State Capitol Update for the Week of Jan. 10

January 24, 2022

This week brought the return of the dreaded “double zoom”, as on a couple of occasions I had to keep screens open for two simultaneous meetings. Our 2022 Legislative Session begins on February 9, so calendars are filling up as we hold meetings and calls with colleagues, advocates, and organizations concerning our legislative priorities, and how to craft them. While the double zoom (or worse) is to be avoided if possible, it is exciting to be back working on legislation.

 
This week my caucus, the Democrats in the House, had a long meeting (via Zoom) to discuss how we’re going to conduct the upcoming legislative session, balancing concerns of public safety with public access.  In 2021 we learned a lot about how to conduct a remote session, some of which we intend to keep.  For example, we streamlined a lot of processes re the filing of bills (it was astonishing how much physical paper was required under the old system), and that will stay in place.  We also learned that public hearings conducted remotely can actually improve public access, particularly if you live out in the Northwest Corner.  In-person-only hearings not only required members of the public to drive to Hartford to personally sign up in the morning to testify,  but also to wait, often all day, and sometimes late into the night, for your name to be called.  There are many people for whom that is just not an option.  Allowing people to sign up online, view their place in the queue, and go about their day at home or work while waiting for their slot, worked really well. 
 
We also have an obligation to protect public health and don’t want to contribute to a community spread by hosting super spreader events, particularly with the COVID data where it is today. 
 
On the other hand, we all miss those important conversations that happen outside the committee rooms, with the public, with lobbyists, and with colleagues. Legislation gets better that way.  The data fits constantly, and we are optimistic that it is beginning to shift in the right direction, so no matter what compromise we strike today, it will undoubtedly change as circumstances allow.
 
One of the top priorities for this session will be mental health.  Just this week I have had a number of conversations about how stress, anxiety, and morale in different communities and professions are having broad and destructive effects.  We are all worn thin, and it has pushed some of our hardest working and most vulnerable close to the edge.

I particularly want to highlight healthcare workers. Adequate staffing has always been a challenge in our rural area, and the current high infection rates have exacerbated that.  Patients are also anxious and frayed, which adds an extra level of strain. By “healthcare workers” I mean to include nurses, doctors, physician’s assistants, orderlies, and all manner of medical staff, including hospital administrators.  We are having a lot of important, often difficult, conversations about access to primary and maternal care at Sharon Hospital in particular, and those must continue.  But everyone at the hospital, from the newest hire to the most seasoned veteran, is working hard right now to get us through this moment, taking on responsibilities well beyond their job titles in order to ensure that we are healthy and safe, and we are all benefiting from that.  We highlighted them as heroes early in the pandemic, and their work is even more heroic today.  Thank you.

I also want to especially thank all of the local EMS squads who helped Sharon Hospital get through a rough patch recently, when the CT scan machine went down and patients had to be diverted to other regional hospitals.  Our mostly volunteer EMS squads do heroic and critical work every day, and always rise to the occasion when crises arrive.  Thank you!
 
I hope you get to enjoy the long weekend including Martin Luther King Jr Day on Monday and stay safe in what could be some unpredictable weather, including cold, wind, rain, and/or snow.
 

 
Here’s a list of today’s topics:

  • COVID Data. Click here. 
  • Regional Vaccination Clinics. Click here. 
  • New schedule for Kent COVID-19 testing site
  • COVID-19 Test kit and mask distributions
  • Eversource monitoring potential weather. Click here.
  • Governor Lamont issues Executive Order re-employment of retired teachers here.
  • Hazard tree removal in Sharon Mountain Block. Click here. 
  • Update on Housatonic Meadows State Park

  • Benefits are now available for CT’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave Program. Click here.

  • CT Humanities grants to local organizations

  • Webinar on Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
  • New Exhibition at Five Points Arts Annex in Torrington. Click here.
  • NCLC presentation on coyotes. Click here.
  • How to get help from Social Security
  • Workers’ Compensation rates decrease for the eighth consecutive year, saving millions for CT businesses.

 

 

                                             

 

Overall Summary Total Change Since Yesterday
COVID-19 Cases (confirmed and probable) 628,789 +9,604
COVID-19 Tests Reported (molecular and antigen) 14,003,344 +47,380
Daily Test Positivity -- 20.27%
Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19 1,917 -22
Overall Summary Total Change Since Last Thursday
COVID-19 Associated Deaths* 9,442 +161

 

*Data on COVID-19 deaths is updated once per week every Thursday.

Of the 1,917 patients currently hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, 1,288 (67.2%) are not fully vaccinated.
 
Compared to being vaccinated, being unvaccinated currently has the following relative risk:
 

  • 3 times higher risk of being infected with COVID-19
  • 19 times higher risk of dying from COVID-19
  •  7 times higher risk of being hospitalized with COVID-19

 
County-by-county breakdown of current COVID-19 hospitalizations:
 

County Current COVID-19 Hospitalizations
Fairfield County 487
Hartford County 523
Litchfield County 49
Middlesex County 70
New Haven County 636
New London County 112
Tolland County 4
Windham County 36
Total 1,917
 

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.”
 
Data updates on breakthrough cases in Connecticut
 
The Connecticut Department of Public Health is reporting that as of January 12, 2022, a total of 115,021 cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated persons in Connecticut have been identified. Of the more than 2.5 million people in Connecticut who are fully vaccinated, 4.53% have contracted the virus.
 
For more data on breakthrough cases in Connecticut, see pages 6 through 10 of this week’s extended COVID-19 data report.
 
Data updates on vaccine administration in Connecticut
 
The following data represents the total number of people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Connecticut, as reported to the state as of today:

Dose Total Administered
At least one dose 2,920,027
Fully vaccinated 2,560,906
Additional dose received 1,138,250
 

Percent of people who have received at least one dose by age group:
 

  • >95% of those over the age of 65
  • >95% of those between 55-64
  • 89% of those between 45-54
  • 91% of those between 35-44
  • 85% of those between 25-34
  • 80% of those between 18-24
  • 84% of those between 16-17
  • 76% of those between 12-15
  • 39% of those between 5-11

 
Source: Coverage data is based on what is reported to CT WiZ, except the estimated coverage for 65 years and older, which is taken from the CDC COVID Data Tracker.
 
All Connecticut residents over the age of 5 are currently eligible to receive the vaccines. To locate a vaccination clinic, visit ct.gov/covidvaccine.
  
For information on variants, see pages 11 and 12 of this week’s extended COVID-19 data report.
  
The COVID-19 Alert Map is updated every Thursday afternoon and can be found within the Data Tracker page of the state’s coronavirus website at ct.gov/coronavirus.

 

                                                    

 

Regional Vaccination Clinics

The Town of Salisbury will be hosting two 12+ COVID Vaccination Clinics at the Town Grove Senior Center (42 Ethan Allen Street) on January 13th and February 9th, from 9am to 1pm. 

There is no charge for vaccines, and no appointment is required. Please bring a health insurance card and photo ID if you have them, but it is not necessary to have health insurance or ID to receive the vaccine. No one will be turned away for lack of insurance or ID. All vaccines and boosters are available.

Housatonic Valley Regional High School will be hosting 12+ COVID Vaccination Clinics at the school on the following dates and times:

  • Friday, January 28, 3-7pm
  • Friday, February 4, 3-7pm
  • Friday, February 25, 3-7pm

All three vaccines and all boosters will be available.

New schedule for Kent COVID-19 testing site
Testing is now available in Kent (at the Transfer Station, 38 Maple Street) on Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 4-7pm.

To find a location in Connecticut to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster shots, visit ct.gov/covidvaccine.
 

COVID-19 Test kit and mask distributions to schools throughout the state
The state will distribute a second allocation of iHealth kits to schools for use by students and staff. Bus drivers/transport test kits are being distributed to their worksites in a separate distribution. A second allocation of N-95 masks for school staff is also being distributed. Kits and masks will be made available on Friday, January 14.
Each district has been allocated a predetermined number of kits based on their total student and staff population. The CT State Department of Education (CSDE) is providing these kits to help further protect staff, children, and families. The rapid home tests are to be used to screen those who are symptomatic to determine who should not be present in school, while the N-95 masks are to be distributed to educators and school staff. The total distribution equates to approximately 3 masks per staff member.

 

                                       

Eversource is monitoring several potential weather events over the MLK Holiday
 
Eversource has issued a warning that the region may experience hazard winds Friday into Saturday morning as a system moves through. The most significant winds are forecast for the South Shore of Massachusetts, the Cape and the Islands. 
Temperatures will plummet late Friday and into Saturday morning across the area. Wind chills could be below zero. Sunday is predicted to be mostly dry and hazard-free for much of the day and evening before a nor'easter tracks toward the region overnight. 
At this time, rainfall and snowfall are expected to begin late Sunday evening and continue through Monday. Winds could be hazardous with gusts in excess of 45 mph; but confidence remains low at this time. The storm is expected to exit the region on Tuesday. 
Given the forecast uncertainty, Eversource is closely monitoring multiple weather services and potential storm tracks.
 
 
Governor Lamont issues Executive Order reemployment of retired teachers to help address teacher shortage
 
Governor Lamont signed Executive Order No. 14E, which modifies certain state laws in order to provide school districts with greater flexibility to address the current teacher shortage caused by the recent spike in COVID-19 infections by relaxing certain statutory limits on the availability of retired teachers.
 
The order takes two actions:
 

  1. It allows school boards to reemploy or continue to employ retired teachers, even if they reached the maximum limit permitted under state law while receiving retirement benefits by excluding the period between July 1, 2021, and February 15, 2022, from the salary determination.
  2. It modifies certain statutes that allow school districts to hire retired teachers for a maximum of two school years in districts designated as a subject shortage area or identified as a priority school district by excluding the period between July 1, 2021, and February 15, 2022, from being included when calculating that two-year maximum eligibility period.

 

 

Notice of hazard tree removal in the Sharon Mountain Block of Housatonic State Forest
 
The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) issued a statement that the roadside hazard tree removal harvest at the Sharon Mountain Block of Housatonic State Forest will begin this week.  
 
Trees will be removed along Mount Easter and Clay Beds Roads within the State Forest.  Work will begin on Mount Easter Road from the Swaller Hill Road access point.

The contractor will need to close portions of the forest road system daily within the active work area.  Please avoid the area as work progresses and adhere to any signage posted on site.  The harvest is expected to take one-two months depending on suitable weather conditions and other factors.

 

Update on Housatonic Meadows State Park
 
With great sadness and frustration, I report that the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) went forward with the removal of the remaining trees marked as public safety “hazards” in Housatonic Meadows State Park this week.  This took place after a productive call last week, during which DEEP acknowledged errors of various kinds, and heard a range of thoughtful and informed testimony from members of the public, many of whom had impressive credentials and experience as arborists and environmental scientists.  Despite this, DEEP was unmoved and continued to assert the need to remove the trees in order to protect public safety. 
 
It is clear that we will need to propose a legislative solution to this, regarding both the required communication about plans to remove hazard trees and the process for designating trees as hazards.  Thank you to all of you who fought this destruction, and I look forward to working with you to move policy forward so that this will not happen again, and to ensure that robust remediation takes place at the park to protect fish and wildlife habitat, our climate, the air we breathe, and this jewel of a park.

 

 

                                              

 

Benefits now available for CT’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave Program
 
Connecticut workers can now access benefits under the state’s newly launched paid family and medical leave program, which provides wage replacement for those who need to take time away from work to address qualifying health or family concerns.
 
Overseen by the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority, a quasi-public state agency, the program began granting benefits to eligible applicants on January 1, 2022. The program is entirely employee-funded through a payroll deduction of 0.5%, which began on January 1, 2021. The employee contributions are pooled into the Paid Leave Trust, which pays the paid leave benefit. The authority has partnered with Aflac to manage claims and administer benefits.
 
The amount of income replacement varies based on a worker’s earnings and is capped at 60 times the state minimum wage, or $780/week.
 
Qualifying reasons to apply for paid leave benefits include:
 

  • To care for one’s own serious health condition (including serving as bone marrow or organ donor, and pregnancy);
  • To care for a family member experiencing a serious health condition;
  • To bond with a new child (biological, adopted, or fostered);
  • To address issues arising from family violence;
  • To care for a military family member injured during federal active duty; or
  • To address issues arising from a parent, spouse, or child’s call to federal active duty.

To file a claim, workers are encouraged to submit applications online, which is the fastest way to apply, by visiting ctpaidleave.org. Those who do not have access to the internet, or who have questions and would like to speak with an Aflac customer care advocate, can call the program’s toll-free hotline at 877-499-8606. Hours of operation for a live representative are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

CT Humanities grants to local organizations
 
The Board of Directors of CT Humanities (CTH) awarded 624 non-profit museums and cultural, humanities, and arts organizations a total of $16 million in CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants. These grants will assist organizations as they recover from the pandemic and maintain and grow their ability to serve their community and the public, connect K-12 teachers and students to strong humanities and arts content, and improve their information technology and digital infrastructure.

Congratulations to the many organizations in the 64th district who were awarded grants this year, in recognition of the value and importance of their work!  Recipients included:

  • Falls Village:
    • Falls Village Canaan Historical Society
    • Music Mountain
  • Cornwall
    • Cornwall Historical Society
  • Goshen
    • Goshen Players Inc
    • Litchfield Performing Arts (Goshen)
  • Kent:
    • Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office/Eric Sloane Museum (Kent)
    • Kent Art Association
    • Kent Historical Society
    • Kent Singers
  • Salisbury
    • Crescendo
    • Salisbury Association
    • Salisbury Forum
    • The Northwest Music Association
  • Sharon
    • Sharon Historical Society
    • Sharon Playhouse
  • Torrington:
    • Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus
    • Five Points Gallery
    • KidsPlay Children’s Museum
    • Litchfield County Choral Union
    • Northwest Connecticut Arts Council/Howard’s Bookstore
    • Torrington Historical Society
    • Torrington Symphony Orchestra
    • WAPJ Torrington Community Radio
    • Warner Theater
    • The Nutmeg Ballet
  • Washington
    • After School Arts Program
    • Common Ground with Jane Whitney
    • Gunn Memorial Library and Museum
    • Institute for American Studies
    • Pilobolus
    • The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens
    • Washington Art Association

 

Webinar on Electric Vehicle Charging Stations offered on January 26 and January 27
The CT Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is offering two webinars to provide the public the opportunity to learn about Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.
Hosted by CTDOT with collaboration from CTDEEP, the webinars are geared for anyone interested in more information regarding what funds are available to help build out public EV fast-charging infrastructure across the state and what work has been done to identify the gaps in our network.
To register for the Wednesday, January 26, 2022 webinar held at 1:00 PM, go to https://bit.ly/339BzdJ 
To register for the Thursday, January 27, 2022 webinar held at 7:00 PM, go to https://bit.ly/3zBer3W
Language assistance may be requested by contacting the DOT’s Language Assistance Call Line (860) 594-2109. For more information, email Robert Bell at robert.e.bell@ct.gov

 

New Exhibition at Five Points Arts Annex in Torrington: “The Artist in All of Us
 
Five Points Arts Annex will open a new exhibition, “The Artist in All Of Us”, featuring work created by 12 participants from the Day Support Option Program at the Arc of Litchfield County, starting on January 20. 
 
These individuals participated in a one-hour per week workshop at the Five Points Art Center on University Drive. Associate Director, Noel Croce, taught the 12-week program which was sponsored by the Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation. 
 
The exhibition will feature works including cityscapes, landscapes, collages and prints.
 
The exhibition runs from Jan. 20-30. Gallery hours are 1-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and by appointment. There is no admission charge. All visitors inside the gallery are required to wear a mask and observe social distancing protocol. For more information, visit fivepointsarts.org or call 860-618-7222.

 

Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC) presentation on coyotes
 
Have you ever heard a coyote howl and wondered what it meant?
 
NCLC welcomes Paul Colburn, a CT DEEP Master Wildlife Conservationist, to present on eastern coyotes in Connecticut. Paul will share his knowledge of coyote habitat, diet, behavior, and current research efforts. Paul will also include tips on how to coexist with these 
fascinating animals.
 
The event will close with a Q&A. Please bring your questions.
 
When: Saturday, January 15 at 7:00 PM
Where: Virtual Event
 
Click here to register.

 

How to get help from Social Security
Even though Social Security is a federal program, we field many calls from constituents looking for guidance, so I thought this chart might be helpful.

 

 

                                                      

 

 

 

Workers’ Compensation rates decrease for eighth consecutive year, saving millions for CT businesses
 
Connecticut businesses will see another rate decrease in workers’ compensation insurance in 2022. The Connecticut Insurance Department has approved a filing with decreases of 14.1% to workers’ compensation pure premium lost costs, and an 8.2% reduction in assigned risk rates. The decreases pave the way for insurance companies to reduce the workers’ compensation premiums for individual businesses in Connecticut.
 
This is the eighth consecutive year of rate decreases in Connecticut. Since 2019, Connecticut businesses have experienced savings of more than $140 million in workers’ compensation premiums – a significant savings compared to the $800 million workers’ compensation book of business in the state.
 
The Connecticut Insurance Department issued a memorandum and order approving the filing of the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). The council compiles data annually from the workers’ compensation market in Connecticut and countrywide to propose loss costs/rate adjustments for the ensuing year.
 
With the approval of the NCCI filing effective January 1, 2022, companies in the voluntary market review their own loss cost experience (actual losses and claim adjustment expenses) and company expenses and submit individual company rate filings to the Connecticut Insurance Department.

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 is strongly urged to contact their medical provider.

It is my honor to represent our district. I look forward to hearing from you about the issues raised in this newsletter, or any other topics you think I should know about. You can email me at maria.horn@cga.ct.gov or call me at (860)-240-8585. Thanks for reading, and I wish you a safe weekend.

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Sincerely,

 

Maria Horn
State Representative