I hope you and your family have been enjoying the brighter weather and warmer times.
This week, the legislative session has been in full swing, and as your State Representative, I was honored to take my seat in the Connecticut House of Representatives to work in support of our community’s needs.
I am proud to report that during the last few days, we have passed important legislation that will benefit the individuals and families within our state. However, there is still much more work to be done, and these next few weeks are a crucial time for my colleagues and I to make a positive impact on our community.
As your legislator it is my duty to serve and work for the betterment of our residents. And as we continue to move through the legislative session, I remain committed to working tirelessly toward the improvement and steady management of our government.
Below you will find information on the events I have attended, highlights on members of my staff, and bills we have voted out of the House of Representatives.
PARENT LEADER TRAINING INSTITUTE
Last week, I had the privilege of speaking with community parent leaders at the Parent Leadership Training Institute.
The Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) is a leadership course to help parents become community leaders for their children and families. The course helps participants develop skills such as public speaking, helps demystify the public and budget processes, and introduces them to city, state, and federal law. These leaders will leave this course with the skills necessary to become more deeply involved in our democracy.
It was an honor to get to meet everyone and answer their questions. I know they will use the skills they have developed to make lasting, positive changes around Connecticut in the near future!
I would like to give a sincere and special thank you to Regan Allen for inviting me to speak, and for your leadership in support of PLTI and our entire community.
TEAM HIGHLIGHTS : DYLAN CHAMPAGNE
I would like to take a segment of this week’s newsletter to highlight and commend the work of one of the members of my team in Hartford: Mr. Dylan Champagne.
For the past few months Dylan has worked as an intern on my staff, and our community has greatly benefited from his service.
He has helped us with research on key legislative priorities, organizing and implementing our communications strategies, and even helping members of our community who reach out to us in need of assistance.
The work that I do as your State Representative is only possible with the support of legion of professionals who enrich and support our operations every day. Dylan has done an incredible job support that work, and I would like to publicly thank him for his work.
MORE 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 also 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.
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS PASSED
EARLY VOTING
Connecticut voters asked the legislature for more voting options through a constitutional amendment on early voting that they overwhelmingly approved, and we are answering the call.
We did it!
This week, the House of Representatives approved H.B. 5004, a measure that will allow early voting in our state beginning in 2024.
This legislation modernizes the state's elections and allows for more convenience and fairness in the process, reflecting the realities of hectic modern-day life.
Eligible voters will be able to cast their ballots in person ahead of Election Day for both regular and special elections, as well as primarie
Passage of this bill in the House is a step towards improving access to the ballot box for all eligible Connecticut voters.
I look forward to the next step – debate in the Senate.
BILLS WE PASSED
Wednesday, May 3
House Bill 6479 contains a key provision to maximize federal funds designated for state and municipal climate change resiliency projects, including coastal resiliency projects.
We passed HB 5575, a necessary measure to ensure the humane treatment of animals in municipal animal shelters. We set municipal regulations establishing guidelines that maintain the health and safety of both the animals and the individuals working in the facilities.
The House proved our commitment to all CT mothers having access to specialized lactation healthcare. HB 6819 will require the DPH to provide a full list of international board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs) in the state on their website and will establish a taskforce to study licensure.
Diaper insecurity, food insecurity, and housing instability….this bill creates a task force to develop a plan that utilizes Medicaid funding to support these health-related social needs, seek federal approval for services, and report how the proposed coverage will impact current recommendations.
Improves protections for CT residents going through eviction, expands green subsidies to heat pumps and geothermal heating, improves CHFA subsidies for home ownership and affordable housing opportunities, and establishes a working group to find ways to increase financing opportunities for mobile manufactured homes.
Allows the CT Department of Banking to issue regulations regarding cryptocurrencies and protects CT residents from scams related to cryptocurrency kiosks.
If you have any issues, concerns, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at 860-240-8585 if you ever need anything or by email at hubert.delany@cga.ct.gov
