State Capitol Update for the Week of November 21st

November 23, 2022
Dear Friend,

This is my State Capitol update for the week of November 21st.

If you prefer to watch rather than read, click on the video below to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter.
 
 
Happy Thanksgiving eve to all of you!  I am hosting our family Thanksgiving again this year, and several members are traveling back to Salisbury as I write this, so if you are traveling today, I hope it is going smoothly.   
In addition to Thanksgiving, this coming week has several important events:
  • National Native American Heritage Day on Friday November 25– the story of Thanksgiving is intertwined with native history, some of which needs a refresh. Check out NWCT Arts Council’s Whose Land Do we Live on?, or consider a visit the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington, CT.
  • Small Business Saturday on 11/26: at a time of high transportation costs and global supply chain interruptions, local businesses are more important than ever. Every town in the district has locally owned and run shops that can serve just about any need, lots of suggestions below.
  • Giving Tuesday on 11/29– the nonprofits in our area do heroic work to heal, inspire, and care for those who need it.  We’ve had a close look at need in the recent past, and inflation is hitting vulnerable families particularly hard.  It’s important to take care of one another, so I hope you’ll join me in supporting our nonprofits.

And, on Monday, November 28, the CT General Assembly will be convening a special session to address high fuel and energy costs, and premium pay for essential workers.  Among the topics on the agenda are: extending the $0.25 gas tax holiday through December 31, 2022 (and instituting a gradual phase in from January through May 2023); extension of free bus service through March 31, 2023; an increase in funding for premium pay to pandemic essential workers; and additional funding for energy assistance provided through the LIHEAP program and to Operation Fuel. 
After several atypical Thanksgivings for our family (and a lot of families), we are returning to the normal routines this year. We hauled out all of the gravy-spattered recipes from past years over the weekend, and added a couple of new ones. As the next generation in our family spreads its wings, we are feeling the tug of new people and obligations in their lives.  One of my daughters is overseas studying and won’t be able to return home, various work and school obligations will restrict the time we all have together, and one of my brothers now has a grandchild on the West Coast, so we will have to settle for a Zoom call to see them.  In the final round of phone calls before travel, we talk about boosters, flu shots, and COVID tests in order to make sure we are keeping each other safe and healthy. 
I hope you have the opportunity to gather with friends near or far this week to give thanks for the many blessings received throughout the year.  I hope your holiday is filled with peace, health, laughter, and gratitude – and if you are traveling, a safe journey.
 
Here is a list of today's topics:
  • COVID-19 Weekly Update. Click here.
  • Responding to increased utility costs. Click here
  • Release of national broadband map from the Federal Communications Commission. Click here
  • Connecticut receives credit rating increase from S&P. Click here
  • Small Business Saturday. Click here
  • Special opportunities to shop locally this Holiday Season. Click here
  • Crescendo Holiday Concert on December 11 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.”
Responding to increased utility costs
Last week the news that Eversource and United Illuminating both filed for increases of nearly 50% to their standard service rates came out just as I was preparing the newsletter.  Since then, we have confirmed that we will convene a special session to address fuel and energy costs in particular. 

The news of the increase is particularly unwelcome at the start of the holiday season, especially as Eversource and United Illuminating enjoy historic profits amid increasing electric generation rates, while customers are experiencing economic hardships and a global energy crisis due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has impacted the natural gas supply. Nearly half of New England's electric generating capacity uses natural gas as its primary fuel, according to ISO New England, which operates the region's power grid. 

On Monday, November 28, we will convene a special session, so we can work on legislation ensuring adequate funding for the 

Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), which provides winter heating cost assistance to income-eligible households, regardless of their heat source.

We have been proactive helping those most in need. The “

Take Back Our Grid Act” was passed in the fall of 2020, which implemented a performance-based incentive system that ensures earnings and profits by Eversource and United Illuminating are tied to good performance and also enabled PURA to implement low income and economic development rates. 

PURA is also currently in the process of implementing performance-based ratemaking and

recently released its final decision to implement a low-income discount rate beginning in January 2024 where eligible customers will receive either a 10% or 50% discount on their utility bills based on their overall household income.

More information on resources for residents who need assistance with high energy costs is available by visiting

ct.gov/heatinghelp.
Release of national broadband map from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The FCC recently released a new and improved broadband map.  We in the Northwest Corner have some of the most serious broadband infrastructure challenges in the state, and I encourage you to put in your home address in the screen, which is where this link takes you https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home, and make sure a) that your home is located on the map with the correct address and b) that the information about broadband speeds available to you is correct.  It’s very easy, and should take only a few minutes. 
Some additional information on the FCC map may be found at: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2022/11/18/what-is-the-fccs-new-broadband-map-and-why-does-it-matter
Connecticut will be releasing its own state broadband map by the end of November.
 
Connecticut receives credit rating increase from S&P
 
This week Connecticut received notification from credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) that it is increasing Connecticut’s general obligation bond credit rating from A+ (positive) to AA- (stable). This credit rating increase follows increases in 2021 by several other agencies, including Moody’s, S&P, Fitch, and Kroll.
 
Prior to 2018, Connecticut had not experienced an increase in its credit rating since February 2001.
 
In its notice to investors, S&P said, “The upgrade on the state’s GO debt reflects our view of Connecticut’s sustained positive financial results and building of high reserve levels during a recent period of economic and revenue growth, while also demonstrating its commitment to structural budget balance and curbing future growth of the state’s very high debt, pension, and other post-employment benefit (OPEB) liabilities, which we expect will continue in future biennial budgets. Connecticut’s overall credit improvement is also underscored by the executive branch’s announcement and intent to extend statutory financial controls in the next biennial budget proposal, which supports our view that the state remains more firmly committed to these provisions for the foreseeable future.”
 
Small Business Saturday
Do you run a small business, or are you thinking of starting one? Business.CT.gov provides services for registering and managing compliance needs. The portal aims to encourage entrepreneurship and business growth while working to reduce some of the risk that comes with starting a business.

Our small businesses are at the heart of our communities. This holiday season, find a gift for everyone on your list and let’s keep the holiday spirit of giving alive by shopping, eating, and celebrating locally.

Special opportunities to shop locally this Holiday Season

Below are just a few of the many opportunities to shop locally this holiday season – please send me any that you’d like to highlight. 
Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s FFA Holiday Store is back again this year.  They have more than 700 trees ranging from 4 to 13 feet, wreaths in every size, roping, poinsettias, and other seasonal items.  Not to mention Hudson Valley Fresh milk and eggnog, CABOT cheese, local eggs, and more!  All proceeds benefits the students.

Salisbury is hosting “Salisbury Merry and Bright” on December 3 and 4.


 
Crescendo Holiday Concert on December 11

Crescendo Music has a special Holiday Concert coming up on December 11 at Trinity Church in Lime Rock.
The program will be Renaissance and Baroque holiday music for chorus and brass - a very exciting and festive way to celebrate the season!
 
It is my honor to represent our district. I look forward to hearing from you about the issues raised in this newsletter, or any other topics you think I should know about. You can email me at maria.horn@cga.ct.gov or call me at (860)-240-8585. Thanks for reading, and I wish you a safe weekend.