State & Local Updates

Fairfield
June 29, 2020
Just a few hours ago, the Commissioner of Education released detailed information and guidance regarding the reopening of schools this Fall. As the Commissioner noted last week, flexibility will be the only constant. Health and safety, equity, social and emotional needs and mental health all factor into the decisions being made. State guidance follows CDC guidelines and is in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, which emphasize the importance of masks and cohorting to keep students and teachers safe in the classroom. Families will have the choice as to whether or not their students return to school buildings.

There are still many conversations to be had, particularly at the local level. The state will be sending out a survey to determine how many students and teachers intend to return to school at the start of the new school year.
This week the state will launch the CT learning Hub - a content platform that will supplement what school districts have to offer for remote learning. Speaking of learning platforms and opportunities, a Fairfield teacher shared the Scholastic Book list of Diverse Books for all Readers. Scholastic shares that, “With this catalogue, we aim to share books for all ages that tell the stories of historically underrepresented groups specifically related to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical and mental abilities, religion and culture.” Summer is a great time to do some reading.
Earlier today the Secretary of the State emphasized Connecticut poll data that shows 77% of Connecticut voters support allowing all voters the option to vote via absentee ballots this November; 76% of voters believe there should be both in-person voting as well as the choice to use an absentee ballot; and 81% of voters believe voters should have the option of voting in person prior to Election Day. A majority of Independent, Democrat and Republican voters agree, “No one should ever have to choose between their health and their right to vote," said Secretary Merrill. I will continue to advocate strongly that action be taken during a special session that would codify voters’ right to cast an absentee ballot.
More than $33 million in state and federal resources is now available as emergency assistance to renters, homeowners, and residential landlords impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency. These funds will help provide a safety net for families and businesses struggling to make ends meet.

Elements of this plan include:

  • $10 million rental assistance program for Connecticut residents impacted by COVID-19, administered through the Department of Housing, which will provide payments to landlords on behalf of approved tenant applicants, with a priority on lower-income households who have been denied unemployment insurance;
  • $5 million for eviction prevention to help renters who were in the process of eviction before the declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency;
  • $10 million to provide mortgage relief to homeowners who have suffered impacts from COVID-19 and whose mortgages are not federally insured, administered by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA);
  • $4 million in rapid rehousing funds to help people pay costs like security deposits and initial rent to exit homelessness to housing, administered by the Department of Housing;
  • $2.5 million rental assistance program for those who are ineligible for emergency assistance through the federal CARES Act, including those who are undocumented, administered by the Department of Housing;
  • $1.8 million in funding for reentry and rehousing assistance for people exiting incarceration, administered by the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness;
  • Extending the residential eviction moratorium to August 25, bringing Connecticut’s measures in line with federal measures (the CARES Act prevents evictions from most properties until late summer); and
  • Extending the opportunity to apply a portion of any security deposit worth more than one month’s rent toward rental payments.

All housing assistance programs administered through the state and through CHFA will include housing counseling to help renters and homeowners problem solve and develop plans to pay housing costs going forward.

 

For more information, click here.
Connecticut Coronavirus numbers continue to trend in the right direction, with less than 100 residents hospitalized and a positive test rate of less than 1%. Over 10% of our state’s population has been tested. We have to remain diligent and continue to wear our masks, maintain social distance, stay outside as much as possible and practice strong hand and face hygiene.