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| Dear Friend,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of September 22.
If you prefer to watch rather than read, click on the play button to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter. |
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My schedule is packed for the next few days with local and statewide events (September is flying by in a blur). Some of these are part of the leadup to a special session the legislature is holding next Tuesday, September 26. Most of the agenda for that session is election-focused, including: moving the presidential primary date up to the first Tuesday in April, improving and clarifying procedures for recounts, and allowing candidates more flexibility in raising funds online, among other things.
In preparation for that session, and to get the juices flowing for the upcoming 2024 regular session, my caucus (which means House Democrats) is holding a series of events in the southeast part of the state, including the State Pier in New London and the Mashantucket Pequot Museum in Ledyard. That’s a bit of a long drive for us out in the northwest corner, so Representative Michelle Cook and I will ride out together and catch up. Despite the long drive, it is always good to see my colleagues from across the state in person, catch up on professional and family news, and have the opportunity to speak casually about our legislative priorities for the upcoming term.
On Friday there are two events related to housing in our corner, which I hope will build support and provoke lots of constructive conversation about how to make more housing available and affordable in our region. The first is a groundbreaking for Sarum Village III in Salisbury (at 3pm on Friday). As the Roman numerals indicate, I and II have been successful and in demand, so I’m looking forward to officially opening up more housing units in our town.
The second is also in Salisbury: an event sponsored by the Salisbury Forum, focusing on Housing + Jobs + Conservation. That is a really important confluence of themes for our region. People who work here (including those who teach our children, take care of our health, staff our grocery stores, serve us in restaurants, etc, etc.) have a hard time affording housing here, and often must travel long distances to get to work, which in turn is hard on local businesses. We are fortunate to have a strong conservation record in terms of protected land, but sometimes that makes finding sites for housing even harder. Getting the business community, the conservation community, and the housing community together to figure out how to work together, and to hear how other regions are tackling this challenge, will make for an interesting and valuable conversation.
And a quick plug for our personal health, and that of our environment. Having spent some time in a kayak on Lake Waramaug last weekend, I can attest to the connection between personal health and being outside communing with bald eagles, cormorants, herons, and lots of ducks, and the need to make sure we keep our lakes healthy and protected from invasive species which can throttle an entire ecosystem. And, I had a mammogram and ultrasound (some women with dense tissue, like me, need both), a flu vaccine and the new COVID booster, so I feel like I’ve checked a few boxes on my fall to do list. If that’s sounds like something on your list, make those appointments!
A couple of other upcoming events this weekend to highlight:
- Connecticut Antique Machinery Association’s Fall Festival 9/22-24 in Kent
- Sharon Playhouse current production of Our Town, which ends on Sunday, 9/24 (I’m planning to catch the matinee that day – maybe I’ll see you there)
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Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- Minimum Wage Increase. Click here.
- Deep Announces Urban Forestry Planning Grant. Click here.
- Foundation for Community Health Capacity Building Grant Program. Click here.
- McCall Behavioral Health Celebrates Workplace Excellence. Click here.
- CT Clean Energy & Connectivity Incentives Calculator. Click here.
- CTParks Launces New Website. Click here.
- Region 20 Rebrand. Click here.
- Upcoming Events. Click here.
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| The state minimum wage will increase to $15.69 on January 1, 2024 and becomes indexed to the employment cost index and will adjust accordingly annually moving forward. This newly enacted adjustment is required under a state law Governor Lamont signed in 2019 (Public Act 19-4), which implemented five incremental increases in the minimum wage between 2019 and 2023, followed by future adjustments that are tied to the percentage change in the federal employment cost index. Beginning on January 1, 2024, and occurring annually each January 1 thereafter, the state’s minimum wage will be adjusted according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s calculation of the employment cost index for the twelve-month period ending on June 30 of the preceding year. The law requires the commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor to review this percentage change and then announce any adjustments by October 15 of each year. The minimum wage adjustments become effective on the next January 1. |
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The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce the Urban and Community Forestry Planning Grant Program with support from the U.S. Forest Service. This grant program is available to municipalities and non-profit organizations in Connecticut to pursue planning projects such as tree inventories, management plans, or other monitoring programs that will help communities make informed management decisions about their urban and community forests.
The Urban and Community Forestry Planning Grant Program currently has $150,000 available to assist with planning projects. It will be the first of DEEP’s Urban and Community Forestry grant programs to use an online grant application. This online application is intended to improve the application submission experience, expedite the sub-award process, and increase access to grant programs especially for organizations and municipalities that are new to grant writing.
More grant funding is becoming available in early 2024. Through support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Urban Forest Resilience Grant Program, the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as $500,000 allocated through the Governor’s budget, nearly $3 million in total will be available in sub-grants through 2028. Funds will help local communities implement urban forestry projects and support efforts to increase urban forest cover by 5% in environmental justice communities by 2040 as required under Public Act 23-206. Additional grant programs will provide funding for restoration of urban riparian corridors, tree removal and replacement, and efforts to increase tree cover in environmental justice areas.
Those interested in learning more about the Urban and Community Forestry Planning Grant program should go here: Urban and Community Forestry Planning Grant Program (ct.gov). The deadline for applications is October 24th, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Anyone with questions on this grant opportunity is encouraged to send questions to DEEP.UCF.Grants@ct.gov by September 26th to inform a frequently asked questions document that will be published on the DEEP Grants website by September 29th.
Applicants interested in learning about the various urban forestry grant opportunities that will be available in the near future are encouraged to attend the Urban and Community Forestry Program’s Grant Office Hours to ask specific questions about the grant categories, application development, and submission process. More information on these grant opportunities, including eligibility criteria and grant office hours, can be found here.
Green infrastructure uses vegetation, soil, and other elements and practices to restore some of the natural processes required to manage water and create healthier urban environments. At the city or county scale, green infrastructure is a patchwork of natural areas that provides habitat, flood protection, cleaner air, and cleaner water. At the neighborhood or site scale, stormwater management systems mimic nature to soak up and store water. DEEP has multiple grant programs that can support green infrastructure projects in communities. Check out the sites below to learn more.
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Application deadline is September 30 with funding decisions made no later than October 31.
The Capacity Building Grant Program was created in 2021 to support the organizational health of nonprofits serving our community. Organizations can submit requests between $5,000 and $15,000. For more details about the program and application process, visit their website.
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| Congratulations to McCall Behavioral Health for earning Top Workplace honor for the sixth consecutive year. This is a testament to their positive and supportive culture and the dedication they have to their employees. Additionally, they have been designated as a certified Recovery Friendly Workplace. We are lucky to have this organization serving our community. |
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The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) recently posted a Request for Public Comment on a draft RFP. The draft RFP is for companies to develop a Connecticut Clean Energy & Connectivity Incentives Calculator. This online tool will showcase state, federal, and municipal incentives supporting deployment of clean energy, energy efficiency, demand response capabilities, and internet connectivity.
By way of this Notice, DEEP is providing an opportunity for interested persons to submit written comments on the draft RFP. DEEP is hopeful this tool will help the market to access and stack available incentives.
The RFP is in draft form and is being issued for public comment. DEEP is not accepting proposals at this time. Parties submitting proposals prematurely may be disqualified when the final RFP is issued.
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As you well know, Connecticut is home to an abundance of beautiful State Parks and Forests that add considerable value to the quality of life in our State, not to mention provide significant regional tourism and economic benefits. People from near and far have discovered or rediscovered Connecticut’s State Parks in the past several years, and it shows: we welcomed 17 million visitors to the Parks just last year!
Our Parks deserve to be showcased in a way that promotes their beauty and unique qualities and helps people discover and access them, including other exciting things to do in the area before or after their visit. This new website, funded through an American Rescue Plan Act grant via the U.S. Economic Development Administration, provides that functionality with many exciting options to navigate on the site including:
- A user-friendly ParkFinder Tool that helps users identify nearby Parks based on their current location;
- An event management system that highlights activities happening in and around the Parks;
- A user-generated content feature that captures social media content shared by actual visitors to the Parks;
- A “While You’re Here” function that highlights nearby restaurants, shops, hotels, and attractions (my current favorite feature);
- ADA and multi-language support; and much more.
Click here to visit the website. |
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| After months of ideas, creations, feedback, and new edits, the district is excited to release the final draft of Region 20 Branding. The Region 20 Long Term Planning Committee has sent these branding designs to the full Board of Education for potential approval on September 28, 2023. We welcome all feedback in advance of that meeting. |
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| Sarum Village III Groundbreaking Ceremony |
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Salisbury Affordable Housing Commission
This forum will explore how towns and local organizations can expand housing affordability while balancing other important issues, including land conservation.
The forum will be facilitated by Steve Rosenberg, co-convener Hudson Valley Affordable Housing & Conservation Strategy, formerly of Scenic Hudson.
Panelists include Jocelyn Ayer, Litchfield County Center for Housing Opportunity (LCCHO); Michael Polemis, Chair, Land Trust Alliance; and Gordon Ridgway, First Selectman, Cornwall, CT.
Click here to learn more.
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| Norfolk Haystack Book Festival
The annual Haystack Book Festival will run from September 29 through October 1. The festival brings together writers and thinkers to explore new ideas in literature and the arts. |
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| Project SAGE Annual Community Vigil |
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| CT Antique Machinery Fall Festival |
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Norfolk Land Trust – Haystack Mountain Challenge
Registration is now open for the 10th Annual Haystack Mountain Challenge
Sunday, October 1
Race lengths: half-marathon, 10k, and 5k
More information can be found on their website: https://www.norfolklandtrust.org/events
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Salisbury Fall Festival on October 6-8
Salisbury’s annual fall festival is around the corner on Friday, October 6 through Sunday, October 8. As always, there will be lots of activities and events for people of all ages, and more will be added in the days ahead. For the full schedule, see https://www.salisburyfallfestival.org/
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| Electric Cars: Easier and Cheaper Than you Think on October 11
The field of clean cars has increased greatly since the Kent Memorial Library’s last lecture on this topic, with even more hybrid and electric cars coming for 2024. And many of these models qualify for the new $7,500 in tax credit, with some dealers also paying for home charger installation. Bottom line: Things having gotten easier, and cheaper.
Host Michael Jay has spent much of the past four years driving on electricity, and he has real-world insights and advice to share. This informal, interactive session will address some common myths and misunderstandings, and will try to answer your questions. You can register for the event here: https://www.kentmemoriallibrary.org/event-registration/?ee=4625 |
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| Take Back the Hike with Project Sage and Kent Land Trust on October 14 |
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| Save the Date: Region 1 Flu Shot Clinic |
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| 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.
Click here to forward to forward this email to a friend. |
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| Sincerely,
Maria Horn
State Representative |
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