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| Dear Friend,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of October 27.
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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| I had hoped to use this week’s newsletter to return to the usual local and state topics. Over the course of the last week, I’ve met with municipal candidates, had pancakes at a firehouse, attended the goodbye dinner of a local restaurateur, participated in a housing summit, had coffee with the Governor to talk about local issues, met with DEEP officials re aquatic invasives (and broadband, and solid waste, and trees), did a ride along with a paramedic, and gave blood. Among other things.
And then we had the news of yet another mass shooting, this time in Lewiston, Maine and neighboring towns, where my daughter Abby lives and works. She is safe, and sheltering at home. Her workplace in Lewiston is on lockdown, as are many of her friends and colleagues. She and her friends have lived in and around Lewiston for several years. They know it well. They’ve worked in the community. They’ve bowled at the bowling alley that is one of the shooting sites. They feel protective of the city and the people who live there.
It’s a developing story, and as I write this a central “person of interest” is still at large. At least 18 people are dead, and more are injured.
It's a gut punch (and apologies that my video this week reflects that). This morning I was on a panel of legislative leaders advising lobbyists (in summary, our advice was “Be honest. Be nice.”), so our response to the shooting was legislative, centering on “red flag laws.” These laws, which CT has, permit state courts to order the temporary removal of firearms from a person who they believe may present a danger to others or themselves. Maine considered them, but did not pass the legislation. As there is evidence that the “person of interest” had threatened violence in the past, it’s possible these laws could have helped.
If you have family or friends in that area of Maine, I hope they are safe. My heart breaks for the entire community.
And, please make a plan to vote on Tuesday, November 7. Your vote matters. |
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Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- CT Receives Additional Credit Rating Upgrade. Click here.
- Funding from IOEBTA Program. Click here.
- CGA Internship Program is Now Accepting Applications. Click here.
- Region One Superintendent Retires. Click here.
- Upcoming Events. Click here.
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This week Fitch Ratings has upgraded the credit rating for the State of Connecticut’s UConn General Obligation (GO) bonds, part of the UConn 2000 program, from “A+” to “AA-.”
In its announcement, Fitch cited the success and impact of recent budgetary reforms and the state’s commitment to higher education, saying in part: “Strong legal protections [on the bonds] are buttressed by the constitutional state priority of higher education and the expectation of continued strong support of the UConn system.” Fitch demonstrated confidence in both UConn and the state’s capacity to fulfill their debt service obligations in the future, deeming the UConn GO Bonds and Connecticut’s GO Bonds as “substantially similar.” Consequently, Fitch has assigned identical ratings of “AA-“ to both programs, indicating a high level of creditworthiness and stability.
This is the third credit rating upgrade Connecticut has received so far this year. Kroll Bond Rating Agency upgraded Connecticut’s General Obligation bonds in May and its transportation bonds earlier this month. All four of the state’s major bonding programs are now rated “AA” level or higher.
Since March 2021, Connecticut’s General Obligation, Special Tax Obligation (Transportation Purposes), and UConn General Obligation bonds have all received upgrades from the four main rating agencies, Moody’s, S&P, Fitch, and Kroll — several more than once.
For more information on the State of Connecticut’s bonding programs, visit buyCTbonds.com.
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Great news! The Housing Advisory Panel voted on Friday to approve one-time grant funding awards as part of the Interest on Real Estate Brokers Trust Account (IOREBTA) Program, which includes grants for Falls Village Housing Trust Inc., Kent Affordable Housing, Litchfield County Center for Affordable Housing, and
Salisbury Housing Trust. Each organization received a $5,000 grant.
IOREBTA Program funds annually support appraisal gap financing for first-time homebuyers, development of affordable housing projects, counseling for low- and moderate-income homebuyers, and second mortgage down payment assistance when the Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) Loan was suspended. The IOREBTA Program has also funded the purchase of mortgages from Connecticut chapters of Habitat for Humanity and other housing subsidies. This year's grant awards include help for intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) and Veterans' housing, low-income and affordable housing and homelessness assistance and prevention programs.
Thank you to the Housing Advisory Panel, for approving these grants and recognizing that these organizations are dedicated helping our community. |
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Attention college students - the application for the CGA Legislative internship program is now live. This is a great opportunity to gain real world experience and learn more about the legislative process.
The application deadline is November 1. For more information about the program or to apply online, please visit: https://www.cga.ct.gov/isc/internship.asp
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At the All Boards Chair Committee meeting on October 25, Superintendent Lisa Carter gave notice of her retirement effective June 30, 2024.
Ms. Carter assumed the Superintendency on July 1, 2020 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. She has been an educator in Region 1 since 2002, when she joined the Housatonic Valley Region High School staff as a member of the social studies department, where she taught for ten years. After obtaining her 092 certificate, required for educator leadership certification, she became the Principal of Salisbury Central School, where she worked for five years before being appointed as the Assistant Superintendent in 2017.
Superintendent Carter’s career experience prior to education includes working for the State Department and then in the private sector for over twenty years. Her experience during that time included extensive travel to China while working for Union Oil Company and then as a general management consultant in the area of organizational effectiveness and human resource planning. She moved to Norfolk, CT in 2001 and at that time pursued a long-held aspiration of becoming an educator.
When reflecting on her time in Region 1, Superintendent Carter stated, “Being an educator has been the most rewarding of all of my career experiences. I will always cherish the memories of my time working and learning with students, staff, parents, caregivers and community members. I thank everyone for giving me the most amazing opportunity to support the successes of our students as they grow and move on to the next steps in their lives. I will miss working in this community, but I am excited to move on to the next chapter of my life and to have more time to spend with my family.”
While retiring from Region 1, Ms. Carter will continue her work in education by joining the staff at EdAdvance, within the Teaching and Learning Division, which will allow her to share her expertise and passion for professional learning, curriculum and instruction at the school and district level.
The ABC Committee will be interviewing candidates to lead an executive search with the expectation of launching the work to find Superintendent Carter’s replacement shortly after the New Year.
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| Grand Opening of Art Bar Café in Canaan on Friday, October 27
Friday, October 27, 6 - 9 PM
75 Main Street, North Canaan, CT
The Art Bar and Community Gallery opens the door for everyone to enjoy and create art. Surround yourself within an inspiring array of artistic expressions while you create your own masterpiece in a welcoming and comfortable setting. Or if you prefer to simply take in the art with a glass of wine, a craft beer, a specialty cocktail or some savory bites, bring your friends, relax and enjoy the atmosphere.
From the heartwarming hues of Americana to the intricate details of transportation our gallery proudly showcases the vibrant palette of life. Come and unleash your creativity alongside our featured artists. Join us and be a part of this extraordinary journey into the heart of art and culture. It’s a Grand Opening like none other — and you will not want to miss it!
If you are not able to attend the Grand Opening, come join open hours on Thursdays & Fridays from 5-9, Saturdays 1-9, and Sundays from 1-7.
Judy Black Memorial Park & Gardens presents its annual Jack-O-Lantern Contest on Saturday, October 28
We invite you to participate!
Grab a pumpkin from one of our many local farms, carve or paint it with your most creative design at home, and bring it to the park on Saturday, October 28.All pumpkins must be registered by 9 am.
Voting begins when the farmers market opens at 9:30 am. The public is invited to stop by and vote for their favorite jack-o-lantern. (Aren't into pumpkin carving? You can still get in on the action by stopping by the park to vote!)
Winners will be announced at 12:45 pm on social media. |
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| 5K & Fun Run Saturday, October 28 in Falls Village
Click here or the graphic below to register. |
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Crescendo's 20th Anniversary Celebration Concerts: Fantastic Baroque!
These acquisitions expand the size of Hidden Valley Preserve by more than 25 percent and have been among SRA’s highest land priorities for the past 17 years. Within these parcels, core forests, biological diversity, wildlife corridors, and high-quality streams and rivers are now protected forever. In addition, recreational access on the Shepaug Railroad bed expands by 0.75 miles and is a major step toward creating an unfragmented greenway trail from Litchfield to Roxbury, with connectors to Mt. Tom State Park and other regional trails. More details on these events and more can be found on their website.
The concerts will take place on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 4:00 pm at Saint James Place, 352 Main St., Great Barrington, MA, and on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 4:00 pm at Trinity Church, 484 Lime Rock Rd., Lakeville, CT (parking through Dugway Rd. entrance). A brief reception with the performers will be offered after the concerts. Please visit Crescendo’s website: www.crescendomusic.org for online ticket purchases, more details, and other season concerts, or call 860.435.4866. A limited number of tickets will be sold at the door 45 minutes before each performance.
October 28, 2023, 4 pm - Saint James Place, Great Barrington, MA
October 29, 2023, 4 pm - Trinity Church, Lakeville, CT
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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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