State Capitol Update for the Week of February 13th

February 14, 2023
Dear Friend,

This is my State Capitol update for the week of February 13th.

If you prefer to watch rather than read, click on the video below to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter.
 
 
 
Last week was the official beginning of the work to craft our two-year (or biennium) budget, so I was in Hartford every day with long hours that kept me from returning to the district at all for the second half of the week.  That made it particularly nice to be back in the Northwest Corner for a beautiful weekend that included both Super Bowl LVII (a disappointing one from my family of Eagles fans) and “Superb Owl VII” (a more successful one that featured a close encounter with a barred owl on a morning run).

 
On Wednesday, Governor Lamont delivered his budget address (and accompanying budget books).  The day before, the leadership of the Finance, Revenue, & Bonding and Appropriations committees had a pre-briefing with the Governor’s staff so that we could get a head start on the details. On Friday, both committees had hearings with the Office of Policy and Management to ask questions about the Governor’s proposal. 
 
In between all of that, we were in session on Thursday to debate and pass a bill that included a renewal of the state’s commitment to the fiscal guardrails that have done so much to stabilize our budgeting and improve our fiscal health.
 
That bill, House Bill 6671, was the culmination of a lot of conversation, negotiation, drafting, re-drafting, reviewing, and double-checking numbers before it hit the floor.  The bill was an “e-cert” which means that it did not go through the regular legislative committee process of committee votes and a public hearing.  It was done that way because of the urgency of the timing.  Some of the provisions of the bill, such as extending free school lunches for the rest of the school year and enabling UConn to apply for a large federal grant to work on creating a hydrogen-powered jet engine, needed immediate action to be effective.  While the fiscal guardrails were not urgent in that sense (as they do not expire until July), they essentially set the rules for the budgeting process, and there was strong bipartisan agreement that it was good policy to accelerate that.

So, it was tremendously satisfying to see a unanimous field of green light up on Thursday when we voted on HB 6671.  In addition to renewing our commitment to the fiscal constraints, the bill also will ensure that children in every community in Connecticut will continue to receive free school lunches this year and address other financial support for schools.  Less satisfying, but necessary, was a change to the Bottle Bill.  After more than a decade of serious efforts, we finally passed an update to the state’s Bottle Bill in 2021. 

But getting it passed required bipartisan compromise, and one of the compromises we made was an explicit promise not to require deposits for certain wine and spirit-based beverages.  When the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection took a position at odds with that understanding, we needed to honor the deal that was struck - the entire bill would have failed if we had not made that carveout.  I personally will continue to fight to require deposits for those currently excluded beverage containers, but living by our commitments is an overarching value and one that made it possible to light that board up with bipartisan green.

On Saturday, I attended the League of Women Voters of Litchfield County’s Legislators’ Breakfast, held in Roxbury this year, with four of my colleagues from the House.  I thank President Marianne Seeber and her team for organizing a great event and creating the opportunity to talk about the issues before us, including energy costs, taxes, and bears, among many others!
Looking toward the week ahead, I include the schedule of public hearings below.  (Note that public hearings for the Finance Committee will not begin until February 22 – we start a bit later than other committees because we wait for the Governor’s budget proposals.) A couple of other highlights:
  • Wednesday, February 15at 9:30am: the Office of Health Strategy will convene its hearing via Zoom on Nuvance Health’s proposal to convert the Intensive Care Unit to a Progressive Care Unit. Public Comment is scheduled to begin at 3pm. 
  • Friday, February 17 at 6pm: Business networking event at Great Falls Brewing Co in North Canaan

Finally, Happy Valentine’s Day!  I hope your day is filled with affection and love of all kinds!
Here’s a list of today’s topics:
  • COVID-19 weekly update. Click here
  • Public Hearing Schedule for this week. Click here.
  • DEEP initiatives re waste management . Click here.
  • Gunn Memorial Library will reopen with limited services on Tuesday, February 14. Click here.
COVID-19 update
For graphs and tables containing data on COVID-19, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”

Note that the federal government is making at home test kits available free of charge.  For more information, https://www.covid.gov/tests. 
Public Hearing Schedule
A look at the schedule of public hearings being held this week. Please remember that you only need to register if you wish to provide testimony. If you want to observe the hearings, you can tune in to watch the proceedings live on the committee’s YouTube channel.

🌐 You can register to testify and find more detail on this week’s public hearings, including the bills that will be heard, in this week’s CGA Bulletin. Access the Bulletin here: cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABulletin/Bulletin.asp

Access the week’s calendar, with links to all agendas, here: cga.ct.gov
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection initiatives re waste management
Last week the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) shared several important next steps in addressing the future of waste management in Connecticut.  This gets a little into the weeds, but I communicate with many of you regularly about challenges we are facing with the management of our solid waste, in terms of both financial and environmental costs, so I wanted to share this with you.

As a follow up to Governor Lamont’s recent 

announcement unveiling a series of key waste management proposals designed to ensure the State takes control of its waste future and guards against increased costs from rising tip fees, DEEP wants to inform stakeholders of several opportunities to engage and help to shape these strategies. Full details about how and when you can participate, apply, or submit concept papers are in this linked document, as well as on the DEEP website here. 

Comprehensive Materials Management Strategy  
DEEP has released 

a draft amendment to the Comprehensive Materials Management Strategy (CMMS), which outlines the details of proposals, including implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging and accelerated organics diversion. DEEP will be holding a Public Informational Hearing on February 16 via Zoom. DEEP is encouraging those interested to submit written comments, which are due by March 10.  

Regional Waste Authority Grant Opportunity 
DEEP has also announced the availability of 

$1.5 million in state grant funding through the Sustainable Materials Management Grant Program to help municipalities and Regional Waste Authorities evaluate interest and identify governance to form new or expand existing Regional Waste Authorities and engage in planning activities for diversion programs and infrastructure development. DEEP will hold an informational webinar on March 7 via Zoom, and applications are due by March 31.   

Connecticut Materials Management Infrastructure Request for Information  
DEEP has issued a 

request for information to solicit information on materials management infrastructure – including disposal infrastructure, recycling infrastructure, and composting infrastructure – to meet the goals outlined in the draft amendment to the Comprehensive Materials Management Strategy. DEEP is seeking comment and information on the best approaches to support waste infrastructure development, particularly in alignment with long-term contracts, siting, or complementary programs such as food scrap collection that are under municipal authority and control. DEEP will hold a public listening session on March 14 via Zoom and accept concept papers and public comments until April 14.
DEEP Environmental Justice Website
Gunn Memorial Library will reopen with limited services on Tuesday, February 14
On February 4th, the Gunn Memorial Library in Washington experienced a sprinkler head malfunction and as a result the building suffered water damage. The building will reopen on February 14, but with some limited services.  Please use the main entrance on Wykeham Road (front of historic building).

They have created a temporary library space in the Wykeham Room and will be offering limited services while repairs continue. You will still be able to browse the selection of new items, request items from other libraries, access the internet, our wireless network, read the newspaper or a magazine and more.

Because they will be using the historic part of the library, it is not fully handicapped accessible. They will be offering curbside pickup for your library materials.
Many programs will continue virtually or at other locations within the community. The library has expressed its extreme gratitude for the First Congregational Church, the Hickory Stick Bookshop, and Washington Senior Center for opening up their spaces for use.
Please call to request curbside service.
Adjusted hours of operation during renovations are:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 9:30-5pm and
Saturdays from 9:30-3pm.
Contact staff via phone at 860-868-7586 or by email at gunncirc@gunnlibrary.org