Meet Me In Person & Expect Delays on the Gold Star Memorial Bridge

March 3, 2023
MEET ME IN PERSON!
I'm hosting a couple of community coffee events where you can learn what I'm doing at the State Capitol over coffee in person! Please come and share your thoughts, ask questions, and provide feedback on state policy issues.

Connecting with residents and having real conversations about improving our community is one of my favorite parts of this job. 
 
WHAT'S YOUR REP BEEN UP TO?
I attended the Black History Month Gospel and Lecture at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Mystic last Saturday. The Lisa Clayton Gospel Singers put on a free concert, and it was quite the show!  Lisa had the crowd singing and dancing while also providing education and facts about our Black leaders throughout our history!
Thank you to St. Mark’s and Councilor Portia Bordelon for organizing this interactive event in the heart of Mystic. As Portia put it 'it’s so important that we celebrate culture, diversity and our community every day, not just in February.'
 
We didn't let a little weekend snow stop us from standing in solidary for Ukraine and democracy all the way from Mystic.
 
On Saturday, I attended a legislative update and learned about how we can recruit and retain the next generation of our emergency medical and fire service workforce. The meeting was held at the Eastern CT EMS Council huddle in Colchester.
 
EXPECT DELAYS ON GOLD STAR BRIDGE
A big construction project is coming to the Gold Star Memorial Bridge. Starting on Sunday, you’re going to want to give yourself extra time when traveling on I-95 Northbound on the bridge in Groton and New London.

The left lane and adjacent shoulder will be closed for several weeks or until further notice as crews work to improve the bridge. Remember to use caution, slow down, and maintain a safe distance between the cars around you when driving through work zones.
According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, crews will be strengthening the truss approach spans of the bridge below the deck surface. CLICK HERE to learn more about truss bridges.
 
CRITICAL BENEFITS COMING TO AN END
I'm writing to inform you there will be changes for some of our most vulnerable individuals and families who are on Medicaid. Starting on April 1, the COVID-19 public health emergency protection will be coming to an end. Medicaid enrollees who were continuously covered will again have to provide proof of eligibility to continue getting benefits.

If you get your healthcare through HUSKY or DSS, you have not had to do your annual redetermination since March 2020. But starting in April, you will have to prove your eligibility once every year. In addition, you will need to provide identification, address, and proof of income.

The closest Department of Social Services Field Office is on West Thames Street in Norwich. It is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 am - 4:30 pm.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
In addition, extra SNAP benefits have come to an end. Since April 2020, some individuals and families received an extra SNAP payment on their EBT cards in the middle of each month. According to the Department of Social Services, it does not have control over when those benefits end since they are tied to federal legislation.

SNAP redetermination happens every six months. You will once again have to provide identification, your address, proof of income, and your social security information.

All households that are eligible for SNAP benefits will receive one payment starting in March. Those funds will arrive in the first three days of the month depending on the last name. Those in the program will receive their normal monthly benefit.

Households can now check their EBT balance in real-time by visiting www.mydss.ct.gov. On MyDSS, you can also update DSS with any case changes, complete renewals, view documents, or verify case status from a computer or mobile device.

To learn more as well as where to obtain resources for families dealing with the ending of the extra SNAP benefits, visit: www.ct.gov/snap/extracovidbenefits.

I am committed to helping everyone who needs assistance in Groton and Stonington. My colleagues are continuing discussions on the termination of some of these expanded services.
 
STONINGTON SHORT-TERM RENTALS
There will be a referendum in Stonington on March 13 to decide whether to adopt an ordinance that would regulate the operation of short-term rentals in town. The proposed rules would require owners:
  • To register their short-term rentals with the town
  • To conform to safety regulations
  • To provide information to renters on local noise and property use restrictions

If you live in the first, fourth, or fifth district and are eligible to vote, the polling station will be at the Stonington Fire Station on Main Street.
 
Residents of the second and third districts will vote at the former Pawcatuck Middle School on Field Street.
My colleagues at the Capitol and I are talking about short-term rentals on the state level. In January, the Planning and Development Committee, of which I am a member, raised a bill concept called an Act Concerning Short Term Rentals. If you are passionate on this issue, please share your thoughts with me via email.
 
CT MEDAL OF SCIENCE NOMINATIONS
I encourage you to nominate anyone who is deserving of the Connecticut Medal of Science. It's the highest honor for scientific achievement and is key to growing our economy and social well-being.

For this competition, science spans the physical and biological disciplines as well as mathematics, engineering and the social and behavioral sciences. Get the nomination form and click RIGHT HERE to send it in!
NOMINATION GUIDELINES
 
TAKE PART IN HISTORIC MILESTONE!
Do you want a hand in how our state celebrates a huge milestone in U.S. history? The America 250 | CT Commission is planning to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which will take place in 2026.

The commission is inviting everyone to give their feedback on how to create a commemoration that is relevant, inclusive, and engaging. People of all ages and backgrounds have an opportunity to share the stories of the diverse pioneers of the past that all contributed to American history. Please consider attending one of the events listed below.
Please provide feedback by registering to participate via Zoom during an upcoming Community Listening Session.
 
FREE TAX FILING SERVICES
Trained volunteers at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites offer free tax filing assistance from through mid-April. As long as your annual income is below $60,000, the service is free of charge. You can meet a volunteer at St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Pearl Street in Mystic.
CLICK HERE FOR TO REGISTER AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT YOU NEED AT YOUR APPOINTMENT
 
COMMUNITY EVENTS