Agricultural Experiment Station. Learn about the DEEP salvage and regeneration cutting on 88 acres of forest, and how adverse impacts from an invasive insect can still be turned around to provide benefits of a healthier and more diverse forest and wildlife habitat, and a safer experience for the public.
WHEN: Friday, November 3, 2023, 4:00 pm.
MEET at the entrance of Mohawk State Forest on Route 4, just west of the town line with Goshen. Look for the wooden “Mohawk” and fire danger signs.
RSVP required, email only, no later than Thurs. Nov. 2, 2023, 6pm. Contact David Irvin, david.irvin@ct.gov. |
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November 5 from 4-5:30pm: Food Security - A Community Conversation. Hosted at Troutbeck. Join The Guild x the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon for this social justice panel on food insecurity in the Tri Corner. Come learn from these experts:
- Linda Quella, Tri Corner Food Equity, Education & Distribution, moderator
- Jordan Schmidt, Food Program Director North East Community Center
- Sarah Chase, Farmer Chaseholm Farm
- Renée Giroux, Manager NWCT Food Hub
- Sarah Salem, Hudson Valley Food Systems Coalition
This panel will address what we can do to be part of building an equitable food system in our Tri Corner community and efforts currently underway to support farmers and the production of healthy food and address environmental concerns and food waste.
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. |
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| 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. |
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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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