Weekly Update March 21st

March 21, 2024


 
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Friends and Neighbors,

I hope this message finds you well. It's March Madness time! The UConn Huskies are the overall top seed in the men's tournament and are the favorite to win it all! The UConn women are a No. 3 seed and are no strangers to the postseason. No matter who you cheer for, I hope you enjoy the games.

In this week's newsletter, I have included information to help those with unpaid utility balances as well as an update on one of our top priorities this session: protecting seniors. Please note that early voting in the CT presidential preference primary begins next week.

Have a great weekend,
Travis


 
 
HELP WITH UNPAID UTILITY BALANCES
Utility companies have started reaching out to residential customers with unpaid balances to sign up for payment plans to avoid interruption in their current services.

Those with financial hardships or medical issues due to a serious illness have not been eligible for termination due to nonpayment since March 2020, which stems from the COVID-19 pandemic, and a longstanding 

statutory moratorium that annually safeguards Connecticut residents from winter shut-offs from November 1 to May 1.   

If you get one of these notices, my office can work with you to help contact utility companies directly to set up a payment plan to avoid service disruption. These plans charge no interest, and all customers qualify at least once for one or more of the plans. Please see the graphics below for contact information for the utility companies and the available payment plan options for eligible customers.
After connecting with utility companies, customers may additionally contact PURA’s customer affairs unit for specific questions regarding payment arrangements. As a reminder, utility companies will never call threatening to shut off power and demanding immediate payment. Please reach out if you have any questions, comments, or feedback.
 
HB 5001 - PROTECTING AND PRIORTIZING SENIORS
This is great news.

The Aging Committee approved

HB 5001, an omnibus bill that provides further support to our seniors. 

This proposal is a priority of ours in the House, and I am happy to share that it is progressing through the legislative process. Unfortunately, issues impacting seniors are often ignored. Our elderly residents need support and access to resources that will provide them with the best quality of life possible. HB 5001 does this by: 
  • Requiring additional training for home care workers 
  • Creating a more efficient process for accessing Medicaid
  • Expanding the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Click here to read an article that looks at additional details of the bill. 
Our aging population faces a growing list of challenges that are not isolated incidents. As our society gets older, these issues will only become more pronounced. HB 5001 not only acknowledges these issues but also paves the way for crucial improvements. This legislation will ensure that our seniors will age gracefully. Next stop, the House Floor!
 
REMINDER: EARLY VOTING STARTS NEXT WEEK
Early voting for the 2024 presidential preference primary begins next week. This is important. Remember, every vote counts! Please take a moment to click on the image below for more details, including polling locations.
 
 
CELEBRATING ONE OF CONNECTICUT'S OWN
CT women are trailblazers. Here is a look at even more of Colonel Lucas’s achievements:
 
Volunteered to teach English to Japanese students while stationed in Japan 
Received a master’s degree in educational psychology from Columbia University
Spent the 1960s setting up literacy programs for servicemen
 Served as Director of Urban Services at Washington Technical Institute, later becoming the Dean of Physical Science, Engineering & Technology
 
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Please click on the image for more details.

As always, feel free to call me at 1-800-842-8267 or email me at Travis.Simms@cga.ct.gov if you have any questions or concerns. Also, please like my official Facebook Page for regular updates.

Sincerely,

Travis Simms
State Representative
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