Newsletter 8/12/2022

August 12, 2022

I hope you are enjoying your summer. 

In this week's email, you can find information on:

  • Supporting CT's Hospitality Industry 
  • Congrats to Fairfield American 
  • Shellfish Restoration Plan
  • Oakridge Tour
  • 100% Rating from CTLCV, Perfect Voting Record 
  • Health Horizons Program
  • CID Meeting Reminder
Health Horizons Program 
Connecticut has launched a new initiative to support 1,200 students become nurses and social workers. This program is a result of the state budget that my Democratic colleagues and I approved to increase workforce development and help people begin careers in high-demand career fields.

Through CT Health Horizons, we are taking a multi-step approach of tuition assistance for accelerated learning programs, recruit & retain faculty to expand seating for students, and promote partnerships with employers to open more career pathways.

Click here to learn more.

 
Oak Ridge Tour
On Thursday, I toured the Oak Ridge Waste & Recycling facility and was shocked by the amount of non-recyclable material that ends up co-mingled with our recyclables and then contaminates it. Please see the images above for more information and recycling strategies that will help Oak Ridge and other places like it around the state maximize our recycling.
 
Shellfish Restoration Plan 
Did you know that New England's largest farm is actually Connecticut's oyster and clam farm in the Long Island Sound? I didn't either! This is one of my very favorite parts of this job, every day there is so much to learn. Our oyster and clam farms make up 60,000 acres and are essential to the overall health of the sound as well as the seafood and shellfish industry.

It was a pleasure to join local, state, and national leaders and scientists to celebrate the passage of the Shellfish Restoration Plan that protects, preserves, and restores the oyster beds across the Long Island Sound to clean the water, maintain a rich ecosystem, and help protect our coastline from erosion. A particular thank you is due to the Fairfield Shellfish Commission who is committed to this work day in and day out.

Click here to learn more about the event.

 
Supporting CT's Hospitality Industry

Connecticut's hospitality industry was hit hard by COVID-19. While many of our favorite restaurants, hotels, wineries, breweries, entertainment venues and more have made progress in their recovery, we know they're still trying to rebuild. Starting this week, more than 1,700 eligible CT-based hospitality businesses will receive checks in the mail through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development's CT Hospitality Industry Support Program. The new grant program was established in the biennium state budget passed during the 2021 legislative session allocating $30 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support hospitality businesses that experienced financial losses because of the pandemic. 

Businesses will receive checks directly from the state Department of Revenue Services in amounts ranging from $7,500 to $49,999. The base grant for businesses located in distressed municipalities is $15,000. Businesses DO NOT have to apply for the grant.

To receive a grant, existing businesses must meet several criteria, including a decline of 15% or more in gross receipts when comparing calendar years 2019 to 2021. Grants can be used to support payroll and benefits; employee retention; mortgage, rent, utility, and other operating expenses; existing equipment/facilities maintenance; or costs to support COVID-19 mitigation and infection prevention strategies.

These grants will help offset some of the financial challenges these businesses experienced in the face of the pandemic and stabilize them for future challenges.

You can learn more about this new grant program here.
Our state continues to support our business community and this program is another example of that commitment.

 
100% Rating From CTLCV, Perfect Voting Record
I am proud to share that I received a perfect score on the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters' (CTLCV) 2022 Environmental Scorecard. I earned a 100% rating through my support  and advocacy of environmental legislation. Click here to see the complete scorecard.

I am also proud to announce that I had a 100% voting record during the legislative session!  I take my job representing the citizens of Fairfield very seriously and I am proud to say that for each and every vote this session, I was there doing my job and voting to represent the best interests of my constituents.  

This session, there were so many crucial votes and whether it was voting to protect reproductive rights, pass meaningful gun violence prevention legislation or votes to protect our environment, I was there to make sure my constituents voices were represented for each vote. 

 
CID Meeting Reminder
Reminder - on Monday, August 15th at 9:00 AM, the CID will host a public meeting to receive public input on the proposed rate increases filed by CIGNA Health & Life, CTCare Inc., CTCare Benefits Inc., and the ConnectiCare Insurance Company, Inc.

The Monday meeting will offer a hybrid participation platform. Anyone wishing to view the meeting virtually can watch on CT-N. Anyone who wants to speak virtually at the meeting via Zoom can sign up by sending an email with your name and written comments attached to cid.ratefilings@ct.gov.

Anyone wishing to view the meeting in person can watch it at the Legislative Office Building. Anyone who wants to speak in person can sign up on the morning of the meeting, just ahead of its 9:00 AM start time – 8:30 AM.

The CID is also seeking your input on increased rate proposals filed by Aetna, Anthem Health Plans, and United Healthcare/Oxford for the 2023 plan year. You can view the rate requests and provide public comment here.

 
Congratulations to the Fairfield American Little League
A heartfelt congratulations goes out to the Fairfield American Little League team who made it to the New England Regional semi-final game against Toms River East, New Jersey on Wednesday night.
 
Although falling one game short of the Championship game, the team, players, coaches, and fans represented the town of Fairfield so admirably and displayed the utmost dedication and sportsmanship. You made us all so tremendously proud!
 
In Fairfield, we are so lucky to have such phenomenal little league programs in both Fairfield American and Fairfield National.
 
Again, congratulations to Manager Matt Lawlor and all the players on a job well done!

Click here to read more about their success!