Newsletter 7/15/21

July 15, 2021
I hope you and your family are having a wonderful July!

Yesterday the House of Representatives met in a special session to extend Connecticut’s emergency declaration. Throughout the pandemic, our state has been a national leader in responding to and navigating this public health crisis by listening to the experts and scientists. It is a trend that we must continue to ensure Connecticut emerge successfully. 
 
Although there has been a positive trend towards pandemic recovery, including Connecticut ranking #4 in percentage of population vaccinated, there are still factors that are changing or unknown. The emergency declaration has allowed Connecticut to respond to the pandemic quickly and efficiently. With emerging variants and questions still left to be answered, a short continuation of this practice will allow the state to remain responsive and ensure the resources are available. This includes continued vaccination efforts and ensuring that victims of domestic violence have safe places to live. 
 
It is important to note that there were hundreds of Executive Orders at the height of the pandemic and today there are only ten that remain. Furthermore, the legislature can veto any future Executive Order if we disagree with it.
 
Finally, extending the emergency declaration is critical to make sure Connecticut continues to receive every dollar of federal funding available. Several federal funding sources are contingent on the continuance of the emergency declarations and the executive orders, like providing food for children and families in need. The pandemic has brought with it a significant financial toll and this federal funding is what our state needs to come out of this pandemic even stronger. 
 
I took my vote very seriously weighing the ability to respond quickly to any potential changes in public health and federal funding. This extension will allow for our state to continue to adapt to this once in a lifetime pandemic according to changing guidelines without unnecessary red-tape that can be ineffective and inefficient. The legislature remains in control with the ability to reject any proposal, and the executive orders only apply to the most important aspects for keeping our residents healthy and our state on the right path to recovery. It does not mandate the vaccine, or mask wearing in all schools, or give unilateral, uncontrolled power to the governor. It does allow the state and the expert agencies to look at the most recent data and information and make the most appropriate decisions for the well-being of the state. I sincerely hope, along with everyone else, that the positive trends continue and we can be done with some of the measures once and for all. Until then, I hope we all continue to do our part to keep our communities safe and healthy. A key part of that (and our recovery) is getting vaccinated. If you have any questions about getting your COVID vaccine you can find locations and more information here: 

https://portal.ct.gov/Vaccine-Portal?language=en_US
 

Legislative Highlights
 

Over the course of the summer I will continue to send a bi-weekly newsletter that includes several pieces of legislation passed out of the legislature from a particular committee. This week I have highlighted bills passed out of the Commerce and Aging Committees.

Commerce Committee:

Economic Development in Distressed Municipalities 
We required Dept. of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to study economic development issues affecting distressed municipalities across the state. 
 
Disparate Impact of COVID-19
We established a commission to study the impact of COVID-19 on different racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic groups. 
 
Workforce Pipeline for the Disabled 
We required DECD to develop a plan to establish a workforce pipeline program for those with disabilities. This will help these individuals secure well-paying, full-time jobs. 

Small Business Express Program 
Expanded the successful Small Business Express Program to bring in more private capital and better target state assistance.

Cybersecurity Standards for Businesses
Strengthened our laws on cybersecurity, identity theft, and data theft.

Tourism Board Expansion 
We have expanded the state's tourism boards and coalitions in order to promote the multiple tourism districts in Connecticut and to generate employment within the tourism industry.
 
Regional Economic Development Pilot Program
Developed a program for DECD to provide up to $5 million in grants to a regional economic development entity.

Aging Committee:

Virtual Visitation in Nursing Homes
COVID-19 exposed the devastating effects that isolation has on our nursing home residents, so we responded by ensuring everyone access to virtual visits by loved ones.
 
Senior Property Tax Relief 
Making sure seniors can afford to stay in their homes has been a longstanding priority for House Democrats. This law will give towns the ability to increase eligibility for senior property tax credit relief by lowering the earliest eligibility age from 70 to 65.
 
Long Term Care Facilities 
We made these changes to the long term care residents bill of rights:

  • Added the right to treat their living quarters as their own home.
  • Allowed nursing home residents to use technology of their choice for virtual monitoring and visitation.
  • Require nursing homes to provide residents with free internet for virtual monitoring and virtual visitation.
  • Added the right to associate and communicate privately with individuals of the patient's choice.
  • Added the right of residents to access representatives of the Department of Public Health and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
  • Specifies that nursing home residents have no fewer rights than any other residents.
  • Extended the bill of rights to residents of assisted living facilities.

Age Discrimination in Employment Opportunities 
We strengthened laws protecting seniors in the workplace by making it a discriminatory practice to require that an applicant disclose their age, date of birth, or graduation date unless it is needed as part of the job qualification or required under Federal law.
 


Tropical Storm Elsa Post-Flood Tips
I hope that you and your family were able to remain safe throughout Tropical StormElsa this past week. The storm left some homes and businesses wet and flooded. Here are some tips to help with the aftermath:
Due to the effects of Tropical Storm Elsa, many farms throughout Connecticut are experiencing crop loss.

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers and agricultural producers who may have experienced crop damage to declare a loss to their United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office. Crop losses can be modified after the initial reporting as necessary. 

Reports should include:

  • Crops damaged
  • Total acres planted per crop
  • Number of acres destroyed or percentage of crop destroyed per crop
  • Livestock damage
  •  Physical damage to equipment, buildings, fencing, trees, or damage caused by erosion

It is critical that producers keep accurate records to document damage or loss and report those losses to their local USDA Service Center as soon as possible. For more information on disaster assistance, visit farmers.gov.
 


Free Community College Tuition
In Connecticut, we are committed to making higher education affordable. For more information about the PACT Program and to see if you qualify, please visit:https://www.ct.edu/pact. The deadline is TODAY, July 15th!

Free CT Museum Admission

Beginning July 1st through September 6th all children—plus one accompanying adult— will receive free admission to over 90 museums across Connecticut. This program is offered to all Connecticut children, ages 18 and under.

My family had a great time visiting the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford last weekend! I highly recommend this fun and free educational opportunity. Check out this list of participating museums!