Maria Horn

As issues concerning cutting of trees in Housatonic Meadows State Park (in Sharon & Cornwall) by the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) continue , over the last week I’ve had a host of phone calls, zoom calls, and site visits, which I thought might be a useful illustration of what it means to be a state legislator when the legislature is not in session.  (For a specific update on the park itself, see the update in this newsletter.)
 
As a legislator, my main tool is, of course, legislative.  That process, which happens only when we are “in session” (January to June in odd years, and February to May in even years), includes drafting proposed legislation, conducting hearings, debating in committee, voting in committee, getting bills raised and passed by majority vote in both the House and the Senate, and then signed by the Governor.  Between all those steps are a lot of meetings and calls to listen to, negotiate with, and persuade advocates and stakeholders, and ultimately a majority in each legislative body.  It’s clunky, and there are all kinds of reasons that bills don’t make it all the way through.   
 
Individual legislators have very little authority on our own – our authority is mainly collective, and is connected to our ability to bring others along with us.  As a Committee Chair, I have more authority on issues within my committee’s jurisdiction, and can, for the most part, ensure that hearings are conducted on relevant issues.  If I have good relationships with my other committee chairs, I might be able to persuade them to conduct a hearing on a certain topic, which starts the process. 
 
When we are not in session, that structure isn’t in operation. Much of my work during these months is constituent service, ensuring that residents get connected to relevant state resources, and untangling state bureaucracy, for example.  That often means raising issues with departments within the Executive Branch, which is under the Governor’s authority.  DEEP is one of those departments: it has authority to take action within its area of responsibility, as long as it is within current procedures.  Those procedures can be set by legislation (created by the process described), but can also be set by regulations (which the department crafts, and a legislative committee, the Regulations Review Committee, must approve) or just policy, which the department can set as long as it doesn’t contravene existing law or regulations. It can get more complicated than that, but as long as the department is following existing rules, they have the authority to act.
 
In this particular case, while I have no authority to compel DEEP to change their actions, or even hold a public meeting, I can persuade them, using various levers, including my ability to call legislative hearings once session begins.  Another lever is public pressure: because we have so many experienced and knowledgeable organizations and individuals in our region in this area, that enhances our ability to put pressure on the department.  And it is working, so, again, thank you to the many people who have ensured this remains a topic of importance to DEEP as we work our way toward a better process and result.
 
On another topic, we enacted legislation in the last session which includes a pilot project to install automatic speed cameras in work zones along some Connecticut highways next year.  Speeding is always an issue I hear a lot about in our towns, and there is increasing data suggesting that speeding has increased and is making travel throughout the state more dangerous.
 
Many other parts of the country (and the world) make extensive use of cameras to establish speed violations.  I’ve lived in some of those areas, and found it both fairer (in terms of who gets charged) and more effective (in terms of making roads safer), but I know there are other views, and I’d like to hear yours. 
 
For more information on the state’s pilot program, click here.

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• Data Updates on Testing in CT. Click here. 
• Update on Housatonic Meadows State Park. Click here.
• Nine Additional Omicron Variant Cases Identified in CT. Click here. 
• Pediatric Vaccination Clinics. Click here.
• Sharon Hospital Hosts Virtual Community Forum. Click here.
• Sharon Hospital Partnering with Community Health & Wellness Center of Torrington. Click here.
• Connecticut's Tax Amnesty Program. Click here.
• CT Launches Program to Enhance Mental Health Services at Higher Education Institutions. Click here.
• Natalie Braswell Appointed as State Comptroller. Click here.
• Regional School District Six is Seeking Program Providers. Click here. 

Data updates on testing in Connecticut
 
The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.
 

Overall Summary	Total	Change Since Yesterday
COVID-19 Cases (confirmed and probable)	439,423	+3,280
COVID-19 Tests Reported (molecular and antigen)	12,683,845	+53,948
Daily Test Positivity	--	6.08%
Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19	585	+9

 

 
Of the 585 patients currently hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, 450 (76.9%) are not fully vaccinated.
 
For the week beginning November 28, 2021, unvaccinated persons had a 5x greater risk of testing positive for COVID-19 compared to fully vaccinated persons.
 
For the week beginning November 28, 2021, unvaccinated persons had a 16x greater risk of dying from COVID-19 compared to fully vaccinated persons.
 
Data on COVID-19 associated deaths is updated once per week every Thursday. The most recently reported total number of deaths is 8,946.
 
County-by-county breakdown of current COVID-19 hospitalizations:
 

County	Current COVID-19 Hospitalizations
Fairfield County	110
Hartford County	187
Litchfield County	19
Middlesex County	25
New Haven County	174
New London County	44
Tolland County	3
Windham County	23
Total	585

 

 
For a series of interactive graphs and maps that provide additional data, including metrics related to age, gender, and race/ethnicity, as well as data broken down by every town and city in Connecticut, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”

Update on Housatonic Meadows State Park
 
As discussed in the introduction to the newsletter, this is very much an ongoing process. 
 
On Thursday afternoon, I participated in a call with numerous DEEP officials (including Commissioner Katie Dykes, Deputy Commissioner Mason Trumble, and other officials in the forest, parks, and engineering sections of the department), Tim Abbot of the Housatonic Valley Association, Bill Tingley of the Housatonic River Commission, and Senator Craig Miner.  While the conversation ranged widely, the focus was on:

• the necessity that DEEP hold a public forum to address what has already occurred at the park (including an acknowledgement of the mistakes made), the remaining work they are planning to complete, and how they will handle this process differently in the future; and
• the strong suggestion (made by all of the non-DEEP participants) that, especially given the lower usage of the park at this time of year, that DEEP pause their remaining work through the winter months to allow for deeper, and more collaborative, discussions about their plans. This may mean that the park, or sections of it, will be closed temporarily in order to protect public safety.

 
I spoke with DEEP again today, and they confirmed that early next week they will assess the urgency of the public safety issues, and determine whether they are able to prevent public access to hazardous areas so that they may pause the remaining work in order to allow for further discussions.  They again acknowledged the need for a public forum, but did not commit to a timetable.

 
Nine additional Omicron variant cases identified in Connecticut
 
The Connecticut Department of Public Health today announced that there have been nine additional cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant identified among Connecticut residents, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the state to eleven.
 
Specimen collection dates in the nine cases ranged from November 28 to December 7. They involve five women and four men between the ages of 20 to 85 years old. They are residents of Hartford County (1), New Haven County (5), and Fairfield County (3). Seven of the affected individuals were fully vaccinated.
 
Pediatric Vaccination Clinics

Each of the elementary schools in the Region One school district will be holding Pediatric (Ages 5-11) Vaccination Clinics in their buildings in partnership with Griffin Health.  All are open to the public and no appointments are necessary.  Only pediatric (ages 5-11) vaccinations will be administered at these clinics – no adult (12+) doses will be available.

A parent or guardian must accompany the child, ages 5-11, and only the pediatric Pfizer vaccination will be administered.  A Pediatric Intake Form.pdf must be completed - you may print and complete it in advance, or forms will be available to complete at each clinic.  Here are the clinics that scheduled at this time:

• Canaan / Lee H. Kellogg:  December 21st, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
• Cornwall: January 5th, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
• Kent:  December 8th, 3:30 - 6:30 p.m.
• North Canaan:  December 8th, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
• Salisbury: December 7th, 3:30 - 7:30 p.m. and December 28th, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Sharon:  December 21st, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. 

Sharon Hospital Hosts Virtual Community Forum

Sharon Hospital will host an online community update from 5:30-7 p.m. on December 14 via Zoom and Facebook Live. Members of the community are invited to hear from hospital President Dr. Mark Hirko as he discusses the latest hospital developments and provides updates on the affiliation that created Nuvance Health. The independent monitor, engaged by Nuvance Health as required by the state, will report on its review of compliance with the affiliation agreement issued by Connecticut’s Office of Health Care Strategy.

Instructions on how to join the virtual meeting are posted on the website: nuvancehealth.org/CTForums. This will also stream via Facebook at facebook.com/sharonhospital.

You may submit questions in advance by emailing sharonhospital@nuvancehealth.org or calling (845) 554-1734 and providing your name and phone number.
 
Sharon Hospital partnering with Community Health & Wellness Center of Torrington

Sharon Hospital and the Community Health & Wellness Center (CHWC) in Torrington, Connecticut, have partnered to enhance access to non-critical primary care services in the northwest corner.
CHWC’s ambulance-style Mobile Medical Unit — “Betty: Bringing Exceptional Treatment To You” is on-site at Sharon Hospital twice weekly in the hospital’s main parking lot to offer non-critical/primary care services to the community, such as medical screenings, point-of- care testing and general vaccinations.
Patients may walk-in for non-critical primary care visits or schedule an appointment.

• For information or to make an appointment, call the Community Health & Wellness Center at (860) 387-0801 or visit www.chwctorr.org.

 
Connecticut’s Tax Amnesty Program
 
The 2021 Connecticut Tax Amnesty program, which offers individuals and businesses the opportunity to pay back taxes at a reduced interest rate and no penalties, launched on November 1, 2021 and will end on January 31, 2022.
 
It provides a 75% reduction in interest and waives penalties and the possibility of criminal prosecution to those who haven’t filed, have under reported, or have existing liabilities related to taxes owed to the state for any tax period ending on or before December 30, 2020. It is available to individual and business taxpayers. So far in its first several weeks, it has generated $12 million and more than 3,600 applications.
 
Taxpayers seeking to participate should visit GetRightCT.com.
 
All taxes administered by the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, except for the motor carrier road tax (IFTA), are eligible for the program.
 
 
Connecticut launches $2.7 million program to enhance mental health services at higher education institutions
 
Connecticut has launched a new state program that will provide $2.7 million to colleges and universities in Connecticut as they respond to the ongoing student mental health challenges driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding is being supported by the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, which utilizes federal coronavirus relief aid dedicated to the state.
 
The Connecticut Campus Mental Health Program will provide awards to eligible higher education institutions to drive innovative and evidence-based strategies that enhance student access to care; boost education and awareness of mental health services and programs available to students, either on or off campus; and equip staff and students with knowledge for supporting students with mental illnesses, particularly those from minority or traditionally underserved backgrounds.
 
The program is projected to benefit more than 130,000 undergraduate students across 28 colleges and universities in Connecticut. It comes on the heels of legislation signed into law by Governor Lamont earlier this year that charges institutions of higher education with assessing and, where necessary, enhancing mental health services for students on campus.
 
Grants will be administered by the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Office of the Governor.
  
The launch of the program comes at a vital period in Connecticut’s pandemic recovery efforts. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, its economic impacts, and the mounting awareness of systemic racism and inequality, the presence of mental health issues for students is at an all-time high. In fall 2020, 39% and 34% of college students reported symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively. Furthermore, 83% of students said that their mental health had negatively impacted their academic performance. Higher education administrators have noted similar trends – in fact,  72% of college and university presidents identified student mental health as a pressing issue for this school year. Many institutions of higher education in Connecticut report that counseling centers have seen a significant increase in student demand.
 
Applications will be open to all nonprofit undergraduate institutions with an endowment per student of less than $100,000, as referenced in the 2019 Connecticut Higher Education System Data and Trends Report. Maximum grant allocations have been predetermined based on each institution’s undergraduate student population and the percentage of those students receiving a Pell grant. Institutions applying for the grant can receive up to the maximum grant award based on a successfully completed application aligned with the grant program criteria.
 
For more information on the Connecticut Campus Mental Health Program and the link to the grant application, visit www.ctohe.org.
 
Governor Lamont appoints Natalie Braswell as State Comptroller
 
Governor Lamont announced that he will appoint Natalie A. Braswell of Bloomfield to serve as state comptroller upon the anticipated resignation of Comptroller Kevin Lembo on December 31, 2021.
 
Last week, Comptroller Lembo announced his intention to step down from his position on that date due to an ongoing medical condition. Upon the resignation of a constitutional officer, state law requires that when the legislature is not in session the governor must appoint a successor to fill the vacancy for the remainder of that constitutional officer’s term.
 
Braswell is currently the chief of planning, legal, and regulatory affairs at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) in a position that she has held since March 2021. From 2011 until beginning her current position at DEEP, she served as general counsel and assistant comptroller in the Office of the State Comptroller under the leadership of Comptroller Lembo.
 
Upon being administered the oath of office on December 31, Braswell will serve as state comptroller through January 4, 2023.
 
 
Regional School District Six is seeking program providers for Winter 2022 After School Enrichment Program

If you are interested in being a program provider of an activity for the Winter 2022 After School Enrichment Program at Region Six, please complete the application at the link below and submit it by Tuesday, December 14, 2021.
The district will review all proposals by Thursday, December 16^th, and let providers know the status of their request shortly thereafter.
The winter program will begin the week of February 1 and end the week of March 1, 2022.  There will be no make-up sessions.

Program Provider Application – Winter 2022

Providing information to Connecticut residents
 
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus. Residents can also subscribe to text message alerts from the state by texting the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.
 
Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Anyone who is out-of-state or requires a toll-free number can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 by dialing 1-800-203-1234. This is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.