Feb. 26th Updates: Session Day, COVID-19 Info & Statistics

February 26, 2021

We are constantly working to provide updates and important news as it develops over social media and by email. This is a recap of some of this week’s highlights.

Below you can find information on the following topics:

  • Bills Passed During Feb. 24th Session
  • Exclusive Window for Small Businesses to Apply for PPP Loans
  • American Jobs Centers Appointments
  • Access Health CT Special Enrollment Period
  • Vaccine Eligibility 
  • Latest COVID-19 Statistics
  • Registering to Testify at Public Hearings

For more information about the state's response efforts visit ct.gov/coronavirus. To receive text message notifications, sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system. To subscribe, text "COVIDCT" to 888-777.


Bills Passed During Feb. 24th Session
 
On Wednesday, my fellow legislators and I went to Hartford to vote on a several bills. Among the pieces of legislation we voted to pass were:
  • HB 6516, which prevents roughly 100,000 remote workers from facing double taxation.
  • SB 873, which ends the practice of placing liens on property of anyone who formerly received some form of public assistance. This law was an outdated, unnecessary measure that stops many from building wealth or retaining their life savings.
  • HB 6515, which prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and credit transactions on the basis of natural hair associated with race. 

These bills now head over to the Senate for consideration.


Exclusive Window for Small Businesses to Apply for PPP Loans
 
Great news for small businesses and the self-employed!
 
In an effort to help small businesses across the country receive additional financial assistance, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will soon be introducing new reforms and guidelines to the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
 
Recognizing that businesses owned by women and minorities had far less access to PPP loans last time, President Biden is casting a wider net this time. And that's good news for "Main Street," according to Forbes. Read it HERE.
 
According to the following news release from the SBA, the agency will: 
  • Establish a 14-day, exclusive PPP loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees. This exclusive window opened  Wednesday, February 24th.
  • Allow sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals to receive more financial support by revising the PPP’s funding formula for these categories of applicants
  • Eliminate an exclusionary restriction on PPP access for small business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions, consistent with a bipartisan congressional proposal
  • Eliminate PPP access restrictions on small business owners who have struggled to make federal student loan payments by eliminating federal student loan debt delinquency and default as disqualifiers to participating in the PPP; and
  • Ensure access for non-citizen small business owners who are lawful U.S. residents by clarifying that they may use Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to apply for the PPP.

For updated PPP information, including forms, guidance, and resources, visit www.sba.gov/ppp and www.treasury.gov/cares.


American Job Centers Appointments
Good news!
 
The American Job Centers are back open for appointments. You can schedule your appointment here: https://portal.ct.gov/ajc

REMINDER: Access Health CT Special Enrollment Period Open Now Through March 15

Access Health CT's (AHCT) Special Enrollment Period is open now through March 15, 2021 for uninsured residents to obtain quality, affordable health care coverage, particularly those negatively affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are several ways to get help with enrollment including:

  • Online: AccessHealthCT.com (Live chat: AccessHealthCT.com click “Live Chat” icon) 
  • Phone: 1-855-805-4325, Mon. – Fri.  8 AM - 4 PM
  • With Enrollment Specialists in the community 
  • In-person help at either of AHCT’s Navigator partner locations: 

Consumers will not be required to verify their eligibility for this Special Enrollment Period. Financial help will still be available for those who qualify.

Please note if you are currently enrolled in coverage through AHCT you will not be eligible to use this Special Enrollment Period to change your existing plans.

If you are in need this is an opportunity to put your mind at ease during these times. Access to good quality, affordable healthcare awaits.


Vaccine Eligibility
 
Vaccine eligibility will expand to the 55-64 age group beginning on March 1 and dedicated clinics for educators and childcare providers will also begin in March.
 
The Governor announced earlier this week that Connecticut will be relying on an age-based approach in expanding eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to ensure the state stays on track in administering the vaccine in an efficient and equitable way to as many residents as possible. While I personally would have loved to see all of our essential workers (especially teachers) and medically compromised eligible by now, I think this is good news overall and shows that we appear to be moving along at a good pace to get as many shots in arms as quickly as possible.

Registering to Testify at Public Hearings
 
Navigating Virtual Session

The Banking Committee - on which I serve as chair - will be holding a public hearing on Tuesday, March 2 at 10 a.m. We will be discussing a variety of bills to help homeowners, including ways to provide more affordable housing, emergency mortgage assistance, and foreclosure relief. To view the full agenda, click HERE.

As we continue to navigate the virtual legislative session, I wanted to remind you of the ways available to ensure your voice is heard. Though COVID-19 has closed the State Capitol and Legislative Office Building to the public, you can still testify and participate in public hearings from your home.

Below, I have outlined the steps to testify at a public hearing:

  1. Review the bulletin daily and check to see which committees are having public hearings.
  1. Use the “On-line Testimony Registration Form” link in the notice to register to testify. You can also call the number listed if you do not have access to the internet.
    • Make sure you have noted the bill or resolution number(s) you plan to testify on because you will need that to complete the form.
  1. If you’re registering online, you’ll be taken to the Webinar registration page for the hearing at which you would like to testify. Make sure to review the details of the hearing closely to confirm that you are registering for the correct hearing.
  1. You will need to scroll down to find the registration form. The form requests the same information that committee staff would ask you if you were signing up to testify in-person.
  1. Once you submit the form, you’ll receive a pending approval notice to the email address you included in the form. Make sure to keep the information in this notice handy.
  1. Within 24 hours, after you have registered to testify, you will receive an email confirming that you have signed up for the hearing. If you need to cancel, there is the “cancel” link in the bottom left corner.
    • Please note that there is a deadline to register to testify. You can find the exact time and date that registration closes for a particular hearing listed in the bulletin.
  1. On the morning of the hearing, a speaker list will be generated and posted on the committee page. Go to “Public Hearings” and click “testimony” and select the hearing date. In the right corner, there will be a document labeled “Speaker Order.” Click to open and find your placement.
  1. Make sure to log onto Zoom before the hearing starts and turn off camera/microphone until it is your turn. You will have to wait to speak as if you are sitting in a hearing room.
  1. You can monitor every public hearing this session in real-time on each committee's official YouTube channel (accessible at cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/broadcastmedia.asp under the "CGA Live Streaming Feeds" heading). Some public hearings are also broadcast live on CT-N.

See below for the list of other public hearings scheduled for next week.

Hearing ScheduleMaking Your Voice Heard