Dear Neighbor,

It’s going to be another cold weekend, with severely cold temperatures expected Saturday night into Sunday afternoon. Please take care of yourselves, check on neighbors who may need help, make sure the most vulnerable among us have safe shelter, and don’t forget about our pets, too. These conditions can be dangerous.

Our regularly scheduled monthly coffee hour is tomorrow at the Ditty Bag in Mystic, from 10 a.m. to noon.

With the 2026 legislative session now underway, this is a great time to stop by and share your ideas, thoughts, and concerns about issues that matter to you. Or simply come by to say hello — that works too.

This week’s newsletter also includes a helpful guide on how to track bills on the CGA website, follow legislative activity, and even testify at a public hearing. I hope you’ll take a look and get involved.

I’ve also kept the section about the Access Health CT Special Enrollment Period, which is now open.

• On Campus, Around the 41st District
• Severe Cold Weather Alert, Watch Pets
• Tracking Bills On CGA Website
• Chime Foundation Scholarships
• New AHCT Special Enrollment Period is Open
• February: A Month of Awareness
• ...And Celebration
• Dept. of Transportation News
• Vets Resources & Updates
• Community Events
   

Do not hesitate to contact me with any thoughts or concerns you may have at Aundre.Bumgardner@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267.

Have a great weekend,

Sincerely,

Aundré Bumgardner
State Representative
 

It's easier than ever to follow along and get involved. There are several resources you can utilize that will help you stay updated on the legislative process as it unfolds in Hartford.

Here's how you can stay connected and actively participate:  

• The Office of Legislative Research (OLR) provides nonpartisan and unbiased research to members of the General Assembly and its staff. Part of OLR's duties include writing bill analyses, which are summaries of bills in plain language. 
• You can view the Connecticut General Assembly's upcoming events by checking out its schedule on the CGA official website. 
• Follow CT-N for live coverage of committee meetings, press conferences, as well as House and Senate floor debates. 
• Click here to register to monitor any bill's journey as it goes through the legislative process. By signing up, you can enter the bill number and receive real-time updates. Stay informed with email notifications whenever there's a change. 
• Click here for information on how to testify on a bill at a public hearing.

Together, we can ensure all voices are heard. 

Customers who qualify for this Special Enrollment Period include: 

• Households with an annual income between 100% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), who are not already enrolled in the Covered CT Program. These customers will receive a state subsidy to replace 100% of the expired federal enhanced premium tax credit amounts.
• Households with an annual income over 400% and up to 500% FPL. These customers will receive a state subsidy to replace 50% of the federal enhanced premium tax credit amounts that have expired.  

Eligible customers who have already enrolled or plan to enroll in a 2026 health plan will see a credit applied to their carrier bill.
 
It’s important to note that while customers will not see the state subsidy amount in AHCT’s online system until all updates have been made in the coming weeks, all eligible customers will soon receive a notice in the mail from AHCT with the amount of their state subsidy.

Insurance companies will send consumers updated premium bills with the credit for the state subsidy amount. This manual process will begin soon, in advance of the system updates to be implemented in the coming weeks.

Free help to sign up is available online, in person, and over the phone.
 
Customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com and click the “Get Help” button on the homepage to find the option that works best for them—including scheduling an appointment, finding a nearby Navigator site or working with a Certified Broker in their area.
 
AHCT has expanded its Navigator program to include six locations around the state and introduced a new Mobile Enrollment Team that supports community events and assists with in-person enrollment, available in English and Spanish.
 
To get help over the phone, customers can call 1-855-805-4325 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Help is available in over 100 languages.
 
Customers who are deaf or hearing-impaired may use a TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.
 
For free help online, customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com. They can also chat live with a customer service representative by clicking the “Live Chat” icon on the website. Live chat is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Bridge Joint repairs Over Mystic River on I-95 in Mystic

Bridge joint repairs over the Mystic River on I-95 in Mystic, with single lane closures, are scheduled through Thursday, March 20, 2026, from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that bridge joint repairs will be performed over the Mystic River on Interstate 95 in Mystic. The bridges are located between Exits 89 and 90.

The work is scheduled through Thursday, March 20, 2026, from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. This project is being performed to maintain the structural integrity of the bridges and ensure the continued safety of the traveling public.

The repairs will be performed by Hammonasset Construction.

LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO

There will be a single lane closure on I-95 northbound and southbound, between Exits 89 and 90, during the scheduled work hours. Traffic control signing patterns and crash units will guide motorists safely through the work zone. 

CTDOT urges motorists to maintain a safe speed, follow posted signage, and be alert to construction personnel and equipment when traveling through the area.

• Your DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is critical for accessing VA benefits. Here’s how to obtain a copy:
• Check with your Town Clerk – Many veterans file their DD 214 with their local town clerk.
• Contact CT Veterans Affairs – They have an archive of 130,000 DD 214s. Email oaa.dva@ct.gov for assistance.
• Submit a Request to the National Archives – The fastest way is online: Request Here
• If Needed for Burial or Military Honors – Funeral directors have priority retrieval access.

• Groton – 2nd & 4th Friday of the month, 9 a.m. – 11 AM
• Groton Public Library – 52 Newtown Road
•  Mystic – 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month, 9 AM – 11 AM
• Mystic Congregational Church – 43 East Main Street
• Pawcatuck – 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month, 9 AM – 11 AM
• Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center – 27 Chase Street

For more locations and information, contact:
Gina King, Director, Senior Volunteer Services
gking@tvcca.org |  860-425-6617

If you have any issues, concerns, or ideas related to veteran services, military families, or legislative priorities, please feel free to reach out to my office. Your service and sacrifices deserve to be honored with the best support possible.