Newsletter 1/21/21
The transition of power took place in Washington, D.C. today when Joseph R. Biden became the 46th President of the United States. It was also a historical day as Kamala Harris became the first woman and first woman of Black and South Asian descent to take the oath as our Vice President.
The transition of power in the United States often reflects a win for one side of the political aisle but generally represents a time for optimism for everyone. Regardless of your position, the start of a new presidential administration represents a time of change and redirection for our country.
The last four years have been wrought with political and ideological division not seen in years, division which culminated in the events that took place at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th.
Today I congratulate President Biden and Vice President Harris on their inauguration and hope that this day starts us on the path to healing that we so desperately need.
While I continue to reflect on the deep meaning of today, I want to encourage you to take a few minutes to listen to the incredibly powerful words of Amanda Gorman. Poetry, like music, has a way of striking us at our cores.
✨“Even as we grieved, we grew. Even as we hurt, we hoped. Even as we tired, we tried. That we’ll forever be tied together victorious not because we will never again know defeat but because we will never again sow division.”✨
Click here to watch Amanda Gorman.
COVID-19 Update
The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.
For a series of interactive graphs and maps that provide additional data, including metrics related to age, gender, and race/ethnicity, as well as data broken down by every town and city in Connecticut, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”
COVID Vaccine Update
The State of Connecticut is expecting about 45,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses on a weekly basis from the federal government. We now know that the State will be taking a tiered approach in Phase 1B as we work to vaccinate the nearly 1.4 million people in the recently updated Phase 1B category.
The Department of Public Health will prioritize vaccination appointments based on the risk of adverse health outcomes from the virus. Vaccinations will be implemented equitably with distribution focused in areas where residents and communities have barriers to access and care.
More information about the definitions of frontline essential workers and the list of eligible underlying medical conditions will be made available in the next several weeks.
For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 vaccination distribution plans in Connecticut, visit ct.gov/covidvaccineor call 877-918-2224 for assistance if you are 75 or older.
Priority COVID Testing
I want to thank you for your continuous efforts in public health precautions. Despite Connecticut's speedy distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, it is vital that you continue to get a COVID test if you have any COVID symptoms.
The State of Connecticut continues to offer COVID-19 testing locations – including for priority workforce, for those without documentation, and for those without insurance.
No Cost Testing Supported by the State of Connecticut:
Connecticut continues to provide no-cost testing to those who need it, including those living in densely populated areas, are living in congregate settings, or don’t have access to insurance. If you fall into one of these categories, or your town is experiencing an outbreak – you should get tested regularly – especially if you have symptoms. Residents can visit www.ct.gov/prioritytesting to find no-cost testing sites.
Priority Workforce Testing:
Connecticut recently launched a testing program to provide priority access testing for the following priority workforce categories:
- Teachers/School Support Staff (including Bus Drivers)
- Early Childhood/Child Care Professionals
- Police Officers
- Fire Fighters
- Paramedics/EMT
- National Guard
- Dispatchers
Priority access is intended for staff who need to get tested quickly, in order to ensure their work day is not interrupted – but is not intended for the family and friends of said workers. Priority Workforce testing sites can be found using the search tool at ct.gov/priorityworkforcetest. Users can enter their zip code and find the closest priority workforce testing sites to them.
Click here to read the state FAQ page on COVID testing.
Stay safe and healthy!
Budget Update
While the COVID-19 pandemic has hit all states extraordinarily hard financially, it's important to recognize glimmers of hope when we see them. Which is why I am excited to share with you some excellent news about Connecticut's fiscal picture!
Thanks to a record $3 billion in our state's rainy-day fund and responsible state budget practices, Connecticut's consensus revenue estimates from state budget analysts predict a budget surplus of $70 million in Fiscal Year 2021. This is an incredibly positive change as state budget analysts had previously projected a deficit of over $850 million. In addition, the projected deficits for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 were both cut in half.
Today’s announcement also impacts the state’s bond cap, which functions as the state’s credit card limit. Under previous estimates, the state would have only been able to bond approximately $200 million next fiscal year. Today our bond cap is closer to $2 billion. This is good news as it allows Connecticut to bond for infrastructure improvements and efforts focused on helping people get back to work.
Connecticut is in much better shape than many of our neighbors, with states such as Massachusetts and Texas facing billion dollar deficits. We are certainly not out of the woods yet and our state still faces significant challenges, but this is a step in the direction of progress as we work towards recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This welcome news is only possible through the smart choices and decisions which were made across government in past years to be prepared for potential emergencies and hardships, and the benefits of those decisions are now coming to pass.