State Capitol Update 6.2

June 2, 2021

In the midst of the brisk legislative pace, there were a couple of national occasions I wanted to acknowledge.  A light one is that today is National Running Day (who knew?).  In honor of that, Plan A was to start my day with an actual run.  However, as I stayed over in Hartford yesterday after a late-night session, that didn’t work out, so Plan B was to take a video of the “running” I’m doing these days between the Legislative Office Building (where my office is) and the Capitol (where our chamber is).  Alas, that plan didn’t come to fruition either as the path between the buildings is also a good occasion to speak with colleagues about the legislation we’re debating, so a light-hearted running video wasn’t in the cards. Nonetheless, I hope all of you runners, hikers, and walkers celebrated on your favorite route.
 
The more meaningful occasion is that yesterday marked the beginning of Pride Month.  At a press conference marking the signing of the CT Parentage Act, ensuring that same-sex parents have the same legal rights and privileges as other families, the rainbow-hued Pride Flag was raised over the Capitol.  Many of the speakers noted the dramatic progress of LGBTQ rights over the past two decades, while noting the scourge of discrimination and violence that our LBGTQ community continues to face.  Pride Month is all about self-affirmation, dignity, equality and the freedom to be who you are and love who you love.  May that pride continue to push aside the shame and stigma that so many have had to face.  Happy Pride Month to all of the LGBTQ community!

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

  • COVID Data. Click here.
  • Bills Passed This Week. Click here.
  • CT Department of Agriculture Awards Farm Transition Grants. Click here
  • CT Trails Days on June 5 and 6. Click here
  • Connecticut Hate Crimes Advisory Council Formed. Click here.
  • Connecticut COVID-19 Mental Health Impact Survey. Click here.

AnchorCOVID Data
To access additional graphs and tables containing daily data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”

AnchorBills Passed This Week

SB 999
Investing in the in-state clean technology workforce is a critical component to combatting climate change in the years to come. SB 999 will create continuity standards across the renewable energy industry resulting in several good paying jobs for Connecticut residents.

HB 6402
The landscape of college sports athletics has shifted greatly over the last several decades – resulting in a need to modernize the standards for student athletes, especially when it comes to cashing in on their fame. Through the passage of HB 6402, Connecticut will move to join other states around the country to allow student athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness offering a significant recruiting advantage to our college sports programs.
 
SB 1
Structural and systemic racism has a significant impact on the social determinants of health, leading to vast health disparities in our state. Among other impactful measures included in the omnibus bill to support accessible health care, SB 1 includes a provision to declare racism a public health crisis and assemble a panel to study the effects of racism on our health care system.
 
SB 891
For people facing tough times, our state’s Foreclosure Mediation Program has helped them stay in their homes. However, this program is scheduled to sunset in June 2023. SB 891 will extend this vital program for another 6 years until June 2029 to help homeowners reach settlements and keep their homes.

SB 2
An  omnibus bill that would help improve the lives and health of all children in our state.  

AnchorCT Department of Agriculture awards Farm Transition Grants to two local businesses
 
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has awarded 24 grants from the Farm Transition Grant (FTG) program, totaling $497,382 to strengthen the economic viability of Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives seeking to expand, diversify, and improve their existing operation. 
 
Two farms in our district were recipients of these grants:
 

  • Smokedown Farm, LLC of Sharon is being awarded a grant in the Infrastructure Investment category for equipment for hop harvesting and storage
  • Cow Pots, LLC of East Canaan is being awarded a grant in the Infrastructure Investment category for equipment to modernize cow pot manufacturing to increase production 

 
Congratulations to both!  
 
 Additional information about the program can be found at www.CTGrown.gov/Grants.

AnchorCT Trails Days on June 5 and 6
 
The first weekend in June is the annual Trails Days event in Connecticut.  See the link below for details and locations of events all across the state.  Due to COVID concerns everyone is asked to register ahead of time, as the size of groups will be limited.
 
After the year we’ve all experienced, this is a welcome chance to discover a new place to hike and perhaps make new friends. Click here to learn more. 

AnchorConnecticut Hate Crimes Advisory Council Formed
 
Governor Lamont announced that he is appointing 25 people to serve as members of the newly formed Connecticut Hate Crimes Advisory Council.
 
Created by a recently adopted state law, the council will be responsible for encouraging and coordinating programs that increase community awareness and reporting of hate crimes and to combat such crimes. It also can make recommendations for legislation concerning hate crimes, including recommendations on restitution for victims, community service designed to remedy damage caused by any such crime, and additional alternative sentencing programs for first-time offenders and juvenile offenders.
 
For more information, click here.
 
AnchorConnecticut COVID-19 Mental Health Impact Survey
 
The Department of Mental Health and Addiction is conducting a survey to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Connecticut residents. Critical to better understanding the current and future needs of residents, this survey will help inform policy and programmatic decisions. To participate, a respondent must be 18 years of age or older and be a resident of Connecticut. 
 
The survey will be available online, on paper and over the phone in English, Spanish and Portuguese. A link is provided below, paper copies can be mailed to agencies upon request, and any person who wishes to take the survey over the phone will be able to do so by calling 475-434-1899 or 475-355-5393 Monday through Friday from 10AM to 12PM. There is an option to complete the survey on behalf of someone who, for whatever reason, cannot or does not feel comfortable completing it themselves. Those who don’t have internet access or are unable to use the other formats offered can ask that a provider, friend or family member fill it out on their behalf.
 
Link: https://yalesurvey.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9sP1MGDQDUDehF3
  
More information can be found here: https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/Newsworthy/News-Items/COVID-19-Mental-Health-Impact-Survey
 
 
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.