State Capitol Update for the Week of August 1

August 5, 2022
Dear Friend,

This is my State Capitol update for the week of August 1.

If you prefer to watch rather than read, click on the play button to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter.
 
The heat continues to blast us.  The Governor has extended the Extreme Hot Weather Protocol through Tuesday morning, and I hope you all are taking precautions in the heat.  Stay hydrated, seek out air conditioning and shade, and slow down as much as possible – it all helps. 
 
There are many events in the Northwest Corner this weekend, so bring a water bottle as you move slowly from shady patch to shady patch for the outdoor events, and enjoy the indoor air-conditioned ones in between.  Here’s a sampling:
  • Kent Summer Sidewalk Sale Days: Thursday August 4 through Sunday August 7, 10am to 6 pm rain or shine.  Local businesses are out showing their wares, there’s a tempting bake sake, and lots of opportunities to get an iced tea or lemonade.  For more information, click here. 
  • 25th Annual Sharon Summer Book Signing at the Sharon Historical Society: Friday, August 5 from 5:30-7:30pm.  The event features 30 local and nationally best-selling authors and illustrators who will sign their books (available for purchase) and benefits the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served. For more details, click here.  
  • Weekend in Norfolk: Friday August 5 through Sunday August 7.  The seventh annual town-side summer festival celebrates all there is to see and do in Norfolk, from fire-hose water soccer to concerts at the Music Shed.  Click here for the full schedule.
  • Litchfield County 4-H Fair at the Goshen Fairgrounds: Saturday, August 6, and Sunday, August 7 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm each day.  The Litchfield County 4-H Fair includes countless livestock and small animal shows, exciting tractor driving contests, impressive home show exhibits, and so much more.
  • Goshen Farm Tour: Saturday, August 6, and Sunday, August 7, from 10am to 4pm each day.  Thirteen farms, two days, one town.  For a list of the farms and other information, click here.
  • Annual Sharon on the Green Arts and Crafts Fair: Saturday August 6, from 10am to 5pm, rain or shine. Held on the Sharon Town Green, there are typically 60-80 vendors offering original works.  Food services are available.

There is also a very important event next week, on Tuesday, August 9: primary elections.  Don’t forget to make a plan to vote as there are important contests in both the Democratic and Republican primaries.  To view your town’s primary election ballot, click here.  For a general summary on election details, check out this article.
Here is a list of today's topics:
  • COVID-19 Weekly Update. Click here. 
  • Extreme Hot Weather Protocol Extended. Click here.
  • Primary Election is on August 9. Click here.
  • Insurance Companies are Proposing a Rate Hike. Click here. 
  • Living With Bears. Click here. 
  • Monkeypox Webinar Recording. Click here. 
  • CT  DOL Warns of Text Scams. Click here. 
  • Funds Provided to Energy Efficiency Programs. Click here. 
  • CT Health Horizons Launches. Click here.
  • CT Invests in Water Protection from Sewage Pollution. Click here. 
  • Access Health CT Enrollment Fairs. Click here.
  • Sharon Hospital Earns 5 Star Rating. Click here. 
  • CT Awarded Federal Funding to Support Workforce Training Initiative. Click here. 
  • Providing Information to Connecticut Residents. Click here. 
COVID-19 weekly update
For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”
 
Extreme Hot Weather Protocol extended through Tuesday morning
 
Due to an updated forecast indicating that temperatures in the state are expected to remain very high for the next several days, Connecticut’s extreme hot weather protocol will remain in effect through 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.
 
The protocol was activated on Tuesday, August 2, and was initially set to expire on Friday, August 5. However, the most recent forecast indicates that oppressive humidity is expected to continue into the weekend and early next week.
 
The purpose of the protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the hot conditions. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies, municipalities, and other partners to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 to make sure that information regarding cooling centers is available statewide, providing a location to get some relief from the hot conditions.
 
Anyone in need of a cooling center should call 2-1-1 or look online at 211ct.org to find their nearest available location.
   
The following actions are implemented while the protocol is enacted:
 
  • The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security uses its WebEOC communications network, which is an internet-based system that enables local, regional, and state emergency management officials and first responders to share up-to-date information about a variety of situations and conditions.
  • Municipalities and other partners submit information on the opening of cooling centers into the WebEOC, providing a real-time database on the availability of these locations statewide. United Way 2-1-1 uses the system to act as a clearinghouse to assist residents in locating a cooling center.
  • Regional coordinators from the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security monitor WebEOC in order to respond to any requests from municipalities for state assistance.
  • The energy utility companies provide the state with regular updates regarding the impact of the weather conditions on their respective utilities throughout the duration of the protocol.

 
Although anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others:
 

  • Infants and young children are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and rely on others to regulate their environments and provide adequate liquids.
  • People 65 years of age or older may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to change in temperature.
  • People who are overweight may be prone to heat sickness because of their tendency to retain more body heat.
  • People who overexert during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness.
  • People who are physically ill, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation, may be affected by extreme heat.

 
Some prevention tips to stay safe in extreme heat include:
 

  • Keep your body temperature cool to avoid heat-related illness.
  • Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening. Try to rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to cool off.
  • Find an air-conditioned shelter. (Call 2-1-1 for a list of cooling centers.) Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
  • Avoid direct sunlight.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
  • Take cool showers or baths.
  • Check on those most at-risk several times a day.
  • Pets that cannot be brought indoors should be provided ready access to water and shade to keep them cool.
  • Never leave pets inside of parked vehicles because temperatures can soar to life-threatening levels within minutes.

 
Everyone is also reminded to stay hydrated during periods extreme heat. Because bodies lose fluid through sweat, dehydration is common while experiencing very high temperatures. It is strongly encouraged to:
 

  • Drink more water than usual.
  • Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more fluids.
  • Drink two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
  • Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
  • Remind others to drink enough water.
Primary Election is on August 9
 
Don’t forget to make plans to vote on August 9, when both the Democratic and Republican parties will hold their primaries.  There are competitive races in several statewide offices, so it’s important that your voice is heard.
 
If you’re planning to vote by absentee ballot, here are some helpful tips shared by the League of Women Voters of Litchfield County. 
 
You can obtain an absentee ballot for any of the following reasons:
    
  • Active service in the armed forces
  • Absence from Town
  • Sickness
  • Religious tenets
  • Duties as an election official
  • Physical disabilities

Your ballot must be returned before 8:00 PM on Tuesday August 9, 2022.
 
In Connecticut, to vote in a primary election you must be a registered Republican or Democrat. 
 
If you will not be able to get to the polls, please contact your Town Clerk's Office for an absentee ballot or go there in in person. Visiting in person may be best at this time as you need to fill out an application for absentee ballot before you obtain one. You may call your Town Clerk or download an application from the Secretary of the State’s website. And you can use the drop box to return election forms. Click here to learn more. 
Insurance Companies are Proposing a Rate Hike

Insurance companies have requested that the Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) approve a rate increase by an average of 20.4% for plans starting in 2023, a steep spike from the 8.6% average rate increase request for 2022.
 
You have an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments to the insurance companies proposing these rate hikes!
 
On Monday, August 15th at 9:00 AM, the Connecticut Insurance Department (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 clicking the button below to send an email with your name and written comments attached to the following address: 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 by clicking here. 

Community Health and Wellness Center celebrates National Health Center Week on August 9 and 10

Community Health and Wellness Center will be celebrating National Health Center Week on Tuesday, August 9th at the 10 Center Street location in Winsted and Wednesday, August 10th at our 469 Migeon Avenue location in Torrington, both days from 10:00am-2:00pm. Community Health Centers serve as the beacon of strength, service, and care in their communities and their compassionate and dedicated staff are truly heroes. Come join us and our many community partners that truly exemplify the meaning of strong collaborations- building better, stronger and thriving communities together. 
“Living with Bears” at Cornwall Library on August 10
 
The Cornwall Association is hosting a bear education event on Aug 10th at The Cornwall Library.  It is open to everyone in the NW Corner.  In person is limited to 50 people, so pre-registration is important.  It will also be Zoomed to allow for a larger and wider audience.  You must register to get the zoom link.   
 
This event is in conjunction with the community art event, Cornwall Bears that the Cornwall Association is holding this summer. There is voting for your favorite bear and a raffle to benefit The Cornwall Fuel and Food Fund.   For more info on the art event, click here.  
Monkeypox Webinar Recording 

Last week DPH held an informational webinar on monkeypox, and several people emailed to ask for the recording because they could not attend at the scheduled time.  Click here for the link to the recording.
 
DPH will continue to update its Monkeypox website with more information on the virus, as well as information on where people can be vaccinated and who is eligible for a vaccine.  A list of vaccination sites will be included on the website shortly. Please note that the list of vaccination sites is subject to change as the state receives more vaccine from the federal government.
 
The closest vaccination site to our region is Community Health and Wellness Center, 469 Migeon Ave, Torrington, CT 06790.  You can reach them at 860-489-0931, and their hours of operation can be found here.
 
CT Department of Labor warns of text scams
 
Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo is warning residents of text scams that include links to fake webpages resembling CTDOL unemployment pages, including the unemployment benefits login page. The texts appear to come from the agency and may read: ‘Connecticut’s Department of Labor warn Your account is abnormal’ or ‘Your unemployment is updated and logged in to view’. The agency has seen several variations of these messages, all with a link, and warns residents that these texts are not legitimate.
 
Commissioner Bartolomeo said, “The agency did not send these. The texts themselves have several hallmarks of a scam, but the biggest red flag is that CTDOL does not communicate about individual claims over text. Due to confidentiality, only the Consumer Contact Center handles claims inquiries—we do not do claims work over text or through social media. Identity theft and phishing are significant 21st century problems that everyone must stay vigilant about. Claimants might not think twice about putting their personal identifying information in an email or posting on social media that they are a claimant having problems, but that gives criminals enough information to potentially hijack their identities. It’s a very serious concern and one that we constantly warn our filers to be aware of.”
 
The Connecticut Department of Labor works with state and federal law enforcement to protect the unemployment system from imposter claims and fraud. If you think your personal information has been compromised, please notify your local law enforcement. In the case where you believe an unemployment claim has been filed using your identity, report that to the Department of Labor as well. The agency has information, reporting tools, and resources available on its fraud page.
 
Cyber security experts recommend regular account maintenance to maintain the integrity and security of your personal information. Best practices include: 
  • Use different passwords for your social media, banking, email, and other accounts. 
  • Change your passwords regularly.
  • Use strong passwords—upper and lowercase letters, symbols, possibly a short phrase in lieu of a single word, and stay away from dictionary words. 
  • Monitor your accounts—if you had an email breach, other accounts may also be compromised.

$3.5 million in funds provided to energy efficiency programs

$3.5 million in funds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) will be allocated to Connecticut’s utility-administered energy efficiency programs for low-income customers. This support will increase the delivery of energy efficiency programs that save residents money on their utility bills while reducing energy use and carbon emissions.
 
The funding augments an approximate annual budget of $37 million dedicated to low-income energy efficiency programs statewide and will be used to support the Home Energy Solutions-Income Eligible (HES-IE) program, allowing the program to reach approximately 1,000 additional homes in 2022.
 
HES-IE provides home energy audits and core weatherization measures, such as air and duct sealing, for an average savings of $250 on annual household energy bills. After the initial HES-IE visit, customers can receive additional upgrades, such as insulation and efficient windows, that can provide even more savings. Income-eligible customers receive these services for little to no cost through the HES-IE program. HES-IE is available to customers that have a household income that is 60% or less than the state median income, participate in utility forgiveness or matching payment programs, or receive other forms of means-tested assistance.
   
HES-IE is one of many utility-administered energy efficiency programs available through the EnergizeCT initiative. Energize CT provides Connecticut residents and businesses with services, financing, and rebates for energy efficiency and clean energy improvements. More information is available at energizect.com.
 
 
CT Health Horizons launches, increasing opportunities for aspiring nurses and social workers
 
CT Health Horizons, a three-year higher education program designed to address statewide shortages in nursing and behavioral health providers, launched this week.
 
A collaborative partnership between Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU), the Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS), multiple state agencies, the University of Connecticut (UConn), the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges (CCIC), and the Connecticut Hospital Association, the program seeks to address the state’s workforce shortage in these critical areas through three strategic pillars:

  • Tuition assistance to incentivize low-income and minority students to enter accelerated and cost-effective nursing and social work programs.
  • Recruitment and retention of faculty to rapidly expand seat capacity and train the next generation of nursing and behavioral health workers.
  • Innovative programs to promote partnerships between employers and institutes of higher education to build career pathways.

 
The $35 million initiative was approved as part of the state budget bill that Governor Lamont recently signed into law and is funded with federal American Rescue Plan Act money.
 
The initiative is estimated to provide tuition support to 1,200 students entering nursing and social work programs, with a focus on associate degree nursing (ADN) programs, accelerated bachelor in nursing (BSN) programs, and master of social work (MSW) programs. In addition, it is expected to expand educational seat capacity to serve more than 1,000 new students.
 
Connecticut is making $580 million investment to protect waters from sewage pollution
 
The State of Connecticut is making a $580 million investment in construction-ready municipal water pollution control projects that will protect the state’s waters from sewage pollution and help improve water quality.
 
The projects announced are on the Clean Water Fund Priority List, the state’s roadmap for administering state and federal Clean Water Funds, one of the most important resources available to protect and improve water quality. These funds, spread over two years, include $507 million in state funding supplemented by $73 million in federal funding, which was augmented by the recently adopted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), helping to make this list of projects even more expansive than in the past. The priority list also identifies the use of supplemental BIL funds to provide additional opportunities for sanitary sewer overflow mitigation projects in Connecticut’s distressed communities, which is in line with the state’s policy on environmental equity.
 
In total, the priority list will support 18 construction ready projects with an approximate total cost of $580 million and offer about $245 million for projects eligible for reserve category funding (cost increases, planning, design, small community, infiltration and inflow rehabilitation, pump station rehabilitation, green infrastructure, resiliency, and collection system improvement).
 
Additionally, with the release of the new priority list, funding is also available to municipalities and municipalities in partnership with others for resiliency and green infrastructure projects related to wastewater collection, conveyance, and treatment. Dedicated reserves are now open for:

  • Project planning and design work
  • Collection system projects (including inflow/infiltration reduction and pump station rehabilitation)
  • Green Infrastructure projects, and
  • Resiliency projects.

Municipalities may continue to submit applications for these reserve funds through the end of the 2022-23 fiscal year. Furthermore, the resiliency project reserve includes new language identifying funding priority for projects in municipalities that have established a municipal stormwater authority pursuant to section 22a-498 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
 
Any municipalities interested in learning more about available reserve funding should visit the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Clean Water Fund Financial Assistance webpage for details and applications. For further information, contact Syed.Bokhari@ct.gov.
 

Access Health CT holding enrollment fairs for Covered Connecticut Program

The Covered Connecticut Program now provides no-cost health insurance coverage, plus no-cost dental coverage and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services. Learn More 

They are hosting several Enrollment Fairs in the coming months to help residents enroll in the Covered Connecticut Program. 

  • Wed, August 3 Hartford (4 pm – 7 pm)
  • Wed, August 10 Bridgeport (4 pm – 7 pm)
  • Wed, August 17 New Haven (4 pm – 7 pm)
  • Wed, September 7 Waterbury (4 pm – 7 pm)
  • Wed, September 14 Torrington (4 pm – 7 pm)

These events are intended for residents who want to explore their options and enroll through Access Health CT. For registration and event information, click here. 

Already enrolled through Access Health CT? Customers can update their current application with Access Health CT to see if they qualify. There are specific eligibility requirements, so if someone is already enrolled through Access Health CT they may need to Report Income or Household Changes to their application and/or change to a Silver Plan in order to qualify for this program.

Sharon Hospital earns 3rd consecutive 5-star rating from federal healthcare agency

Sharon Hospital, part of Nuvance Health, has been awarded a five-star rating — the highest overall — by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for quality patient care. 

The overall rating, between one and five stars, provides consumers with a summary of a hospital’s overall quality performance into a single summary score. Scores are determined from a variety of data reported, including mortality, safety of care, timely and effective care, readmissions and patient experience.
 
Sharon Hospital is one three hospitals in Connecticut to earn the five-star rating and one of 429 facilities in the nation to earn the top score.
The CMS hospital rating system provides information about the quality of care at Medicare-certified hospitals across the country. The system offers consumers a snapshot view of quality ratings and consumer-reported satisfaction. More than 3,000 hospitals are measured by the federal agency.

The distinction is one of many recent honors for Sharon Hospital, including two previous five-star ratings from CMS in 2021 and 2020, alongside an American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get with the Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus award. The facility also earned a 2022 top ranking for overall patient safety and quality of care from Vizient, Inc. 

Learn more about Sharon Hospital here. 

Governor Lamont Announces Connecticut Awarded $23.9 Million In Federal Funding to Support Workforce Training Initiative

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy is being awarded a $23.9 million American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to support the creation of the Strengthening Sectoral Partnerships Initiative.

The initiative will provide resources to support ten Regional Sector Partnerships (RSPs) across Connecticut to train and place more than 2,000 people – particularly from historically-underserved communities – in high-demand jobs in four priority sector areas, including manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, bioscience.

The RSPs are a coordinated and collaborative team of public partners in education, workforce development, and economic development, led by business to collaboratively advance the industries’ competitiveness by providing the resources necessary to develop innovative programs to address the talent shortage. Programs include building career pathway programs in high school to prepare students for careers upon graduation, expanding access to short-term training programs including Google and AWS certificates offered by community colleges, and creating more equity pathway programs from entry-level healthcare jobs to degreed nurses.

This grant is funded through the American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge. The program awarded grants to 32 worker-centered, industry-led workforce training partnerships across the country. The $500 million program is expanding opportunities for more Americans to access and secure good-paying jobs by investing in innovative approaches to advance worker-centered, industry-led workforce training partnerships.
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.