Maria Horn

Although my new term doesn’t officially start until we are sworn in on January 6, in many ways it has already begun.  For me that means lots of introductory meetings for the work we will do in the Public Safety & Security Committee, as well as meetings for all committee leadership on how we will do our work in this challenging year.  For a variety of reasons, including the online format, budgetary constraints, and the absence of technical platforms we can securely use for bill drafting, we will have to limit the amount of legislation we propose.   We will also have to work to create new procedures in order to ensure the public can participate in meaningful ways.
 
While all this is going on, I continue to attend meetings for my current committees, which principally means Appropriations.  Yesterday we had a joint meeting with the Finance Committee for the presentation of Fiscal Accountability Reports from the Governor (specifically the Office of Policy and Management, or OPM) and from the legislature’s nonpartisan fiscal organization (the Office of Fiscal Analysis, or OFA).  Like everything else these days, that briefing included good and bad news. 
 
Generally, the good news is that the Governor’s projections during the early days of the pandemic turned out to be very conservative, and we’ve outperformed them in significant ways, with revenues turning out to be stronger and more durable than expected, and expenses decreasing more than expected.  To put that in context, the 2020 fiscal year (which ended in June 2020), was at one point projected to ended with a deficit of nearly $1 billion, but ended up with a small surplus (some of that was timing related, but by any measure the results were much more positive than expected).  Fiscal years 2021 and 2022 are still projected to be in deficit, but those deficits can now theoretically be covered entirely by the Rainy Day Fund. There are many reasons why we might not want to spend the whole Rainy Day Fund that way, but it’s a positive development nonetheless. 
 
We expect to start vaccinations later this month, beginning with healthcare workers, nursing home residents, and other first responders.  That’s a significant light at the end of the tunnel – and there continues to be a careful vetting process for these vaccines so we’re hopeful that many will choose to be vaccinated.  While that is happening, though, the next few months will continue to bring challenges for health and healthcare, and our economy.  The service sector, particularly restaurants, continue to be hit hard. Our restaurants are critical parts of our economy and both support and enrich our social lives, so please look for opportunities to help them however you feel comfortable, including ordering takeout when you can.
 
There are a couple of notable events coming up next week on Monday, December 14.  At noon, the Connecticut Electoral College Ceremony will take place. If you would like to watch the speakers and performers, CT-N will be airing the entire ceremony online.
 
Monday also marks eight years since a shooter opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School, killing 20 first-graders and six educators. It was one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history and sent shockwaves across Connecticut. The event led to meaningful gun control legislation, school safety improvements and a focus on mental health issues. I hope you’ll join me in taking a moment to remember the victims.

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• Weekly update on the impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Click here.
• Weekly update of the Department of Public Health's COVID-19 Alert Map. Click here.
• SNAP benefits coming in December. Click here.
• FCH Prescription Assistance Program. Click here.
• Get Covered 2021. Click here.
• Update on COVID-19 testing at Sharon Hospital. Click here.
• Holiday events in Norfolk and Cornwall. Click here.
• Reminder: Make Holiday returns as soon as possible. Click here. 

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”
 
Weekly update on the impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes and assisted living facilities
 
The following documents contain the weekly data regarding each of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Connecticut that have reported positive cases of COVID-19 among their residents. The data is presented as it was reported to the state by each of the facilities. If a facility is not listed, that means it is reporting that it does not have any residents who have tested positive.
 

**Download: Report from December 10, 2020 on COVID-19 in Connecticut nursing homes **Download: Report from December 10, 2020 on COVID-19 in Connecticut assisted living facilities

 

 
 
Weekly update of the Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Alert Map: One hundred and sixty-three municipalities now in red
 
The Connecticut Department of Public Health released its weekly COVID-19 Alert Map, which indicates that 163 cities and towns in Connecticut are now in the red zone alert level, the highest of the state’s four alert levels. They include Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, and Torrington.
 
The COVID-19 Alert Map is updated every Thursday around 4:00 p.m. and can be found in the Data Tracker page of the state’s coronavirus website atct.gov/coronavirus.
 
 
Additional SNAP benefits coming December 16 to 112,000 households in Connecticut
 
The Connecticut Department of Social Services today announced that it will provide $16.9 million in Emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) benefits to more than half of Connecticut SNAP-eligible households on Wednesday, December 16 – adding to the $157.2 million in emergency benefits disbursed in April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.
 
Authorized by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, the extra food benefits will go to approximately 112,000 households not currently receiving the maximum benefits allowed for their household size. This means that all households enrolled in SNAP will receive the maximum food benefit allowable for their household size, even if they are not usually eligible for the maximum benefit.
 
For additional information about SNAP, visit www.ct.gov/snap.
 
 
Foundation for Community Health (FCH) Prescription Assistance Program
 
FCH announced an expansion of eligibility for their Prescription Assistance Program and an increase of funding for individuals. Effective February 2021, participants can receive up to $350 per month to pay for the cost of prescriptions and other eligible expenses. For more information about their prescription assistance program or to connect with one of their program operators, click here. 
 
 
Get Covered 2021
 
Access Health CT, Connecticut’s official healthcare marketplace, has joined a new initiative called "Get Covered 2021” -- a coalition of states including California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, and other national organizations that have come together to promote the 2021 open enrollment period in healthcare coverage, COVID-19 safety, and health equity for America’s diverse communities.
 
Connecticut residents can enroll or renew their health insurance plan with the state’s marketplace until December 15, 2020, for coverage starting on January 1, 2021.   
 
Click here to learn more about open enrollment and the importance of being insured.
 
Update on COVID-19 testing at Sharon Hospital
 
Testing for COVID-19 will move to an appointment-only basis at Sharon Hospital until further notice, effective Thursday, Dec. 10. All specimen collections at the hospital are completed in an isolated area at the facility’s rear Wound Care entrance.
 

• Hours of operation: Monday–Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm
• To schedule an appointment, please call 845-790-8855, Option 1.

  
Individuals who arrive without a scheduled appointment will be asked to call (845) 790-8855, Option 1, to coordinate a future visit.
 
 
For more information about COVID-19 testing at Nuvance Health’s primary care practices and outpatient locations, including what to bring with you, please visit: https://patients.healthquest.org/covid-19-testing/.
 
Also, Sharon Hospital will be hosting an online Community Forum on December 14 at 4:30 pm. 
For more information, click here.  
 
 
Holiday events in Norfolk and Cornwall
 
The Norfolk Historical Society is pleased to present the 6th Annual Cake Sale fundraiser. Back by demand, because not even a pandemic can stop cake... Norfolk's Star Bakers will present a series of cakes for safe home delivery right to your door. Many of these tempting confections will be available for December 2020 with many more "Holiday Themed" cakes that will be available for 2021 holidays.  As more information becomes available, click here.

Reminder: make holiday returns or exchanges as soon as possible
 
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is reminding consumers that they should be aware of return and exchange policies as they continue their holiday shopping this year, particularly as many people have been shopping online during the ongoing pandemic.
 
Buyers should read the terms and conditions prior to submitting their orders to understand their return and exchange rights, as well as the remedies available if a package is seriously delayed. Consumers should return unwanted gifts sooner than later to ensure the best outcome for their return or exchange.
 
This year, the state agency has received more than 1,100 complaints related to refunds, credits, and exchanges. That’s almost 400 more complaints than the department received in 2019.
 
Here are useful tips that consumers should know:
 

• In Connecticut, sellers can set their own refund or exchange policies, provided they post the policy in a conspicuous place for customers to see.
• If there is no policy posted, customers may return any new, unused item to the store with a proof of purchase within seven calendar days and get a cash refund on a cash sale or a credit to their account on a credit sale.
• Consumers are not entitled to a refund on:
  • Food;
  • Perishable items, including live plants;
  • Custom-ordered or custom-made items;
  • Items that were cold “as is” or as a “final sale;”
  • Items with no proof of purchase; and
  • Used items.

• Stores may charge a “restocking fee,” which covers its cost for returning an unwanted item to its warehouse. If this restocking fee is part of the store’s refund and exchange policy, it must be posted in a conspicuous place for customers to see.
• Tax law affects refunds. Retailers cannot issue a refund on the sales tax portion of a purchase without having a printed sales receipt, and after 90 days, no refunds of sales tax are allowed at all, even with a receipt.

 
If consumers have issues with a return or exchange, they are encouraged to file a complaint with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection by emailing dcp.complaints@ct.gov or by visiting ct.gov/dcp/complaint.
 
Providing information to Connecticut residents
 
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus. Residents can also subscribe to text message alerts from the state by texting the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.
 
Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Anyone who is out-of-state or requires a toll-free number can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 by dialing 1-800-203-1234. This is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.