Newsletter
October 13, 2021Hopefully you were able to either rest up or get out and enjoy the long weekend.
This week's update includes small business loan information, a reminder not to text and drive, and information on a partnership with nearby states to get guns out of the hands of criminals.
The big highlight is on Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I hope you'll join me in wearing purple next Thursday, October 21 to help raise awareness around this issue. If you decide to post a selfie on social media, tag it with #PURPLETHURSDAY.
Wishing the Navy a Happy Birthday!
As you may have seen, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Unfortunately, I have known too many women who have been survivors (and in some cases victims) of domestic violence and coercive control.
Just yesterday, as they released the cause of death of Gabby Petito, the young woman who went missing while traveling with her boyfriend, I was reminded, once again, that the fact she was strangled is most likely the last piece of evidence in a chain of behaviors. I was also reminded that while her image has been on every major news outlet, women of color who go missing or who are experiencing intimate partner violence are much less likely to be featured in news stories.
As you will see in the video below, Connecticut continues to lead the way with legislation that protects women (and yes, the 1 in 7 men who experience domestic violence). We can always do more. If you or someone you know needs help, the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence can provide help. To learn more, please click here.
| Fines for Distracted Driving Increased |
As life starts to return to normal and the holidays arrive, many of us will be back on the road again. More time on the road means more opportunities for distracted driving. As of October 1, penalties for texting and driving increased in an effort to stop distracted driving.
Distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of accidents on our roads, with nearly 5,000 crashes attributed to distracted driving in Connecticut in 2020 alone.
Connecticut law prohibits the use of any hand-held mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers who are 16 or 17 years of age are prohibited from using a cell phone or mobile device at any time, even with a hands-free accessory.
The new fines for driving while distracted are:
- For the first violation, offenders are fined $200 (was previously $150)
- For a second violation, offenders are fined $375 (was previously $300)
- For a third or subsequent violation, offenders are fined $625 (was previously $500)
Throughout the month of October, state and local police will be increasing enforcement of the new distracted driving law.
Please urge your family and friends to put their cell phones away while driving. No text message or phone call is worth putting yourself and others at risk.
For more information, please click here.
| Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania Working Together To Prevent Gun Violence, Enhance Public Safety |
Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey, and Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania have announced a plan to share crime gun data in an effort to prevent gun violence and enhance public safety. For more details please click on the press release below:
| Small Business Association's Five Facts on COVID Relief Funds |
People may still need help so I wanted to include the information below from the Small Business Association (SBA) regarding COVID relief funds.
What is a COVID EIDL loan?
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SBA was given the authority to make low-interest fixed-rate COVID EIDL loans to help small businesses and other entities overcome the effects of the pandemic by providing borrowers with working capital to meet ordinary and necessary operating expenses.
What can I use the loan proceeds for?
Borrowers may use COVID EIDL working capital loan proceeds to make regular payments for operating expenses and to:
- Pay or pre-pay business non-federal debt incurred at any time (past or future), including monthly payments, payments of deferred interest
- Pay regularly scheduled payments on federal debt
- Payroll
- Rent/mortgage
- Utilities
- Other ordinary business expenses
You may not use the funds to:
Expand your business, make prepayments on debt that is owned by a federal agency (including SBA) or an SBI, or start a new business.
How much can I borrow?
$2 million is the maximum loan amount, however borrowers will be offered a loan amount they are eligible for.
What are the most common reasons for decline?
- Unsatisfactory credit history - Credit score does not meet minimum credit score requirement.
- Unverifiable information - During the review process there were one or more items that were reviewed that caused the SBA to question the validity of certain information in the application. This can occur as a result of a failed identity verification, international IP address, client device associated with fraud, or high-risk IP address.
- Business activity not eligible - The information you submitted with your application does not meet SBA regulations for an eligible business activity.
- Failure to respond - If you do not respond to the request for additional information within 7 days, the application will be withdrawn with a status of borrower did not wish to proceed.
What is the deadline to file and be approved for the program?
The program ends December 31, 2021 or when funds are exhausted, whichever occurs sooner. Be sure to file your application as soon as possible to allow processing time for approval.
If you have questions about your already submitted EIDL application, contact the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. You can also contact SBA by email at PDCrecons@sba.gov to request reconsideration or to reactivate your COVID EIDL application.
Learn more - Attend a Webinar
Atienda este seminario, EIDL por COVID-19
Fecha: martes,12 de octubre del 2021
Hora: 6:00pm EST
When: Wednesday, October 13
Time: 1:00pm EST
When: Thursday, October 14
Time: 9:00am EST
EIDL en Español with CT En Vivo
Connecticut’s Assistant District Director for Economic Development Moraima Gutierrez participated in a Spanish-language CT En Vivo interview promoting an upcoming COVID19 - EIDL En Español webinar happening on October 12, at 6 p.m., highlighting Hispanic Heritage Month. Moments from National Small Business Week 2021 were also highlighted, including Administrator Guzman and entrepreneur Jennifer Lopez speaking about the spirit of Latino Entrepreneurship. The entire interview was broadcasted online through CT En Vivo, Facebook, Fox 61, and NBC 30. To view the full interview, click here.
| Environmental Walk and Talk at Pollinator Pathway in Canton October 16th |
Join me this Saturday, October 16th for an Environmental Walk and Talk at Canton's Pollinator at 9 a.m. Please see the flyer below for more details. The weather is looking unsettled, so if it's really pouring or there's thunder and lighting, our rain date will be for the following Saturday, October 23rd. Please check my Facebook page for updates here.
| Facebook Live Event October 20th: Why Biking and Having Accessible Areas Are So Vital to Our Communities |
On Wednesday October 20th, from 6-7 p.m., please join me and my fellow State Representative Tammy Exum for a Facebook Live Discussion: Why Biking and Having Accessible Areas are Vital to Our Communities. You can watch by clicking on the image below which will take you to my Facebook page. Questions pertaining to the topic can be asked in the comments section.
| Happy Birthday, U.S. Navy! |
I'm always happy to celebrate the armed services, but especially happy to celebrate the U.S. Navy's Birthday today as my grandfather, father, and husband are all proud Navy veterans. Go Navy!
