Special Session Accomplishments & Phase 3 Updates

phase 3
October 8, 2020
Last week the Legislature held a special session, our second since the regular session was adjourned due to COVID. Two of the bills we passed, that I was proud to support, are highlighted below.

Today marks the beginning of Phase Three, with restrictions eased for businesses and gatherings around our state. We are able to move into this phase because of your cooperation with mask wearing, maintaining six feet of distance and limiting the size of groups. Please continue to engage in those helpful behaviors, including hand washing.
Phase 3 of Reopening Begins Today

Connecticut moved into Phase 3 of its reopening plan today. The phase includes easing several restrictions put into place on businesses and gatherings, while continuing state efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Business changes in Phase 3 include:
  • Increase from 50% to 75% capacity indoors - dependent upon COVID-19 safety requirements - for restaurants, personal services, hair salons, barber shops, and libraries;
  • Outdoor event venues will increase from 25% to 50% capacity with masks and social distancing requirements;
  • Indoor performing venues will be able to open at 50% capacity with masks and social distancing requirements; and 
  • Bars and nightclubs will continue to remain closed.
More information about Connecticut's reopening plan, as well as guidance for residents, businesses, schools, and government, is available on the state's COVID-19 website.

Individuals can also visit the CT Reopening Center, to learn more about how the state is developing reopening guidelines. 
Take Back Our Grid Bill Signed into Law

Yesterday, Governor Lamont signed the Take Back Our Grid Bill into law, a bill we voted on during last week's special session. The law works to hold big utility companies accountable and addresses pressing issues raised by the public.

"Take Back Our Grid" Will:

  1. Establish Performance Based Ratemaking
    • Establishes standards the utilities must meet
    • Develops metrics for determining progress
    • Allows the issuance of penalties if the utilities fail to meet the standard
  2. Require the utilities to provide bill credits from $25 daily to a $250 total claim for food and medicine, as well as reduced charges to residential customers without power lasting more than 96 hours.
  3. Tie the portion of executive salaries that come from ratepayers to the company's performance.
  4. Develop minimum staffing levels for lineman, communications personnel and others to make sure the utilities respond to storms quickly and convey timely information to their customers.

The issues of significant rate increases in July and poor performance during Tropical Storm Isaias remain under investigation by PURA.
Counting Absentee Ballot

During the special session last week, we also worked to streamline the process for counting ballots this November. The Secretary of the State began mailing out requested absentee ballots at the end of last week, and a larger percentage of voters are utilizing them to maintain their safety in the times of COVID.

In order to assist in timely and accurate election results, we passed House Bill 7005 which gives town election officials the choice to prepare absentee ballots for counting by opening the outer envelopes before election day. Here in Fairfield, absentee ballots will be counted at their respective polling places the day of the election.