Maria Horn

The legislative process continues at the moment through signing ceremonies, as the Governor puts his pen to the bills that made it through both houses this year, turning them into official Public Acts.  We are all looking back at the session behind us, both to draft wrap up summaries of the work we did this year, and to note the policies that almost made it, so as to start thinking about the work to get them ready for next year.  I’ve been invited to attend a couple of legislative conferences this summer, which are great opportunities to hear how other states have addressed the issues we face in Connecticut.  It feels luxurious at the moment to think big picture again.
 
This summer, I know many of us are traveling to see family we have not been able to be with for the last 18 months, catching up on events that have been postponed, and marking occasions, including births, deaths, and everything in between, that have taken place without a communal gathering.  I plan to catch up on a few of those with my own extended family this summer, which will involve a couple of trips back to the Midwest as well as seeing family in New England.  I wish you all safe travels on those journeys. 
 
The last week has featured many graduations, which are at last returning to in-person events.  I was thrilled to be able to attend the (outdoor, socially distanced) award ceremony for the Future Farmers of America (FFA) at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. It was such a joy to be able to see everyone in person and honor these accomplished young people.  To all those who graduated this year, I wish you heartfelt congratulations for your achievement, particularly given the hurdles thrown in your way during the pandemic.
 
And congratulations today to all of Connecticut, as we reached a vaccination milestone today, with more than 2 million residents fully vaccinated!

Here are a few photos from some of the many events over the last week:

 

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• Governor Lamont signs budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. Click here.
• Salisbury-Sharon Transfer Station Swap shop opening July 1. Click here. 
• Open forum on substance abuse Harm Reduction Strategies in Torrington on June 30. Click here.

To access 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.”
 
Governor Lamont signs budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023
 
Yesterday Governor Lamont signed legislation enacting a biennial state budget for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 that was approved by the Connecticut General Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support. It makes significant investments in education, healthcare, childcare, workforce development, cities and towns, and nonprofit social service providers while not raising taxes. The budget remains $58 million under the spending cap, even while investing an additional $1 billion toward paying off Connecticut’s unfunded pension debt.
 
Connecticut’s bond rating this year reached its highest level in more than two decades, and analysts expect the state to end the current fiscal year with a surplus that leaves the rainy day fund at its largest amount in history.
 
Some of the key provisions of the 2022 and 2023 biennial budget include:

• Invests the most local government aid to towns and cities in state history, including an additional $525 million over the next two years through a combination of increased Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) and Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grants.
• Increases the state Earned Income Tax Credit for working families from the current 23% of the federal income tax to 30.5%, which will provide an additional $40 million in income – $158 million overall – to nearly 195,000 Connecticut households.
• Expands access to quality, affordable healthcare to working families by covering out-of-pocket and premium costs for approximately 40,000 individuals through Access Health CT. This innovative approach to expanding Medicaid will maximize federal support, minimize taxpayer costs, and allow the state to help tens of thousands of families that otherwise struggle to afford doctor visits and medicine.
• Expands access to affordable childcare by providing $5.3 million to cover three months of parent fees in the Care4Kids program and $3.5 million to cover parent fees in state-funded childcare centers over the summer of 2021.
• Expands workforce development support through the investment of $110 million over the next three years in short-term workforce training programs designed to help unemployed or underemployed residents earn high-paying jobs in high-demand industries such as healthcare, IT, manufacturing, and clean energy.
• Supports nonprofit health and human service providers through an additional $50 million in support from the FY 2021 surplus, plus an additional $30 million in FY 2022 and FY 2023 that will be matched by another $30 million in federal funds.
• Does not include any increases in income tax and sales tax rates.

The two pieces of legislation Governor Lamont signed enacting the biennial budget include House Bill 6689 – commonly known as the budget bill – and Senate Bill 1202 – commonly referred to as the implementer.
 
 
Salisbury-Sharon Transfer Station Swap shop opening July 1
 
I have heard from so many residents of Salisbury and Sharon eagerly awaiting the re-opening of the swap shop at the new transfer station, and I’m happy to share the news that July 1 is the day! 
 
The transfer station also has a new website loaded with information.

 
Open forum on substance abuse Harm Reduction Strategies in Torrington on June 30
 
This month, members of your community and three guests with experience in the field will be discussing Harm Reduction efforts in Litchfield County. Harm Reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at preventing the negative consequences associated with drug use. Our guests will help kick off the discussion and be able to answer any questions or concerns folks may have about Harm Reduction in our community.
 
For those wanting to join in person:
540 Litchfield Street, Torrington, CT 06790
Memorial Conference Room (first floor of the Memorial Building) 
Please RSVP here. 
 
For those joining via Zoom:
Please register by clicking here.
 
Please contact NWCTconversations@gmail.com with any questions or comments.