Maria Horn

The Governor is in the process of rolling out a legislative proposal to expand broadband access in rural areas like ours (and across the state) and this morning I participated in a roundtable discussion on this bill, which he plans to introduce with his budget in early February.  Joining me on the panel were Governor Lamont, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Bethel First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker, State Representative Bobby Sanchez, Guilford Superintendent Paul Freeman, and Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council member Kelly Phenix.
 
The plan focuses on broadband’s importance to economic development, telehealth services and remote learning, as well as taking aim at customer costs. More details are still forthcoming, but it will include mapping (in order to determine what the true connectivity gap is, and where), universal broadband access by 2025, adequate staff and resources for state agencies to partner with municipalities, and streamlined access to utility poles (known as “one touch make ready”) to facilitate universal buildout.   
 
Immediately following that conversation, I chaired a four-hour informational forum held by the Public Safety and Security Committee.  In addition to the issues we traditionally think of as related to “public safety” (concerning police and fire service, for example) the committee has jurisdiction over gaming in CT.  As you may have noticed, virtually every time the Governor gives a press conference these days, he gets asked whether CT is finally  (we’ve been thinking about this for a long time) going to expand gaming to include sports betting, and possibly online betting.  We took the opportunity to hear from the organizations in the state involved in gaming, including two sovereign tribal nations, one quasi-governmental agency, and two private organizations (one for profit, and one nonprofit).  It’s quite a group, and hearing from them, and being able to ask them questions, was a great way to kick off the more specific policy-making discussions.
 
As I write this, I’m watching the snow continue to fall outside my Hartford office, having decided to stay off the roads for now, and to let our road crews do their work.  I hope you are able to stay off the roads this evening as well.

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• Data Update on Vaccine Administration in Connecticut. Click here.
• Severe Cold Weather Protocol. Click here.
• Governor Lamont Extends CT's State of Emergency for the COVID-19 Pandemic to April 20. Click here.
• Student Loan Relief Options during COVID-19. Click here.
• Governor Lamont announces Workforce Development Proposal. 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.”
 

Specific Updates for Our Community

 

Town	Total Cases	Total Deaths	Number of Tests	Number of Positive Tests
Canaan	7	0	611	8
Cornwall	37	0	1,618	44
Goshen	108	1	3,423	131
Kent	109	0	4,750	118
Norfolk	58	0	1,653	66
North Canaan	159	8	6,637	175
Salisbury	100	0	7,591	116
Sharon	66	1	3,512	98
Torrington	2,451	122	63,427	2,972

 

Data updates on vaccine administration in Connecticut
 
The following data represents the total number of COVID-19 vaccinations administered in Connecticut, as reported to the state as of today:

• First doses administered: 265,947
• Second doses administered: 42,555
• Total doses administered: 308,502

So far, about 27 percent of people over the age of 75 in Connecticut have received their first dose. Connecticut continues to rank in the top four states for administering the vaccine.
 
Connecticut is currently in phase 1b of its COVID-19 vaccination program. Right now under this phase, residents over the age of 75 can receive the vaccine. Soon, the phase will expand to include residents between the ages of 65 and 74, and residents between the ages of 16 and 64 who have underlying health conditions. Residents and staff of congregate settings and frontline essential workers will soon also become eligible during this phase.
 
Information on Connecticut’s COVID-19 vaccination program is available at ct.gov/covidvaccine.

Governor Lamont Activates Connecticut’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol Effective Thursday Afternoon

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that as wind chill factors are expected to dip into the single digits or lower over the coming days, he is directing Connecticut’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol to be activated beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 28, and lasting through 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 31, 2021.

The protocol sets up a system for state agencies and municipalities to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the severe conditions. United Way 2-1-1 operates as the point of contact for individuals who need shelter and transportation to shelters.

Anyone in need of shelter is urged to call 2-1-1 to get connected to these services. Protocols have been enacted at shelters throughout the state to adhere to the necessary COVID-19 safety measures.

While activated, the protocol enacts the following actions:

• The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security activates its WebEOC communications network, which is an internet-based system that enables local, regional, and state emergency management officials and first responders to share up-to-date information about a variety of situations and conditions. The system is used to monitor capacity at shelters across the state, enabling 2-1-1 to act as a clearinghouse to assist in finding shelter space for those who need it. Local officials, working through WebEOC, can alert 2-1-1 and the state when they open temporary shelters or warming centers.
• The Department of Social Services, Department of Housing, and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services coordinate with 2-1-1 and the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, along with community-based providers, to provide transportation for people seeking shelter.

For emergency management news and resources, visit the state’s CTPrepares website at ct.gov/ctprepares or download the app to mobile devices at the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

Governor Lamont Extends Connecticut’s State of Emergency for the COVID-19 Pandemic To April 20

There has been a lot of concern surrounding  the extension of the public health and civil preparedness emergency.

I know it may seem confusing to extend the emergency when the legislature is back in session. However, it is important to note that we in the legislature are collaborating with the executive branch. Together, we will continue to safeguard access to quality healthcare, ensure high-quality education for all students, and rebuild our state economy. 

 The Governor's office isn't circumventing the checks and balances system. We are in constant communication with the executive branch as they handle the on-the-ground pandemic response. The vast majority of executive actions are done with legislative input and have allowed residents to continue to receive state and municipal services. If there are Executive Orders that we disagree with, we have the ability to pass a law overriding them.

Finally, without an ongoing emergency declaration, our state cannot access certain federal funds. Some parts of the latest federal stimulus bill require the state to have an active emergency declaration in order to receive funding. If there is no quick executive action, non-profit military clubs may face additional permit fees on Feb 9 and voters in upcoming special elections and municipal elections will not have the ability to vote safely by absentee ballot.

The simple fact is that addressing the COVID-19 pandemic is bigger than any one branch of government. While our state has done a great job in combatting the pandemic, we’re not out of the woods yet. It will take a collaborative effort between the legislative and executive branch to bring us out of this global crisis, and together, we can start the rebuilding process.

Student loan relief options during COVID-19
 
Both the federal government and Connecticut’s state lending authority have offered temporary relief to public student loan borrowers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for more information.
 
Governor Lamont announces Workforce Development Proposal
 
Governor Lamont, along with economic development and labor leaders across the state, announced a workforce development proposal that seeks to build off existing workforce development programs and partnerships between the state, workforce development boards, private employers, and community colleges to bolster Connecticut's long-term economic outlook and strengthen the talent pipeline for in-demand careers.

The Office of the Governor and Office of Policy & Management have been working to draft a comprehensive legislative proposal that would codify the Office of Workforce Strategy, improve data collection efforts, and create CareerConneCT, a new statewide job training program. The initiative will achieve the following objectives:

• Scale existing workforce training programs in the state such as the manufacturing pipeline initiative and healthcare programs
• Create more short-term training programs in other industries like clean energy
• Establish a comprehensive online services application to centralize training and education programs and link students and job seekers to quality training and employment opportunities

This week, the state received a $10 million grant through the U.S. Department of Labor's H-1B One Workforce Grant Program to invest in training in key industries.

As a result of the pandemic, Connecticut has seen high levels of unemployment. At the height of the pandemic, approximately 400,000 residents were unemployed.

To bolster the state's workforce, state agencies worked alongside community colleges, workforce development boards, and employers to use federal CARES Act funding to expand regional job training certificate programs across the state and retrain unemployed individuals for in-demand careers in manufacturing, information technology, and healthcare.

The Governor and workforce leaders hope to expand these programs to remove barriers to entry into the workforce, address long-term employment challenges, and make Connecticut a more competitive place to do business.

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.