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This week, we were back at the Capitol and the Connecticut legislature voted in a Special Session to move up the the state's presidential primary up by four weeks, voted to confirm the nominee for the state Supreme Court, and took steps to secure elections. It was good to reconnect with my colleagues from all over the state and start sharing our priorities for the next session.
Looking forward, a new set of laws will take effect on Sunday, October 1. I will highlight some of those laws below.
Some Eversource customers are eligible for a massive discount. I'll break down how you can qualify.
And be sure to take a look at how we're celebrating numerous milestones in our community!
Below you will find the following sections and topics in this week's email. Keep scrolling down until you find the topic you are looking for:
- CT's Presidential Primary Moved Up by Four Weeks
- CT's Supreme Court Nominee Confirmed
- Laws Effective October 1
- New Electric Bill Discount Available in December
- Free COVID-19 Tests Available
- Anniversary Celebrations in Tariffville
- 50th Anniversary for the Cobb School
- Simsbury Veterans Memorial Pavers Application
- Community Events
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| CT's Presidential Primary Moved Up by Four Weeks |
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During Tuesday’s Special Session, we took a bipartisan proposal and moved the state's presidential primary up by four weeks. It will occur on the first Tuesday in April.
We made this decision after carefully considering how moving the primary would benefit Connecticut voters. By advancing the primary date, we aim to increase our influence in the national political landscape and encourage more candidates to visit us during the 2024 campaign season.
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The bipartisan support for this important bill serves as a powerful testament to our unwavering commitment to upholding democracy and ensuring that every single voice has a meaningful opportunity to be heard and valued.
As we move forward, I encourage you to stay informed about the upcoming presidential primary and actively participate in the democratic process. Your vote matters and your voice deserves to be heard.
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| CT Supreme Court Nominee Confirmed |
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As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I had the opportunity to meet with Attorney Dannehy to discuss the Judicial Branch and her application as well as participate in the Judiciary Public Hearing and Committee Meeting on her candidacy last week. I am confident that her experience, analysis, and academic rigor will be an asset to the state.
I'm looking forward to working on the Judiciary Committee to ensure that future nominees to the Superior Court come from diverse backgrounds and have a diversity of life and professional experiences as well as qualifications with a particular focus on state court experience.
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A number of new laws that were passed during the 2023 legislative session are effective on Sunday, October 1. New laws include:
- wrong-way driving prevention with a test program on 120 highway exit ramps that are determined high risk for wrong-way drivers
- prohibiting open carrying of firearms (does not prohibit concealed carry) and limiting permit holders to three firearms purchases per month
- charging any adult over the age of 25 with a Class A misdemeanor for intentionally targeting a minor through online communication with the purpose of exploiting or abusing that child
- making confessions obtained through deceptive and coercive interrogation methods inadmissible in court, unless prosecutors can prove they were voluntary and uncoerced
- increasing the age to which a court may issue support services for adult children with certain disabilities, from 21 up to 26
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These are just some of the laws, click on the button below for the full list.
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Your calls, emails, and testimony at public hearings during this year's legislative session had a direct influence on these new laws. Thank you for your input, and please continue sharing your views and making your voice heard during our legislative process.
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| New Electric Bill Discount Available in December |
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Beginning December 1, 2023, a new electric bill discount will be available if you have a financial hardship status on your Eversource electric account. Based on your household income or receipt of a public assistance benefit, you may be eligible for a 10% or 50% discount off your electric bill per month. Your discount will depend on your annual household income for all adults over 18 or receipt of a public assistance benefit for at least one household member.
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You must apply for or verify the financial hardship status on your electric account before the new hardship year begins on November 1. This will prevent service shut-off and ensure that you get a discount. This verification is required annually.
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| Free COVID-19 Tests Available |
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The federal government is once again allowing every household to order COVID-19 tests for free at COVIDtests.gov. You can place an order right now to receive four free COVID-19 rapid tests that will be delivered to your home. According to The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), the goal is to be prepared for the fall and winter seasons.
The ASPR is also distributing free at-home tests to schools, nursing homes, community health centers, rural health clinics, food banks, and other locations to make sure communities have widespread access to COVID-19 tests.
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These tests will detect the currently circulating COVID-19 variants, are intended to be used through the end of 2023, and will include clear instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates.
There are numerous other options to get tested for free, such as free community-based testing sites, including pharmacies, across Connecticut and the rest of the country. I encourage you to contact a HRSA health center, Test to Treat site, or ICATT location near you to learn how to access low or no cost COVID-19 tests provided by the federal government.
The mission of the ASPR is to assist the country in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from public health emergencies and disasters.
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| Anniversary Celebrations in Tariffville |
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I was honored to join the anniversary celebrations for two great institutions in Tariffville. 150 years for Trinity Church and 20 years for the Tariffville Village Association! It was a beautiful day with so many dedicated volunteers who help make Tariffville such a special place!
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| 50th Anniversary for the Cobb School |
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| I was honored to join The Cobb School, Montessori to commemorate its 50th anniversary and honor its founder, Mary Lou Cobb, and her vision that became a beloved institution. So happy to present them with an official citation from the General Assembly. |
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| The children showed off their vocal skills with their renditions of the "Tree Song" and "Light a Candle for Peace," honoring International Peace Day. |
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| Simsbury Veterans Memorial Pavers Application |
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| The Simsbury Veterans Memorial Committee is accepting applications for the Veterans Paver Program. The veteran being honored does not have to be from Simsbury or from Connecticut. |
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| To download the application, please click here. For more information, please contact John Fox at jrfoxx@comcast.net or call (860) 658-0388. The deadline to send in your application is September 30, 2023. |
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The Simsbury Historical Society (SHS) has hosting its annual Scarecrow Day event to Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 10 A.M. - 3 P.M. The SHS supplies all of the frames, clothing, faces, and straw for your scarecrow.
$20 for the first scarecrow; $15 for each additional scarecrow. No pre-registration needed.
Click here to email the event organizers or call the Simsbury Historical Society at (860) 658-2500 if you are interested.
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| The Simsbury Public Library is inviting students in 9-12th grades to join a three-week course where they will learn how a sewing machine works, simple sewing skills, and a completed project by the end of the workshop. |
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