Connecticut Clean Air Act Now Law

July 28, 2022


 
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Dear Neighbor,

It was an honor to join my colleagues on Monday to raise the Puerto Rican flag at our State Capitol.

July 25th marks the commemoration of Constitution Day, which acknowledges the ratification of Puerto Rico’s Constitution, adopted in 1952. Connecticut is home to the largest percentage of Puerto Ricans of any state and we are better for it.
 
LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS
There's still time to apply for Connecticut's Child Tax Payments!

Income eligible parents who had a child born before January 1, 2022 can receive a maximum payment of $250 per child up to 3 children. The tax payment is available to single parents who earned $100,000 or less and married households that made less than $200,000 during the 2021 tax year.
 

The deadline to apply is Sunday, July 31, 2022!
Apply and Learn More Here
Applicants who have questions about the child tax payments can watch the United Way of Connecticut's info session.
Watch in English
Watch in Spanish
Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions.
 
We have long championed measures that promote a healthier environment. During the 2022 session, I proudly supported the Connecticut Clean Air Act, which is now law. I coauthored a provision that creates a voucher program to make electric bikes more accessible. On Friday, I was happy to join the Governor, state agency leaders, and my legislative colleagues to announce this new, landmark law.
 
Connecticut residents deserve clean air, but transportation-related emissions have contributed to worsening air quality leading to higher rates of illnesses like asthma. Building out electric vehicle infrastructure, adopting medium and heavy-duty vehicle emissions standards, and modernizing transit fleets are valuable strategies in reducing emissions and ultimately, improving air quality for everyone.

This legislation: 

  • Invests in transitioning to electric and zero-emission state vehicles, school buses, and transit buses
  • Promotes all school buses to be zero-emissions by 2030 for some districts and by 2035 in all other school districts
  • Makes it easier for consumers to reduce their carbon footprint by increasing access to rebates and vouchers to buy electric vehicles through programs like CHEAPR
  • Assists municipalities and businesses with the purchase of electric vehicle charging stations
  • Equalizes the registration fee for electric vehicles with all other motor vehicles and establishes a voucher program for the purchase of electric bicycles

The Connecticut Clean Air Act is particularly important, especially in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in West Virginia v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which severely limits the EPA's ability to regulate emissions, obstructing federal efforts to address climate change and pollution. You can read more about this bill here.
     
    STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
    This week, the state launched the Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund, a low interest loan program for small businesses and nonprofits operating in our state. The fund is a public-private partnership focused on businesses and nonprofits located in low-income and historically underserved communities.
     
    Small businesses and nonprofits can apply for loans with a fixed, 4.5% interest rate. To be eligible, entities must operate in Connecticut, have 100 or fewer full-time employees, and have annual revenues of less than $8 million. Applicants will be matched with a lender if they qualify for a loan. Once matched, the lender will help the business owner throughout the application process.

    More information is available here.
     
    I've heard from residents with questions about the ongoing I-84 improvements. The Connecticut Department of Transportation is making significant safety and operational improvements to I-84 through West Hartford. The project includes the addition of a lane on I-84 Westbound between Exits 39A and 43 and between Exit 40 and 41 on I-84 Eastbound. Improvements are anticipated to be constructed in three stages to minimize impacts to traffic. Detours will be in place through October to redirect traffic during construction. You can learn more about the I-84 project and find a project timeline here. Reach out with any ongoing questions! 
     
    Tuesday was the 32nd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This act was transformative for so many - including my sister-in-law Stephanie. We must continue to fulfill the vision of the ADA and advance full participation and opportunities for people with disabilities.

    Did you know that the ADA National Network is a free resource that provides information and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act?

    Learn more about the resources you can access here.
     
    As always, if I can be of assistance to you and your family, please reach out to me at 860-240-8585 or email me at Kate.Farrar@cga.ct.gov. Follow @KateforCT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything I'm doing at the Capitol!

    Sincerely,

    Kate Farrar
    State Representative
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