Newsletter 7/9/21

session
July 9, 2021

I hope you and your family had a happy holiday weekend!

Below you will find information on the following:

  • Legislative Recap Events
  • Newington Eagle Scout
  • Free Community College 
  • Hurricane Elsa
  • Time for CT- State Train Plan
  • Newington Community Champion Award 
  • Veterans Advisory Committee 
LEGISLATIVE RECAP EVENTS
Please join me at 10am today, Friday the 9th, on Facebook Live as I highlight key legislation that will benefit Newington.
Many thanks to everyone who joined me at my in-person coffee hour legislative recap!
NEWINGTON EAGLE SCOUT AWARD

Congratulations to Sri Gudipudi for earning the Boy Scouts, Eagle Scout Award. Our entire Newington community is very proud of you.
FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
In Connecticut, we are committed to making higher education affordable. For more information about the PACT Program and to see if you qualify, please visit:https://www.ct.edu/pact. Deadline is July 15th!
HURRICANE ELSA

The remnants of Tropical Storm Elsa could impact Connecticut by Thursday and Friday. The latest track from the National Hurricane Center has placed Connecticut in the 'Cone of Uncertainty'. Here are some reminders for this hurricane season.

For more information, including the Connecticut Guide To Hurricane Preparedness, please visit: https://bit.ly/3hhMGWy
TIME FOR CT: STATE TRAIN PLAN
The Connecticut Transportation Commissioner revealed TIME FOR CT, the actionable plan to deliver the state's vision for safe, reliable, and fast train service in Connecticut – saving people up to 10 minutes in their commutes by 2022. The plan also shows that with investment in infrastructure and the rail fleet, future super-express service will save people up to 25 minutes by 2035.

TIME FOR CT is an $8 to $10 billion comprehensive investment program that, with funding, can provide additional capacity and improve needs, frequency, and reliability throughout Connecticut. The benefits include:

  • Save 10 minutes of travel time by 2022
  • Reduce travel time by 25 minutes by 2035
  • Use existing assets and stay within existing right-of-way
  • Reduce impacts of climate change by attracting more people out of their cars
  • Improve the resiliency of the New Haven Line
  • Provide a new fleet for faster trip times and an improved passenger experience
  • Improve access to education, jobs, and urban centers
  • Support economic recovery from COVID through improved service
  • Generate an estimated 45,000 direct construction jobs over 15 years

Full details on TIME FOR CT, including the New Haven Line capacity and speed analysis, the executive summary, and the TIME FOR CT rail map, have been published online at ct.gov/dot.
NEWINGTON COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD

Every year, and particularly this year, our community witnesses countless advocates fighting for positive change. These advocates come in all shapes and sizes from leaders of non-profit organizations, to students creating initiatives within our community. I think it is important for us to take the time to thank and honor these everyday champions for all that they do. Please continue to send in your nominations for the Monthly Newington Community Champion Award.

This monthly award aims to acknowledge Newington residents who are advocating and contributing towards positive change in the community.

In order to nominate a Newington friend or neighbor, please email gary.turco@cga.ct.gov with the following information: 

-Newington Resident's Name 
-Reason for Nomination 
-Nominee Contact Information
VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
If you are a Newington veteran, the family member of a Newington veteran, or anyone interested in helping veterans in Newington, and across CT, then please join the Newington Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee. This is an opportunity to ensure the voices of veterans and active service members are heard throughout the legislative process. Members of this committee will help inform decisions made at the state capitol and will also learn about the legislative process, bill tracking and more.

If you are interested in joining the committee, please sign-up through the link below, or email me at Gary.Turco@cga.ct.gov
Click Here to Sign up