COVID Update, DMV License Renewals, Black History Month

February 5, 2021
Below you will find information on the following:
  • COVID-19 Update
  • Black History Month 
  • Gun Violence Survivors' Awareness Week 
  • DMV Online License Renewals 
  • Session Priority Survey
  • Facebook Live Fridays 9:00AM
  • Veterans Advisory Committee Meeting 
COVID-19 UPDATE
Click Here for COVID Data Updates
Click Here for Governor Lamont's Updates
Specific Updates for Our Community
 
Town Total Cases Total Deaths Number of Tests Total Confirmed Cases
Newington 2,160 96 16,141 2,056
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 
February is Black History Month.

For the past 45 years, Black History Month has served as a time to recognize and honor the achievements and contributions of Black Americans in our nation's history. It is a time to highlight and celebrate their many and varied roles in our country’s history.

They are stories which too often get left out or forgotten.

This year, the ongoing pandemic cancelled many annual events and exhibits celebrating Black History Month. However, you can still celebrate and reflect right from your home by:

While we should take time this month to remember all of the activists, politicians, athletes, inventors, business leaders, and performers who have left such a valuable legacy, this past year has also been a reminder that there is still work to do when it comes to combatting the racial injustice and inequalities that continue to befall Black Americans.

During this month of reflection, let us renew our commitment to ensuring that our society actively advances racial equality and justice, both today and in the future. 

NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE SURVIVORS' AWARENESS WEEK 
February 1st through February 7th is National Gun Violence Survivors’ week. This week we honor every survivor who must live with the trauma of gun violence every day. By February, more people in the United States are killed with guns than are killed with guns in other high-income countries in an entire year. 
While Connecticut still has ways to go with gun control, safety, and education, here are a few pieces of legislation that our state has passed throughout the past few years:
  • Ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines
  • Requirement for owners of pistols and revolvers to safely store their weapons somewhere inside the car any time they leave their gun in an unattended vehicle
  • “Ethan’s Law”: Requires all firearms, loaded and unloaded, to be safely stored in homes occupied by minors under 18
  • Ban on “ghost guns”, or homemade firearms, due to lack of inspection and serial number. Anyone who makes a firearm must register it with the state. 

 
Due to these pieces of legislation, Connecticut ranks 3rd in the nation on gun control. However, there is still more work to be done.
 
According to the Gifford Law Center, Connecticut can improve gun safety by creating:

  • Safe storage requirements;
  • Bulk firearm purchase restrictions;
  • Handgun design safety standards; and
  • Microstamping requirements.

This year the legislature is working to continue its efforts in gun safety through proposals to fund gun violence prevention programs. 
 
This week, support gun violence survivors by sharing their stories on momentsthatsurvive.org with the hashtag #GVSurvivorsWeek. And continue to support our survivors throughout the year by educating yourself and your community about gun safety. https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/states/connecticut/

DMV ONLINE LICENSE RENEWAL 
We’ve all felt the frustration of having to wait in line at the DMV to renew a driver’s license or access other DMV services.
 
Thankfully, the State announced today that in the coming weeks, you will be able to renew your driver’s license, obtain your driving history, or change your address all online and from the comfort of your home.
 
This is part of the State’s efforts to modernize state government and add convenience for the consumer.
Today’s announcement expands and builds upon the pilot program for online driver’s license renewal initially rolled out by the DMV in November 2020. More than 20,000 individuals have already successfully renewed their driver's license or non-driver ID cards online within the last 45 days.
 
Eligible residents will receive an invitation by mail or email to complete their transaction online and make an electronic payment via credit or debit card and receive their license or non-driver ID by mail within 20 days.
 
It is important to note that this expansion of online services does not mean that these services will not also be available in-person at DMV and AAA offices and locations throughout the state.
 
This announcement is welcome news at any time, but it is especially critical during the pandemic.
 
All of the DMV’s services can be found online at ct.gov/dmv.
SESSION PRIORITY SURVEY 

The 2021 Legislative Session began on January 6th. During this time, I will face many tough choices which is why it is so important for me to get feedback from you about the most pressing issues facing Newington. I hope you will take a few minutes to complete this survey and help me better represent our district at the state capitol.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you or your family is in need of assistance or if you would like to share an opinion with me. It’s an honor to serve as your state representative and I look forward to hearing from you about ways we can improve Connecticut for all of us.

FACEBOOK LIVE FRIDAYS
Join me today at 9:00AM for my weekly Facebook Live update. Please email me via gary.turco@cga.ct.gov with any questions you would like me to address as we begin the 2021 legislative session.
VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
SECOND MEETING (2/8/21)
The Newington Veterans Affairs State Advisory Committee will have its second meeting on Monday, February 8th at 6:30 via zoom.

On Monday, Major General Evon, The Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard, will join the committee to give an update on CT's military department. Additionally, we will review the legislation which has been proposed thus far this session.

If you are interested in attending this meeting please email me at Gary.Turco@cga.ct.gov to RSVP and receive the Zoom link.

If you are a Newington veteran, the family member of a Newington veteran, or anyone interested in helping veterans in Newington, and across CT, then please join me this coming Monday for the first Advisory Committee meeting. This is an opportunity to ensure the voices of veterans and active service members are heard throughout the legislative process. Members of this committee will help inform decisions made at the state capitol and will also learn about the legislative process, bill tracking and more.

Click Here to Sign up