Updates from the Capitol

January 15, 2021
With the advent of a (not so) New Year, I am back in your inbox with news, information and resources. 2021 has already proven challenging, so I encourage you to continue to reach out for the support you need to get through what can be difficult days. Today I want to fill you in on the new legislative session, update you on vaccines and touch base about the vandalism in our own community as well as the violence at the U.S. Capitol.
Updates from the Capitol

The legislative session began with an in-person, socially distanced, Opening Day on January 6th. I was honored and moved as I joined my House and Senate colleagues as we were sworn in safely outdoors. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue my service to the people of Fairfield and of our great state.

The rules we adopted that day require committee hearings to be held via Zoom. The Speaker has re-appointed me as the House Chair of the Planning and Development Committee. Together with my Senate co-chair, we will work with the ranking members and others on the committee to set the agenda for the year and revisit the work that was unable to be completed in 2020. The committee has a broad cognizance and will address issues related to zoning reform, property tax exemptions and appeals, municipal business, GIS, the state Plan of Conservation and Development, regional Councils of Governments and Taxing and Fire Districts, to name a few.

In addition to Chairing Planning and Development, I will return to the Transportation and Government Administration and Elections Committees. There I will champion pedestrian safety, funding and support for rail and transit, improving access to voting and restoring trust in our electoral process. This is the work within the committees, but I remain engaged in many other issues. At this point, legislators are able to propose a bill on any topic until Friday, January 22. If you have an issue of concern to you and believe a bill should be proposed, please

reach out to me as soon as possible so that we can discuss it.

How to Participate in Committee Meetings/Hearings:

  • To submit public testimony in a hearing:
    • Visit the CGA website
    • Click the "Committees" tab
    • Click the Committee whose hearing you would like to submit to
    • Scroll to the "Contact" box
    • Click "Public Hearing Testimony"
    • Email your testimony to that adjacent Committee

A few changes in testifying include the fact that you must sign up online no later than the day before the committee meets. You will then be placed in a lottery to determine speaker order. Though I am disappointed that we must meet online, I am thrilled about this change in sign-ups, something I have been advocating for over the course of many years. This is one change I hope will continue post-pandemic. Specific details about each committee meeting and the sign up process can also be found in the daily Bulletin on the CGA website.

  • To view a committee meeting/hearing:
    • Visit CTN
    • Select the Committee you would like to view
    • You can watch meetings live or on-demand

Meetings will also be broadcast live on YouTube channels designated for each committee.

What to Know About the Vaccine

Yesterday, Governor Lamont released new information about vaccine deployment throughout Connecticut. Those aged 75 and over were able to begin scheduling appointments yesterday. If you fall in this demographic and would like to register for your vaccine by telephone or online please follow the steps below. Fairfield is one of the local health districts already providing vaccine clinics and if you are over 75 you may have already heard from our town officials or even received your first dose. Our Health Department is working so hard – between vaccine clinics, contact tracing and compliance, they are keeping very busy!

Online: Visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Portal to register and schedule an appointment through the web-based Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS). Many providers can be accessed through the VAMS system including:

  • Trinity Health of New England (hospitals and other locations)
  • Griffin Hospital
  • Nuvance Health
  • Stamford Hospital
  • Bristol Hospital
  • Local Health Departments
  • Federally Qualified Health Centers

Telephone: Those without internet access can call Connecticut’s COVID Vaccine Appointment Assistance Line at 877-918-2224. The line will take calls on Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Updates on Eligibility 65+

The State also announced yesterday that in the coming weeks, Phase 1B will expand to include:

  • Residents between the ages of 64 and 74
  • Residents between the ages of 16 and 64 who have underlying health conditions which put them at greater risk for contracting COVID-19
This expansion will occur as the vaccine supply increases and as a significant portion of individuals over the age of 75 receive the vaccine. 
Vandalism Outside McKinley School

All of you know about the violence that occurred at our nation’s Capitol last week and many of you know about the vandalism and hate speech on the sidewalk in front of McKinley School and at a local business. Over these past days, I have found myself furious about both of these events. In the face of this, I turned to Martin Luther King Jr., who we celebrate this weekend, to be reminded how to resist, how to stand up to hate, how to join together and stand up for what we believe. As Dr. King preached, “Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Earlier today, I had the opportunity to speak with the McKinley School principal to ask her how the community is doing following this terrible incident. Ms. Gingrave’s response was amazing. She told me that their resilient school community was taking this as an opportunity to celebrate the diversity and inclusiveness of McKinley School. They are working with the students to help them understand and unpack what has happened and reaching out to parents to hear their concerns. Most of all, they are doubling down on McKinley’s core values, that the community and its members are Safe, Respectful and Responsible.
 
I joined my fellow State Reps in denouncing this terrible act and thank them for that. I know that our statements and the work of Ms. Gingrave and her amazing staff are not enough. We must all stand together to drive out darkness and hate.
 
And, you won’t be surprised that I am reminding you to continue to wear your masks, maintain 6 feet of social distance, avoid unnecessary indoor interactions and wash your hands. We remain solidly in the midst of a still growing pandemic. Wishing you all peace and safety this MLK weekend.