State Capitol Update for the Week of October 24th

October 28, 2022
Dear Friend,

This is my State Capitol update for the week of October 24th.

If you prefer to watch rather than read, click the play button to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter.
 
 
Today’s newsletter comes with a variety of public safety reminders. 
 
First, ticks: they are out and plentiful right now.  I’ve heard from many constituents in the last few days with stories about pulling large numbers of ticks off of themselves and their pets, so please be sure to be careful.  They’re hard to avoid around here if you like being outside in the woods or your garden, but there are precautions you can take:

 
Second, there have been many news reports in Connecticut and in our broader region about hospitals caring for high volumes of young patients with a variety of respiratory illnesses. There’s information below from Connecticut Children’s on how to tell the difference between these illnesses and the flu.  I’ve also spoken with local pediatricians who have suggested that there are steps you can take to limit the chances that you or your children have reason to be in the emergency room or the hospital: get your COVID vaccine and any boosters for which you are eligible; get your flu vaccine (kids can be eligible starting at six months of age).  Wear a mask indoors whenever you are with people who do not live in your home, and open windows when you can.
 
Continuing on the theme of public health, today is National First Responders Day!  One of the most powerful ways you can thank our first responders is to put it in writing. Send a hand-written card or letter to a local police or fire station. If you want to make a bigger impression, gather several letters and cards from the community and deliver them personally. We can never thank them enough.
 
Update on Sharon Hospital hearing: The office of Health Strategy has announced that the delayed hearing on Nuvance’s request to close labor and delivery at Sharon Hospital will take place on December.  We expect the hearing to be conducted remotely, but we are waiting confirmation of details.
 
Halloween is on Monday and I’ve seen a lot of spectacularly spooky decorations popping up throughout the district.  I’ve included some safety tips within this newsletter, and I wish you and your family a safe, enjoyable Halloween!
 
Here is a list of today's topics:
  • COVID-19 Weekly Update. Click here.
  • COVID Vaccination Clinic Friday 10/28 at Housatonic Valley Regional HS. Click Here
  • Resources from Connecticut Children’s on respiratory illnesses. Click here
  • Halloween Safety Tips. Click Here
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Waiver Ends 10/31. Click Here
  • $23.9 million in renters’ rebate assistance has been distributed . Click here
  • Access Health CT Open Enrollment Period begins Tuesday, 11/1. Click Here
  • Today is National Mentoring Day. Click Here
  • SBA Connecticut Announces Veteran Business Expo November 2nd. Click Here
  • Upcoming Comprehensive Energy Strategy Sessions. Click Here
  • Kent Volunteer Fire Department Community Breakfast Sunday 10/3.0 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.”
 
COVID Vaccination Clinic Friday 10/28 at Housatonic Valley Regional High School

There will be a 12+ COVID Vaccination Clinic tomorrow, Friday, October 28, 3:00 - 7:00 p.m., at Housatonic Valley Regional High School.  No appointment is necessary.
There is an additional upcoming 12+ COVID Vaccination Clinic at Housatonic Valley Regional High School on Friday, November 18, 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.
These are each hosted by the Connecticut Department of Health with Griffin Health.  Further information can be found here:  

https://portal.ct.gov/vaccine-portal/DPH-van-clinics?language=en_US
Here is some information on the new bivalent boosters that will be available: 
Pfizer Bivalent Covid Vaccine Dosing/Eligibility
  • 12 years of age and older
  • MUST have received Covid vaccine primary series
  • Eligible for bivalent booster: two months after last dose of vaccine
  • Regardless if last dose was primary series, or boosters
  • DOSE: 0.3ml DO NOT DILUTE One dose only
  • Dosing and Schedule: A single booster dose (0.3 mL) of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent may be administered at least 2 months after completion of primary vaccination or receipt of the most recent booster dose with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine

Moderna Bivalent Covid Vaccine Dosing/Eligibility

  • 18 years of age and older
  • MUST have received Covid vaccine primary series
  • Eligible for bivalent booster: two months after last dose of vaccine
  • Regardless if last dose was primary series, or boosters
  • DOSE: 0.5ml DO NOT DILUTE One dose only
  • Individuals 18 years of age and older are eligible for a single booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent if it has been at least two months since they have completed primary vaccination or have received the most recent booster dose with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine

Here is the CDC guidelines for these boosters <https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0901-covid-19-booster.html

 
Resources from Connecticut Children’s on respiratory illnesses

Hospitals are currently caring for high volumes of young patients with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other respiratory illnesses. Below are some resources from Connecticut Children’s that you might find helpful.
 
New Blog Posts:

 
Interview with PBS News Hour:
Connecticut Children’s Physician in Chief, Dr. Juan Salazar, spoke with PBS News Hour yesterday about the increase in RSV cases and what parents should look for. Watch the interview here. 
Halloween Safety Tips
 

 
This Monday children of all ages will dress up in fun and scary costumes to celebrate one of the biggest holidays of the season.

And, while everyone enjoys trick or treating or any other outdoor evening activities, please follow safety tips as children are 

more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

  • Wear reflective clothes and carry a flashlight to see and alert others of your presence
  • Young children should never go trick or treating alone
  • Walk on side of the street and avoid running from house to house
  • Only visit well-lit homes
  • Inspect all candy and treats before eating or giving to others
  • Discourage use of sharp accessories that can be harmful

And always look both ways before crossing the street
Additional Safety Tips
Reminder: Temporary Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Waiver Ends October 31

Thousands of Connecticut residents have dedicated their careers to public service. The federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program recognizes this choice with complete student loan cancellation after 10 years of public service work and loan payments. Teachers, nurses, government and nonprofit employees, veterans and others are among those eligible for this program.
 
The temporary PSLF waiver is a time-limited change to PSLF rules that allows borrowers to receive credit for past periods of repayment that would otherwise not qualify. This one-time opportunity ends on October 31, which is a reminder to act now and complete an application at studentaid.gov/pslf. 

For additional information, including how to get help with your application, you can also visit pslfCT.org.

 $23.9 million in renters’ rebate assistance has been distributed: Deadline to apply for extension is 11/15

 
 

Checks totaling $23.9 million are being distributed this week to those who applied for the Connecticut Renters’ Rebate Program. Approximately 45,000 residents in the state will be receiving an average rebate of $540. The Office of Policy and Management (OPM), which administers the program, is required to start processing the payments in October.

 

The program, established in 1974, provides reimbursement for Connecticut renters who are elderly or have certain disabilities, and whose incomes do not exceed certain limits. The rebate amount is based on a graduated income scale, and the amount of rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made in the calendar year prior to the year in which the renter applies.

  

If a renter misses the designated filing period, they have until November 15, 2022, to submit a request for an extension of time to file to OPM. The request for an extension of time to file must be accompanied by a doctor’s letter indicating that the renter had a medical condition that contributed to them not applying during the designated filing period.
Access Health CT Open Enrollment Period begins Tuesday, November 1

 
Access Health CT's (AHCT) Open Enrollment Period will open on Tuesday, November 1. During this period, individuals can renew their coverage, explore the various policy options for the first time or see if they can save money. 
 

There are several ways Connecticut residents can get free help with enrollment, including: 

  • In-person: There are in-person enrollment locations and events taking place across Connecticut. Find more information at accesshealthct.com/enrollment-events/.
  • Online: Visit accesshealthct.com. You can learn more about the different plans and find free help online using the "live chat" feature.
  • By phone: Call 1-855-805-4325. Help is available Monday - Friday, 8:00 am- 5:00 pm. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1- 855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.
  • Work with a Broker: To find a Certified Broker or Enrollment Specialist, visit accesshealthct.com/get-help/

If you or your family need quality, affordable healthcare please don't miss this opportunity. Click here to learn more.
National Mentoring Day: consider becoming a mentor to an aspiring entrepreneur

This week’s National Mentoring Day provides a great occasion to get connected and involved, whether it’s a young person aiming to get a new mentor or an experienced person choosing to share with someone who is coming along behind.

SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals. As a resource partner of the Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE Mentors have helped more than 11 million current and aspiring entrepreneurs through mentoring, workshops and educational services since it was founded in 1964. In Fiscal Year 2021, SCORE Mentors in Connecticut served 15,000 entrepreneurs.
In Connecticut we have 6 SCORE Chapters totaling over 300 mentors statewide. Connect with a business mentor today:
Volunteer with SCORE
SBA Connecticut Announces Veteran Business Expo November 2nd

The SBA Connecticut District Office along with an extensive partner network will celebrate the strength and resilience of our Veteran Business community with a Veteran Business Expo on Wednesday, November 2nd. Hosted at the Eastern CT Veterans Community Center, Willimantic, CT veterans will have access to small business resources and in-person workshops throughout the event – 9am-1:30pm.
Workshops will be facilitated by subject matter experts covering Franchising, How to Get Veteran Certified, Business Plan Basics, Business Financing, VR&E Self-Employment, and How to utilize the SBA’s Veteran Business Outreach Center.

The inaugural expo will take place during National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW) October 31-November 4, in celebration of the strength and resilience of the veteran and military small business community as they continue to march beyond the events of the pandemic and use what they’ve learned over the past few years to propel their businesses forward.
 

Register to attend here: Connecticut Veteran Small Business Expo | U.S. Small Business Administration (sba.gov).

Upcoming Comprehensive Energy Strategy Sessions

As part of Connecticut’s Comprehensive Energy Strategy development process, the Department of Energy and Environmental Proection (DEEP) is hosting a series of technical sessions which will include presentations from experts and opportunities for public feedback on specific energy topics. DEEP’s most recent publicly noticed technical session topics and dates are shown below. More information can also be found on the Comprehensive Energy Strategy web page: Comprehensive Energy Strategy (ct.gov). 
All sessions are open to the public and will provide amble comment opportunities. Written comments are also being solicitated in conjunction with each technical session. Written comment submission details can be found in this notice: Notice-of-technical-meetings-5--6CESFINAL.pdf (ct.gov). 
 
Session 5 – Demand response
Thursday, November 3, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET
Register for Session 5: Meeting Registration - Zoom
 
Session 6 – Alternative fuels
Friday, November 4, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
Register for Session 6: Meeting Registration - Zoom
 
Session 7 – Natural Gas Planning & Policies, date TBA
Session 8 – Foundations issues, Part B – Carbon pricing and low-carbon incentives, date TBA

Kent Volunteer Fire Department Community Breakfast Sunday 10/30