Violence against Asians has skyrocketed over the past year. I stand in solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community as we call for an end to hate.
Throughout 2020, the United States has seen a 150% increase in Asian hate crimes. As a community, we must join together in a proactive effort to end these deplorable hate crimes. If we want to create a society where all our children and neighbors can thrive, we must speak out against all racism, and educate ourselves on the experiences of our neighbors.
If you experience, witness, or hear of a hate crime, please report it to the police department (where the crime occurred or where the victim lives). Furthermore, Connecticut law authorizes any person injured by a hate crime to bring a civil lawsuit against the person who committed the act/crime. For more information on the penalties for hate crimes in the Connecticut, please click here.
| We must come together now to put an end to Asian hate. |
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| House Convenes for Session on Tuesday |
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| Tuesday, the House of Representatives convened at the State Capitol for another session day to vote on several important bills. A session day is a key part of our legislative process as it is the time when all the members of the House of Representatives gather to debate, consider and vote on legislation. |
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| The House voted on several Judicial, Executive and Legislative nominations, as well as legislation that extends the effective date of Connecticut's use of force standard from April 1, 2021 until January 1, 2022. This provides law enforcement agencies with more time to train police officers on the new standard and improve outcomes.
We also voted on a bill to assert our legislative oversight on how the latest round of COVID-19 relief funding coming to Connecticut will be spent. The bill requires the Governor to submit recommended allocations for the use of the American Rescue Plan funds to the House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tempore by April 23. These recommendations must then be sent to the legislature's Appropriations Committee within 5 days. This bill promotes strong fiscal oversight, transparency and clarity by requiring the legislature to have a say in how these new dollars are spent. |
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| COVID-19 Vaccine Timeline Accelerated |
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| Good news! The State announced several key updates regarding the phasing and pace of Connecticut’s COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. |
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First, the next phase of the roll out, which expands eligibility to individuals aged 45 to 54, will begin this Friday, March 19. If you are in this age category, you will be able to begin the scheduling process at 8:00 am on Friday morning.
The State also announced Monday that general availability to all individuals 16-years-of-age and older will begin ahead of schedule. Eligibility is tentatively scheduled to begin for this age group on Monday, April 5. This acceleration comes as the State was informed by the Biden administration that we should anticipate receiving a significant increase in supplies of all three federally authorized vaccines over the next several weeks.
It’s important to note that these dates are for appointment eligibility. They are not a guarantee of a timeline in which you will receive the vaccine.
Connecticut continues to rank among the top five states in the nation in the percentage of our population that has been vaccinated. Individuals who are currently eligible to receive the vaccine in Connecticut include:
- All individuals age 55 and older;
- Healthcare personnel;
- Medical first responders;
- Residents and staff of long-term care facilities;
- Residents and staff of select congregate settings; and
- PreK-12 school staff and professional childcare providers.
All eligible individuals in Connecticut who would like to receive the vaccine must make an appointment in advance. Information on making an appointment and finding the closest available clinic can be found online at ct.gov/covidvaccine. Those without access to the internet can call the Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224. The assist line is available seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
While a large portion of eligible residents have received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, there are still a number of residents that need to be vaccinated. We must have patience as we wait to roll up our sleeves to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
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| Legislative Survey
The 2021 legislative session has begun! The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted many issues that Connecticut was already facing. We’ve got a lot to do, and I’d like to hear about your priorities. Take the survey on my webpage and tell me how I can better represent you. |
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