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School Meal Expansion Press Conference
This week, I joined Governor Lamont, Commissioner Russell-Tucker, many Legislative Colleagues and strong advocates to announce plans to expand Connecticut’s school meals program for the 2023-2024 school year This will to help more students to receive access to nutritious school meals.
Throughout this session I helped advocate with numerous advocates, and leaders across the state pushing to include it in our budget This 16 Million in funding programs helps ensure more children are fed and doesn't burden families helping them save up to $300 a year to use for other household budget expenses.
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Northstar Navigator Ship Tour
Had the opportunity to meet up with the Captain and Chef of the Northstar Navigator ship that is docked downtown City of New London, Connecticut. I learned this ship was used to create an underwater noise reduction system (air bubble curtain).
The weighted Bubble Tubing is placed on the seabed and helps remove the effects of underwater noise to help marine life stay protected. The creation of the bubbled air wall of are created from generator type machines to remove the loud noise of drilling in the Ocean.
The ship has approximately 30 Crew members, living quarters, great size kitchen, lounge room and galley. |
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Funding Coming to Our District
Some great funding coming to Groton and New London to help our children:
$232,000 for Groton Public Schools to expand mental health support for students
A new children's urgent crisis center coming to New London
We will continue working hard to bring these types of programs to our community!
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Downtown Revitalization Funding for New London
City of New London, Connecticut AWARDED – $1,237,500 grant for Phase II Downtown Revitalization, Arts, Culture and Tourism: The historic The Day building will be redeveloped, including façade repairs, energy efficient upgrades, window repairs, and roof replacement.
Approximately 35 new residential units are planned, 20% of which will be affordable. Four new commercial spaces will be created, and a museum space to display the The Day’s historic newspaper collection. The project will remove an industrial facility to create a new public park which will serve as a conduit between the primary parking garage and State Street/Bank Street, opening movement and pedestrian flow throughout downtown.
Multiple beautification elements on city-owned land are also part of this project, including art installations, gateways, signage, and green space activation measures. |
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Protecting Seniors from Financial Exploitation
This year we passed Public Act 23-161. Governor Ned Lamont recently signed the bill protecting seniors from financial exploitation.
Specifically, this law authorizes financial institutions to temporarily suspend or hold transactions involving an account of an adult over the age of 60 if there is a reasonable suspicion of financial exploitation, which is defined as taking advantage of an eligible adult by another person or caretaker for monetary, personal, or other benefit, gain, or profit. When such cases occur, the financial institution should disclose the suspected abuse to the Connecticut Department of Banking or the Connecticut Department of Social Services, who will investigate the report and refer it to law enforcement authorities if appropriate.
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The law permits banks and credit unions to suspend or hold transactions on the account for up to 45 days. To encourage financial institutions to be vigilant in identifying these cases, those who act in good faith when suspending or holding a transaction will be immune from liability that might otherwise come from denying immediate access to an account holder’s money. This law takes effect July 1, 2024.
Cases of financial exploitation and fraud involving caretakers of seniors is far too common and can result in an older adult having their savings depleted or lost entirely.
We're protecting seniors from suspected cases of financial fraud, scams, and exploitation by authorizing financial institutions to temporarily suspend or hold transactions involving an account of an adult over the age of 60 if there is a reasonable suspicion of financial exploitation. This law takes effect July 1, 2024.
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Back to School
It's that time of year again!   
We made historic investments in education with millions of additional dollars allocated in the budget and a number of legislative measures that enhance Connecticut’s educational system. You can learn more here: shorturl.at/byIW9
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Sales Tax Free Week
This year's Sales Tax Free Week begins Sunday, August 20th through Saturday, August 26th. You can find a full list of individual items that are included here: tinyurl.com/4ea8x448 |
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What Does the PACT Act do for Veterans?
The PACT Act greatly expands access to health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs for millions of veterans who served near burn pits.
Millions of Americans proudly served and specifically the millions who served overseas in areas that used burn pits to dispose of waste, returned and experience issues in their breathing and pulmonary functions. These struggles became a way of life.
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For anyone who has ever filed a VA claim, they know that the first step to obtaining compensation for a given issue is the first step of ensuring that the VA recognizes that the injury or illness is “service-connected.” Otherwise, the road to compensation ends right there. Do not pass go, do not collect compensation. If the VA denies the illness or injury as “service connected” the VA will not rate the disability or give any percentage.
This new law instructs the VA to presume that certain respiratory illnesses and cancers are automatically service connected AND are presumed to be related to burn pit exposure. Even if the service member was a smoker.
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PACT Act Extension Deadline
EXTENDED DEADLINE: Veterans and survivors now have until Monday, August 14, 2023, 11:59PM
To file your PACT Act claim—or submit your intent to file—and be eligible for benefits backdated to August 10, 2022.
Take advantage of this extension and file now: www.va.gov/PACT |
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Rail Car Upgrades
New rail cars coming:
 A spacious two-by-two seating configuration
Easy access for passengers using mobility aids
Convenient overhead luggage racks
Foldable workstation tables
A bicycle storage area
Reliable Wi-Fi connection
Real-time information displays
Conveniently located power outlets and USB ports
Panoramic balcony-style windows giving an enhanced view
Learn more here: tinyurl.com/2w8vzw4c |
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Purple Heart Day
We celebrated Purple Heart Day this week honoring all American servicemembers who were injured or killed in combat.
The Purple Heart is the oldest military award – was created by George Washington in 1782 as one of our nation’s highest symbols of gratitude.
Need help with assistance in tracking down lost military service medals, including the Purple Heart you can reach out to us for assistance.
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Additional SNAP Benefits
This weekend, the Department of Social Services will provide additional SNAP food benefits to over 57,300 CT kids under the age of 6. Please feel free to send the information below out to constituents to let them know about the additional benefits along with other helpful resources.
~The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS), in consultation with the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), this week announced that $8.8 million in special food assistance benefits is scheduled to be distributed Sunday, August 13, 2023, to the families of 57,313 children under age 6 who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
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***Benefits will be deposited onto existing SNAP EBT cards on August 13, 2023, to over 42,635 households (57,313 eligible children) who were under age 6 and receiving SNAP benefits from DSS between September 1, 2022, and May 11, 2023. The one-time additional benefit is $172.72 per child who received SNAP benefits for the entire covered period.
Benefits can be used at any location that accepts SNAP/EBT cards, including farmers' markets and direct market farms. P-EBT participants also have access to eligible food purchases online through delivery or curbside pickup
We are also pleased to have other major food retailers – ACME, Aldi, Amazon, Big Y, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Food Bazaar, Geissler’s Supermarket, Price Chopper / Market 32, Price Rite, Sam’s Club Scan & Go, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Target, Walmart , and Whole Foods-- offering online purchasing of food with SNAP benefits in Connecticut. In addition, many of the retailers listed allow for online delivery through their store or with a partnership with Instacart.
Please note: only SNAP benefits on EBT cards can be used for online purchases.
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NLHSMMC Fall Sports Season
FYI: The 2023 NLHSMMC Fall Sports season starts this Monday 8/14! Read the below communication from Athletic Director Phil Orbe for more information, and visit https://www.familyid.com/organ.../new-london-school-district to register today! Go Whalers! |
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Absentee Ballot Applications
Are you going to be out of town during the September 12 primary election? You can request an Absentee Ballot application from your town clerk or online at:
https://oabr-sots.ct.gov/OABR/absenteeBallotReqPortalHome.do |
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“We’re in a children’s mental and behavior health crisis right now, which the pandemic exacerbated,” said Milstein, who served from 2000 to 2012 as the child advocate at the state Office of the Child Advocate, the independent agency tasked with overseeing the care and protection of children. “We’re seeing the needs increase, with youth suicides up and the age of children in those situations going down.”
A 2021 Connecticut School Health Survey found 14.1% of students in grades 9 through 12 said they “seriously considered” a suicide attempt during the previous 12 months, according to the state Department of Health. In the same survey, the percentage of actual suicide attempts among high school students demonstrated a declining trend from 2017 to 2021, decreasing from 8.1% to 5.9%.
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Newest K9 Member
City of New London, Connecticut Look who arrived today, it’s Reya, our newest K9 member!
Reya is a 16 month German Shephard.
Over the next few weeks, Officer Hajj and Reya will bond and acclimate to one another. Reya and Hajj will then begin their formal training!
Congratulations to Officer Hajj & Welcome Reya! @New London Police Department |
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Veterans Health Care
There’s a lot going on in VA health care. Here are some of our latest stories about Veterans and for Veterans. Find out how to apply for VA health care benefits. |
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Golden Owl Grand Opening
I had the great opportunity to attend the grand opening for The Golden Owl. Visit them on Golden St City of New London, Connecticut for a variety of whimsical and intriguing finds. Big thanks to The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut for the great pictures |
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Water Wars
Getting ready for the Water Wars this weekend. This day has no age restrictions.
Once I mentioned it they were on board  don't pause for a second.....these two may get y'all.
Water Wars is at Bates Woods Park City of New London, Connecticut August 13 - 2PM - 5PM
Come on down for some fun, food, friends & a fabulous time. |
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Agent Orange Awareness Day
Every day, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs remains committed to ensuring all Veterans and their family members receive the benefits and care they have earned. If you were exposed to Agent Orange, you may be eligible for disability compensation if both of these are true:
1. You have an illness that’s caused by exposure to Agent Orange,
2. You served in a location that exposed you to Agent Orange
Learn more: https://www.va.gov/.../hazardous-materials.../agent-orange |
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CT Summer at the Museum
Don't forget how children can get into 120 CT museums for free for summer 2023
The Connecticut Summer at the Museum program is back for the summer of 2023. It starts Saturday, July 1 and goes through Monday, Sept. 4.
Connecticut children who are 18 and under, along, with one accompanying adult, can receive free admission to any of the participating museums, including historic house museums, historic sites, historical societies, art museums, children’s museums, science centers, special-interest museums, natural history museums, university museums, arboretums/botanical gardens and zoos. |
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Connecticut Summer at the Museum is funded through a $10 million investment in federal COVID-19 recovery funding Connecticut received from the American Rescue Plan Act, thanks to the office of Governor Ned Lamont.
See the full list of participating museums online here.
https://www.ctvisit.com/.../connecticut-summer-museum... |
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Tenants Survey
We are collecting information in order to continue our work concerning housing issues. No information will be shared and it can be anonymous unless you leave your information./
Estamos reuniendo información para continuar nuestra labor en relación con las cuestiones de vivienda. No se compartirá ninguna información y puede ser anónima a menos que deje su información.
The Center: A Drop in Community Learning & Resource Center Inc |
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Looking at Legacy Event Today
You won’t want to miss our upcoming FREE event, “Looking at Legacy: Reflecting on Barkley L. Hendricks with Connecticut Arts Leaders.”
Regional art leaders and distinguished artists living and working in New London will reflect on Hendrick’s artistic legacy. The panel will consider his artistic contributions and resonance in this region, discussing the role of the humanities, teaching, community, race and representation, and the importance of art.
To learn more about our speakers and to register to participate either in person or virtually,
use the link here  bit.ly/43HgHE9. |
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Father Workshop
Calling the Dad's. Next Thursday, Aug 17th come on out For food, fun and prizes.
All those who have completed the Dr. Dad program will receive a $50 gift card. |
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| Back to School Sneaker Drive |
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We Are New London
It is with great enthusiasm that we announce the annual “We Are New London” parade which this year will take place on Sunday September 24 at 2pm on State Street. All participants are requested to meet to line up on Washington Street at 1pm.
The parade was born out of a desire to showcase the richness of our city’s diversity among its people. We are beautiful! We are strong! We are United! We are New London!
Once again, we are asking you to become part of this amazing event. It’s our time to write the narrative of New London by true New Londoners who deeply care about the city they love and call home. It’s our time to shine within our government, our businesses, our schools, our higher learning institutions, our families, and our young people!
We believe New London is more than what people hear or read. The people of our city, their beliefs, values, and cultures are what make us standout among other cities across Connecticut.
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| Sports Registration August 10 - 24 |
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Artists Wanted!
City Of New London Quinn & Hary Marketing is looking for an artist who can make from scratch or improve upon this 20-year-old model of City of New London, Connecticut that we currently have in our office.
Please PM us here or email karen@quinnandhary.com if you are interested or know of anyone who might be. |
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Local Jobs at the Community Center Project
Looking to get into a unionized registered apprenticeship program?
Message us today to get started!!! |
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If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me at my Capitol office at 860-240-8512 or email me at Anthony.Nolan@cga.ct.gov. Don't forget to "Like" my official Facebook page and follow me on Twitter for news and legislative updates.
Sincerely,
Anthony Nolan
State Representative |
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