Newsletter
May 18, 2021We are rapidly heading into the busiest part of the session—this week, we will be in Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. You can follow along on CT-N.com.
There's so much good news to share: awards and citations, more good financial news, and bills that have passed the House.
As always, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me—I always say, if I don't what your challenges are, I can't help you.
| MASK CONFUSION |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced last week that if you are fully vaccinated you can resume the activities you did before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the country to a near standstill. That also means you don't have to wear a mask or practice social distancing - except where they are required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
No more masks? Great news, sure, but how do, say, businesses and local officials balance all of that with rules they have in place?
We expect to have more guidance from the Governor's office this week because the CDC's abrupt announcement created quite a bit of confusion, too. Connecticut will be announcing its own guidelines soon, so stay tuned.
| BILLS I SUPPORTED THAT PASSED THE HOUSE |
A number of bills passed the House during session last week. Here are a few of the bills I supported that will now move to the Senate and hopefully, to the Governor's desk for his signature.
HB 6657: An Act Concerning Human Trafficking
Even after the abuse ends, survivors of human trafficking often continue to bear the burden of a criminal record for acts they were forced to do, hindering their ability to rebuild their lives. Just passed by the House, HB 6657 makes critically needed changes to existing law by giving trafficking survivors the opportunity to clear all criminal records related to their trafficking. Survivors deserve justice.
HB 6626: An Act Concerning Required Health Insurance Coverage For Breast Health Benefits
HB 6626 is about early detection, which is critical to saving our state money and saving lives. By expanding on existing legislation which removed barriers so that patients may access mammograms, the House has moved to additionally support access to other tests used to detect breast cancer. These tests, including ultrasounds, can be the difference in surviving a breast cancer diagnosis.
HB 6633: An Act Restructuring Unemployment Insurance Benefits And Improving Fund Solvency
This pandemic, and its subsequent economic crisis, has only further demonstrated that Connecticut must create pathways that not only kickstart our recovery but facilitate an economy in which our businesses and families can thrive. Just passed through the House chamber, HB 6633 is a comprehensive plan that creates a more resilient unemployment insurance trust fund that can endure future recessions.
| MORE GOOD FINANCIAL NEWS FOR CONNECTICUT |
S&P Global, Kroll and Fitch, three independent credit rating agencies have upgraded Connecticut's bond credit rating!
S&P is upgrading the state to A+, Kroll, AA and Fitch AA- comes on the heels of Moody's upgrade to Aa3.
In total, the upgrades for CT is the nest news the companies have bestowed on our state in more than 20 years.
“These upgrades by S&P Global, Kroll, Fitch, and Moody’s are independent, third-party validations that our administration is putting Connecticut on the right track,” Governor Ned Lamont said last week.
To read the full press release click on the image below:
| A CITATION FOR MAYLIA |
Congratulations to Maylia Jordan, Canton Middle School's Women's History Month Essay Winner! Last Friday, I enjoyed spending time with Maylia and her parents as I presented her with a citation. Her inspiration for her essay was Katherine Johnson, the NASA research mathematician whose calculations were pivotal in the success of the first spaceflight with crew and those to follow.
Johnson's notoriety has swelled in recent years following her receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom from then-president Barack Obama in 2015 and the 2017 release of the biographical drama Hidden Figures.
Maylia did an excellent job connecting Katherine's struggle to become a female mathematician with her desire to persevere and become a scientist someday herself. I know that Maylia will do whatever she sets her mind to and I am grateful she chose to participate in the contest.
| CONGRATULATIONS EAGLES SCOUTS IN AVON |
Yesterday, it was my profound privilege to deliver a citation to the five Eagle Scout candidates in Troop 274 in Avon.
Matthew David Cavanaugh, John Thomas Donlin, Matthew Christopher Frey, Anthony Joseph Milardo, and John Claude Nusom.
After emotional speeches by troop leaders, some of whom are also the scouts parent, it was my honor to read my citation and offer a few thoughts to these remarkable young men. I was struck by the fact that there were Eagle Scouts who achieved their rank decades ago to just last year who helped and encourage them on their journey. Of course, none of this would be possible without their parents and troop leaders.
Last Thursday, I took a moment of personal privilege to have their names read into the record during session. You can see that clip here:
Images Courtesy of © Seshu Photography | Avon, CT
Images Courtesy of © Seshu Photography | Avon, CT
| RECOGNIZING VETERANS DURING MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH |
No veteran should be denied the honor and dignity of a funeral. That's why in April we passed HB 6480, An Act Concerning Funeral Expenses Of Certain Veterans
| HAPPY NATIONAL EMS WEEK |
It's National EMS Week which is an obvious follow-up to National Police Week. As the secondary responders in any medical emergency, they are critical to your survival in an emergency. To all of our paramedics, emergency medical techs, ambulance drivers, and volunteers who serve Connecticut, THANK YOU!
| CONGRATS CLASS OF 2021 |
Congratulations to all of the 2021 graduates in high school, college, and beyond. And a special shout out to my favorite graduate this year, our daughter, Sabrina. Best of luck to all of you as you navigate college, the working world, or even higher educational aspirations.
