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Dear Friend,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of September 12.
Click the image below to view my video on this week’s events. |
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Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- Town Aid Grant Increases. Click here.
- Nominations for the Class of 2025 CT Veterans Hall of Fame. Click here.
- CT State Bond Rating Receives Upgrade. Click here.
- North Canaan, Norfolk Fire Departments Receive State Funding. Click here.
- Protecting Access to the COVID-19 Vaccine. Click here.
- Northwest Corner Events. Click here.
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Connecticut’s Town Aid Road (TAR) grant program is growing, with state support rising from $60 million under the previous state budget to $80 million in the current budget. This funding boost represents a 33% year-over-year increase that will directly support the cities and towns with the costs of local road paving, maintenance, and safety operations.
It is the program’s largest investment in more than a decade, and helps towns repair roads faster, improve safety, and respond better to severe weather. |
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The Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame is now accepting nominations for the Class of 2025. The Hall of Fame honors veterans from Connecticut who have made a positive impact in their community after the conclusion of their military service.
To be eligible, nominees must have been born in Connecticut or resided in the state for a minimum of five years. They must also meet the definition of a “veteran” under Connecticut General Statutes § 27-103 and have received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces.
The submitted nomination package must contain the completed nomination form, the veteran’s discharge documents, and a detailed narrative of the veteran’s community and/or public service at the local, state, and/or nation level and the veteran’s contributions to the community at large. The focus of this honor is on the veteran’s service to their community after leaving the military.
To download the nomination package, visit portal.ct.gov/dva/pages/ct-veterans-hall-of-fame.
Completed nomination packages must be submitted to the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs by September 15. They should be delivered either by email to lindsay.jesshop@ct.gov or mailed through the U.S. Postal Service to:
Office of the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs
ATTN: CT Veterans Hall of Fame
287 West Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Detailed instructions and information on eligibility criteria can be found within the nomination package. |
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Connecticut received notification from Moody’s and Fitch this week that both rating agencies are upgrading the state’s bond ratings.
Moody’s is upgrading Connecticut from Aa3 to Aa2. Fitch is upgrading the state from AA- to AA. These upgrades mark the seventh and eighth credit rating increases during the Lamont administration. Prior to that, the most recent General Obligation bond rating upgrade the state received was in 2001.
These ratings upgrades will result in even greater demand for state bonds, creating both immediate and long-term savings for taxpayers, while freeing up resources for Connecticut to make critical investments in programs and people. |
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Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced that 38 local volunteer fire departments will receive a Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant (VFC Grant), which will improve firefighting capabilities by supporting training and equipment purchases. These funds are provided through a federal program that supports fire departments in towns with a population of less than 10,000 people. North Canaan and Norfolk were among the towns selected. North Canaan will receive $2,500 and Norfolk will receive $2,484.50.
Click here to learn more. |
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This week, Governor Lamont issued executive orders to ensure that Connecticut residents have access to COVID-19 vaccines during the upcoming respiratory virus season.
For decades, vaccines have been proven to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death, and patients and their doctors should be able to decide what is the best course of treatment
✅ The Department of Public Health recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older
✅ Pharmacists and providers can keep giving vaccines under the latest CDC guidance
✅ State law requires most insurance plans to continue covering COVID-19 vaccines
These steps make sure Connecticut residents can stay protected. |
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2025 Improving Our Region Through Nonprofit Excellence
The Northwest CT Community Foundation (NCCF) is holding an event next Thursday, September 18. This is a great opportunity for nonprofit staff and leadership to learn and network with others in their industry. Click here to learn more. |
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| On September 21, from 4-6 PM, Hispanola Health Partners will hold a Haitian style party. HHP provides mountaintop mobile local clinics for those who live in remote regions of Haiti, with support, HHP can continue to reach people in Haiti with the care and compassion they deserve. Visit the Hispanola Health Partners website for more information about the organization. |
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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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