Maria Horn

This is my State Capitol update for the week of March 22.

If you prefer to watch rather than read, click on the play button to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter.

• Ag Day at the Capitol. Click here. 
• Early Voting. Click here. 
• Food Waste Prevention Week. Click here.
• Public Hearing Schedule. Click here. 
• Upcoming Events. Click here.  

This proposal is a priority of the House, and I am thrilled it is progressing through the legislative process. 

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 of 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 explores 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 complexities but also paves the way for crucial improvements. This legislation will ensure that our seniors will age gracefully. Next stop, the House Floor!

In recognition of the need to end food loss and waste at home, at work, and in the community, the Salisbury/Sharon Transfer Station and the Transfer Station Recycling Advisory Committee (TRAC) support Food Waste Prevention Week 2024, joining more than 600 partners across the country. Food Waste Prevention Week, April 1-7, 2024, is a week-long awareness campaign to inform and inspire everyone to reduce food waste through smart buying, storing, and planning, and by getting food waste out of the garbage. Click here to learn more: https://www.foodwastepreventionweek.com/

Transfer Station Drop-Off Site Reminders

• Use only BPI certified biodegradable bags for your food waste. NO PLASTIC BAGS.
• Fill toters to the top with your food waste bags before starting a new one.
• Notify staff if there is no room in the toters. Empty toters are stored nearby, but in an area restricted to residents.

Broadband Deployment
Many of the towns in our District have neighborhoods that were never connected to wired high-speed internet because the houses are so far apart that it wasn't profitable for the internet providers. This new grant program will allow towns to pay for the costs of connecting those homes. The State of Connecticut is making nearly $41 million available to fund projects that expand broadband infrastructure and improve internet connectivity in the state.
 
The funding comes from the state’s portion of American Rescue Plan Act Capital Project Fund dollars and is being administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) through its ConneCTed Communities Grant Program. The purpose of this competitive grant program is to improve access to high-speed internet in the state by funding the construction and deployment of broadband infrastructure designed to support the goal of universal access to affordable, resilient, and reliable broadband.
 
To maximize its impact, the program will prioritize underserved areas, focusing on those who have historically faced barriers to digital access. Projects must be designed to connect residents and businesses to internet access with speeds of at least 100 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads and 100Mbps for uploads. Applicants must be eligible to receive capital project funds, including local governments, private entities, and nonprofit organizations. Partnerships between public and private entities are encouraged.
 
Applications are now being accepted and must be submitted to DEEP by April 30, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. A webinar will be held on March 20, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. to provide potential applicants with more information on the program.
 
For information on the application process and the webinar, visit portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Energy/Broadband-Deployment/ConneCTed-Communities-Grant-Program
 
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Challenge Process
The BEAD Program Challenge Process will begin accepting challenges on April 1, 2024.
 
The Challenge Process gives stakeholders in Connecticut the opportunity to identify and correct inaccuracies on the broadband map. The updated map will determine which locations are eligible for funding through the BEAD program. Eligible challengers include local governments, tribal governments, nonprofits, and broadband service providers. While National Telecommunications and Information Administration program requirements do not allow individuals to submit challenges directly, residents of Connecticut are encouraged to work with eligible challengers to identify inaccuracies.
 
For more information on the BEAD Program Challenge Process, visit portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Energy/Broadband-Deployment/BEAD-Program

Join Michelle Horton for a presentation and discussion of her new book, a deeply personal story about what it takes to be believed and the danger of keeping truths hidden.
Representatives from Project SAGE, and Larissa Vreeland, a member of the Nicole Addimando Community Defense Committee, will be on hand for the discussion to follow.

Click here to learn more. 

Cornwall Child Center's Flannel Fling

The Child Center's Flannel Fling is coming up Saturday, April 6 at Torrington Country Club, 6:00pm. Join for an evening of dinner, drinks, and dancing. Dress in your finest flannel. All proceeds benefit the Cornwall Child Center. To purchase tickets visit: https://cornwallchildcenter.org/

Regional School District 6(20) – Fundraiser for St. Baldrick's Foundation
St. Baldrick's Foundation is a non-profit organization that funds research to find cures for childhood cancers. Each year, they organize events where individuals volunteer to shave their heads in solidarity with children who lose their hair during cancer treatment and, at the same time, raise funds for critical research.
 
Three years ago several RSD6 employees shaved their heads and raised over $17,000. This year they've set their goal to $20,000! Several years ago, Goshen Center School lost an amazing young man to cancer, and would like once again to raise funds. There have been other students, across four towns, over the past 5-7 years that have been diagnosed - the fight continues. The fundraiser will be held Monday, March 18th at Goshen Center School.

Involving the school community in this initiative can make a meaningful impact in fundraising and spreading awareness about childhood cancer.The funds raised will be donated to St. Baldrick's Foundation to support their ongoing research efforts. Donations can be made here: https://www.stbaldricks.org/events/Region20

Mark your calendars! As the NCAA Basketball Tournament, better known as “March Madness”, whittles from a field of 64 hopefuls to The Final Four teams, The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens invites the community to join the fun and festivities at a free, family-friendly watch party on Saturday, April 6. Back by popular demand after their recent appearance at the Football Watch Party is the Meraki Food Truck, which will be on site to satisfy game day cravings with a special menu available for purchase. Join your family, friends and neighbors for an afternoon of fun as you cheer on your favorite team to victory! Stay tuned for more details to come soon...

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Maria Horn
State Representative