New Laws Took Effect October 1

October 3, 2022


 
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Friends and Neighbors,

I hope this message finds you and yours well.

In this week's update, you'll find some information about new laws that went into effect on Saturday, some spotlights on local excellence and heroism, and more.

If there's something you need assistance with or want to speak with me, please don't hesitate to reply to this email or reach out to me at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov.

 
GOOD SAMARITAN SAVES LIFE
Whoever you are, thank you for saving a life in our community last night.

Thank you to our local fire and EMS crews as well, who rushed to the scene once the call came in. It’s who shows up in those most difficult and scary moments that show what character and dedication are about.

 
ELA & MATH SAT SCORES RISE IN DERBY
Derby Public Schools have seen increases in ELA and math SAT scores. Of Connecticut's 162 school districts, Derby was one of 22 districts that saw their SAT scores rise in ELA, one of 28 districts that saw their SAT scores rise in Math, and one of only 15 districts that saw scores rise in ELA and Math.

This is great news! Congratulations to the students, parents, and every teacher and staff member for helping Derby students deliver increased scores despite the obstacles and challenges of the past few years. You can read more about this on the Valley Independent Sentinel website here.

 
WHAT HAS YOUR STATE REP BEEN UP TO
It was great volunteering at Prendergast School's book fair! It was such a treat to help our little readers find the books they love! This was such a special experience for our students and a huge thank you goes to the Prendergast PTO and all the volunteers for their work on this.
 
 
In case you missed it, we are one step closer to securing an additional $6.5 million for economic redevelopment in the 104th! The state's Community Investment Fund Board has sent the application for state funds to upgrade the bridge leading to the Ansonia Brass site to the governor for review. There are two more steps to go until funding can be released for the project. If the governor approves the project, it will go to the Connecticut State Bond Commission for consideration. If approved, these funds will bring the grand total in state funds invested in the Ansonia Brass/Farrel/SHW site redevelopment to over $10 million dollars over the past two years.

I’m proud to have supported the creation of this new fund, which is critical for economic redevelopment in Ansonia, Derby, and communities like ours across the state. This was a team effort and I am grateful to have worked alongside a fantastic group of individuals to make this happen. Thank you to Sen. Cabrera, Speaker Matt Ritter, House Majority Leader State Representative Jason Rojas, and members of the legislature's Black and Puerto Rican Caucus for being partners in the push to ensure that our communities have more opportunities to compete for transformational funds. I would also like to thank the city of Ansonia for submitting an application for funds, as well as for hiring an excellent team including Peter Burns, Ron Nault, and Paula Kusmit with Luchs Consulting Engineers/DeCarlo and Doll, Inc. to generate the bulk of the documents needed for the application. I would also like to thank Sheila O'Malley for coordinating all of our documents and submitting them.

I will continue to work hard with the Governor’s team and the bond commission to help deliver this $6.5 million in additional funds to our community. 

 
NEW LAWS TOOK EFFECT ON OCT. 1
Several new laws in Connecticut went into effect on Saturday, October 1. These laws are a result of my colleagues' hard work during the 2022 session. From juvenile crime to children's mental health to fair rent, you can read more about the new laws that took effect and what they mean for you by clicking the button below.

To read a related news story, please click here.

Read the New Laws Taking Effect Oct. 1 Here
 
CRIME IN CT CONTINUES DOWNWARD TREND
This week, the annual crime statistics report that compiles data on crimes reported to state law enforcement agencies was released, and it shows violent and property crimes are down from the previous year, which preserves Connecticut's status as one of the safest states in the country. 

The report shows that between 2020 and 2021, Connecticut saw a reduction of:

  • 3% in overall crime
  • 9% in violent crime
  • 2% in property crimes

Additionally, the data during the last 10 years shows overall crime in the state has fallen 30%, including a 43% reduction in violent crime and a 29% reduction in property crime.

The state budget adjustment bill that we passed during the 2022 legislative session also makes significant investments in crime prevention and reduction, especially involving gun violence, as well as victim services and support to clear backlogged court cases from the pandemic.

The investments include:

  • $32 million to speed up the processing of court cases
  • $18 million to help victims and survivors recover from crime through safety planning, crisis counseling, mental health treatment, and support for survivors of domestic violence
  • $11 million to invest in police taskforces to trace firearms to their sources, reduce stolen cars, reduce violent crime, and promote safety on rural roads
  • $8 million for community and public health-led strategies to prevent and reduce gun violence
  • $4 million to invest in the latest forensic science technologies to speed up investigations and clear criminal cases

We also recognize that our police and courts need additional tools to hold offenders accountable and protect the public. This session, we passed a law that becomes effective Saturday, which will:

  • Toughen penalties for vehicle thefts
  • Address lab and case backlogs
  • Expand the use of GPS monitoring of suspects in some cases
  • Provide more hands-on training and crisis training to police

We must focus on further reducing crime by working together with law enforcement and community partners to ensure Connecticut remains one of the safest places to live and work in the country.

Download the full annual crime statistics report here:

Download Full Annual Crime Statistics Report Here
 
CT ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GETS FEDERAL BOOST
An additional $1 Billion boost in federal funding to the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which funds CEAP, that will allow for more households to receive the benefit, has been allocated as part of an emergency supplemental aid package recently approved by Congress.

This is great news for Connecticut low income and working families who rely on CT's Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help pay for home heating costs.

Today, more than ever this program provides crucial support to vulnerable Connecticut homeowners and renters with the costs of heating their homes. With heating costs expected to rise this winter, this boost in federal support will ensure more families can stay warm.

Don't delay. The application period for the 2022-2023 winter season of the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program is NOW open. I encourage you to apply today!

There are several ways to submit your application: 

  • Online at ct.gov/heatinghelp/apply.
  • Call the office of your local community action agency and request assistance applying, or schedule an in-person appointment  
  • Download and complete the CEAP application, and mail the completed application with the required documents to your local community action agency. 

The contact information and addresses of Connecticut's community action agencies can be found here
 
Benefits are based on your household’s income and number of family members.

Typically, benefits are paid directly to the utility company or fuel supplier. Households that heat with deliverable fuels like oil or propane may be eligible for multiple free tank fills.

Applications for the 2022-2023 winter season must be received by May 31, 2023

If you’d like more information, click here or call 2-1-1 for assistance.

 
OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
3,550. That's the average number of new breast cancers diagnoses in Connecticut each year according to the American Cancer Society. If the last few years have showed us anything, it's that there is power in legislation. We will continue to fight for laws that provides resources, close loopholes, and makes early detection easier for Connecticut residents.

Learn more about the Connecticut Early Detection and Prevention Program here.

 
PACT ACT IS HELPING VETERANS

Nearly two months after being signed into law, the federal Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act has profoundly impacted veterans' access to health care and benefits. Since the PACT Act was signed in August, veterans have filed more than 200,000 total claims. The law represents the most significant health care and benefits expansion for veterans exposed to toxins in more than 30 years.

The law extends eligibility for VA health care for veterans with toxic exposures and veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras. It adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures, and requires the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide a toxic exposure assessment to every veteran enrolled in VA health care. 

If you're a veteran or survivor, you can file claims now to apply for benefits under the PACT Act. You can learn more here.

 
COMMUNITY EVENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Are you looking to change careers? Consider one in manufacturing. The average salary is over $100,000 a year! There are many opportunities to access training in this growing field. In 2021, I worked to secure $5 million in state funding to advance manufacturing training across Connecticut and accelerate the implementation of a pilot program I authored and passed to expand the community college Advanced Manufacturing Certificate Program to more high schools. That year, I also coordinated the expansion of Derby High School's Advanced Manufacturing Technology Certificate Program to adult residents.

If you want to find local manufacturing training opportunities, visit WorkPlace.org.

 
 
 
 

Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and concerns you may have on Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267. Follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.

All my Best,

Kara Rochelle
State Representative

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