Kara Rochelle

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) today announced that it has issued a ruling that will extend the enrollment period for the COVID-19 Payment Program for non-residential utility customers through November 1, 2020. The enrollment period for the program for both residential and non-residential utility customers will now extend through November 1.

This week, 250,000 unemployed workers in Connecticut became eligible to receive another $300 a week as part of the federal disaster aid program. Existing Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claimants have already self-certified and do not need to do anything to receive the additional benefit.

After nearly 6 months out of school buildings, students, teachers and paraprofessionals returned to school this week and last week. Thank you to the administrators and teachers at Ansonia and Derby schools who dedicated countless hours of planning and creative thinking to implement a reopening plan that safeguards the health of students, educators, families, and our communities. School leaders have taken great care to ensure students, staff, and faculty can learn and teach in a safe environment.

On Monday the chairs of the Energy and Technology Committee unveiled the "Take Back Our Grid Act." The legislation seeks to hold Connecticut utilities responsible and provide stronger protections for ratepayers.

State Representative Kara Rochelle (D – Ansonia/Derby) has secured $500,000 for a building demolition project in downtown Ansonia.

State Representative Kara Rochelle (D – Ansonia/Derby) coordinated an effort earlier in June to advocate for federal funds for Connecticut's small- and mid-sized hospitals that were excluded from vital financial assistance provided through the $10 billion COVID-19 High Impact Allocation.

Last week the Connecticut Department of Housing announced $33 million in federal and state funds will be allocated to help renters, homeowners, and residential landlords impacted by the global pandemic with housing costs.