Legislative Update October 13

October 13, 2023

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Over the past few days we have seen the tragedy that has gripped Israel, and I would like to share a quote with you that I believe best summarizes my feelings.

“Our hearts may be broken, but our resolve is clear” - President Joe Biden

There are many of us who know Americans currently in Israel and the Palestinian territories, including those who call Connecticut home, and they are in need of accurate and up-to-date information about how to stay safe and get in contact with the U.S. Embassy.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy has shared this information with my staff, and I have included this information further in this week’s email. We appreciate Sen. Murphy making this information and resources available, and we strongly encourage you to proactively share these with any family and friends that are traveling in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza or who have questions about the current situation. You may also reach out to me on cell phone (203-397-6167) if you require any assistance or information on the situation.

As always, I write this message with our community foremost in my mind, and further in this week’s newsletter I have also included information on the funding I have helped secure for our city and state, local events, and resources I hope will be useful to you and your family.

RESOURCES FOR ISRAEL

The events that have taken place in Israel are simply heartbreaking. Thousands of innocent people, including Americans, have lost their lives in the senseless violence. Many others have been hurt or lost family and friends. Thousands of Americans are in Isreal right now, and many are seeking to safely leave the country.

Please share the resources below with anyone who may be in the region.

The Department of State has an around-the-clock coordinating group communicating with U.S. citizens and providing them assistance through phone calls and an online form. U.S. citizens seeking to be in touch with the U.S. Embassy in Israel can call 1-833-890-9595 or 1-606-641-0131.

For the latest updates from the Department of State, please monitor the messages to U.S. citizens from the U.S. Embassy in Israel here.

The State Department has asked that any U.S. citizens in Israel enroll their contact information in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). You can complete enrollment online here. Enrolling in STEP allows you receive important information about safety conditions and assists the Embassy, family, and friends in contacting you during an emergency.

The State Department is continuously updating their international travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. Those updates can be found on their website here.

FUNDING FOR STAMFORD

The State Bond Commission approved funding for several Stamford projects, including the Avon Theatre during its meeting last Friday. Over the next few weeks, I will highlight all of the projects that received funding and the impact they will have on our community. Thank you to the State Bond Commission for their consideration of Stamford!

REGISTER NOW FOR DISCOUNT PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM

You are now eligible to sign up for ArrayRx, a prescription drug discount card program that provides up to 80% off certain prescriptions at nearly all pharmacies in the state. It's a free service without any age or income restrictions to join.

Visit the ArrayRx web site and enter your:

name
email address
birth date
home address
zip code

After signing up, you will be emailed a digital discount card.

PAYING DOWN PENSION DEBT

Connecticut transferred more than $1.3 billion to pay down its long-term pension debt.

Since the legislature enacted the state’s “fiscal guardrails” in 2017, more than $7 billion in excess contributions captured from volatile revenue sources have been made to pay down pension debt, resulting in far-reaching savings for Connecticut taxpayers.

Future generations will save more than $600 million per year over the next 25 years while supporting retirement benefits for teachers, state troopers, nurses, correction officers and more.

While enormous progress has been made in addressing our long-term liabilities, more work remains. What we have achieved is benefitting taxpayers today and long into the future.

FUNDING FOR NEW VOTING MACHINES

The machines we use in elections are what keeps democracy going! Connecticut's existing machines, which were first put into use in 2006, are beginning to show signs of aging. These funds will be used to purchase new ballot-counting tabulators for use in elections and primaries statewide.

VETERAN'S CORNER

Attention all veterans - On Monday, November 20, there will be a Veterans Appreciation Thanksgiving Lunch at the Government Center, 888 Washington Blvd, 4th Floor in Stamford. I will join other elected officials to serve lunch to those who have served. Please check out the flyer for more information.

My colleagues and I in the Stamford Patriotic and Special Events Commission would like to invite you to the Stamford Veterans Day Parade and the subsequent ceremony at Stamford Veterans Memorial Park.

This year’s parade promises to be an exciting and meaningful event, and we would be honored to have
you in attendance!

LOCAL EVENTS

In light of the recent horrific terrorist attacks in Israel, the City of Stamford will be raising the Israeli flag outside the Government Center on Monday, October 16th at 9:30 am.

I wanted to invite you to the 3rd Annual #KeepKidsSafe Connecticut Statewide Gun Buyback & Gun Safe Giveaway Day. This year's event will be held Saturday, October 28 between 9am - 3pm (please note, times change based on location) at the following locations:

Guilford Police Department (400 Church St, 10am - 1pm)
Hartford Police Department (50 Jennings Rd, 10am - 3pm)
Meriden Police Department (30 Butler St, 10am - 1pm)
Middletown Police Department (7735 Main St, 10am - 1pm)
Newtown Police Department (191 S Main St, 10am - 1pm)
Norwalk Police Department (1 Monroe St, 10am - 1pm)
Stamford Police Department (725 Bedford St, 10am - 2pm)
Waterbury Police Department Training Center (240 Bank St, 9am - 1pm)

The gun buyback and gun safe giveaway day helps residents dispose of unwanted and unsecured weapons, and make money in the process.
Buybacks will provide gift cards to individuals in the following amounts:

$200 for assault weapons
$100 for pistols and revolvers
$50 for rifles and shotguns
$25 for single and double shot handguns and any type of black powdered guns

The most recent data shows that Americans are dying of gun-related injuries at a record rate, including a record number of both gun murders and gun suicides.

Though Connecticut has made great progress on reducing gun deaths, there is still work to be done, and that is what this event is all about. If you have unwanted and unsecured weapons, I hope you'll go to this critical event.

B1C's Community Day

Join Building One Community (B1C) for Community Day on Sunday, October 22! B1C welcomes all immigrant neighbors for this free fall event to connect as a community and take advantage of some big opportunities such as:

Free Flu Vaccines for Adults (Pre-Registration Required)
Kids Dance Lessons & Arts and Crafts
Registration for Programs & Services
Live Immigration Legal Q&A
Giveaways & More!

To Register for Vaccines, call (203) 674-8585 X127. Leave your name and phone number to receive a call from B1C to schedule your appointment on this day.

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

Sincerely,