State Capitol Update for the Week of May 1st

May 1, 2023


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Dear Friend,

This is my State Capitol update for the week of May 1.

If you prefer to watch rather than read, click on the video below to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter.

 
 
Now that May is officially here, House legislative sessions are starting to fill up the calendar.  This also means that organized advocacy campaigns are becoming more frequent.  In our session day last week, for example, teachers from across the state were at the capitol to make the case for several bills that affect teaching, and I got to meet with several teachers from the Northwest Corner.  It will not surprise you to learn that teachers make great advocates!  Special thanks to Jeanine Coleman, a retired teacher from the NW Corner who made sure we were supporting teachers in the General Assembly.
The UConn men's basketball team was also at the Capitol that day, and many legislators and staff had their families with them for the chance to catch a glimpse of these talented (and very gracious) envoys for the state of CT.  They signed a lot of autographs that day, and not just for the kids!
Now that all committee deadlines have passed, committee chairs are meeting with each chamber's "screening committee." It's the job of the House and Senate Screening Committees to vet all the bills that have emerged and determine which are ready to be raised for a vote.  When I chaired the Public Safety Committee, that meant analyzing our bills from a variety of perspectives, for example: 1) whether they were ready or needed further drafting work; 2) whether they had bipartisan support and were expected to pass quickly; 3) whether they needed to be referred to another committee for review, and 4) whether they were a major priority or a minor one. 
 
In the Finance Committee, it's a little different, as the major question is whether a policy will ultimately be included in a single bill: the final budget.  If it's not in the final draft, most of the time that means the bill is dead.  The long list of bills we start off with in Finance eventually turn into one long bill.   
 
There are a lot of local events taking place this coming weekend and I hope to see you at some of them.  Thanks for sending the information my way, and please keep sending them my way.   
 
And now, I'm off to play some bipartisan kickball!
Here’s a list of today’s topics:
  • COVID-19 weekly update. Click here
  • Increasing Accountability for Utility Companies. Click here
  • Sharon Classic Road Race on May 6. Click here
  • Lakeville Hose Company Chicken BBQ on May 6 from 4-7pm. Click here
  • Square and Contra Dance at Taghhannuck Grange Hall on May 6. Click here
COVID-19 update
For graphs and tables containing data on COVID-19, including a list of cases in every municipality click the button below.
Connecticut COVID-19 Update
Note that the federal government is making at home test kits available free of charge.  For more information, https://www.covid.gov/tests.
Increasing Accountability for Utility Companies 
 
The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) unanimously voted to begin a search for consultants to monitor the performance of the state's two electric distribution companies - Eversource and United Illuminating. This is an important step toward eventually shifting to performance-based regulation for the companies.
 
The framework for these changes was created in the wake of Eversource and UI's poor and slow response to issues caused by Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020. In response, the Connecticut General Assembly passed the "
Take Back Our Grid Act," a robust bill that established standards that utility companies must meet, penalties if those standards are not met, and metrics for determining progress.
Additionally, PURA announced that it has extended the utility shutoff moratorium for gas and electric service disconnections for residential financial hardship customers until October 31, 2023.
 
These changes will help hold the state's utilities accountable, protect vulnerable communities and ensures that the ratepayers are the priority moving forward.
Sharon Classic Road Race on May 6
The festivities, including a fun run for kids and a 5.3 mile run/walk for anyone up for it, and which benefit the Sharon Day Care Center. begin at 9:00 am. 
 
For more information: 
https://www.sharonclassic.org/
Lakeville Hose Company Chicken BBQ on May 6 from 4-7pm.
After the road race in Sharon, swing over to the Lakveille Hose Company for a BBQ chicken dinner!
 Square and Contra Dance at Taghhannuck Grange Hall on May 6
And why not finish your day with some contra and square dancing at the Taghhannuck Grange Hall!
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.

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Sincerely,


Maria Horn
State Representative

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