Legislative & Local Updates - March 8th

March 8, 2023
Wondering what's in your electric bill? See here for information.
 
Are the utility companies charging ratepayers, (YOU!) for things you don't think they should be? S.B. 7 legislates against this, including language from my bill H.B. 5623 and H.B. 5634 which comes from local requests to increase funding for home energy efficiency programs.
 
What is the legislature doing about utility rates?
There are 2 main proposals:
1) The committee as a whole: Raised S.B. 966 which is getting bundled into S.B. 7
2) By the ranking members: much of which is in the committee aircraft carrier: H.B. 5634
 
What's under the jurisdiction of FERC?
What's hard to regulate because of the free market?
See me discussing SB 7, the Energy and Technology Committee's aircraft carrier bill here.
Here with Avangrid
Here with Eversource
 
It was another great few weeks of spending time with the members of our communities in between public hearings, committee meetings, and more.

A few weekends ago, I hosted office hours at the Ellington Farmers Market, and it was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who visited. I met with people from Ellington, East Windsor, and Vernon, and had thoughtful discussions about the issues impacting our communities. 
We talked about everything from making daycare more affordable to utility costs to legislation that's been proposed around schools, parents, teachers and mental health access, how to improve local trails, tax relief for seniors, veterans and home daycare providers, and so much more!

And recently, I spent time with all the Windermere Elementary School 6th graders talking about how a bill becomes a law. We talked about the process of extending school meals for all and what happens after this year.
Parents of Windermere 6th graders - your kiddos are respectful, inquisitive, kind and compassionate. Their questions demonstrated not just their smarts but how much they care for their friends, family, and community. I'm proud of them and I hope you are too!
 

IN THE NEWS
 
I'm working hard to make sure that I'm accessible and all my work is transparent to every constituent in the district. On top of my hopes to help our communities through the legislation we pass and working on constituent cases, I also have a goal of working to share as much information with our communities about the work I'm doing at the State Capitol. 

In the last update, I highlighted my new regular column in North Central News, and this week I wanted to share that I'll also be submitting a periodic column to the Patch. You can find this month's Patch column, "Access To School Lunch Has Benefits To School Participation," here. 
 
Last month, I took part in a legislative breakfast with several of my legislative colleagues, hosted by the East of the River Chambers of Commerce Association. A variety of tops were discussed, including housing issues and healthcare. The Courant Community covered the event. The story can be found HERE. 
 

CAPITOL UPDATES
 
I was excited to testify before the Human Services Committee on March 7 on my bill (H.B. 6857) to address nutrition-related chronic disease through comprehensive food is medicine strategies.
 
I met with members of the Ellington, Vernon, and East Windsor Boards of Education that came to the Capitol for a legislative breakfast. It was great to see so many people together, prioritizing our kids!
 
Exciting to see the author of one of my "light summer reads" testified before one of my committees! In my preparation to take on the role of Vice Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, I read several recommended books including:

Thanks for stopping by, Meredith Angwin! 
 
Because of my work as a champion for school meals in the legislature and in my career, I've been invited to speak at the state's School Nutrition Association Annual Conference on March 15 at The Aquaturf Club. I will participate in a legislative panel discussion moderated by Lucy Nolan of End Hunger CT and we will be discussing school meals for all.

I share this with you as we start National School Breakfast Week (March 6-10). The School Breakfast Program serves more than 14 MILLION STUDENTS every day. Studies show that students who eat school breakfast are more likely to:

  • Reach higher levels of achievement in reading and math
  • Score higher on standardized tests
  • Have better concentration and memory
  • Be more alert
  • Maintain a healthy weight
 
Each year, 119 billion pounds of food is wasted in the United States. That equates to 130 billion meals and more than $408 billion in food thrown away each year. Shockingly, nearly 40% of all food in America is wasted.

Most people don’t realize how often they waste food and the negative impacts it can have for food security, the environment, and climate change. Reducing food loss and waste could benefit them, their families, and the world, now and in the future. #FoodWasteActionWeek
 
One of Ellington's own, profiled for Women's History Month!

In honor of our recent passage of free school lunches for the rest of the academic year, and School Breakfast Week, here are some amazing achievements of Isabelle M. Kelley!

Taking a job with the USDA in 1940, she took an immediate interest in helping feed needy children and families. At the time, there was no federal system in place for getting food to families in need, who instead had to rely on donation programs, handouts, and bread lines. 

Her first big program was the Penny Milk program, which gave children a half-pint of milk for just a penny. Later, when President John F. Kennedy wanted to establish the food stamp program, Kelley was one of four people appointed to the task force.
 

COMMUNITY EVENTS
 
 
Registration is open for an upcoming Adult and Pediatric American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED program on Saturday, April 22 at the East Windsor Town Hall Annex from 9AM-1PM. Facilitated by East Windsor Parks and Recreation and sponsored by the Lion's club, the program participant will gain the knowledge and skill needed to recognize and respond appropriately to cardiac, breathing and first aid emergencies. 

Register by visiting www.EastWindsorRec.com. 
 
The lottery is open for Vernon Public School's half-day preschool programs for children who reach age 3 or 4 by Dec. 31, 2023. Applications can be found here - if you need a paper copy, please call Shelley McCone at (860) 896-4663 or email shelley.mccone@vernonct.org.

The programs are offered at Center Road School, Skinner Road School and Northeast School. There are half day sessions in the morning and afternoon. All programs run Monday through Friday and follow the Vernon Public Schools schedule.

Children will be selected by lottery, and a wait list will be maintained. Applications must be returned by March 25 to the Department of Pupil Services (30 Park St., Vernon, CT 06066). Families will receive word of their child's status by May 1.
 
The Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is developing plans to replace existing traffic control signal equipment with new equipment to meet current department standards at 21 locations in the cities and/or towns, including:


East Windsor


The following intersection is included: Traffic Control Signal – Full Replacement:
Route 140 (North Rd) at Shoham Rd


It is CTDOT’s policy to keep the public informed and involved when such projects are undertaken. It is important that the community share its concerns to assist in the project’s development. At this time, it is anticipated that an informational meeting or formal public hearing will not be necessary.


The design plans for this project are expected to be completed in April 2025 with a tentative advertising date for construction of July 2025.


Anyone interested in requesting information on these projects may do so by contacting Gregory Palmer, Project Manager (860-594-2748; Gregory.Palmer@ct.gov). Please make reference to State Project No. 0171-0493.
 

RESOURCES
 
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 Department of Social Services Field Offices are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8AM-4:30PM.  
FIND A DSS OFFICE NEAR YOU
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. My colleagues are continuing discussions on the termination of some of these expanded services. 
 
Did you know approximately 4,500 Connecticut residents die each year due to sudden cardiac arrest? Most of these deaths occur:
  • Out of the hospital
  • Away from advanced medical assistance
  • In the presence of a family member or friend

The HEARTSafe Community Program focuses on improving the chances of survival through CPR and AED training, accessible AEDs and more.
Spread the word! You can apply to become a HEARTSafe Community, Business or Campus here: