Cristin McCarthy Vahey

I hope this note finds you well. You have not heard as much from me over the past weeks as our family has faced the unexpected, brief illness and death of my 43-year-old brother-in-law. Family and friends have come together to support my sister, her three young children, and Joe’s family, and will continue to support them in the weeks and months ahead as they adjust to their new lives. Thank you for your kindness and well wishes during this time.

In this week's eblast, you can read about staying involved in the legislative session, our work on the Public Health Committee, home heating assistance the Connecticut General Assembly approved this week, and how to get a Home Energy Audit.

Serving as Connecticut’s Public Health Committee Co-Chair is more meaningful to me than ever. You have heard me say how important it is that our work in the legislature helps individuals and communities remain healthy, safe, and strong.

The session began last week and all committees are now in the process of deciding which bills will be heard in the next 4-5 weeks before the committees reach their deadlines.

Here's how you can stay connected and actively participate:  

• Visit this website for information on how to testify on a bill at a public hearing.
• You can view the Connecticut General Assembly's upcoming events by checking out its schedule on the CGA official website. 
• Follow CT-N for live coverage of committee meetings, as well as House and Senate floor debates. 
• You can register to monitor any bill's journey as it goes through the legislative process. By signing up, you can enter the bill number and receive real-time updates. Stay informed with email notifications whenever there's a change in the bill's progress. 

In Public Health, we will hear dozens of bills, including the extension of Telehealth availability, which is set to sunset later this year.

In addition, there are plenty of local resources to save on your energy bills.

Energize CT offers affordable home energy audits that can locate opportunities for enhanced insulation and provide an energy checkup for your home. This is an excellent cost-saving program that is also environmentally friendly.

Alliance for Community Empowerment, formerly known as ABCD, provides an extensive set of services for your energy needs, including gas forgiveness plans, water and sewage bill assistance, and furnace repairs.

To schedule an appointment, call (203) 838-8241 X3005, or click here to apply online.

Fairfield residents can reach out to Social Services, which serves as another intake site for energy assistance.

Below are several important dates to be mindful of:

• April 1, 2024 – Deadline for fuel authorizations or deliveries
• May 31, 2024 – Last day that a household can apply to establish its eligibility for benefits
• June 17, 2024 – Last day to submit deliverable fuel bills