Vaccine Update, Youth Essay Contest, Red X By Newington Rotary

February 26, 2021
Below you will find information on the following:
  • COVID-19 Update
  • Vaccine Update
  • Session Review
  • Red X by Newington Rotary 
  • Newington Youth Essay Contest
  • Facebook Live Fridays 9:00AM
  • Legislative Survey
  • Veterans Advisory Committee 
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 2,323 123 16,791 2,200
VACCINE UPDATE
An age-based schedule of eligibility has been set over the next couple of months helping to give state residents peace of mind in knowing when they will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
 
·      March 1, 2021: Eligibility expands to age group 55 to 64
·      March 22, 2021: Eligibility expands to age group 45 to 54
·      April 12, 2021: Eligibility expands to age group 35 to 44
·      May 3, 2021: Eligibility expands to age group 16 to 34
 
To further ensure equitable allocation of the vaccine the Connecticut Department of Public Health will set numerical targets and work with vaccine providers to ensure that vaccines are administered to people living in the highest-risk communities in proportion to their population. 
 
The Governor also announced that educators and childcare providers will be eligible to receive the vaccine at dedicated clinics. They will receive information soon from their school administrators and employers on when their dedicated clinics will be provided.

Over the last month, I worked with my colleagues to advocate on behalf of teachers, substitutes, and staff members so that they would be included as soon as possible in the vaccination schedule. While I wish that it had happened sooner, I am grateful that dedicated sites will be part of the process.
 
All eligible individuals in Connecticut are required to make an appointment in advance of receiving the vaccine. Residents aged 55 to 64 should not attempt to make an appointment now – they will not be able to schedule an appointment until the vaccine rollout expands to their age group on March 1.
 
Please note that while the age-based eligibility system does simplify some things, the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is still a massive logistical operation and there may be delays due to supply shortages and weather. 
 
To locate vaccination clinics, individuals should visit ct.gov/covidvaccine and enter their zip code. From there, users will be shown the nearest available clinics and provided with specific directions on how to make an appointment at each one, including over the internet and over the telephone.
 
Those who do not have access to the internet can call Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224. The line is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 
I look forward to a majority of Connecticut residents being vaccinated in the coming months. 
SESSION REVIEW
I proudly voted for several key pieces of legislation during Wednesday's session of the Connecticut House of Representatives. The bills passed with bipartisan support and will now move to the Senate for debate.
 
  • H.B. 6516 addresses several tax- and economic-related issues for Connecticut residents. The bill prevents Connecticut residents, who normally commute to neighboring states for work, from being double-taxed in 2020 as they've had to work remotely during the pandemic.  
  • H.B. 6516 also proposes to eliminate the use of welfare liens, also known as the "poverty tax." This archaic piece of legislation forces recipients of public assistance programs to pay the state back for the aid they once received. This “poverty tax” sadly, only works to keep people – trying to better their lives – in a cycle of inevitable poverty. 
  • Finally, H.B. 6516 ensures that relief to towns struggling with loss of revenue from COVID will be based on equity and not politics.
  • H.B. 6515, prohibits employers from discriminating against workers for hairstyles that are historically associated with race and extends statutory protections to hair texture and protective styles.
  • H.B. No. 6514, brings much needed economic development through the creation of construction jobs and permanent jobs in data industry Additionally, it brings in an industry that doesn’t exist in Connecticut today and strategically positions our state to attract new companies.
     
LEGISLATIVE 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.
RED X FOR TRAFFICKING

Yesterday was Red X Day, a movement by the coalition of organizations to bring awareness and eradicate human trafficking. 

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Newington CT for all their work towards this important cause. 

To learn more visit: https://enditmovement.com/
 
NEWINGTON YOUTH ESSAY CONTEST
I am excited to launch The General Assembly’s Newington Youth Essay Contest for elementary and middle school students. This contest will allow Newington students to learn more about the CT government and critically analyze how legislation can improve our community. I can't wait to read the creative proposals developed by our youth!
 
The General Assembly’s Newington Youth Essay Contest: Elementary and Middle school students
Middle School Topic: What law can Connecticut create to improve in its efforts towards equality? (Ex. Public Ed, Public Health, Environmental Justice)

Elementary School Topic: If you could create any new law in the state of CT to improve your community, what would it be?

- Open to any Newington residents in elementary school or middle school
- All essays may be submitted through email to gary.turco@cga.ct.gov
- One entry per student
- Announcement of winners: 1 elementary school winner and 1 middle school winner
** While we understand parental assistance may be necessary for some spelling and grammar, we ask that each student actively brainstorms and crafts their own response.

Deadline: April 7th, 2021

There will be 1 elementary school winner and 1 middle school winner. Each of these students will receive an Official recognition from State of Connecticut and a personal tour and lunch at the capital (after COVID).

Length/Format:
- 12 pt. Font
- Times New Roman
- Double Spaced, 1 in. Margins
- Name, School, and Grade written in top left corner
- Title: Creative name for your law
Elementary school: 1 page max, any length under 1 page will be considered
Middle school: 2 pages max, any length under 1 page will be considered

Goals:
- To engage students in understanding the value of government
- To offer students a voice with regards to community values
- To encourage creative problem solving of inequality that students see within their community

- Acknowledge students for their potential and efforts in writing 
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
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.

If you are interested in joining the committee, please sign-up through the link below, or email me at Gary.Turco@cga.ct.gov
Click Here to Sign up