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On Friday, I attended the CT Coalition to End Homelessness and the Fairfield Coordinated Access Network (CAN) legislative roundtable conversation. This was a chance to discuss with community members, leaders, and providers about the systematic work necessary to address the urgent crisis of homelessness across Fairfield County.
The service providers and community partners are seeing the impacts on homelessness across Fairfield County and in our communities as basic costs keep rising, and federal support dwindles.
Tragically, over the weekend after our meeting, two individuals passed away from exposure in Stamford: one at a bus stop, one by the softball fields. These are preventable deaths. On our watch.
For more on this issue facing even teenagers, please read this article.
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Even as we were meeting at the legislative roundtable on addressing the sudden rise in homelessness, Governor Lamont announced he will use part of the $500 million Emergency State Response Reserve, set aside by the legislature in November to offset federal cuts, for preventing homelessness and supporting essential services while federal HUD funding is paused. At least $5.2 million will go to providers helping families, veterans, and older adults remain in their homes.
This is our new normal, responding to the catastrophic cuts from the presidential administration’s whims, and I am heartbroken about the people who’ve died just this weekend alone.
Multiple tragedies are rippling throughout our communities, and beyond. Even during the holiday season, I find myself grieving with a ferocious anger. I know many are feeling the same. I hope we can still offer some comfort and joy as the new year approaches.
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| Also last Friday, I attended the Southern Fairfield County Superintendents Association legislative meeting with members of the Weston Board of Ed and ER 9 Board of Ed members (with Superintendent, pictured here.) I advocated for state funding for universal school meals to address families’ struggling to afford to live here, to lower our school absenteeism rates, and to relieve municipalities of carrying the school lunch debt incurred by students who don’t qualify for free meals. This is an important basic public investment that I believe is time for the state to line item in our state budget, like Massachusetts, Minnesota and several other states do already. |
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| I am proud of our ER 9 student representative Alexandra Humphrey, for her presentation to the school board championing a solar project installation and financing on our school campus. Let’s demonstrate how solar renewable and sustainable energy transition IS our future! Well done, Alexandra, I hope we can partner to ‘make it so!' |
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| Access Health CT Enrollment Extended |
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Access Health CT (AHCT), Connecticut’s official health insurance marketplace, experienced intermittent website outages on Monday, Dec. 15, that impacted customers who wanted to enroll by that date to have coverage starting Jan. 1. The website has been fully restored and is now available for eligible Connecticut residents to enroll in coverage.
About 2,400 customers who called the call center but were unable to enroll will receive a call back from the call center and the opportunity to enroll in coverage with a Jan. 1 effective date.
Customers who tried but were unable to successfully enroll online can call the call center by Dec. 20, to enroll in coverage with a Jan. 1 effective date.
In addition, our state is committing $70 million to offset federal cuts to Affordable Care Act subsidies. The funding -- the details of which are still being ironed out -- is expected to shield thousands of families covered through Access Health CT (AHCT) from huge increases anticipated when those subsidies expire at the end of the year. This one-time expenditure will help state residents KEEP their HEALTHCARE in the face of federal cuts made in the HR1 bill that was passed this summer to extend tax cuts to billionaires, big corporations, and the ultra-wealthy.
This money comes from the $500 million emergency respond fund we approved during November’s special session to help state residents in the face of federal cuts. When Washington walks away, Connecticut Democrats step up to protect health care affordability for thousands of residents. The Governor has indicated willingness to extend this emergency relief to backfill the loss of Access Health premium tax credits to small business owners, middle-income earners, freelancers and self-employed, so we continue to mobilize public support for our state stepping up to protect affordable access to healthcare amidst this catastrophic federal landscape. |
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This is also an important reminder that time is running out to sign up for AHCT coverage. If you enroll between now and Jan. 15, your coverage begins on Feb. 1.
AHCT offers free, expert assistance at 855-805-4325, with help available in more than 100 languages. These resources ensure you can understand your options and make confident, informed decisions.
Securing health coverage is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health and financial stability in the year ahead — for you, your family, and the rest of our community. |
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| Menorah Lighting in Easton |
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| The Annual Menorah Lighting ceremony will be held on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 6 p.m. on the Easton Town Green. There will be fresh doughnuts, chocolate gelt, a prize for every child, Chanukah music, dreidels, and potato. |
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From the town of Weston:
For some residents in Weston, the cost of home heating brings real worry and hardship. You can help our neighbors keep the heat on by donating to the Weston Warm Up Fund. For more than 40 years, the Warm Up Fund, a 501(c)3 non-profit, has been providing vital heating assistance to eligible Weston residents.
Funded entirely by donors, the Warm Up Fund has become a lifeline during the coldest months. Your gift can make a real difference, a contribution of any amount goes toward helping our neighbors keep their homes heated in the winter. Donations can be sent to PO Box 1254, Weston CT 06883 or online at westonwarmup.com/makeadonation.html |
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Also from the town of Weston:
This past Fall the Board of Selectmen approved conducting a revised survey (based on the 2018 Survey) to understand Weston’s demographics, priorities, and residents’ feelings about the Town.
To take the Town wide survey, visit https://praxisresearch.iad1.qualtrics.com/.../SV... to access the questionnaire. |
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A special book signing and author conversation with Neil and Ruchin Kansal, of Weston, on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 3 p.m. at the Weston Public Library.
Neil and Ruchin's memoir, "The Kansal Clunker: The Car That Rebuilt Us," began in Weston, when Neil was a Weston High School senior.
What started as restoring a rusted Acura Integra turned into a 5,000-mile journey that reignited family bonds and inspired thousands. Registration is requested for this free event. Click https://westonpl.librarycalendar.com/.../kansal-clunker-4126 For more information on the authors, the book, and their experience, visit thekansalclunker.com. |
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As always, please feel free to contact my office at 800-842-8267 or by email at anne.hughes@cga.ct.gov. And "Like" and follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.
Peace,
Anne Hughes
State Representative |
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