The pandemic has produced numerous challenges and exacerbated existing institutional inequities. Throughout the 2021 session, my colleagues and I worked to address these new challenges and address the existing injustices by passing over 350 bills and resolutions.
Over the course of the summer I will send a bi-weekly newsletter that includes several pieces of legislation passed out of the legislature from a particular committee.
This week I have highlighted bills passed out of the Environmental Committee. As a representative of Fairfield, I feel that these bills are particularly important to our community considering we will experience the most significant impacts of climate change out of all municipalities across Connecticut.
LONG ISLAND SOUND BLUE PLAN: The Long Island Sound Blue Plan allows us to foster healthy and sustainable uses of this important body of water while taking into account both our ecological and recreational needs. This plan creates an online resource that all stakeholders and planners can utilize. This bill is particularly important for our Fairfield community!
THE BOTTLE BILL: This session we modernized the bottle bill for the first time in almost 40 years in order to maximize recycling and reduce pollution. This bill:
Increases the redemption rate on beverage containers from 5 to 10 cents starting January 2024
Requires certain retailers that sell beverage containers captured by the bottle program to have two reverse vending machines outside of their stores starting in October 2021
Updates the types of beverage containers captured by the bottle program, such as containers for teas, juices, hard ciders, and hard seltzers
Allocates $5 million through the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to create a grant program for new redemption centers in urban areas
Creates a nickel surcharge on nip bottles, which are a major source of litter in towns across the state, at the point of sale. The money will be redistributed to Connecticut towns and cities to use to reduce waste and litter.
MODERNIZING FISHING: We opened trout season to year-round access and doubled the size of group fishing permits to one hundred people.
ANAEROBIC DIGESTERS ON FARMS: This bill makes the approval process easier for farms to use anaerobic digestion for energy production. These facilities generate electricity through the breakdown of organic matter. This solves environmental issues related to storm-water and food waste, while also producing energy.
REGULATION OF PFAS: This legislation limits the use of hazardous chemicals known as PFAS in firefighting foam and food packaging. PFAS are considered "forever chemicals," because they do not break down in typical environmental conditions. These substances accumulate within the human body and cause conditions such as thyroid disease, liver damage, testicular cancer, and damage to babies in the womb.
UPDATE TO SEWAGE SPILL RIGHT-TO-KNOW ACT: In response to sewage spills in New Haven County and Waterbury last summer, we updated the Sewage Spill Right-to-Know Act. This ensures towns and the general public are notified of raw sewage spills more expeditiously.
SUBSIDIES FOR EGGS: We increased market options for local farmers while promoting healthy eating by adding eggs to the Farmers Market Nutrition Program for Seniors and WIC Participants.
FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL: As a means of enabling towns to be more resilient in dealing with climate change, we adopted recommendations of the Governor's Council on Climate Change. Flood and erosion control boards will now have the authority to oversee flood prevention and climate resiliency. Additionally, towns may now establish their own storm-water authority. We also expanded the Green Bank's duties to support environmental infrastructure.
PRIDE MONTH IN FAIRFIELD
On Monday we raised the #pride flag in front of Town Hall and it was joy-filled!!! I am so inspired by the courage and resiliency of our gay community, and particularly our young advocates who shared their powerful personal stories today. I’m so grateful for John Brannelly and his tireless advocacy and to Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick for embracing this powerful symbol that sends the message that Fairfield is a welcoming and inclusive community.
CHILD TAX CREDIT AWARENESS
Monday was National Child Tax Credit Awareness Day.
The federal child tax credit program will uplift countless working families across the nation. Under the American Rescue Plan, the child tax credit will increase from $2,000 to $3,600 for children under age 6, and to $3,000 for children ages 6-17.
