Maria Horn

It’s been another busy week, between events in what I think of as “virtual Hartford” and those here in the district. 
 
There are lots of drafting meetings to finalize those bills that were “works in progress” when passed out of committee, and we have several of those in the Public Safety & Security Committee which I chair.  I’ve also had many meetings regarding both the broadband bill (HB 6442), and how to channel the federal resources that are earmarked for broadband infrastructure in ways that can best help us in the Northwest Corner.
 
We’re also having regular “caucus” meetings, focused on particular bills that may come up for a vote soon, including on the expansion of voting through no-excuse absentee ballots and early voting, the expansion of gaming to include sports betting, and the religious exemption for school-mandated vaccines.  My thanks to the many of you who reach out on these issues to share your perspective – it’s tremendously valuable.
 
Locally, the firehouse pancake breakfast is back (thank you Sharon Fire Department & Ambulance Squad for feeding me and my husband this weekend!).  I also had the opportunity to speak with first responders in Cornwall last night to hear about challenges with training, recruiting, and getting straight answers from the state, as well as possible opportunities that increased online training can provide.  We talked about the how CPR training can be an entry point for young people who might be interested in joining up.  I thought of that conversation when I read this article in the CT Post, about a high school student who was able to save his father’s life because of CPR training, and now wants to make sure others can learn this skill.
 
And follow up to the North Canaan FEMA clinic on 4/14:  Because of the pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, this clinic switched to the Pfizer vaccine, which requires a second shot.  Today I got confirmation that mobile units will return to North Canaan to administer second vaccine shots to those who got their first shot on April 14. Everyone who was vaccinated that day should get a call from Griffin Hospital within 3 weeks to get specific arrangements and dates.  I was told this is likely to happen on at least two different dates, to give people more scheduling options.
 
 
Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• Data Updates on Vaccine Administration in Connecticut. Click here.
• Data Updates on Variants in Connecticut. Click here. 
• Weekly Update on the Impact of COVID-19 on Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities. Click here.
• COVID-19 Alert Map. Click here. 
• Taxes and Federal Stimulus Money. Click here. 
• NW Connecticut Community College  to Host Virtual Open House. Click here. 
• Start or Expand your Business with Loans Guaranteed by the US Small Business Administration. Click here. 
• Give Local Event this weekend focused on local nonprofits. Click here. 
• Earth Day. Click here. 
• Daffodil Days. Click here. 
• COVID-19 Tools and Resources for People with Disabilities. Click here.

A look at the schedule of public hearings being held this week. Please remember that you only need to register if you wish to provide testimony. If you want to observe the hearings, you can tune in to watch the proceedings live on the committee’s YouTube channel.

You can register to testify and find more detail on this week’s public hearings, including the bills that will be heard, in this week’s CGA Bulletin. You can access the Bulletin 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.”
 
Data updates on vaccine administration in Connecticut
 
The following data represents the total number of COVID-19 vaccines administered in Connecticut, as reported to the state as of today:
 

Dose	Total Administered
First dose administered	1,617,983*
Fully vaccinated	1,037,446*
Total doses administered	2,550,660*

 

 
*NOTE: A total of 104,769 doses of the single-dose J&J vaccine are included in each category
 
Connecticut continues to rank among the top three states in the nation that have administered the most vaccines per capita.
 
A total of 55% of everyone in Connecticut over the age of 16 has received at least one dose so far, including:
 

• 87% of those over the age of 65;
• 73% of those between the ages of 55-64;
• 56% of those between the ages of 45-54; and
• 34% of those between the ages of 16-44.

 
All Connecticut residents over the age of 16 are currently eligible to receive the vaccines. Appointments must be made in advance at all clinics statewide. To learn how to make an appointment, visit ct.gov/covidvaccine and enter a zip code to find the nearest clinics.
 
Data updates on variants in Connecticut
 
The following data contains the cumulative number of SARS-CoV-2 variants that have been identified among Connecticut residents as of today:
 
Variants of concern
 

• B.1.1.7 (first detected in the United Kingdom): 945 cases
• B.1.351 (first detected in South Africa): 9 cases
• P.1 (first detected in Brazil): 9 cases
• B.1.427 (first detected in California): 47 cases
• B.1.429 (first detected in California): 120 cases

 
Variants of interest
 

• B.1.526 including all sublineages (first detected in New York): 478 cases
• B.1.525 (first detected in Africa and Europe): 10 cases
• P.2 (first detected in Brazil): 7 cases

 
For more information on variants, see page 7 of this week’s extended COVID-19 data report.
 
Weekly update on the impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes and assisted living facilities
 
The following documents contain the weekly data regarding each of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Connecticut that have reported positive cases of COVID-19 among their residents. The data is presented as it was reported to the state by each of the facilities.
 

**Download: Report from April 15, 2021 on COVID-19 in Connecticut nursing homes **Download: Report from April 15, 2021 on COVID-19 in Connecticut assisted living facilities

 

 
Weekly update of the Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Alert Map: 132 of 169 municipalities in red zone alert level
 
The Connecticut Department of Public Health today released its weekly COVID-19 Alert Map, which indicates that 132 of 169 towns and cities in Connecticut are currently in the red zone alert level, the highest of the state’s four alert levels. Of the 21 towns in the gray alert level, the lowest, 9 are in the Northwest Corner.
 
The COVID-19 Alert Map is updated every Thursday afternoon and can be found within the Data Tracker page of the state’s coronavirus website at ct.gov/coronavirus.
 
 
Filing taxes this year will ensure you receive any federal stimulus money available to you
 
This year’s extended tax deadline, May 17^th, is just over a month away. Filing your taxes is more important than ever to ensure you receive critical federal stimulus money that may be available to you.

With the passage of the American Rescue Plan, there have now been three Economic Impact Payments over the past year, the so-called stimulus checks, made to individuals. 

• First Round - $1,200 per adult and $500 per child
• Second Round - $600 per adult and $600 per child
• Third Round - $1,400 per adult and $1,400 per child

If you didn't get a first and second Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amounts, you may be eligible to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit. In order to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit, along with several expanded and refundable tax credits available to individuals, you must file a 2020 tax return, even if you usually don’t file a tax return.
 
The American Rescue Plan also expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit.  Previously limited to people over 25, the Earned Income Tax Credit is now open to

• Individuals over 19
• Former foster kids who are 18 years or older
• Homeless youth (no age specified)

In addition, the amount available under the Earned Income Tax Credit for individuals without children has more than doubled to $1,500. Learn more about the Earned Income Tax Credit here.
 
If you need assistance filing your 2020 taxes, you can find a number of resources here.  
 
Northwestern Connecticut Community College will hold Virtual Open House on April 21 and 22
 
Are you beginning your college search or considering a place to continue your college education? Northwestern Connecticut Community College in Winsted will be holding a Virtual Open House on Wednesday, April 21 and Thursday, April 22. 
  
The opening session begins Wednesday, April 21 at 6:00 pm. Prospective students can see the Virtual Open House schedule and register for multiple sessions at: www.nwcc.edu/virtual-open-house. For further information, please contact the Office of Admissions at (860) 738-6330 or email admissions@nwcc.edu. 
 
 
Start or expand your business with loans guaranteed by the US Small Business Administration
 
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides loan programs to help you start, grow, and expand your small business. Each distinct program meets a specific need of business owners, whether it be working capital, purchasing a building or equipment, or a microloan to meet your unique requirements.

• 7(a) Loan Program: SBA’s most common loan program, which includes financial help for businesses with special requirements. Read more about the 7(a) loan program.
• 504 Loans: Long-term, fixed rate financing of up to $5 million for major fixed assets. 504 loans are available exclusively through Certified Development Companies (CDCs). First,  find a CDC  in your area to ensure you are dealing with a qualified lender. Then begin to prepare and assemble your  504 loan authorization package, using our  504 Authorization File Library  to identify the documentation you will need to apply for your 504 CDC loan
• Microloans: Smaller-size loans of up to $50,000 provided through SBA funding intermediaries. To find an authorized microlender near you,  contact your local  SBA District Office.
• Loans for exporters:  To learn how the SBA can help you get an export loan, contact Joseph Raycraft, International Trade Finance Specialist, New England at joseph.raycraft@sba.govor (860) 241-5573. 

Get matched to an SBA-approved lender and find the best loans to start and grow your small business. Find Lenders

Give Local Event this weekend focused on local nonprofits
  
Hosted by Connecticut Community Foundation and sponsored by Ion Bank Foundation for the ninth consecutive year, Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills benefits the vital work of hundreds of nonprofit organizations in our region.
This fun and inspiring 36-hour online giving event unites donors, businesses, and organizations in giving back to our local community.

Thanks to generous sponsors as well as funds from Connecticut Community Foundation, every dollar donated during Give Local, is stretched with bonus funds and nonprofits have opportunities to win cash prizes throughout the event. All of this adds to the excitement while raising essential funds for the work of our local nonprofits.

For 36-hours beginning at 7 a.m. on April 20 to 7 p.m. on April 21, you are invited to do something special to support local nonprofit organizations like the YMCA, that serve Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills. More than 275 nonprofits are participating this year!
 
Earth Day is less than a week away!
 
In honor of Earth Day on April 22, will you join me in making some small, daily choices that will help the environment?

Kent Chamber of Commerce presents Daffodil Days
 
For the past three autumns the Kent Chamber of Commerce has been planting daffodil bulbs in preparation for our First Annual Daffodil Day celebration, taking place April 15-30.
 
Chamber members are offering two week-long promotions featuring discounts and sales. Be sure to wear yellow because that will be your ticket to 10% off at Cozzy’s Pizzeria and Tarot in Thyme and even a free shoehorn at Sundog Shoe and Leather. Follow @BerkshirePlaceTables on Instagram with a comment #daffodildaysofkent and you could win a hand-crafted charcuterie board. Eat at Frank Food Co. or Fife ‘n Drum and enjoy a special dessert.

Go on a Daffodil Safari at Sculpturedale and stroll through three acres of life-size animals, daffodils, hyacinths and even a fairy house. There are two photo opportunities, one at the Gazebo on the north end of the Kent Green (decorated by The Village Farm) and one at Kent Greenhouse and Gardens. Over 20 businesses are participating, and Kent will be abuzz with activity.
 
See all the promotions and find all the information on the Chamber website kentct.com. While in town, please wear a mask.

COVID-19 Tools and Resources for People With Disabilities
 
The State of Connecticut remains committed to ensuring the safety of residents with disabilities throughout the response and recovery phases of COVID-19. The resources found here are provided to ensure individuals with disabilities, and those who care for persons with disabilities can continue to make informed decisions. 
 
 
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.