Newsletter 4/9/21

jenn
April 9, 2021
Last week, the state Planning & Development Committee finished reviewing the bills they received. We now have a clearer picture of which zoning proposals are moving ahead to the next stage in the process. 

Please listen to our conversation, linked below, with local zoning experts Lenny Braman, Danielle Dobin, and Urb Leimkuhker as we discuss the state zoning proposals, their impact on Fairfield, and where we go from here. If you have any questions about anything discussed or not discussed please reach out to me at jennifer.leeper@cga.ct.gov.
 
ADVOCATING FOR MAIN STREET EVENT RECAP
Please listen to me and my Co-Chairs as we discuss why the Main Street Working Group was formed, our efforts thus far, current session impacts, and future initiatives.

I'm passionate about supporting our downtowns because it is good for our local economies. We know 2/3 of every dollar spent locally stays in our communities. Main streets support local entrepreneurs, and specifically in Fairfield, our Main Street is home to dozens of women-owned businesses. Our downtown fosters the arts and creates positive spaces for people to gather.
Advocating for Main Street 
 
VACCINE UPDATE
ATTENTION VETERANS

The Connecticut VA Healthcare System is holding a COVID-19 vaccine walk-in clinic this Sunday, April 11th at the State Department of Veterans Affairs Campus in Rocky Hill. No appointment is necessary to receive the vaccine.

The VA Connecticut Healthcare System has expanded eligibility; the clinic is open to the following persons:
  • Anyone who served in the U.S. Military whether or not they are enrolled in the VA healthcare system
  • Spouses of Veterans
  • Caregivers of Veterans
Connecticut continues to rank among the top three states in the nation that have administered the most vaccines per capita.

So far, those who have received at least one dose in Connecticut include:
  • 82% of all people over the age of 65;
  • 75% of all people over the age of 55;
  • 67% of all people over the age of 45; and
  • 45% of all people over the age of 16.

The Lamont administration anticipates that approximately 288,000 first doses will be delivered to Connecticut this week. I was thrilled to receive my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine yesterday!
 
CONNECTICUT FISCAL OUTLOOK 
I am excited to share with you some great news about Connecticut's fiscal outlook!

For the first time in over 20 years, Moody's Investor Services increasedConnecticut's credit rating from A1 to Aa3. The ratings reflect a state’s capacity to meet its financial commitments and incorporates factors such as the strength of a state’s economy, current business conditions, and the future outlook for the state. 

Moody’s cited Connecticut’s "accumulation of significant budgetary reserves" and better than expected financial performance during the pandemic as the main reasons for its decision to upgrade our state’s rating.

The benefits of our smart, fiscally responsible policies are paying off. We are emerging as a national financial leader. While more work needs to be done to ensure Connecticut's economy continues to grow, this is certainly a welcome development.
 
OFFICE HOURS
Have a question or concern you would like to discuss? Please sign up for my office hours on Tuesday, April 13th, 6:00 - 7:30PM, so we can have a conversation.
Sign Up
 
STOP ASIAN HATE DEMONSTRATION 
This past weekend there was a moving demonstration in front of Town Hall where I stood along with the full bi-partisan Fairfield delegation, united against Asian Hate. 

Since the murder of George Floyd, we have re-examined our definition of racism. Overt and bold racism is easy to recognize, but we’ve had the opportunity to wrestle with all the subtle, more nuanced, and insidious ways racism impacts our lives and communities.

We have also had the painful reminder of the power of language. Extreme rhetoric that “other” people are dangerous and can lead to a devaluation of life. This has turned violent far too often, particularly this year with a 150% increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Desperately imperative work lies before us-- we must be willing to confront and challenge our own conventional thinking by engaging in brave and uncomfortable conversations. It was inspiring to see so many allies standing with our AAPI neighbors ready to do this work. #stopasianhate
 
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Every 73 seconds in the United States an individual is sexually assaulted, and every 9 minutes, this victim is a child. It is the responsibility of everyone in our community to take action towards preventing sexual assault and supporting victims.
In Connecticut and all over the world, sexual violence is a prevalent public health issue. An effective Public Health approach can bring together diverse communities and professionals to address complex health and social conditions. To learn more about prevention, programs, resources in our state, visit: https://bit.ly/2PZrE43
 
If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual assault, contact the 24-hour Connecticut Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-888-999-5545 (English) or 1-888-568-8332 (Spanish). Please visit endsexualviolencect.org for additional resources.