Newsletter
July 14, 2021
As you may have heard, both houses of the Connecticut General Assembly were in session today voting on the extension of the Governor's emergency powers.
The resolution passed.
For those of you who don’t know, at the height of the pandemic last year, there were more than 300 Executive Orders (EOs) in place. Today, the request was made to extend the emergency powers for about 11 EOs.
During regular session, we put regulations in and around these Executive Orders to ensure that we, the legislature, remain a functioning branch of the government. Our bi-partisan leadership has the power to VETO any of the Governor’s Executive Orders if we don't like what we are seeing.
These EOs provide flexibility if, God-forbid, we end up in a situation like Mississippi (where ten children are currently on ventilators from the Delta variant).
It allows for us to be nimble in our response and not have to build the plane and fly it all over again.
Additionally, there is federal funding attached to this extension until September 30th for those about to lose their homes, feeding children experiencing hunger, and supplies for healthcare workers on the line.
More than half of the states in the U.S. are still in this emergency power situation.
While our number of COVID-19 infections remains low, we did see today that our numbers are the highest they have been since May and that is attributed to the Delta variant. While my hope is that because we have a significant portion of our population vaccinated, we still need to be cautious.
I spoke today about these issues, and you'll find that video below. You may notice that I used the word vectors—a scientific term to describe the people who are left for the virus to victimize—in this case, it means those who are unvaccinated, which obviously includes those 12 and under.
Unfortunately, when you are infected with COVID-19, you become a vector of transmission (at any age). No one wants to think of a friend or family member this way, but this is why vaccination is critical and why we earlier asked people to wear a mask to protect others. When a COVID-19 patient becomes a vector, it's the virus' fault, not theirs.
I also had the pleasure of sharing the names of our most recent Eagle Scouts in Troop 274. You'll see that there's a deadline tomorrow to apply for Connecticut's free community college program. You'll also see two events I am co-hosting next week. As always, please email me if you have any questions or concerns or if there is anything I can help you with.
| COMMUNITY COLLEGE ASSISTANCE DEADLINE IS THURSDAY |
Tomorrow, July 15, 2021, is the application deadline for Connecticut’s free community college program. Students from all financial backgrounds are eligible. To get started, please click on the image below:
Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT) was established by the legislature in 2019 to provide free tuition for students attending all twelve community colleges. PACT bridges the tuition gap students may have after receiving scholarships and other financial aid – and we allocated funds for this critical program in our new state budget.
Don't delay! Students must apply by tomorrow to take advantage of PACT. Funds are available on a first come, first served basis.
To qualify for PACT, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a graduate of a public or private Connecticut high school (GED and home-schooled students qualify).
- Be a first-time college student (those who participated in dual enrollment programs while in high school are not excluded).
- Complete the FAFSA and accept all awards.
- Attend community college full-time (12 or more credits per semester).
- Enroll in classes today for first come, first served consideration.
- Participate in a degree or credit-bearing certificate program.
- Once enrolled, remain in good academic standing.
| A COMMUNITY SAFETY CONVERSATION WITH KEN BARONE, AVON, CANTON POLICE CHIEFS TUESDAY |
I will be hosting a conversation with Ken Barone of the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy, Avon Police Administrator Jim Rio and Canton Police Chief Chris Arciero on Tuesday, July 20, at 3 p.m. The intent of this conversation is to separate fact from fiction on what needs to be done to address the car theft situation. This conversation arose out of the meeting I attended last week with Police Chiefs from across the state.
Ken will present some data from the state-level, issues of concern he is hearing from the Police Chiefs he works with in Connecticut, and the Avon and Canton Police Chiefs sharing their thoughts and concerns about what they see as gaps in the current system as we seek to come up with solutions.
The conversation will be LIVE STREAMED on my Facebook page.
| JOIN US FOR COFFEE & CONVERSATION AT BEANZ FRIDAY JULY 23 |
I think it's important that our residents know we are available to them, to share information, listen to their concerns, collect ideas or to say hello.
I hope you can join me and fellow State Representative Tammy Exum for a legislative coffee update next Friday, July 23rd at BeanZ in Avon.
The event begins at 8 a.m.
Stay tuned for a Coffee Hour Event in Canton next month.
| RECOGNIZING EAGLE SCOUTS FROM TROOP 274 |
One of the best parts of being in session is having the opportunity to take a moment to share items of note from our district.
Today I shared the names and the congratulations of our entire district for our most recent Eagle Scouts: Ryan Patrick Bagley, Alexander Bump, William P. Klemm, Andrew Carl Pooler, and Jacob Theodore Pooler.
Congratulations again to these Scouts, their Leaders, and their families.
| CHILD TAX CREDIT UPDATE |
In March, the President signed into law the American Rescue Plan, which continues to provide immediate relief to American families and communities.
With this child tax credit, nearly all working families will not only make it easier for families to make ends meet, but tax credits for working families have been shown to boost child academic and economic performance over time.
To check your eligibility, please click the image below:
| JULY IS DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH |
July is Disability Pride Month! It's not only a time for the disabled community to celebrate who they are, but it's also a time to learn how you can become a better ally.
For resources and tips on how to be a better ally to the disabled community, please click on the image below:
