November 19 Newsletter

November 19, 2021
We are constantly working to provide updates and important news as it develops over social media and by email. This is a recap of some of this week’s highlights.

For more information about the state's response efforts visit ct.gov/coronavirus. To receive text message notifications, sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system. To subscribe, text "COVIDCT" to 888-777.

 

How The Federal Infrastructure Bill Helps Connecticut

Our country has been in desperate need for a modernization of our physical and digital infrastructure for several years. From the ravaging effects of climate change to deadly lead pipes in Michigan to more than 300 structurally deficient bridges right here in Connecticut, our infrastructure has been hit hard since the last major transportation bill was passed six years ago.

After years of delay and months of negotiations, Congress finally acted and passed a new $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, which President Biden officially signed yesterday.

Below are some highlights of the legislation, including items which will provide direct assistance to Connecticut and our district.

Climate Change

  • $79 million to help reduce our state's carbon footprint
  • $90 million to help protect our roads, railways, and airports from more extreme weather
  • $106 million for the protection of Long Island Sound and its ecosystem
  • $1 billion for coastal resiliency projects, which are meant to protect our state's coast from rising sea levels and flooding brought on by climate change

Transportation

  • $52.5 million for the installation of more electric vehicle charging stations
  • $561 million to repair structurally deficient bridges
  • $1.3 billion for improvements to modes of public transportation, such as buses and railways
  • $30 billion for enhancements to the Northeast Rail corridor, which will seek to make significant improvements to travel times

Digital Infrastructure

  • $100 million to ensure all Connecticut residents have access to affordable high-speed internet 
  • $1.9 billion for the U.S. as a whole to boost our cybersecurity defenses

For a more detailed list of $5.38 billion in funding Connecticut will receive through this legislation (including an additional $100 billion in grants our state is eligible for), click HERE.

I am extremely grateful to Connecticut's federal delegation for their tremendous work in ensuring that our state receives a significant portion of the funds allocated in this legislation.

 

Children's Behavioral Health

I am extremely grateful to be taking the lead on legislation concerning mental health resources for children in Connecticut with Representative Liz Linehan and to be putting the ideas and thoughts we have heard into concrete action next session. 

This topic is very personal to me. Because I know first-hand what this experience is like, I want to make sure I can put that experience to good use and help as many people and families as possible who I know are struggling with this every day.

In the meantime, you can visit the General Assembly's Children's Committee website for specific information on how and where to find help for your child, including a listing of providers by town.

 

2021 Redistricting

Redistricting is the process by which new congressional and state legislative district boundaries are redrawn every ten years following the completion of the U.S. Census. In Connecticut, a committee made up of equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans is responsible for drawing the lines, and this year I was honored to serve and work on this committee.

The new district maps for the Connecticut House of Representatives were unanimously passed on Thursday. As you can see from the map above, the 19th House District was redrawn with some changes. For the upcoming 2022 legislative session, legislators will continue to represent their current districts. The new maps will not officially go into effect until the 2022 election next November.

For more information on the 2021 Redistricting Process and to see maps for the entire state, you may CLICK HERE.

 

Congratulations to West Hartford Schools Superintendent Tom Moore!

I want to give a special shout out and congratulations to West Hartford's Superintendent of Schools Tom Moore for being named the 2022 Connecticut Superintendent of the Year at a ceremony last week by his peers!

According to the association's website, the criteria considered when selecting the Superintendent of the Year includes the following:

  • Leadership for Learning – creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in his or her school system.  
  • Communication – strength in both personal and organizational communication. 
  • Professionalism – constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team.  
  • Community Involvement – active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national, and international issues.

Thank you to Tom for the outstanding work you do for the students of West Hartford!

Click the button below to read more.

We-Ha.com: Tom Moore Named 2022 Connecticut Superintendent of the Year
 

Vaccine Booster Shots

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorizations (EUA) for both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines authorizing use of a single booster dose for all individuals 18 years of age and older after completion of primary vaccination with any FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.

Prior to today’s authorizations, a single booster dose of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines was authorized for administration to individuals 65 years of age and older, individuals 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19 and individuals 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Today’s action expands the use of booster doses of both vaccines to include all individuals 18 years of age and older at least six months after completion of the primary vaccination series of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or at least two months after completion of primary vaccination with the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine.

If you would like to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 booster shot, visit the state's COVID-19 Vaccine Portal here. You'll also find information about how you can schedule an appointment if you are looking to receive your first dose. If you have a child between the ages of 5 and 11, you'll also be able to find locations offering pediatric doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

Below are also a few other places you can go to make an appointment:

- Walgreens: The Walgreens on Farmington Avenue in West Hartford is offering the vaccine for the 5 to 11 age group. CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment.

- UCONN Health Outpatient Pavilion: CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment at this location on Dowling Way in Farmington.