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| Please note that state and local offices will be closed on Monday, December 26 in observance of Christmas Day. In East Hartford and South Windsor, town offices will be closed Monday and reopen for regularly scheduled hours of operation on Tuesday, December 27. In Manchester, town offices will be closed both today, Friday, December 23, and Monday, December 26, reopening for regularly scheduled hours of operation on Tuesday. |
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| Curbside trash pickup in East Hartford, Manchester, and South Windsor will not be affected by the closings. For more information, East Hartford residents can click here, Manchester residents can click here, and South Windsor residents can click here. |
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Starting at 6PM tonight, Friday, December 23rd
Ending at 12PM on Monday, December 26th
The purpose of the protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the severe cold conditions, which could be life threatening if exposed to the elements for extended periods of time. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies and municipalities to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to make sure that anyone in need can receive shelter from the outdoors, including transportation to shelters. |
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| Anyone in need is urged to call 2-1-1 to get connected to these services. Safety measures have been enacted at shelters and warming centers throughout Connecticut to adhere to the needs of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. |
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And, beginning at 7PM tonight, the Governor will be activating the State of Connecticut Emergency Operations Center's (EOC) enhanced monitoring status. During an enhanced monitoring status, the EOC is staffed with personnel from the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS).
Additionally, officials from several state agencies, including the Department of Transportation, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Department of Public Health, Connecticut State Police, and the Connecticut National Guard, as well as the utilities, the Red Cross, and United Way 2-1-1 will be available on a virtual emergency operations center link to communicate instantly if needed. |
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Sincerely,
Jeff Currey |
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| To stay up-to-date with everything happening in Hartford, click the "At the Capitol, In District, & Beyond" link below, but also please check out the other subject links in this intro to go right to the topic in the body of this email.
You can find additional resources and information on my web site,
www.housedems.ct.gov/currey. If there's something you need help with that isn't included in this email, please check my website. If you can't find what you're looking for there, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. |
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| We continue to ask that our friends, family, and neighbors consider using all the tools within their reach to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Information for testing, vaccine clinics, and those who are homebound and need assistance are noted below. We must be in this together. |
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| Overall Summary |
Cumulative
(except for hospital census) |
Past 7 days |
| Positive PCR/NAAT Tests |
1,022,401 |
+4,272 |
| All PCR/NAAT Tests |
15,991,913 |
+33,402 |
| Test Positivity (pos/all PCR/NAAT) |
-- |
12.79% |
| Patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 |
574 |
+59 |
| COVID-19-Associated Deaths |
11,733 |
+74 |
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Specific Updates for Our Community
| Town |
Total Cases |
Total Deaths |
Number of Tests |
Percent Positivity Past 7 Days (NAAT) |
|---|
| East Hartford |
15,380 |
209 |
240,560 |
0.158% |
| Manchester |
13,929 |
200 |
236,069 |
0.124% |
| South Windsor |
5,497 |
74 |
86,830 |
0.092% |
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| Children ages 5 through 11 can now receive the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the new boosters for this age group and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention approved the authorization last week. The updated boosters will be available from pediatricians, hospitals/health networks, DPH mobile clinics, and pharmacies. Residents can visit vaccines.gov to locate a provider near them.
Vaccines continue to be effective tools in protecting residents from severe COVID-19 infections. To get vaccinated or your booster, please click here to locate vaccination sites in our community.
Information about getting vaccinated, including how to make an appointment and a list of clinics, is available on Connecticut's Vaccine Portal, here.
If you need assistance finding transportation to and from a vaccine appointment, you can find transportation resources here.
If you're a homebound resident, you can receive your COVID-19 shot at home. Complete the state Department of Public Health's Homebound Intake Form to get the appointment process started. |
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| The East Hartford Health Department has free COVID-19 test kits available. To get a kit, visit the Health Department at their new location in Room B09 of the Community Cultural Center. Especially ahead of traveling and gathering for the holidays – test is recommended for any individual currently experiencing symptoms or think they have been exposed to COVID-19 (i.e., fever, dry cough, and tiredness). For guidance on how to use the kits, click here. |
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| For any questions regarding pediatric COVID-19 vaccines, booster dose eligibility, or to schedule an appointment at an upcoming clinic, contact the East Hartford Health Department at (860) 291-7324. If transportation is needed to get to and from a clinic site, please contact the Health Department for assistance. |
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| This week, the White House released their "COVID-19 Winter Preparedness Plan" which will relaunch the program making free at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests available to every U.S. household. Just as before, you can order tests through COVIDTests.gov and enter your shipping information. Every U.S. household is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. |
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MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK UPDATE
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| According to the CDC, there are about 143 cases of Monkeypox in Connecticut. While the virus is still predominantly impacting LGBTQ+ communities, a strong vaccine supply and adherence to public health guidance are helping to slow the virus' spread. Also impacting the decline is new evidence that monkeypox can only spread under certain circumstances, meaning that it is less likely to be transmitted by talking or coughing.
Even with this information, it remains important to follow public health guidance to lower your risk of contracting the virus. One strategy is to get vaccinated if you meet eligibility requirements. You can find out how to get vaccinated and what you can do to lower your risk of infection here. |
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AT THE CAPITOL, IN DISTRICT, & BEYOND
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| Our schools, our students, and our educators – teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff – have faced unprecedented challenges in recent years. Consistently facing changing guidelines, a rapidly growing need of already strained funding and resources, and an increasing politicization of seemingly every lesson plan and activity has caused too many to leave the profession, leaving our children without integral components of their support system. |
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As Chair of the Education Committee, I look forward to the opportunity to give our K-12 teachers and education professionals the respect and attention they deserve. Now more than ever.
Thank you, Speaker Ritter and Majority Leader Rojas, for trusting in me to lead this committee. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that the students and educators of Connecticut are provided with the resources and support needed to succeed. |
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As we prepare to ring in the new year and welcome the start of 2023, several laws passed will take effect when the clock strikes midnight on January 1st! Here are a few of the laws taking effect January 1st:
Cannabis Possession Charges Cleared:
- Specified Connecticut residents convicted of cannabis possession will have their records automatically cleared and other specified charges can be petitioned for erasure at the start of the new year
- Click here and scroll to the bottom of page 29 for a breakdown table on qualifying erasures
- Announced Delay: The Governor's Office recently announced that some erasures would be delayed until, "…the second half of 2023." Click here to learn more
- Numerous state agencies must also provide recommendations by January 1st on how to prevent cannabis use by individuals under 21and address the impacts of cannabis legalization on youth
- These provisions were included in PA 21-1 – Passed in 2021 – that legalized the recreational adult-use of cannabis
Clean Slate Law:
- Nearly 280,000 more people will be eligible to have their criminal records erased on January 1st, and the Board of Pardons and Paroles must provide written documentation if they deny an application for a person's qualified pardon
- Announced Delay: As shared above, the Governor's announced delay will also affect this law's provisions
- These provisions were included in PA 21-32 – Passed in 2021 – known as the Clean Slate Law
The Bottle Bill:
- Will expand the types of bottles and cans accepted in the 5-cent return program to now include:
- Teas
- Hard Seltzers
- Ciders
- Energy Drinks
- Coffee
- This provision was included in PA 21-58 – Passed in 2021 – which makes tiered adjustments to the state's bottle redemption program through January 2024
Lead Poisoning Safety:
- Will take a tiered approach strengthening Connecticut's lead poisoning testing standards to align with federal standards and will lower the threshold for youth testing levels that trigger parental notification or home inspection
- The Governor's Office reported that in 2020, over 1,000 Connecticut Children tested at high enough lead levels to trigger the federal standard for a home inspection
- These provisions were included in PA 22-49 – Passed in 2022 – and will incrementally lower the qualifying testing levels through January 2025
Breast & Ovarian Cancer Screening Coverage:
- Certain commercial health insurance policies will be required to cover:
- Mammograms
- Ultrasounds
- MRIs for breast screenings
- Breast biopsies
- Certain prophylactic mastectomies
- Breast reconstruction surgery
- BRCA 1 and 2 testing
- Routine ovarian cancer screenings
- These provisions were included in PA 22-90 – Passed in 2022 – which expanded required insurance coverage from previous legislative efforts
These are just a few of the laws and provisions going into effect when we celebrate the new year. The full list of laws taking effect on January 1st can be accessed by clicking the button below: |
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| Last week, the Town of East Hartford announced the establishment of a new parking ban alert system to enhance the level of communication during snowstorms. The new parking ban alert system will provide residents with a visual alert informing them when an on-street parking ban is in effect.
When over four inches of snow is predicted the Department of Public Works, in coordination with the Police Department, will be responsible for the activation of 15 blue lights, installed on street light poles at key road intersections throughout the Town. When the blue light is on, it indicates a parking ban is in effect to allow Public Works crews to remove snow more efficiently and safety. |
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Residents who have limited off-street or backyard parking may park in one of the following neighborhood recreational park locations when parking bans are in effect:
- Alumni Park
- McAuliffe Park
- Martin Park
- Woodland Park
- Labor Field Park
- Shea Park
- Former McCartin School Parking Lot
- Hockanum Park
Once a snowstorm is over, residents will be required to remove their vehicles from the parks.
The blue notification lights are an additional resource to notify motorists of a parking ban in town. The town will continue to communicate these alerts through the town website at www.easthartfordct.gov, the town’s official Facebook page, as well as through the digital board at Alumni Park and EH Alert system. |
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Registration is now open for East Hartford Adult and Continuing Education's (EHACE) spring semester! The following courses will be available for the Spring Semester:
- General Education Development (GED)
- Raymond Library: Mondays-Fridays, 9AM-11AM; Mondays-Thursdays, 12PM-2PM
- East Hartford High School: Mondays-Thursdays, 12PM-2PM
- GED (Spanish)
- East Hartford High School & Virtual: Mondays & Tuesdays, 6PM-8PM
- Credit Diploma Program (CDP)
- Virtual Classes: flexible dates and times
- National External Diploma Program (NEDP)
- Virtual & In-Person Classes: flexible dates and times
- Second Change Adult Basic Education (Justice Involved)
- Virtual Classes: Mondays & Tuesdays, 6PM-8PM
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Raymond Library: Mondays-Fridays, 9AM-11AM; Mondays-Thursdays, 12PM-2PM
- East Hartford High School: Tuesdays- Thursdays, 6PM-8PM
- United States Citizenship
- East Hartford High School: Tuesdays, 6PM-8PM
- Family Literacy
- Raymond Library: Wednesdays, 3PM-5:30PM
Classes are free for East Hartford residents, $50 ($25 per half credit CDP course) for non-residents (Family Literacy, Second Chances and NEDP are free for everyone, regardless of residency). Payment is due at your registration appointment, cash only.
Reserve an appointment for registration now by clicking here – the Spring Semester begins January 17. For questions, please email ehadulted@easthartford.org or call (860) 622-5355. |
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This week, Manchester Public Schools (MPS) announced its partnership with transportation provider First Student. Through this partnership, MPS is launching FirstView, a bus tracking and parent communications app for your smartphone or desktop.
FirstView will allow parents and guardians to track where your child’s bus is in real-time. You can also create a ‘geo-fence’ so you will get an alert when the bus is within a certain distance of your child’s stop, and there’s a multi-stop view if you have multiple students on different buses. You can download the app by clicking here. |
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As you may be aware, Access Health CT's (AHCT) enrollment period is underway and open until January 15! This is the time to renew coverage and explore policy options that work best for you.
Open Enrollment is the time you can enroll your health insurance plan or stand-alone dental insurance plan. You can also enroll in both at the same time. We encourage everyone to shop and compare plans this year – make sure you have the right plan for you for 2023 and get all the financial help you can. |
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The date you enroll determines when your health and/or dental coverage will start:
- For coverage starting February 1, 2023, you must complete your application and enroll now through January 15, 2023.
- Connecticut residents that are eligible for the new Covered Connecticut Program can enroll at any time. Your coverage will start on the first of the month after you complete your application and enroll in the Program.
You can enroll in coverage any time of year if you:
- Are an American Indian or Alaska Native;
- Qualify for HUSKY Health (Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP));
- Have a life changing event – like losing health coverage through your job, getting married, having a baby, or moving to Connecticut – that qualifies you for a regular Special Enrollment Period; or
- Become eligible for the Covered Connecticut Program or the Special Enrollment Period for Residents with Lower Income
Visit Access Health CT for more information. |
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| Flu season is upon us and a yearly flu vaccine can help protect against serious illness. After getting the vaccine, it will take about two weeks for your body to develop the antibodies that can protect you from the flu. To get a flu shot, check with your healthcare provider or call your local health department. You can also visit vaccines.gov to find a location near you that is administering flu shots. For more information, please click here. |
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| Medicare open enrollment began on Saturday, October 15. This is an opportunity to review your coverage and find out if you could save money on insurance.
Residents who are 65 years and older have until December 7, 2022 to review coverage, compare plans, enroll in a new plan, and potentially save money. Coverage will begin in 2023. Click the button below to learn more about the Open Enrollment process and get started. |
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| If you need assistance choosing a plan during open enrollment, please call 1-800-MEDICARE. You can also call Connecticut's Program for Health Insurance Assistance, Outreach, Information and Referral, Counseling, Eligibility Screening (CHOICES) at 1-800-994-9422.
If you are not eligible for Medicare but need insurance coverage, the Access Health CT (AHCT) Open Enrollment period will begin on November 1. If you have experienced a qualifying life event where you lost your health insurance coverage, you can start the enrollment process prior to November 1. Learn more about AHCT Open Enrollment and Special Enrollment periods here. |
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| For additional state and local resources, click the links below:
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| The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced policy changes that will permit certain survivors of LGBTQ+ Veterans who were previously ineligible to receive survivors benefits. The decision will impact survivors who could not marry until the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision in 2015 and were therefore not married to their now-deceased Veterans spouses long enough to qualify for survivor benefits. Survivors can apply now to receive these benefits, which will be backdated to October 14, 2022. This is great news for survivors of Veterans across our state and country and will close a gap in survivor benefits. Additionally, in September 2021, the VA began providing benefits to veterans with OTH discharges due to their sexual orientation.
During the 2021 legislative session, I proudly championed a law that expands the definition of veteran to include those separated from military service with an "other than honorable" discharge under the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. This law ensures more veterans can obtain the benefits they've earned serving our country. |
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| 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. |
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Who’s got the best pet? You do! Join East Hartford Public Library on Zoom to show us your pet and share stories about them on Tuesday, December 27, at 6:30PM. Suited for all ages; registration required – sign up by clicking here. |
Stop by East Hartford Public Library on Thursday, December 29 at 3PM to learn how to recycle old DVD cases into board games you can close and take with you wherever you go. Best suited for grades 3-8. Registration required – reserve your spot by clicking here. |
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Get ready to ring the new year with family friendly activities at East Hartford Public Library on Friday, December 30 at 11AM! Make hats, noise makers, and more -- and then count down to 2023 at noon. Best suited for families with children ages 3 – 12. Registration required; sign-up be clicking here. |
The 30th running of the Annual Officer Brian A. Aselton Memorial Snow Dash 5K Road Race, sponsored by the East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department and the East Hartford Police Department will be held on Sunday, January 8 at 1:30PM. Registration is open now - click here to sign up. |
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If you're looking for activities for your children during winter break – Little Bird Clay Co. will be offering an "Art Week" full of pottery and crafts Monday, December 26 through Friday, December 30 from 9AM-11AM. Register by clicking here. |
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Members of the Cheney Brothers National Historic District Commission will host a free walking tour on Sunday, January 1 at 1PM. The walk will begin at Fuss & O'Neill (146 Hartford Road – parking will be available here). Learn more by clicking here. |
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Join the Manchester Public Library for a snowtastic afternoon of story, singing, games and fun with the Snow Sisters of Simply Enchanted on Wednesday, December 28 at 2PM. A meet and greet will follow the performance. For more information, call (860) 645-0577. |
Join Manchester Public Library to create a personalized Vision Board for 2023 on Wednesday, January 4 at 6PM. All necessary supplies will be provided – but you are welcome to bring your own pictures/images! Registration is required and opens December 27 – call (860) 645-0821 to register. |
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Are you looking to better your health and fitness in the new year? Stop by South Windsor Senior Center on Wednesday, December 28 from 1PM-3PM to see all their new equipment and what they have to offer. You'll be entered to win a free one-year membership just for coming! |
The South Windsor Teen Center will hold "Kid Inventors Day: Shark Tank Style" – a science and innovation fair for and by students on Tuesday, January 17 from 3:30PM-5PM. Register by January 10 to participate – contact Danielle at (860) 648-6360 or Danielle.Bifolck@southwindsor-ct.gov. |
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December's Books to Big Screen is How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. Drop in at South Windsor Public Library on Wednesday, December 28 at 1:30PM for a reading followed by a showing of the PG-rated movie. No registration necessary. |
Stop by South Windsor Public Library on Saturday, January 14 at 7PM for "Winter Pops: The Band of Steady Habits," a concert featuring folk music and explanations of its connection to Connecticut history. No registration necessary. |
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YOUTH ACTIVITIES & RESOURCES
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East Hartford Parks and Recreation is happy to announce the return of Free Play Basketball is available to middle and high school students in grades 7-12 on Mondays and Fridays from 6:30PM-8:45PM at the East Hartford Middle School Gymnasium. The program is free, but you must per-register here to participate.
Both programs are available now through March 9. For more information, call the Parks and Recreation office at (860) 291-7160. |
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| DJ Dale of Into the Groove will be at the Nathan Hale Activity Center on Friday, January 13 at 6PM to put the FUN in Family Fun Night! Experience a great mix of family-friendly music, juggling and interactive dancing. No cost or registration required – all ages welcome. |
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| The South Windsor Library is offering a ton of great programming for Winter Vacation week. From "Turtle Dance Music" to "Friday Flick: DC League of Superpets" - there is something for everyone. Registration is required for these programs – click here to sign-up. |
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES
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| Great news! CareerConneCT is expanding its intake portal. The goal of CareerConneCT is to provide underemployed and unemployed Connecticut residents with resources and training necessary for the pursuit of a well-paying, high-quality career path. The program provides free job training, case management, supportive services, and employment assistance. |
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Interested jobseekers should enroll through an online intake portal. Once enrolled, participants will be connected to reskilling, upskilling, or next-skilling opportunities in various in demand fields, such as manufacturing, information technology, health care, infrastructure and clean energy.
Once registered in the portal, participants will complete a brief skills inventory and then receive a Career Coach who will help them access training that meets their skills and interests. Participants also can explore career paths, learning opportunities and available jobs.
Click here to visit the portal. |
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| Through the state's Department of Labor, the American Job Center offers resources, information, and support for individuals throughout the state searching for a job. You can receive help writing a resume and attend interview technique workshops for those currently on the job hunt. For more information, click here. |
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| The State of Connecticut is hiring! You can find a variety of seasonal, part-time, and full-time positions. There are jobs open to members of the public as well as those already employed at a state agency or organization. You can find a full list of openings here. |
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| EAST HARTFORD:
Click here for the Town Meetings calendar.
Click here for the Community Events calendar.
Click here for information on the East Hartford Public Library.
Click here for East Hartford Community Television. |
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| SOUTH WINDSOR:
Click here for the Public Meetings calendar.
Click here for the Community Events calendar.
Click here for information on the South Windsor Public Library.
Click here for South Windsor's Government Television Programming - watch LIVE town council meetings! |
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| MANCHESTER:
Click here for the Town Meetings and Community Events Calendar.
Click here for information on the Manchester Public Library.
Click here for Manchester Public Television. |
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Upcoming Meetings and Events
A full calendar of all events happening at the Capitol next week, including public hearings, is available on the General Assembly website.
You can find the agenda for public hearings on the calendar by clicking on the calendar item and following the link to the committee page. For instructions on how to testify at a public hearing, please click here.
You can view a list of all the bills passed by the House this session here.
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